A/N: Ok everyone, this is it! The final chapter of this fic. I almost don't want to post it because I don't want it to be over. But the time has come. This chapter, the final scene, is what I have been working towards this whole story. It was the inspiration for it all and was the first thing I wrote. I am happy with how this story turned out and am so grateful to my loyal reviewers; you guys make me want to write even more. I am not sure when I will begin the sequel to this story. College life is busy, and I know I am going to want to build up a stock pile of chapters before I begin posting, but rest assured, a sequel is coming.
Whether you have or have not reviewed before, please, PLEASE do it this time. I want to know what you thought of the ending, the story as a whole, and what you want to see in the sequel. Was my writing style good, how could I improve, what did you like and not like? I want to know.
Thank you again for sticking it out with me. Without any further ado, I give you… The ending of The Dance of Two Hearts!
"WOO!"
Mai giggled at the excited whoops Yusuke and Kuwabara kept letting out. Well, drunken, excited whoops. They had their arms linked at the elbow, their free hands occupied by plastic cups of sloshing booze. Keiko and Yukina were dancing together a few feet away, laughing at their once again intoxicated boyfriends. Kurama and Reika were seated on the loveseat, Reika leaning into the redheaded fox demon's arms as they watched their friends. Emerald eyes flicked to the window where Hiei was perched, one foot drawn up on the sill and the other planted on the floor for balance. His arm was draped over his knee, his eyes focused outside. Mai frowned at him, wishing he was dancing with her even though it was just an impromptu living room party in the boys' rented apartment. However, she knew even if she asked it would not happen.
Yukina's laughter broke into her thoughts, causing her to turn toward the pretty Ice Maiden.
"Mai, it is so ironic that you love to dance."
The hanyou smiled, shrugging. "It is funny how that worked out."
"It's really cute," Keiko agreed.
Hiei looked over at the three women, now still from their dancing. He raised an eyebrow at them, wondering what in the world they were talking about. As another song began, Keiko and Yukina began to sway together once more, watchful eyes turned back to their significant others. Mai disappeared into the kitchen and Hiei flitted after her.
The fire apparition found her leaning on the counter, eyes cast downward but clearly out of focus. He frowned at his mate, unused to seeing her in such a mood since Kazai's death. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her back into him. Rocking her gently against his chest, he pressed his lips to the top of her head.
"What's wrong, koi?"
"I was just reminded of something is all."
"Did it have anything to do with whatever Keiko and Yukina said about your name?"
The blonde nodded, her honey waves tumbling over her shoulders. She spun around in her arms, lifting her head up to look at him.
"Do you know what my name means?"
He shook his head.
"It means dance," she explained. He nodded in understanding, now following why his sister and Keiko had thought it so ironic. She continued, "Well it really isn't just a funny coincidence that I began dancing. I dance because of my name."
"I don't follow," Hiei admitted.
"When I was young and my mother was pulling away from my father and I, all I wanted was for her to stay with us. She named me Mai, so I figured it would make her happy if I learned how to dance. Why would she name me something like that if she didn't like it? So I worked my butt off, pushing through the sore limbs, blisters and bloody toes that come along with learning all different types of dance. When I showed her, she just shook her head and lamented about how humanized I had become. How little respect I had for my lineage and my birthright. And then she left to the Makai for several weeks," the blonde sighed. "I never danced in front of her again."
"Why did you continue if it did not accomplish your goal?"
She hummed thoughtfully for a moment and answered, "I think at first it was because I just didn't want to give up. But then I really did come to love it. It was just another thing my mom hated about me, and if I let what she thought of me control my actions… well I might as well have just died because there would have been nothing for me to do."
"Then maybe that is one good thing you got from your mom," Hiei pointed out, wrapping his arms tighter around her mate.
"Maybe," she sighed.
To her surprise, Hiei began to sway with her still in his arms, following the beat of the slow song floating in from the other room. They slowly revolved around the kitchen, and Mai had soon forgotten about her earlier sadness.
"Are you sure she'll be there tonight?"
"Yes, this is the night she goes out."
"And you can guarantee she will be alone? I do not have expendable men at this point."
"Yes; he has to report to Koenma about his continued estrangement from Mukuro and the implications of their lack of communication."
"Excellent. I have just the man for the job."
"Hiei."
The fire apparition could hear the slight pout in his mate's voice. He turned his eyes from the window and looked at her, noting her appearance. She wore medium wash skinny jeans and an emerald top that revealed a decent amount of cleavage as well as her pierced navel. The diamonds caught the light and he had to suppress his desire to pounce on her.
"You look really good," he assured, figuring that she wanted his approval. Vaguely, he thought about how she should know by now that he would find her attractive even if she wore a potato sack.
"Thanks," she replied distractedly. The hanyou sat next to him on the window seat, her hands clenched in her lap. "Is it a bad thing that you no longer work with Mukuro?"
He raised an eyebrow, her question surprising him just as much as they usually did when it came to his half android former comrade. "That depends on who you ask."
"Well what about Koenma? Or Yusuke and Kurama?"
"Koenma is displeased," Hiei admitted. "I was an insider in that region just as Yusuke and Kurama are in theirs. It's always a positive to have ears on the inside to report back as well as someone who has influence in a place where one is otherwise powerless. Well, powerless in that the politics between the worlds doesn't give Koenma much say without disrupting the balance," the fire demon rolled his crimson eyes. "The Detective and the fox agree that it would be beneficial for me to still have power in the third region, but they also see why I chose to leave."
"It sounds like it wasn't worth giving up, though," Mai replied, eyes cast out the window, taking in the swaying treeline. "If everyone can see how much of an asset that alliance was-"
"It was worth it," Hiei cut her off. "I cannot align myself with someone who has so many foolish delusions about me, let alone someone who insults my mate."
She shook her head in disagreement. "Aren't those things small prices to pay for the benefits of keeping the Makai in balance and at peace?"
"No," he answered shortly. "Nothing is worth having someone insult my mate."
He tossed an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to lean against him. She cuddled into his chest, her index finger lightly tracing patterns on the fabric of his cloak. "I can guarantee you I have heard anything she may have said about me before."
"Well, I am not aligned with those people either, am I?"
She rolled her eyes at him. "I am being serious, Hiei. You should make amends with Mukuro."
Again, her words sent his brow creeping toward his hairline. "I was under the impression you did not like Mukuro or her presence in my life?"
"I don't," she conceded. "However, it is because I am a jealous person. I don't like sharing. And, in case you hadn't noticed, I can be wildly insecure."
"I hadn't noticed, actually," he smirked down at her.
More serious, the blonde said, "As much as I am not fond of the arrangement, I can see why it is advantageous. I do not want to be what is preventing you from performing your duties and from aiding in keeping the balance between the worlds.
"Fine," Hiei sighed. "I will tell Koenma tonight that I am ready to go try and reassume my position as Mukuro's second in command. Although, you do know what that means?"
"Your position?"
"Hn," he nodded. "Beyond being on call for emergencies in that portion of the Makai, if anything should happen to Mukuro, you know I would have to drop everything and assume the role of leader, right?"
The hanyou paused, chewing her lip; clearly, the thought had never really crossed her mind. Finally, her emerald eyes met his. "Although you have never said it, and I know you would not wish for Mukuro's death, I think that a position of power in the Makai would be something you would enjoy. It would suit you."
Laughing humorlessly, Hiei just shook his head at her.
"Don't deny it," she warned. "You crave power. Physical, mental, pain endurance, anything! And I don't mean that in a bad way, Hiei. You are always fighting to improve and I think it would be just another set of challenges for you to overcome. Besides, you really are well-suited for it. You are confident and strategic, fast-thinking and level-headed as well as being passionate. I see no problem if you were to have to rise to command of the territory."
"And what of your father?" he countered. "Would you be able to live in a whole other realm from him?"
"It would be hard," she agreed. "But I am also quite confident that Koenma owes me a lot for the sacrifices I made to take down Kazai. Besides," Her eyes suddenly narrowed flirtatiously and she pressed herself into him harder. "I don't think my mate would mind pulling a few strings of his own to make visits feasible."
"Why are you always right?" he asked with a soft chuckle.
"I just am," she smiled.
"So… that's it then. I am going to rejoin forces with Mukuro."
Mai nodded, setting her head on his shoulder. Hiei placed a kiss on the top of her head before whispering, "And don't worry about her. She is no more than a friend to me, and nobody can harm my koi."
"Oh, Hiei, what delightful news!" Koenma clapped his hands together gleefully, his pacifier doing an excited jump to the other side of the Rekai prince's mouth.
"Hn, don't think this decision was my own or that it comes without conditions," he shot the joyful toddler down.
Settling back in his chair and folding his hands together on his desk, Koenma asked, "Please elaborate."
"Until an hour ago, I was still dead set on refusing to reinstate my agreement with Mukuro. Mai convinced me to do otherwise."
"I always knew she knew what was best! I should have asked her to talk you into it from the very begin-"
"Which leads me to my conditions," the fire apparition pressed on, ignoring Koenma's babbling. "If Mukuro ever threatens her or acts in a way to harm her in any capacity, I am done and there is no going back."
"I accept that condition," Koenma nodded.
"Mai is not to be used as a back-up in one of your little schemes again."
The prince frowned, saying, "She is a capable fighter with unique specialties; I cannot guarantee I will never need to call on her again."
"I meant to be used as a safety – a way to cover your ass. She was in that competition in case we failed. At least it was better than a demon getting to a full blooded human, right?" he glared icily down at the toddler before him.
"I see," Koenma cleared his throat awkwardly. "Term accepted."
"Lastly, if in the event anything were to necessitate my taking over Mukuro's territory, Mai will be able to ask for a portal back to the ningenkai to visit her father whenever she likes."
"Done," the toddler nodded, silently in awe that none of the formerly selfish, power-loving fire demon's conditions had been for his own self-gain. It is amazing how years before he had to be bribed with the Chapter Black tape and now he was doing the three realms a great service with terms to benefit only his mate.
"Having a mate has done you much good, Hiei."
Though the Reikai prince received another blood-chilling glare, Hiei grumbled, "I know."
Hiei entered Mai's apartment and was surprised when his eyes were met with darkness. He felt her presence in the living room and flitted that way. Crimson eyes fell upon her small frame on the couch. She wore a baggy black sweatshirt and sweat pants. Her honey colored locks fell in messy waves around her face, shielding it from view. Knees drawn up to her chest, tightly hugged by her arms, she looked even smaller than normal.
"Onna?"
He earned no reply and moved closer. "Onna, what's wrong?"
Something was not right. She never blatantly ignored him, and no trace of her normally happy demeanor could be found.
"Mai, are-" He stopped as he moved to stand next to the couch. The scent he detected on her made his anger flare wildly and shut down all thinking processes.
Wordlessly, the fire apparition flew to the window and jumped out of it. He drew his sword as he fell and made hasty work of the first low class demon he found. His skin was aflame with rage and he had to find another apparition to vent on. The anger coursing through his veins slightly soothed, he began his way back to Mai's apartment.
The scent was male.
That meant one of two things, as far as Hiei could think of. Either she had been unfaithful to him or someone had hurt his onna. Turning it over in his head, he decided that it was probably the latter. His anger grew once more, but in lieu of hunting down another unsuspecting apparition, he jumped back up through Mai's window.
Flitting to the couch, Hiei pulled Mai into his arms. He could smell the saltiness of her tears and saw them slowly trail down her cheeks. Her eyes, usually such a bright, mossy green, were dull and vacant. They were glazed over as if she was in her own world.
"Koi, someone hurt you," he said it as a statement, though he hoped he was wrong.
She nodded in confirmation, but said nothing, her gaze still fixed on something far away.
Hiei growled, his anger soaring to new heights. Between clenched teeth he managed, "Who?"
This time, Mai shook her head and buried her face in his chest. She took in a shaky breath before sobs erupted from her lips. Hiei tried to control himself, knowing the small girl in his arms needed him, but he'd be damned if whoever hurt her got away with it.
"Mai-"
"Please don't make me say it!" she begged. She clutched at his shirt desperately, as if trying to anchor herself and prevent her from falling into her anguish.
The fire demon contented himself with probing her mind for what had happened. He found the event easily and had to implement all of his self-control to manage his fury. In her memories, he watched as she stepped outside of the club, fanning her heated face. She leaned against the door, both to hold it open and to rest against something as she caught her breath. Her chest rose and fell with deep breaths beneath her silk emerald halter top. He took a moment to admire how the shimmery fabric worked with her belly button ring which was visible beneath the midriff baring shirt. As she stood, Hiei watched as a demon crept into the entrance of the alley the door opened up to, trapping his mate. Her head snapped in his direction, clearly having sensed his presence right away. She readied herself to fight and the demon lunged forward. Mai held her own, almost toying with the demon. A pocket of air swept the demon off his feet and she let out one of her tinkling laughs. Behind her, however, Hiei saw another demon enter the alleyway. Mai sensed him and turned, just in time for a senbon to pierce her neck. Her muscles tensed and became rigid, paralyzed. The demons laughed in triumph. Mai's eyes were defiant and Hiei felt a swell of pride for his onna.
"You'll be lookout," the demon with the senbon said, and the first demon scurried to the opening of the alley. Turning to Mai, he drawled, "Well hello there, poppet."
Mai glared daggers at the demon, earning a laugh from him.
"Come now, let me see some fear," he hissed, pushing her shoulder. She fell to the ground, still unable to move. "And to the think, the wielder of the Dragon of the Darkness Flame has chosen you as his mate. Tch, such a weakling."
He dragged his fingers down Mai's face. Wrenching his eyes from the sight, Hiei took the time to study the demon he would soon be hunting down. The demon had green-tinged skin, though it was not quite green in color. Long, stringy orange hair hung around his face, somehow making the vibrant yellow of his eyes more dramatic. He certainly did not know the man, and it perplexed him what his motive was.
"So, poppet, bet you wonder why you're in this predicament," the demon continued, his finger traveling downward. He slowly removed her blouse and Hiei instinctually flew forward, drawing his sword and slashing at the abomination who had the gall to look at what was his. His sword phased through the demon, and Hiei had to remind himself that he was merely in a memory. That fact did not make it any easier to watch as the unknown demon familiarized his hands and mouth with his mate's body. The foe trailed his fingers over the piercing in her navel experimentally, and if she had been able to move, Hiei was sure she would have shuddered in disgust. After a few tugs of the piercing accompanied by a sadistic grin when her naval began to turn red and bleed slightly, the enemy turned his eyes elsewhere. A growl, low and menacing, parted his lips as the demon pushed her jeans down to her knees, leaving her completely vulnerable to him.
At that point, the demon leaned back on his heels, rummaging through his coat pocket. Again, he spoke up, "I won't be telling you, but I will leave you with a message."
He pulled a piece of metal from his pocket and his hand glowed with his spirit energy. Hiei stepped forward again, hoping the demon was not about to do what he suspected. His hope was in vain as the demon pressed the now scorching hot metal to the spot just below her breasts. Unable to open her mouth to make a sound, Mai could only squeeze her eyes shut in pain as her skin sizzled and burned beneath the brand.
"That's nothing, poppet," the demon growled, his voice deepening and becoming more feral. And with that, he pulled his own pants down and plunged himself into her.
Hiei watched, frozen and helpless. His crimson orbs found her green ones and saw that she was focused on the brick wall, unable to watch what was happening. Her eyes were brimmed with unshed tears, and her lower lip trembled but no sound escaped her still.
It seemed like an eternity, watching her suffer as the demon drove himself toward pleasure. His long nails dug deeply into Mai's hips, drawing blood that flowed in small rivers to the dirty ground. He pounded into her roughly, her immobilized body completely at the mercy of his movements. At particularly hard thrusts, Hiei saw her eyes squeeze shut in pain. Hiei was simultaneously unable to look away and to continue watching.
Finally, he finished and stood up, buckling his pants once more. "You'll be able to move again in about a minute poppet. Then you can run crying back to your little fire demon."
He laughed again and Hiei brought himself from Mai's memory. Looking down at her, he held her as tightly as he could without causing pain. As they had so many times before, words failed him.
"You're too hot," Mai muttered through her tears. She sagged against him, exhausted.
Hiei took a deep breath and pulled the reins in on his anger once more, letting his body temperature drop. "Let me see where he branded you."
Mai pulled herself from his grasp and leaned against the opposite arm of the couch. She grasped the edge of her sweatshirt with a trembling hand. The fire demon leaned forward and covered her hand with his, guiding her as she eased the fabric upwards. Crimson deepened to mahogany as his eyes fell upon the scarlet mark on Mai's otherwise flawless skin. It was angry and painful looking, he noted firstly. He examined the design and felt his stomach drop.
"I am so sorry, koi."