Masquerade!

Hiei...

We were finally out of that hellish frozen wasteland and inside of the gates. The capital city wasn't much different than any other you would find in the demon or even human world. Looking around, I noticed there weren't just the native northerners that lived here, the ones with cold blue skin and snow white hair. I saw many other demons that originated from the mainland as well, ogres, spirit animals, an apparition or two, a diverse metropolis of demons. We were able to blend in with the crowd quite nicely after emerging from the depths of their filthy muck encrusted sewers.

The girl, Jade, bought all of us butterfly masks to hide our faces in the bustling crowds. Apparently, this place took every and any excuse to have a festival of some sort, to dress up and party, to play games. It makes me sick. There's a war going on and all they can do is celebrate locked away in their city, as if there's nothing going on, as if their own people's lives weren't at stake as they marched southward. Soon, all of demon world will be covered in ice and snow.

"Oh, wow. This festival only comes once every two hundred years." Emmie exclaimed as she excitedly looked all around us at the dragon ice sculptures that littered the streets. Paper blue moon lamps hung on every window and corner, flags of a blue dragon encircling itself flew in the freezing wind, and the people sang and drank to their heart's content, chanting the name "Arare."

"What, festival is this?" Yusuke asked, his inferior human curiosity getting the better of him.

"The Blue Moon Festival. They're preparing for the coming of the next blue moon. You were right, Hiei." Jade turned to me. "Her birthday is this month, otherwise, they wouldn't be having this particular festival. How did you know, Hiei?"

"Lucky guess." I quickly answered, not wanting them to pry any further. They can't know about what I've done, and with that girl no less. It's disgraceful.

"Uh, huh." She mumbled as she led us towards the gleaming castle that lay in the center of the city. "Let's just hope, we're not too late to set things straight. Right, Emmie?" The little imp merely gave a wink to her older cousin.

"They haven't seen anything yet, huh, Jade?" Said girl gave a swift punch to her skull. "OW! What was that for?!"

"You need to learn to be quiet."

"Whatever." The imp grumbled. A certain glance exchanged between the two, something that I couldn't pick up on. Ever since we left the spirit realm, I had been trying to read their thoughts to no avail. That feeling that I got as we jumped through the portal never left me. It had only grown stronger as we neared the castle gates. As we flowed in with what seemed to be the rest of the city, I could tell that those two girls were up to something, but what is was, I couldn't tell you. What I do know is that if they get in my way, I'll kill them both.

We steadily moved into the castle court yard. Jade had said that the Blue Moon festival was the only time that the castle was open to the public. "And there's gonna be DANCING! and karaoke! and music! and TONS of people!" Emmie continued on and on.

"Just remember why we're here." Kurama warned.

"Yeah, yeah foxy, we got ya covered." Emmie winked.

"Forgive me if I seem a little nervous."

"I'd be nervous too if I had a crazy cat lady back home. She should be popping any day now huh?"

"Is my concern that obvious?" Kurama smiled, trying to put on a brave face, but failing miserably. He certainly was nervous about the pregnancy, and how could anyone blame him? I didn't think that he and Naoko were going to be able to pull through the last two failed attempts. The morbid aura was enough to cause me to grieve. I never would've thought that the cat's spirit could be so incredibly broken, but then again, I've never had anything die inside of me twice, so I can't say that I could ever understand her pain. Not like it was easier for Kurama either. Not only did he have to deal with losing one unborn offspring and give birth to a stillborn, but also try to comfort his insane suicidal wife. Those are not times I want to relive.

"There it is guys, the grand ball room." Jade stated. We were slowly shuffling in, corralled by the guards that were on either side of us, their iron helmets ribbed with what looked like lizard frills. "We should be able to see the royal family from in there."

"And then what?" Yusuke asked, trying to keep his mask on his face.

"Then the real party begins."

...

We were able to keep ourselves hidden within the messy partying crowds of demons. Their music softly wafted through the air as the dancers made a show. The chanting was deafening enough without the quiet murmurs of conversations. We could see their leader sitting on his throne, looking bored. His eyes, from what I could tell, scanned the room in a steely gaze as if searching for something.

"There's their king, but where is the Aoitsuki? She is apart of the royal family, is she not?" Kurama looked to Jade as she tried to get the imp off of the buffet. Yususke quickly took her place and started to scarf down everything in sight.

"She should be here."

The crowd instantly became silent as the falling snow. All of their attention was turned towards a corner of the room where some sort of instrument lay. It looked similar to the human's piano but was far grander in scale, it's blue tint shimmered in the spotlight that came form overhead. Then, I heard that song. The very same song that I had awoken to in that girl's tiny home. The one she played over and over again as if she would forget every note if she did not practice. The soft melody was a soothing nostalgia, a reminder of happier days when we were...

I refuse to finish that thought. I won't succumb to her and that horrible music again. I will only be tricked once. Only once.

"Hiei, are you alright?" Kurama looked to me with deep concern. I hadn't realized that I lost control of myself, allowing my demonic energy to seep through and lash out in anger. I could see a small droplet of blood slide down Kurama's cheek. I took in a deep breath to calm myself down.

"I'm fine, Kurama, just eager." I lied.

I don't think he believed me. "If... you say so, Hiei." He returned his attention to the pianist, which was, no doubt, that girl.

Once the music slowly came to an end, I looked over to their ruler and saw that he was looking directly into my eyes. His smile was twisted into a deep satisfaction as our gazes locked. He stood then, the gleaming silver ornaments that adorned his blue and white silk robes jiggled at every graceful movement. The crowd turned their attention to him as he raised his right hand to speak. "My friends, my countrymen, my people. You know that this is a very special and important night." Cheers rang out throughout the hall then quickly silenced. "The blue moon shall rise once again to mark the age of a new era, the Age of the water bearers, the age where the Spell of Water, Arare, shall rise again to power and claim her rightful place as the protector of the demon world." Cheers rose again, chanting the name Arare.

"This is also, as you know, the day of my dearest little sister's birth, the Final Vessel." More cheers rang out, crying out for their princess. ""And as you know, King Yama, the traitor, will stop at NOTHING to see her destruction."

"BOOOO!" I looked to Emmie who jeered with the crowd. She looked at me and shrugged before continuing.

"He dared to interfere with the balance of the three worlds, and now he shall pay!" More cheers and taunts and laughter overwhelmed the hall. They became almost uncontrollable with their chants for blood and King Yama's head. The king outstretched his hand towards us. "However, I see that the coward sent his lackeys to do his dirty work. Please, my people, make the intruders feel welcome in my home."

All of a sudden the crowd turned their heads to us, all staring with their ice blue eyes behind their butterfly masks, their whispered murmurs were all we could hear as they backed away from us, corralling us towards the king of ice and snow. I looked to Kurama and Yusuke, giving a silent signal to wait for the right opportunity to attack. We walked forward, Yusuke taking the lead with Kurama and I following close behind. The two Fubuki sisters brought up the rear, the demons of this frozen wasteland pushing us toward King Onni Sawa's throne.

He gave a curt nod before speaking again. "Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am King Onni Sawa, son of King Tsu the Champion, now passed, and Queen Ametari the Healer, now passed, brother to Princess Sitsumi the Water Bearer." He proclaimed.

"Nice to meet ya! I'm Yusuke Urameshi, son of Atsuko Urameshi and grandson to Raizen, now dead." Yusuke gave a cocky smile before pointing in the king's direction. "I'm the one who's gonna kick your ass and bring this whole operation down, you slimy son-of-a-bitch."

Onni Sawa gave a surprised look before he burst into a deep throated laugh that echoed throughout the hall. His subjects followed suit. "Sister, you never shared any tales of this one. He's a RIOT!" He looked behind him to a silhouette of a small figure, one that I knew all too well.

"I've only met this one once, brother. We were never truly acquainted." She stepped forward to stand next to her much taller older brother. The silk gown she wore was also covered in silver chains and sapphire gems, bring out the deep blue color of her eyes. She bowed low towards us, her eyes never meeting any of ours. "It is wonderful to finally meet you again, Yusuke Urameshi, Youko Kurama.." She only gave me a glance before looking to the ground. "Hiei." I barely could hear the faint whisper.

All of a sudden a sharp agonizing pain filled my entire body. I could smell smoldering flesh as the three of us were brought to our knees. We were being electrocuted. The pain was unbearable, the shocks pulsed throughout my body, stinging every single little cell as we all cried out in pain. Once it stopped I looked up to see the two sisters standing in front of the king, bowing to him.

"I see everything has gone as planned." He said.

"Sorry it took so long, your kinglyness, but you know how horrible that trek can be." Emmie answered.

"I... should have known..." I spat as I tried to get back to my feet.

"Wow, sparky, I can't believe you're still up. I pumped in at least a thousand watts." She smirked at my predicament.

"I told you, you were giving too much away." Jade smacked her cousin on the head again.

"OW! Not my fault! You were the one who was supposed to kill him!" Emmie shot back, pointing towards me. "Like seriously! We wouldn't be doing this if you were able to complete your job."

"What job?" Kurama asked. He was able to slowly rise to his feet alongside me, Yusuke was already standing, his hands balled into fists, his anger near its limit already.

Jade looked to me and smiled. "I'm actually really surprised you never noticed it, Hiei. We met long before Memoru introduced me to you guys."

"I think I'd remember a backstabbing bitch." I laced every word with as much venom as I could muster. My entire body still tingling painfully from the electric shocks.

"Ha! Very funny." Her laugh was sarcastic as she walked closer to me. "Hmmm, let's see. We met a bout a year ago I believe. It was a dark and stormy night, you were in a tree in the human world when all of a sudden, you were attacked by some sort of demonic beast with fangs as long as knives and claws that tore through metal. The two of you were duking it out for quite sometime before the monster was able to poison you with its venomous bite." He hissed, her green eyes were glowing brightly. "Maybe, you'll remember this." She unzipped her jacket and lifted her shirt towards her armpit, reveling an X mark along the side of her torso.

It finally clicked. "You're that thing that left me for dead in the human world before I..." I stopped.

"Before you met, Princess Sitsumi. That's right, sparky. Now be a good little demon and stay down." Emmie's right hand crackled with her electrical energy, making it surge and spike. The three of us were ready to dodge when a voice cried out.

"STOP! Do not hurt them!" We all looked to the Princess of the land. "I forbid it."

"Wait a moment. You... you're that girl from the cafe'. I knew I recognized your scent." Kurama stated.

Yusuke's eyes widened. " You don't mean that really cute girl that gave Hiei all those free drinks, do ya, Kurama?" Kurama nodded. "THAT girl?!" Yusuke cried out hysterically.

"I'm afraid so, Yusuke." Kurama was very matter of fact as he reached inside his jacket to pull out his rose.

"I am so happy that you actually remember me. How long ago was that? September? Maybe October? It is lovely to finally meet all of you foramlly. Although, the circumstances could have been a lot better." She gave a sad smile, it churned my stomach to see it.

"Can it bitch! We're here to bring you and your little Third Reich down." Yusuke yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Yusuke, I'm surprised you even know what that is." Kurama said.

Yuske gave his signature grin and a thumbs up. " Thanks! I've been watching the history channel lately!"

The girl smiled warmly. "You're... silly." Then giggled. "Besides, it's not yet time. I mean, the Breath of Fire has yet to recover."

"Enough talk!" Yusuke lit up his hand with his spirit energy. "SHOT GUN!" he screamed, hurling the balls of light towards her.

Every single one was safely deflected away, harming no one, merely batted away towards the walls and ceiling. Bits and pieces rained down on all of us, the onlookers screamed as they scrambled to the exits. not wanting to get hit. Each little bullet was deflected, but not by her. No. She did nothing but stare blankly at Yusuke. It was me. I had flitted in the way, drawing my sword, knocking away all of the spirit detective's shots, and I protected her. Everyone within our little troupe was silent. Not a breath escaped a single pair of lips as they stared in awe at me. I glared at Yusuke in irritation. His and Kurama's shocked faces did not stir me in the least. There wasn't a way in hell I would allow either of them to kill her. No. I wanted to do that myself. I only needed them here to watch.

I felt slim little arms wrap themselves around me, holding me close to a tiny frail body. She laid her head against my back, sinking deeper into the warmth my body produced. "Hiei, I missed you." I heard her whisper.

"Oh, good, little sister." I looked to Onni Sawa. He covered his hand in a sharp block of ice ready to lunge for me. "Keep him there!" As he took a step closer, a wall of clear ice came between us. "Wha... WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! He's the one..!"

"Silence!" Her voice echoed around the throne room. All of the clamoring crowd stopped to look and watch, forgetting about the imminent danger. Her grasp constricted me, holding me close in place. "You will not harm him, brother." She spat. I could only imagine her eyes fading into that bright ice blue, her gaze cold and unyielding, the way they were when she escaped from the spirit world.

"Are you really ordering me around, little brat?" Onni Sawa glared at her, his shard of ice still drawn.

"You obviously did not understand, brother." Her voice changed from the lilting sweet tone she had when she greeted us to a dark and chilled wind. "If you touch him, I'll destroy your very memory in history."

I could tell her attention was directed towards her brother, I used the opportunity to break her grip and turn to her, my sword already in mid swing. I felt it connect, but no blood was spilled. She only had her little finger up, the edge of the sword not even cutting into her skin. I was too stunned to move at that point. She slid her finger down my sword to the hilt, then glided over my hand to my wrist. She tugged at the blue ribbon that I had tied there... the very same one she gave me all those months ago. The one she told me to give back.

"You kept it." She said, her eyes now bleeding back to their dark blue depths, tears starting to gather at the corners. She smiled faintly, the blue tint of her lips giving a certain glow to her skin. "I wish I didn't have to put you through this, Hiei. I tried to convince Yama to surrender, or at the very least face me in battle, but he is nothing but a coward. He would rather send thousands in his command to my mercy than to face me himself. He is so afraid of losing his power that he sends his little puppets to me instead, knowing full well I could destroy each of you with a thought. How cruel. How savage. How wrong." She whispered the last as tears started to slide down her cheek. I could only feel anger bubble up inside of me. "I'm sorry you had to see me like this, Hiei. I'm sorry that you were dragged into the middle of this. If I had known who you were before this, I wouldn't have gotten so close to you."

"Shut up." I grabbed her by the collar of her silver and blue dress. "I won't be your little play thing anymore. I'm here to end you and this war, and I won't let your lies cloud my judgement again." I raised my sword once more to strike at her one last time.

Tbc...

L: Holy shizz! 20 chapters already? DAMN I'm good! I really hope you enjoyed this chapter because FINALLY the battle is about to begin! I have like twenty different endings going on in my head, so I'm sorting out which I'm gonna choose! Review if you please! For I crave your love and affection!

Till next time!