Chapter 2: Decisions, Decisions...
Raven had awoken in a dark room that smelled strongly of burning pine trees, not that she found the smell to be unpleasant. It strongly reminded her of a campfire, something that always left her feeling relaxed. Not knowing where she was or remembering what happened, she attempted to sit up. A hand shot out and pressed down on her uninjured shoulder, keeping her from moving. She didn't sense Hawk nearby and her senses were starting to alert her to her surroundings.
"What happened? Where am I? Where's Hawk?" She asked, ignoring her dry throat. Her eyes adjusted to the low light, and she glanced over at a pair of crimson eyes glaring at her. Oddly, as intimidating as the glare was, she didn't feel afraid. Instead, she felt safe, like she could relax and not be on guard for a change. Odd when she didn't know this person sitting next to her.
"Stupid girl!" He growled at her and took away some of that relaxed feeling. He seemed to be upset with her. "What were you thinking running around with an injury like that? Human guns can kill all but the highest-ranking demons. Even if they don't, the wounds they leave need to be treated immediately! Running around town was stupid!"
The lecture this guy was giving her allowed Raven to pull her gaze back into focus. She saw the fire demon sitting next to the bed she was in. She knew who he was by reputation alone. Hiei… She thought to herself, feeling like she should be on her guard with him. Even still she didn't feel threatened and until she did, she decided not to see him as a danger to her. For the time being anyways.
"What makes you think that a measly bullet could kill me?" She argued, feeling the need to defend herself. She may not be in his class range, but she wasn't weak either. "What makes you think this is the first time I've been shot, for that matter? I'm still here, I know how to take care of myself as well as my sister. I've done it our whole lives."
Something flashed across Hiei's face before it was once again covered by some nameless emotion. "Hn…you have your mother's fiery temper and your father's stubbornness…you are just like them."
He knew he had confused her by the look she gave him. Her slacked jaw amused him for some reason. He stood up and put some space between them by going and leaning against a nearby wall. "But…how could you have possibly known my mother? Unless…" She flung herself out of the bed and moved to grab her sword that was leaning against the wall, her collection of knives nowhere to be seen. She had it drawn before Hiei could react, he hadn't expected her to go for an attack. Raven stood in an attack position against Hiei.
She had almost given up searching for her mother's killer and now suspected him of doing it or at least knowing who did. Few people knew that her mother had a mate, fewer still even knew that she had a daughter. One of those few being the demon who murdered her. That was enough for her to suspect him of being involved.
Frowning, Hiei glanced into her thoughts using his Jagan. He found it irritating that she thought so little of him before even finding out the truth, but he understood as the thought raced through her mind. "Calm down girl. I didn't kill your mother and I have no intention of harming you or yours. Put that sword away and rest. Your sister will be here soon."
He had hoped to calm her fears. Otherwise, how else was he supposed to carry out his promise? If she feared him, it would be nearly impossible to do so. Fortunately, Raven lowered her sword just as there was a knock at the door. She slid it back into its sheath, having sensed her sister outside the door. Her eyes never left Hiei.
When she didn't respond to the knocking, Hiei rolled his eyes and called out. "Come in!"
Her gaze turned towards the door as the handle turned. Hiei took this chance to flit across the room, grab the sword from the girl's hand, lift her up, drop her unceremoniously on the bed, and return to his position against the wall before the door could fully open. Raven sent him a killer glare and moved to get back out of the bed. Her attempts were again thwarted, this time by Hawk rushing to her side and hugging her. Raven noticed that the red head, Kurama, had followed her in. He was quietly speaking to Hiei while the girls reunited.
"Raven!" Hawk said as she tried to not squeeze the life out of her elder sister. Raven ignored the ache in her shoulder and gave the younger girl a hug right back. Hawk pulled back and indicated Kurama. "I don't know if you remember, but this is Kurama. It's so big here that I kept getting turned around. Kurama has been kind enough to escort me everywhere. He's so nice, don't you think?"
Raven rolled her eyes and listened as Hawk updated her on what had been going on since she had been knocked out. She watched as Kurama and Hiei left the two sisters alone to catch up.
*Hiei's P.o.V*
"How long has she been awake?" The fox asked me as I walked next to him. We had taken our conversation outside so the girls could talk. That and there were things they didn't need to overhear. I was still using my Jagan to keep tabs on the girls, making sure that nothing happened, and they weren't leaving the room. Kurama and I had been assigned to keep an eye on the girls for the time being. The detective had his obligations split between his kingdom and his human life. The idiot was swamped with his studies and had exams coming up, he was also the best defense for the girls while the rest of us were away.
It had been three years since the last Demon World Tournament. The title had changed hands and the flaws in Enki's laws had been sorted out. The laws were roughly the same with some changes. The barrier between Makai and Ningenkai was still down to avoid any major revolts, but now there was a process to traversing through the worlds. Basically, demons that were C class or higher were required to register when they crossed the border to Ningenkai and announce when they have returned. Its why random portals would appear and disappear in different areas but could only be crossed by low level demons. Higher level portals were placed into the keeping of demon lords. Spirit world had done something to the Kekkai barrier so that the portals were now the only way through it. It definitely lightened my border patrol duties in the long run.
Yusuke, Yomi and Mukuro all had their territories returned to them and reinstated as Kings. The winner of the tournament was considered the High King and changed laws as he saw fit to rule the kingdom. A committee was also formed, including the three kings, that came up with a handful of laws to control what could and couldn't happen once a new king was crowned. One of those laws that were kept was the three-year mark on tournaments as ruling all of Makai was extremely stressful and time consuming for a single demon…go figure…Another was the one against harming humans, defense was deemed acceptable as long as humans were not killed or excessively wounded during the encounter.
The sentences for demons that broke these laws usually weren't very lenient and I tired of being the one to always dish out the punishments in Mukuro's stead. This had caused a rift between the two of us and I was currently no longer doing border patrols for her, though I was still her official second and heir to the kingdom. She refused to trust it to anyone else. Of course, this all went down during the time the committee was formed, just a few months before the most recent Demon World Tournament.
"The girl had just woken up a few minutes before you arrived." I told him finally, coming out of my musing about the last few years in Makai. "I haven't yet told her anything. She made rash judgements and I was just getting her calmed down when you arrived. I rubbed my forehead and muttered, "I still can't believe she's Shade's daughter."
The fox knew my story of Shade and his family. It had been one of those nights that he and I had been drinking. I had just gotten back from another search for the girl and had failed to find her. Now that all my other obligations were complete, she was the one I needed to focus on now. I didn't learn until I had started working under Mukuro that Shade had been killed. That was right after the first Demon Tournament. I interrogated the demon who had brought it up, but it left me very little to go off of. Since then, I had put all my extra energy into finding her. I had nearly given up on finding her, thinking that it was too late in coming, when I had sensed the familiar energy while watching over Yukina.
During our quick battle, I wondered if the girl even needed me to keep that promise. Thinking about how she ran herself to near collapse over that injury I decided that she still had room for improvement and would start there. I'd train her to be as strong as I was so she would be able to protect herself. Assuming that stupid girl doesn't pull any more ridiculous stunts that is.
"So, what do you plan to do now Hiei?" Kurama asked, his voice carefully neutral. I hated when he did that. Without being able to read his mind, it was nearly impossible for me to determine what exactly was going through that cunning mind of his. Most of the time it amused me, when he was using it against anyone else that is. "She seems like she's grown into a strong and self-reliant demon at this point. She seems to be able to handle herself well, even injured as she was."
I scoffed at the fox. He wouldn't approve of my plan to keep the girl under my protection and to never let her out of my sight. I had a debt to repay and the only way to do so was to keep the promise I made twenty years ago. "My promise to Shade will be fulfilled, to my satisfaction alone. I will train the girl until I am satisfied that she is at her full potential and that nothing can harm her."
"And what of her sister, Hawk?" Kurama continued. "Raven will not abide by her sister being away from her for long. She's too protective of the girl. Reminds me a little of you and Yukina."
I glared at him. I still refused to come out and tell Yukina the truth. Even though she's dropped hints lately that makes me wonder if she knew, I couldn't be sure and didn't want to admit that she was forced to share blood with someone as terrible as I was. I wanted her purity to stay intact.
"What of her?" I demanded and scanned the girls again. All was fine there so I could return my attention to what the fox was asking of me.
"Does she not matter to you?" He asked and that glint in his eyes meant trouble for me. "I would completely understand if you choose not to add her to the bargain you made. I just want it cleared up as to what should be done with her."
I tried to think about what he was not saying. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I mulled it over. "If I have to choose between the girls, it would be Raven every time. I don't object to adding Hawk to the training, but my focus needs to be on Raven. She was the one I made the bargain for, and I know I wouldn't risk her life if it meant both were in danger. I can't protect both of them full-time and to try and do so would be asking for failure."
Kurama nodded and waited a moment before answering. "That's a very wise decision of you Hiei. I had been contemplating taking Hawk on for training so you could focus on Raven, but I wanted to know where you stood on that without interference. I truly think that, having Hawk in my care, will increase your chances of Raven willingly accepting what you plan on demanding of her."
I nodded my consent to his plan but before we could continue our conversation of the girls' future, we were interrupted by a loud squeal coming from my room, I had not realized how far we had walked away during our discussion. With a glance to each other we raced through building, and I threw the door open only to narrowly avoid being hit by a pillow flying at me. It landed against the wall behind me, next to Kurama's feet. I let out a growl. What are they doing throwing my things around the room?!
*Third Person P.o.V.*
Hiei and Kurama had dodged a flying pillow and looked to see Raven standing on the bed, holding a second pillow in one hand. The pillow was aimed at Hawk's direction. "Now Raven…it's not nice to throw other people's things around…" Hawk tried to reason with her sister and ended her sentence with a high pitch squeal as she barely dodged the second pillow.
"This is your fault so take your punishment like a demon…" Raven growled. The look she gave the younger girl was almost enough to send Hiei walking the other direction. "Be a good little birdy and I promise to go easy on you."
Hawk had been cowering against the wall, calculating on the chances of making it to the door before Raven could get to her. A glance told her that Hiei and Kurama had joined them, and the two of them were standing just inside the doorway. Without a second thought she ran between the two males and ducked behind Kurama. "Save me Kurama! She's gone crazy again!" Hawk pleaded, struggling to contain her laughter.
Kurama was amused at the sisterly squabble. "I think everyone should take a moment to calm down…oomph!" Kurama was cut off by a shoe hitting him right in the chest. His attention had been on Hawk's reaction to see how much caution was really needed.
"ENOUGH!" Hiei yelled causing both girls to stop. He turned a glare on Kurama and his charge. "Leave! Now!" He growled.
Kurama ushered Hawk out of the room, whispering promises to her that Hiei wouldn't hurt her sister and that they could visit her later. I just hope the two of them can refrain from killing each other. Kurama thought to himself as he closed the door on the two demons.
Hiei threw both pillows on the bed and tossed the shoe in the general direction of the other one that was laying on the floor next to the bed. Without looking at Raven he went and pulled some black curtains back to reveal a window seat, which he promptly sat in. "You're going to tell me what that was all about. Then you are going to tell me if it was worth it to risk re-opening that wound." He wasn't looking directly at the girl, but at her reflection in the glass as he made his demands.
"What does it matter to you? Hawk and I bicker all the time over stupid stuff. This one just happened to involve a pillow fight." Raven huffed at him, sitting with her arms crossed and her back to the wall. "Which I was winning I might add."
"Seeing as this is my room that you are staying in, I will have you know that I do not want it destroyed over some petty squabble." Hiei growled at her.
Raven glared at him and stood up, stretching her arms out to test the boundaries of her injured shoulder. "Sorry if it's your room. I will try not to destroy it, but what my sister and I discussed is none of your business." She told him coolly as she stretched her arm across her chest, the flinching around her eyes the only sign that it hurt. Satisfied at her rate of healing, she grabbed her sword and strapped it to her back. She glanced around the room, looking for her knives.
"What are you looking for now?" Hiei demanded, curious as to what required so much of her attention.
"My knives." She answered and opened the end table drawer. "I always carry knives on me and feel naked without them."
Hiei blushed slightly at this and quickly willed the color away from his cheeks. "Well, you won't find them here. The only reason the sword is still in this room is because it has a strong connection to you and won't let many people touch it. So far, your sister is the only one I know of who is allowed to, she's the one who set it there."
Raven touched the hilt of her sword thoughtfully and then turned on Hiei. "I want my knives back, now!"
"You won't get your knives back until I decide to give them back to you myself. I recommend that you rest more while you can." Hiei told her, his voice very carefully holding a matter-of-fact tone. "Moving around too much right now could cause the wound to reopen."
"I can't sleep anymore. If I don't do something I'll go stir-crazy." Raven responded in a calm manner. "If I don't stretch out, the muscle will remain tense and sore. Besides, I've had much worse than this."
"Worse than a bullet being lodged in your shoulder just inches from your heart?" Hiei shot back at her.
Raven did a half-hearted shrug. "Still wouldn't be the first time to be injured so close to my heart and still isn't the worst injury I've had either."
The comment made Hiei frown a bit. It wasn't realistic to think that she had never been injured but he was irritated that he wasn't there to prevent it from happening. So much for keeping his word…
"And here I thought demons of your class were past the caveman routine." Raven shot at him. Biting his tongue, Hiei slipped out of the windowsill and out the door. He gave her a curt command to stay in the room and left, barely refraining from slamming the door.
There is no reasoning with this foolish girl. He grumbled to himself as he walked down the hall.
Raven glared at the closed door and took up the fire demon's previous post at the windowsill, maneuvering her sword so that it was within easy reach. She didn't know where she was or where to go at this point, so she was stuck, at least until she got desperate enough to try and escape with Hawk. So far though, she saw no reason to not stay here and rest for a bit. He is definitely not like the Hiei Jaganshi that I had heard about.
With a sigh, Raven just stared outside and let her mind wander for a bit.
*Hiei's P.o.V*
Kurama looked up as I came down the stairs. I kept my expression as neutral as possible, hoping to avoid any aggravating questions, or in the case of the Detective and the Idiot, comments. Something must have tipped them off though. Either that or they had been waiting to tease me for a while now. Either way, that stupid Detective never ceases to amaze me with how insightful he could be.
"What's wrong shorty? Your girl giving you trouble?" Yusuke called as he battled the Big Oaf next to him. The two of them were playing some sort of video game. Yusuke's expression went from teasing to anxious as he started to hurriedly push buttons on his controller. Seems like he was losing the game for a change. "And here I totally thought she was your type!"
"Come on Urameshi! Any girl would have to be crazy to be interested in the Shrimp." Kuwabara's voice grated on my nerves, the insult adding to the irritation.
Just because I haven't chosen a mate doesn't mean I can't get one for myself. With my bloody and dark past, it wouldn't be right to force someone to accept it for the rest of their lives. Not to mention, most demons knew my reputation and feared me. I didn't want a mate that was afraid of me. I needed one that could be my match and had no reservations about my past or their choice in mates, because it will be a choice. I will not be stuck with someone who resents me and keeps me looking over my shoulder at night.
Before I could retaliate, the Dumbass jumped up and started doing a victory dance while insulting the Detective. I guess he won for a change. "Sit your ass down and give me a rematch!" Yusuke demanded, pulling the taller human down to the floor. "You just got lucky!"
Kuwabara landed face first on the floor and quickly righted himself into a sitting position. "I'll show you lucky! C'mon! I'll beat you again, no sweat!"
Irritated at how the Oaf's words rubbed me the wrong way, I tried brushing it off as I went into the kitchen. Kurama followed me in and watched as I took the ice cream carton out of the freezer. It was my favorite flavor and I proceeded to make a large bowl for myself. I spent several minutes, leaned against the counter and ate the sweet confection, Kurama sitting silently in a chair just waiting for me to speak. Well, he can wait for a bit. I decided and ate.
Finishing the ice cream, I washed the dishes I had used and set them on the drying rack. Yukina had set it up after she realized that Kurama and I washed up after ourselves. Him because he was polite and respectful, me because I didn't mind helping her out when I could. As long as it wasn't obvious to the others that is. I didn't need it slipping that I was the ice maiden's long-lost brother and too many people here already knew the truth. So, my voluntary assistance needed to be kept at a minimum.
"The girl is going to get herself killed before I got the chance to do it myself." I said dryly, back turned to him and leaning on the sink that overlooked the window outside. "After you walked out, she got up and started stretching. Yukina just did her first round of healing less than an hour ago and already this girl has nearly undone that work multiple times."
I knew I was growling and worked to keep my voice low, but that girl was starting to irritate me with her carelessness. "Did you smell any bleeding? Or would you like for me to go check her over?"
I shook my head to both answers. Yukina's powers were good, but it was best done when she could do healing in multiple sessions. I didn't like her draining her energy to heal wounds that didn't need to be fully healed in one sitting. The girl could handle the wait in between while Yukina didn't tire herself out. After the last time Yukina over did herself and passed out while making dinner, the old woman and I insisted that she no longer do major healings at once if she insisted on keeping up with her regular duties. That didn't include emergency situations of course.
"Well, if she insists on being awake, the least she can do is eat something. She'll need to rebuild her strength." Kurama insisted before pulling some leftover miso soup out of the fridge and heated up a bowl. I waited while he did so. Once it was ready, I nodded my thanks to the fox and took the bowl back to the room. It smelled good and would hopefully entice the girl to eat it, especially since I wasn't the one who made it.
*Normal P.o.V*
Raven was all but asleep when Hiei entered the room. Startled awake, she pulled her sword before seeing who had entered the room. Seeing it was Hiei, she hesitated just a moment before resting the still unsheathed sword between her legs with the hilt against her shoulder. It felt like too much effort at the moment to re-sheath it. Despite the stories she had heard of the infamous Hiei Jaganshi, she had a nagging feeling that he wasn't going to hurt her. That if he were going to do something, he'd have done it by now and saved himself the headache of helping her heal. She leaned her head back against the window, allowing her eyes to drift down until they were just barely open.
She didn't notice that he had a bowl with him until he placed it on the end table that was next to the bed. "Kurama insisted that you need to eat. The fox usually knows what he's talking about."
When she didn't reply to him, he growled. Being nice was not easy for him and he was quickly reaching his limit with his girl. "I for one don't care how long it takes you to recover. The fox made that soup earlier today with you and your sister in mind so it should have some healing properties in it as well. Eat or don't eat, I don't care."
With that he stormed back out of the room. Raven waited a moment to be sure he was gone before slowly sliding off the window seat. The smell of the soup was starting to make her stomach grumble and her mouth water. The fire demon was right about one thing, she needed to eat if she was going to heal quickly and make her escape with her sister. Taking the bowl back to the window seat, she left her sword resting in the corner of the window where it would be in easier reach. Finishing the soup, she set the bowl on the floor and fell asleep with her head against the window.
She dozed for less than an hour before waking again. Feeling better, she checked herself over and then found the latch for the window. She opened it and looked down. She was only a couple of stories up, a distance that wouldn't normally bother her too much. Hand on her sword, she slipped over the side, using the ledge to ease her descent. Putting a little extra effort in, she closed the window behind her before dropping to the ground. The landing was harder than she intended and threw her a little off balance. The effort used to quietly slip out also made her injured shoulder ache.
Rubbing the sore area, she was glad that she was mobile. I wonder how they got my shoulder to heal so quickly. Even with Hawk's help, I was expecting it to take several days to heal. I'm surprised that it isn't still bleeding heavily. Shaking off the thoughts, she made her way into the forest nearby. The more she moved, the less she noticed the throbbing in her shoulder that came with every step. She worried that someone would notice her and used a little bit of her stealth abilities to hurry to the edge of the woods.
As soon as she was in the cover of the forest, she broke out into a light run. It felt good to be outside again and feeling the breeze on her face. She didn't have a plan on where to go and just kept running until she reached the edge of a small lake that was fed by a waterfall of water. Dark had just settled on the area as she arrived, and she was enthralled by the beauty of the moon's reflection on the water.
Feeling calm and at peace for the first time in a good while, Raven let her wings out and found a tree near the water that would provide decent cover while she rested. Jumping up to the branch, she used her wings to help her land smoothly on it. Wrapping her wings around her body, for warmth and concealment, she leaned her back against the tree and allowed her eyes to close.
*Back at the temple*
"How did it go?" Kurama asked as he followed Hiei into the kitchen. The fire demon growled and made himself a second bowl of ice cream. Kurama sighed. Ice cream was Hiei's go to food when he was irritated, stressed or tired. As if the cold food had the ability to actually cool the fire demon down for a bit. Though, outside of Hiei having that one serious craving after being in Makai for six months, he had never seen the smaller demon have more than a single bowl in the same day. Two in less than an hour's time did not bode well for anyone.
Hiei angrily ate the ice cream in his bowl and just scowled in Kurama's direction, effectively answering the fox. There was silence as Hiei once again finished eating and cleaned his dishes. He had just dropped them back onto the drying rack when Yusuke, Kuwabara, Botan and Hawk burst into the kitchen cheering.
Hiei took a moment to observe the younger of Shade's daughters. She didn't look too much like her father, but he could see the man's personality had been passed down. They must be half-sisters. She acts just like Shade but looks nothing like him or Raven's mother. I'll have to find out what happened…
"Hey guys!" Yusuke called out and wrapped an arm around Hawk's shoulders. "Hawk just agreed to team up with us when we have missions to go on. Also, she is to assist us with our duties here and in Makai."
Kurama looked quizzically at Hawk. "I said if Raven agrees then we will. Though I doubt she'd object. There wasn't exactly much alternative for getting our offenses cleared." She blushed a bit as the others looked her over. She took on a bit of a dramatic voice, "Though I guess that also means that I will also have to avoid killing you all…such a hardship."
Yusuke, Kuwabara and Botan inched away from her, worried looks on their faces. She tried to hold onto the psychotic personality but ended up bursting into laughter instead. "I'm kidding guys. I'm not much of a fighter…Raven on the other hand…she'd rip you to shreds and not bat an eye."
Kurama hid a chuckle behind his hand and a subtle cough. The girl amused him with her constant teasing and upbeat personality. Nothing seemed to get her down for long and she seemed very eager to help where she could.
"We should go inform Raven of what's going on!" Botan chirped. "Maybe if it comes from you, she'd be less likely to take it badly?"
Hawk laughed and nodded. Kurama went to escort Hawk to Hiei's room and her sister when she stopped moving. Kurama watched as she tilted her head to the side as if she were listening for something. Hawk swiveled her head a little side to side and then turned to the others. "Does anyone know where Raven is? When was the last time anyone saw her?" She asked almost frantically.
Kurama frowned. "Hiei just took her some soup a little under an hour ago…She was in there at that point." He then looked towards the direction of Hiei's room and frowned himself.
"I can't feel her energy and she's not answering my calls." She tapped her head in emphasis of their telepathic communication. "Even if she were just sleeping, I'd still be able to sense her if she were nearby. Where could she have gone?"
Hiei stepped away from the counter and took off his bandana, allowing his Jagan to open and start glowing purple. He closed his eyes as he searched for the girl's signal. It was barely detectable in the direction of the forest. He relayed this information telepathically to Kurama and rushed out the door after the girl's signal.
"What's wrong?" Hawk asked, her voice quivering a bit. "Why did Hiei rush out of here so quickly? Is Raven in danger? Is she hurt?"
Botan wrapped her arms around the girl. "No worries now! Hiei will track her down and bring her back. He's the best at that."
"Then why does everyone look concerned that Raven is in the forest?" Hawk questioned harshly, leaning into the perky fairy girl for comfort.
Kurama rested a hand on her shoulder. "That forest usually is cleared of stronger demons that dwell in it. They don't like being so close to the energy that the others and I put off. That doesn't mean that the weaker, low class demons don't reside there. Usually, they aren't an issue but sometimes they get brave at night and will hunt in the forest in large groups. They can occasionally become cumbersome at that point."
Hawk frowned at the explanation but trusted in the fact that Hiei would find her sister and bring her back. To keep her from worrying, Yukina suggested the girl help with dinner. Accepting the distraction, Yukina and Hawk went into the kitchen to make dinner for everyone. With Hiei and Raven still not back at the time it was served, the girls threatened anyone who touched the two plates that were set aside for the missing demons.
Hurry back soon Raven. Hawk sent a silent request out as she slowly ate her dinner, ignoring the chaos around her.