Kurama's Spring Flower

Chapter Thirty Eight

Lord Riku's eyes widen as he whispers, "Those visions were correct. It is possible." He then stands up and makes his way to the entrance of his chambers and opens the doors to see two guards. "One of you needs to fetch me a messenger for one of the portal keepers." Lord Riku orders, making the two guard Dog Demons bow to him before looking to each other as they try to decide who should follow his orders, whilst he closes the doors and returns to his seat. But his gaze didn't go to the mirrors straight away, instead he was staring longingly at the last photo of his daughter. Before his daughter was taken and tortured by his former mate, his beloved Ayaka had decided to send him a photo of herself her human mate and son as an update to him about the new addition to their family, Goro. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop her, Ayaka. But don't worry, you will be avenged." He says softly to the photo, before he turns back to the mirrors. "This girl that your mother is obsessed with will end her reign of terror."

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The team are now running up another spiral staircase, and when they reach the top, Yusuke gasps at the sight before everyone, "What!? You've got to be kidding me?" They were in a room that had multiply doors that looked exactly the same. "Hm, it appears we've found a maze in Maze Castle." Hiei says, causing Akina to hum in agreement and add, "It is in the name isn't it?" This makes Yusuke say in an annoyed tone, "Well I guess that makes sense." Kurama looks to them all and says, "We must beware, it's something of a legend. In the beginning, before the barrier wall was wrapped around the city, hundreds of bounty hunters came in search of the beasts. None succeeded. But the beasts never left their tower, letting anyone who made it into the castle forfeit their lives to this maze. There are fifteen doors, all but one leads to a dead end. There are no second attempts. Unavoidable traps lie in the encrypt passage ways. So you see, a poor choice seals our fate."

After a moment to process the red head's words, Yusuke turns to Kuwabara and says, "Okay Mr Sensitive, this one's all yours." Kuwabara looked at all the doors whilst the others fall silent to allow him to concentrate, for they didn't wish to die in Maze Castle. Eventually, Kuwabara's eyes remain on one of the doors to the left as he can sense something behind it, making him make a noise of shock and slight fear, before thinking with determination, 'That door's got a big feeling behind it, kinda like the first two monsters.' With that he announces, "The second door to the left." Everyone looks at him and Akina is the one to say, "Well, you heard him. That's the door we will go through." However, no one moves as Hiei asks, "How do we know he's not making a mistake?" Kuwabara makes his way to the door as he begins to make his case, "I'm sorry, shorty. Maybe it's not your thing, but you're just gonna have to trust me on this one. I know, there's something big behind that door." And with that he opens the door as he continues, "Something scary." And there before him wasn't skeletons or booby traps, but instead a small mouse that let out a squeak before running off. Kuwabara's face of confidence moulded into a face of fear as he yells and cries and quickly shifts away from the door and falls to the ground as he shouts, "I hate mice!" Yueuke sweat drops as he says with sarcasm, "Gee, Kuwabara and that speech of yours was getting so dramatic." Whilst Akina releases a giggle and starts leading the group through the doorway.

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The two remaining Four Saint Beasts continued to observe the group through their glowing spy orb. "Very surprising. Somehow they have chosen the correct door. We can hardly have it said that the Four Saint Beasts welcome guests so far into their home." The Beast that had his eyes glowing red in the shadows says in a surprisingly calm tone with a smile on his face. "I'm sorry, the Two Saint Beasts is more accurate now." Then the second Saint Beasts with eyes glowing blue in the darkness kneels to the other and says, "I shall take them master. You and I both know that Genbu and Byakko have become soft in these years of containment." He then stands up and moves closer to the orb. "Their tenderfoot mistakes shall not be repeated.

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Meanwhile in the noisy and busy place known as Human world, a man in a suit had stumbled into an alleyway and sat on the ground with his head hanging low, releasing small groans as he is unaware of the changes going on with his body. His skin had gone pale blue, his eyes red with the intention to kill. He had loss his senses and released a growl, before getting up and storms out of the alleyway and smirks as he sees the unaffected people strolling along the streets, but he had failed to notice two people had gotten behind him, allowing the bubble gum haired female to hit him in the head with her bat. She then pulls out her communicator to report to Koenma, "I'm afraid the news isn't good. The Makkai insects are moving too fast for me and Goro to battle everyone who's been taken over." As she says this she sends images of the infected causing mayhem in the streets. "All we can do now is contain them into one part of the city." This makes Goro then add, "And even that tactic won't last for long." Koenma replies, "Very well, we'll just have to hope Yusuke gets the whistle before the city bursts into flames! But that's no guarantee, so keep it steering where you can." Botan nods and says, "Absolutely, I understand. Over and out." And with that Botan and Goro get moving.

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Lightning lights up the room to reveal two statues of dragons on either side of large double doors that were blue with gold linings. "Are we suppose to be scared?" Hiei asks in an unimpressed tone with the site before him. "Perhaps. That is the mark of the Blue Dragon and judging from the odour, I'd say the beast is inside." Kurama says with furrowed eyebrows. "Yeah and he doesn't feel very nice." Kuwabara adds. After that, everyone stares at the doors with caution as they hear the doors unlock and slowly open for them, whilst fog spews out. The twins turn to each other and nod before they lead the rest of the group through the doors and enter a large room that had purple pillars, yellow walls and tiled floors. The doors slam shut behind them. 

"This fog's alive." Kurama informs everyone as he looks around the room and ensures he is close to Akina. "Must be a form of Spirit Energy coming from our beast's body." Hiei says as he looks off to the side. "You have done very well to have come this far, but I shall no longer allow you to disgrace my master." A calm voice suddenly speaks to the group. "Where's that voice coming from?" Kuwabara asks as he tries to see if anyone is hiding amongst the fog. "I don't know." Yusuke answers with narrowed eyes looking forward. "Come out now, dragon! This whole hide and seek thing is getting pretty lame!" And with that a large light shines through the fog before lightning strikes in front of the group, before it is replaced with a large ball of energy that is released outward, causing everyone to cover their eyes. When seeing that their is no more light and the the amount of fog has lessened, everyone removes their arms, allowing them to see the beast before them. "As you wish." says a tall and slim man, who possesses pale green skin and black facial hair. He is wearing blue martial arts robe is tied at the waist by a large white strap and features the image of a blue dragon wrapping around his shoulder. He also wears  a dark blue cap, and on his feet he wears a simple pair of black shoes. "A giant!" Kuwabara cries. "You may call me Seiryū. I am here now to end your lives, intruders." Seiryū announces with a chuckle.