Disclaimer- Does anyone else have trouble coming up with disclaimers? If I owned any of the characters that aren't mine in here than I'm sure you would know. Nor do I own Linkin Park…grrrrrrrrr…
A/N: Well I'm back sorry I was gone so long. Someday I intend to revise this when I get my own site and I'll include pics and such, but I suppose I should concentrate on getting it completely written before I plan anything else.
Thinking
Telepathy
Hell to pay
Chapter 4- Demons, Kitties, and Telepaths
*****
Hiei lived for nights like this. The stillness that had no explanation, the moon shining out from behind dark clouds, casting faint shadows on the ground. These nights were the only time that he truly felt alive. Something seemed to reach out and touch the most basic parts of his spirit, waking something inside of him that even he did not understand. He smiled to himself; the demon had chosen a bad night to come.
Yusuke, Kurama, and Kuwabara were hidden in the trees. Hiei stood silently in the center of the clearing. He had ignored the others protests, tonight he would not hide. Closing his eyes Hiei took a deep breath of the clear night air. It won't be long now.
*****
Kuwabara gasped as the demon seemed to appear out of nowhere directly behind Hiei. He started to yell a warning, but before he could open his mouth Hiei had drawn his katana and attacked the grey skinned creature. Kuwabara blinked in surprise. He had never seen Hiei move like that.
*****
Yusuke crept out of his hiding place to get a better view of the fight. He gawked, there was no other way to put it, Hiei was dancing. Steel met with green fire creating patterns against the air. Mesmerized Yusuke made no move to join his teammate; he didn't seem to need help in any case. Yusuke was very, very glad he had never fought Hiei when he was like this.
It was obvious how this night would end. Hiei was only fighting because he wanted to. His opponent realized this but also knew he couldn't run. So he allowed himself to be pulled in by Hiei's supple movements, and danced with death.
Yusuke felt a sudden respect for the escaped demon as he faced Hiei refusing to panic and remained silent when Hiei slit his throat.
*****
Quietly Kurama joined Yusuke at the clearings edge, and opened his mouth to ask him a question. Instead of words a startled and undignified gasp left the youko's lips as two more demons appeared, attacking Hiei from opposite sides. Wielding air and ice, the unexpected duo made an impressive first assault. Well it would have been impressive against someone else. Hiei had already resumed his dance; the wind and ice seemed to bend around him as he moved. Kurama grabbed Yusuke's arm preventing him from going to the Koorimes aid, as Hiei's laugh filled the forest.
Kurama felt himself grin as he listened to his friend. This was a definite change from Hiei's laughter on the cliff. He released Yusuke's arm as he felt he black-haired boy relax.
"Gods." Yusuke whispered. "It's like watching fire." Kurama nodded in agreement, thinking. He's right, Hiei looks like black flame, and he hasn't even called it.
*****
Hiei laughed. The metallic sent of blood filled the air, the brilliant red liquid ran down the edge of his sword, and Hiei felt alive. In truth he was a killer. He enjoyed the smell, the freedom that came when he didn't have to hold back. He ended the fight slamming his sword through one demons heart and breaking the others neck with a well aimed kick.
Kurama, Yusuke, and Kuwabara surrounded Hiei as the fire-demon cleaned and sheathed his katana. Kurama felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise as Hiei met each of their eyes with his own. Suddenly they all felt as if something was fighting to break out inside them. A wildness sang through the night and as one the four turned
and ran, pushing themselves to the limit in the pure joy of something ancient and primal.
At first they traveled in a group then Hiei and Kurama pulled away from the other two, moving with impossible speed towards the sea. The clouds drifted away from the moon and it shown full and bright casting shadows on the ground. A flash of orange caught at the edge of Kurama's sight and a third figure joined them in their wild run.
Hiei felt Schuldich brush against his mind; together they formed a mind meld amplifying the intoxicating madness. Without conscious thought the two telepaths reached out to Kurama pulling him into the meld as well. The air hummed with force as Kurama's green aura mixed with Hiei's flaming black, and Schuldich's brilliant white, creating a swirl of colors to their unnatural sight.
Hiei laughed restraining himself from howling at the moon. Schuldich and Kurama didn't and haunting voices echoed in the night, reminiscent of a wolf pack in full cry. They reached the cliffs above the sea and Kurama slowed stopping at the cliffs edge. He jerked in startlement as a black and orange blur shot past him. Hiei dived off the cliff followed a split second later by Schuldich.
Kurama blinked in bemusement and shook his head. Well that was interesting. He felt the mind-meld fade as Hiei and Schuldich moved farther away from the cliff. Smiling Kurama wondered at how similar the fire-demon and human telepath were. While he didn't know where Hiei had met the human man, he was just glad Hiei had found someone else he seemed to trust.
A hint of the wildness that had brought him there lingered in the air and Kurama knew he'd never be able to concentrate on his homework. Shrugging he reached for his demon ki, and felt the familiar wave of dizziness wash over him as his form shrank into that of a small white fox with five tails. I wonder what Aya-chan would think if she knew. Lifting his nose he smelled the fresh sent of rabbit. Kurama opened his mouth in a fox's grin and disappeared into the bushes, it was time to hunt.
*****
Steam wafted away from Hiei as he raised his body temperature drying his cloths and hair. He smirked thinking of how Schuldich had complained all the way back to his apartment. About his wet clothes, about the chill in the night air, about his team-leader Brad, about how they had a mission in just over an hour, and the possibility that the flower happy Weiss were going to show up and try to stop them. Hn, he enjoys complaining. In another person Hiei would have considered the constant whining a sign of either weakness, or just plain spoiled stupidity. But in Schuldich it was a way of surviving, just as Hiei's coldness was how he himself survived. Strange how they both saw so easily through the others mask. Then again, maybe it wasn't so strange. For all that Hiei was a demon and Schuldich was human, they had grown up in remarkably similar circumstances.
Sighing Hiei continued to walk, he couldn't sleep and there was nowhere for him to go. Yusuke and Kuwabara were most likely more than halfway drunk by now, and Hiei wasn't sure he could have put up with them anyways. And then there was Kurama. Kurama, the only person who had tried to know him. I fought him for so long. Even when I knew he truly did want my friendship. Hiei opened his jagan and reached out to find the youko, it only took him a minute to pinpoint Kurama's location. He was in the forest about a mile outside of the city contentedly chewing on what remained of a rabbit. And I still can't quite trust him, I'm still waiting for the day he moves on and leaves me behind.
The harsh blaring sound of human music assaulted Hiei's sensitive ears as he walked past a house full said human's that were annoyingly awake for their species at that time of morning. Glaring he started to walk away then paused as he listened to the lyrics of the song.
…in my skin
these wounds they will not heal
fear is how I fall
confusing what is real…
Interested now Hiei edged closer to the house and spotting a tree in the yard he phased over and leaned against it, ignoring the rough bark that dug into his back.
There's something inside me that pulls beneath the surface
consuming/confusing
This lack of self-control I fear is never ending
controlling/I can't seem
To find myself again
My walls are closing in
(without a sense of confidence and I'm convinced that there's
just to much pressure to take)
I've felt this way before
So insecure
Hiei shivered feeling a chill pass through his form. How is it that someone I don't know, a human, could write that. It's so close. He closed his eyes and crossed his arms hugging himself as he listened to the music that showed his soul to an uncaring world.
Crawling in my skin
These wounds they will not heal
Fear is how I fall
Confusing what is real
Discomfort, endlessly has pulled itself upon me
distracting/reacting
Against my will I stand beside my own reflection
It's haunting how I can't seem
To find myself again
My walls are closing in
A hand brushed Hiei's shoulder and he jumped before realizing it was Schuldich who stood in front of him.
(without a sense of confidence and I'm convinced that there's
just to much pressure to take)
Linkin Park, little cat.
"Schu…"
I know. I've felt this way before, so insecure.
I've felt this way before
So insecure
Schuldich pulled Hiei towards him and Hiei found himself leaning against Schuldich instead of the tree.
Crawling in my skin
these wounds they will not heal
fear is how I fall
confusing what is real
Carefully Hiei evaluated his feelings as the taller man wrapped his arms around him in firm hug. Did he care for Schuldich? Yes. Did he lust after him? No. Slowly he opened the mind link they now shared. Letting Schuldich look into his mind, and feeling consent from the telepath he sank into Schu's mind finding a mirror of his own thoughts.
Crawling in my skin
these wounds they will not heal
fear is how I fall
confusing, confusing what is real
Hiei smiled as Schuldich's hair brushed his cheek. He chuckled softly, sending to the telepath a picture of what his teammates faces would look like if they saw him so close to another person.
There's something inside me that pulls beneath the surface
consuming/confusing what is real
This lack of self-control I fear is never ending
controlling/confusing what is real
Completely relaxing against Schuldich Hiei let himself accept the comfort the flame haired man offered. I barely know you, why do I trust you?
Ja, little cat. Why don't you tell me?
Hiei smirked, maybe it wasn't something that could be explained, but he wasn't going to worry about it. For the first time in two hundred years he didn't feel so alone.
*****
Yusuke blinked. His head hurt. He yawned, receiving a glare from Botan. He blinked again, trying to get the small clearing and the people in it to focus. Six a.m. had always been to early. Six a.m. after a night of fighting demon's then getting completely soused with Kuwabara was distinctly disturbing.
"Really Yusuke, can't you at least pretend you're not disgusting." Botan sniffed looking very putout.
"I'mmm, I'm, not disgusting." Yusuke slurred, feeling slightly fuzzy. "He's disgusting." Pointing in the general direction of Kuwabara, he tried to not fall over. Botan glanced at the passed out and drooling Kuwabara and made a gagging noise.
"Ack, how can you guys stand to drink."
"Don't. Know. Seemed like a good idea at the time." Yusuke grinned watching the two Botan's blur in front of him. "Oi, Botan…did I ever tell you. Did I ever tell you, that…you've got some great legs?"
"YUSUKE!"
"I…I mean the rest of you is, is pretty nice too. Jus, just don tell Keiko I said that. Okay?"
"Oh, that's it!" Pulling her oar out of thin air Botan stalked over to the stupidly grinning Yusuke and introduced it to the back of his head.
"HEY!" Yusuke yelped. "What was that for?"
"Well." Botan smirked. "You're sober now."
"Sober, yeah. You don't hit hung-over people at six in the morning!"
"Actually it's six fifteen in the morning, sorry I'm late." Yusuke jumped to his feet, turning to face the familiar, yet unfamiliar voice behind him.
"Koenma sir." Botan chirped sounding unnaturally cheerful.
"Er, hey your royalness. Bout time you showed up." Yusuke paused giving Koenma an odd look. "What happened to you?"
"Nothing happened to me, now can we get down to business."
"Then why are you in you're grownup form, and how come your voice is different? It's not all high and squeaky anymore."
"Do you always have to show us what an idiot you are Yusuke?" Hiei asked with the usual superior expression on his face. "Isn't is obvious, he grew up."
"Overnight?" Kurama joined the conversation looking intrigued.
"Well, I guess it makes up for spending seven-hundred years as a toddler." Yusuke snickered.
"This isn't what I came to discuss." Koenma glared at the gathered detectives. "Things have just gotten very serious for all of us."
"No." Botan gasped. "The barrier, it's not gone is it?"
"Hey. Didn't you guys say something about a barrier before?" Hiei rolled his eyes at Yusuke.
"Yes, Yusuke. The barrier that keeps the people that were sent to hell in hell." Hiei smirked. "The place I would've ended up if you hadn't interfered in my life." Koenma cleared his throat to get their attention.
"The barrier is still mostly intact, unfortunately my father has still decided to ignore the problem." Koenma grimaced. "Now, last night a group of demons and devils managed to break through, and there are more of them than I feel comfortable letting you guys fight on your own."
"Oh Koenma sir, is it that bad?" Botan looked slightly desperate.
"I'm afraid so Botan, and my father will not grant me use of any his teams. So I've had to recruit help here. I found four humans that are willing to meet with us, and depending on what we tell them they might help us."
"You mean they get a choice?" Yusuke felt a bit miffed. "I didn't get a choice."
"You got a choice, you can still die again if you want to."
"Thanks, but no thanks."
"That's what I thought." Koenma turned and walked out of the clearing, followed closely by the others. "We're meeting your potential teammates at their apartment."
"Why couldn't they meet us here?" Yusuke complained. "I'm so sick of walking."
"They have a business to run." Walking past the still unconscious Kuwabara Hiei had a sudden premonition that he knew where they were going. Please not the egotistical, unbalanced killer florists.
Unbalanced florists, not someone I know are they? Schuldich asked sounding amused.
Unfortunately I think we both know them, and unless I'm wrong they're about to get added to my team.
*****
Hiei sighed and ignored Yohji's glare. Unbalanced florist.
"Stay out of my head." Yohji snapped drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
Normally I would, it's not very entertaining. Unfortunately for you I have nothing else to do while our glorious team-leaders discuss our future. Some days it was very satisfying to be telepathic.
Bastard. Yohji thought.
Egotistical dirt grubber.
"Hiei." Kurama warned. Silence descended on the room once more as Yohji, Ken, and Omi evaluated Hiei and Kurama. Yohji obviously didn't like what he saw. Ken just seemed unsure, and Omi hid whatever he was thinking behind a carefully cheerful and polite smile.
"Kurama." Omi's bright voice broke the tension. "Did you have fun with Aya-chan yesterday?" Hiei glanced up in interest; he didn't know Kurama had seen the girl again. Schuldich snickered inside his head. Abyssinian's going to love that. His precious sister dating a demon.
"What!" Yohji came to his feet. "This is the guy Aya-chan was talking about?"
You figured out what I am, and what Kurama is.
Cheerful smile still in place Omi nodded ignoring Yohji's display of temper. "We met him when we delivered Hiei's flowers."
Ja, I had Nagi do some research for me.
"That was only two days ago!" Yohji snapped.
"What was two days ago?" Aya's cold voice caused Yohji to blanch, and effectively stopped the blonde's outburst. Yusuke and Koenma trailed into the room after Aya. Yusuke looking bored and Koenma relieved.
Mien gott, little cat. He sounds very much like Crawford
Brad Crawford, the black-haired man that I can't 'feel'.
"Ah." Yohji stammered. "We met Hiei two days ago when we met with Schwarz."
"Hn." Was the redhead's eloquent response.
I would love to hear the two of you have a conversation.
Hn.
^_^
A/N: Well I was going to continue this but I haven't updated in forever and this seemed like a good spot to stop. I was actually pretty happy with the way this chapter worked out, I couldn't resist the fluff with Hiei and Schuldich, but tell me what you think please! T_T