Chapter 2 – Recovery
"Where have you been?" Koenma, the Prince of Spirit Word, yelled at his four detectives. He sucked on his pacifier fiercely, glaring at each of them before he noticed an unconscious and bloody form held in Hiei's arms. His eyes slightly widened in a mixture of shock and surprise.
"On second thought, we'll have a talk later. All of you get to the medical ward immediately. Make sure she's taken care of first." He pointed at the girl in Hiei's arms.
"Hn."
They went out his door in a single file line, not saying a word as Kurama closed the door behind him.
"Aisu." Icy blue eyes snapped open to his rough voice. Her eyes shifted to his still form on top of the branches.
"What is it onee-san?"
"Your shift now." He jumped down and lay against the base of the tree, his katana resting against his shoulder. She smiled and jumped to the thick branches above.
"Kira?"
Kira's eyes snapped open, her hand about to move for her dagger at her side before she groaned in pain.
"Easy. You're still healing. Just rest now, ok?" Botan softly whispered.
"Where am I?"
"Spirit World. The medical ward to be exact." Botan answered.
"Oh. I guess I made the right choice then." Kira mumbled.
"Huh?"
"It's nothing Botan. I'm going back to sleep now."
"Well, ok. Just holler if you need anything." Botan quietly exited, not noticing the black blur behind her before closing the door.
Crimson eyes regarded the small form on the bed, noticing the steady rhythm of her rising chest. White bandages were wrapped around her upper body and left arm, a light blanket covering her lower body. Her armory shined dully on the table next to the bed, along with some new clothes and a basin full of clear water. Her weapons were placed in close reach next to her bed. A plastic chair stood next to her bedside where Botan was sitting before.
His eyes slightly narrowed when he noticed dry blood on her cheek where one of the nurses did not properly clean the blood off of her. He walked towards the table where the basin stood and took out a clean washcloth from one of the drawers. He soaked it with the water, and sat down at the edge of the bed. He began to wipe it off her cheek when one of her eyes sleepily opened.
"Who're you…?"
"Go back to sleep."
Kira placed her uninjured hand on top of his hand with the washcloth. She closed her eye and smiled.
"Hiei."
"Hn."
Her hand dropped back on the bed as he finished wiping the blood away. He set the dirtied washcloth back in the basin and stood up, ready to leave before his eyes caught a glimpse of one of her weapons: the black katana.
Out of curiosity, he picked it up. There was nothing specific or special about the weapon, although it felt a bit heavy in his hands. There were no embroideries or designs on the sheath, except for the scorched marks of a dragon on the hilt. A piece of red cloth caught his attention where the blade is sheathed. He grabbed the hilt and partially opened it. The blade glinted in the little light, with ancient characters inscribed near the hilt.
'Black Dragon'
Suddenly, Hiei doubled over at the intense pain in his head. He closed his eyes shut, his knuckles white from grasping the katana so hard. But behind his closed lids, images and sounds from long ago surfaced in his mind.
Blinding light momentarily blinded Hiei. He heard a childish laughter and splashing water. The light soon lost its intensity and he saw a small child splashing clear water under the bright sun. She turned her head and looked at him, her crimson eyes warm and filled with laughter.
His eyes slowly opened as the throbbing pain lessened until his head became clear again. He closed the blade with a snap and placed it next to her sleeping form. His eyes slightly narrowed at her peaceful face before heading back out the door. He felt irritated and angry with himself for feeling comfortable when he is near this strange female demon's presence. He has not even met her in all his life in the Demon World, yet she brings him peace in his mind. Why?
The door suddenly opened before his hand touched the door knob. Kurama stood in the doorway with a small vial and a glass of water.
"Hiei. This is a surprise." Kurama softly commented.
"What business do you have in here, fox."
"I'm giving her some of my herbal potions. I made sure she was dressed with the saliva I made for her toxic wounds."
"You should come back another time. She's still sleeping." With that said, he walked past the fox and out the door.
Kurama smiled and looked back at Kira's small form in bed. He quietly walked to her bedside table and placed his box and water next to her. He placed his hand on top of her forehead, checking her temperature before getting up and walking out the door as he closed it behind him.