Chapter 2- What the hell?
Solaria would proudly admit that her life wasn't normal, even by Demon Standards. She had accomplices in the place of friends, only Yukina could be called her friend, and she was constantly moving; a habit she picked up from her brother. That was another point of interest, the red headed boy was extremely like her brother even using a rose stem whip as his primary weapon, he was cool and calculating; hardly a movement was wasted. It seriously unnerved the fox-girl, added to the fact her mating thing decided now was a perfect time to start lead to a not so gentle girl. Every day for the month leading to the full awaken mating season, she fought with Yusuke and Kuwabara. They would get pounded and Genkai would step up Yusuke's training. Yukina's cool aura would sooth her for a while then the heat would creep up again.
More often than not she would find her gaze trapped by piercing ruby eyes that matched her friends. Hiei understood foundries and personal space well, but he also hid the fact he was Yukina's brother; Solaria could understand a lot of things about others but she couldn't understand this and it drove her crazy. He was a solid loner who secretly enjoyed time with his companions, mostly got amusement from tormenting Kuwabara, Solaria enjoyed it as well, and having heated discussions with Kurama and Yusuke. Hiei was quiet but you knew he was there, the young fox enjoyed his fiery aura the most, and it seemed to push back the heat of mating season.
Solaria would occasionally take trips to her home to bath in the hot springs, the mineral infused water helped with the aches that the mating season brought to her, the herbs also helped by calming her hormones. She would visit her accomplices and sometimes pull a heist or two if her blood is pounding hard enough; but she always arrived back to Yukina's side by morning.
Yukina was out in the garden with Hana when the Kitsune felt a sharp heat flare at her spine. She was unable to bite back the whimper and Yukina was looking at her in shock and worry. Hana merely smiled but stayed where she was.
"Solaria?" Yukina said. That one word held all the questions she didn't straight out ask.
Solaria blushed, "I'm fine."
"You're in heat, you're not fine." She practically snapped.
Solaria flinched at the harsh aura coming off her usually meek friend. With a sigh she nodded, "Yeah, the mating season started close to two weeks ago, it's the last three days I'm worried about. I might be unstable deigning my urges like I am and with you pregnant, neither of us will be in good condition to fight if we were attacked."
Yukina nodded, "We should tell the others."
Solaria sat still for a moment then nodded knowing it was the best option for their predicament. The two finished their chores and called for Genkai. They asked her to call the group here this weekend. Solaria made lunch and relaxed, heat surging through her system, casting a small blizzard spell, snow and ice soon surrounded her cooling her skin and offering a small reprieve from the painful heat. Her mind started to slip, ash blond hair once more becoming golden, eyes once more became a dark purple. Her cloths loosened and a more lean and firm form was brought to light. With the chill of the snow Solaria fell asleep.
She woke with a sword to the jugular of the guy leaning over her. Sharp ruby eyes quickly caught hers, even though she recognized the eyes and aura Solaria didn't let up on the blades pressure. Hiei finally moved away not taking his eyes off the golden fox, before his eyes he saw her transform to Hana. He hid his surprise about the so called human girl.
"Yukina already knows I'm a fox demon, so does Genkai. I would prefer it that way, but now you know. Tell anyone and twin to Yukina or not I'll string you up." She told him, hiding the blade.
Yukina came out as the two stared at each other, "Oh, Hana you're awake. You should have told me the cold helped relax you."
Hana smiled at her friend, "I know enough ice spells to help me if needed."
"Still, am an ice demon-"Hana cut her off, "Yes but you are also pregnant and I'm determined that this child will be the first Koormine born from that helium filled pieces of ice. Meaning you're to keep your youki stable."
Yukina crinkled her nose but the determined look on her friends face quelled any protest. She nodded and told them dinner was done; Hana was surprised by this and showed it. Yukina giggled and went to bring out the food. With a subdued sigh Hana looked at Hiei, once more captured by the red eyes, and for a second; just for a second, she saw a ghost smile on his lips.
"How did you know?" he asked.
"I saw you shed a tear." She replied and went to help with the food.
Hiei stood still, trying to comprehend what she said and just stood blinking when he had. Kurama came to get him a few moments later, snapping the hybrid out of his stupor. The five ate dinner and Kurama told them he and Hiei would be here tonight, Hana was happy with this arrangement as she needed to go to the Den.
"This is good; I need to go home for a few hours." She told them. Genkai and Yukina had nodded.
"Why is this good?" Kurama asked.
"My youki for the next month is going to be blazing, it'll attract demons from a couple miles around and I'll be too weak to fight them my selves." Yukina stated.
Hiei looked at Yukina then to Hana, the hidden fox nodded in agreement. Kurama shifted uneasily but gave the two girls a reassuring smile and promised to help if demons did show up. Genkai had left with a few dry humor cracks about demons and heat. Hana had fought another heat strike. Kurama helped with the dishes and Hiei went outside, Hana had went back to the room she shared and changed into a black pair of short shorts with a dark blue belly shirt and black combat boots. She brushed out her hair but left it down; strapped on a holster for throwing stars, knives and wire, finally slipping two long knives into her boots built in holsters and a short sword hung on her left hip.
Hana stopped by the kitchen and told Yukina she'd be back around morning, Yukina told her to take her time. Kurama was surprised by the way she was dressed. Hana had smiled and left, Hiei nearly fell out of the tree he was in. Hana had nodded and went to the weak point in the barrier. Hiei thought for a moment before following her. He saw her hair becoming gold and figure become more lean and lithe, ears appeared and a fluffy tail was soon visible.
Solaria opened a portal and looked at Hiei; she raised an eyebrow, "Are you coming down or not Hiei-san?"
Hiei had jumped down and looked at her, he felt desire hit him for a moment before squishing it down, "What is your name in this form?" he asked.
"Solaria." She answered, "Why are you following me?"
"How do you know Yukina?" Hiei asked back.
Solaria raised an eyebrow at the lack of answer but answered his question, "The ice demons had a unique gem that caught my attention. I went and stole it, nearly got caught but a young ice demoness offered to lead me to safety in exchange I take her with me. I agreed and gained my first accomplice in Yukina. Now why are you following me?"
"I wanted some answers." He replied.
Solaria nodded and then jumped through the portal. She landed in a meadow not far from her treasure den. Sitting in the meadow she thought of her friend and was glad to see it was dark, the moon was truly beautiful tonight. The soft brushes of floral and grass was teasing her nerves into a more aware state. Solaria soon lured into a restful light sleep, laying back in the meadow.
Awoken by a burn of desire, she set off for home. She wasn't happy with the demons that popped out and tried to take her, so by the time she got to the den her body was covered in sweat and had a few scrapes and bruises. She stripped and soaked in the hot spring, feeling better by the second. The heat, like the cold earlier, was welcoming and intoxicating; causing her to be drowsy even. After washing she jumped out and got dressed in an oversized t-shirt and shorts before heading up to bed. Her room smelled of dust and dying flowers, a wave got rid of the dust and another got rid of the plants replacing them with new ones. She fell onto her bed and cast her mind into darkness.
Yukina would easily admit that she was nerves for her friend. Solaria, by nature, is a loner, sure she had accomplices but they weren't her friends. Yukina also knew this was the third time she's deigned her urges, the second time was due to grief over her brother's death, first she was barely out of her kit stage and had her brother to guard her and help her though it; now she was practically alone and this is the part that scares her. Yukina could barley sleep, even though Kurama and Hiei lied in the room across from hers. A mental debate has been happening in her mind since her friend left. Coming to a conclusion she wrote how to get to Solaria's home and went across the hall.
"Hiei-san?" Yukina called, "Can you do something for me?"
Hiei came out and raised an eyebrow at his twin. He saw the paper tucked in her hand and wondered what he needed to do.
"Hana is going to be angry with me for this but can you go and watch over her?" Yukina asked.
"Why?" he asked slightly taken back.
Yukina sighed and held out the paper, "It's her fourth Mating season and she's deigning it, actually she wants' to choose her mate without mating season interference and I'm afraid of what will happen if she's get ambushed or over powered."
Hiei was definitely surprised now, as was Kurama, but he nodded and took the paper; finding directions.
"Thank you Hiei-san, this is directions to her house." Yukina said and after bowing and wishing them night she went to sleep.
"Hana-san is a demon?" Kurama said with some surprise.
"Hn. I found out earlier myself, she was sleeping in snow." Hiei told him, walking out of the room. He ran to the weak point and opened the portal. He followed the map, and ran to the lake nestled in the forest, finding the small cave and followed it to the valley. There was a two story stone house, English style, the land was swarmed with every plant imagine and Hiei thought for sure the Fox lived here. He was lucky strong trees grew ground the house and was able to find one that gave him a view of the girls' room and of the entrance to the valley.
Solaria slept with slight unease, her body craving attention and now dull heat surges up her spine. She dreamed of the forest and sun, a shadow hidden by the foliage and a fiery heat uncommon to the wilderness. She saw a predator, watcher yet protector and lava like eyes watched as she fretted. Fire and ice clashed in her veins and she fell to the forest floor in surprise, the sun glinted off her hair that flared like a halo and her eyes burned a molten gold. She gasped as the two opposites mixed within her spreading a near intoxicating liquid pleasure to her scenes. The shadow moved out of the foliage, measured steps with an even grit. Her petite form tensed as more fire entered her. With a fighting will she looked up at the shadow, finding lightly bronzed skin, spiky black hair and the eyes of her best friend.
Solaria jerked awake, gasping, trying to understand what just happened. The lingering feeling of fire and ice had her dropping back onto the bed. She was admittedly confused and slightly frustrated with herself. So she punched the pillow and fell back to sleep, not even reliving the sun had raised and it was practically mid-day already.
Hiei sat watching the girl toss and turn, her movements unknowingly sensual in a way yet still spoke of power and a deadly strength. Her hair acted as a second blanket and shone like melted gold in the streaming moonlight. He wanted to know what she dreamed about to make her toss like that. He was gone by sun up so he didn't hear her gasp his name when she woke up.
Hiei was out trying to gain information about the girl who was his sister's friend. He got a hit in a bar a fifty or so miles from her house. He was pleasantly surprised to learn she was not only a skilled fighter but also a true master thief. He also found out about the underground fighting rings she apparently not only controls but also is the Top Fighter in, the controls part is gossip that has never been confirmed or denied. There were a lot of rumors about the Golden Kitsune; like her being a witch, she's cold blooded and a snake demon masquerading as a fox demon. The rumor that shook him was her being the younger sister to Yoko Kurama.
"Hello? Hiei?" the Fox's voice sounded.
"Did you have a younger sister?" he asked right off the bat.
"…Where did you learn that?" Kurama asked back in a scary tone.
Hiei's eyebrow rose at Kurama's tone. "There is a Golden Fox going by the name Solaria, it's rumored she's your sister." Hiei told him.
Kurama was quiet; here was proof of his sister's survival. "Can you describe her, Hiei?"
"Her eyes are like yours even same intensity, long gold hair, same color ears and tail." Hiei replied.
Kurama sighed, "My sire was a bastard. He used my mother only to give birth; he took me and me from her. Two hundred years later he does it again, and takes my baby sister."
Hiei's eyes widen and Kurama continued to tell him about stealing his own sister and hiding her away until he was dead, teaching her to fight, watching her do magic, the presents. Hiei learned a lot more about the girl that claimed his attention.
"I'll watch her while watching Hana." Hiei told him and hung up, he quickly made his way back to Solaria's den. But found her Youki nearby surrounded by demons. Following the Youki's presence that seemed to wrap around him, he saw her standing in the middle of ten demon circling her, her eyes were glazed and Hiei felt slight wonder at what was happening.
"You're mine." The apparent leader of the gang said, a twisted grin appearing on his equally twisted face. The other nine demons nodded in agreement.
Hiei growled low but didn't move, Solaria's scary smile made sure of that and for a moment her eyes were clear of the glazed look. The demons charged and Solaria dropped, ripping two blades from her boots. She got out of the tangle and smirked as they jumped her again, with speed matching his own when he tried, Hiei watched her fly through the demons, swords working in harmony to the point that blood rained from the heavens. Her skin and cloths were soaked in blood and the demons lied in pieces. She waved her hand and fire overtook the area, and then flowers bloomed around her.
She looked at the space Hiei occupied before fainting. Hiei got down from her perch and brought the girl to the Den. He cleaned her as best he could and moved to the window, she grabbed his hand.
"Thank you Hiei-kun." She said with a light kiss to his palm, she fell onto a deep sleep letting his hand fall from limp fingers.
Hiei stared at his sister's friend only three words penetrating his confusion, What. The. Hell.