Hey I'm back, hopefully this one will be longer, ne? k, here we go!
He was absorbed in watching Botan. The way the fire reflected in her amethyst eyes, the way her delicate features were marked with obvious concern for their mysterious companion….
Yusuke was pulled from his thoughts by a pained moan to his right. He turned quickly, adrenaline glands pumping in, to find the pink-haired girl with pain written on her face. His eyes narrowed the fire's glow not alone in making them seem edgy. Sure he was concerned for the girl's health, but up until now she had proven to be nothing but dangerous…..and hurt. He relaxed his tensed muscles at that thought, watching the girl's unconscious hands seem to search for something, then without victory settling with ringing the edge of her dress. After all, if he were injured to that degree, he wouldn't exactly be forthcoming to strangers, would he?
He glanced around him, noting for the first time that Kurama and Hiei had stopped talking. Kurama was now leaning over the girl, a few unconcealed questions dancing in his eyes, his pale face contorted in concentration.
"What?"
Yusuke wasn't in the mood for more than one-word-at-a-time conversations, on his part anyway.
Kurama took a while to answer. Thunder rippled through the skies to the north, dark clouds still watching over them like overbearing guardians. The wind from the south, the very wind that was blowing the storm away, brought the smell of the pine forest and the deep smell of the cave-ridden mountains.
"She's awake…I think…" Kurama mumbled at last, and even then it was more to himself than anyone else.
"What do you mean?" Botan was confused, and her eyes reflected that clearly.
"Her mind….its-"
"Her mind is active, but she is not." Hiei monotoned.
"What is she thinking?" Yusuke asked, guard once again up.
"She's trying to move." It seemed like the finishing statement to a speech, so Yusuke pressed the fire apparition no more. Besides, if she was unable to even move, how dangerous could she be?
(a/n: hehehe…..)
Kurama shrugged, the fabric of his white tunic making soft sounds as he moved back to his spot between Botan and Hiei. Before he even sat down, the girl was up. Yusuke jumped back, adrenaline once again in his wearied body. Botan yelped and Hiei's sword was halfway out of its sheath. Kurama simply stood and moved back a pace or two, just watching.
The girl's eyes were unfocused, tears unshed filming her eyes. Her lips were parted in some horrible half-silent scream. The forest was silenced with it, her pain flowing from her in waves, affecting all of us. Botan shifted over to the girl's shaking form, fear radiating off of her in much the same way in pain with the girl. Yet she managed to get close enough to touch her.
"Botan…" Yusuke said in a warning tone, hoping she'd suddenly grow a brain and understand his meaning.
No such luck.
She reached out a tentative, shaking pale hand toward the girl. The tips of her fingers brushed the girl's arm, and she tensed immediately, hands searching again for something they couldn't seem to find on her leg. Wait-the weapon bag, she was trying to attack Botan!
"BO-umph" Yusuke was interrupted in his gallant warning by Kurama's firm hand clamped on his mouth.
"She's confused, Yusuke. She's trying to defend herself."
He unclamped Kurama's hand.
"Defend against Botan? She wouldn't hurt a fly!"
Kurama looked at him knowingly.
"How should the girl no this?"
Botan pulled back, the girl stopped. Her dry lips parted, a tiny voice escaped.
"Where….where…." She couldn't get it out.
Botan swallowed and placed her hand back on the girl's arm, this time all the way. She didn't react, but to look up at Botan's face. Botan smiled.
"You're ok, young one. You're ok…" Comforting tone.
The girl's eyes cleared, the rest of us took a step forward.
"Will you….am I……coughcough….safe?" Her meaning was clear.
Botan smiled at her again. "I'll keep you safe. You won't be hurt anymore, I promise."
The girl, for the first time since their meeting, attempted an extremely weary smile, and fell in a heap on Botan's lap. The rest of the guys resumed their places, Kurama replacing the girl on her mat, Botan remaining to hold her hand in her slumber.
Unknown to this little odd group, a pair of red and black pinwheel eyes watched their every move.
Hey! Was that longer? I hope so, I won't really be able to tell until I upload it to the site! I hope you like! R&R pweese! Don't forget pairing suggestions!
Thanks to all my beautiful reviewers!