Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Summary: When Yukina gets badly hurt by an unknown demon, Kurama tries to reach out to Hiei and help him. As they search for the elusive demon they learn more about their teammates' past- and it's not good. Will they be able to handle it when, finding the demon, they get even more surprises?
Hey people! I'm back, and better than ever I've been trying to come up with a fic that has more plot than the feeling-y stuff that I usually write (lol). I hope you like it! The ".." at the beginning and end of certain words mean it's part of the poem.
Kurama watched in horror as he and his teammates approached the bloodsoaked Yukina, lying painfully on the cavern floor. Tensely he glanced at Hiei, awaiting his reaction, before he realized that Hiei could do nothing with Kuwabara with them. Yusuke was the first to break the unbearable silence.
"What the hell happened here! I thought we were just doing a routine grounds check." He said, his eyes slightly averted to check Hiei's reaction to this sudden turn of events. He, however, was disappointed, as Hiei continued to do nothing.
But as Kurama continued to watch Hiei, he saw a brief shadow of grief in Hiei's face- his eyes had darkened slightly, but in a second, it was gone. Hiei just stared impassively at his sister's limp body, waiting for them to do what they needed to. Kuwabara's reaction was the most surprising; for once silent, he was staring at Yukina's bloodstained face, the shine of tears in his eyes. The grief Kurama could see in his face was almost more than he could bear. It was Kurama who spoke next, issuing what they should do.
"We should tell Koenma about this. He'll be able to clue us in as to what happened, and he'll also send Botan here to help her." He said in his calm voice. Now, more than ever, he needed to stay focused; whoever had done this, he was sure, would soon be back for more.
Yusuke contacted Koenma, urging the young Prince to hurry; Yukina's motionless form looked less alive the more time passed.
Botan arrived around 20 minutes later, red cheeked and out of breath. Her mouth became a large 'O' of surprise as soon as she saw the ice maiden, and quickly went to her. As Botan did her work, Kuwabara lingered over her, quietly watching. His eyes followed her every movement, as if making sure himself that Botan was doing what she was supposed to. It was perhaps Kuwabara's silence that unnerved all of them the most, for the rest of the team gave him room and chose to sit quietly to the side.
Finally, after an agonizing wait, Botan came over and addressed the whole team. Her voice was solemn, yet not completely resigned. Maybe there was still hope.
"She's pretty badly hurt. Her injuries are unlike anything I've ever seen before. The physical wounds aren't that serious, but for some reason I can't easily stop the bleeding," she said officially, adding, "It looks like there's going to be some side effects to the wounds after they heal, though I'm not quite sure what."
Her last statement intrigued Kurama. "Side effects? How can you tell?"
Botan looked uncomfortable. "Well," she started, "there's a bit of discoloration in the skin, and her blood smells..." she drifted off, apparently not quite sure how to say it.
"What?" Kurama prodded.
Botan sighed. "Her blood smelled tainted. Like there's a chemical that's not supposed to be there."
"It's not fatal," she added quickly, seeing the looks on their faces, "but it could affect her in some way. In the meantime, all we can do is bring her somewhere safe and do the best we can to heal her injuries."
Everyone nodded, and Yusuke volunteered to bring Yukina to Genkai's temple. Carrying Yukina, he was about to leave when he felt Hiei's hand on his shoulder.
"Let me take her." Hiei said in a low voice. His eyes were lost in the shadows.
Yusuke sensed that Hiei somehow needed to do this, and so he gave Yukina to her brother without much fuss. As soon as Hiei had her in his arms, he flitted out the cavern entrance, and all Yusuke could see was a black blur.
"Good luck," he whispered, "and please let her get better. Or else we may never see the same Hiei again."
With that, he said good-bye to his teammates and left for home.
(Scene change)
As Hiei flitted through the trees, a thousand questions ran through his mind.
Why Yukina? And what is it in her blood that's going to affect her?
But the biggest question in his mind was: Who did it?
Just the thought of the youkai who did this to his sister, whoever he was, was enough for his ki to rise unnaturally.
Whoever hurt my sister, I'm going to find him, he swore to himself. No matter the cost.
(At Genkai's temple)
Kurama approached Genkai's temple, minutes before Hiei arrived. Stationing himself in the corner of the main room, he waited for Hiei to come in.
Hiei knocked loudly on Genkai's door, impatient. Didn't the old lady know this was important? Seconds later, Genkai appeared in the doorway. Seeing Yukina's unconscious form in Hiei's arms, she quickly assessed the situation and issued directions.
"Go to the second room on your right; it's got a bed ready and a first aid kit, just in case. Put her on the bed and come to the main room. I'll take care of your sister."
Grunting in response, Hiei shuffled to the room, taking in the clean surroundings. Gently he lay Yukina on the bed, covering her with the soft sheets and tenderly moving her hair away from her face. Moving towards the door, he took one last look at her before he left for the main room.
When he saw Kurama in the room, standing in the shadows, there was little surprise in his face. He'd felt Kurama's ki close behind him when he was halfway to the temple. No doubt to offer him 'support'.
..Watching you, I've made it clear
I seek not your attention..
"What do you want, fox?" He asked, though he already knew the answer.
Kurama moved toward him and said softly, "What are you going to do?"
..your care, your kindness...
all I want..
Slightly taken aback that Kurama hadn't wanted to talk about 'feelings' after all, Hiei answered without thinking, "I'm going to find whoever did this to her."
Kurama smiled without humor. "And how, pray tell, are you going to do that?" He said easily, his voice faintly mocking.
"I don't know yet. Ask for Koenma's help, track the demon's energy...Whatever it takes." Hiei replied heatedly, glaring at the fox.
"Why didn't you do anything, Hiei?" Kurama said, his voice sad. "Yukina is your sister, and all you did was stand watch and follow orders. I thought you cared about her."
"..I..." Hiei was speechless. Hadn't he told the fox before? He didn't want anyone else to know. It would only complicate her life more. He thought Kurama understood that.
..is for you to accept that I am here- a teammate,
a companion, even a friend..
"I know you're going to look for that demon, Hiei. From the look of things, he's pretty clever, if not powerful."
"Just what are you saying?" Hiei challenged.
"I'm saying," Kurama retorted, "that you're going to need help."
"I don't need help." Hiei's voice indicated that the subject was closed, but Kurama wouldn't let him brush him off that easily.
..but don't think I'll always be there.
when you call..
"Look, Hiei, whether you like it or not, you can't take that demon on your own. I'm your friend, and friends help each other. I know you're going to need me." Kurama said, his voice softly persuading.
Hiei's eyes grew hard, and he stiffened.
"What, now you think we're 'friends'?" he practically spat out. "Just because we're teammates, just because occasionally, I confide in you, does not mean we are friends. You may be 'friends' with Yusuke and that idiot, but don't suck me into your ningen delusions, Kurama."
..I'll come when I please, kitsune, whether you like it or not and if you try to stop me I'll-
well, just don't try.
You may have gained some of my trust but it doesn't mean anything more..
Kurama's eyes widened slightly. "What are you saying?" he whispered.
"I'm saying.." Hiei said slowly, "I. don't. need. you."
..Don't you understand, Kurama?
Just let me go- don't you know,
that I've lived this long without you?..
And Hiei was gone.
Kurama stood there, his feelings hurt in more ways than one. Hiei's statement, if taken literally, would've meant he hadn't needed Kurama for that particular mission, but he had a feeling that his statement meant more than that. It meant, at least to Kurama, that Hiei was slowly distancing himself from his newfound, 'almost' friends, building an invisible wall between himself and others. And tonight, the first piece had been put into place.
(Scene change: Hiei POV)
Hiei flitted from one tree to another, his ki rising and falling inconsistently due to his shaken emotions. His sister attacked by an unknown, powerful demon...Kurama springing that 'friends thing on him...it was too much. Too much!
His ki rose dangerously at his sudden burst of anger, and he fought to lower it. It wouldn't do for him to lose control, not now. Not when his sister needed him. With that thought in mind, Hiei set out for the Spirit World.
..I don't need your understanding,
I don't need your sympathy,
just.
leave.
me.
alone..
..to be continued..
Awww...! Poor Hiei...I'm already working on the next chapter, so please be patient, it'll get better as you read more.
Ja ne,
Eblis