Chapter Twenty-Eight
September 22, 2020: Part 2
By Tuesday, she knew what was coming as most certainly as she knew the sun would set that evening, come what may. By the end of the day, they'd at least know who the time manipulator was. Of course, neither really understood why they needed to find him, only that two Connections had told them to.
Tuesday began with her earliest class at 10:00 sharp. Of course, she was awake by 7:00 and not wanting to pull herself from the futon. After this, it would all change, wouldn't it?
And really, did she know her students at all? She'd been teaching them for five months now, and she'd only just learned that Ren was a wind demon and Tetsuya was a strongarm. And obviously one of her students had sent the three worlds back by years.
What kind of teacher was she if she didn't even know this? Truly, she had failed them.
"You're very physical today," Hiei muttered, still half-asleep as she wrapped her arms around his torso and snuggled into his chest. He smelled like a campfire, as he always did. He slept only with a pair of shorts on, which meant that his heat usually filled the blanket that they slept with. Unless they were touching, Ashley usually was the only one with a blanket, but it was usually thrown on and off throughout the night. She remained silent, though, not wanting to admit her true feelings.
The keyboard in the corner of the room caught her eye. "You know," she pondered aloud, changing the subject. "I haven't played since before Isla died."
It was strange, saying those two words in the same sentence, but it was true. She'd bought the keyboard before summer vacation, and then spent most of it traveling, seeing Europe, but she'd neglected her passion in the meantime.
"You should play, then," Hiei muttered into her hair, his eyes still shut against the early morning light streaming in through the window. He was never a morning person, and only ever got up because Ashley was awake.
"You don't mind?" she asked, surprised. Normally, he didn't like anything to wake him before he was good and ready, and he most certainly wasn't ready yet. But he shook his head anyway, and she disentangled herself from his arms and sat at the piano across the room. Knox would need to be walked soon, but he could wait a little longer.
Fingers barely brushing the keys, she hesitated. The last time she had played was before Isla's death. Isla, her best friend, near sister, would never hear her play again.
And after Isla came the warehouse, and then she'd used her power in such a terrible way. The others never let her think for a moment that she might have harmed those men, but she knew without a doubt that she had killed them. Two lives lost beneath her power. It was crushing, and yet she didn't feel any remorse. They had done terrible things to her, but still, the knowledge that she could snuff out lives as quickly and easily as breathing was terrifying.
As quickly as Isla's death.
A melancholy tune slowly found its way through the keys of the piano, starting soft and then working in deeper notes. She had played through most of the piece before Hiei said, "I think that's the most depressing thing you've ever played."
The notes came to an abrupt halt.
"I'm a terrible person," she admitted aloud, the words tumbling out before she had a chance to reclaim them. Hiei's gaze narrowed, but she plowed ahead. "First, I didn't even realize that my own brother had gotten caught up in this anti-demon nonsense, then it was Isla, and Isla's now… gone," the word broke, but she continued, "and I can never talk to her again. She left after I said horrible things, Hiei. I'm never going to be able to take them back. And then so soon after, those demons took me, and I know I killed them-"
"Botan said-" Hiei meant to cut her off, but Ashley didn't let him.
"No, I know what Botan said, but Hiei, you don't understand. I felt them. My power killed them, and it was so simple. So easy, but I can't bring myself to feel guilty about them. And my students-" Hiei was on his feet, crossing the room to her, "-I've been teaching them for five months, and I never realized. I never even realized that Ren was a wind demon or Tetsuya was a strongarm. How terrible must I be? In all things?"
Ashley remained sitting on the stool she'd placed in front of the keyboard, and Hiei squatted next to her, taking her hands. His hair was a mess, and if she didn't have tears welling in her own eyes she might make an off-hand comment about his sex hair and they would both laugh, but really, she didn't have the energy for that right now.
"You have been through a lot, especially in these last few weeks," he began. "I can't say what to do different with your brother or what you might have done with Isla, but on those two who took you, they deserved what came to them." Fresh tears fell from her eyes, and Hiei sucked in a breath, backtracking and trying again. "You have the power to destroy lives, Ashley. Yusuke had to learn to handle it, as did Kuwabara, Kurama, and myself. Kurama might tell you that you have to learn how you're going to use your power going forward, and while that's great, you need to remind yourself: it saved your life, whether you knew it or not, you instinctively knew it, and your power responded to protect you. It gave you another chance to fight. Another day to live. And if you're worried about it happening again, remember that you were able to incapacitate me without killing me the other day. You're already learning how to control it.
"And in case you hadn't picked up on this little fact at Genkai's, let me reiterate something for you," he said, each word deliberate, although not berating, "unless you've had extensive training and work put into your psychic ability it's unlikely that you can tell another person's power just by being in the same room as them. Unless they've told you specifically what their power is, it's not on you to figure it out if you haven't had the training."
It made sense, although Ashley was slow to admit it. But he was right, through and through. She likely wouldn't have made it out if it hadn't been for her power.
"You talk as if you have experience in this, Hiei," she muttered, tracing the lines in his hands. Her eyes fluttered up, hidden partially beneath her lashes, but still her gaze caught his, surprise written over his face. "Will you tell me?"
Before, he would have dismissed her question outright, or made an excuse. But now, he watched her carefully, and eventually the words slipped out, "I will. Maybe tonight? But now you need to get ready for work." It was odd in more ways than one. Normally, he wasn't as careful with her, but ever since he'd brought her from the warehouse - no, after that - after he'd returned from the House, he'd been more gentle with her. Everything from consoling her like he'd just done, to touching her more, to speaking to her with a carefulness and gentleness she'd never heard from him. At least never heard from him over an extended period.
In all seriousness, she half expected him to revert back to his usual self every time she took his hand, or ran a hand over his arm, or the night before, as she kissed him as he went into the bathroom for a shower. But he accepted her affection, and returned it. And as odd as it was, it was nice. It was what she'd been craving from him for months, she'd admit, but she was also terrified that he would retract his affection on a moment's notice, and they'd go back to how they were before. Like Cinderella and her carriage at midnight.
"And I'll be with you all day today," he continued. "You have nothing to fear." Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned in to him, but he was the one to close the distance, touching his forehead against hers, eyes closed.
She didn't get a chance to think about it more: Knox whined at their feet, ready for his morning walk.
Ashley made a noise of annoyance in the back of her throat, turning away from Hiei and looking at Knox. "Can't you walk yourself for once?" She grumbled, earning a chuckle from Hiei. It was such a rare sound, she couldn't help herself, turning back to kiss him.
Hiei and Ashley ended up making love there on the floor next to the keyboard, which ended up setting the entire day back. Knox was walked late, so she got in the shower late, which meant she was running for the train station, praying she made it there in time before her train departed - which she did not - which meant she arrived to her own classroom thirty minutes past the start of class, flustered and harried.
Even Hiei had reached her own class before she had, and was able to let her know before she ever stepped inside that none of the students within those four classroom walls was the person they were searching for. It was a saving grace, really, that both she and Hiei thought it wise to travel separately in case her student knew Hiei.
They were all excited that she was well, and after a few minutes of them welcoming her back, she was able to teach her class in peace.
With the first thirty minutes gone under her tardiness, and then the next five minutes spent assuring them that she was okay, she really only had fifty five minutes to teach an hour and a half lesson. By the end of the crazy class, she really wished she hadn't forgotten her tea on the counter back home.
Hiei stepped into the classroom after the last of her students had disappeared, a knowing smile on his lips.
Seeing him, Ashley dissolved into a fit of giggles. "We are not talking about that," she said between laughter. "I'm going over to the student center to get some tea and maybe food? I didn't have time to eat. Do you want anything?"
"I'll come with you," he said, moving away from the door and toward her. Memories flashed through her mind of their passion-filled morning, and it took everything in her not to jump him in that moment and make love to him again.
How unprofessional would it be if Dr. Ikeda walked in on them?
"You should probably stay here," he looked hurt by her words, stopping in his tracks and looking away. "Not that I don't want you to come, but if anyone recognizes you…"
She didn't need to say more. He nodded once. "Got it. Nothing for me, then."
The walk to the student center was a quick one, but it allowed her, for the first time that morning, to turn over what Hiei had said during her confession. That had been so embarrassing, but at the same time, it had seemed to bring them closer together. He even said he'd explain his past to her that night. That was certainly progress.
She was waiting in line with other students when her name caught her attention.
"Ashley?" She turned, at the same time that the speaker corrected themselves. "Erm, Miss Ashley?" Nobuyuki stood a few paces away, shifting his backpack on his back. He wore his usual jacket, a few sizes too big, and a plain blue shirt beneath it with jeans. "What are you doing here?"
His voice was clear of the uncertainty that he usually had in her class. Was she really that intimidating? "Oh, um," she began, mind going back to the task at hand as the line moved up. "I was running late this morning and forgot to bring my tea, or eat breakfast for that matter, so I thought I'd pick something up."
He seemed brighter, more cheerful perhaps, his eyes shining behind his rectangle-framed glasses.
"Ashley," Hiei's voice in her mind nearly made her jump."He's the one."
"Are you alright, Miss Ashley?" Nobuyuki asked, concern immediately written across his face.
"Y-Yes," she stammered. "Hiei, you followed me?" she thought while she spoke,"I just thought I saw someone I knew across the room, is all."
"Of course I did. But he's the time manipulator." Hiei's voice was as clear in her head as if she was standing next to him. The Jagan.
"And you're certain?"
"Of course I am."
"D-Do you want to eat with me, then?" He asked it nervously, gaze downcast. She must look like a crazy person, staring at him so outright. "I'll understand if you don't-"
"Oh, no, I will, thank you! Sorry, I just remembered something I have to do later." She really needed to come up with better excuses. Or, Hiei needed to stop poking around in her mind when she least expected it.
"I'm still here."
"Of course you are," Ashley shot, glancing back at Nobuyuki with a smile. "Let me just get my food and I'll meet you at a table?" But the boy seemed appeased and he left as she turned back to her place in line.
Waiting only took another five or ten minutes, but then she was sitting with Nobuyuki as he unpacked his lunch as well.
"Thank you for asking me to eat with you," Ashley remarked, beginning the conversation to hide her nerves. "The other teachers I know don't have break for another hour. How have you been?"
He shrugged. "Same as always," came his simple reply.
"I've spoken to the other students before, but never with you. I feel like I barely know you, even!" She exclaimed, falling into a friendly chatter. "Do you live around here or do you commute? Are you close with your parents? What do you do for fun?"
Nobuyuki had paused in between bites, looking up at her, chopsticks held loosely in his hand with an almost incredulous expression written across his features. Almost like he couldn't believe what she was asking.
But as soon as she finished, the expression disappeared and he took another bite of food.
"I'm…" the word was soft, but Ashley heard it and waited for more. "I'm not close with my parents. Not anymore…. I do commute. And I…" his brief answers told her that she was dangerously close to overstepping a line that she hadn't realized had been drawn. "I don't really do anything for fun."
The way he said it, he hinted at something else behind his words. The way he said it was like the conversation was over.
Not daring to push her luck, Ashley took a bite of her food and changed the subject. "You know, I've been meaning to ask you something for awhile, now." Nobuyuki glanced up from his meal, curious. She had to make it seem like she wasn't digging, although now that she brought up the subject, along with the knowledge that he was the time manipulator in all this, it made a little more sense. "Do you remember the tests I had everyone take a few weeks back, before my absence?" He nodded and took another bite. "I've noticed this for awhile, and it was obvious on your test recently as well. You're unusually good at English, especially in a beginner class." While she wanted to ask him where he'd learned the language something told her that he would immediately shut the conversation down and she'd get nowhere. "I'd like to see you participate more. Shine, if you will. Embrace what you know. I know the other students would love to have someone they could go to to ask questions-"
His chair clattered to the floor.
"Nobuyuki, what-?" Ashley began, watching him carefully. He'd pushed away from the table, his chair knocked away. He stood there, hands clenched at his sides, seething in a rage she couldn't begin to place.
Instinctively, she called her own power to her hands, just under her skin, ready in case she had to defend herself. It saved your life, and your power responded to protect you, Hiei's words came back to her. He was right. This power she had was empowering, knowing she could protect herself if need be without having to rely on anyone else. Least of all Hiei who was across campus in that moment.
"Are you okay?" she asked quietly, reaching out a hand toward the boy. The boy who was about her age. The boy who was exceptional at English. The boy who had turned back all three worlds. Others were staring at them, mutters and whispers filling the student center.
"You'll never understand!" He cried out instead, eyes welling with tears behind his glasses. In a quick movement, he grabbed his backpack and ran from the table, leaving Ashley with the lingering effects of adrenaline.
"Come outside."
The command was clear enough, and as much as she wanted him to come through the doors to her instead, the risk of someone recognizing Hiei and putting two and two together was too great.
She was shaking like a leaf, which only made packing up her lunch in the little sack they had given her that much more difficult, and walking to the door and down the stairs felt like she was going to topple over at any moment.
"Are you okay?" were the first words out of Hiei's mouth as she rounded the corner between the two buildings where he was hiding.
She nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just shock. I don't think I should expect to see him in class tonight, but he did say he commutes, so if we lose him-"
She trailed off, but Hiei understood where she was going. "I'll follow him. Will you be okay for the rest of the day? Do you want to stay with Yukina or Kuwabara tonight?"
"Wait, tonight?" Ashley asked. "Will you not be back?"
"I'll take Yusuke and we'll capture him. Take him back to Genkai's. It's likely I won't be back until tomorrow morning, depending on how this goes tonight."
So she'd be left alone. Immediately, anxiety bubbled up, but at the same time, she said, "No, I'll be fine. I need to learn how to stand on my own again."
His smile was appraising, and he closed the distance to her, pressing his lips against her forehead. "If I'm not back tonight, I'll tell you about myself by this weekend."
The boy lived an hour away.
Hiei had kept the Jagan trained on him as he crossed town to pick up Yusuke and quickly fill him in on the situation. The Jagan led them back to a small flat just outside of Chiba, and from there, they kept watch as well as they could. The flat was covered with wards, effectively keeping the Jagan out, but they could still watch Nobuyuki through the window. They couldn't see the walls or anything else except the kotatsu, which was placed directly below the window. But while Nobuyuki didn't sit at it the entire time he was inside, he paced, and every so often, Hiei and Yusuke were able to catch a glimpse of his feet.
He paced into the night.
As much as both boys wanted to rush into the flat, they also were at a disadvantage. Yusuke was the one to call off the capture until the boy hopefully fell asleep.
Eight hours passed before Nobuyuki finally turned off the light. They waited another two hours before storming the flat.
Well, storming wasn't exactly the best word for it. The plan was for Hiei to knock the window out and Yusuke to enter the flat first, placing spirit cuffs on the boy so he couldn't use his power.
Hiei and Yusuke crouched outside the window, listening. There was no sound from inside, and after they both shared a look, Hiei destroyed the glass, the sound like a gunshot on a still night.
Yusuke disappeared into the flat, Hiei on his heels, and a moment later he let out a frustrated cry.
"He's headed for the door!" Hiei shouted, the Jagan spotting him immediately. Hiei rushed to bind his hands instead. As soon as his hands curled around Nobuyuki's however, Nobuyuki whimpered, "Hiei, not you!" Immediately, Hiei found himself back at the window, listening to Yusuke let out a frustrated cry.
Again, the Jagan found Nobuyuki as he sprinted toward the door.
Wait. The Jagan had found Nobuyuki once he was inside the wards.
Immediately Hiei changed tactics, instead entering Nobuyuki's mind, and ending his desire to run. Instead, the boy slumped to the floor.
Hiei kept his mental hold on Nobuyuki as Yusuke flipped a switch, the lights flickering on.
"Holy-"
Yusuke's surprise caught Hiei's attention, and as he turned toward the detective, his stomach dropped. It took everything within him to maintain hold on the time manipulator.
The wall above the bed was covered with news clippings. But it wasn't just news clippings of any subject. In every headline, in every photograph, in every article, Ashley's name and face dominated.
"Detective, I need you to place the cuffs on him." Hiei ground out, stepping to the wall to take a closer look as Yusuke crossed the room to Nobuyuki.
Hiei felt as soon as the cuffs were on the time manipulator, and let the Jagan ease up, at least enough that he could truly focus what was in front of him.
An obsession. A madman's obsession covered the wall. Red marker circled dates or notes on the news clippings and numbers were written next to the dates. Turning, Hiei found that on the other wall were notes thumb tacked to the wall with scribbled handwriting that was almost too tiny to read without a magnifying glass. Notes that predicted dates and things to come, as well as notes that identified past events. A thousand time lines were mapped out on the walls of this flat. All leading back to Ashley.
Fury, blinding and blazing tore through Hiei as he rushed at the time manipulator, still slumped on the floor, his hands bound, tears staining the front of his shirt. He roared, as if that would force Nobuyuki into answering, "What is this?!"
- End of Chapter Twenty-Eight -
Well, we are finally hitting the good stuff! Stay tuned for chapter 29 when a LOT of information will be revealed. Chapter 29 will probably be my longest chapter yet for this fic, and this weekend I'm going out of town and next weekend I have company over, so while chapter 27 and 28 were out in the same week, chapter 29 will likely be released in October at some point. And now that chapter 28 has been posted, there are only 5 chapters left until part 1 is finished. How exciting!
If anyone wants to listen to the piano piece that I modeled what Ashley played in the beginning, search "Dark Piano - Silence" on YouTube. Also, most of this chapter was written with the song "Farewell Life" playing in the background (by Arn Andersson & Nights Amore).
Thank you to lilbee17 for your review on chapter 27, and VersatileFaerie for your reviews on chapters one through seven!
I do not own, in any way, the characters, places, or ideas of the Yu Yu Hakusho universe created by Yoshihiro Togashi. I only own my own characters and plot.