-1Several days later, Faith was up and about. She repeated her story to the other spirit Detectives and waited for the question she was dreading. It was Yusuke who asked it.
"How do you know the Seven Cardinal Sins, Faith?" Yusuke asked casually, as if inquiring about the weather. Kurama jumped to her defense immediately.
"It's because she's the Scion of Faith, of course."
"Where did you get that idea?" She asked the kitsune.
"The writing on the wall above the crib, Faith. Who else would the scion be?" Kurama explained. Faith sighed and sat down, wishing she could have Hiei's arms around her. But her beloved youkai didn't seem to like being affectionate in front of others. He was wonderful to her when they were alone though.
Koenma moved in front of her. He knelt down and took her chin in his hand. "Faith, we need to know as much as you can tell us if we want to find Nobu."
She nodded. She knew that. She just didn't want to tell it. However, she squared her shoulders and closed her eyes, looking at the floor as she spoke.
"I-I've never told anyone this story. Even my parents thought he was my brother because I altered their memories. But he's not my brother. Nobu is my son."
She waited a moment to let that sink in. There were gasps around the room. Her eyes raised for only a moment, to seek out another pair. Hiei stood across the room, leaning against the wall. His eyes bored into hers. He seemed to be reserving judgment, however. He nodded to her, encouraging her to continue. She took a deep breath.
"His father was the previous Scion of Faith. He was a demon by the name of Azazil. He was cruel and sadistic. He found me alone a year and a half ago and pinned me to the wall. He was strong. Very strong. I couldn't get away. He raped me there." She buried her face in her hands, unable to continue for the moment. The room was silent. After a few moments, she pulled herself together and continued.
"When I discovered I was pregnant, I was miserable. I hated myself. I wanted to die. I actually killed myself. But Enma-Ousama told me I had to come back, because my baby was to be the Scion of Faith, and I was to be his guardian. That's when I got my Ofuda."
"A month later I had my first run-in with the Seven Cardinal Sins. They were sent by Azazil. He wanted to raise Nobu up to be his heir. Evil, cold and cruel. I couldn't let that happen, and Enma- Ousama told me to protect him from Azazil. So I fought them with my Ofuda. I think I surprised them by how quickly I gained control of the things. I've run into them several times since then. And they've got Nobu now. And taken him straight to Azazil. I've failed."
A hand rested on her shoulder and a soft voice murmured in her ear. "We all mess up from time to time, Faith." Kurama told her. "The important thing is not to give up when things look bad. We'll get him back."
She nodded, but said nothing. Everyone else in the room was silent. After a while she couldn't stand it. She got up and walked out to the small deck in the back and leaned on the rail. A few moments later she knew she wasn't alone. A hand touched hers, then grasped it and pulled her around. Hiei planted a gentle, but fierce kiss on her mouth. When he pulled away she stared at him, eyes wide.
"Onna, I saw you, peeking at me, looking for my approval. Did you think I would be angry with you for something a demon did to you?"
"I'm sorry, Hiei. I just haven't been feeling like myself lately." She told him, slipping into his embrace and letting her head rest on his chest.
"Maybe you need to have a little faith in me, Onna. You're the only one who ever has. Don't let that faith die. It means too much to me." He told her, leaning up and kissing her again.
"What the . . ." Yusuke was quickly silenced by a hand over his mouth. He look up questioningly at the kitsune who gagging him.
"Don't ruin this for him, Yusuke. He really loves her, and he's never loved before, not like this. I've never heard him speak like that to anyone. Ever. She's teaching him to believe in her, and in himself. She's given him something to live for."
Yusuke nodded and Kurama released him. They stood there for a little while, watching the pair. It was very romantic. After a moment Yusuke felt a hand slip into his and he looked up at the fox, who gave him an affectionate, questioning look, as if to say 'Please?' Yusuke stepped over and slipped an arm around the kitsune's waist. He leaned into Kurama's shoulder as the taller boy's arm slipped around him.
Faith sighed and Hiei looked at her questioningly. She smiled at him. "I'm alright. I just with this could last."
"Why wouldn't it last?" Hiei demanded, confused. She shrugged.
"Hiei, I'm a single mom guarding a child wanted by the Cardinal Sins. You don't need a child in your life, especially one that's not yours. You're much too busy. It's okay."
He took a step back from her and stared at her disbelievingly. Then he crossed his arms over his chest and looked away. "So much for having faith in me."
"Hiei, I do have faith in you. I just . . ."
"You think I'm just playing with you until we get the baby back? Is that really what you think of me? That I'm just around until things get hard and then I'll move on? Onna, you won't get rid of me that easily, understand? I'm completely aware that you two come as a package deal and I'm willing to accept that. In fact, I look forward to it. I'm not losing you to your fear!"
Faith stared at him. She'd never heard him speak so passionately. She felt tears streaming down her cheeks. Hiei saw the tears and his expression softened. He wrapped his arms around her again and pulled her close. He kissed away her tears and then murmured the words he'd thought he'd never speak.
"Onna . . . . . I love you."
