Reaching Your Limits: A YYH alternate universe
Episode 32: Practice Session. Sister's Know Best
Yukina blinked when her brother stormed his way toward her, swearing his head off the entire way. In two different languages, one of which she was rather certain no human had heard before. When he finally reached her and dropped down onto his butt with a grumble, she couldn't help a small laugh.
"Problems?" she asked.
Hiei gave her a look that would of sent anyone else screaming in terror. However, she was used to his snits and waited patiently for him to decide to tell her what was wrong.
"Shuuichi just asked me what time I wanted to meet for practice," Hiei finally muttered.
"I don't see what the problem is," Yukina replied, although she knew full well what her brother was upset about.
"The problem is that I don't think I can help Ku-Shuuichi with his control without slipping up," Hiei explained.
She didn't miss the correction, or what it implied. Neither did she miss the pained look in his eyes that he was desperately trying to hide. Sighing, Yukina shifted so that she was sitting next to her brother. "You were the one who told me that Shuuichi and Kurama are not the same person. We need Shuuichi's help to be able to fight Haru, and you are the only one who can teach him to use his abilities. Only you out of all of us knew what Kurama's real capabilities were with his plants. It is your duty to teach Shuuichi to use them now," she said.
Hiei was quiet for a long moment, staring at her. Then he sighed and nodded. "I know. I told him that I'd give him my answer after I'd spoken with you. After school today, the two of us will work on his abilities again," he replied.
Smiling happily, Yukina tried to keep her pleasure from showing. "I will be working with Kazuma once again today. Afterward, he's going to walk me to Keiko's and the two of us are going to have a sleepover," she said.
"When did you plan this?" Hiei questioned, arching a brow. They were only at lunch hour right now.
"I saw Keiko before classes started. She said that friends sometimes sleep over at each other's houses in order to hang out and have fun. Even though it is a school night, she wanted to invite me over while she could," Yukina explained.
Hiei snorted, but didn't disuade her. "I had better find Shuuichi and let him know to meet me after class. I also have to figure out where Yuusuke has gone, so I can remind him that Genkai is expecting him," he stated.
Yukina waved, watching as her brother jumped off of the roof of the building, landing on the ground in order to search out the two students. Things were going according to her plan. With luck, Hiei and Shuuichi/Kurama would be lovers within a short while.
She just hoped nothing would go wrong before Hiei and Shuuichi/Kurama got together.
***
"Your plants can be manipulated into weapons. However, if they are fully grown then they will be too difficult to carry. You need to learn how to grow plant right from a seed, so that you can hide the seeds on your person," Hiei explained.
Shuuichi nodded and took the small object from his hand. Hiei watched as Shuuichi concentrated on the brown seed, his youki flairing sharply before being quickly pulled back under control. He nodded his approval, knowing Shuuichi would see it even while he focused on slowly bringing the small flower into a full bloom.
Once the petals had unfolded to reveal a simple white daisy, Hiei nodded his approval once again. "You're control is getting better," he stated.
"I've been practicing, with the potted plants in my room," Shuuichi said with a proud smile as he pet the daisy's petels.
"You need to be careful with practicing on your own. You aren't strong enough to be able to use your youki to detect others. If someone were to see you making plants grow or wither, it could cause a lot of problems," Hiei warned.
"Would I be able to use my youki to detect demons? I thought that I could only manipulate plants?" Shuuichi questioned, tilting his head to the side.
Hiei's brow furrowed for a moment. "Most demons are able to sense the presence of other creatures in the area. You meantioned during your first visit to Genkai's that you are able to gain impressions of people. This is probably because of how strong your youki is. I don't see why you wouldn't be able to sense demons as well, once you've gained full control of your abilities," he replied.
Shuuichi nodded, then laughed a little. "And to think, I always thought it was just a green thumb," he commented.
Hiei gave him a puzzled look. "Green thumb?" he echoed. He'd never heard such a term before. And, since Shuuichi's thumbs were quite obviously not actually green, he could guess it wasn't a literal statement.
"It's a saying that means you are good with plants," Shuuichi explained, his eyes shining with what could of been amusement.
Hiei rolled his own eyes and snorted. "Anyway, in order to use this meathod of hiding weapons, you need to be able to identify each seed. Otherwise, you could wind up dead or looking very stupid," he continued.
"Wouldn't want either," Shuuichi replied, picking up one seed from each pile that was sitting between them. "I know all of these different types. But where would I hide them? Once someone discovers my ability, it would be obvious to look in my pockets or the folds of my clothing."
Hiei hesitated for a moment, recalling Kurama's favorite place to hide his seeds. Then he sighed and reached for one, recalling the words his sister had spoken earlier that day. "You can keep them in your hair," he said, slowly entwining one of the seeds deeply into Shuuichi's red locks. "It is doubtful that they would be discovered there, and they are in easy reach. You just have to remember to take them out before you bathe or brush your hair."
Shuuichi was giving him an odd look. "You certainly know a lot about this," he commented as he put a few more of the seeds into his hair.
Suddenly uncomfortable, Hiei looked away. "I knew someone long ago who had a similar talent," he replied briefly.
"Who was it?" Shuuichi asked, looking genuinly curious.
Hiei forced himself to shrug casually. "It doesn't matter. He's gone now," he replied.
The two of them were quiet for a long moment before Shuuichi suddenly got to his feet, holding out a hand to help him up. "I could use a break from this for a while. Want to come with me?" he offered.
"Where?" Hiei asked, puzzled.
"To a bathing house. They're very relaxing. We can rest for a while, and you can fill me in on the Demonworld and what kinds of things to expect. Also, I wouldn't mind hearing about how you think I can use these plants as weapons," Shuuichi replied.
"We don't need to go to a bathing house for that," Hiei pointed out.
Shuuichi gave him a brilliant smile. "No, but I promised your sister that I would make you relax for a while. I don't want to know how upset she would be if I told her that you didn't come with me," he replied.
Scowling, knowing he was caught, Hiei took the offered hand and hauled himself to his feet. "Why do I have the feeling I've been conspired against?" he commented.
The red-head answered with a laugh. "Because you have!"
End Episode 32
Episode 32: Practice Session. Sister's Know Best
Yukina blinked when her brother stormed his way toward her, swearing his head off the entire way. In two different languages, one of which she was rather certain no human had heard before. When he finally reached her and dropped down onto his butt with a grumble, she couldn't help a small laugh.
"Problems?" she asked.
Hiei gave her a look that would of sent anyone else screaming in terror. However, she was used to his snits and waited patiently for him to decide to tell her what was wrong.
"Shuuichi just asked me what time I wanted to meet for practice," Hiei finally muttered.
"I don't see what the problem is," Yukina replied, although she knew full well what her brother was upset about.
"The problem is that I don't think I can help Ku-Shuuichi with his control without slipping up," Hiei explained.
She didn't miss the correction, or what it implied. Neither did she miss the pained look in his eyes that he was desperately trying to hide. Sighing, Yukina shifted so that she was sitting next to her brother. "You were the one who told me that Shuuichi and Kurama are not the same person. We need Shuuichi's help to be able to fight Haru, and you are the only one who can teach him to use his abilities. Only you out of all of us knew what Kurama's real capabilities were with his plants. It is your duty to teach Shuuichi to use them now," she said.
Hiei was quiet for a long moment, staring at her. Then he sighed and nodded. "I know. I told him that I'd give him my answer after I'd spoken with you. After school today, the two of us will work on his abilities again," he replied.
Smiling happily, Yukina tried to keep her pleasure from showing. "I will be working with Kazuma once again today. Afterward, he's going to walk me to Keiko's and the two of us are going to have a sleepover," she said.
"When did you plan this?" Hiei questioned, arching a brow. They were only at lunch hour right now.
"I saw Keiko before classes started. She said that friends sometimes sleep over at each other's houses in order to hang out and have fun. Even though it is a school night, she wanted to invite me over while she could," Yukina explained.
Hiei snorted, but didn't disuade her. "I had better find Shuuichi and let him know to meet me after class. I also have to figure out where Yuusuke has gone, so I can remind him that Genkai is expecting him," he stated.
Yukina waved, watching as her brother jumped off of the roof of the building, landing on the ground in order to search out the two students. Things were going according to her plan. With luck, Hiei and Shuuichi/Kurama would be lovers within a short while.
She just hoped nothing would go wrong before Hiei and Shuuichi/Kurama got together.
***
"Your plants can be manipulated into weapons. However, if they are fully grown then they will be too difficult to carry. You need to learn how to grow plant right from a seed, so that you can hide the seeds on your person," Hiei explained.
Shuuichi nodded and took the small object from his hand. Hiei watched as Shuuichi concentrated on the brown seed, his youki flairing sharply before being quickly pulled back under control. He nodded his approval, knowing Shuuichi would see it even while he focused on slowly bringing the small flower into a full bloom.
Once the petals had unfolded to reveal a simple white daisy, Hiei nodded his approval once again. "You're control is getting better," he stated.
"I've been practicing, with the potted plants in my room," Shuuichi said with a proud smile as he pet the daisy's petels.
"You need to be careful with practicing on your own. You aren't strong enough to be able to use your youki to detect others. If someone were to see you making plants grow or wither, it could cause a lot of problems," Hiei warned.
"Would I be able to use my youki to detect demons? I thought that I could only manipulate plants?" Shuuichi questioned, tilting his head to the side.
Hiei's brow furrowed for a moment. "Most demons are able to sense the presence of other creatures in the area. You meantioned during your first visit to Genkai's that you are able to gain impressions of people. This is probably because of how strong your youki is. I don't see why you wouldn't be able to sense demons as well, once you've gained full control of your abilities," he replied.
Shuuichi nodded, then laughed a little. "And to think, I always thought it was just a green thumb," he commented.
Hiei gave him a puzzled look. "Green thumb?" he echoed. He'd never heard such a term before. And, since Shuuichi's thumbs were quite obviously not actually green, he could guess it wasn't a literal statement.
"It's a saying that means you are good with plants," Shuuichi explained, his eyes shining with what could of been amusement.
Hiei rolled his own eyes and snorted. "Anyway, in order to use this meathod of hiding weapons, you need to be able to identify each seed. Otherwise, you could wind up dead or looking very stupid," he continued.
"Wouldn't want either," Shuuichi replied, picking up one seed from each pile that was sitting between them. "I know all of these different types. But where would I hide them? Once someone discovers my ability, it would be obvious to look in my pockets or the folds of my clothing."
Hiei hesitated for a moment, recalling Kurama's favorite place to hide his seeds. Then he sighed and reached for one, recalling the words his sister had spoken earlier that day. "You can keep them in your hair," he said, slowly entwining one of the seeds deeply into Shuuichi's red locks. "It is doubtful that they would be discovered there, and they are in easy reach. You just have to remember to take them out before you bathe or brush your hair."
Shuuichi was giving him an odd look. "You certainly know a lot about this," he commented as he put a few more of the seeds into his hair.
Suddenly uncomfortable, Hiei looked away. "I knew someone long ago who had a similar talent," he replied briefly.
"Who was it?" Shuuichi asked, looking genuinly curious.
Hiei forced himself to shrug casually. "It doesn't matter. He's gone now," he replied.
The two of them were quiet for a long moment before Shuuichi suddenly got to his feet, holding out a hand to help him up. "I could use a break from this for a while. Want to come with me?" he offered.
"Where?" Hiei asked, puzzled.
"To a bathing house. They're very relaxing. We can rest for a while, and you can fill me in on the Demonworld and what kinds of things to expect. Also, I wouldn't mind hearing about how you think I can use these plants as weapons," Shuuichi replied.
"We don't need to go to a bathing house for that," Hiei pointed out.
Shuuichi gave him a brilliant smile. "No, but I promised your sister that I would make you relax for a while. I don't want to know how upset she would be if I told her that you didn't come with me," he replied.
Scowling, knowing he was caught, Hiei took the offered hand and hauled himself to his feet. "Why do I have the feeling I've been conspired against?" he commented.
The red-head answered with a laugh. "Because you have!"
End Episode 32