A Single Flower
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A/N: Now let's begin the rescue Yukina arc shall we? Thanks for the review guys!
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I fidgeted to no end as I waited for Koenma to see me. They had finally dug up enough information about my demon side. I finally would get somewhat of a hint on finding my mother. I didn't sit but rather paced the floor constantly back and forth.
"You're going to wear a hole." I stopped and was surprised to see Hiei was here.
"What are you doing here?" I asked. We weren't schedule to train today and if he could help it, Hiei often preferred to be by himself.
"Koenma has summoned me for delivery boy." He was dull about it but I could tell he wasn't pleased. His confinement to the human world was rather a cruel punishment. "And what are you doing here?" He asked.
I smiled at him widely ready to share my news. "Never mind, if you're grinning like an idiot, I'd rather not know." He shot me down quickly before I could even have a chance to inhale.
I grumbled as I lightly punched him on the arm. "I didn't even get one word in!" I turned around and crossed my arms in frustration. "Fine, it doesn't concern you anyway." I remarked and to feel better that he didn't care by getting the last word in.
The doors finally opened and George, the blue ogre called me in. "Ah, Hiei is here too. If you come in with Sakura, Koenma can get two jobs done at once." I grumbled as I walked in realizing the ogre had allowed Hiei to come in meaning he would find out anyway.
Koenma sat at his desk and I saw he had no paperwork to be done. "Koenma sir, both Hiei and Sakura have arrived." George informed him.
Koenma looked up and then seemed to let out a sigh. He straightened himself though and looked at me. "As promised for helping out with Yusuke's spirit detective duties, we have managed to dig up some information on your demon blood." Koenma pointed to his golden-egg like monitor. "Ayame will fill you in on the details."
A young woman cladded in a black kimono appeared before us. She had black hair tied up in a small bun and her blue eyes had a calm look about them. I'd say she looked more fit for Botan's job than Botan herself.. She dove right into my information.
"We're sorry it took so long to find information." She spoke. "The blood work we did for you threw us all for the loop. You're capable of using both demon, and spirit energy, yet your blood work was read as if you were only a human being. Rest assured, you are still in fact a half-human and half-demon species." She explained. "When we saw you summon your weapon into action we began to collect data on that as it seems it relies solely on your demon energy. After looking into our records we found scarce information, but it should be enough to tide you over." Ayame explained.
I nodded. "Okay. I, I'm ready." I said hearing my voice shake a bit.
"You belong to a clan of demons known as syphs. They often keep to themselves which is why we have so little information about them. They are a rather peculiar race as they seem to heavily focus on the aspect of breeding. You see, a female syph can only breed twice in her lifetime. It is because of this result they are very picky about their choice of mates. The reason is because of the syphs abilities in creating offspring." Ayame explained. "Female syphs produce children that have the ability to mimic whatever abilities their father had. This is why females are so coveted because they can produce children with unique and useful abilities. Males are still kept in the clan because only they can help produce pure-blooded syphs in order to keep the power copying at full strength. It is thought that if half-syphs breed, their children can still mimic their father's power, but at a smaller fraction."
A demon clan that cared only about producing children with certain powers. Sounded absolutely revolting. I couldn't believe I was part of these so-called syphs.
Ayame continued on with her explanation. "Because syphs take on their father's ability, it makes it hard to identify them as such. The only way to know is another unique quality about a syph. Syphs have the ability to summon weapons that are unique to them and only them. It's created to best fit the style of fighting for the user. That's how we know you are in fact a syph, because of your weapon."
I summoned my weapon to show it to them. "Your weapon requires constant use of your demon energy in order to keep in intact. Most syphs usually wear out fast because of that and having to use their energy to supply their attacks based on their breeding. However, you too have a unique syph combination. Your mother mated with a human. This is why you look human-like to those around you and because humans have the ability to access spirit energy, you too can use it. Though why it has taken the form of electricity we still do not understand. They are a very closed off race and like to keep to themselves. It's been almost a century since we've seen one in the living world." She did a small bow. "I hope that helps you in any way." She said before leaving.
I just stood there kind of numb from the information. It was enough to know more about myself, but at the same time I had a hundred more questions pop up in my head. I'm sure the only way to get my answers was to find them. But if they were so rare and secreted, it was going to be a difficult task.
"Well now that that's said and done, Hiei, we have a small mission for you." Koenma pulled out a video tape and handed it to Hiei. "This is Yusuke's next mission and it's vital it gets into Yusuke's hand as soon as possible! A perfect job for you." Hiei, who I had forgotten was in the room, took a step forward and grabbed the tape from Koenma.
"What's in it?" I asked.
Koenma shook his head. "That is for the spirit detective to decide whether or not to disclose to you. The two of you are dismissed." Koenma turned his chair around and Hiei and I walked out of the room.
I was curious to see what Hiei thought of my demon side now that I remembered he was standing there listening to all of that information being thrown at me. Perhaps he had heard of the syphs before.
"Only in rumors." Hiei spoke. I stopped walking and then remembered that he could read my mind.
"Could you not do that?" I asked.
"Then voice your thoughts about me out loud." He retorted.
I grumbled. "So…what kind of rumors?"
"Rumors of a demon race that usually mate and whoever they breed with, is unfortunately left to die. Some apparitions believe they siphon whatever energy is left in order to produce their offspring. If it is the same race, then it is obvious to see how they get their names as syphs. The fact that they seclude themselves and are most likely dominant in female, they sound like ice maidens, whom I loathe."
Hiei shot a glare at me. I wonder why he didn't like ice maidens. I didn't know what kind of apparitions they were…it was almost disheartening to hear that my demon blood was somehow similar to a group that Hiei hated.
"Did I say something you didn't want to hear? Well, then you shouldn't have asked." Hiei commented and he stepped back into human world.
I didn't stop him and just stood there and replayed the words he had said in my head. I ignored his harsh tones in describing me as to a group he had obvious disdain for and remembered what he said about life energy being stolen. Is that how…my father died? Is that why? Because of my mother…in creating me? Someone that wasn't even worth keeping around?
I stepped back into human world, feeling a sudden hatred rise up in me…towards me. I had to find Yusuke. Whatever his next mission was, there was bound to be demons involved and I was going to beat them all down to get stronger.
As expected, once I was back in human world, Hiei wasn't anywhere to be found. He had most likely already delivered the tape to Yusuke.
I rushed over to Yusuke's school and waited outside of the gates. It wasn't too long before I saw a stream of students come out from the school signifying the end of the school day. Seeing students in uniforms made me miss being back at my old school wearing my old uniform.
I quickly snapped out of those memories and repressed them back deep in my thoughts as I searched the crowd for Yusuke.
It wasn't hard finding him as I had heard his loud mouth companion among the sea of students. "You better behave when you're at my house Urameshi!" Kuwabara ordered.
I sifted my way over and jumped in front of them. "Yo!" I greeted cheerfully. "Yusuke, heard you got a tape from Hiei." I jumped straight to the topic.
"How did you-"
"Hey! It's Sakura! Did you come all the way here to see me baby?" Kuwabara asked going in for a hug.
I did a slide step resulting him in falling on his face. "We were just getting along so well. What did I say about calling me that? I grumbled as I turned to Yusuke.
"Wow, you really knocked him out…" He remarked bending down to poke at Kuwabara. "Well I have to say he deserved it what with messing with Hiei's girl." Yusuke laughed patting the injured Kuwabara heartily on the back.
"H-Hiei's what?" I asked taking a step back surprised by what Yusuke had just addressed me as.
"Hey, I know what I see." He said snickering as he wiped his nose.
I felt my face get hot. "Yeah, just like how you see that Keiko's your girl."
"What was that?" He said putting his face rather close to mine. I shoved my face into his so that our foreheads nearly touched. "Yeah you heard me detective!"
"You guys…you're sort of…crushing me…" We heard Kuwabara speak and noticed that we were kind of doing just that.
I jumped off and pointed at Yusuke. "Don't go getting any ideas. Hiei is just my guardian assigned by Koenma. I don't know where you're getting this 'girl' crap but don't pull it or you'll end up like him." I pointed to Kuwabara. I helped him up only to punch him in his stomach and back down again. "And if you call me 'baby' again I swear it'll be the last word you utter." I stuck my tongue but helped him up again in peace since Kuwabara wasn't that bad minus the nicknames.
"Okay, okay I get it. You're Hiei's girl. I'll back off. Though I don't understand why you would like a shorty like that who's just all 'I'm too cool for you losers!'" Kuwabara did an awful impression of Hiei again.
"Don't you dare insult him!" I blushed realized what I was doing and the duo only seemed to have the most stupidest grins on their face. I swept my leg to knock Kuwabara down. And I had been so nice prior to help him up before. Not this time. "And, I'm not Hiei's girl!" I started to storm off but had to march back as I had come to Yusuke's junior high with a purpose. "Listen! Hiei delivered you a tape today, correct?" I asked hoping to get back on topic. Yusuke nodded and finally took me seriously. "I want to watch it. Whatever your next mission is, I want to help. I need to get stronger." I said.
Yusuke shrugged. "Sounds okay with me. I don't know what it is though. Could be just doing Koenma's laundry for all we know. Let's see what's on it first and then you can decide if you still want to tag along." I smiled and nodded. "Come on Kuwabara, get up. You can be beat down by a girl later. We've got to watch this at your house remember?" Yusuke walked off leaving Kuwabara behind and I followed him.
When we arrived back at Kuwabara's home, Botan was there waiting for us and Yusuke quickly prompted to yell at her. "Okay Botan! What the hell kind of explanation did you give her? She thinks I'm a freaking intern at some screwed up afterschool program for juvenile delinquents!" He went off and I honestly had no idea what was going on.
Botan only yelled back, somewhat louder than him. "Well I had to make up something believable to explain your absence without mentioning the supernatural!" She returned back to her calmer voice. "A basic tenet of Spirit World is that it can't run properly if normal humans have proof of it!"
"What about Kuwabara?" I asked since he was just an average human and since I was getting a gist of what they were talking about.
"Who cares! You made me sound lame." Yusuke mumbled while glaring at Botan.
"ENOUGH ALREADY!" Kuwabara yelled as he prepped the television. "Can we please just watch the video instead of arguing? You're going to annoy my sister! Besides, Botan is right. Keiko's not supposed to know. The truth would only get her in trouble. Maybe you should care more about her safety instead of some stupid cover story." Kuwabara agreed with Botan.
"I just love being tagged team." Yusuke mumbled.
I chuckled. "Don't worry Yusuke, I'm completely neutral."
"Oh thanks." He rolled his eyes at me.
"Oh thank you Kuwabara you are very wise!" Botan said with a smile glad to see someone agreed with her.
"What can I say Botan, you and I seem to be a perfect match in every way." Kuwabara remarked.
I nearly fell over. "Do you just fall for anyone who has the ability to bat their eyelashes?" I yelled at him only to have him chuckle nervously. "You switched to Botan so fast." I remarked sitting back up.
"Actually, Kuwabara crushed on Botan before you came along Sakura. I guess he's back to her now that you're Hiei's girl." Yusuke commented before I hit him on the back of the head.
"Would you stop that! Play the damn tape!" I exclaimed as I slapped the floor.
"Now one more thing before I push play Urameshi," Kuwabara started ignoring his friend who was keeled over. "Whatever kind of mission it is, there's no way I'm getting involved!" He declared on the spot.
"Okay, okay! Just start the tape!" Yusuke said getting up.
Kuwabara pressed play and once it started I couldn't help but notice Koenma's logo was much like the films I had seen when I would go out to the movies as a child.
"Snarl! Snarl!" An ogre called out. I felt embarrassed watching this opening knock off.
"They go all out huh?" Kuwabara remarked.
"Either he's full of himself or really bored." Yusuke joined in.
The video turned to a familiar room and I recognized Koenma sitting on the chair that he was always in when I met up with him.
"Welcome. How do you like my video? The great Koenma ruler of the Spirit World has yet another important case for you." Koenma announced.
"This is seriously the guy you get your job from Urameshi? This itty bitty little toddler?" Kuwabara remarked.
"I said the same thing when I met him and Botan hit me on the head" Yusuke answered probably peeved that Kuwabara didn't get the same treatment.
"Perhaps that's why Koenma is doing the video this time. He can't bear these first reactions." Botan explained.
I held up my finger to my mouth. "Shh!"
Koenma was starting to speak again. "This mission will be another doozy but hopefully you will survive. By the way, don't worry about people entering the room. This video is specially imprinted and will appear as annoying fuzz to anyone without heightened spirit awareness. Now your mission is search and rescue except without the searching. Watch my magic snap." Koenma snapped his fingers and the scenery changed to that of a forest thicket.
"C'mon that's just a cheap camera trick!" Yusuke yelled as if Koenma could hear him.
"This looks hard Urameshi." Kuwabara said watching the video.
"Shut up!" He exclaimed.
The video continued to pan around the view of the forest and even mountains popped up. Koenma continued to speak. "Spirit World intelligence reports that the captive is being held in a mountain stronghold that is two hundred miles from your city, and not being of driving age you will have to take the bus. The mountain is a base of criminal activity. Normally I don't mind that, but the humans have made ties with some very nasty demons. The captive's name is Yukina; she's an ice apparition, very rare.
The camera turned back to Koenma "Equally rare are the beautiful jewels she can produce." Koenma held up a small blue jewel. "Which is why the criminals have captured her. They hope to profit greatly off of Yukina, forcing her to create these jewels at an unnatural pace, and by force I mean torture."
The camera then switched to a large mansion nestled among some of the forest's trees. It zoomed in on a tower with a window and you could see the silhouette of what was no doubt Yukina. I paid no attention to that as I could only notice the talismans on her window. The very same that I had been exposed to what seemed like so long ago.
"That's horrible." Botan remarked not knowing the true extent of her statement.
"You see," Koenma continued on, "there is one way to make the jewels, her tears."
I've decided to entertain myself a little. Surely you can provide that for me. Tarukane has an apparition that can produce jewels.
The words of my grandfather's harsh words rang throughout my head. So…this is who he must've been talking about. I felt sickened to my stomach.
"Yes, the Hiruseki stone. In the Black Market those jewels sell easily for thousands!" Botan explained to us.
The video once again changed to an image of a helicopter landing. When it did, a short, plump man came out. "His name is Gonzu Torukane, a jeweler, and a thug. He's made something of a name and a fortune for himself in the Black Market by selling rare jewels."
I could never forget a face that ugly. He had large cheeks that seemed to sag and had a lump on his forehead that made him seem most deformed. I couldn't forget that face. He had visited my grandfather once from what I remembered. Actually looking back, I remember he too gave me a look of disgust like my grandfather had, as if he knew of my half-breed status. If only he knew that the week following of meeting him I often woke up my father with nightmares of his face.
"Ew! He's too ugly to be human!" Kuwabara remarked seeing the member of the Black Black Club.
"He's too ugly to be anything." Yusuke said as he continued to watch the screen.
"Here is the most recent picture we have of Yukina. Memorize her face. This mission goes far beyond jewelry thieves, it is imperative that you bring her back quickly." Koenma instructed.
I saw the girl on the screen. She looked young and had a petite figure about her. She had mint green hair that was tied back by an intricate red hair tie. She also had solemn red eyes. Where have I seen those eyes?
"I feel awful for her. We have to leave today." Botan said to us after the tape finished.
Out of nowhere, Kuwabara then stood abruptly up trembling.
"What's his deal?" Yusuke asked looking up at his friend. Kuwabara only turned around to give us the most strange look on his face. "You look miserable." Yusuke said to him, laughing nervously.
"I think I'm in love." Kuwabara said slowly. He had moved on already. Jeez, this guy.
"What?" Yusuke said dumbfounded.
"Well c'mon Urameshi! Let's send those bad guys to the moon!" Kuwabara said with renewed energy.
"I thought you weren't coming?" Yusuke reminded him.
"Shut up! Don't try and dress up the facts again. I'm a good friend and I can't let you save her alone. She's suffering!" He yelled and turned and my eyes followed to see a tall woman with long, brown hair. "Uh…Shizuru?
"How long have you been here?" Botan asked noticing her as well.
"Calm down princess, I just heard you watching that weirdo movie so I thought you'd like some kiddie snacks or something." This Shizuru person explained. I was going to take a wild guess that this was Kuwabara's sister.
"We're just watching fuzz." Yusuke weakly explained.
"Fuzz! Yes fuss, we find it relaxing." Botan joined in with the pathetic excuse.
"Oh then I must've imagined the little boy with the pacifier giving you orders." She said looking down at them not believing it. I suppose it wasn't just Kuwabara who was gifted.
"Kids today with your wild imaginations!" Yusuke kept going.
"Yusuke, did you forget she's older?" I asked and was quickly glared at in return.
Botan let out a sigh, "Give it up Yusuke. Spirit awareness seems to run in Kuwabara's family." Botan reaffirmed my thoughts.
"Okay, Shizuru you win! Now can we have some money for the bus? Like maybe a million or so? That's enough right?" Kuwabara asked his older sister.
"Kiddo for a million bucks you could take a bus to Hawaii. Here's fifty." She said leaning against the door frame pulling out her wallet and tossing it to Kuwabara.
"Yeah! Okay I'll see you guys in a couple of days!" Kuwabara darted out of the room.
I got up very fast. "There's no way I'm losing out to that guy!" I said.
"What? You fall in love too?" Yusuke shot back.
I hit Yusuke in the head again. "Idiot. This one's a bit more personal. That man on the video…he knows my grandfather."
"Grandfather?" Yusuke seemed lost.
"That's right. Yusuke doesn't know about your past." Botan remarked. "We looked you up on file. Sakura is the granddaughter of a man by the name of Kentaro Butajiri. He is of the same criminal syndicate as that of Tarukane."
I nodded. "Those talismans on the window?" I mentioned to Yukina's situation. "Those are the same ones that were being experimented on me. My grandfather sold them to Tarukane to keep her there. I feel like it's my fault she's being held captive. I'm not letting this go. And I'm certainly not going to let Kuwabara get there first just because he's lovestruck." I said firmly.
"You think he knows the way to the mountain?" Botan asked bringing up a very good point as I didn't exactly either.
"Doubt it." Yusuke replied.
"That's my baby brother for you. Better eat your snacks it'll take him a few hours to realize he doesn't know where he's going. Let's watch that video again." Shizuru suggested.
I got up and decided to drag Kuwabara myself instead of rewatching the video that only prompted bad memories.
Eventually I did find Kuwabara at a bus station attempting to read a map and failing miserably at it. I was finally able to drag him back to Yusuke and the others who had finished watching the tape. We all figured out where to go and headed off together.
It wasn't long or a particularly short ride, but eventually the bus pulled up and dropped us off at the base of a mountain and forest area.
"Wow, now this is a big waste of space." Yusuke commented noticing the scenery.
"You know Yusuke, some people like the wilderness." Botan said annoyed at his remark.
"Yeah, old hermits and people who don't know how to talk to girls." He retorted. I let out a laugh. "Hey where are you going?" Yusuke asked Kuwabara as he seemed to walk off. I guess he was in no mood for jokes.
We made our way into the forest and there was a trail that we could follow luckily.
"This place smells like ass." Yusuke complained and I ignored his negative remarks.
"Yusuke, suck it up." I said following Botan who was leading the way.
"You know there's no way we're going to find this place by nightfall." Kuwabara said as he walked up a hill. "The forest looked a lot smaller on the map." He seemed to be dragging his feet at this point.
"C'mon guys! The other trail goes all the way to the top. I think it's our best bet!" Botan instructed us.
"Do we still have walk." Yusuke mumbled and I couldn't help but snicker a little.
"Let's go Urameshi!" Kuwabara seemed to have a new burst of energy as he ran up past where Botan was standing. "Wait for me Yukina! Your true love is coming!"
"I guess he's done being in love with you two." Yusuke remarked looking at me and Botan.
"Oh darn." Botan remarked with sarcasm.
"What a shame." I said joining in.
"What are you guys waiting for? We got a girl to rescue!" Kuwabara yelled at us again and I got annoyed. I decided to run past him and yell out "who's the slowpoke now?" Like I said, just because Kuwabara had a crush on this Yukina, didn't mean I was going to let him do all the work. I would get stronger.
In Kuwabara and mine's rushed mindset, we left Botan and Yusuke behind who seemed to be talking to themselves.
"Hurry up you guys!" I yelled back waving enthusiastically. Yusuke and Botan did catch up, but instead of Kuwabara being miles ahead, he was standing in one spot.
"What's wrong Kuwabara?" Yusuke asked as he approached him.
Kuwabara looked ahead of him with a serious look. "I'm sensing something really bad."
A beeping noise went off shrilly from Botan's wrist. "The compass is going crazy!"
"Yeah, well I think I see him." Yusuke said and I looked up to see a man with short purple hair and round glasses wearing a purple suit approached us.
"Hey! How's it going neighbor." Yusuke said trying to sound normal about the whole situation.
"I'm afraid you're on private property boys and girls. You had better leave." He said with a smirk to us.
"We can't leave we just got here." Kuwabara replied.
"Yeah we're lost, and the birds ate our bread crumbs." Yusuke added in sarcastically.
"Pretty please let us stay at your master's house." Botan asked playing along with their lines.
"I'm afraid I cannot do that." The suited man replied.
"C'mon we know he's got plenty of room." Kuwabara said finally giving up the charade of innocent children.
"That's right; those crime lords always have really swank houses!" Yusuke said completely blowing up our cover.
"Crime lord? You seem to know a lot for being lost." The man remarked as he began to transform right before us. "You had your chance!" His muscles started to grow and he had green skin. His legs disappeared and were replaced with tentacles and he had a snout like opening for a mouth instead.
"I'll have to make you leave myself, but I'm afraid I'm very clumsy." His voice had gotten deeper and I was reminded of when Eido had transformed before me. "Everyone I touch always ends up getting killed. I really don't know why they keep making me the security guard." He held up his hands to reveal there was a mouth on the inside palm.
"You're a demon, hired by Tarukane right?" Kuwabara asked not entirely fazed by the change.
"That's very perceptive of you, and I have orders to kill anyone who comes after Yukina." The demon responded.
"Well that girl is a type of demon right? So doesn't that make you cousins or something?" Yusuke asked.
"Your own kind is being tortured so that no good human you work for can make money. Doesn't that tick you off?" Kuwabara yelled out morality issues at him.
"Not at all." The demon could care less. As I had expected. "It is said that there are humans who will sell their souls to the devil for power right?" The demon said laughing, "Demons can do it too. Don't try acting holy, there isn't one among you whose loyalty couldn't be bought."
"Please. You creeps will say anything to make yourself feel better." Yusuke formed a fist that started to glow with spirit energy.
"You're just trash." Kuwabara said as I could feel his energy as well.
I summoned my weapon. "Demons disgust me, you're no different. You're just as pathetic as Eido was."
"What did you say?" The demon asked now aggravated by our comments.
"Heh. Can't you hear right?" Kuwabara smirked.
"He must've gotten carried away and sold his ears off too." Yusuke said continuing the banter.
"You will regret this." The demon leapt into the air read to attack us. Both Kuwabara and I jumped into the air we each slashed at him, Kuwabara with his spirit sword, causing pieces of his body fall off with ease. He was hanging in the air and made an easy target as Yusuke shot his signature spirit gun at him, completely obliterating the guy.
"And here I was thinking that they were gonna make it easy for us." Yusuke smirked as he looked at where the demon once stood.
"Probably a bit of an overkill." I remarked as I stood next to Yusuke. We all moved on.
Eventually we reached a point where there was no trail left. "Kind of stupid to have a mountain trail that ends halfway up the mountain. I guess they don't encourage much camping around here." Yusuke complained as we stopped deciding where to go now without a path.
"Yes the stronghold is very well hidden. But we should be able to find it eventually by following Yukina's energy." Botan said looking at the compass that was used earlier.
"Why are you still using that compass, just follow my way. The red pinky string." Kuwabara waved his pinky finger and I couldn't help but wonder what he could possibly be going on about now. "The moment I saw her, my love stretched out and tied us together. You see!" He outstretched his pinky in his explanation and made it seem like we could see this so called thread that connected him with the ice apparition. Let's follow the thread of destiny tied to my love!" Kuwabara exclaimed running with his pinky extended.
"He looks stupid." I said not believing that what I was seeing.
"Yukina!" Kuwabara yelled once he got stuck at a point and seemed to wander aimlessly shouting out the girl's name.
"Wait Kuwabara it's this way!" Botan yelled heading in the opposite direction he was going.
"Yeah, but I just got a really bad feeling lets go around." Kuwabara ignored and started to head off in the opposite direction.
"My compass says lets follow the path. We don't have time for detours." Botan ignored Kuwabara and walked off. However, she ended up tripping and being pulled up upside-down.
"Botan!" Yusuke yelled and tried to catch her but eventually she was too high.
"Whoopsie." Botan said looking down at us. "A little help." Botan nervously asked noticing a gleam of eyes appear out of nowhere in the shadows.
Botan let out a scream once the eyes came into full view with a spider body attached to it. The demon had long blonde hair and was huge!
"What a nice catch." The a static sounding female voice remarked.
"Ew. It's a spider this time." Yusuke said looking up at the demon. "Hey let her go!" He called out.
I took a step back. "I'm all for fighting demons, but I hate bugs!" I remarked.
"Go? Now why would I let her go if I'm planning on drinking her blood? If you want to save her you'll have to come up and fight me in the evil spider's lair!" The insect demon challenged us.
In an instant Kuwabara summoned his spirit sword and sliced at the web setting Botan free.
"Sorry to mess up your plan but nobody is getting between Yukina and me!" Kuwabara yelled as Yusuke caught Botan.
"You can't possibly be human." The spider said looking at us startled by the powers Kuwabara showed.
"Yup." Yusuke commented.
"We just happen to be really, really tough." Kuwabara joined in.
I chuckled. "To be fair, I'm only half human. But it doesn't matter. You'll be dead soon anyway."
"Pardon me if I make this quick." The spider didn't care to be insulted as it leapt at us ready to kill us. Yusuke shot it in the stomach with a hard punch and I sent out a torrential shot.
It fell on its back and laid there writhing from the hit and the electricity that was traveling its way around its body.
"If this detective thing doesn't work, maybe I can try exterminating." Yusuke joked.
Botan and I scouted the area to find there were no other demons which was good as it was getting dark. "We'll camp here for the night." She suggested. It wasn't long after we set up camp that we all fell asleep.
"You do not belong in the demon world." I could hear a voice, but it was hard as a storm raged around me. "-you are a disgrace." Who are you?
"Goodbye." No wait! I felt helpless. I couldn't move. Only strain to hear the voice that was talking to me as a storm continued on. "You'll have to die."
I shot up and took deep breaths. I closed my eyes shut trying to get a visual of what I just dreamed. Nothing. I let out a sigh as I noticed that Yusuke, Botan, and Kuwabara were still asleep.
I looked at the fire that had gone out. I started to try practicing to whistle. It only came out as sputters. "This is stupid." I said to myself. I tried again, harder, only to make out the shrill sound I had done before. It ended up causing Yusuke and Botan to wake up startled.
I chuckled nervously. "G-Good morning." Sorry about that.
"Yukina!" Hearing that name, I would've assumed it was Kuwabara but he was still asleep.
"Did you hear something?" Botan asked. I lied and shook my head.
"I'm going to go ahead. I'll meet up with you guys later!" I yelled as I left the clearing not waiting for them at all.
Hiei? I communicated telepathically.
Tch, so you did hear me. I smiled. I knew I recognized that voice, no matter how faint it was. I looked around but didn't see him though. Up here.
I looked up and sure enough Hiei was standing in the trees. I leapt from branch to branch until I was on the same broad branch as him. "What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I could ask you the same thing." He remarked.
"I watched the tape with Yusuke. He was sent on a mission to save an ice apparition by the name of Yukina. I wanted to tag along to get stronger. And to make that Tarukane pay. He set up talismans all around her room. Talismans my grandfather created and experimented using me."
"Talismans? That explains why I couldn't find her with my jagan eye." Hiei said to himself.
"Find her? Did you watch the tape as well?" I asked him. It seemed strange. Why would Hiei be part of this rescue mission and not inform Yusuke.
"If you're going to slow me down, perhaps you should make your way back to the detective." He leapt onto another branch.
Oh no, there was no way I was letting him leave so quickly. I followed him as fast as I could leaping from one branch to another. We didn't speak, but I was too busy thinking anyway.
Yukina was an ice apparition. Hiei told me he hated ice maidens. So why go through the trouble of saving her. What was even weirder that he disappeared once Yusuke and Botan had woken up.
Hiei, I decided communicating telepathically would be easier while we traveled at high speeds. This Yukina girl…did you like her? It doesn't seem to make sense because you told me you despised ice maidens. Unless she's the reason you do. Did you get rejected by her? I don't think saving her will do much, plus you have competition with Kuwabara. Why was I rambling even telepathically?
You talk too much. Was all Hiei said which only seemed to confirm my thoughts. It was strange to think that Hiei could like someone. It made me wonder…what was so special about her, and how could she turn a guy like Hiei down. Well maybe she'd have a change of heart once he came to the rescue. She'd be much better off with him than Kuwabara.
I continued to follow without another word about the matter.
We traveled from branch to branch until the mansion was almost in sight. It was good to see shelter ahead as a storm was starting. I could hear thunder and see lightning. I wonder if it was because we were up in the mountains or that Yukina, an ice maiden, was nearby, but Hiei had stopped as it was starting to snow.
He looked up at the sky and held out his hand as a snowflake landed in his hands and melted. "Hiei?" I asked as he seemed like he was reminiscing. Times with Yukina? I felt so out of place…
Finally, his hand clenched into a fist and he warped off without another word. I followed quickly. I wanted to meet this Yukina even more now.
It didn't take long before the trees started to thin out and the mansion was in perfect view. Hiei stopped and looked at the tower that was holding Yukina. Well held was more accurate. There was no one in the room. The only thing that could be seen were the talismans. "So this is her filthy prison." Hiei remarked. He seemed absolutely disgusted. His expression changed to surprise though quickly. "I…can't believe they would be here."
"Hiei?" I asked wondering who he was referring to.
"Sakura, stay here." He warped off even faster and left me standing on a branch.
"You've got to be kidding me!" I yelled out but there was no reply. "Jerk! I'm not being left behind! It's not like I'm your girl that you can give me orders!" I yelled again in frustration as I ran towards the mansion without a guide as to where I would be going. I then stopped to mentally kick myself for yelling the nonsense I just did.
I stormed my way into the mansion angry that I was left behind and Yusuke's stupid remarks made it into my head. I ran through the hallways only to find three demons that were beaten no doubt by Yusuke and Kuwabara.
"Sakura?" I turned around as I was about to head down one corridor.
"Kurama…what are you doing here?" I asked.
"Making sure Hiei doesn't kill anyone." He remarked. "And you?"
"Trying to find out where this Tarukane is to make him pay." I said still angry over being ditched and tossed aside. "And then I'm going to find my grandfather and make him pay as well for selling those damned talismans to my grandfather. Yukina…she must be in pain…just like I was." And just like that, I felt my anger subside and I could feel tears start to brim at my eyes.
"You mustn't blame yourself for the capture of Hiei's sister." He tried to comfort me.
I looked up at Kurama with my glossy eyes. "Hiei's what?" I felt deadpanned in my remark.
Kurama looked at me questioningly. "Why else would you be so concerned? Assuming you care for Hiei since I thought it was you yelling about being Hiei's girl, you must also be worried about his sister. That's why I came to make sure he doesn't kill any humans. It's a crime that can't be forgiven if a demon kills a human and since it is Hiei's sister who was kidnapped, he is going to be in an extremely foul mood." Kurama explained.
I just stood there dumbfounded by the information he had given me. Yukina was Hiei's sister. Just a few moments ago I was spouting off theories that Yukina was once his lover and I had gotten flustered and so annoyed by it and…and that jerk didn't even bother to correct me and just let me look like a fool!
My anger started to well up again and Kurama could tell as he addressed me nervously. "S-Sakura?"
"Screw Tarukane! I'm going to find Hiei and kill him!" I yelled as I charged through the corridors with a bright red face. "And I'm not Hiei's girl!" I yelled back to Kurama. Yusuke was next after I was through with Hiei. Never before had I felt so embarrassed!
Kurama managed to catch up with me and calmed me down as he knew where to go. He managed to lead me to a door that seemed to be sealed tight. "Looks like we'll have to go another way." He suggested.
"You go ahead. I'm going to try to enter from this way." I said.
"Will you be alright on your own?" He asked. I nodded and he headed back to find another entrance. "I'll let you know if what I find."
When Kurama left I held out my palm and focused on the door. It was a strong door, but if I used a good amount of my energy, I could blast a hole into the wall. Judging by the noises from the other side, I was going to walk right into a commotion.
Once I felt a good surge of electricity well up in my palm, I formed a sphere like orb of it. "Torrential shot!" I yelled as the burst of electricity shot off from my palm and straight into the wall. There was a loud crackle and explosion that came from the impact and once the dust cleared, I could see an opening.
"You fighters are truly…something." I heard and could see a large muscular man collapse over from the hole that I created.
I walked in and saw screens face the muscled fighter and Yusuke and Kuwabara who looked exhausted.
"Just a minute!" I yelled at the screen that were beginning to turn off one by one as I noticed my grandfather was part of the spectator match.
"You're still alive?" He yelled in utter surprise and fear as well I sensed.
I smirked. "That's right." I pointed to Yusuke and Kuwabara. "Seems like your buddy Tarukane just lost. And I'm with them. I'd watch your back if I were you grandfather." I summoned my weapon. "I'm not the little girl you held captive anymore." I held my finger out just like Yusuke had. "Bang!" His screen switched off immediately after I 'shot' a fake bullet.
I couldn't help but laugh. It was cathartic scaring him and being brave enough to say that.
"Way to join just right at the end. And what's up with taking my trademark!" Yusuke yelled while sitting down by Botan. If he could get mad at me over that, well I'm sure he would be alright.
"Sakura, you know you can't kill a human!" Botan chastised me.
I walked over to the two of them to check up on Yusuke. "Sorry, I got caught up with something. Don't worry Yusuke, like I could ever pull off the spirit gun. Not enough of a shock if you know what I mean." I chuckled. "And don't worry Botan. I just wanted to scare him. Death is too good for a coward like my grandfather."
Our chat was cut short by the sound of cracking glass. "Oh goodness! Hiei!" Botan called out.
"Hiei's here?" Yusuke said turning his attention to the window as well.
I looked up to see it was Tarukane's head that had broken the glass. He was mercilessly beating on Tarukane.
Botan was explaining to Yusuke the consequences as I ran to a door on the other side of the room. As I thought there were stairs that most likely led up to the room that Hiei was in.
Hiei, stop! I sent out my thoughts to him hoping that they would reach. He's dirt. Lower than dirt. But please, don't get in trouble over someone like him!
I felt like I was screaming these thoughts. I got closer to the room and I could hear Hiei talk and a soft feminine voice that I could only guess was Yukina's.
"-just more nightmares." I heard as I stopped near the door. "Please no more! I can't take it."
"Understood. I won't make you cry. He's too worthless for that." I heard Hiei speak. I was half right. He did have a soft spot for Yukina. But not for the reasons I had thought. It was because she was his sister, and somehow, I felt happy and relieved over the thought. I guess I just felt that way because it was nice to know that Hiei did have a soft spot. Yeah…I'm sure that's why I felt that way.
"You seem familiar." I heard Yukina spoke. "But I'm not sure why. Who are you?"
"No one…just a member of the team." I heard Hiei spoke. I stood at the door in silence. She didn't know…Hiei was her own brother?
I saw Yukina come out. "Oh, did you come to help me too?" Yukina asked me.
I nodded. "Y-Yes." I said recovering from the shock of the news. "I'm Sakura. Pleased to meet you Yukina."
She did a small polite, bow. "Hello, Sakura. I hope we can talk some more. I must go check up on those downstairs." She said.
I smiled and nodded. "Okay."
I walked into the room to see Kurama was already in there conversing with Hiei. "Why don't you want to tell the girl? She deserves to know she has a brother." Kurama told Hiei.
"She deserves to be happy." Hiei remarked.
"I thought the two were the same." Kurama chuckled.
"This is the way I want it." Hiei said with a small nod.
"You!" I said to announce that I was in the room though I'm sure both had sensed me. "I can't believe you let me think she was your girlfriend!" I said marching up to Hiei and began prodding an accusing finger at him on his shoulder. "And what's worse she doesn't even know that you're her brother!"
"It's your fault for assuming. And like I said to Kurama, it's better this way." Hiei answered curtly. "She doesn't need to know she has a brother who is a criminal. You would do your best to keep your mouth shut." He ordered.
My anger subsided. He was protective when he needed and he was a doting brother. "Your jagan eye isn't real right?" I asked. "Kurama told me once. Did you get it to watch over her?" I asked referring to Yukina. "Is your sister the exception to what you told me earlier about hating ice maidens?"
"You loathe humans and demons yet you hang around the detective and latch onto me and Kurama like a leech." Hiei walked past me and stopped. "Does that answer your question?"
"Well we've got a full house huh?" I turned around to see Yusuke and Botan looking around at the knocked out guards.
Hiei ignored Yusuke and walked out of the room without saying a word to either of them.
You were stupid to assume, but good job on facing your grandfather. Surely he'll leave you alone now. If not you can just warn him that he'll end up looking like Tarukane. I heard Hiei's voice in my head. Hiei was truly a puzzle. But to know that he didn't hate me…it was a warm feeling.
Furthermore what is this nonsense I've heard about you being my girl? Is that the human term for babysitting these days? I felt my face go hot.
I grabbed Yusuke by the collar and shook him vigorously. "This is your entire fault!" I yelled at him while he was completely confused as to why I was furious at him.
This was how my life was. I hope my grandfather saw it even though he only saw me for a few seconds. But I hope those few seconds were enough to show him I wasn't afraid of him anymore. I wasn't meant to be alone like he wanted me too.
I had friends. Friends like Kurama I could rely on. Friends like Yusuke to get angry at. Friends like Hiei who made me…made me like I was just Sakura.
And someday, I want to show these feelings to my mother, just so she could see. See what she let go of all those years ago.
-x-
A/N: So there's the Yukina arc! Which means dark tournament will be soon! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and leave me a review!
