Brink of our Time : Far Away
A/N: Thank you for all the reviews and support. I'm so happy that you like it so much. Well, here is the next installment, and I hope you love it as much as I do! Read and Review!
I
Maika turned over in her bed. Her body was willing to sleep, but her mind was buzzing. Biting her lip, the blacksmith forced her eyes closed, trying to suppress primal instinct... need. Finally, she rose, frustrated, and stalked out into the hallway.
Her mouth was dry and her heart hurt. She had never imagined that finding a mate would be this painful. She walked past Guards and into her father's Royal Chambers.
"Dad?"
Enki woke, his face pleasant, as if he hadn't been disturbed during the early hours of the morning. He rubbed his eyes and separated from his mate and stood. He beckoned her to follow him into the living room.
"Is everything alright, Maika?"
He poured her some tea, his eyes concerned.
"Yeah... no, no, it isn't." She sat down, her father doing the same. "What did you do when you found out that mom was your mate?"
The demon King smiled slyly.
"Maika.... have you—?"
"Could you answer me first?"
Nodding, Enki folded his big hands together.
"Well... aside from the fact that there wasn't much I could do..." He sipped his tea, closing his eyes. "I wasn't anything special... I mean, I fought and I was great friends with Raizen. All the times that your mother and I had met, she had been trying to win Raizen's affections, but he was... not interested."
"Then... how could you... how could she...?"
"I don't know. It was scary, how fast it happened, Maika. We were sparring, and she knocked me to the ground... and that was when I felt it. This rush of clarity and understanding, and I knew she felt it too. After that... well... we mated." He opened his eyes to see his daughter frowning. "Why?" She was silent. "Maika... you can trust me, I'm your father."
Maika smiled weakly.
"I know." She sighed. "My instinct," she grimaced at the word, "chose Garan."
Enki shouted with delight, clapping his hands together.
"Wonderful! Grand! Well, have you...?"
"No." Her face flushed red. "No we have not."
Her father blinked.
"Maika, how long—?"
"About four days."
"Kami! How... how in the Three Worlds have you kept your sanity?"
"Patience, I guess."
Enki let out a long huff.
"I... I don't understand."
"Garan, he believes that... he is not worthy of me... that because I'm royalty, he is not good enough."
The King of Demon World shook his head.
"Nonsense. Is he really that mad? My Royal Guard has clearly lost his mind."
Despite the anxiety and repressed feelings, Maika laughed.
"So... it's okay? You approve?"
"Approve?" The mighty King rose, sweeping his daughter up in a strong bear-hug. Maika gasped, her eyes wide. "Everyone is mad. Of course I approve, my silly daughter. You have found a mate, my child, a joy that I could never dream of preventing."
Maika was released. Astonished tears had escaped her eyes. She smiled and hugged her father once more.
"I love you, dad. Thank you."
II
Garan opened Botan's door only to see that she was not present. Panic seized his heart. He immediately ran to Hiei's chambers, pounding on the door.
"Hiei! Hiei, Botan is—"
"Sh." Hiei opened the door. "Kami, Garan, did you wake up the whole castle yet?" The Royal Guard fell silent, shaking his head. "She's with me. I mean... she's in here." When the Guard did not move, Hiei sighed, opening the door. "Come on in."
"Thank you."
Hiei waved off the gratitude and closed the door behind the lumbering demon. Hiei guided Garan to the bedroom.
"She fell asleep on the balcony, so I'm having her sleep in my bed while I stay on the couch."
Botan lay on the satin sheets, eyes closed and breathing evenly. Garan smiled, his shoulders slackening.
"I was worried."
"That's good, it's your job." When Garan didn't leave, Hiei let out a long breath. "She's safe with me, Garan. I won't let anything happen to her. I love her—"
His own gasp cut off his speech, his hands slapping over his mouth. Suddenly, it all made sense to the Royal Guard. He smiled warmly.
"Congratulations. How long have you been mates?"
"Shut up!" Hiei bristled, backing away from Garan as though he was a venomous snake. "Forget I said anything."
Garan stepped forward.
"Wait, Hiei, calm down." The fire demon's eyes shined dangerously. "Is there... is there anything I can do?" Garan grimaced at his choice of words. Why did he have to be so awkward? "I can help."
"I can do this myself." Hiei sat down, raking his fingers through his hair. "I've made it this far... I can't fall apart now."
Garan felt Hiei's energy fluctuating wildly. The Guard closed the door to Hiei's chambers, turning back to his mentor, his friend.
"Please, Hiei... please, take a deep breath." Garan touched Hiei's shoulders. "It's going to be okay."
"No! It's not going to be okay." Hiei snarled viciously, his fangs gleaming in the candlelight. "I'm slipping away, I can feel it." Hiei licked his lips, lowering his voice. "I've been hiding his for years, Garan... and I thought I could succeed at suppressing my instinctual desires to mate with her... but..."
The shock that burned through Garan's veins was not because Hiei's soul chose Botan, no. That was believable. What made the Guard's jaw drop was the fact that Hiei had lasted for years. It hadn't been a week and Garan's thoughts, actions, and senses were ensnared by Maika. He was on the brink of losing his mind, but Hiei...
"Y-Years?"
Hiei's demonic heat had simmered down.
"Five."
Garan choked on air.
"And you're still sane?" Garan shook, falling to his knees. "You've got to do something, Hiei. She deserves to know."
"No. No, she can never know."
Holding his chin up, Garan glared at the short demon.
"If you don't... what will she do when you do lost control? What if you kill someone out of jealousy? Or... force yourself on her... mating with her against her will—?"
"I would never do that!"
The candles flickered.
"You could, and if you're not in your right mind... than it is very possible." Silence. "She loves you. She's a loving person."
"That may be so... but I am not...." Hiei scowled. "I have been fine. I never had the need for anyone... and if she does, then it shouldn't be with me! I can't... I could never..."
Maika's face flashed into Garan's mind. Her eyes, so solemn and gracious when she walked out of the Infirmary. Royalty, a demon who could have anyone, had chosen him. And he chose her. His instinct, his soul, chose her. He could no longer deny it. Fate had brought them together for a reason.
"Yes, you can." Warmth flooded Garan's veins. "Hiei, this isn't some unlucky hand of cards or a pain in the ass assignment. This is your soul telling you that you have a mate. A mate, Hiei. The longer you keep on denying yourself... you're putting not only yourself in danger, but her as well."
III
Brilliant light shone around Botan. A feeling so profound surrounded the former ferry girl as she stared into Hiei's soul. It was soft, raw, and so powerful that it was a bit frightening.
It was longing. Intense longing. Longing that had been endured to the point of madness and seclusion.
Pink eyes opened. Botan's chest heaved as the memory of Hiei's soul faded away like smoke. She sat up. She was not in her room. This wasn't her bed.
After adrenalin flickered through her, she recognized the walls. Hiei's chambers. She smiled and flushed. She must have fallen asleep. Botan was a bit surprised that he hadn't left her out on the balcony.
Suddenly, a loud voice made the Ambassador jump.
"No! It's not going to be okay!"
Hiei's frighteningly hysteric voice cracked in the air. Botan held her breath.
"You've got to do something, Hiei. She deserves to know."
Botan stood, slowly creeping to the door. She cracked it open.
"No... No, she can never know!" His crimson eyes were clouded with pain. Botan wasn't even paying attention to Garan when she heard Hiei shout. "I would never do that!"
The fire demon was so shaken. As Garan's words floated in Botan's brain, she deduced that Hiei had chosen a mate and had not told her yet. His love was driving him mad.
"She loves you."
Immediately, Botan knew who it was. Mukuro. His long time Master and friend. As Garan spoke, the love and adoration that shone in Hiei's eyes made Botan's heart ache with happiness. Hiei had found the most beautiful thing in the Three Worlds: love.
His face was rosy as he thought about Mukuro. Botan saw his devotion as clearly as she saw that the sky was blue. Summoning up courage, Botan opened up the door, smiling.
"Oh, Hiei." The two demons turned around. Garan's eyes widened while Hiei paled. "You've got to tell her."
Botan knelt down next to him. Garan stammered.
"Um, B-B-Botan—"
"What you have is beautiful, Hiei. You can't torture yourself like this." Her delicate hands skimmed over his shoulder. "Mukuro is a lucky woman to have your affections, and there is no doubt in my mind that she'll—"
"Mukuro?"
Hiei's voice was hoarse. Botan nodded.
"Yes. She's the demon you wish to mate with, and I'm so happy for you—"
"Shut up, you idiot."
Icy vibrations made Botan withdraw her hand.
"Please, I'm sorry. I wasn't spying... but... if this is as dangerous as Garan says it is... than please, Hiei... just... tell her. If your soul chose her, than you must be meant for each other—"
"You stupid... idiotic..." Hiei shoved her away. "Stop talking. Now."
Hatred slipped back into his voice. Botan edged away, not wanting to admit how much it hurt. The old tone hurt, but the pain had started when Botan realized that Hiei and Mukuro were going to be mates. It would mean that Hiei would have a life outside of being an Ambassador. But that was good. He would be happy, and that's what mattered the most.
"S-Sorry." Garan tried to speak as Botan allowed tears to fall down. "I... I didn't mean to offend you—"
In a furious whirl, Hiei grabbed Botan's wrists tightly. His eyes burned brightly just before he pressed his lips against hers in a brutal kiss. Botan stiffened, too many thoughts and doubts shouting at her. He released her, trembling as he did so.
"It's always been you. Nobody else."
He turned away, vanishing into the darkness because of his speed. Botan hiccuped, hiding her face from Garan. She stuttered, hating herself more and more.
"Oh God... I-I-I'm such a f-fool."
Garan sighed.
"We all are, Ambassador."
IV
Maika went to Garan's quarters. The door was open, but it was dark inside. He hadn't used it in a long time, seeing as how he had to protect Botan all day and night. The heiress smiled when she saw how sparse it was. Simple. She liked that.
He had weapons and many books. The bed was made, not a sheet out of place. Maika ran her hands over the cool material. A glint of metal caught her eye, and she turned to see the armor. Her armor that she had taken such time and care to make. She remembered how her father had written to her, speaking of a Guard that was worthy of God Himself.
Oh, Maika had searched for the finest of alloys and jewels. As she worked, she imagined the demon she was making it for. A demon full of honor and devotion to her father.
She had crafted the armor with respect and... love. Could it be possible that she was in love with Garan before she had even seen him?
Turning away, Maika moved to Garan's clothing. She picked up one of his shirts, embracing it. Would they mate? She hoped so. She hadn't ever wanted anything so much in her life. Maika was not the type to value trivial material goods, and the quest for money was just as boring.
Love, it seemed, was what she had been after. It consumed her. She took off her shirt and slipped his on, giggling at how big it was. Maika shimmed her pants down her legs and twirled around in the shirt. She felt like a child again.
Chuckling, she realized that he must look like one too.
A discreet cough made the blacksmith whirl around, eyes fiery and embarrassed. Garan smiled, his eyebrows raised as Maika stammered, struggling not to blush.
"G-Garan, I... I was just... I wanted to see if you were home, and I—" He walked up to her and hugged her tightly. Judging by how long he held her, something must have happened. "Is... is everything okay, Garan?"
He never answered her question. Instead, he pulled back and kissed her. It started as a chaste kiss, but they were soon tangled in each other. She untied his shirt as he was unbuttoning the shirt she was wearing. He shuddered when her hand ran down his bare chest.
"Maika..."
Pulling back, the blacksmith smiled, panting.
"That's my name, Garan."
He laughed, and it was the greatest, most beautiful sound she had ever elicited out of another being.
"Are you sure?"
"You're driving me crazy." She stood on the bed, and then on the tips of her toes so that she was almost at his height. "Garan, Guard of Enki, I believe that I have chosen you as my mate. If you do not comply or find me to be too hideous for your liking, than I shall leave."
She kissed his nose. Garan shook his head, playing along.
"My Princess, I too have chosen you as my mate. I am merely suggesting that you consider your royal blood."
Maika wrinkled her nose.
"Hm. Okay. I've considered it." She kissed him, almost falling over trying to reach his lips. His big hands caught her, lifting her up. She smiled as she licked his lips. His fingers slipped higher, and she mewled, throwing her head back. "Garan... please..."
The Guard let out a shaky breath as he lowered her to his bed. She was flushed, and the buttons had come undone, exposing her body to him.
He pulled her up so that she was straddling him. His teeth grazed the side of her neck, drawing out a moan from the heiress in his arms. Closing his eyes, he opened his mouth and plunged his teeth deep into her skin, drawing blood.
V
"... and I was thinking... Botan, Botan, are you listening?"
Koenma peered at the Ambassador curiously. She blinked.
"Yes, yes, sorry, sir. Go on."
"Well, I was mulling over what you said, and I think that it's best if you were to live on the border of Demon and Spirit World so... I built you a house!"
They cleared the hill and down in the valley was a cozy, stone cottage. Smoke was coming out of the chimney, and it was the cutest house Botan had ever seen.
"It's so... Thank you so much, Koenma!"
She hugged him, trying not to cry.
"You're welcome. Come on, I'll give you a tour!" The Prince of Hell ran down the hill with excitement, his voice echoing in the valley. Botan looked back over her shoulder in the direction of Enki's castle. She smelled smoke in the breeze, and her heart twisted painfully. "Are you coming?"
Far away, back in the castle, Maika and Garan became mates, showing their love spiritually and physically.
Far away, Enki woke his mate to tell her about Maika and Garan.
Far away, Hiei sat alone in the dark, loathing himself for making such a beautiful spirit cry.
Far away, a man, a wonderful man was in love with Botan. The Ambassador turned and slowly walked down the hill.
VI
A/N: Did you like it? Too much angst? Too mushy? Was everyone in character? Are you sick of Garan and Maika? Are you sick of Hiei and Botan? Don't be afraid to tell me! Read and Review!
-mia