Bad Habits : The Superiors Meet
A/N: Thanks for reviewing... and yes, I realize that so far my fic is sounding like "It's Raining". I love that fic with a passion, and I would never intentionally copy it (I mean, that's just dumb ). So yeah... I am trying to make this better, so review and tell me if it is !
I
Koenma was nervous. Actually, he was trying to make sure that he didn't have a meltdown. Botan hadn't been back in about an hour. And that was bad. Very bad. He was pacing and so, he called Yusuke. Nothing. Kuwabara, nothing. Koenma scoffed when me almost called Hiei, so then he moved onto Kurama.
The young man's face appeared, his red hair flowing down his shoulders.
"Koenma?"
The Prince sighed, chewing his pacifier in his toddler form.
"Kurama, I know this is a stupid question, but have you seen Botan?"
The way the fox's face twitched, Koenma felt like the kitsune had seen her. But why would he see Botan? She wasn't anywhere near him when she was ferrying the soul that she just delivered. It doesn't make sense.
"Um, sir, I think that you should just let Botan have a bit of a break for the rest of the day..."
BREAK? Koenma almost had cardiac arrest. She just got a break!
"You don't understand, she just had a week long vacation. She can't get another break for the rest of the year."
Kurama shifted, frowning with annoyance. Koenma was taken aback. He dare get impatient with me? The Prince of Hell?
"Trust me, Koenma, just let this one slide."
Kurama lowered his voice, and it wasn't intimidate the Prince, but to hide their conversation. He moved to the side, and for a split second, the Prince was able to see past him. His coffee eyes widened when he saw his prized ferry girl, her back to him, her blue hair his only clue as to who she was, her kimono gone and replaced with nigen clothes.
That wasn't the only thing he saw. He saw Hiei. The Hiei Jaganshi standing next to her. Normally, the two wouldn't be close to each other. At all. But as they stood, talking quietly to themselves, their shoulders would occasionally brush up against each other. The Prince's pacifier fell from his mouth.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"
Kurama's emerald eyes widened in surprise and horror when the Prince raised his voice, and soon Koenma found himself staring into a blank screen, Kurama hanging up on him. The Prince shook in his chair, letting his compact clatter to the floor. Hiei... is...
The Prince bit his lip, looking like he was about to throw a tantrum. George opened the door.
"Um, sir, is everything okay?"
Koenma's blazing eyes told the ogre that No, everything was not all right. Koenma transformed into a teenager and took his overcoat, pulling George out with him into the hallway.
"You're coming with me, George."
The blue ogre was stumbling along nervously, not enjoying his Master's tone of voice.
"Where, sir?"
Koenma turned to his faithful assistant.
"We're going to Makai."
II
Botan was nervous as Hiei told her that he would go along with the plan. She couldn't stop shaking. Everything's changed so fast... and how do I even know that I'll be happy if we do become mates? She didn't want to dwell on that matter at the moment.
The two of them walked out of the kitchen, leaving Kurama alone, and into the living room. She didn't want to sit, so she remained standing. They watched the rain slide down the window.
"You understand what will most likely happen, onna. Did you weigh out each option?"
Botan frowned, not meeting the Koorime's gaze.
"If we try and ignore it, well, I end up getting raped." She smiled humorlessly at him. "And I don't want you to die by Koenma." That was when her face darkened. "Then there was the option of my death..."
She felt the fire demon tense.
"Onna..."
The ferry girl stopped him.
"I don't want to die..." She took a very unstable breath. "But if it is better for you, then..." She swallowed painfully. "I will give my life to you."
III
Hiei couldn't believe what he was hearing. She would give her life to me? I have never been kind to her! I'm the Forbidden Child! Anger made him growl, and she looked at him, her face devoid of a smile.
"What do you mean?"
Botan licked her lips, struggling to be strong.
"If it would be too painful to mate with me, and it would be better for your life to kill me, then I understand and will allow you to do so."
She was trembling like a leaf on a tree. She was afraid. Afraid of just how he would answer the question. That did not help his rage.
"Baka!" Her eyes flinched as she looked at him. "You expect me to agree to that?" Her eyes widened. Hiei lowered his voice, his eyes piercing through her. "I could never kill you, onna."
She tilted her head to the side, blinking in confusion.
"But... but you said..."
Hiei snarled at her ignorance.
"That was just a petty threat, onna. Killing women is against my code."
Another longer silence. They were so close, and Hiei was content with the fact that his instinct was hibernating at the moment. She would sometimes touch him, whether it was unintentional or on purpose, with her slender shoulders.
"I-I'm glad that you are okay with this." Hiei didn't say anything to interrupt her. "The others... they are going to be surprised."
Hiei smirked. It was ironic. And he had an idea of the reactions of the rest of the former Rekai Tentei. Kuwabara's brain, if he has one, will have a meltdown. Yusuke... his jaw would detach from his skull... and the toddler...
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"
Hiei frowned and whirled around. That was exactly what he thought the brat would say, but he didn't think that he would hear it so soon. Or behind him. The ferry onna's face flushed at the sound of her boss's voice, and when they faced Kurama, he was smiled at them nervously.
"Wrong number."
Hiei crossed his arms and Botan moved closer to him.
"Was... that... Koenma?"
IV
Mukuro sat in her domain. She was... irked. Yes, that was the word she was looking for. Hiei had been absent for a few days. It was normal... kind of. She allowed him to do as he pleased, but he would check in every two days.
It had been over a week and he still hadn't contacted her.
She got up and walked up to the observatory, sensing an unfamiliar energy approaching her territory. The reason why it caught her interest was because it had no demon energy, only spirit. When she gazed through her telescope, she saw two people. One man, and one ogre. She narrowed her eyes.
Who are they?
She sent out her guards.
"Bring them to me, unharmed."
They bowed.
"Yes, ma'am."
She just got down to the first floor when they were being pushed in. The boy had a pacifier in his mouth, and he was yelling at her guards. The blue ogre was looking extremely nervous, his eyes flickering to all the exits of the room.
"Sir, keep your voice down!"
The boy turned to him.
"No! They had no reason to force us to come in!"
He was waving a finger at her guards, and she coughed, announcing her presence. He stopped and his face lightened in its fair shade.
"Koenma... this is a surprise."
The Prince was startled that she knew who he was, but that just caused Mukuro to roll her eyes. Who does he think I am, a baka? Hiei had told her about his bratty nature. Koenma rubbed his hands together, suddenly looking unsure of himself.
"Well, you see Mukuro, we both have a situation on our hands."
The demon raised her eyebrows.
"We do?"
Her voice was ice cold and this only worsened the anxiety of Koenma and his ogre.
"Your heir... I'm afraid... that... well... how should I put this?"
Mukuro's eyes narrowed dangerously and she approached the Prince.
"What have you done to Hiei?"
Her voice was soft and barely audible, but it got her menacing question across. Koenma waved his arms about nervously, shaking his head.
"Oh, no! Nothing like that, madame." Mukuro saw the ogre look at his Master with a questionable glance. He doesn't know what's going on either? "We both are in an awkward situation, if you would allow me to explain."
Mukuro bit her lip in annoyance.
"You've had plenty of time to inform me of this 'situation' you speak of. You are your own delay."
Koenma ran his hand through his brown hair.
"As you know, it is demon mating season." Mukuro nodded. "Well, Hiei seems to have a direction where his instincts are aimed at..." The demon felt her blood run cold. Judging by the Prince's face, Hiei had picked a woman that was important to him. That was not the biggest problem, however. He... didn't pick me?
V
The two demons and one nigen spirit were silent for a few seconds. That was when Botan put sat down on a chair.
"Oh Kami... Koenma knows?"
Kurama put a hand on her shoulder, earning a dangerous growl from the fire demon. Removing his hand slowly, frowning at the demon, he spoke to the ferry girl gently.
"It's better that he knows sooner than later."
Botan nodded but she was still concerned. Hiei gave an amused grunt.
"I have to admit, the brat's reaction was amusing."
Kurama rolled his eyes at his friend.
"Amusing or not, what do you think that the Prince would do? How far would he go with the bits and pieces of information that he has?"
Hiei glared at the kitsune.
"What information does he have, fox?"
Kurama's shoulders slackened.
"All he saw were the two of you standing together. I'm guessing that he is intelligent enough to put the facts together."
Hiei grumbled.
"I'm not sure about the intelligence part..."
They were not able to continue their conversation. The two demon's felt it. A strong demonic energy outside of Kurama's house. Hiei stood in front of Botan, unsheathing his katana. The door opened, and Kurama pulled out his rose whip.
Koenma and George stepped in, and the two friends relaxed visibly. That was until the third member of the party stepped in.
Botan saw her. Mukuro. Her stance was calm and reserved, but as she walked up to the ferry girl, Botan couldn't help but feel scared.
The demon knelt down on the floor so she was level with the nigen spirit. A finger lifted up Botan's chin, turning her head to the side, looking at her. The ferry girl had no idea what was happening, so she just kept her mouth shut and ignored the adrenalin pumping through her veins.
"You are the woman who goes by the name of Botan?"
Botan looked into Mukuro's eyes.
"I am." The woman nodded and stood. She turned to her second in command. "Why her?" Hiei didn't answer as his Master looked at the ferry girl, who was pleading for help with her boss silently. "She's weak. A worthless nigen."
Hiei bit his lip.
"She isn't just a worthless nigen, Mukuro."
The woman's eyes widened a bit.
"Then what is she, Hiei?"
The entire room was silent as every single occupant waited for his answer. It would answer many different questions. Why had his instinct not selected Mukuro? Would his relationship with Botan work? Did he even respect her?
"She's..." He cleared his throat, staring his Master down. "Botan was who my instinct chose. She is a baka ferry onna. She is too optimistic for her own good, and she allows her mouth to runaway with her." Mukuro had never heard Hiei speak so much, and neither had Botan. "She's one of the best ferry girls that Rekai has to offer." He paused. "She is was stupid enough to think that I would take her life away from her." He took another breath, never breaking his gaze with Mukuro. "And she's earned my respect."
VI
A/N: Oh man. I am... so proud! Yes, yes, yes! Please, tell me if you liked it. Please? (Uses the puppy dog eye technique). Um, so yeah, to the author of "It's Raining", sorry about the similarity in the previous chapter ;;. I hope this evens things out.
-mia