Welcome to Gaia! ::

Each sound of their feet hitting the cold stones made Yoruichi want to rip her ears off. For some reason, the whistling was unsettling as well. She could see in the dark, her golden eyes shining in the dark. When Kirin ordered her to close her eyes, she did just that, letting her nose lead her along. Finally, when they entered the light, she opened her eyes, looking around the place. It was decorated with every one of the bijuu. At the top, brightest of all, was the Juubi. Yoruichi's heart seemed to be in her throat at the moment. When Kirin motioned for her to head down the Nibi hall, she froze. Her eyes were wide, and her body tense. Yoruichi did not want this at all. What if she failed? The Nibi would rip her apart and run rampant. She would become naught but a tool for destruction.

Yachioshi and Raja pressed against her sides, filling her with an emotional warmth. Yoruichi looked down at Raja, his great blue eyes filled with care and confidence. Then to Yachioshi's, who's eyes were filled with excitement and care. She took in a deep breath, and walked down the hall, a serious facial expression displayed. As she moved down the hallway, she couldn't help but gaze at the heiroglyphics. They all depicted something about the Nibi. As Yoruichi moved down the hallway, it began to grow hot. She noticed herself beginning to sweat, and felt as if the fire was in her bones.

Yoruichi listened to Kirin carefully, and then nodded her head. That seemed simple enough. She breathed deeply, and placed her hands over the orbs. "No use in stalling." She said, wanting to hurry up and get this over with. Yoruichi dug deep into her pulling out the chakra that was not hers. Immediately the orb lit up, emitting a bluish glow. The door before them slid open, revealing a ghastly room before it. It was hot inside, perhaps even hotter than the hallway. Yoruichi carefully stepped in, followed by her companions. The room was large, and had many platforms that seemed to be floating on their own. The opening of the doorway was on a single path, with a large drop on either side. Yoruichi leaned over, and looked down, wondering where the ending was. She could not see any bottom, but rather gazed into a mist of some sort. A pang of surprise and fear shot through her. The mist looked as if there were souls swimming around in it, weaving in and out through fire.

The place seemed dark, but the rocks along the side emitted some sort of glow, giving a bluish tint to everything. At the end of the path, there was a large platform, the largest. It was raised higher than the others, a set of stairs leading up to it. At the base of the stairs, there were two pedestals. Yoruichi climbed the steps with Raja and Yachioshi, taking tentative steps.

Yoruichi shook her head, ready to begin. "Let's get going Kirin!" She put on a false bravado expression, and went straight to the top. By the time she got there, Yoruichi had deemed it way too hot to continue on with all of the clothing she was wearing. She shrugged off her jacket, leaving on a tight fitting black top. She looked around, wondering what the crap was going to happen now.

Yoruichi's bravado lasted about two seconds. She was watching Kirin push chakra out into the idols. Immediately, the symbol upon her back began to glow. When it started, Yoruichi arched her back, and her body tensed. The burning sensation was not like anything she had ever felt. Her mouth opened as if to scream, but nothing came out. She was then forced to the ground on all fours as both of the Nibi tails floated around her. Her face was contorted in pain, and that was when she released a scream filled with agony. Yachioshi began to whimper and paw at the floor, wanting to rush to her. Raja growled and barred his fangs, knowing there was nothing he could do. Then, the tails dissipated, and turned away from her. Yoruichi went limp, face pressed against the floor.

For a moment, that was all that happened. There was only the sound of her heavy breathing. Yoruichi lifted herself with her hands, eyes gazing at the will-o-wisp shape. As soon as she looked at it, the shape expanded, and formed into the Nibi. Yoruichi immediately lifted herself into the stance of the Hairaise style, ready to move if necessary. Her eyes were wide as she stared back, heart beating at what seemed like a million miles an hour. Yachioshi and Raja moved symmetrically around her, keeping their distance but moving ever so slowly. Their eyes did not leave the Nibi once.

Yoruichi turned her body with her, as did her companions. The Nibi was both beautiful, and terrible. She had an air of power and grace. Her voice reverberated throughout the cavern, making Yoruichi feel as if she was speaking through her. When she spoke to Yoruichi, her hands balled into fist. As soon as the will o wisps touched Raja, Yoruichi ran forward. "No!" Her scream was augmented by a bark and growl from Yachioshi. When the Nibi said she would not hurt him, Yoruichi felt the need to rip her face off. "Let him go, this is between you and I!" Her body was shaking with the want to rush in and save her Raja some how.

Yoruichi couldn't help but feel slightly relieved at the fact that she did not have to fight the Nibi. She was sure it would have been one hell of a battle, one that wouldn't leave Yachioshi unscathed. Her voice made Yoruichi's skin crawl, and even Yachi wanted to puke. When she mentioned a game, Yoruichi's spirits perked up. She could probably outdo a lazy cat in a test of wit. Probably. That was what she was betting on, pure spirit and determination to win. "What do you have in mind?" Yoruichi said, honestly attempting not to flinch away from the Nekomata.