The God of Rebirth entered Spirit World without announcing, carrying in his arms Valery. Hiei came in sight to witness this.
"What happened to her?"
"She is not hurt. I just kissed her."
"You did fucking what?" he said flaring up with anger.
"This is the second time I have kissed her. First time was when she was 5, I stole her memories so she wouldn't have to know. Now I gave them back." Hiei took her from his arms still glaring at the God before him.
"Tell me what you showed her."
"There is another world out there inhabitant by magic. She is of that world. I took her to the sorcerers of that realm where they taught her first degree magic and she managed to tame the Phoenix. That creature never could stand anything alive up to that child of darkness. But as you well know her father was a feared necromancer. Following his command they found out about her and a war broke out. In short it was then when I gave her the Phoenix powers and fled with her to Human World, never again to return. Your bright eyed girl is a queen that should have rules over two realms. How much is left I am not certain."
"So you lied to her all this time."
"How dare you say that you insolent demon?" he retorted his eyes burning bright. Hiei put her down and turned back to the God.
"You have claimed a lot over the years and now here you are telling me you hid an entire world from her. And you also touched my mate."
"She will never truly be yours."
"Valery is mine!"
"She's of the Gods!" in a flash Valery was between them, her energy going through the roof. The rest of Spirit World that was closer came to witness the scene.
"I am my own person, not your property and not yours either."
"Darkness…"
"No Suzaku. You have lied to me. As you have seen there is nothing that can keep me safe. And you Hiei, I am mad as it is, do not add to my anger. We have a mission and we need to see it through."
She led them to the office where Suzaku explained everything. Koenma got up with shaky legs.
"A new world?"
"Protected by magic, parallel to Demon Wolrd."
"How could we not see this?"
"After the war they exiled themselves, lost from all other worlds."
"But we have been around for so long."
"Erased is the word you are looking for. They could not erase the memories of us Gods, but for the rest they have been forgotten." The ruler looked at Valery who hasn't said a word apart from her outburst earlier.
"Valery how should we approach this?"
She raised her eyes to circle the room. The five prisoners were eyeing her intensely. Hiei had his normal cold stare. Her eyes darkened and she looked back at Koenma.
"I will provide you with an answer by midnight." In a flash of light she was out of the office. The clock showed 11 am.
"I don't see why you had to show her those memories. The last time she was showed such phantoms her heart stopped."
"I don't see why she shouldn't have known. She would have found of sooner or later."
"You should be protecting her."
"I tried to, but danger is drawn to her. She is the sum of all evil. It is time for her to fulfill her destiny."
"Why do I feel you are sending us to die?" his eyes beamed demonically at the God before him.
"Tread carefully demon. You have earned my sympathy once, careful because I am not one to provide a second chance."
"I don't care for your stupid sympathy."
"I have tried for years to keep her alive and yet I have watched her fall into despair with each passing year. Instead of a mission throughout the world you need to go back to the start."
"Why?" Hiei asked suspicious.
"What better way to vanquish your demons?" he asked his eyes flaring up again. Koenma stepped in.
"I believe you both said enough. We will see each other at midnight when Valery returns to us." Suzaku and Hiei glared one last time at each other before leaving the office, each taking a different direction. Hiei was set on finding her. She couldn't be left alone right now, she could yell, curse or jump at this throat clamming a fight. However he had to be there for her.
Oddly enough she was in Human World, a bit light headed from the surge of power used to travel there, but she was shaking it off sitting at a terrace drinking a coffee, smoking at staring blankly into her cup. She sensed him right away and looked to the side when he sat next to her.
"Look at me."
"Not now Hiei, I can't deal with you right now." He ignored her request and ran his fingers through her hair.
"I know you are mad, at me and all that is happening." She clenched her fists, but kept silent, her eyes averted from his.
"Look at me." He demanded again.
"Fuck off!" he growled annoyed and yanked her from her seat placing her on his lap. One hand was placed on her waist so she couldn't escape and with the other one he turned her face to him. She slapped his hand away and looking annoyed.
"I told you I can't deal with you right now." Unexpected of him, he was extremely calm.
"Then I won't say anything if you don't want me to." She tried to get off but he kept her in the same place.
"Really? People are staring." He kept his gave only on her and pulled her closer. She could feel his breath on her skin and the warmth of his body against hers. "Would you just put me down?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because you'll be gone the moment I take my hands off you." He kissed her neck and she tried pushing him away.
"People are really staring." He frowned and searched her pockets, taking out some money for the coffee and took her hand going to the nearby park. The weather was lovely and sunny, proving to be a perfect day for a walk.
"Would you just let go?" she asked when they reached a fountain. He turned to her, but still didn't let go of her hand.
"Show me what he showed you."
"No, you are not doing this for me. You were willing to leave."
"Enough! I am tired of running after you, but I would still do it."
"Liar!" she hissed through her teeth. He looked crossed but still tried to hold his composure.
"Woman, don't push me."
"Push you?" she punched his chest "How about I make it easier for you and end it now?" he forcefully pulled her close and held her chin up.
"That's enough out of you. We both had a lot to deal with lately and things aren't looking up for the future either. After a month I would have come looking for you. You are my mate and if the worlds will crumble, I want the last thing I see to be you." His lips crashed onto hers in a lustful kiss. He knew people were watching them, however the woman he was holding in his arms was the one that mattered. When parting he stared long at her.
"I've been trying for years to get close to you, do you actually think I'd be giving up now?"
"Honestly at this point it's getting harder and harder to believe anyone." He narrowed his eyes annoyed at her world. She was still mad and will all happening she was losing her ground. He took her hand and placed it at his chest.
"I need you to trust me. Not just now but until the end." She closed her eyes sighing.
"Fine. Let's say I do believe that you weren't going to leave me after one month. However you are crappy at saying things." She pushed him slightly and she went further out of his reach. She could see he wanted to leap in order to reach her and have some connection. He extended his hand slowly and took a step forward.
"Don't. I really need time to think all of this through. I'll see you tonight." She mentioned turning and walking away. After a few steps she heard his voice calling out to her.
"Valery!"
"What?" she asked turning around to look at him.
"I love you." Her eyes widened and it felt like everything around her was moving in slow motion. He had never said it like that, straight out and hearing it come out of his mouth for the first time came as a shock. She took slow steps towards him, seeing he was not comfortable by what he had verbalized but still looked her straight in the eyes.
"What did you say?" it was then when he covered his eyes trying to hide from her.
"Hiei?" he sighed and lowered his hand, but he could feel his face burning up and he hated feeling like that.
"You heard me." He stated hopping she wouldn't insist, but to no avail. The only time he has used those words was when he was drunk and even then it wasn't this straight forward. Her curious eyes made him give in. "I said that I…" he watched her every gesture and seeing his like this made her forget for a moment about all the tension. Her checks carried a rosy hint to them, telling him she was as agitated as him. He pulled her closer and took the hair out of her face.
"I love you." His deep tone rang in her ears and her sweet lips kissed his.
"I love you too." He smiled slightly and looked to the side. He felt like one of those frail humans who had just confessed their love and the girl accepted. Eventually she stayed by his side until midnight, talking about what used to be her formed life. However she did not feel that. She felt she had been given the memories of someone else.
Spirit World office – 00:00
They were all quiet when Hiei and Valery entered through the doors. Koenma stood up and waited for her to speak.
"Suzaku will open the portal to the realm for us. We don't know what we'll find after the war, but if we are to embark on this mission then we should start with the very realm where I came from. Caen, we will rely on your necromancer skills to guide us through." He just nodded. "Sebastian and Hiei will be joining. Han and Bayu will remain in Human World and report to Kurama. He will be the representative for humans. Yusuke will be advising from Demon World. As for the realm of the Gods I do require help from there as well. I will be summoning War."
"War?" Suzaku asked.
"Yes, War. He is impartial, had nothing to do with my life." The two Gods glared at each other and everyone could feel the tension in the room. "You have done all you could do to help me. It is finally time to step down." He walked to her until they were both a few inches away from each other.
"I understand you are mad Darkness…"
"My name is Valery, you have me that name."
"Yes, Valery in Latin means brave. But you mostly remind me of the Valerian flowers. With heads of sweetly scented pink like your lips, or white like your skin. But its extract is also a pain reliever, but also can cause harm if not administrated correctly. So delicate, yet so dangerous."
"Thank you for the history lesson, but I have made my choice and I am not backing down." He extended his right hand touching her cheek lovingly. However her eyes were just as determined. "If you pull another stunt I will kick you to the ground." Hiei pulled her away from him.
"Enough" he said through his teeth and the God did not look amused. Koenma spoke.
"Alright, this is not getting us anywhere. I also do not agree for the God of War to be the intermediary, but at least I know he will wreak havoc upon her enemies."
"So be it then, we will let War pummel her enemies if it comes to it."
Valery turned to the five prisoners.
"You must understand that more out there with the same mind set could be lethal. You had families and friends who taught you different. I know those voices can overrule you sometimes and I can see why you would want to start a war. But bringing world on their knees will leave you in more silence with the voices becoming louder. After all will be bent and torn you will only be left with yourself. And believe me, you'd wish you had someone there instead of tearing your own flesh from your bones, wanting to end it just so you can't hear it anymore."
Even Alan stood before her troubled by the image depicted.
"You've seen it haven't you? A world where is happens?"
"I've seen more than that. And I know what our powers can do." Iona shrug her shoulders.
"Well good. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't back down from what destiny has prepared, but killing my family would have been a major downfall." She saw the stares directed at her "Don't give me those looks. You have had those powers since you were little, you had time to keep it at bay, I earned my when I was reaching adulthood. The only reason I said yes to this whole shit is because they wanted to marry me off to another clan." Valery started laughing much to everyone's surprise.
"You all have no idea what you are doing. You just followed your instincts blindly." Zulard looked annoyed.
"Look her missy, the only reason I am joining is because you will need me in a fight." He looked at Hiei "And because the king insisted."
Later on they made their way onto the area from which Valery protected Spirit World from the Gods and let Suzaku open up the portal.
"I will be leading you to where I found you when you were a child. I hope the new world will provide you with the answers to help the worlds you are fighting for. And one more thing Valery." He said turning to her.
"Learn to use what was given to you and not what you were born with."
"Meaning?"
"You are now walking back there with more."