Author's Note:
Greetings!
Thank you for your loves, people! I'm so blessed to have you faithful people as my readers. You give me real boost and support and I can't thank you enough!
Anyway, I did say that this chapter is going to be where the douse of romance I feed you lessened and the bitter plot is in. Although I kind of changed my mind and made it into a filler or some sort. I want you people to know and read how I'm going to portray the canons I haven't used yet - such as Yomi, Mukuro, Shura and probably others.
I do apologize if they are OOC, especially Mukuro. Considering her position as Kyoko's rival in this fiction, I'm afraid I'd have to alter her personality a little, make her a little bitchier. Don't mistake this as dislike though. I totally admire Mukuro. She is strong, wise, beautiful and intelligent. I want to be like her. But I am not too fond and am not a supporter of MukuroxHiei pairing. Even the idea of them being together got me unwell.
I think they are both too alike and it is boring. Mukuro and Hiei share the same darkness and they act alike. I think it will be better is Hiei found someone different, someone who could shower him with unhidden affections and someone who completes him. His light. You see how puzzle pieces are shaped differently and they fit together just right? That is how I think Hiei and Kyoko pairing is. Just right. And I'm not being vain because that's what I think. If Hiei truly does find anyone, I think someone like Kyoko will be most fitting.
BTW, a reply to GingerSpice-8675309's review, "Thank you for your review and recommendation. I also really like that song! I think the lyric's incredibly sweet and it is really nice to listen to. I am a big fan of Skillet and am happy to find out that other people enjoy their song. Have you listen to Comatose, Rebirthing, Those Nights, Whispers in the Dark and Better Than Drugs? They are my most favourites!Thank you, once again, for your review. I really appreciate it. Keep supporting me and this story, okay? I will make sure I write good fictions for you and my other readers to read.^^"
If any of you can be so kind as to recommend me more songs that remind you of this fiction or may get me inspirations for this story, please leave a review. Thank you in advance!
Enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho
A Key to His Heart
Chapter 23: Angry Complications
"Have you got everything? Your phone? Do you bring the lucky charm I made you?"
It was finally the day. All members of the pack were assembling in the backyard, even Genkai. Today was the day Yusuke, Kurama, Hiei and Hibiki left for the Makai to attend the arranged meeting - the dreaded day.
The women were hustling and fussing over their men, asking them if they had brought all they needed and telling them to be careful and completely cautious. Kyoko wasn't an exception, considering what a mother hen she was.
"I have everything, Onna." Hiei held up the things she mentioned, sighing. "Don't fuss."
"How can I not fuss?" Kyoko pursed her lips as she, once again, fussed and smoothed over his cloak. "You're leaving to a dangerous place. How can I not worry?"
Hiei sighed tiredly. Kyoko had been fussing over him ever since morning. He didn't see why she would keep asking him whether he had his things or not. She was the one who packed his bag!
"Make sure to call often, whenever you're free. Even a massage saying hello will suffice, you hear me?" she placed her forehead against his chest and sighed, "I'm going to miss you so much. I've grown used to you following me around that it's going to be weird without you here."
"I don't follow you around." He grumbled. Inside, he knew she was right. He did follow her around.
"Don't skip your meals over petty fights. Don't forget to wash your laundries, or at least have someone wash them for you. Wearing dirty clothing is simply gross. Don't be disrespectful and don't pick any fights, okay? Also don't wave that sword around, you'll end up hurting someone and yourself."
"Onna, not this again." He hissed, embarrassed when Yusuke, Kuwabara and Botan grinned at the two of them. Koenma, Kurama, Shizuru and Genkai were watching their interactions closely, smirking with amusement in their gleaming eyes. "You've repeated this seven times."
"Well, I want to make sure you have every words etched in your mind. But fine if you're annoyed," she crossed her arms and turned away from him, clearly edgy, "It seems like I am the only one who's going to miss you."
Hiei swallowed thickly when he realised her intention. She was trying to get him to spit it out loud, with everyone they knew, who would joke and kid about it like nobody's business, in hearing distance. He was sure she would give him the, God forbid, cold shoulder if he didn't admit it out loud but he really didn't want to hurt his pride anymore by admitting that he would be wishing every seconds he spent there that Kyoko was with him.
"It's not like that." He said in a soft murmur.
Kyoko raised her eyebrow and asked snobbishly, "well, what is it like, hm?"
He could hear giggling and chuckling coming from the people standing around them and growled inwardly, irritated and wishing he could slay the goofing Yusuke's head off.
"Well?" she insisted, tapping her foot impatiently. He swallowed again.
"I-I-" he cleared his throat, "I will… miss you."
Kyoko's face bloomed into a full-blown smile and she looped her arms around his neck. "I'm happy to hear that. I'm going to miss you too." She chuckled, "I will call you often. Make sure you do that too, okay?"
He nodded stiffly, his face ablaze.
"They are so cute together!" Botan squealed energetically, her arm around her mate's. Kurama gave Hiei a knowing grin, one which he brushed off with his killer glare. Kurama's amusement merely seemed to rise at his look.
"Alright. Remember my words, Love. Don't go looking for trouble and call often okay?" Hiei nodded obediently and she pulled him down for a kiss, one he responded immediately. He's not going to leave without a kiss from her. Who knows when he'd be back? The others looked away awkwardly and Hiei smirked when he felt their gazes dispersing from his face.
It was another three minutes before their kiss ended and she pressed another kiss to his forehead, his cheek, his eye then a peck to his lips. Then she released him, stepping backward and smiled up at him, "Take care. And don't ruin the charm."
Hiei glanced at the spirit phone in his hand. There were two straps there, one was a little chibi doll of Kyoko that she made for him and another was an amulet. It was a tiny red bag with the word 'Safety' neatly sewn and a yellow strap attaching it to his phone. He got it from Kyoko and she refused to tell him what's inside. She also strictly forbade him of opening it, something about bad luck. But she did say he could open it when he missed her so much he couldn't take it anymore.
Cocky woman.
"I will take care of myself." 'After all, I have a home now.' He continued in his mind, gazing at the human woman beaming in front of him. She was happy that he said he would take care of himself, instead of him living for the thrill of a fight and accepting the risk – killed and died.
"Good."
"Alright. We should be on our way now." Koenma declared, gaining everyone's attention. "I promise this meeting will not last longer than a week, although I have no qualms if any of you have another business to attend to in Makai. I will give each of you this," he held up a tiny remote with a single red button on it, "push it and you'll open up the portal. This means you can go back on your own. Just remember that this remote can only be used once."
"The Reikai really makes interesting devices." Kyoko mumbled in awe.
"I will accompany you there and attend the meeting for three days. After all, I have my other duties back in Reikai," the God junior sounded a little annoyed at being reminded of his paperwork, "now I will open the portal."
Koenma snapped his finger and a purple vortex appeared so suddenly behind him, startling the humans "I will never ever have the courage to pass that thing." Hiei smirked at his potential's comment and slung an arm over her shoulder, nuzzling her hair. Instead of listening to Koenma's explanation, he preferred focusing on her right now.
"Alright. Let us go."
Yusuke gave Keiko a peck on the lips and squeezed her hand before he grinned at Kuwabara and jumped into the portal. Keiko stared emotionlessly, sighing. She was sure Yusuke would come back fine and alive but she couldn't help but worry for him. Makai was a dangerous place where one's life was at stake at any second.
Kurama hugged Botan close to him and kissed her forehead gently, pecking her lips before giving the others a smile and leaving for the Makai. Botan whimpered and she waved her hand franticly at her mate. She huffed. She missed him already.
Hibiki snuck Kyoko a kiss on the cheek, which caused Hiei to almost snap his neck, flirted with the women then bowed in front of his teacher before going inside the swirling vortex.
"I would never expect that you'll be the last one, Hiei." Koenma commented. Hiei shot him a glare and the brunette fell silent, sweat-dropping.
"I'm going." He whispered to Kyoko. "Don't involve yourself in anything dangerous. I will be back soon."
"Yes. I love you and I will miss you." they kissed one more time then Hiei left for the portal. Right before he completely disappeared into the purple swirl, he looked over his shoulder and gave his woman a small smile.
"I will return. Wait for me."
After those words, Kyoko felt a tightening then a loosening inside her head. The chain of their connection was being stretched and was accommodating to their sudden distance. She tried calling out to him within her mind but received no response. She sighed. She really needed to train more so she could communicate with him between worlds.
"I miss you already, Hiei." She sighed into the wind, watching as Koenma smiled at Shizuru and got himself a kiss before vanishing into the portal.
"Let's go in, Kyo-nee." Kuwabara smiled at her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, the other one holding to Yukina's hand. "I'm going to be protecting you and the others in their place. Better get used to me following you around now." He grinned jokingly.
Kyoko chuckled, understanding that her little brother was trying to cheer her up. Kuwabara might not have a handsome face and aloofness like Hiei, the intelligence of Kurama, the charisma of Koenma or the creativity of Yusuke but he was a person with the kindest, warmest and most thoughtful heart. You could expect Kuwabara to listen to you rant as you cried and he would gladly lend you a shoulder and let you use his sleeves as your handkerchief. And you would never need to worry about your secrets getting out from him. Kuwabara was dependable and he had a strong heart.
"Thank you, Kazuma."
They arrived in the Forest of Fools. Koenma stated that the meeting would be held in Mukuro's Bug and it was parked somewhere in the forest.
"North." Hiei uttered the word, his jagan wide open and glowing an eerie purple and red. Kurama shook his head at his friend's coldness and aloofness. When there was no Kyoko, he went back to grunting mode.
"Alright. Let's go and get this done with!" Yusuke pumped his fist with a grin. Beside him, Hibiki looked around the green forest and up to the orange sky of the Makai.
"Haven't been here for a while. This place hasn't changed." He mumbled to himself. Hiei glared at him, still furious that the half-breed managed to kiss his ward's cheek.
They set off north, like Hiei had said. They didn't have to walk that long before they reached a clearing and felt the sudden weight on their shoulders and heads, like they were hit by a rush of waterfall. In front of them now stood Mukuro's Bug.
"Warding Seals." Kurama observed, finally being able to see the seals stuck to every area of the trees surrounding the clearing. "A very good precaution. This is Yomi's doing."
"Wow… the three kings are amazing," muttered an awestruck Hibiki. He couldn't believe he was going to meet two of the three kings, one he already met – Yusuke.
"Hmph. He's being too paranoid if you ask me." Yusuke commented, snorting.
Hiei led the group now, considering he was the one who held the key to the bug. Standing by the side of the giant bug, Hiei spiked his energy and touched a certain spot, making the bug rumble and stairs to set down for them to climb. Hibiki wowed while Yusuke whistled. "Fancy," he said.
When they were at the top of the stairs, Hiei placed his hand on another certain spot and the door opened. It closed right after they were all inside.
"I'm inside a bug!" the only whitehead in the group looked around with shining eyes. If Kyoko were here, she would no doubt find the sight of such an excited Hibiki cute and pinched his cheeks, commenting about how much he resembled an energetic young puppy.
"Kurama." A powerfully intelligent voice boomed behind them and all of them turned their heads. Yomi was walking calmly towards the group, young Shura following him silently, giving Yusuke a glare before turning to Hibiki with suspicious eyes. Hibiki sweat-dropped.
"Yomi." Kurama greeted the goat demon back. "Hello to you too Shura." He smiled at the little clone.
Hiei eyed the boy. If Kyoko were here, there's no doubt she would find him so adorable. She would hug him tightly and proceed to rant and squeal about his adorableness.
'I think about her too much.' Hiei thought to himself, turning away to hide his smirk. He didn't mind that she occupied his mind. When he thought of her, he felt calm.
"Thank you for sparing your time, Yomi." Koenma bowed, "I appreciate it."
"It is not a problem. Makai has been really peaceful these days and I don't really have that much to do. It will be my pleasure to be involved in your case." For my interest. Everyone finished his statement in their own minds. "Where is your manner, Shura? Say hello."
"Hmph," Shura crossed his arms, "hello."
Yusuke grinned and he circled his arm around Shura's neck, giving him a noogie. "You rude kid."
"Let me go! You insolent half-breed! Ack!"
Kurama sighed tiredly and turned to Yomi. "When will the meeting start?"
"Mukuro has been informed of your presence. The meeting's starting in an hour. She wants you to be shown to your room." A servant came and bowed to them, "escort them." Yomi ordered and the servant curtsied and obediently did as she was told.
Hiei wasn't a guest and instead of going with Kurama and the others, he went to the other wing, to his own room. Opening the door to his room, he let his bag slipped from his shoulder and fell to the carpeted floor beside a dresser.
His room was simple with only a bed, a wardrobe, a bookshelf, a dresser, a table and chairs. His walls were decorated with his swords and katanas. The carpet was a deep blood colour while the walls were the colour of the bones, considering it indeed was bones. On the other side of the room were two big windows which overlooked the Makai and on the other side of the window was a door which led to the bathroom.
Sitting down on his bed, Hiei sighed. He had been gone for a while but truthfully he didn't miss this place. At all.
His room was merely a room, a place to sleep. He spent his time mostly in the training area or wandering and patrolling around Makai. Sometimes he even chose to sleep on the deck or at rare times when the bug was parked, he would go out and sleep in trees.
After removing his cloak and draping it over a chair, Hiei sat back down on the bed and took out his phone. Turning it on, his lips twitched up at the image of Kyoko in his phone. It was when she was accompanying him training in the woods. Kyoko walked in front of him, her arms clasped behind her and her hair swishing with the wind. When they arrived in the clearing, she had turned to him with a beam and told him the place was beautiful. He just couldn't resist the need to capture her beauty that time.
God, he wanted to see her.
He silently looked up his list of contacts, not too many as he only had the numbers of his pack members, and called Kyoko. Not a minute and Kyoko answered, "Hello. Hiei?" He felt his chest loosening and his blood getting warmer at her voice. In the rectangle screen of the phone was her, staring at him with a big smile on her face. "It hasn't been three hours since you left and you miss me already. You're so cute."
"I am not." He grumbled. "Are you staying out of trouble?"
"I should be the one asking, Hiei. You aren't picking fight, right? You've been a good boy?" she teased with a smirk. He huffed. "It's a shame you aren't here. We're going to have yakiniku and barbeque tonight since summer's ending."
Hiei scowled unhappily, "you're partying when I'm gone." How could she seem so fine and happy when he wasn't there with her? The fact that she wasn't here with him iced him but it seems like she was doing well over there.
"Let me guess. You're upset because you thought I wasn't sad that you're gone." She accused correctly. Her face bloomed into a warm smile, "believe me Love, there is nothing I want more except your presence here. That's why you have to do your job right and fast and quickly come back here because I miss you so much."
"Hn." His cheek turned a light shade of pink, "I will do my best."
She chuckled. "Good. And take care of the others, okay? Don't disappoint me. I don't want to hear them saying bad things about you when I evaluated, you hear?" evaluated? What a weird choice of wording. But that was to be expected from her, he guessed.
He grunted. Then they turned quiet and stared at each other, Kyoko smiling while he was expressionless. She tilted her head to the side, "I guess you have to go now, right?" he nodded. "Good luck, Hiei. I love you."
"I-" he blushed, "I know."
She winked and blew him a kiss before ending the call. Sighing, Hiei placed his phone on the dresser beside his bed and huffed. It's probably a good thing he hadn't mated with her. If he had, he would have died right now from the ache of not being with her.
Kyoko was always there, beside him, as his light while he stayed as her shadow. They completed each other and secured each other in their own embrace. Hiei had never felt like how he felt when she was in his line of view. He felt warm, tingly and flurry all over. It's like he didn't know but knew what he have to do. What did he have to do?
His thought was interrupted by someone clearing his voice and a joking, "knock, knock," came behind him. He looked over his shoulder at Kurama, who was smirking at him. "You've been so into the call you didn't even realize me here."
"Shut up, Fox."
Kurama walked further into the room and he faced the wall, examining the books in the bookshelf. There weren't lots of books but, as expected of Hiei, all of them were books of war.
"…do you miss her?"
Hiei didn't answer. He merely stared at the ground, his eyes guarded.
"Hiei, could it possibly," the Fox glanced at his pyro friend, "do you love her?"
"I-" Hiei gulped, "I don't know."
Well, now that's a start. Kurama expected him to stammer and went into denial like he had tons of time but this time he was being genuinely honest. It was a good start and a good change. Hiei was being honest and he was slowly slithering out of his jaded shell. All because of the human he used to be indifferent about.
"Well, in my- everyone's opinion, you do."
Hiei exhaled, "I want to see her, Fox. I am empty without her." Hiei reluctantly admitted, "I am feeling. But what exactly am I feeling?"
Kurama smiled, "you don't need to rush. Kyoko will help you learn everything, I'm sure." Hiei remembered her telling him she would help him figure out his feelings. But there was this frustrating nagging in the back of his mind which stated that he already knew the answer. He was just too stupid and slow to notice and name it.
"She is a good person. And she loves you." the Fox continued, "think and notice carefully. We don't want her hurt. After all, she is a special human who falls in love with you."
"Is that so? Do you mind elaborating?" a strong feminine voice joined in uninvited. Both turned their head to the door and they found Mukuro leaning against the doorway, a smirk on her face. "The two of you are so focused into your talk that you didn't feel me coming. You let your guards down."
"Mukuro." Hiei greeted curtly. Mukuro's blue eyes flickered over to him.
"What is this feminine stench covering you?" she sniffed the air and growled, "It is a human, isn't it? Hiei, what are you messing with a human for?"
Kurama, sensing the storm coming, excused himself and left the two partners alone. The door shut behind him and he left for his own room. He did silently wish Hiei the best of luck before he was completely out of sight.
"She isn't an It. And I am not messing with her," Hiei growled, rising to his feet, "She is my potential."
"A human?!" Mukuro raged, "You dare mate with a human and make her your queen?! You think I will let you rule my territory with a human as your aide?!"
"You told me to find a mate. You didn't specify about her species. It is then up to me to decide." Hiei retorted. He wasn't happy how Mukuro was looking down on his potential whom she hadn't even met. "She may be my queen but I am against bringing her here. She won't be able to take the Makai's air."
"You're being charmed, Hiei. You're bewitched." Mukuro spat out disgustedly, "So tell me, how do you plan to rule my territory without the queen and the heir I ordered you to have?"
"They're going to stay in Ningenkai."
"And you're going to stay here and leave them there?"
"I will also stay there." He stated boldly, not a question or unsureness in his voice. Mukuro blanched.
"Are you too far into your lust you forgot about your duties?! How can you rule when you aren't even here?!" Mukuro's glare could freeze everyone to death, but not Hiei. He was used to living with glares and distasteful whispers. "You disappoint me, Hiei."
'Don't disappoint me.' A soft voice echoed in his mind, 'I am not as strong as you think I am but please don't leave me. I truly don't wish to have my heart broken again.' 'Do you promise me?'
There was a moment in his life when he wanted to protect Mukuro, to guard her from her dark past. But Mukuro could take it now. She was strong and she was free. She had spread her wings and roamed her own world. In actuality, she didn't need him anymore. She had lived her own life.
But he had a promise with his. And this time, he wanted to keep it. He had given his word to this fantastic human he cared so much for and he wished to keep it. He wasn't going to disappoint her. He wasn't leaving her and he would protect her from pain, both mental and physical. She was his to protect and his to take care of.
"Whatever you say will not change my mind," he said confidently, "She is mine and I am hers. I'm going to keep her."
Mukuro's growl was full of hatred and rage. "Who is this human?!" she howled, "What is her name? Where is she?!"
"…Mukuro." He growled.
"I will take this human to prison and personally execute her for charming my heir," the female lord turned on her heels and stomped out of the room. Her energy was alarmingly high and Hiei snarled, catching on to what she planned to do. She's going to use the portal to Ningenkai and harm his ward!
He ran after her, stopping in front of her. His crimson eyes were dark and ablaze with fury while his whole muscles were taut and ready for a fight. "Don't you dare!"
"You think I don't dare?"
"Listen. Mukuro." He began, his voice dark as it echoed in the empty hallway, "One wrong step, one wrong touch to my potential," Hiei slowly stepped forward, his lips curled back in one angry snarl, his body shaking in fury and his eyes dark, he punched the bone wall on his side, shattering the invisibly thick bug bones and denting a hold. "And you will be like this bone." His voice lowered into an even deeper growl, "I will kill you." three voices spoke out from him - one from his Jagan, one from his dragon and the last one familiarly his.
Mukuro's lips snapped shut as Hiei gave her one last glare before he walked past her and went back to his room.
That was the first time Hiei said something so harsh. He had been cruel but never to the point of threating her of death. And the quantity of disgust and hatred she saw in Hiei's eyes was something she never expected him to have when he looked at her.
"He's in a bad mood. Don't mind him."
Mukuro whirled around and glared at the stranger. A half-breed.
"State your name."
"I'm Hibiki." The whitehead proudly introduced himself, jerking a thumb his own way, grinning all the while. "Wow, you're even cooler up close." He approached. Mukuro's glare didn't wavered, even when Hibiki smiled flirtatiously at her, "and very wonderfully beautiful too. Wanna go somewhere after we're done with whole meeting business, Cherry Pie?"
Mukuro shuddered with obvious disgust and she spat, "Don't you dare call me with something so disrespectful or I will cut your head off."
"Ooh… feisty." He winked, "I like it."
She clicked her tongue in irritation and turned around, walking to her own chamber in waiting for the meeting to start. She heard Hibiki following her and hissed, "Go away half-breed. I am in no mood to socialize."
"Don't you dare touch her."
Mukuro stopped on her track and she looked over her shoulder at Hibiki. His whole behaviour and attitude changed. He stood up straighter and firmer, his eyes not letting anything escape and his lips pursed in distaste.
"What did you say?"
"You hurt my Princess and I will kill you." he continued with a growl, "You touch even a strand of her hair and I will kill you." then he left after saying his piece.
An angry snarl formed on the scarred face and a vase shattered 'mysteriously'. Fury and rage swept through her whole being. This human… it charmed her heir! It got her heir to do something stupid as disobeying her! It made him this weak!
She hated it. She didn't care what connection it had to the pack, she hated it. Hiei was hers! He was supposed to realize that they were meant to be together and came back to Makai, ready to claim her and be claimed by her!
Instead he chose a human female who couldn't even bite him! That human wouldn't be able to claim him back and as such, she didn't deserve him! She wasn't his equal!
Several other vases and lights broke and shattered as she stomped past them to her chamber. Inside, she sat down on her throne and she sighed. Nuzzling and sniffing the leather, she exhaled in satisfaction when Hiei's scent was still etched there, courtesy of the special plants she wiped the leather with to keep the scent.
That night he was drunk. But that didn't change the fact that that had been the best night in her life. He didn't eye her scars with disgust and he didn't complain the fact that she didn't have flawless skin or alluring form. That night, she could feel the connection. He was hers. Why couldn't he realize it?
She glanced at the dark corner of her room where her 'father' was. She had been whipping him that day just before Hiei came to let off some steam. That plant, that man… they were the birthday present from Hiei.
"Hiei," she purred, nuzzling the leather, "My mate."
Without him realising it, Hiei loved her. He deserved only her as his mate. She was scarred but so was him. They held the same dark pasts and they knew the feeling of living and being in the dark better than anyone else.
They were meant for each other.
And she would make him realize it.
To Be Continued...
I'm sleepy... I haven't been getting as much sleep since Career-experience day started (and believe me when I say I need at least twelve hours of sleep a day. I sleep like a baby). I usually take long naps in the afternoon after school then stay up late and enjoy the quiet night. But now I can't even do that anymore. Wahh, I miss my nocturnal days! *bawl*
Anyway, tell me your opinion of this chapter and whether the character is OOC or not, people. If they're OOC I'll do my best and make it right. Except probably Mukuro. I need her bitchy, remember? But not too bitchy that she isn't Mukuro, of course. I am also still waiting for your opinions and wishes for my OCs - Yui, Kaguya, Hakua, Hibiki and maybe some others I will make. You guys will determine their endings, after all. But if I don't get anything before this fiction is finished then I will make endings of my own. If that scenario is played, I hope it will satisfy you.
And don't forget that I have a White day one-shot prepared for you guys! It will be a sequel to m Valentine's day one-shot! Stay tuned!
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed! Leave me loves!