S.P.: Might as well continue!
Disclaimer: Check Chapter 1.
Chapter 3: Calming Down Misfortune
It was still dark . . . The deity and I looked like we were locked into oblivion ever since the door opened unexpectedly.
I looked around, katana out of its hilt, crimson eyes narrowing with suspicion since I have to watch out of what was going to assault us in the shadows.
But then . . .
*~FLASH!~*
A bright red blur was surrounding the two of us. I heard voices . . . Voices that were yelling and loud noises that fit in within this scenery . . .
I opened my eyes and gasped inaudibly as I knew where we were . . . Yusuke and Mirae's hometown and to my horror, their house was on fire. I knew this because after I first met Mirae as a six-year-old and that I took her in my care due to injuries . . . And after she departed from Reikai/Makai when she made a full recovery, I watched over her, time to time.
I remember that I was her guardian angel because of my watching over her in the trees, as a shadow. But I couldn't save her from this fire for that I was looking for Yukina at the time.
"I remember this event . . ." Botan murmured, gazing at the fiery scene.
"You do?" I asked her quietly.
"Yes . . . Mirae was six and yet, according to Koenma, it seemed that Mirae was about to die in this inferno."
"WHAT!"
"It's true . . ."
I looked at the scene and went on the ground. There were these humans in red suits . . . What were they called . . . Oh yes, firemen. They climbed down from their trucks and put on their hoses to put out the fire, but it seems it was to no success. And some went inside the burning house.
I looked around and found six or seven-year-old Yusuke and his alcoholic mother, Atsuko. The young boy's brown eyes were ablaze of staring at the scorching scene.
"Mother . . . Is there anyone else in the house?" I heard Yusuke ask.
"Your cousin, Mirae, is still trapped inside. They're trying to find her now." Atsuko said uncertainly, worry in her eyes.
"WHAT! MIRAE! MIRAE! GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE! YOU'RE GOING TO GET KILLED!" Yusuke yelled out, but there was no answer.
Botan and I looked at each other and nodded silently, for we were heading inside the smoldering house.
*~Urameshi Residence~*
We were inside and it's as hot as hell here. The firemen were searching for Mirae and at the same time trying to put out the fire. My crimson eyes were looking around at the fiery scene, blending perfectly with the fire.
"I have to save her . . . I wasn't able to save her before . . . And I won't start that again . . . I have to save her." I murmured, gripping on my katana tightly.
"Hiei! There is nothing we can do! If you interfere in this memory, there will be different outcomes!" Botan said curtly.
"I don't care what will happen in this memory if I interfered! I wasn't able to save her! I had to look for Yukina . . . This girl, the one I loved, was relying on me to come rescue her the whole time and do you know why??? She believed I was her guardian angel! And I promised to fulfill that duty when she left! But I couldn't fulfill it at this time for I was still looking for my twin sister!" I said angrily, my crimson eyes burning into her amethyst.
Botan looked at me, all shocked to hear that kind of emotion from of all people, me. Emotion was burning into my eyes, but I still glared at Botan.
"Wow . . . I never knew you felt that way, so strongly, for Mirae, let alone Yukina and the Reikai Tantei . . ." Botan said shockingly; still shocked to hear those words, full of emotion, from me.
"Of course, I cared very much for them, even though I wouldn't admit it, even Kuwabara though I won't forgive him of going near my sister. They're my allies . . . Yukina is my twin sister . . . And Mirae is my love. Nobody shall take them away from me." I said quietly, my voice cracking, as I felt one actual black tear slipped out of my eye, but I didn't care.
Botan nodded silently and understandingly. But then, I heard quiet whimpering coming from one of the rooms. . . .
We both went into the room at the right and we found a little body all huddled up on a bed which was surrounded by the inferno.
"Please, help me; Kami-sama . . . Where is my guardian angel . . . He's supposed to be here by now . . ." The figure whimpered and we both knew it was Mirae.
The young six-year-old curled up at the corner of the bed, fear obviously showing in her gold eyes. She was gripping on her pendants, the Dragon's Tear and Time's Wings, the one I gave her before she went back to Ningenkai, tightly as she stayed rooted to her spot, unable to move. Her dark blue hair was being eaten away slowly, but not all of it for she put out the flames . . . Probably that was how she looked like a boy when this incident was over . . .
"Hiei, save her." Botan said as I nodded in response, going through the flames.
"Please save me . . . I don't want to die . . ." Mirae cried out as she shut her eyes, preparing to meet her end . . .
I jumped on the bed and crawled to the six-year-old, who was still shutting her eyes fearfully to meet her end by being consumed in her small spot by the inferno. I looked at her and all of a sudden, I hugged the poor thing.
"Huh?" I heard her soft, sweet voice for that probably she opened her eyes saw me because I also heard her say, "Hiei . . . You're here. I thought you would never show up . . ."
I felt tears flowing from my face, escaping from my eyes, seeping into her clothes on her shoulder as I tightened the embrace, but not tight enough to suffocate her. My voice was cracked up again as I nuzzled her shoulder and neck affectionately as I was saying quietly, "Thank Kami you're alright . . . I'll never leave you again . . . I swear it."
I turned my back to her and lowered myself. She willingly obeyed for she knew I was going to give her a piggyback ride in order to get her out of here. Climbing on my back and holding onto me, we ran out of the burning house, Botan accompanying us.
* * *
"MIRAE, THANK KAMI YOU'RE ALRIGHT!" I heard Atsuko yell as Mirae jumped off my back, Atsuko hugging her and sobbing.
I smiled a rare smile that nobody was able to see. When Mirae got out of Atsuko's arms, I could've sworn I heard her voice say, "Aunty Atsuko, cousin Yusuke, I'll be right back, OK?"
"What for?" Atsuko and Yusuke asked simultaneously.
"I'll just be right back." Mirae said as she was running in Botan's and my direction, a few feet away from the two humans, but at least Atsuko and Yusuke can't see us.
'Thank you, Hiei. Thank you, Botan." Mirae said quietly, gratitude in her eyes as she looked at the ground.
"You're welcome." We both said in unison, and then we heard whimpering.
Kneeling on one knee on the ground, I took her chin in my gently and tilted her face up just for her to look at me directly. Surprisingly, and I gasped inaudibly again, there were tears in her eyes.
"Why are you crying?" I asked in concern.
"I thought I would die and I thought I would never see you again . . . But here you are and you're about to depart! Don't try to hide from me, for I can sense it!" She said, choking on her tears.
I felt guilt again, for a dull ache was there in my heart and there was no way I could ignore the guilt, probably this was why I was always pushing her away now and then, I cared for her so much that my cold demeanor is telling me I was getting soft and block all the feelings I'm not used to. And probably, I believe that love only causes one's pain. Even when she was a youko child, many times, I have pushed Reign away.
I leaned forward and I kissed her sorrowful tears away very softly. I felt her shock numbing her body, for she didn't know I cared for her that much, as much as I care for my sister because the two of them are alike in a way. I felt her arms wrapped around my neck, stroking my black hair softly as I continue to kiss away her tear, pulling her closer.
"Promise me you will watch over me, even as you look for your sister." I heard her murmur that softly as we slowly pulled away.
"I promise." I said as I smiled, hugging her one last time.
"Good-bye, Botan . . . Good-bye, Hiei-chan." She said with a smile as she went to Yusuke and Atsuko.
*~End of Flashback~*
We were back in the room as we were walking down the corridors, still looking for the real Mirae, not as a child, but the way she was now.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps . . .
"Do you hear that? Someone's coming . . ." Botan said quietly as we stopped walking and hesitated, listening to the faint footsteps.
"So, you've been looking for me?" A soft voice asked and we turned around and found my beloved, the one we've been looking for this whole time.
"Gee, you think!? Of course we were! We were supposed to calm you down due to your feelings of anguish . . . Well, I know the death was unexpected . . . Even we in the Reikai didn't expect Hiei to die until . . . Who knows when!" Botan exclaimed and causing us to cover our ears slightly for being so loud.
"Ow! Don't be so loud!" Mirae said, wincing in pain. "Remember my elf ears are sensitive to loud noises!"
"Oops. . . . Sorry! I forgot . . ."
"Oh, now you forgot!"
"Sorry, sorry!" Botan said, holding up her hands of an "I surrender" gesture.
"And why do you have to calm me down?" The ghostly image of the elf asked as she back away from us slightly.
"Because you can't just wallow in your own self pity! Think about it . . . You've had fifteen deaths or so around your life . . . This one shouldn't make a difference, not that I'm saying that Hiei's death was a good thing! . . ." Botan said nervously when she saw my cold stare looming at her.
" . . . ."
"Loosen up, Mirae! I know you've lost the people you cared about most . . . But . . . Somehow, you have to make the best of it, you know?" Botan said with a sad smile, amethyst eyes full with sorrow.
". . . . Yeah, you're right." Mirae said uncertainly, a few tears falling out of her eyes.
"Don't worry . . . We'll try to find a way to bring Hiei back to life . . . You know, to give him the tests, just like we gave Yusuke . . ."
"Huh, I highly doubt the tests would work what with my cold demeanor and all . . ." I said quietly, ignoring shocked stares that Botan and Mirae gave me.
"What do you mean!? You have a good heart, even though you won't admit it!" Botan yelled with shock noticeable in her voice.
I scoffed in disbelief, hearing this from the blabbermouth ferry girl of Reikai. Why would she think me, a cold blooded bastard, have a good heart? I know I am truly loyal to the end and overprotective of Yukina . . . But why would a former criminal, and also the Forbidden Child on his land, like me have a good heart? I am a demon, and Mirae is different . . .
"You are a good guy, Hiei . . . But you never admitted it . . ." Botan said, words trailing off.
"I am not." I said icily. "Why do I deserve to live? People will be cursed if I revive."
"No they won't!" Botan said but then, something was unexpected.
*SMACK!*
I felt a stinging pain, another smack, but not from Botan. From Mirae herself. A small cut formed on my cheek, bleeding freely. Mirae put her arm to the side, clenching the hand she used for the smack into a fist, gold eyes narrowing in anger while Botan's lavender eyes widen with shock/horror just to see that scene.
"What do you mean that you don't deserve to live!? You do! Even though you did do some things that were sinful in the past, you made it all up! I mean, working with the Reikai Tantei, protecting your sister without revealing your identity until you were ready to do so, and what about me!? For Kami's sake, you've protected my whole life if I do say so myself!" Mirae said with a tone as cold as mine, maybe even colder if possible, and anger as she was shaking head to toe violently . . .
I placed my hand on the tiny cut, still feeling the stinging pain, hearing the smacking sound all around the corridors. My crimson eyes widen in surprise, then went back to realization, knowing deep down she was right. She was right all along . . .
". . . . Fine, but if I don't pass . . . ." I said, trailing off.
"You're going to; I have faith in you. As much as the Reikai Tantei does . . . Or so to at least expect it when they realize that you're going to live . . ." Mirae said and without notice, she started to fall on her knees, crying again.
I looked at her and knelt down next to her, holding her in my arms as her clear tears began to fall on my chest since she buried her face there. She was so easy to hold into my arms . . . Like a child . . .
"I promise you . . . I swear to you, I will pass . . ." I murmured softly, kissing away her tears.
"Better keep that promise . . . After all, that funeral of yours is approaching . . ." Mirae said, embracing me.
"Be strong . . ."
I pulled away from Mirae and got up, looking at Botan to prepare my test to come back to life. She seemed to have gotten the message.
"I suppose you should prepare for your test . . ." Mirae said as she tied her dark blue hair into a low braid, looking very much like the young Genkai.
"Yeah . . ." I said quietly, kissing her lightly on the lips. "I love you, and I'll see you . . ."
"Love you too, Hiei . . ." She murmured, disappearing in the darkness.
I looked at Botan and then we were both surrounded by a swirling light . . .
Disclaimer: Check Chapter 1.
Chapter 3: Calming Down Misfortune
It was still dark . . . The deity and I looked like we were locked into oblivion ever since the door opened unexpectedly.
I looked around, katana out of its hilt, crimson eyes narrowing with suspicion since I have to watch out of what was going to assault us in the shadows.
But then . . .
*~FLASH!~*
A bright red blur was surrounding the two of us. I heard voices . . . Voices that were yelling and loud noises that fit in within this scenery . . .
I opened my eyes and gasped inaudibly as I knew where we were . . . Yusuke and Mirae's hometown and to my horror, their house was on fire. I knew this because after I first met Mirae as a six-year-old and that I took her in my care due to injuries . . . And after she departed from Reikai/Makai when she made a full recovery, I watched over her, time to time.
I remember that I was her guardian angel because of my watching over her in the trees, as a shadow. But I couldn't save her from this fire for that I was looking for Yukina at the time.
"I remember this event . . ." Botan murmured, gazing at the fiery scene.
"You do?" I asked her quietly.
"Yes . . . Mirae was six and yet, according to Koenma, it seemed that Mirae was about to die in this inferno."
"WHAT!"
"It's true . . ."
I looked at the scene and went on the ground. There were these humans in red suits . . . What were they called . . . Oh yes, firemen. They climbed down from their trucks and put on their hoses to put out the fire, but it seems it was to no success. And some went inside the burning house.
I looked around and found six or seven-year-old Yusuke and his alcoholic mother, Atsuko. The young boy's brown eyes were ablaze of staring at the scorching scene.
"Mother . . . Is there anyone else in the house?" I heard Yusuke ask.
"Your cousin, Mirae, is still trapped inside. They're trying to find her now." Atsuko said uncertainly, worry in her eyes.
"WHAT! MIRAE! MIRAE! GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE! YOU'RE GOING TO GET KILLED!" Yusuke yelled out, but there was no answer.
Botan and I looked at each other and nodded silently, for we were heading inside the smoldering house.
*~Urameshi Residence~*
We were inside and it's as hot as hell here. The firemen were searching for Mirae and at the same time trying to put out the fire. My crimson eyes were looking around at the fiery scene, blending perfectly with the fire.
"I have to save her . . . I wasn't able to save her before . . . And I won't start that again . . . I have to save her." I murmured, gripping on my katana tightly.
"Hiei! There is nothing we can do! If you interfere in this memory, there will be different outcomes!" Botan said curtly.
"I don't care what will happen in this memory if I interfered! I wasn't able to save her! I had to look for Yukina . . . This girl, the one I loved, was relying on me to come rescue her the whole time and do you know why??? She believed I was her guardian angel! And I promised to fulfill that duty when she left! But I couldn't fulfill it at this time for I was still looking for my twin sister!" I said angrily, my crimson eyes burning into her amethyst.
Botan looked at me, all shocked to hear that kind of emotion from of all people, me. Emotion was burning into my eyes, but I still glared at Botan.
"Wow . . . I never knew you felt that way, so strongly, for Mirae, let alone Yukina and the Reikai Tantei . . ." Botan said shockingly; still shocked to hear those words, full of emotion, from me.
"Of course, I cared very much for them, even though I wouldn't admit it, even Kuwabara though I won't forgive him of going near my sister. They're my allies . . . Yukina is my twin sister . . . And Mirae is my love. Nobody shall take them away from me." I said quietly, my voice cracking, as I felt one actual black tear slipped out of my eye, but I didn't care.
Botan nodded silently and understandingly. But then, I heard quiet whimpering coming from one of the rooms. . . .
We both went into the room at the right and we found a little body all huddled up on a bed which was surrounded by the inferno.
"Please, help me; Kami-sama . . . Where is my guardian angel . . . He's supposed to be here by now . . ." The figure whimpered and we both knew it was Mirae.
The young six-year-old curled up at the corner of the bed, fear obviously showing in her gold eyes. She was gripping on her pendants, the Dragon's Tear and Time's Wings, the one I gave her before she went back to Ningenkai, tightly as she stayed rooted to her spot, unable to move. Her dark blue hair was being eaten away slowly, but not all of it for she put out the flames . . . Probably that was how she looked like a boy when this incident was over . . .
"Hiei, save her." Botan said as I nodded in response, going through the flames.
"Please save me . . . I don't want to die . . ." Mirae cried out as she shut her eyes, preparing to meet her end . . .
I jumped on the bed and crawled to the six-year-old, who was still shutting her eyes fearfully to meet her end by being consumed in her small spot by the inferno. I looked at her and all of a sudden, I hugged the poor thing.
"Huh?" I heard her soft, sweet voice for that probably she opened her eyes saw me because I also heard her say, "Hiei . . . You're here. I thought you would never show up . . ."
I felt tears flowing from my face, escaping from my eyes, seeping into her clothes on her shoulder as I tightened the embrace, but not tight enough to suffocate her. My voice was cracked up again as I nuzzled her shoulder and neck affectionately as I was saying quietly, "Thank Kami you're alright . . . I'll never leave you again . . . I swear it."
I turned my back to her and lowered myself. She willingly obeyed for she knew I was going to give her a piggyback ride in order to get her out of here. Climbing on my back and holding onto me, we ran out of the burning house, Botan accompanying us.
* * *
"MIRAE, THANK KAMI YOU'RE ALRIGHT!" I heard Atsuko yell as Mirae jumped off my back, Atsuko hugging her and sobbing.
I smiled a rare smile that nobody was able to see. When Mirae got out of Atsuko's arms, I could've sworn I heard her voice say, "Aunty Atsuko, cousin Yusuke, I'll be right back, OK?"
"What for?" Atsuko and Yusuke asked simultaneously.
"I'll just be right back." Mirae said as she was running in Botan's and my direction, a few feet away from the two humans, but at least Atsuko and Yusuke can't see us.
'Thank you, Hiei. Thank you, Botan." Mirae said quietly, gratitude in her eyes as she looked at the ground.
"You're welcome." We both said in unison, and then we heard whimpering.
Kneeling on one knee on the ground, I took her chin in my gently and tilted her face up just for her to look at me directly. Surprisingly, and I gasped inaudibly again, there were tears in her eyes.
"Why are you crying?" I asked in concern.
"I thought I would die and I thought I would never see you again . . . But here you are and you're about to depart! Don't try to hide from me, for I can sense it!" She said, choking on her tears.
I felt guilt again, for a dull ache was there in my heart and there was no way I could ignore the guilt, probably this was why I was always pushing her away now and then, I cared for her so much that my cold demeanor is telling me I was getting soft and block all the feelings I'm not used to. And probably, I believe that love only causes one's pain. Even when she was a youko child, many times, I have pushed Reign away.
I leaned forward and I kissed her sorrowful tears away very softly. I felt her shock numbing her body, for she didn't know I cared for her that much, as much as I care for my sister because the two of them are alike in a way. I felt her arms wrapped around my neck, stroking my black hair softly as I continue to kiss away her tear, pulling her closer.
"Promise me you will watch over me, even as you look for your sister." I heard her murmur that softly as we slowly pulled away.
"I promise." I said as I smiled, hugging her one last time.
"Good-bye, Botan . . . Good-bye, Hiei-chan." She said with a smile as she went to Yusuke and Atsuko.
*~End of Flashback~*
We were back in the room as we were walking down the corridors, still looking for the real Mirae, not as a child, but the way she was now.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps . . .
"Do you hear that? Someone's coming . . ." Botan said quietly as we stopped walking and hesitated, listening to the faint footsteps.
"So, you've been looking for me?" A soft voice asked and we turned around and found my beloved, the one we've been looking for this whole time.
"Gee, you think!? Of course we were! We were supposed to calm you down due to your feelings of anguish . . . Well, I know the death was unexpected . . . Even we in the Reikai didn't expect Hiei to die until . . . Who knows when!" Botan exclaimed and causing us to cover our ears slightly for being so loud.
"Ow! Don't be so loud!" Mirae said, wincing in pain. "Remember my elf ears are sensitive to loud noises!"
"Oops. . . . Sorry! I forgot . . ."
"Oh, now you forgot!"
"Sorry, sorry!" Botan said, holding up her hands of an "I surrender" gesture.
"And why do you have to calm me down?" The ghostly image of the elf asked as she back away from us slightly.
"Because you can't just wallow in your own self pity! Think about it . . . You've had fifteen deaths or so around your life . . . This one shouldn't make a difference, not that I'm saying that Hiei's death was a good thing! . . ." Botan said nervously when she saw my cold stare looming at her.
" . . . ."
"Loosen up, Mirae! I know you've lost the people you cared about most . . . But . . . Somehow, you have to make the best of it, you know?" Botan said with a sad smile, amethyst eyes full with sorrow.
". . . . Yeah, you're right." Mirae said uncertainly, a few tears falling out of her eyes.
"Don't worry . . . We'll try to find a way to bring Hiei back to life . . . You know, to give him the tests, just like we gave Yusuke . . ."
"Huh, I highly doubt the tests would work what with my cold demeanor and all . . ." I said quietly, ignoring shocked stares that Botan and Mirae gave me.
"What do you mean!? You have a good heart, even though you won't admit it!" Botan yelled with shock noticeable in her voice.
I scoffed in disbelief, hearing this from the blabbermouth ferry girl of Reikai. Why would she think me, a cold blooded bastard, have a good heart? I know I am truly loyal to the end and overprotective of Yukina . . . But why would a former criminal, and also the Forbidden Child on his land, like me have a good heart? I am a demon, and Mirae is different . . .
"You are a good guy, Hiei . . . But you never admitted it . . ." Botan said, words trailing off.
"I am not." I said icily. "Why do I deserve to live? People will be cursed if I revive."
"No they won't!" Botan said but then, something was unexpected.
*SMACK!*
I felt a stinging pain, another smack, but not from Botan. From Mirae herself. A small cut formed on my cheek, bleeding freely. Mirae put her arm to the side, clenching the hand she used for the smack into a fist, gold eyes narrowing in anger while Botan's lavender eyes widen with shock/horror just to see that scene.
"What do you mean that you don't deserve to live!? You do! Even though you did do some things that were sinful in the past, you made it all up! I mean, working with the Reikai Tantei, protecting your sister without revealing your identity until you were ready to do so, and what about me!? For Kami's sake, you've protected my whole life if I do say so myself!" Mirae said with a tone as cold as mine, maybe even colder if possible, and anger as she was shaking head to toe violently . . .
I placed my hand on the tiny cut, still feeling the stinging pain, hearing the smacking sound all around the corridors. My crimson eyes widen in surprise, then went back to realization, knowing deep down she was right. She was right all along . . .
". . . . Fine, but if I don't pass . . . ." I said, trailing off.
"You're going to; I have faith in you. As much as the Reikai Tantei does . . . Or so to at least expect it when they realize that you're going to live . . ." Mirae said and without notice, she started to fall on her knees, crying again.
I looked at her and knelt down next to her, holding her in my arms as her clear tears began to fall on my chest since she buried her face there. She was so easy to hold into my arms . . . Like a child . . .
"I promise you . . . I swear to you, I will pass . . ." I murmured softly, kissing away her tears.
"Better keep that promise . . . After all, that funeral of yours is approaching . . ." Mirae said, embracing me.
"Be strong . . ."
I pulled away from Mirae and got up, looking at Botan to prepare my test to come back to life. She seemed to have gotten the message.
"I suppose you should prepare for your test . . ." Mirae said as she tied her dark blue hair into a low braid, looking very much like the young Genkai.
"Yeah . . ." I said quietly, kissing her lightly on the lips. "I love you, and I'll see you . . ."
"Love you too, Hiei . . ." She murmured, disappearing in the darkness.
I looked at Botan and then we were both surrounded by a swirling light . . .
