Brink of our Time : The Summoning
A/N: Thank you for the reviews, keep on leaving them. Sorry that I've haven't been updating that often, school work really is difficult. Anyway, here is the new chapter, don't be afraid to be honest with me! Read and Review!
I
One would be a fool to try and read Hiei's emotions through his facial expressions. Botan had tried for three minutes the first time she had met him, and she promptly understood to never try it again. Hiei Jaganshi only had one expression that was unmistakable, and that was when he was intent on killing someone.
However, his kisses said everything. He was soft and unsure, slowly gaining confidence until he actually smirked. Every action he took was precise, delicate, and dark.
In one kiss, Botan was told of how long he had wished for this moment. How long he had loved her from the distance, watched over her, and fought his own instinctual desires. In every intake of breath and trembling touch he overwhelmed her with five years of pain, devotion, and want. In the back of her hazy mind, she wondered if she was just as easy to read.
"You're scared." He sighed and hunched slightly. "Go back to bed. Don't try and force yourself into something you don't want. Not for me, not for anybody."
Botan grabbed his wrist before he could fade back into his room.
"I'm not afraid."
She stood up straight, but cut herself off with a mighty yawn. Hiei's gaze softened slightly as he frowned, his shoulders raising.
"Don't tell me, you haven't slept, have you?"
"Oops, my bad."
Giving him a sleepy grin, Botan blinked as Hiei waved her inside, shaking his head.
"Well, it's too late now." He shuffled into his kitchen, filling the kettle. His back was to her, the woman he desired, and he grit his teeth. "Why did you do that?" Gazing over his shoulder, he shook with repressed urges and angry confusion. "Why did you kiss me?"
Botan forced herself not to look away from his burning eyes.
"I wanted to, Hiei." She slowly walked towards him, not flinching away when he growled and had to grasp his own arm from reaching out to her. "You've waited so long... why didn't you say anything? I could have done something—"
Hiei let loose a snarl that made Botan stop talking.
"No. I know what you would have done." He shuddered, curling in on himself. "You would have been so nice... as always... it would have been too painful to be rejected..."
Trying to smile, Botan reached out and touched his cheek. His body stopped twitching.
"What makes you think I would have said no?"
Despite his clenched jaw muscles and ragged breathing, he let out a bitter laugh.
"Let's see... I would have told you that since the first time I touched you I have been fighting back every second I'm with you not to ravish you right there." His coarse voice sent chills down Botan's spine and blood up to her face. "I would have told you that every second I was with you was a mixture of Heaven and Hell... that I.... that I..." He took her hand into his, placing feather-soft kisses up her wrist and arm. "That I wanted to worship your body and soul." He kissed all the way up to her shoulder, his breath catching in her ear. "That I could barely control myself..." He was inches away from her neck. Her heart was racing and her breath was hitched. The tea kettle began to whistle. Crimson eyes blinked, and in a flash he was on the other side of the room. "Kami... I'm sorry."
Pink met red as Botan let out a long exhale, turning off the tea kettle and pouring two cups, slipping bags into them. She held out his cup, and he took it.
"D-Don't be." She looked at him from under her bangs, blushing. "I really do like you, Hiei." She smiled. "You're sweet." He snorted, raising his eyebrows in disbelief. "You really are." She gazed into her tea. "I do love you, Hiei."
The fire demon's shoulders relaxed, joyous and depressed to hear her confession.
"Maybe... but not enough to bind yourself to me, Botan."
"You don't know that." She put her teacup down. "If we... if we dated... would you wait for me?" A hopeful, loving smile glowed brightly, lighting up the entire room. "Would it be too much—?"
A clawed finger pressed against her lips. His expression, always unreadable, continued to mystify the former ferry girl. He removed his finger, kissing her softly. Botan's eyes fluttered shut, and he pulled back just for a moment.
"I can do that."
II
Garan sat on his bed. His mate sank into the sheets, her lips parted. He moved to pull her towards him, kissing her forehead. Maika mumbled into his chest.
"Why did this happen?" She sighed, tired. "I don't want to do this... how can I do this?"
Shifting, he heard himself respond.
"Not many leaders know exactly what to do in a moment of crisis. Your father didn't know, nor Mukuro. You'll find an action and take it, for better or for worse."
The dark had never been so comforting before. Maika would soon be cast into the light of politics... she would have to make speeches and decisions... but for now she was safe in the dark with her mate.
For now, she could breathe.
"Hiei and Botan are back, so that's good." Maika allowed herself to giggle. "Do you think they've mated yet?"
Garan grinned.
"I hope so."
Darkness embraced them. Warm skin tingled, and fresh tears spilled. Power in Demon World had shifted. Maika would rise as the new Queen... and she would lead. Spirit World loomed over them, casting an ominous shadow over the lands... but... Hiei and Botan let the sunlight in.
Holding the Queen of Demon World in his arms, Garan kissed her chastely. She smiled sadly.
"You'll always be with me, right?"
"Always."
III
Revered Aiden Kelly smiled as he dragged his staff through the dirt. He took a strand of blue hair and placed it in the center of his anthracite pentagram, laughing as he did so.
"The time has come boys." Demons began to growl with delight. The Revered closed his eyes, sinking his hands into the soil of the dungeons. "Get ready to do your worst."
IV
Botan seemed to flow more ethereally than usual. At breakfast she spoke softly, as if trying to keep everyone at ease. Maika even smiled a bit. As they ate, Botan got right down to business.
"Queen Maika, I've already drafted a treaty so that Spirit World will withdraw their presence from the northern border—"
"Will it make them leave?" Maika sighed, washing her hands. "Do they want to start a fight?"
Her voice was dangerously sharp. Hiei took a deep breath.
"This is not the time to be rash, your majesty—"
"Please don't call me that. Just... call me Maika."
Licking his lips, Hiei nodded and continued.
"Okay, but... it... it would be better if we didn't take action."
"So we just wait for them to strike at us?"
The Ambassador of Spirit World put down her morning tea.
"No... no, you will be ready, but think of how the Worlds will see it. If Spirit World attacks first, then Demon World will be unanimously declared innocent."
"And I should allow innocent lives to be taken in order to look good?"
Voices swelled and buzzed. Botan felt herself beginning to thin out. She swallowed water, her face warm and clammy. She reached out to refill her glass when he hand went through the pitcher. Eerie silence whirred in her ears. She stared at her fading hand.
"Botan?" Hiei was deathly pale. "Kami—"
"Get me water. More water." She fell through the chair and backed up to into the sand. She began picking up sand and sinking her fingers into the dirt. "Someone is trying to summon me." Hot tears of concentration flowed freely from her eyes. "It's a... technique Koenma uses to capture evil spirits."
Garan had left to get the water. Maika and Hiei were by her side. The fire demon dug through the dirt to find her hand. At first he passed through her, but she closed her eyes and squeezed his hand.
"K-Koenma?" Maika trembled. "Is he doing this?"
"Maybe." Botan's eyes fluttered open. "Normally it doesn't take this long."
She doubled over in pain. Hiei gasped.
"Don't... please... stay." He whispered to her fiercely. "Fight it!"
"I'm trying!" Her entire body almost faded away completely. Her pink eyes were wide. "You." She was fading, faster and faster. Botan gasped, for once full of despair. "Hiei, I—"
Just as Garan came back with the water, Botan wheezed and vanished entirely. The dust fell back down to the ground. Maika was speechless and Hiei's hands flew to the sand as if he could pull her back out of the earth.
Just like that, she was gone.
V
Koenma took a swig of water as he sat down for his lunch. He was about to sink his teeth into a very tasty looking rice-ball when the door to his office creaked open. George poked his head inside, searching to see if Koenma was alone before he entered.
"What is it, George? You look terrible."
The ogre's eyes fell down to his hands.
"I haven't heard from Botan in three days."
He fell silent. Koenma waved his hand.
"She's probably working. Botan's a smart girl, she'll be fine."
"Yes, I know that, sir, but... I'm worried."
The Prince of Hell chewed thoughtfully. The clock ticked loudly in the background. George was about to leave when the doors slammed open.
Reverend Kelly was panting, tears running down his face.
"She's gone. They've taken her." His chest heaved. "The demons have kidnaped Botan."
VI
Death was familiar with the gruesome pain and torment of demise. Death had witnessed enough to drive one mad. Botan ached, not accustomed to being summoned against her will. She opened her pink eyes to see grotesque faces. Demon faces. Her hands were chained to the wall. Botan blew hair out of her face.
"Where is he? Where's Rev—"
Sharp claws slashed across her face. The Ambassador of Spirit World screamed, blood filling her eyes.
"Learn some manners, bitch." Their words sank in despite the agonized shrieks that echoed in the dungeons. Botan's chest heaved, her breaths loud and terrified. "Do not speak unless you are spoken to."
Hot, her blood was hot. Everything tasted bad. She wanted to be strong, she wanted to fight... but she hurt too much. Everything was pain. Everything was ugly. Salty tears mixed in with the blood. Claws went to slash through her buttons when she spat in their faces.
"Bring him to me. He's the one who's making you do this!"
The group of demons laughed.
"Oh, don't worry, Ambassador." She saw that one of them was holding a chain. "We want this."
Cold metal flew towards her, cracking her shoulder.
VII
Mukuro was silent as the Ambassador of Demon World rampaged I his room, breaking anything and everything in his path. She had been able to lock him in his room before anyone could get hurt. However, this meant that Garan and Maika were outside doing God-knows-what and making who-knows-how-important decisions. Hiei was ripping apart various papers when Mukuro took a deep breath.
"Enough." her voice was strong and full of authority. Hiei stopped, panting. His eyes were crazy, and not in the good way. "We've wasted precious time. Ambassador Botan needs our help... use your Jagan Eye, Hiei. Can't you help her with your Eye?"
His lips were dry, white, and cracked. His muscles slowly relaxed and he let his tongue dart out over his lips.
"I can't save her... all I could do is—"
The former leader smiled as Hiei's face shown with realization.
"See? You just needed to focus." Hiei trembled as Mukuro unlocked the door. "What do you need, my friend?"
"Help. We've got work to do."
They hurried down the halls. They opened the doors to the main halls to hear the roar and chants of troops. Maika's hands were raised, her eyes cold and dangerous. She was being dressed in her own armor.
"Action will be taken! Ambassador Botan, a dear friend of Demon World, has been taken by her own people. Demon World does not forget or sacrifice friendships. We will get her back whether Koenma likes it or not!"
Cheers rose up to the ceiling, echoing until the message was lost in the enthusiasm. Hiei felt something cold and wet uncurl in his stomach as Maika and Garan kissed. Mukuro sighed, her shoulders slackening.
Hiei Jaganshi walked up to the Queen, dropping to one knee.
"My Queen, I must implore—"
"Hiei, I've told you before that I do not rule you. Call me by my name."
"Maika... we can not go to war. We will lose and Botan will die." He bowed his head, his voice cracking. "Please."
Soft, gentle hands moved Hiei's head so that it was raised. Maika's face was light as she kissed the bandana that covered his forehead.
"I will not start a war, Hiei. I'm going to the North to retrieve Ambassador Botan." She smiled, but her teeth shone like a wolf's. "Though, I can not guarantee that if they strike us that we will not retaliate."
"Give me time, I can find her."
The Queen mounted her horse as Garan led the forces out of the castle and towards the North.
"When you've found her, tell me. If we can not get her together... well I'm sure you'll get our Botan back."
She galloped away, her crown shimmering in the hot sun. Hiei and Mukuro watched as a daughter became a woman and a woman became a Queen. Enki was a happy demon in life and did not enjoy conflict. Maika was... Maika. She did not lead her World towards war, but she did not lead it towards a treaty. Sometimes... one just has to act.
Mukuro brushed her hair back, feeling older.
"Kids these days..." She shook her head. "Kami, I'm getting too old for this."
Hiei might have laughed, but he was already searching for Botan, his Jagan Eye glowing mysteriously.
VIII
A/N: Eh. Did you like this? Or not? Sorry it's been taking so long to update. College drama... God... CAN'T I JUST GET AN EDUCATION WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY UNHOLY AMOUNTS OF MONEY? *sighs* sorry. I'm just... not rich, hahaha. Well, if you have any critiques or comments, please leave them. Read and Review!
-mia