Song Choice: Dark Necessities~ Red Hot Chili Peppers

Chapter Twenty-Four: Beag Uraind (Little Monster)

Heavy fog covered the mountain side as Abhaya woke early in the morning. She found herself nuzzled into her futon, Baidheil curled between her breasts. She was wide awake as she lied there, staring at the screen separating her room from the hallway. Her window was open, just as it always was. Yet the morning was cool, unlike the hot suffocating air she had gone to bed with.

Abhaya sat up in her bed, her tank top clinging to her from sweat. She pressed a hand to her forehead, breathing in the cool air that she had missed. Oh, how she longed for the cold once more. Kicking off her sheet covering, she slowly stood up; her joints popping as they realigned. With a groan, Abhaya moved to the door.

Hiei sat in his normal position across from the shoji door blocking Abhaya from his view. Though his eyes were closed, he could hear and sense her minute movements from inside her room. It was only natural when he heard her breathing change that he knew she was awake. Hiei gave a wry smirk, hearing her stand from her bed and groan. 'She's only slept for but a few hours. She can't be wide awake already,' He thought, hearing her move closer to the door.

He opened his eyes to glare at her as she opened the door; a quick jape nipping at his tongue. Yet it withered in his mouth as he saw what clothing items she lacked. Her black tank top left little to his imagination. It snuggly wrapped around the curves of her breasts and ribs; the cool morning air causing her nipples to become erect from underneath its thin black fabric. It collected above the line of her boy cut underwear, accentuating her supple body in all its justice. Her hair was a thick mass of curls swirling down her back and high cheek bones. Her skin was gilded in silver as the moonlight glimmered through her open window.

Hiei didn't realize that he had stopped breathing until she closed her eyes with a grimace and shoved a hand through her thick mane. "Mornin'," She murmured, her eyes half lidded.

"Shouldn't you put some clothes on?" Hiei said, grinding his teeth together.

He watched the small mage raise an eyebrow. She then chuckled wearily. "I'm just going to pee lad, it's not like anyone else it up and about, anyways."

Hiei growled, feeling his blood pump faster into him as he gazed at her. He averted his eyes with a huff, feeling his self-control start to crumble inside of him. Abhaya scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Humans are repulsive. I know. I'll get out of your line of sight," She growled halfheartedly.

This was going to be the longest week.

"Why must you insist that we always walk up the mountain?" Hiei growled, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

Abhaya gave a huff, her hands wrapped around the straps of her medicine pack around her shoulders. "It's not always about the destination, but also the journey, Hiei," She stated.

It was still dark in the forest around them, fog still lining the moss and grass as they made their way up the mountain. The half-moon hung from the sky, illuminating their path as they walked. The morning air reminded Hiei of Autumn from its crispness. It was something that he wasn't sure if he cared for. "I wish fall was here," Abhaya said suddenly.

Hiei jerked his head up to watch the mage in front of him. Her face was pointed to the trees and her arms were folded over her chest. "Why?" He said, examining her movements.

"I prefer the cold and I miss the smell of it."

Hiei scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You're a fool to wish your life away. Deal with the moment as it is, don't waste your time in the past or future."

Abhaya grinned, peering over her shoulder at the fire demon. "Wow Hiei, you're quite the life coach."

Hiei glowered at her, his jaw clenched as she turned forward. He could hear her chuckling echo throughout the forest as she absentmindedly shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans. Her long hair swayed in tandem with her hips and Hiei found himself trying to look at anything but her. "Where exactly are we going?" He growled, his eyes trained on the thickening forest around them.

"Well, we need to find a cave. Preferably one that has a small body of water in it."

Hiei growled, his eyes narrowing with irritation. "You mean you don't know where we are going?"

"Well I wouldn't say that…"

"Then what would you say?"

Abhaya stopped dead in her tracks at the sound of Hiei's voice. She knew his patience was growing thin, though she wasn't sure why. 'I'd better not press him much further…' She turned to meet his eyes as she spoke, taking note of the fact that they were blazing with anger.

"I know the area it is supposed to be in. I can somewhat feel it but I'm still gonna have to figure out its exact location."

Hiei's eyes narrowed sharply, his hands balling into fists as he stalked near the small mage. A shiver slowly raked down Abhaya's spine, his heat covering her like a suffocating cloud. She stood her ground as he towered over her. 'When was Hiei this tall?' She thought, clenching her teeth together. 'I'd better not be getting shorter.'

Hiei sized her up, his eyes narrowing at they locked with hers again. "Stop wasting my time," He growled, bending over slightly so that his nose was almost touching hers.

He watched as her eyes narrowed at him. Lilac violated crisp blue as she glowered at him. Hiei studied her facial features; drinking in the way her nose crinkled and her eyes narrowed when she bared her teeth at him. If he didn't know better, he would have mistaken her for a demoness with her expression. "I'm not. I'm going on instinct, Hiei."

Hiei scoffed, closing his eyes for a moment. "Stupid woman."

Abhaya gasped for breath as he pulled her against him, flinging her over his shoulder. He hopped up the tallest tree near him. His arm secured her waist against his shoulder as he hopped from branch to branch. When he was high enough he shoved her off of him and against the trunk. He watched her with his arms folded over his chest as she heaved in air. She slowly sat down on the thick branch setting the back of her head against the trunk.

Hiei smirked at her helplessness and also that she had in fact warmed at little from his touch. When she turned to look at him, her chest still heaved but her eyes were venomous. "Don't ever fecking do that to me again or so help me I'll~"

"You'll what? You're at a disadvantage right now, I could easily slit your throat."

Hiei watched with amusement as Abhaya ground her teeth together and opened her mouth. He was pining her against the trunk before she could even make a retort.

Eyes and mouth wide open, she stared into his current hued orbs. Abhaya could feel his hot breath on her lips. It made her body tingle and weak as she sat there in his grasp. His hands were pressed into the bark on both sides of her head. "What will you do?" He murmured, his body heat making her shiver once more.

Abhaya gapped, her mouth trying to form words but unable. She finally closed her mouth, pressing her eyes closed as she thought. "Answer me," He murmured into her ear.

"I'll let the trees have you."

Hiei chuckled, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips. Her voice was murderous and it enticed him to have it pointed at him. He stood, smirking down at the mage who glared at him as though he were her foe. "Quit going in blind and you won't have to," He sneered, taking off the bandana from around his forehead.

Hiei watched with satisfaction as her eyes widened once more. He let his jagan open, watching her a moment more and then starting to scan the forest. "What are you doing?" Abhaya said, slowly standing and bracing herself against the tree.

"Making this trip go faster."

Abhaya rolled her eyes, folding her arms over her chest. "Show off."

"Isn't that a mage's role?"

Abhaya smirked, shaking her head. "Touché."

Silence over took the two as Hiei scanned the mountainside. He could feel Abhaya's eyes on his back, making his skin heat up slightly. He swallowed the lump in his throat, his jagan narrowing on a water hole. The jagan pushed further and saw that behind the small water fall was indeed a cave. 'So her instincts were correct. We were going in the right direction,' Hiei thought, frowning sourly. As he turned back to her, she was looking off in the distance.

The moon was slowly becoming translucent and morphing into the early morning sky. Abhaya's eyes were turning to the disappearing moon, the morning breeze ruffling her long dark hair. She folded her arms over her chest, taking in the smells around her. "Why braids?"

Abhaya flinched at the sound of Hiei's voice beside her. He grunted as she met his eyes, irritation cruelly curling his lips. "What do you mean?" She said, puzzlement covering her face.

Hiei huffed and reached out to pull one of the long braids hidden underneath her long tresses. "Your father did this to his hair too. Why?"

"Oh… it's an old tradition among mages. We braid sections of our hair for protection purposes. It's traditional to do it before going off to battle as well."

Hiei rose an eyebrow, letting the thin braid fall from his hand. "Hn."

Hiei insisted on running the rest of the way and Abhaya obliged; not wanting to make the temperamental fire demon angry. They ran side by side, their movements quiet as the forest swirled around them. When they came upon the small spring, Abhaya found that she was in awe.

Tall rocks stretched above the spring below, flourishing plants growing on the rocks secluding the spring. Lotus flowers rose from the deep waters, a waterfall cascading from higher grounds into the spring. "Where is the cave?" Abhaya said, peering over the rocks to look at the twenty foot drop down into the water.

"Behind the waterfall."

Abhaya thought for a moment and then shrugged. "Well, ya ready to take a plunge?"

"Plunge?"

Abhaya could hear the sharpness in his voice, but she decided to press further. "Yep. It doesn't look like there is a way to not get wet. So, I'm gonna take a swim regardless."

Hiei growled, his lips curling in disgust. "You're going to swim in jeans?"

Abhaya burst out into laughter, doubling over. "Of course not!" She rasped, whipping the tears from her eyes.

Hiei paled a little, imagining her cliff diving naked. He mentally slapped himself and glowered at the mage. "So you're going to be naked."

Abhaya shook her head, smiling to herself. "I know, I know. Humans are disgusting and you never wanna see any of us naked but you won't have to. I'm changing form."

Hiei glowered more, his eyes becoming slits. "How pointless."

"Whatever, I'm stripping behind that rock though."

Hiei watched as she bounced behind the boulder closest to them. He could hear the soft thuds of her clothing being dropped onto the mossy forest floor. Yet when he saw orange and brown swish behind the boulder, he knew it was safe. Hiei glared down at the tiger who lazily sat on her clothes. The white tuft of fur bunched over her breast vibrated as she saw him.

The tiger gave a small chirp and rubbed her head against his leg. Hiei merely growled at her, wanting to throw the tiger into the water. "Stop that," He snarled, feeling Abhaya stiffen against him.

She gave a small chirp of displeasure and flicked her tail at him. 'Sorry,' she thought. Hiei gave a small huff, noting that her ears were twitching at the slightest of sounds. "What now?"

'Well I need to get into the water to get to the cave.'

"I'm aware of that."

'I take it you don't wanna swim? You don't seem too keen about this at all.'

"Hn. I don't like cold water. This water is cold."

Abhaya gave a small warble and rolled her violet eyes. 'Get on my back then.'

Hiei growled, glaring down at the tiger sitting next to him panting. "Why?"

'Because I'm a magical flying tiger and I'm going to fly across the damn spring with you on my back. What do you think?' She rolled her eyes once more. 'Just get on my bloomin' back.'

Hiei was regretting agreeing to this hunt already.

"I'm sure they'll be back in a bit, Elias-san," Keiko said sitting on the engawa with him and Baidheil.

The pup nodded his head against the hard wood and glared at the tree line. "They were up so early this morning… I wonder where they went."

"Quit moping kid. Didn't she raise you better than to look like a waiting puppy for their master?" Genkai barked.

Elias looked at her, watching as the old woman fought back a smirk. "Gee you're so funny Master Genkai."

Genkai ruffled the fur in between his ears and took a sip of her morning tea. "How often is Abhaya gone, Elias?"

"Often. She is very busy and many people want things from her. Demons want her help, Fae want her help, humans want her help. I wish she would just retire and make time for herself."

"Abhaya-san does seem very giving in nature," Keiko added, staring out into the rising sun.

"She gives too much and she avoids her problems. That girl needs some training on her emotions," Genkai grumbled.

"Amen. Just wait till she finds a bloody mate. She's gonna make up millions of excuses on why she shouldn't be with them and it's going to drive the person away."

All three of them nodded in approval. "She needs to find someone as stubborn as she is," Genkai added.

"They'll have to be super strong too, otherwise she wouldn't look twice at them."

"Is she really that picky with men?" Keiko said looking at Genkai and Elias.

"Abhaya is picky with everyone. She doesn't like most people, but when she does; she will do anything for those people."

"Oh, I wasn't aware of that."

"Abhaya is very complex. Just like her father."

"What was Grandpa Beiste like?"

Genkai took a deep sip of her matcha tea, recalling the fierce warrior mage she once knew. "Beiste was a fool. He did what he wanted, when he wanted and no one could make him think or do otherwise. But he saw the best in everyone and everything. He was kind, loving and a genius. He was a strong warrior; certainly a force to be reckoned with. I wish you could have met him; He could have loved you Elias."

"You think so? Sometimes I think I want to be more like him when I'm older."

"He would be a good role model for you, kid. Both of your grandparents were good people. Your grandmother was one of the strangest people I've ever met though. Maybe it was because of her gift but from what I understand, she never really fitted in either. She was either taken advantage of or avoided altogether. Before she met Beiste, she was very lonely."

"Kinda like Abhaya…"

"Your mother is very much like Chameli. Both very stubborn and afraid to lose the ones they love."

"I hate mages."

Abhaya's snort- growl laughter echoed throughout the cave. She hid her face underneath sopping wet paws. Hiei was soaked, his clothes clinging to him like saran wrap. 'Oh don't be so~'

Hiei growled, shushing the tiger from mocking him further. "You will regret that you did that, woman."

'You were the one who decided to be fully clothed when we got into the water. You could have taken off your shoes and shirt and you would have been fine. I don't know why you're pissed at me.'

"You went underwater."

Abhaya continued to laugh into her paws, her tail thumping against the rocky floor. Hiei snarled, grabbing her tail and pulling the tiger to him. A loud yelp came from her as he grabbed her jaw, applying just the right amount of pressure so it would hurt. "Don't do it again or I'll skin you, woman."
'Fine, fine. You're such a piss sport.'

Hiei glowered and grabbed one of her ears, tugging on it so it would hurt. Abhaya snapped her jaws at him, growling. 'That hurt you arse!'

"Good. Now lets get this over with."

Abhaya could see the steam rise from Hiei's wet clothes as they walked deeper into the cave. The early morning light was slowly dimming underneath the cover of the cave and Abhaya found that she was glad that she was covered in fur. 'It's pretty damn cold in here. I can see my breath,' She thought, straining her eyes in the darkness.

When darkness swallowed the last of the morning light, Abhaya blinked trying to see through the thick black. She stopped trying to get her eyes to adjust, only to hear a grunt beside her. Light blinded her, causing Abhaya to produce a low growl and close her eyes. When she slowly opened them, she looked up to see that Hiei had made a small fire ball. She glared at his haughty sneer. 'I could have done that,' she growled, averting her eyes from him.

"Then why didn't you, mage?"

'Takes up too much energy in this form. You'd have to carry me home.'

Hiei's eyes narrowed and he smirked mockingly down at the irritated tiger. "What use are you to me in this form then?"

Abhaya rolled her eyes and continued on walking. 'Yeah yeah, whatever Mr. I'm-twenty-percent-better-than-you-because-I'm-a-demon.'

"I'm more than twenty percent better than you, woman."

Abhaya threw a glare over her shoulder, meeting the amused gaze of the fire demon. 'I'm calling your hogwash. We are equals.'

"And Kurama said you were intelligent."

'And I was beginning to not mind your presence.'

Hiei chuckled, feeling Abhaya's irritation swell inside of her. He let silence take over their bickering and watched her ears twitch with the smallest movements. He carried her pack on his back and though it annoyed him that he was carrying her belongs, it was best for the circumstances. He would rather have a new sword in his hands without delay. 'I smell water,' Abhaya projected, hearing Hiei snort from behind her.

"We are in a cave woman and surrounded by water."

'Perhaps but this water is in front of us, not from the outside. It feels like a big salamander in whatever it is.'

"Hn."

Hiei could feel Abhaya think as they walked, his eyes trained on the small body of water far off through the cave. 'Her instincts are sharper than I thought,' he commented in his head; his eyes flickering over to her once more. Underneath the thick mass of patterned brown and orange fur he could see her lithe muscles pulsing with each step she took. He scanned her coat, noticing that there were places where her fur was sparse. If he looked hard enough, he could see the scars underneath the sparse fur.

"Your scars can be seen in this form of yours," Hiei murmured.

He watched as she stiffened, looking over her shoulder at him. Lilac eyes met his and she gave a soft grunt, licking her lips pensively. 'Lucky me,' she murmured.

"You don't care for them?"

Hiei watched as Abhaya's ears pressed back slick against her skull. She averted her eyes from him her eyes studying the wall to the right of her. 'They aren't worthy of any affection. They're scars.'

Hiei scoffed, knowing that she felt differently about them. He let their normal silence slip between them, feeling the same uneasiness. He found that he hated when she was so silent; it showed her planning or uneasiness. Perhaps he was starting to understand the complex mage beside him.

The morning air was cold as it whipped Anoushka's hair around her face. She sat perched in a tree her eyes trained on the rising sun. Her mind teemed with thoughts of the summer solstice and of what had become of her sister. 'She's strange now… she barely even seems human or even animal. I don't understand how she could be so~' Her thoughts were cut off as dry, bumpy skin touched her hand.

Anoushka flinched as Beau slithered up her arm and wrapped himself loosely around her neck. He then slowly nuzzled her cheek with his nose, silver silted eyes closing as he embraced her. "So this is where you scampered off to…" He hissed, curling his head in the crook of her neck.

Anoushka lazily gazed down at the basilisk, her eyes cold and calculating. "My, my… I haven't seen that look in your eyes in a while. What are you planning, mon cheri?"

With a scoff and a sour pucker of her lips, she glared at the tree line. "Something is wrong with my sister. She's different… calmer than I've seen her since she was four."

"But she's horrible, so is that brat she calls a son."

"Elias is just at a temperamental age, he will change when he is older. I thought she would never change."

"Mage's don't change though."

"I know. That is what puzzles me."

Abhaya trotted her way through the woods, her clothing hanging from in between her clenched teeth. Hiei followed beside her, hands shoved in pockets and her medicine pack slung over his back. His mood was slowly turning bitter as he glared at the beaten path ahead of them. "This trip was pointless," He growled sourly.

'We got what we came for, so it was a success.'

"Hn. Hardly. It took you an hour to coax that damn creature to give you some of its blood. It was a waste of time."

Abhaya rolled her eyes, a growl rippling through her chest. 'You'll thank me when you get your sword.'

Hiei scoffed, peering down at the tiger glaring up at him. Her eyes met his without hesitation, orchid cutting through him like a red hot poker. 'She's tired. It's the form that she is in,' Hiei realized, his eyes locked with hers. He watched as her eyes narrowed and black lips curled to show long white fangs. 'What?'

Abhaya's voice was highly agitated as it rippled through the back of Hiei's mind. He smirked as a gnarled growl vibrated past her taunt jaw. "Hn. Let's just hope your work is as good as you say."

Abhaya have a small snort, closing her eyes. 'You should learn to trust more, Tine Beag. I'm not out to hurt you; I never was.'

Hiei was stunned by her words, yet he followed her still as she began to walk once more. They were close to the temple when she spoke once more to him. 'That spell should be done soon. I should check on it today.'

"The one that is supposed to show the energy signature?" Hiei growled, raising an eyebrow at the tiger.

'Indeed.'

"Hn. This summer solstice, what is it?"

'Litha, is the longest day of the year. We celebrate the balance between fire and water as well as celebrating the light. It also marks the season of handfastening.'

"Handfastening?"

'It's how my people bind two people together as mates.'

"Your kind have pointless customs."

'Hardly. Tradition is what is keeping my people alive, Hiei. If it wasn't in place, our people and practices would have died out thousands of years ago.'

"It certainly isn't helping them now. Your kind is dying out regardless."

'As I have said before; that is inevitable. Everything must end; so must we.'

Abhaya stopped at the tree line and looked up at the man beside her. She met his crimson eyes with ease and shook her head. 'Everything is a cycle. We are born, we live and we die. Then if we are good; reincarnation. Such is as it should be.'

"Save your lecturing for someone who cares."

Abhaya scoffed, smirking to herself as she took a step into the sunlight. Her paws padded lightly against the thick carpet of grass as she trotted over the lawn. A mix of emotions swelled inside her the closer she came to the steps of Genkai's temple; ones that she couldn't place. The soft breeze caressed her thick coat of fur as they padded up onto the engawa. The sun was just above the line of trees; the sky cloudless and cerulean blue. Yet there was something bitter welling in Abhaya's stomach.

Abhaya padded over the tatami mats and shoji doors; her eyes examining each room in search for Elias. She could feel Hiei's presence behind her as well as the heat from his aura. "You're looking for the hound?"

Abhaya flinched when she heard Hiei's voice from behind her. She quickly gave a chirp and projected, 'yes.'

"Hn, take a left at the next room, mage."

Abhaya obeyed him, pushing the shoji open with her nose. The room was quiet as she entered cautiously. Her eyes scanned the room until they sighted an unruly mop of black hair. Elias sat at a kotatsu table with Yusuke and Kuwabara, his back to Abhaya as she padded over the tatami mats. "Hey! You guys are back!" Yusuke said, cigarette fumbling in between his lips.

Abhaya chirped, rubbing against her son's back. She dropped her clothes beside him and sat back on her hind legs. Hiei rolled his eyes and sat her pack next to her, only to take his seat against the wall behind her. "Took you guys long enough. What time did you two go out?" Kuwabara grumbled.

"It must've been before dawn. I mean I didn't even see you go do you exercises, Abhaya," Yusuke added, tapping his ashes into the ash tray.

Hiei grunted, glaring at Yusuke. "Yes. The mage insisted upon going on a hunt early this morning."

"Hunt? I thought you didn't kill without reason?" Kuwabara said, looking down at the small tiger.

Abhaya merely yawned, turning her head to look at Hiei behind her. His arms were folded over his chest; his eyes narrowing as they met hers. 'Tell them, please?' She projected.

Hiei let out a small frustrated growl, but conceded. "She doesn't. She didn't kill the damn thing, but merely took some of its blood. She even asked it if she could."

Abhaya gave a curt nod of approval as well as a sharp snort. "I would assume it's for his sword?" Elias said, scratching Abhaya behind her ear.

Abhaya nodded once more, curling up into a ball next to her son. If she was honest, she would admit that she was tired from expending so much energy but there was still so much work to be done. Abhaya could not afford to lose more time. That was her last thought as she fell asleep with her head on Elias's knee.

A/N: Hi there readers! I know it's been nearly a month and a half but here is the next chapter. I'm hoping on getting the next chapter out sooner… much, much sooner. I've had a crazy month and a half, so that's why this is so late. I probably won't update on the weekends a much anymore because my work schedule changed and it's more convient to do on week days. I know there wasn't much to this chapter but I wanted to show how Abhaya and Hiei are sort of falling for each other and also I'm gearing up for something. Muahahahahahahahaha! I think you guys might be pissed at me the next chapter. Nonethless, how did you feel about this chapter? Let me know in the comments or send me a message. I would really appreciate it. Thank you to all of those who are still reading this and reviewing/favoriting/ following. It means the world to me. Anyways, I'm going to go to bed and I hope you guys have a wonderful day/night. Thank you again. ~ELA