Untitled
by JJB Villanueva [~ChibiBotan]
Chapter One: Raw Emotions
I
Hiei was curiously watching the ferry girl. She was peculiarly sad today. He felt it in her spirit energy.
It had always been low, almost as if she was a living human, but it was so differently low today.
He tells himself he doesn't really care, but found himself following her sneaking out of Genkai's place to the lake.
Out of nowhere the Prince of Hell appeared. Koenma. The two spoke, the prince seemingly wanting to cheer her up. But the blue-haired girl seemed to be feeling uneasy with whatever it was her boss was saying.
Hiei turned to leave, but was stopped upon hearing a name.
Yukina.
They were talking about Yukina.
Hating to listen in but knowing it was about his sister, he stayed.
He heard Koenma say, "Tomorrow, you will have to bring her to the gates of judgment. No one else can do it better than you."
Hiei was stunned. Why will they bring Yukina there?
He thought he knew the answer even before he uttered the question.
Yukina was going to die.
II
No!
They can't do that!
But Hiei knew they can. In fact it was their job to do so. The two spirits were in fact, the Prince of Hell and Death herself. Koenma knew who and when someone is going to die. And Botan, deity of Death, brings the souls to the Gates of Judgment.
No. Not her!
At first, he was in shock. he couldn't breathe. It was as if he just died. It seemed a long time that the fire demon was staring into space, his mind numb, his mouth opened in shock.
In fact it was only three seconds. Three damning seconds.
His two eyes closed, but his Jagan eye opened. In an instant, with the power of too much rage and desperation in his heart, his demon instinct took over.
He transformed into a green-skinned demon with his body covered with eyes..
I won't let them do it! Hell will freeze over!
Hiei unsheated his katana. He was ready to strike.
But when he opened his eyes, the Prince of Hell was already gone. He had vanished, not knowing how close to death he had been.
It only fueled his anger. He had gotten away!
He could not think. He could not control his energy. But somehow... He knew was he should get ahold of himself.
A slight movement, and his eyes locked on a moving thing.
It had gleaming sky blue hair.
The fire demon smirked. This is a game he knew too well.
III
Botan stared at the space her boss had just appeared--and now disappeared at. Koenma wanted her to be the one to bring Yukina to their realm.
Of course, who else would bring her?
Botan would not let Yukina go through that alone, and, knowing how painful it would be for the girl, she was broken hearted for the rest of the day.
Yukina didn't know yet. But tomorrow, she'll have to tell her.
She turned to leave, but was surprised when Hiei--in full demon form, with his katana unsheated--had suddenly appeared in front of her.
With his infamous death glare.
IV
He'd never hurt a woman.
She tried to repeat that in her mind.
But it was painfully similar to a certain event,in a particular warehouse, where a particular green-skinned demon had captured a helpless girl.
She cringed. And then, she mentally shrugged her head.
No, he has changed. He's changed for the better.
Deep in her heart she believed that. Like she believed in all of the Reikai Tentei members.
Ah, there are times everything you believe in is being challenged.
But botan had met one too many people, and demons as well. The reikai tantei and she had been through a lot. She has seen probably the worst souls that ever existed.
Hiei isn't one of them.
V
Hiei moved forward. He didnt like the initial look on her face. It was full of doubt.
He advanced, his katana mildly swinging on his hand. His jagan eye started to read her thoughts.
"He's changed for the better." Deep in her heart she believed that.
Hiei blinked.
Then he stared at those eyes. Mauve, or somehow pink...innocent eyes. They were full of mixed emotions now.
How could she be scared and belive in him at the same time?
Something crossed her thoughts. Something about a challenge of beliefs.
He blinked again. Beliefs... Code of honor.
He believed women should be spared. He would not hurt a woman. He may threaten them, scare them out of their wits, but he wouldn't hurt them.
Though there was a time.. That was long ago. He has changed.
Hiei could see that he and the girl had the same line of thought. Pure, unwelcome, blissful pride swelled up inside him.
She believed in him. How could she?
Here he was, full demon form, katana ready, watching her like a predator.
And she believed in him?
That he was not one of the worst souls?
How could she be so.. trusting?
VI
He growled.
It was deep sound, but not a scary one.
It was Botan's turn to blink.
Then a certain emotion--care--crossed her eyes.
The growl was that of a wounded animal. Suddenly she didn't care whatever it was he planned to do to her.
Her hand moved on its own. Gently, she cupped his face.
"Hiei? Tell me what's wrong...?"
He couldn't believe it. She cared about how he was feeling?
Didn't he just show up here and almost took her someplace? Probably taken captive, in placfe for Yukina's life?
She cared. It was the most powerful of emotion he ever felt. It confused, scared him. His demon instinct seemed to vanish with it.
His knees seemed to turn jell-o's. His green skin seemed to fade back to its natural color.
His eyes, well, they werent that evilly looking anymore.
He fell forward--almost, and ended up on his knees.
He was back to normal. He was Hiei again.
Only, he came back as a wounded Hiei.
-to be continued-
Thank you for reading!
Author's Notes
Now, *hides behind the computer* please, Yukina fans out there, don't hate me!! Promise, I won't dare hurt Yukina. My sister will murder me if I do. (Not to mention Hiei)
You'll understand what I mean when you read the next chapter. Promise! *cross-fingers and peeks* ~Okay?
Anyway... I finished it without leaving my seat! Oh.. I'm so proud of it, I hope you liked it as much. The second (last) chapter is already done.
I just have to proof read it first. Read and review please. I know it's not the romance stuff great novels are made of. But I hope you like it! Critiques are warmly welcomed.
~Justine!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho. Botan, Koenma, Yukina, Hiei, and the rest of the Reikai Tanteis are property of Yoshihiro Togashi.