Summary: Cold ruby eyes clashed with smoldering amber. Hiei becomes fascinated in unraveling the mystery of the golden woman, but unknown to him, he already has. Hiei x OC.
Disclaimer (I will only say this once so please pay attention): I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any characters within this wonderful anime. However, the characters unique to my stories are mine to own.
On that note, I present you the opening chapter of Savior of the Darkness Light.!
-O-
Chapter 1:
Golden Introductions
"Do you know her?" the ginger-haired demoness asked her protégé.
Mystical red spheres shot her a quick look, and a masculine voice answered, "Unlikely."
The demoness smiled knowingly. "Then why do you look at her so Hiei?"
"You are quite talkative today Mukuro," the fire demon retorted.
Mukuro ignored his comment and instead continued on with her light interrogation. "You did not answer me."
"I do not have to."
Hiei sauntered smoothly away from his lord, or in this case, lady.
He hated these gatherings, which Enki had made mandatory for all wealthy and powerful demons of the Makai to attend. He had proclaimed that very year, demons would gather in one of the castles of the three lords so as to strengthen ties with allies and make peace with enemies in a non-hostile environment. It was meant to be a social event where apparitions can mingle with one another. Anyone was welcomed, but nobles had no choice but to attend so that they may interact with the other territories. Most importantly, however, the lords and ladies have the chance to interact with their respective citizens, an opportunity that peasants rarely have.
This formal event was the law, and this year, it was Mukuro's turn to host the annual ball.
The gathering had barely started as everyone made their way into the grand hall of Mukuro's castle.
Yomi entered and Shura followed suit. Kurama had already made his entrance prior to them - right at the start of the gathering in fact. Even after living for over a thousand years, the former thief still held punctuality as one of his priorities.
Seeing his best friend leaning casually with a bored expression at an empty corner of the large room, Kurama smiled and approached him.
"Has Yusuke arrived?" Kurama asked.
"Yes, he has," Hiei stated.
Kurama waited as if expecting the young demon to elaborate, but of course, nothing else came.
"Where is he?" the beautiful male continued.
"He's with the oaf. They are thoroughly emptying the pre-dinner buffet table as we speak," the black haired man answered blandly.
A small chuckle escaped Kurama's lips. "Yes, well that is typical of them."
"Is your sister here as well? And Keiko?" the fox inquired innocently.
Eyeing his friend suspiciously, Hiei answered with a short, "Yes."
"I see. Yusuke most likely invited them to attend."
"Hn."
'Typical Hiei,' Kurama noted and smiled.
"So who is that woman?" Hiei heard the taller male ask.
Ruby orbs followed the gaze of the emerald ones. A woman of average height with waist-length flowing and wavy golden hair and eyes came to view. She wore an expensive looking dark blue kimono and a distant expression in her sunny eyes. Behind her were three demons, who, from their energy, were easily S-Class.
"How should I know," the Jagan master retorted before closing his eyes.
"Well, you have been looking at her ever since she arrived with Ryota."
"You have been spying on me," Hiei stated rather than asked.
Kurama answered truthfully, "I do not need to when you make it so obvious, but that still leaves the question as to why you have such a persistent interest in this woman."
"You and Mukuro appear to enjoy invading my personal boundaries today," the dark haired man commented.
"I take it you will not answer," Kurama stated knowingly.
"Hn."
"I believe this is her debut to the gatherings. I have never seen her attend in the past. It is fascinating that Ryota seems to value her quite greatly if he willingly spent such a vast amount of resources to hire such strong guards simply for her protection. However, it is not unlikely that those S-Class apparitions have other...purposes aside from protection."
Hiei opened his eyes, "What are you getting at Kurama?"
"I am just wondering as to how she had entangled herself with Ryota. Though, it is odd in itself that Ryota rose in wealth and prestige suddenly seventy-five years ago. He was no one before, and yet here he is as the wealthiest man in Alaric, aside from Mukuro of course. His rise to power is questionable and mysterious."
"You did research on him?"
"No, I am old you know," Kurama explained, "I did not have to do research on Ryota to know his history. I had been in the Makai during that time."
Hiei risked a quick glimpse at the golden woman. He noticed that she was looking at him as well. She gave him a small smile before Ryota pulled her along to introduce her to some of the nobles.
"It appears she notices you too," the sagacious apparition noted with the tiniest curve of his lips.
Hiei looked away and merely answered with a "Hn."
"Oh hey look! It's the shrimp," an irritating voice, in Hiei's ears, exclaimed.
"Kurama you finally came!" another one loudly pointed out.
"Yusuke keep your voice down!" a female said just as loudly.
A rush of footsteps followed the commotion, easily drawing the eyes of many apparitions nearby.
"It is good to see you all," Kurama began, "How have you all been?"
"It has been quite a while since we have seen you Kurama," Yukina quietly said.
Kurama smiled apologetically, "I will try to visit the human world more often. Yomi likes to keep me busy you see."
"It is just too bad that Genkai decided not to come," Yukina stated.
The young ice apparition had been staying with the aged spirit wave master. She had grown to love the human world, but she still sought to find her brother. It had been eight years since she was rescued by Yusuke, Hiei, and Kuwabara, but yet, she still had no leads.
"Well, there is always next year," Keiko mentioned.
"Don't worry Yukina," Kuwabara started, "Genkai will be fine. Just enjoy yourself today."
Yukina gave a smile, and Kuwabara melted to the ground. Hiei attempted to hide his annoyance at the spirit sword wielder.
"Say, is everyone still making their entrance?" Yusuke questioned while looking around.
"It appears so, but I believe that almost everyone is here. It should be several more minutes until all the guests finally arrive," Kurama answered.
"Good cause I just want to get to the dinner part already!"
"Didn't you and the oaf already empty out the buffet table?" Hiei spoke for the first time, albeit with sarcasm in his voice.
Before the Tourin lord could respond, a deep masculine voice interrupted the ensuing argument.
"Excuse me, Lord Yusuke, Lord Hiei, Master Kurama, and friends. May I have a small moment of your time?"
The group turned around to face a man, who appeared to be in his late 20s in human years, donning black hair and equally dark eyes.
"Hn," came Hiei's reply, keeping his gaze at the five figures before them.
"Why of course Ryota," Kurama answered.
Ryota paused and continued when he had their attention, "I would simply like to introduce Aeya to you all. This is her first exposure to all this grandeur after all."
The woman stepped forward from her guards, and gave a low bow.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all," came her low voice, "My name is Aeya."
"Your bowing is unnecessary," Hiei stated and kept his eye contact with her.
When he felt himself starting to get lost in her luxurious pools, he forced himself to look away. He had never expected her eyes to be so dangerous.
Aeya gave a smile, but it did not reach her dulled golden orbs, something that he had been unable to notice from a distance. "Oh I apologize Lord Hiei."
"The formalities are not needed either. You need not call us by titles," Kurama interjected, "You can merely call me Kurama, and him, Hiei. You know of Yusuke, and these are our friends, Yukina, Keiko, and Kuwabara."
Ryota gave an almost unnoticeable smirk.
"Alright, I will keep that in mind Kurama," Aeya said with another light smile.
Before an awkward silence could befall the large group, music could suddenly be heard in the background. It was slow and soothing. Pairs and couples soon entered the enormous space at the center of the room that was reserved for dancing only. It was meant as a catalyst to begin the festivities and heighten the sense of unity and fun among the various territories.
"Would you care to dance Keiko?" Yusuke asked, holding out his hand for her to take.
Keiko giggled, "I would love too."
"Yukina would you like to go with me?" Kuwabara inquired hopefully.
The ice apparition reluctantly agreed. Hiei pretended not to care, but she knew her sister felt self-conscious dancing in front of others. Though he has yet to tell her of the truth, he was aware of her feelings. They were twins after all.
"Would either of you like to dance with Aeya?" Ryota brought up randomly.
Kurama politely declined, and with the fox's discreet and meaningful glances, Hiei was forced to agree.
Mukuro had taught him all the necessities to ruling since he was her heir and second in command. God forbid, she had even thought him how to socialize, and even dance, in these types of events; it had been his worst and most arduous training yet.
He held out his hand in front of the timid girl, and she gently placed hers in his. A small current drove through the area where their flesh met, as if their skin was remembering something that he could not recall. He walked her over to the dance floor and they easily flowed in with the slow music and the rest of the couples. Thankfully, Ryota had stopped the three guards from following them.
"I hope you do not take offense in being conned into dancing with me," Aeya said quietly, though relief was evident in her face, as though she felt freedom from being away from her four male companions.
"I do not get conned into anything," Hiei retorted rather sharply.
He twirled her, and then pulled her gently back to him.
She smiled. It was her only response.
Hiei's curiosity, however got the best of him, and he found himself breaking the silence. "How did you enter this sort of life?"
Aeya's blond eyebrows furrowed at his question; she was tense and he could feel it through the rigidity that began to flow throughout her body.
"It is my life now," she said, sadness slightly lacing her voice to the point where it was barely present, "There is no point in reminiscing on what had been. You should know how one should not dwell on trivialities that have long since past."
Hiei knew that there was something more, that much was obvious. However, he also knew that she would not tell him. They just met after all.
As Kurama stood with Ryota watching the pairs move elegantly about the room, Kurama could see something becoming clear in Ryota's features.
Greed. That was the only word Kurama could think of.
Green orbs assessed what was in front of him. It became evident before that the golden woman was Ryota's possession, but Ryota's expression solidified this idea. This fact was also fairly obvious through Ryota's means of protecting the young woman via S-Class demons. He thoroughly valued the golden child. Kurama deduced that Hiei had probably discovered this fact already as well; he had his Jagan after all.
"How did you end up in this sort of life?" Aeya repeated the fire demon's question.
A small smirk graced Hiei's lips. "Did you not just say that there is no point in dwelling in the past."
She let out a light laugh. Still, Hiei could see that though her laugh was real, it was strained.
"I had a feeling you would say such a thing."
"Hn," he began, "Then why did you bother to ask?"
Aeya let her shoulders droop as if in surrender. "It was worth a try."
In the back of his mind, Hiei was aware of the stares directed towards him and his partner. He knew Mukuro, Yusuke, the oaf, and Kurama were watching, undoubtedly with large smirks plastered on their faces. He even felt the stares other women and his advisors were giving him, most likely in awe that their lord had agreed to dance, with a female stranger, nonetheless.
"You are quite popular Lord Hiei," Aeya pointed out.
"Didn't Kurama already tell you that the formalities are unnecessary," he replied.
She gave a smile that clearly expressed her regret. "I apologize."
"Hn. Do not forget it next time."
"I shall not," she said, "Hiei."
The moment she had spoken those words, Hiei felt a numbed throbbing in the back of his skull. He dismissed it as fatigue and thought nothing more of it; he had spent the last nights awake since Mukuro had left him to prepare the castle for this god forsaken gathering.
Seeing the slightly uncomfortable expression on his face, Aeya asked, "Is something the matter? We can stop if you please. I know you are most likely not fond of dancing."
"It's nothing," he stated and simply continued the dance with the female he had just met. Aeya did not argue and willingly allowed him to lead the rest of the dance.
She was quite surprised that the Lord Hiei she had heard so much about from Ryota and others was skilled not only on the battlefield, but also on the dance floor as well.
When the song finished, Aeya quickly exited the gathering hall and disappeared. Her guards rapidly followed her while Ryota remained in the gathering hall, finding satisfaction with flaunting his wealth before the other nobles.
The last thing she had said, in a whisper that Hiei barely heard it, was "It was nice seeing you again Hiei."
Hiei unconsciously followed her out; he was curious. Has he met her before? This woman was beyond him. She was confusing.
Seeking refuge in the shadows of the halls, he watched as Aeya met up with a young child, accompanied by two more S-Class demons, whose face he did not see. His hair was the same halo as the older woman. The small boy entwined his fingers within Aeya's slender ones.
"Did you have fun?" he heard the boy say.
"Yes," her voice replied, "It was quite...interesting."
"So I can't go in there huh?" the still maturing voice inquired.
Hiei saw her finally give a large genuine smile as if to soothe the child. "I'm afraid not. It is getting late, and you need to sleep."
The Jagan master could imagine the frown upon the boy's face.
"Ok," he began, "But can we go play tomorrow?"
Leading the young child towards the main door of the castle, Aeya responded with an enthusiastic "Of course!"
The guards obediently and silently followed the woman and the child. The darkness enveloped their bodies and were soon gone from Hiei's line of sight.
Darkness and mystery had shrouded the golden apparition.
He could easily discover everything he desired to know about her -her past, her secrets, her thoughts - using his Jagan, but that would make things all too easy.
She was this alluring and intriguing puzzle that could not be ignored.
And he would solve her.
-O-
Thank you for reading.
Please lend me your thoughts regarding future chapters and events!