Insertion Part 77 The Hot Springs Devil! +++++++++++++ Mount Phoenix "You've retrieved the map?" asked the aged looking birdman who stood before Kiima, Dan, and her two wards. "Yes," replied Kiima. Dan was standing behind them with his arms crossed, while the other three bowed deeply in front of the throne. It was covered by silken veils that hid the emperor from view. "It reveals the hidden source of the springs?" asked the old man. "As you can see," replied Kiima as she held the page up to him. "We shall fly to the indicated area immediately. Soon, the cursed springs will be no more than a memory." "Good, good," said the old man. "But before you leave Captain Kiima. His highness grants you an audience. No doubt he will wish to praise you for your success." Kiima blinked in surprise at this announcement. "Lord Saffron will address us?" said Koruma. "But, he's not here," said Dan as he looked at them all for a moment. Kiima finally noticed his posture and blushed. "Why aren't you bowing fool?!" "Bowing to what?" said Dan as he looked at her. "Lord Saffron! Please forgive him, he..." Dan snorted and jumped over her head, landing beside the throne. He pulled on the rope opening the shades before anyone could react. "Look, not here. See?" Everyone blinked as they found themselves staring at an odd looking statue. It was a clown with a drum in his lap. "Forgive me, liege, but...I never imagined that the heir to the throne of Phoenix Mountain... would look exactly like one of those statues that you find outside a restaurant," said Koruma dumbly. "This is one of those statues that you find outside a restaurant," said Kiima as she stared at it. "AAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHH! His highness has run off again!" cried the old man. "So, should we go to this place on the map...or..." said Dan as he looked at Kiima for a moment. "No fool! We have to find Lord Saffron!" growled the woman. "Oh," said Dan with a small shrug. "Okay." +++++++++++++ "Are we there yet?" grumbled Usagi. "Bweeee!" cried Ryoga from the top of her head. She sighed and looked at her parents. "Are you sure this is my cousin?" "Yes dear," said Yohiko with a small sigh. "But...it's a pig," said the girl in irritation as she plucked the animal off the top of her head and held it at arms length. "Yeah? So? I know a guy who turns into a duck," said Carrot with a small shrug. "Oh," grumbled Usagi as she put Ryoga back onto her head. The animal snorted and clung on again. "Are you sure?" repeated Usagi. "How long is she going to be like this?" asked Plum as she looked at Ukyo. "Well, I'm used to this sort of thing. Ryoga's curse is new to me though," said the chef with a small shrug. "Still, Curses of Jusenkyo very tragic," said the girl. "Well, I'm not so sure the pig doesn't deserve it," responded Ukyo with another shrug. Ryoga squealed at her angrily. "We're getting close, it's just past that seventh mountain!" said Plum as she pointed in the right direction. "Good," said Yohiko. Ryoga squealed excitedly on top of his cousin's head. "Ouch! Quit it!" cried the girl. "Hey, a hot spring," said Carrot as he smiled to himself. "Maybe we should stop. Ryoga won't be much good to us as he is now." "All right!" cried Usagi happily. Carrot and Yohiko smirked at each other as the youths rushed off towards the entrance. Herb landed beside them and looked at them both. "Hey, there's a hot spring up ahead... Oh." "The point of scouting ahead, is to tell us before we get there," said Carrot. "I'm not used to this role," grumbled Herb as she blushed slightly. "The kids are too green for that kind of work," said Yohiko. "Carrot and I did it earlier, and it's your turn." Plum was standing in the middle of the road, looking at a large crack in the ground. "Uh oh," said the girl with a slight frown. "What?" asked Carrot as he walked up next to her. "Big crack in ground is never a good sign," replied the girl as she looked up at him. "Oh yes. I forgot to say, the springs appear to have been attacked," said Herb. "Great, he sucks at this too, we might as well have sent Usagi," grumbled Yohiko. "Well, we'd best go get the kids. Come on Herb," said Carrot as he pulled the girl along behind him. "Unhand me! My legs work fine!" snapped Herb irritably. "Fine, fine. Let's just go. Those idiot girls probably took Ryoga with them," said the boy with a small sigh. "I'll try to get him to you before he passes out from blood loss," muttered Yohiko as she sighed and started walking. Plum found herself standing alone as the group separated. She turned her head and saw a footlocker on the side of the road. It shifted, and a man fell out onto the ground looking rather beaten. "Aiya!" She rushed over to his side. "What happened here Mr. Employee-type person?" "D-devil! The Hot Springs Devil attacked!" muttered the man as he passed out. "Hot Springs Devil? What in the...?" muttered the girl to herself. +++++++++++ "Ahhhhh," was the collective sigh from the group of girls as they sat in the water. Yohiko walked up to Usagi and pulled the pig off of her head. He was clinging to her for dear life, and wasn't moving. "You forgot your cousin," she said with a small smirk. "What? Ryoga you pervert!" screamed Ukyo as she covered herself up suddenly. "The poor jerk is out cold, guess we were too much for him to handle," said Yohiko cheerfully. Plum walked up nervously and poked her fingers together. "Um, it's not safe here." Usagi and Ukyo looked around for a moment and blinked. "You know, she might be right," commented Usagi. Several women were floating around in the water out cold. "Yeah, I guess so," agreed Ukyo. Yohiko shrugged and unceremoniously tossed Ryoga over her shoulder. He sailed over the wall and into the men's side. "Don't worry about it kid. Hop in," she said to Plum as she started removing the girl's clothes along with her own. The little girl blushed and sat down in the water. "Shouldn't we be ready for an attack?" "Nah, let the guys worry about it," said the woman as she winked at her. "Besides, how long do you think a pervert would last with this group?" "She's got a point," said Ukyo cheerfully. "Oh, okay," said Plum. +++++++++++++ "Wonder how long until we're attacked?" asked Carrot as Ryoga came up from under the water and gasped. "I...saw..." muttered the lost boy with his eyes wide. "Yeah, I'm sure you'll treasure the memory always," grumbled Carrot. "Tell me about it," said Herb as he moved over to Ryoga's side. "Oh, forget about it. It was just Ukyo," said Carrot as he rolled his eyes. "Yes, but I had no idea those bindings she wore...were that tight!" said Ryoga as he looked at Carrot with tears in his eyes. "Found a new love?" snorted Carrot. "I doubt if they can compare to my wife," said Herb with a serious looking nod. "Still, I am curious." "What wife?" snapped Ryoga as he was shaken out of his stupor. "Don't start that again," grumbled Carrot. "If you want to see them so badly, go take a look. They're just over the wall," said Carrot as he pointed it out to Herb. "Do you think they'd mind?" asked Herb with a blush on his face. "Of course they would. The danger element is what makes it fun," said Carrot cheerfully. "You sound like that old man!" snapped Ryoga. "I wasn't the one singing the praises of Ukyo Kuonji's breasts a minute ago," snorted the man as he closed his eyes and sat back against a rock. "I was not! I was just surprised that's all!" cried the boy defensively. "And I don't love her!" "Wonder if Akari is that stacked?" muttered Carrot to himself. "Hey!" snapped Ryoga. "What? You don't wonder?" replied the man as he arched his eyebrow at the boy. "That's not the point! Don't talk about my girlfriend that way!" snapped Ryoga. "You know...Yohiko married into the Hibiki clan as I recall. That would mean Usagi, isn't really your cousin," said Carrot as he looked thoughtful for a moment. "I...what?" Ryoga stared at him for a moment. "Enough of this. I must know!" cried Herb as he was suddenly overcome with chargin. He waded over to the wall with a determined frown on his face and started to scale it. "Sheesh, and Yohiko calls me a pervert," muttered Carrot to himself. "Hey! Usagi is over there!" cried Ryoga. "Do you wish to join me then?" asked Herb as he stared at Ryoga for a moment. "I...No! Stop that you pervert!" "What is this word? I keep hearing it? What does pervert mean?" asked Herb. "My queen calls me that all the time. It puzzles me." Ryoga blinked at him again. "What?" +++++++++++++ "What's all that shouting?" muttered Plum. "The idiots don't realize we can hear them, that's all," said Yohiko with a small frown. Usagi was blushing and staring at the wall, while Ukyo had a few spatulas ready to lob at anyone who dared peer over the wall. "I don't believe this!" cried Ukyo angrily. "Hey. What's that?" asked Plum as she stared at the water. "Huh?" replied the other women as they turned towards what she was pointing at. +++++++++++++++ "Lord Saffron! Where are you?" thought Kiima as she flew along the ground with her three companions. "He shouldn't have gone below! Not in his current state!" "What are you on about?" grumbled Dan as he frowned at her. "Our lord is missing!" she snapped. "Don't get mad at me, I never even met the guy. Calm down, I'm sure he'll be back before us." "I hope you're right," said Koruma. "Lord Saffron could be in danger though!" cried Masara. "I doubt it," muttered Dan irritably. +++++++++++++ The girl's side was staring at a huge shadow in the water. "What the?" grumbled Yohiko. "What is that?" She peered at the shadow for a moment and a metallic sounding ring filled the air. "Something is happening!" cried Ukyo. The water around the blasted upward, and a few of the rocks in the spring suddenly exploded around them. They all dodged around the falling stones. Plum was clinging to Usagi when it all settled down, and they were all looking at a huge red thing shrouded in the steam. "Aiya! What this is?" "It's huge!" cried Ukyo as she threw several spatulas at it. The thing unceremoniously hissed at them and deflated into little more than a spot on the water. Yohiko walked up to it and frowned. "It's... a pool toy." She turned around suddenly as a ring flew out of the air towards her. "What?" she managed to catch it between her hands and was thrown back by the force of its motion. She was pushed halfway across the springs and slammed into a boulder. It shattered under the force of her impact and the ring continued to fly away. "Mom!" cried Usagi. "Miss Yohiko!" called the others. "What the?" muttered the woman as she shook her head. The ring continued it's path into the air, and stopped at the top of a staff that poked out from behind the rocks nearby. "Who?" muttered Usagi dumbly. A small boy appeared before them, he had black hair with orange highlights. His clothes were unusual, expensive looking silk garments with a cape, and a plate of armor over his chest. He held an odd looking staff in his hand with a ring on the top of it. "Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Fools! Those who dare try and use these hot springs without my expressly given consent, are not long for this world!" "What the?" grumbled Yohiko. The girls were all staring at him, looking rather dumbstruck at the haughty looking child. Finally, Usagi spoke up. "EEEEEEEEEKKKKK! A PERVERT!" The rest of the girls, Yohiko included, promptly screamed and dove a little deeper into the water. A moment later, Usagi and Yohiko stood up, dressed in bathing suits. "I wish I had one of those," grumbled Ukyo. Plum nodded in agreement, her face completely red. "That jerk! He same age! What doing thing like this?" "Good question," grumbled Ukyo. "There's that word again," commented Herb as he peered over the wall. "We heard screaming!" called Ryoga from beside him. Carrot was wisely absent. Huge boulders were ripped up from the springs, and flung towards anything male. The boy laughed at this as the ring flew from the top of his staff and shattered the stone. Ryoga and Herb were sent back behind the wall, with boulders in their faces. "Fool! You underestimate the power of the Kinjakan!" "Is Hot Springs Devil!" cried Plum in shock. The boy fell face first onto the ground as Yohiko planted her fist into the back of his head. She had come up behind him after throwing the boulder. "So this is him huh?" muttered Yohiko. "Yes, apparently he's been trashing the area for the past two or three days," said Plum as she finished dressing herself with Ukyo. Carrot walked up behind them and picked up the boy's staff. "Bothersome little runt isn't he?" "What are you doing over here?!" cried Ukyo angrily. "Oh shut up. I waited until you were all dressed," replied the man with a casual snort. "Besides, all of you are too young to interest me anyway, and I've seen her naked before." He jerked his thumb at Yohiko. The woman growled and blushed at this, but didn't press it. "Who is this little bastard?" Carrot looked over at the wall for a moment. "The Hot Springs Devil." "I know that!" snarled Yohiko. Carrot thought about it for a moment and sighed. "Never heard of him before." "You know something, I'm not stupid, Carrot," replied the woman. "Maybe I do, but I've got my own reasons for not saying anything," he responded coolly. "Right," grumbled Yohiko irritably. "Kill me! I would rather die than endure this humiliation!" snarled the boy as he struggled against the ropes they had used to bind him. "Okay," said Carrot as he started towards him. "He's just a kid!" cried Usagi. "What?" muttered the boy as he looked up at them. "He asked for it though," said the man as he stared at the dumbfound boy. "You! I'll get you for this!" snarled the boy. "Not if you're dead you won't," said Carrot. "We don't have time for this Carrot, quit screwing around," said Yohiko. "Remember that you told me that later," he responded. His face wasn't visible to them and they couldn't read anything from his voice. "Whatever, can we go now? We need to get to Mount Phoenix," said Yohiko. "We've wasted too much time as it is." "Wait a second! You're going to Mount Phoenix?" said the boy. Carrot smirked. "What of it?" "If we use the Kinjakan, I can get us there by this evening," said the boy calmly. "It will take two more days," said Plum as she looked up at Yohiko. "I think we should take his way," said Usagi. "Come on, let's go collect the boys," said Yohiko. "Do we have to?" grumbled Ukyo. "Yes, we'll probably need them," said Plum. +++++++++++++++ The boy rode atop his staff, the ring was moving along the ground and he was going at an incredible rate of speed. "Whoa. He's fast," said Usagi as she struggled to keep up. "You're just slacking off, that's all," said Carrot as he carried Plum on his shoulders. Ryoga was being dragged along the ground by Herb. "Slow down you jerk!" "You're not hurt, quit complaining," snorted the Dragon-man as he glanced back at him. "Damn you! I'll get you for this Herb!" cried the lost boy angrily as he was hit in the face by another rock. Herb was correct though, he wasn't even feeling it. "Hey! I can see it! It's Phoenix Mountain!" cried Plum. "Finally," grumbled Ukyo as Yohiko dropped her wrist. She had been pulling her along as well. The boy smirked as he stopped next to a doorway on the mountainside. "This is the entrance to the inner halls." "Yeah, thanks kid. You've been a big help. I'll see you later," said Carrot. "I'm surprised you were able to keep up," admitted Saffron as he looked at the Kinjakan for a moment. "Bye Mr. Devil, you weren't so bad after all," said Usagi. "The brat bothers me," grumbled Herb as he glanced back at the boy. "We shouldn't trust him," agreed Yohiko. "You're right, he's going to show us the way," said Carrot. "What?" muttered the boy dumbly. "Come on kid, we're not stupid enough to leave you out here alone," said Carrot with a chuckle. The boy growled at this and stepped back. "I won't." Carrot leaned his head in next to the boy. "Come on Saffron, lead the way to the map, or I'll tell the Musk King here who you are. Think you can take him now?" The boy's eyes went wide and he gasped. "You...knew?" "I'm looking for someone, and I'll bet I'll find him when I find that map," said Carrot quietly. "We've got a score to settle. I'll worry about you later." Saffron growled and nodded slowly. Yohiko blinked and stared at Carrot. "What did you tell him?" The rest of the group was waiting for an answer as well. "I threatened to tell his parents what he was doing at those springs if he didn't take us where we wanted to go. The little runt is a Phoenix native." Saffron looked back at Carrot for a moment and growled. "You'd better keep quiet about this." "Lead the way then, and no tricks," said the man as he smirked at him. Everyone took that as proof of what they had been told. Yohiko was still a bit skeptical though. "I trust you about as much as I trust Xellos," she grumbled. +++++++++++++ "Hot springs you say?" asked the old man as he stood in Lord Saffron's bedchambers. They were preparing for the boy's return. "Yes, I think this Hot Springs Devil the landlings are talking about is him," said Dan with a small nod. "I'm forced to agree," said Kiima with a small nod. "Well, Kiima did well in picking you up," said the old man cheerfully. "Who says she picked me?" replied Dan casually. Kiima looked at him for a moment and frowned. "Still, if he is instinctively seeking out Hot Springs. It could only mean one thing." "Yes, the transformation is at hand," agreed the old man. "We must get control of the source of Jusenkyo now." "That's good to know," said a familiar voice from behind them. The trio turned around to face the doorway. "What?" "Hey Dan, I've come for my map," said Carrot as he stood at the head of the group. They were standing in the doorway glaring at them. A trail of fallen guards in their wake. The entrance to Saffron's bedchamber was a long bridge that stretched across a two- thousand-foot drop. "It is comforting to know that I am not too late," said Herb as he crossed his arms and chuckled. "That was enjoyable," said Saffron as he glanced down at one of the fallen guards. He'd almost started giving orders to kill the others, but they'd started beating on his men rather easily. He'd decided to join in, rather than risk discovery just yet. "Too bad. Kiima, destroy them." "What?" said Herb as he spun around to stare at the boy. "Yes my Lord!" screamed the woman as she charged. "Heh," said Carrot as he stepped back. "Not so fast," said Dan as he appeared in front of him. "Not yet Dan," replied Carrot coolly. "I'm saving you for later. How about that map?" Dan chuckled and tossed a rolled up scroll from inside his shirt at the man. "Here." "What are you doing?" cried Kiima. "Relax, that's just a copy. We still have the real one," he whispered to her carefully. It was obvious that Carrot had heard him, but the others were occupied by a new wave of guards. "So, I can destroy Saffron easily now," said Herb with a cold smile on his lips. "Arrogant landling," snarled Kiima. "Really Kiima, insulting a King that way," said Carrot. "Hello Herb," said Dan as he turned to face the man. "It's Lord Herb!" cried the old man in shock. "No! It's too soon!" "Thousand Wings of the Seabird attack!" cried Kiima in shock as she jumped back away from the man. Herb dodged easily around the strikes and chuckled. "Die!" He raised his hand, and a bolt of power shot towards Saffron. The boy's eyes went wide with fear. Dan appeared in front of him with his wings spread wide. He snarled and backhanded the ball of power away. "Not so fast!" Carrot stood by and did nothing. He chuckled and watched as Dan scooped up the boy and tossed him to Kiima. "Get to Jusendo, I'll hold them off," he snarled. The woman nodded, and jumped off the bridge and into the air. "No!" snarled Herb as he started to give chase. A strong blow to his chest sent him sprawling back into the others. Ukyo managed to catch him and staggered back slightly. The guards were now all defeated and they turned to look at Dan for a moment as he floated just above them on the bridge. "Think you can take all of us Dan?" asked Yohiko. "Ah, the things I do for love," replied the man as he chuckled. He reached into his shirt and pulled out a small remote. "What the?" muttered Carrot as he uncrossed his arms. "Everybody jump! Now!" The bridge exploded in a huge ball of flames as Dan pressed the button on the small remote. The explosive charges he'd set up went off all at once, shattering it completely. "What have you done!?" cried the old man in shock. "I'm not strong enough to fight them all, take all the men you can, and get ready for them at Jusendo. We've got to hurry." He dove down after the debris of the bridge and chuckled at what he found. Carrot, Usagi, and Yohiko were carrying Plum, Ryoga, and Ukyo. Herb was descending under his own power, but he couldn't hold himself up much longer. He was now following after them in a controlled fall. "Come to finish us off?" snarled Yohiko as she clutched Ukyo a little tighter. "Please," snorted Dan in disgust. "I'll be waiting for you at Jusendo Carrot, don't disappoint me." "Count on it," said Carrot coldly. "Come on, we're wasting time by staying here." He dove towards the ground and was followed by the others. +++++++++++++ TBC... Next Time: Jusendo!