Streaks of Darkness
-Sorry for not including one thing in the last chapter.. it WILL be in this one.-
-
Nightmare
-
Botan sat up, panting. She looked around to see everyone asleep.. except for Kurama. The kitsune looked over at her and raised a brow.
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah.. I'm fine." She lay back down and closed her eyes once more, snuggling further toward her fire demon.
-
Botan blinked and yawned, looking around. Barely anyone was there but Yuusuke and Kurayami.
"Where are the others?" She asked, directing their attention to her.
"Hiei took Kurama to scout the area and Kuwabara went to find a place to go to the bathroom." Yuusuke answered, smiling when she sat down near him. "They'll be back soon."
"I want to get this over-with. They better be coming back soon." She summoned her oar. "Or I'll hit them with this."
"Even Hiei?"
"Even Hiei." Yuusuke whistled.
"You're not in a bad mood, are you?" Kurayami asked and she just shook her head.
"No, I'm rather content."
"You should see her when she's violent." She hit Yuusuke over the head with the oar. Kuwabara came back and sat down next to Yuusuke. He barely noticed the large bump on the detective's head. Kurama soon came back.. but without Hiei.
"He is waiting up by the ridge. He claims to have seen something. Come on." Botan was worried. They set out quickly and followed Kurama.
"What do you think he saw?"
"I don't know." Kurayami answered Kuwabara's question. "The most you can see from the ridge is the landscape. But with his superior sight, I wouldn't be surprised if he pinpointed father's territory." The demon glanced to his mother but she didn't notice. Her eyes were clouded with worry and she was looking around almost frantically. "Mother?" She nearly jumped out of her skin at the unexpected attention.
"Yes? What is it?"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing.." She trailed off as her eyes lit up and she ran ahead. They stopped and watched as she grabbed Hiei's arm and followed his gaze. Then a look of pure terror crossed her face. "We're coming to it faster?"
"Yes." He closed his eyes. "Calm down, koi. Nothing will happen to you." He took her hand, intertwining their fingers together as he led her back onto the path. "Don't just stand there, you lumps. Get moving."
"Coming!" Kurama beckoned them and they followed. Kurayami sighed. He had found out that his father lied to him just before he had set out to follow them. His father's friend had come over and asked about her while he was listening in.
-FLASHBACK-
"So, she is coming?"
"Yes, and she is bringing me even more entertainment."
"As if she would not be enough." Hanshiro's friend laughed. "Tell me again how you stumbled upon her?"
"Ah, yes. She was going back to Reikai after delivering some idiot a message from Koenma when I seen her. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life. And, of course, you know how possessive I am about beautiful things."
"So you had to have her, correct?"
"Yes." He smirked. "My scent mark may have already faded on her. But I have reason to believe that she is marked by someone now."
"Who?"
"Hiei.."
"You mean the Forbidden Child!? Hiei Jaganshi!?"
"Yes.. and they are here in Makai. With Kurama and some other human scum."
-END FLASHBACK-
Kurayami scowled. How dare his father take what was rightfully his mother's? Then again, no matter how wrong it was.. he would not have been born if it had not happened.
"How far away is his territory anyway?" Yuusuke asked, frowning. "I can only take so much walking."
"Walking is good for you, moron." Hiei responded coldly, his crimson eyes continuing to stare off into some daydream that only he knew what was going on in.
-
They got past the volcano without hindrance and continued on. Kurayami stopped them before they went into Hanshiro's territory.
"I can go and try to distract my father for as long as I can. You sneak in. The castle is only a couple of days away." Botan opened her mouth to say something but he shook his head and smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be fine." She gave him a smile and wrapped her arms around him.
"I'm your mother. I'm obligated to worry." He hugged her back then pulled away.
"See ya later!" He waved then ran ahead as fast as he could go. Hiei crossed his arms.
"Are we ready to continue?"
"Yeah." Botan murmured, following after him when he starting walking.
-
"Hn." Hiei stood on the top of a tree, his crimson eyes on the castle they would see up close in the next few days. He was looking forward to this battle.
"Yuusuke!" Botan screeched, her eyes widening. "Get that thing away from me!" Hiei jumped down and his eyes flashed red.
"Detective." Yuusuke sighed and rolled his eyes, backing away. Botan let out the breath she had been holding and smiled wearily up at him.
"Thanks." He nodded, knowing how scared she already was.. without Yuusuke and the others freaking her out with things they found on the way to amuse themselves. He held his hand out to her and she took it, surprised when he took her in his arms and jumped into the tree with her. "H-Hiei.."
"There it is. I don't want you being afraid because we're approaching it." She nodded.
"I understand." He then sat down, pulling her down with him, settling her between his legs. He held her in his arms, cradling her as if she would be snatched away from him. "Hiei?" He looked down and watched as she smiled. "I'm not afraid now. I just feel so safe with you.."
"You're supposed to." She grinned.
"I'm just saying.. don't worry about me being nervous." He smirked.
"Even if you were nervous, we would continue going."
"I know you would." She rested her head on his chest. "The sooner it's over, the better." Hiei stiffened when a tear rolled down her cheek.
"What is it?"
"I-" She buried her face in his shirt and clutched the fabric tightly in her fingers. "H-He.." She closed her eyes tightly and continued to cry, all the while unaware that Hiei was extremely pissed off. The koorime's eyes flashed red and he snarled at the thought that the one person who had stolen something important to her had the nerve to do something once more. Then his eyes softened as he gazed down at the girl in his arms. "H-Hiei?" He tenderly cupped her chin in his fingers and tipped her head so that she was gazing right up at him.
"What did he do to you?" Botan was afraid in more ways than one. Why was he acting so calm?
"H-He sent me a nightmare.. last night."
"Of?"
"Him murdering you.. defeating you in battle.." She cried harder. "The pain felt so real.." She bit her lip. "I still feel it.. It was.. like a real battle."
"Whatever you saw will not happen. I won't lose to a sick bastard like him." She smiled and wiped her tears away.
"That's my favorite fire demon." She said quietly. Her amethyst eyes glimmered.
"Hn." He smiled. Then he scratched his cheek. "I thought he would send them to me.."
"Maybe he wants to get me to go to him so that the threat to you.. won't happen." His eyes flashed once more and he took her shoulders in his hands, narrowing his eyes at her.
"You won't, right?"
"No." She blinked. "Because I know that even if I go willingly, it would be stupid because you'd still follow." She smirked. "Thus, my stubborn Hiei."
"Baka." She glared at him.
"Hiei no baka!" She gave him a slap and pulled away from him, nearly falling out of the tree as she did so. He caught her and gave her a look. "You are a baka."
"I am not."
"Are too."
"I'm not having this argument." She just laughed at him. He growled at her. She stuck her tongue out at him. He frowned at the childish act. She constantly did this to him. Going off in a childish world of her own that he would never, no matter how long he knew her, understand. He just shook his head. "Childish."
"Excuse me?"
"I said that you are childish, onna. I have seen children use those pathetic antics in playgrounds and they never cease to disgust me."
"I can see you care about children oh-so-much."
"Use sarcasm however you like against me. It won't work." She rolled her eyes at him and thought about pushing him out of the tree.. but with his reflexes.. She'd be in some serious trouble then.
"I know it won't. It is your weapon."
"Hn." She held in another comment and began to swing her legs, looking for something to do. "You are amusing in more ways than one."
"Shut up, you irritating little.." He just smirked at her, knowing she didn't have a witty comeback. "You can be a very cruel little demon." She crossed her arms.
"And you can be a very irritating little ningen." She froze and looked at him, a frown on her face.
"If I'm so irritating, why keep me around?"
"Because I can't just throw you away."
"Hm?"
"You're mine now, onna. It's going to stay that way." He smirked at her. "That mark says so."
"I hope this mark isn't the only reason you stay around." She brought her hand up and traced her fingers over it.
"Of course it isn't." He scoffed. "How dense are you? That mark is my oath to protect you. It is my word that no other male will have you. Why would I put it there for no reason?" She tilted her head in a form of confusion. "Demons know what happens if they touch a marked woman."
"So, as long as this mark is here.."
"You will remain by my side and under my protection."
"Is that all it is?"
"No." He looked away from her. "There has to be emotion in the heart of the marker to mark a female or male. A lot of emotion. And it requires thought and devotion."
"Oh." She smiled faintly and cautiously went forward and placed herself between his legs once more, wrapping her arms around him. "Hiei.." She whispered, causing him to blush lightly. "I love you."
"I-I love you, too, Botan." He smiled slightly and hugged her back.
-
"What do you think?"
"I don't know."
"They've been up there a while now. What are they talking about?"
"I have no idea, Yuusuke."
"Kurama, I know how well you can hear things." The Spirit Detective was playing a detective game of his own. "Come on. Just spill. We won't tell."
"Yeah, Kurama!" Kuwabara grinned.
"I honestly don't know." Kurama stubbornly shook his head. Even if he did, he wouldn't tell them. Hiei would kill him for such treason, as the koorime would call it.
"You're no fun." Yuusuke frowned and slouched back. Kurama listened for a moment.
"Do you know why Hiei is so protective of her?"
"Hm?" Kuwabara and Yuusuke looked at Kurama. The kitsune had a blank look on his face but was staring at them with a haunting look.
"The mark on her neck is more than just a bite mark. It is the promise and vow Hiei made. It is, as you would say, a sign of protection and devotion. Other male demons who see the mark on her will know that someone cares for her and will most likely slit their throats if they touched her." Kurama paused. "In a way, it is much like the wedding rings of humans, except permanent."
"I see now."
"And it also means other males are a potential threat to this bond. In the beginning, it is very tender and can be broken easily. But when lasting more than a week, it becomes far more permanent." The kitsune closed his eyes. "If something ever happened to her, he would be devastated. And I know that Hiei will never cry again. He did it only for his sister. And if Botan somehow got hurt, the blame would no doubt be on himself. I remember that night clearly. He could not locate Yukina with the Jagan. There was only one obvious explanation that turned out to be false." He looked at them. "Do not let this slip to him or he will kill you. He is serious about things like this. Do you know what happens when Yukina cries?"
"Yeah." Yuusuke nodded. "Hiruiseki Stones, wasn't it? Her tears?" Kurama nodded.
"With Hiei it is the same. Hiei's twin is an ice apparition. He will produce these very same stones. But no one in their right minds would capture him and try to make him cry. They would regret it dearly. Only those who really checked his backgrounds know about that type of thing."
"Woah.. That's neat." Kuwabara mumbled. "So his tears turn into those gems, too?" Yuusuke nodded.
"Because he is part ice apparition. He isn't a full-blooded fire demon.. just like Yukina isn't fully ice."
"It is a tricky situation and far more complex." Kurama said. "But nonetheless, that is the idiot's perspective." Yuusuke didn't bother to be insulted. He didn't understand these kinds of things fully anyway. That's why they had the clever thief. "The abilities were determined by the gender, believe it or not. Ice apparitions are female. The ice techniques of this race are not learned by the male. Fire apparitions, or koorimes, whichever you prefer for either, are not of a certain one. So the abilities of the father went to the boy and the abilities of the mother went to the girl."
"That is summerized, too, isn't it?" Kurama nodded.
"We've not the time to give health lessons." Yuusuke snickered.
-
"Feh, let's move. I don't want any more of your ridiculous excuses to wait a while. Rain never hurt anyone. We're in an area with green trees and fresh air." Hiei kept reminding himself that these people were those who were his teammates.
"Hiei, you know we need to move as fast as possible."
"I do." The koorime took the hint and swept Botan into his arms, startling her enough to the point at which she squeaked in surprise. "Move." He was first, leading them toward the castle that would await many fates.
-
Join us for the next chapter. I'll try to get this out. Sorry for such a long delay but the computer was reformatted and I had gone away to NY. I'm going again.. so I have to delay it a while. No more than a week. But I promise to write more while I'm up there.. in my notebook. u.u
Thank you for being patient and I hope you keep this up.
-Sorry for not including one thing in the last chapter.. it WILL be in this one.-
-
Nightmare
-
Botan sat up, panting. She looked around to see everyone asleep.. except for Kurama. The kitsune looked over at her and raised a brow.
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah.. I'm fine." She lay back down and closed her eyes once more, snuggling further toward her fire demon.
-
Botan blinked and yawned, looking around. Barely anyone was there but Yuusuke and Kurayami.
"Where are the others?" She asked, directing their attention to her.
"Hiei took Kurama to scout the area and Kuwabara went to find a place to go to the bathroom." Yuusuke answered, smiling when she sat down near him. "They'll be back soon."
"I want to get this over-with. They better be coming back soon." She summoned her oar. "Or I'll hit them with this."
"Even Hiei?"
"Even Hiei." Yuusuke whistled.
"You're not in a bad mood, are you?" Kurayami asked and she just shook her head.
"No, I'm rather content."
"You should see her when she's violent." She hit Yuusuke over the head with the oar. Kuwabara came back and sat down next to Yuusuke. He barely noticed the large bump on the detective's head. Kurama soon came back.. but without Hiei.
"He is waiting up by the ridge. He claims to have seen something. Come on." Botan was worried. They set out quickly and followed Kurama.
"What do you think he saw?"
"I don't know." Kurayami answered Kuwabara's question. "The most you can see from the ridge is the landscape. But with his superior sight, I wouldn't be surprised if he pinpointed father's territory." The demon glanced to his mother but she didn't notice. Her eyes were clouded with worry and she was looking around almost frantically. "Mother?" She nearly jumped out of her skin at the unexpected attention.
"Yes? What is it?"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing.." She trailed off as her eyes lit up and she ran ahead. They stopped and watched as she grabbed Hiei's arm and followed his gaze. Then a look of pure terror crossed her face. "We're coming to it faster?"
"Yes." He closed his eyes. "Calm down, koi. Nothing will happen to you." He took her hand, intertwining their fingers together as he led her back onto the path. "Don't just stand there, you lumps. Get moving."
"Coming!" Kurama beckoned them and they followed. Kurayami sighed. He had found out that his father lied to him just before he had set out to follow them. His father's friend had come over and asked about her while he was listening in.
-FLASHBACK-
"So, she is coming?"
"Yes, and she is bringing me even more entertainment."
"As if she would not be enough." Hanshiro's friend laughed. "Tell me again how you stumbled upon her?"
"Ah, yes. She was going back to Reikai after delivering some idiot a message from Koenma when I seen her. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life. And, of course, you know how possessive I am about beautiful things."
"So you had to have her, correct?"
"Yes." He smirked. "My scent mark may have already faded on her. But I have reason to believe that she is marked by someone now."
"Who?"
"Hiei.."
"You mean the Forbidden Child!? Hiei Jaganshi!?"
"Yes.. and they are here in Makai. With Kurama and some other human scum."
-END FLASHBACK-
Kurayami scowled. How dare his father take what was rightfully his mother's? Then again, no matter how wrong it was.. he would not have been born if it had not happened.
"How far away is his territory anyway?" Yuusuke asked, frowning. "I can only take so much walking."
"Walking is good for you, moron." Hiei responded coldly, his crimson eyes continuing to stare off into some daydream that only he knew what was going on in.
-
They got past the volcano without hindrance and continued on. Kurayami stopped them before they went into Hanshiro's territory.
"I can go and try to distract my father for as long as I can. You sneak in. The castle is only a couple of days away." Botan opened her mouth to say something but he shook his head and smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be fine." She gave him a smile and wrapped her arms around him.
"I'm your mother. I'm obligated to worry." He hugged her back then pulled away.
"See ya later!" He waved then ran ahead as fast as he could go. Hiei crossed his arms.
"Are we ready to continue?"
"Yeah." Botan murmured, following after him when he starting walking.
-
"Hn." Hiei stood on the top of a tree, his crimson eyes on the castle they would see up close in the next few days. He was looking forward to this battle.
"Yuusuke!" Botan screeched, her eyes widening. "Get that thing away from me!" Hiei jumped down and his eyes flashed red.
"Detective." Yuusuke sighed and rolled his eyes, backing away. Botan let out the breath she had been holding and smiled wearily up at him.
"Thanks." He nodded, knowing how scared she already was.. without Yuusuke and the others freaking her out with things they found on the way to amuse themselves. He held his hand out to her and she took it, surprised when he took her in his arms and jumped into the tree with her. "H-Hiei.."
"There it is. I don't want you being afraid because we're approaching it." She nodded.
"I understand." He then sat down, pulling her down with him, settling her between his legs. He held her in his arms, cradling her as if she would be snatched away from him. "Hiei?" He looked down and watched as she smiled. "I'm not afraid now. I just feel so safe with you.."
"You're supposed to." She grinned.
"I'm just saying.. don't worry about me being nervous." He smirked.
"Even if you were nervous, we would continue going."
"I know you would." She rested her head on his chest. "The sooner it's over, the better." Hiei stiffened when a tear rolled down her cheek.
"What is it?"
"I-" She buried her face in his shirt and clutched the fabric tightly in her fingers. "H-He.." She closed her eyes tightly and continued to cry, all the while unaware that Hiei was extremely pissed off. The koorime's eyes flashed red and he snarled at the thought that the one person who had stolen something important to her had the nerve to do something once more. Then his eyes softened as he gazed down at the girl in his arms. "H-Hiei?" He tenderly cupped her chin in his fingers and tipped her head so that she was gazing right up at him.
"What did he do to you?" Botan was afraid in more ways than one. Why was he acting so calm?
"H-He sent me a nightmare.. last night."
"Of?"
"Him murdering you.. defeating you in battle.." She cried harder. "The pain felt so real.." She bit her lip. "I still feel it.. It was.. like a real battle."
"Whatever you saw will not happen. I won't lose to a sick bastard like him." She smiled and wiped her tears away.
"That's my favorite fire demon." She said quietly. Her amethyst eyes glimmered.
"Hn." He smiled. Then he scratched his cheek. "I thought he would send them to me.."
"Maybe he wants to get me to go to him so that the threat to you.. won't happen." His eyes flashed once more and he took her shoulders in his hands, narrowing his eyes at her.
"You won't, right?"
"No." She blinked. "Because I know that even if I go willingly, it would be stupid because you'd still follow." She smirked. "Thus, my stubborn Hiei."
"Baka." She glared at him.
"Hiei no baka!" She gave him a slap and pulled away from him, nearly falling out of the tree as she did so. He caught her and gave her a look. "You are a baka."
"I am not."
"Are too."
"I'm not having this argument." She just laughed at him. He growled at her. She stuck her tongue out at him. He frowned at the childish act. She constantly did this to him. Going off in a childish world of her own that he would never, no matter how long he knew her, understand. He just shook his head. "Childish."
"Excuse me?"
"I said that you are childish, onna. I have seen children use those pathetic antics in playgrounds and they never cease to disgust me."
"I can see you care about children oh-so-much."
"Use sarcasm however you like against me. It won't work." She rolled her eyes at him and thought about pushing him out of the tree.. but with his reflexes.. She'd be in some serious trouble then.
"I know it won't. It is your weapon."
"Hn." She held in another comment and began to swing her legs, looking for something to do. "You are amusing in more ways than one."
"Shut up, you irritating little.." He just smirked at her, knowing she didn't have a witty comeback. "You can be a very cruel little demon." She crossed her arms.
"And you can be a very irritating little ningen." She froze and looked at him, a frown on her face.
"If I'm so irritating, why keep me around?"
"Because I can't just throw you away."
"Hm?"
"You're mine now, onna. It's going to stay that way." He smirked at her. "That mark says so."
"I hope this mark isn't the only reason you stay around." She brought her hand up and traced her fingers over it.
"Of course it isn't." He scoffed. "How dense are you? That mark is my oath to protect you. It is my word that no other male will have you. Why would I put it there for no reason?" She tilted her head in a form of confusion. "Demons know what happens if they touch a marked woman."
"So, as long as this mark is here.."
"You will remain by my side and under my protection."
"Is that all it is?"
"No." He looked away from her. "There has to be emotion in the heart of the marker to mark a female or male. A lot of emotion. And it requires thought and devotion."
"Oh." She smiled faintly and cautiously went forward and placed herself between his legs once more, wrapping her arms around him. "Hiei.." She whispered, causing him to blush lightly. "I love you."
"I-I love you, too, Botan." He smiled slightly and hugged her back.
-
"What do you think?"
"I don't know."
"They've been up there a while now. What are they talking about?"
"I have no idea, Yuusuke."
"Kurama, I know how well you can hear things." The Spirit Detective was playing a detective game of his own. "Come on. Just spill. We won't tell."
"Yeah, Kurama!" Kuwabara grinned.
"I honestly don't know." Kurama stubbornly shook his head. Even if he did, he wouldn't tell them. Hiei would kill him for such treason, as the koorime would call it.
"You're no fun." Yuusuke frowned and slouched back. Kurama listened for a moment.
"Do you know why Hiei is so protective of her?"
"Hm?" Kuwabara and Yuusuke looked at Kurama. The kitsune had a blank look on his face but was staring at them with a haunting look.
"The mark on her neck is more than just a bite mark. It is the promise and vow Hiei made. It is, as you would say, a sign of protection and devotion. Other male demons who see the mark on her will know that someone cares for her and will most likely slit their throats if they touched her." Kurama paused. "In a way, it is much like the wedding rings of humans, except permanent."
"I see now."
"And it also means other males are a potential threat to this bond. In the beginning, it is very tender and can be broken easily. But when lasting more than a week, it becomes far more permanent." The kitsune closed his eyes. "If something ever happened to her, he would be devastated. And I know that Hiei will never cry again. He did it only for his sister. And if Botan somehow got hurt, the blame would no doubt be on himself. I remember that night clearly. He could not locate Yukina with the Jagan. There was only one obvious explanation that turned out to be false." He looked at them. "Do not let this slip to him or he will kill you. He is serious about things like this. Do you know what happens when Yukina cries?"
"Yeah." Yuusuke nodded. "Hiruiseki Stones, wasn't it? Her tears?" Kurama nodded.
"With Hiei it is the same. Hiei's twin is an ice apparition. He will produce these very same stones. But no one in their right minds would capture him and try to make him cry. They would regret it dearly. Only those who really checked his backgrounds know about that type of thing."
"Woah.. That's neat." Kuwabara mumbled. "So his tears turn into those gems, too?" Yuusuke nodded.
"Because he is part ice apparition. He isn't a full-blooded fire demon.. just like Yukina isn't fully ice."
"It is a tricky situation and far more complex." Kurama said. "But nonetheless, that is the idiot's perspective." Yuusuke didn't bother to be insulted. He didn't understand these kinds of things fully anyway. That's why they had the clever thief. "The abilities were determined by the gender, believe it or not. Ice apparitions are female. The ice techniques of this race are not learned by the male. Fire apparitions, or koorimes, whichever you prefer for either, are not of a certain one. So the abilities of the father went to the boy and the abilities of the mother went to the girl."
"That is summerized, too, isn't it?" Kurama nodded.
"We've not the time to give health lessons." Yuusuke snickered.
-
"Feh, let's move. I don't want any more of your ridiculous excuses to wait a while. Rain never hurt anyone. We're in an area with green trees and fresh air." Hiei kept reminding himself that these people were those who were his teammates.
"Hiei, you know we need to move as fast as possible."
"I do." The koorime took the hint and swept Botan into his arms, startling her enough to the point at which she squeaked in surprise. "Move." He was first, leading them toward the castle that would await many fates.
-
Join us for the next chapter. I'll try to get this out. Sorry for such a long delay but the computer was reformatted and I had gone away to NY. I'm going again.. so I have to delay it a while. No more than a week. But I promise to write more while I'm up there.. in my notebook. u.u
Thank you for being patient and I hope you keep this up.