Disclaimer: *Sigh* No, I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho, but I hope to someday!
Author's Notes: Well, I've got some reviews I would like to respond to. So, just find your name, read my response to your question and/or comment and then you can continue with the next chapter!
To NickeyWhite2: I know this was a review from chapter 4, but I thought I'd answer it anyway. Cobras are poisonous snakes and demons are mythological creatures. Demons, in this case anyway, are humanoid being that share characteristics with an animal, plant or element. Also, they have supernatural abilities. So, a cobra demon is a humanoid being with characteristics similar to a cobra. Thanks for the review! Glad you like my story!
To Ale-Bloody-Roses: Well, I've had loads of practice being evil. Please don't make Mr. Quackers destroy my school stuff! I've already got a 'C' in P.E. How you get a 'C' in P.E. I'll never know . . . Anyway, thanks for the compliments!
To Midnight Lilly: Maybe she is, and maybe she isn't. You'll just have to read to find out! Thanks for the review. I love it when people try to guess what will happen next! It gives me ideas. I still haven't figured out if that's a good thing or a bad thing though . . .
To Jen: YAY! I'm so glad you love this story to death!
To SSJ Inuyasha: Why yes it IS a cliffhanger! Don't you just hate me? Oh, and don't worry about Yusuke. I would never leave such an important part of the story out!
To Reno Spiegel: ^___^ I know I pick the worst times to end a chapter, but you got to admit, it'll make it that much more interesting!
To asian princess 61: I'm working on the chapters! See, I'm typing right now! Glad you like Hiei/Keiko too!
To Queen Death Dragon: Okay, okay, okay! I'm working on it! I'm so happy that you like my story!
To Kaneda-Shotaro: Eep! I'm continuing! Happy now?! Thanks for the review and for the note on my grandfather.
To Yukiko-sama: Aw, thanks! I'm getting all warm and gushy from the compliments.
To Alex Warlorn: Hmm, your reviews are rather bitter-sweet, but I don't mind. Most of the stuff you have motioned in your review I'm already aware and/or prepared for. I didn't just plunge into this story you know. I actually planned this out for weeks before I even did the fist chapter! Hell, I even have a storyline in my work book. That is a *big* step for me, usually I just write the first thing that pops into this thick skull of mine. Then after the first three chapters I'm stuck. As for why Keiko is worried about her friends not accepting her, just think about it. I did my best to try and make her character fit the situation.
To J-sama: Ack! Don't bite your nails! I'm glad you like my story, but at the rate it takes me to update, you'll probably have gnawed off all your fingers by now. Glad you like my story so much!
To Lady.CaT-eyes/K: You and your friend are too kind! I'm glad you like the story and don't worry; the flame won't stop me from writing!
To Soul: Well, We're on the same wave link, but that's not so much romantic as it is just plain icky! Don't worry, the overall result is similar. I might have actually used your idea, had I not already had this chapter written.
To everyone: I swear, if I could, I would jump into my computer and hug everyone who reviewed! You guys are the BEST! Oh yeah, if you have any more questions and/or concerns, don't be afraid to ask!
SECRETS IN MY BLOOD, CHAPTER 7
The sound of the rushing water, the crackling of the fire, it had all been drowned out by the beating of Keiko's heart. The world had dropped away and that was left was herself, Hiei . . .
And the scar on Hiei's face.
It wasn't bleeding. The only way one would have know it was infected was by the color that sharply contrasted with the fire demon's skin. Keiko could feel her legs give away as she sat on the ground.
Hiei remained standing.
Keiko desperately wished to say that she was sorry, to get up and think of a cure, to try and do something. Anything. Unfortunately, she was paralyzed. Nothing short of a God could have moved her from that spot in that point in time.
Something flickered in Hiei's eyes and then he sat down, cross-legged, in front of Keiko. He looked tired, as if he had been on a long journey and now it was time for it to end. He stared into Keiko's eyes. His red, now somewhat glassy gaze washed over her, loosening the hold her shock had over her body.
Keiko shuddered involuntarily, she didn't like the way he looked at her, for it was a look of defeat.
"Keiko," Whispered Hiei.
His speech was understandable, despite the fact he was whispering and it was a tiny bit slurred. The poison was wasting no time sucking the life from him. Keiko felt tears begin to form, trying to deny these were to be his last words in this life.
"I need you, to take this," He said, pulling something off his neck.
Keiko numbly stuck out her hand and took the object from Hiei's shaking hand.
"Give it to Yukina and don't tell her who gave it to you; tell her, that her brother . . . is dead." He said before lying down completely.
Keiko was confused for a few seconds. Then it clicked.
"You're . . . you're Yukina's brother!" Said Keiko, snapping out of her frozen state.
Hiei closed his eyes and smirked.
"What makes you think that?" He whispered.
This frightened Keiko more then anything that had happened so far. If Hiei was cracking jokes, then he was most certainly about to die.
"Oh Hiei, don't die. Don't die now! There's still a cure! You can still give this to Yukina yourself!" Said Keiko, who was now back in her humanoid form and crying.
"Hn. You have less then a minute to find the antidote. So, I'm already dead." Answered Hiei.
Keiko got up and started to pace. She tried to think back on everything that had happened, trying to find something to help her. From when her mother had told her about her heritage, to this moment. She had nothing.
55 seconds
She then reached back even farther into the depths of her mind. She recalled on a hiking trip once, she had to learn to draw out a snake's poison. The first way was a poultice. The second was to somehow force the poison out.
45 seconds
She shook her head. Demon poison could not possibly be drawn out using simple human methods! Could it?
40 seconds
Keiko sat next to Hiei and touched the green wound she had inflicted on him. It was closed up and his skin was ice cold. Not a good sign for anybody, especially a fire demon.
30 seconds
Her mind was screaming at her to think of something. Could she stop the poison from entering his eternal organs? Control it somehow?
25 seconds
No. It had already spread throughout his body. There was no way she could force it out unless . . .
20 seconds
Unless . . .
19 seconds
Unless the element she controlled was poison!
18 seconds
Yes! It made sense! She was a cobra demon, her power was her poison. She should be able to control it!
17 seconds
Keiko placed both hands on Hiei's heart, where all the poison would eventually circulate to.
16 seconds
"Please let this work!" Prayed Keiko.
15 seconds
Keiko concentrated on the poison in Hiei's body and nothing more. All she thought of was gathering it all into one place.
14 seconds
Nothing was happening! Keiko was starting to panic.
13 seconds
Before she could remove her hands, they started to glow with a green light. Her spirit energy. It slowly engulfed her entire body.
12 seconds
Following some sort of divine guidance or more likely, instinct Keiko closed her eyes.
11 seconds
In the darkness, she could see bright green splotches. Most of them were in the heart, like she had anticipated.
10 seconds
Calling on every once of strength she had, Keiko tried to bring all of the lethal fluids to where her hands were.
9 seconds
Almost there . . .
8 seconds
She had done it! All of the poison was beneath her hands.
7 seconds
Keiko opened her eyes. Quickly she guided the poison with her hands to Hiei's throat.
6 seconds
Hiei closed his eyes tighter. Apparently, having poison forcefully moved from one point in the body from another was a painful experience.
5 seconds
Keiko tried to move the poison more gently though his body and as rapidly as possible. Speed and gentleness were two things that were exceedingly hard to do together.
4 seconds
Keiko had all the poison located in Hiei's throat. She lifted up his body so he could spit it out when she forced it in his mouth.
3 seconds
The process of controlling the poison when it was at a downhill angle proved to be too difficult for Keiko. She was losing control of the poison; it would soon flood back into Hiei's body and end his life. There was only one thing she could do now.
2 seconds
"Please don't kill me for this Hiei." Whispered Keiko.
1 second
Keiko lowered her mouth to his. She parted his lips and pressed her own to them. They were frigid. She was shaking from the knowledge of knowing this was very much a forbidden thing to do. None the less, it had to be done. Using her lips, she drew the poison out of Hiei's mouth and into her own. She felt oddly excited from kissing Hiei. It was thrilling, like breaking a school rule and completely getting away with it.
0 seconds
She removed her lips and spat the poison out of her mouth. It landed on the ground, where it began to eat away at it, like acid. Keiko shuddered. She sat there for a minute or two, panting from the exhaustion of what she had done. While she was resting she thought how ironic it was that her first kiss and this, her second kiss, had both been to save the lives of two young men. Well, in Yusuke's case at least, she didn't know how old Hiei was.
She glanced at Hiei. He wasn't moving. Keiko feared the worst as she crawled up to him. Putting her head to her chest, she heard a faint beating and slow, shallow breathing. He was alive, at least for the moment.
Keiko carefully moved him as close to the fire as possible without setting him aflame. Then she searched for something to cover him up. Finding nothing, she chose to sit next to him instead, to lend him her body heat.
Without a doubt, this was the most terrifying thing she had ever been through. Also it had been the most tiring, next to Hiei's training program. She was covered in red colored sweat. If she wasn't all demon now, then she didn't know what it would take to make her one.
Keiko looked at a strand of her hair. It was black as night, minus the purplish tint when the sunlight hit it just right. Her hair was still the same length as her human hair was. Therefore, this must be her new humanoid form. Her original human form was forever gone. It didn't bother Keiko as much as she thought it would have.
Keiko knew she was all demon now or incredibly close to it. She could go back to the human world soon. She would be with her family and friends once more.
"But what if this happens again?" Thought Keiko.
That presented a serious problem. What would she do if this happened again? Extracting the poison from Hiei had been unbelievably hard! Worse yet, it had only been a very small amount and Hiei was a demon.
Had she inflicted this wound on a human, they wouldn't have lasted as long. In fact, they would have died instantly. Even with her new attitude about death, Keiko could not live with herself knowing she had taken an innocent life.
Keiko laid herself down next to Hiei. Yes, she would have to stay here until she mastered her new found powers. Maybe even find out if she had any special techniques. Even though it would mean being away from her friends and family for longer then necessary. She knew it was the right thing to do. She had to master her power.
Keiko turned her head so she could look at Hiei. He seemed alright. Heat was returning to his body and he was still breathing. His breathing was still short and rasping, but it seemed to be a little stronger then before.
Keiko looked up to the sky. It was still morning and the sun was shinning, but she was ready to sleep. Keiko looked at Hiei one last time. Just looking at him made her feel that strange, but exhilarating feeling. Her eyelids fluttered and then she was asleep. Side by side with a fire demon that had tried to turn her into a zombie a while ago and she had nearly killed just now.
Funny, how life works out sometimes.
Author's Notes: Well, I've got some reviews I would like to respond to. So, just find your name, read my response to your question and/or comment and then you can continue with the next chapter!
To NickeyWhite2: I know this was a review from chapter 4, but I thought I'd answer it anyway. Cobras are poisonous snakes and demons are mythological creatures. Demons, in this case anyway, are humanoid being that share characteristics with an animal, plant or element. Also, they have supernatural abilities. So, a cobra demon is a humanoid being with characteristics similar to a cobra. Thanks for the review! Glad you like my story!
To Ale-Bloody-Roses: Well, I've had loads of practice being evil. Please don't make Mr. Quackers destroy my school stuff! I've already got a 'C' in P.E. How you get a 'C' in P.E. I'll never know . . . Anyway, thanks for the compliments!
To Midnight Lilly: Maybe she is, and maybe she isn't. You'll just have to read to find out! Thanks for the review. I love it when people try to guess what will happen next! It gives me ideas. I still haven't figured out if that's a good thing or a bad thing though . . .
To Jen: YAY! I'm so glad you love this story to death!
To SSJ Inuyasha: Why yes it IS a cliffhanger! Don't you just hate me? Oh, and don't worry about Yusuke. I would never leave such an important part of the story out!
To Reno Spiegel: ^___^ I know I pick the worst times to end a chapter, but you got to admit, it'll make it that much more interesting!
To asian princess 61: I'm working on the chapters! See, I'm typing right now! Glad you like Hiei/Keiko too!
To Queen Death Dragon: Okay, okay, okay! I'm working on it! I'm so happy that you like my story!
To Kaneda-Shotaro: Eep! I'm continuing! Happy now?! Thanks for the review and for the note on my grandfather.
To Yukiko-sama: Aw, thanks! I'm getting all warm and gushy from the compliments.
To Alex Warlorn: Hmm, your reviews are rather bitter-sweet, but I don't mind. Most of the stuff you have motioned in your review I'm already aware and/or prepared for. I didn't just plunge into this story you know. I actually planned this out for weeks before I even did the fist chapter! Hell, I even have a storyline in my work book. That is a *big* step for me, usually I just write the first thing that pops into this thick skull of mine. Then after the first three chapters I'm stuck. As for why Keiko is worried about her friends not accepting her, just think about it. I did my best to try and make her character fit the situation.
To J-sama: Ack! Don't bite your nails! I'm glad you like my story, but at the rate it takes me to update, you'll probably have gnawed off all your fingers by now. Glad you like my story so much!
To Lady.CaT-eyes/K: You and your friend are too kind! I'm glad you like the story and don't worry; the flame won't stop me from writing!
To Soul: Well, We're on the same wave link, but that's not so much romantic as it is just plain icky! Don't worry, the overall result is similar. I might have actually used your idea, had I not already had this chapter written.
To everyone: I swear, if I could, I would jump into my computer and hug everyone who reviewed! You guys are the BEST! Oh yeah, if you have any more questions and/or concerns, don't be afraid to ask!
SECRETS IN MY BLOOD, CHAPTER 7
The sound of the rushing water, the crackling of the fire, it had all been drowned out by the beating of Keiko's heart. The world had dropped away and that was left was herself, Hiei . . .
And the scar on Hiei's face.
It wasn't bleeding. The only way one would have know it was infected was by the color that sharply contrasted with the fire demon's skin. Keiko could feel her legs give away as she sat on the ground.
Hiei remained standing.
Keiko desperately wished to say that she was sorry, to get up and think of a cure, to try and do something. Anything. Unfortunately, she was paralyzed. Nothing short of a God could have moved her from that spot in that point in time.
Something flickered in Hiei's eyes and then he sat down, cross-legged, in front of Keiko. He looked tired, as if he had been on a long journey and now it was time for it to end. He stared into Keiko's eyes. His red, now somewhat glassy gaze washed over her, loosening the hold her shock had over her body.
Keiko shuddered involuntarily, she didn't like the way he looked at her, for it was a look of defeat.
"Keiko," Whispered Hiei.
His speech was understandable, despite the fact he was whispering and it was a tiny bit slurred. The poison was wasting no time sucking the life from him. Keiko felt tears begin to form, trying to deny these were to be his last words in this life.
"I need you, to take this," He said, pulling something off his neck.
Keiko numbly stuck out her hand and took the object from Hiei's shaking hand.
"Give it to Yukina and don't tell her who gave it to you; tell her, that her brother . . . is dead." He said before lying down completely.
Keiko was confused for a few seconds. Then it clicked.
"You're . . . you're Yukina's brother!" Said Keiko, snapping out of her frozen state.
Hiei closed his eyes and smirked.
"What makes you think that?" He whispered.
This frightened Keiko more then anything that had happened so far. If Hiei was cracking jokes, then he was most certainly about to die.
"Oh Hiei, don't die. Don't die now! There's still a cure! You can still give this to Yukina yourself!" Said Keiko, who was now back in her humanoid form and crying.
"Hn. You have less then a minute to find the antidote. So, I'm already dead." Answered Hiei.
Keiko got up and started to pace. She tried to think back on everything that had happened, trying to find something to help her. From when her mother had told her about her heritage, to this moment. She had nothing.
55 seconds
She then reached back even farther into the depths of her mind. She recalled on a hiking trip once, she had to learn to draw out a snake's poison. The first way was a poultice. The second was to somehow force the poison out.
45 seconds
She shook her head. Demon poison could not possibly be drawn out using simple human methods! Could it?
40 seconds
Keiko sat next to Hiei and touched the green wound she had inflicted on him. It was closed up and his skin was ice cold. Not a good sign for anybody, especially a fire demon.
30 seconds
Her mind was screaming at her to think of something. Could she stop the poison from entering his eternal organs? Control it somehow?
25 seconds
No. It had already spread throughout his body. There was no way she could force it out unless . . .
20 seconds
Unless . . .
19 seconds
Unless the element she controlled was poison!
18 seconds
Yes! It made sense! She was a cobra demon, her power was her poison. She should be able to control it!
17 seconds
Keiko placed both hands on Hiei's heart, where all the poison would eventually circulate to.
16 seconds
"Please let this work!" Prayed Keiko.
15 seconds
Keiko concentrated on the poison in Hiei's body and nothing more. All she thought of was gathering it all into one place.
14 seconds
Nothing was happening! Keiko was starting to panic.
13 seconds
Before she could remove her hands, they started to glow with a green light. Her spirit energy. It slowly engulfed her entire body.
12 seconds
Following some sort of divine guidance or more likely, instinct Keiko closed her eyes.
11 seconds
In the darkness, she could see bright green splotches. Most of them were in the heart, like she had anticipated.
10 seconds
Calling on every once of strength she had, Keiko tried to bring all of the lethal fluids to where her hands were.
9 seconds
Almost there . . .
8 seconds
She had done it! All of the poison was beneath her hands.
7 seconds
Keiko opened her eyes. Quickly she guided the poison with her hands to Hiei's throat.
6 seconds
Hiei closed his eyes tighter. Apparently, having poison forcefully moved from one point in the body from another was a painful experience.
5 seconds
Keiko tried to move the poison more gently though his body and as rapidly as possible. Speed and gentleness were two things that were exceedingly hard to do together.
4 seconds
Keiko had all the poison located in Hiei's throat. She lifted up his body so he could spit it out when she forced it in his mouth.
3 seconds
The process of controlling the poison when it was at a downhill angle proved to be too difficult for Keiko. She was losing control of the poison; it would soon flood back into Hiei's body and end his life. There was only one thing she could do now.
2 seconds
"Please don't kill me for this Hiei." Whispered Keiko.
1 second
Keiko lowered her mouth to his. She parted his lips and pressed her own to them. They were frigid. She was shaking from the knowledge of knowing this was very much a forbidden thing to do. None the less, it had to be done. Using her lips, she drew the poison out of Hiei's mouth and into her own. She felt oddly excited from kissing Hiei. It was thrilling, like breaking a school rule and completely getting away with it.
0 seconds
She removed her lips and spat the poison out of her mouth. It landed on the ground, where it began to eat away at it, like acid. Keiko shuddered. She sat there for a minute or two, panting from the exhaustion of what she had done. While she was resting she thought how ironic it was that her first kiss and this, her second kiss, had both been to save the lives of two young men. Well, in Yusuke's case at least, she didn't know how old Hiei was.
She glanced at Hiei. He wasn't moving. Keiko feared the worst as she crawled up to him. Putting her head to her chest, she heard a faint beating and slow, shallow breathing. He was alive, at least for the moment.
Keiko carefully moved him as close to the fire as possible without setting him aflame. Then she searched for something to cover him up. Finding nothing, she chose to sit next to him instead, to lend him her body heat.
Without a doubt, this was the most terrifying thing she had ever been through. Also it had been the most tiring, next to Hiei's training program. She was covered in red colored sweat. If she wasn't all demon now, then she didn't know what it would take to make her one.
Keiko looked at a strand of her hair. It was black as night, minus the purplish tint when the sunlight hit it just right. Her hair was still the same length as her human hair was. Therefore, this must be her new humanoid form. Her original human form was forever gone. It didn't bother Keiko as much as she thought it would have.
Keiko knew she was all demon now or incredibly close to it. She could go back to the human world soon. She would be with her family and friends once more.
"But what if this happens again?" Thought Keiko.
That presented a serious problem. What would she do if this happened again? Extracting the poison from Hiei had been unbelievably hard! Worse yet, it had only been a very small amount and Hiei was a demon.
Had she inflicted this wound on a human, they wouldn't have lasted as long. In fact, they would have died instantly. Even with her new attitude about death, Keiko could not live with herself knowing she had taken an innocent life.
Keiko laid herself down next to Hiei. Yes, she would have to stay here until she mastered her new found powers. Maybe even find out if she had any special techniques. Even though it would mean being away from her friends and family for longer then necessary. She knew it was the right thing to do. She had to master her power.
Keiko turned her head so she could look at Hiei. He seemed alright. Heat was returning to his body and he was still breathing. His breathing was still short and rasping, but it seemed to be a little stronger then before.
Keiko looked up to the sky. It was still morning and the sun was shinning, but she was ready to sleep. Keiko looked at Hiei one last time. Just looking at him made her feel that strange, but exhilarating feeling. Her eyelids fluttered and then she was asleep. Side by side with a fire demon that had tried to turn her into a zombie a while ago and she had nearly killed just now.
Funny, how life works out sometimes.