Chapter 2 Request
Hiei stood in my room once more. Though I kept my face stoic, I was ecstatic that he had come again. Yes, it had been one year, but that was nothing to a demon who lives hundreds of years. Besides, it was not the first time he had been close.
Since I first met him, I had sensed his ki close to my home on several occasions. I had never felt any malice emitting from him, rather…curiosity. I sighed inwardly. Of course he was curious. He likely felt the same as every other demon in Makai—that I was a demon traitor, choosing to live a mere human existence instead of glorifying in the existence of a demon, something I could have been doing for five years now. I had my reasons.
Snapping back to reality, I posed the question that lingered in the air between us. "Why have you come, Hiei? It must be important."
"Hn," was the only response I received.
I waited patiently. "Well, he certainly isn't one for many words."
"Listen," Hiei began, his arms crossed over his chest, "I am here only as a last resort. I wouldn't normally involve humans in demon affairs." There was a certain emphasis on the word "humans" that made me cringe inwardly. It was nothing I wasn't accustomed to. Other demons simply didn't understand my decision, and I wasn't about to go out of my way to explain to others. But that night…Hiei and I had worked so well together, been in sync with one another. I thought he might be different. But it appeared I had not read him properly. I was overcome with a feeling of bitterness I hadn't expected. I had never before even slightly regretted my choice. I allowed none of the turmoil I was feeling inside to play on my face.
"But, you've made an exception, clearly," I said dryly.
"Obviously," Hiei spat. "Your background is exceptional. You were known as the most notorious thief in the three worlds. The only question is…can you still handle yourself if need be?"
My eyes narrowed. "Do not forget to whom you are speaking. If you think I am weak because of human exterior, you are a fool. You are not one I should have to prove myself to. However, if you are inclined to test me, don't say you weren't properly warned." My voice had taken on an icy tone I had not used these past fifteen years.
Hiei's eyes widened. "You, a half-demon, dare to challenge me?" he asked baring his teeth.
"Do not underestimate the demon energy that courses through my body," I warned.
Hiei sneered, tossing his cloak aside, hand readied on his katana hilt. "Fine, if you wish to rush to your death quicker than your human body will take you, then that's your business. I accept your challenge."
"Not here," I said. Harm coming to my mother because of this feud was not something I would tolerate.
"Afraid for your human mother?" he teased.
"Afraid for your mortal soul if she were to come to harm because of your arrogance."
"Fine, have it your way." He flitted out my window, leaving a faint ki trace I could follow.
"He must need me very badly for this mission," I thought as I hopped out of my second story bedroom window. "Otherwise, he would never go to such lengths."
I quickly caught up with him, having moved to a small forest only half a mile from my home.
"I will finish this quickly." Raising my ki exponentially, I let my bound energy flare. The trees reacted eagerly. "Why would he choose the forest when he knows my technique?" I gasped. "Unless he only wants to gauge my true talent." Pulling a rose from my hair, I fed ki into it, forming the harmless flower into my deadly rose whip.
Completely focused on my whip, he did not notice the vines closing in behind him, did not apprehend my attack. Before he could even draw his blade, the vine had wrapped around him in a vice; it was impossible for him to escape.
Hiei struggled wildly against my plants, to no avail. Relinquishing his futile struggle, he looked up at me, his crimson eyes full of hatred, as if he knew what was coming, as if he had experienced a similar situation before.
"You win," he whispered. "Now kill me."
My vines unwound from his slim figure. "I was unaware we were playing with such high stakes. Am I to believe that you would have killed me during this fight had you gotten the opportunity? You wanted me to prove myself, and I have done as you wished. Now, why have you truly come to me?"
He looked startled momentarily. The expression of shock was soon replaced with the stone façade I had grown accustomed to. "I have a request to make of the great fox thief, Youko Kurama. A heist I believe will entice even your curiosity, selective as it must be after all these years."
A smile played across my face. This could be interesting. Something in me I had never thought I would experience again awakened.