Inner Needs
CHAPTER SEVEN: SLAYERS AND MONKS
Hiei knew he was getting close to the ki he had sensed earlier. He moved quickly, jumping from tree top to tree top. Traveling above the ground was much easier. He could avoid all the demons that were crawling around, hiding in the brush. Only low class demon's hung out in the trees, hiding from others. They wouldn't pose any threat to him.
The energy he was following flared momentarily. This stopped the fire demon dead in his tracks. He was close, nearly on top of the source. But he saw nothing. With an angry sigh he dropped out of the tree. Had he been following the wrong ki? No that couldn't happen! For every wrong demon that he chased, Kurama was getting deeper into trouble.
'God, don't let Koenma be filing this.' He begged in his mind. If the stupid toddler was watching this then Kurama's freedom could be in danger. The child ruler would see to it that the kitsune was locked in a darkest cell, heavily suppressed by wards to keep him from escaping. A growl rumbled out of his throat, he couldn't let that happen.
The energy he had followed pulsed in front of him, raising and falling as though the demon were furious one moment and then perfectly calm the next. He coked his head to the side to and tried to figure out what was going on. If it was Kurama then the rise and fall could be due to flux in the pain the fox was feeling.
"Damn it." He hissed slowly walking forward. "Why couldn't you just leave that fucking jewel shard?"
He slowly walked through out of the woods and stepped into a clearing. Hiei gasped, taking a step back as this world shocked him once more. The clearing ended with a slight hill that rolled down into a bank of a river. On the other side of the river was small village filled with makeshift huts. Men pushed old fashioned plows behind oxen, mulling through what appeared to be rice fields. He could feel the energy flowing from somewhere inside that village.
"He's in there?" He asked himself with a quick shake of his head.
He was about to start down the hill when something hard slammed into his back from behind. Hiei let out a loud yelp as he was pitched forward, tumbling head over heels down the small hill. He hit the bottom in a heap, gasping at an odd pain that raced up from his back. What the hell was that?
Gritting his teeth, Hiei pushed himself to his hands and knees. He brought his crimson eyes up to glare at the top of the hill, but instead was slammed in jaw by a fist. Falling over backwards, Hiei finally caught sight of his captor.
It was a woman, young, yet still older then the other ningen Kagome. Her black hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail and her brown eyes were narrow. She held a large boomerang looking weapon flung over her shoulder. That must have been what had knocked him down the hill.
Growling, he pushed himself to his feet. The woman swung her large weapon over her head and swung at Hiei's. The fire demon dodged the blow and stumbled backwards.
"What the hell is your problem?" He snapped, evading another blow. "Who the fuck are you?!"
She flipped her weapon over her shoulder and glared at the fire demon. Her brown eyes were narrow and Hiei could tell that if attacked she'd be a suitable adversary. But not now. His head would be on a platter if he harmed an innocent ningen. Even if she attacked first.
"I'm Sango." She spoke in a low voice. "And I'm a demon slayer. You must be a stupid demon to show up at the village of the Shikon no Tama." She shrugged and readied her weapon again. "Now prepare for the end."
Hiei quickly darted away, drawing a gasp from Sango. He flitted to a low branch and glared at her with narrowed red eyes. A demon slayer? What the hell was a demon slayer and why was she after him? He wasn't doing anything but trying to help his friend.
Sango let out a tremendous cry as she hurled her weapon over her head. The large boomerang flew at Hiei who jumped off the branch landed roughly on the ground. Sango grabbed her weapon as he floated back to her.
"God damn woman!" Hiei shouted, rising quickly to his feet. "What the hell is your problem? I've done nothing to you!"
"You're an unknown demon getting too close to the jewel." She snarled. "That makes you dangerous enough."
Hiei gasped as Sango launched herself at him. He braced himself, catching the woman as she landed on top of him, knocking them both roughly to the ground. Sango managed to free a hand and punched the fire demon squarely across the jaw.
Hiei grabbed her wrists and quickly flipped over so that he was on top, straddling her waist. He forced her hands to down, pinning them to her sides. Letting out a low growl, he brought his face down close to her's.
"I'm not after some fucking jewel." He hissed. "I'm trying to find-"
Hiei was cut off as Sango brought a knee up quickly, knocking the wind out of him and throwing him from his position of power. He hit the ground hard, panting for air. But Sango wouldn't allow it. She lunged at him again and tackled him, raining down swift punches on his face and chest.
Hiei grunted and tried to pull away from her, but the punches had taken their toll. His movements were sluggish, his vision blurred. Sango whipped a tiny dagger out of one pocket and slashed out. The sharpened tip cut through the fire demon's chest, bringing a thin line of pain and blood. He hissed and jerked away, finding safety hiding in the thick leaves of a nearby tree.
He ran a hand over the wound, growling lightly in his throat. That woman was crazy! Was she really trying to kill him? He cursed lightly. If she was there wasn't a damn thing that he could do. He couldn't kill a ningen, not like this. She was doing her duty, protecting something from him. And he, still on thin ice with Koenma, couldn't raise a finger to her.
"Get out here and fight like the demon you are!" Sango screamed from the center of the clearing. "I hate winning an easy fight!"
Hiei scoffed from the low branch. "I can't hurt you woman!" He yelled back at her. "And I've already told you I'm not after your fucking jewel! What the hell would I want it for?"
"The same reason every other demons come scrambling to this small village." Her voice was closer this time. "You want more power."
Hiei smirked to himself. That one he couldn't argue with. He didn't want power, but he didn't want to obtain it by stealing broken jewelry. The power he gained was from revealing in physical strength. He shifted his weight and leaned against the trunk.
"I don't need anymore power." He grunted, peering out into the clearing. His whole body went stiff when he saw more men approaching from the other side of the river. Was the whole fucking village after him?
An old woman untangled herself from the mob of village people. Her gray hair was pulled back in a ponytail and her right eye was covered by a black patch. She pulled an arrow from her quiver on her back and held out in front of her. Closing her good eye, she began chanting quietly. The tip of the arrow began glowing and she pulled the bow easily off her shoulder. Curiosity got the better of him and he crawled forward on his branch to see her. The old woman turned to Sango.
"Where is he child?" She asked her in a quick, raspy voice.
Sango pointed at the tree that Hiei was hiding in. The fire demon's red eyes widened. They were going to shot him? With a glowing arrow? Oh no, that was not going to happen. Growling low in his throat he leapt from the tree and landed on his feet in the center of the clearing. He was about to run when he felt a burning pain in the back of his left shoulder. A cry wrenched its way out if his throat as he fell forward.
A pain raced through his veins like liquid fire. His head spun, the world blurring around him. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the arrow firmly buried in his shoulder. The feathers were growing a light pink. He gritted his teeth and wrapped his fingers tightly around the thin wood. At his touch the glow brightened and more pain raced through his system. He screamed out and dropped to his hands and knees.
A shadow suddenly fell over him. Hiei drew in rasping breath and looked up. Sweat dampened the sides of his face, running into his eyes and soaking the ward around his third. He saw the old woman and Sango standing over him.
"W-what did you do?" He asked in a thick voice.
"Tis a light spell demon." The old woman answered. "It will knock ye out long enough for us to take proper precautions."
"Pre-precautions?" Thoughts were now fleeing his mind like sand through someone's fingers. His head pounded, blood pumping in his ears. What kind of precautions? They really thought he was going to rob their village?
"We have to make sure you can't get your dirty hands on the jewel." Sango snapped at him. "You really are pathetic demon."
Hiei attempted to snarl at her but a dizziness washed over him and turned it into a soft growl. He reached deep and tried to tap into powers of his fire. Maybe he couldn't kill them, but stunning them was perfectly legal to his probation.
But just as his fist was beginning to be licked by flames a sharp agony shot through his head. He cried out, curling in a tight ball on the ground. A darkness rose, splashing over his vision and blocking out the world. He groaned and allowed the oblivion to pull him down.
~*~
"You want me to do what to the poor boy?" Miroku turned from the unconscious demon to Sango and Lady Kaede.
"That's not some 'poor boy'!" Sango cried at the dense monk. "He's demon, a fire demon I believe. I found him observing the town from its very outskirts. Luckily Kagome and Inu Yasha aren't back with the jewel shards yet. I think he was going for them."
Lady Kaede suddenly appeared in the room and looked down at the short demon. He lay on his face, arrow sticking straight up, feathers still glowing. The spell would remain until she or Kagome pulled the arrow. Until then the fire demon would remain in the dark, in a dreamless sleep that would keep his body young as long as he was in it. In fact, it was much like the curse her sister had placed on Inu Yasha all those years ago. Except this curse was allowed to be lifted when she deemed. Inu Yasha's was supposed to last forever. Why it didn't, no one yet knew. She turned from the sleeping demon to the confused monk.
"Miroku," She began in her gravelly voice, "We just need you to place some simple wards on him. You're the only one here with the blessings of Buddha. I wish to speak with the young demon after I know he cannot harm me."
Miroku sighed and nodded. He shooed the two women out of the room so that he could work in privacy. Sango sighed and dropped her large weapon in the corner. She turned to Lady Kaede and lifted a thin brow.
"Do you really think that short demon was after the jewel?" She asked pulling her long hair out its holder. "He didn't put up much of a fight."
Sango shook her head. On second thought, he hadn't put up any fight. Right before the spell had taken effect, she had seen flames form around his hand, much like the flames that sprung around Kilala's feet when she shifted into her larger form. So he was definitely a fire demon, that much they knew about him.
Also that he had an odd dragon tattoo snaking up his arm. They had found this when Lady Kaede removed the bandages that wrapped up his right arm thinking he may have injury. But there was only the long black dragon.
"Aye, he didn't even try to attack to me even when he knew the arrow was special." Lady Kaede sat down with a bowl of odd soup. "I doubt he was here looking for the jewel. But once he knows of it, things may be different."
Miroku suddenly stepped out of the room. He shook his head before making his way over to the two women. Sango handed him a bowl of the soup and scooted over when he sat down. Though they had become good friends, Miroku was still up to his old tricks and she was getting tired of hitting him.
"Are the wards in place?" Lady Kaede asked softly.
Miroku nodded and pointed at his own chest. "I placed a few," He answered while digging into his food. "All under his shirt as not to draw attention. The most important ones are the ones that restrict the use of his demon powers, the one that doesn't allow him to hurt us, and the one that won't allow him to place a hand on the jewel."
Lady Kaede nodded in approval. There was only one more thing she had to do. Again it was much like Inu Yasha's curses but it would be needed. She could tell this demon was much like the half dog demon. He was strong and temperamental, and had a disdain for humans. Though he wouldn't hurt them, she was sure his limitations would only go so far. She knew if need be he wouldn't hesitate in hurting them all. She reached into her shirt and pulled out a necklace. It was made of beads similar to Inu Yasha's except they were black and purple. She held it out in front of her and began chanting. The beads immediately began glowing an odd blue and then shot out of her hands and the room. Miroku and Sango jumped back and looked at her with wide eyes.
"What was that?" Sango asked, the first to recover.
"Something we will be needing." Lady Kaede mumbled in an almost ashamed voice. "If ye be looking for the beads they'll be around the demons neck."
Miroku and Sango suddenly understood and shook their heads at the poor demons predicament. Suddenly a thought occurred to Miroku. He lifted his large brown eyes and peered at the old lady questioningly.
"Who will be the one to say the words?" He knew that when ever Kagome said 'sit' Inu Yasha took a dirt dive. But having her control two demons was too much.
"Since you asked," Lady Kaede gave him a bitter smile, "You will say the words."
Miroku's eyes grew wide and Sango choked on her soup. The monk was in control of the fire demon? Although it made more sense then a demon slayer, the whole thing was still terribly off. She groaned and placed her food aside, suddenly not hungry.
"Now that all the precautions have been acted out shouldn't we wake him?" She turned and cast a glance at the door. "There is still much we need to know about him. And what better way to learn then from him."
Lady Kaede and Miroku nodded. The trio rose and headed towards the door the held the fire demon. Slowly entering the room, Lady Kaede walked over to the demon. Raising a hand to the arrow she looked at Miroku.
"Remember you have the power shall we need it." She whispered before wrenching the arrow out.
The demon came alive with a pain filled scream. He curled up in a ball whimpering slightly. The trio watched as the pain from the curse worked the last of its poison through his system. The demon's brow loosened slowly as he gasped, pulling in deep breaths of air. Eventually he cracked open a blood red eye to peer at the three who watched him. Panic instantly flashed through them and he tried to scramble away but his legs wouldn't allow it. Miroku jumped forward and held out a reassuring hand.
"We don't wish to hurt you demon." He spoke slowly, sounding as though he were talking to an infant. "Please calm down."
The words had no effect on the fire demon. He raised a hand and aimed it at them. Just as flames licked across his knuckles a scream ripped out of him and he dropped his hand to his side.
"There's wards on you demon." Miroku continued in his soothing tone. "You can't use your powers."
Panic flashed across his face once more as he reached for the sword that was at his side. He pulled it from its sheath and aimed the tip at them. His hand was shaking visibly. It was almost as if he were afraid to harm them.
"Don't make me hurt you." He rasped out. "I can't afford that on my record."
"You can't hurt us." Miroku sighed. "There's a ward against that too demon."
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!!" The fire demon suddenly screamed, eyes flaring up.
The trio jerked back, surprised by his outburst. He had seemed so strong in the clearing, but now he was close to panicking. Sango cocked her head to the side and gently stepped towards him. When he took a step back the problem hit her almost instantly. He didn't like being locked up or cornered. They were going to have to approach this welcoming slowly. She held a hand out much like Miroku had and winced when she felt like she was baiting a puppy.
"You know me as Sango the demon slayer." She winced at the title, knowing it wasn't the best opening line with a demon. But she needed to show complete honesty. "This is Lady Kaede, head of this village, and that is Miroku the monk. Please give us your name so that we can stop calling you demon."
The fire demon hesitated slightly. His knuckles were turning white around the hilt of his sword. Finally he answered with a defeated sigh.
"Hiei."
Sango nodded and motioned at his sword with a quick flick of a finger.
"You might as well put that away." She shrugged. "You can't use it on us."
Hiei glanced at his sword and growled lightly. He quickly sheathed it. That was when his eye caught sight of the dragon his arm. He gasped and held it out in front of him as though he had never seen it. His eyes scanned the room looking for the bandages. Not seeing them, he turned deadly eyes on the trio.
"Why'd you take the bandages off?" He asked in a low voice, taking a step towards them. "What else have you seen?"
Momentarily forgetting the wards that protected them, the three took a step back. For an instant they were positive they saw flames burning in his eyes. There was no doubt now that he was a fire demon. His red eyes narrowed as his hand drifted to the hilt of his katana. Raw fury was burning through him. They had dared nose into his privacy. Wards or no wards he would get his answers.
"What else have you seen?" He forced the question through clenched teeth.
"Nothing." Lady Kaede suddenly spoke up, drawing the enraged demon's full attention. "I removed the bandages on your arms because I thought ye were injured. I was going to help heal you."
Hiei scoffed and pointed to his chest were Sango had slashed at him earlier. The rip in his shirt was still there but the skin was perfectly smooth, not even a scar to mar the soft flesh.
"I'm a demon." He growled. "I heal fast."
Lady Kaede nodded and turned to Miroku. The monk saw the gesture and knew it was meant to remind him of the power he held over Hiei. But it wasn't the right moment to use it. He would know when it was.
"This we know." Miroku spoke this time. "But we were only concerned for your health and safety Hiei."
"Concerned?!" The fire demon blurted out with an amused laugh. "You attack me in that clearing while I'm doing nothing but searching for a friend then shoot me with a cursed arrow! Then you place all these fucking wards on me so I can't even defend myself and try to tell me I'm safe! And to top it off I find out that you've seen things on my that were kept covered for a reason and I'm supposed to believe you're concerned about me?! No! NO! I'm not buying it!!"
Sango broke free from the group and stepped over towards the irate demon. She held a hand out towards her but he quickly snapped away. With a sigh, she gently spoke to him.
"I apologize for attacking you." She murmured. "I had no idea that you were looking for a friend. And the wards were for our protection because we knew nothing of you or your temperament. We have to be careful about mysterious demons around here. Is there any way we can help you find your friend?"
Hiei was taken aback the sincerity in her voice. He took a step away from her and mulled things over in his mind. First off he had no idea where he was, all he knew was that it was some odd feudal era. Secondly these people basically had control over him because of the wards. He hated people controlling him. But maybe if he could gain their trust they would remove the wards and still help him find his way about their strange world.
"I-I have no idea where I am." He finally admitted, his shoulders slumping forward. "I followed my friend because he's terribly sick and in danger I feel. He found this stupid gem and it seemed to bond with his spirit. Now anytime there is nothing between him and it he looses it. The pain over takes him and he wants nothing more then to rid himself of it, but the demon in him won't let it happen."
The three stared at him, pure shock written on their faces. Sango, who stood closest to him, narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"I thought you knew nothing of the jewel." She whispered harshly.
"Very little." Hiei answered in an exasperated tone. He was sick of the damn jewel. "All I know is that it's powerful and Kagome and Inu Yasha are hunting down the pieces to make it hole again."
Lady Kaede's eyes grew wide as she hobbled over beside the demon slayer. She peered at him with her good eye, soaking in everything about his appearance. There was something different about him then other demons they came across. He seemed not care for the jewel, which was a rarity among demons. But that wasn't it. There was something almost…other worldly about him.
"Ye know of Lady Kagome and Inu Yasha?" She asked leaning a little to close.
Hiei backed up a step, a nervousness blossoming in his chest. He hated being surrounded like this. There was no way out. The room had no windows and the trio blocked the only door. Slowly panic worked its way through his system and he began panting, sweat forming on his brow.
"Th-they're the ones who took the jewel shard back." He rasped. "My friend followed them and I followed him. B-but I lost him. I need to find him, he was in too much pain to do anything and he's not in control of his own actions!"
Sango noticed the panicked flush that rose in the demon's cheeks and remember her earlier observation of his fear of being enclosed. She also noticed how close Lady Kaede was to him. Fear sparked in her. A trapped demon was like a trapped animal. Even though he had the ward, he might fight through to pain to see himself to freedom. She reached to pull the old lady back, but she spoke up first.
"Where are ye from child?" She asked in soothing voice.
"Makai." Hiei answered slowly. "But I got here from Tokyo."
The old woman's good eye widened to nearly twice its normal size. Hiei's own almond shaped eyes narrowed at the movement. Was there something wrong with Tokyo? That was Kagome lived and by the sounds of it, she was here all the time. And Kurama never complained about living there.
"You came through the well?" Lady Kaede interrupted his thoughts. When the fire demon nodded, she sighed heavily. "I thought only Kagome and Inu Yasha could travel through that. Child, once we find your friend ye must promise never to travel through there again."
Hiei nodded again. Words had fled him. He didn't understand why things had to be so complicated for these baka ningens. A brief flash of panic wrapped around his chest like iron bands and gasped. He needed a room with a window and he needed it fast.
"Please," He winced at the waver in his voice. "I need a window. I have a thing about being cooped up."
The trio stared at him for a while, debating his request. But the demon slayer nodded to the other two. Hiei let out a quick sigh of relief and made a mental note to trust Sango more. Even if she was a demon slayer.
He followed the trio out into another small room and immediately spotted the window. Running over to it, he settled beneath the sill. A cool air rushed in and ran over his skin, cooling it down. He let out a contented sigh and knew he could be himself more. Raising an eye to peer at his captors a thought suddenly struck him.
"Where are Kagome and Inu Yasha?" He questioned. "I have a bone to pick with that damn half breed."
Sango rolled her eyes while Miroku shook his head. Hiei was surprised by the gestures. He figured they'd pounce on him and demand he respect the annoying dog demon. Instead they almost seemed used to the words.
"What'd that baka do now?" Sango asked, sitting across from Hiei, on the other side of a tiny fire.
Hiei shrugged, not wanting to say his problem was Inu Yasha insulted his height. He was already self conscious enough about it, he didn't want others to know it. The fire demon hated showing weakness, and he already by giving away his fear of closed in proximities. A growl rumbled out of him.
"He's just an ass." He grumbled, turning away from the ningens that were watching him intently. "But you didn't answer my question. Where are they?"
"They should be here soon." Miroku answered, turning to his head to glance out the door. "With your demon blood I'm sure you're able to move much faster then them so I'm not surprised you beat them here."
"Hn." Was Hiei's only response as he leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. This was too much. He was in another world, ready to fight other demons, all to save his only friend. Kurama better appreciate all that he was doing for him. If not, he was going to kill the stupid kitsune himself.
"You know, you're not very friendly." Sango muttered, drawing Hiei from his ravings. "We haven't hurt you yet you treat us like we have you under lock and key."
Hiei placed a gaze on the demon slayer that caused her to squirm. His red eyes were intense, burning like the fire that made up his existence. But at the same time they were cold, almost as though they were made of ice.
"You have a ward on me that restricts my powers." He snapped. "You don't call that lock and key?"
"Well we didn't know whether you were a danger or not." The demon slayer huffed. "It was for our own protection."
Hiei raised a thin brow in an almost mocking manner. He slowly brought his arms up and crossed them behind his head. Maybe he could get a kick out of these humans. Just enough to amuse him until the hanyou got there.
"You know I won't attack you now." He muttered. "Why not remove the ward on powers? There's still the one that keeps me from harming you."
Sango blinked for a second. She hadn't thought of that. He couldn't harm them, whether he had his powers or not. And if he had his powers at least he could protect them. But it wasn't like they were going to bring him out to help them find jewel shards. They just needed to help out his friend and then he'd be gone. Back to his own time.
"You may not be able to harm us but you could still harm others." Miroku cut in for her. "And we wouldn't want you roasting Inu Yasha the moment he showed up."
Hiei chuckled. Now that thought did amuse him. That damn dog demon running around with his silver hair on fire, beating at his smoldering clothes. It was a vision that would give him many a happy dream.
"Hn." He shrugged in acknowledgement. "If I roasted him I could always put the fire out when I was done with the torture."
Miroku raised a brow and stared at him in confusion. How could a fire demon stop fire? Usually they could only control tangible flames. Once they released their hold on the fire it took an ice or water demon to put it out. That could only mean…
"You're a mixed breed?" Miroku asked the question cautiously, knowing demons were sensitive about these things.
As expected, Hiei winced. He turned his gaze to the window, for the first time noticing that night had fallen. The stars sparkled back him, disgustingly pretty things. How had that damn monk figured it out? Most humans weren't in tune enough with demons to understand a simple comment like that. But to explain meant diving into his past, and that was something he wasn't prepared to do. He hated his memories and locked them away in the back of his mind, demanding they remain there. There was no way he was going to reveal it to a ningen that had him trapped by wards.
"I do not wish to go into it." He growled, revealing stubby fangs. "There is truly little you know of and I assure you that it is enough. The rest of my past is stained with blood and thievery and something you would not want to see."
But Sango had seen the face Hiei made when Miroku asked him about his mixed blood. She knew that it was true but the fire demon wished not to reveal it. Which meant he didn't embrace the other side of him, no matter how little or how much of it flowed through his veins. Whatever he was another part off had shunned him, so he was going to shun them back by keeping them trapped in his memories. She felt a slight pity for him.
"If your hands are stained with blood then why should we trust you to remove the wards?" She asked in a soft voice, hoping to get a rise out him.
It worked just as planned. Hiei's eyes snapped open and shot to her. His blood red irises doubled in size as he sputtered slight. Heat rushed to his face as he fought to reign control on his normally immune emotions.
"I wouldn't hurt anybody!" He yelped, wincing at himself for sounding soft. That was when noticed the sadistic grin on the demon slayer's face. She had asked that just to get him going. And he had fallen for it! He made a second mental note of adding the conniving woman to his list of trusties. Now maybe he could have some fun of his own, get a rise out of his watchers. Settling back down and smiling coolly, he shrugged lightly. "Besides, just one life would go against my probation."
It had had just the effect he was wishing for. Sango and Miroku stiffened at peered at him as though he had grown a second head. The monk began to whisper a silent prayer to himself while the demon slayer just open and closed her mouth like a fish out of water. Hiei grinned and closed his eyes. Maybe this trip would be so bad after all.
That was when a familiar scent hit his nose. He snapped forward and growled lightly. Sango noticed this and tilted her head to the side.
"What's wrong with you?" She asked quietly, as though not to startle him.
"That fucking half breed's close." He grumbled.
Sango just chuckled lightly. "Damn," She mumbled. "You do hate him don't you? What'd he do that was so bad?"
Before Hiei could answer, Kagome entered the hut and flopped down between Miroku and Sango. She crossed her arms and huffed, sticking her chin up into the air. He brown eyes drifted to the door and she finally spoke.
"Get in here Inu Yasha!" She called out to the half demon. "We can fix my bike tire tomorrow!"
The dog demon entered the hut, arms crossed golden eyes narrowed. He went to yell at Kagome but stopped suddenly. He raised his nose and sniffed at the air. His gaze suddenly settled on the fire demon that had now risen to his feet.
"You!" The dog demon sputtered. "What the hell are you going here half pint? And where's your fox friend?"
Hiei growled and bared his fangs again. He felt his anger boiling and knew that he had to calm down. He couldn't call on his powers because of the wards and if he tried he was in for a painful reminder. Trying desperately to calm his raging anger, Hiei glared at the hanyou.
"I followed Kurama through the well." He snapped. "He followed you idiots because of the same reason I warned you! That jewel's attached to his spirit and it nearly killed him when you left. Youko basically took over and followed you here! Now I have no idea where he is! And you're going to help me find him half breed!"
Inu Yasha jerked back before raising his lip in a growl. His golden eyes narrowed dangerously and he took a few steps toward the angered fire demon.
"And why should I help you shorty?" He demanded. "You going to punch my knee cap if I don't?"
Hiei growled, seeing red flash before his eyes. This wasn't good. If Inu Yasha kept up with the taunting he was going to accidentally call on his powers and that wouldn't be good. Taking a deep breath, his scowl darkened.
"You don't want to know what I'll do to you dog boy." He hissed. "And you're going to help me because you and the baka ningen should have listened to me in the first place!"
Inu Yasha snarled and raised a hand to strike when he noticed something around the fire demon's neck. The dog demon's eyes suddenly went wide and a loud laughter poured out of him. Hiei raised a brow in confusion as the half breed fell over, rolling about in laughter.
"What's so funny hanyou?" He demanded, standing over the chuckling demon.
"T-the necklace!" Inu Yasha tried to collect himself. "Where'd you get your necklace?"
Hiei looked down and noticed a beaded necklace similar to Inu Yasha's hanging around his neck. He peered at it for a second before remembering what it did. The enjoyable mental image of the hanyou slamming face first into Kurama's carpet flashed through his mind. His eyes went wide and he immediately began tugging at the offending jewelry.
"Oh hell no!" He shouted, the necklace glowing an eerie blue with each tug. "Get this fucking thing off me! I'm not some pathetic half breed that you can control. Get this damn thing off me before I have all your asses! SHIT!!"
Kagome scrunched her nose up while she watched the fire demon continue ranting and tugging at his new necklace. She noticed Sango watching him with some pity. She crept closer to the demon slayer and nudged her before leaning over and whispering in her ear.
"What's with you?" She asked softly. "You look as though you pity him."
"I do." The demon slayer shrugged. "He said he was looking for his friend whom he followed here. Then he said something about his past and Miroku figured out that he's a mixed breed, half of two kinds of demons. It's a sore spot. And he's afraid of in closed spaces. He was freaking out till brought out here and let him sit under the window. He's harmless though, we've got wards and that necklace on him."
Kagome nodded and turned to the fire demon who had settled for glowering at them from his perch on the window sill. Her heart leapt into her throat and she quickly rose to her feet.
"You aren't leaving are you?" She blurted out.
Hiei raised one brow and glared at her. "No." He growled. "I can't go any where until you raise the wards from me. Until then I'm stuck her with you baka ningens and that stupid hanyou."
Inu Yasha growled but then grinned. He turned to Kagome and poked her in the side. She slapped his hand away but gave him her attention anyway.
"Do you have to say the words for him?" He asked in an almost giddy voice.
Kagome titled her head to the side. She hadn't thought of that. With a slight shrug she decided to give it a try.
"Sit Hiei."
The fire demon only titled his head while Inu Yasha let out a yelp and slammed into the floor boards. Hiei grinned and leaned back against the window's frame.
"I should tell you know Kagome." Miroku spoke up. "I'm the one who must tell Hiei to sit."
The beads around Hiei's neck light up and jerked him down. The fire demon yelped as he was pulled backwards out the window and slammed into the ground. Everyone inside the hut ran out to see Hiei sitting up and rubbing the back of his head. He set a vicious glare on Miroku.
"You should be thanking everyone you can think of for these wards Monk." He hissed. "Because if it weren't for them you'd be fried right now. Now I'm hoping this is the last time we have to go through this."
Miroku paled as Hiei stalked past them and back inside the house. All of the moved out of his way as he curled up on the windowsill and drifted off into a light sleep. Miroku laughed nervously and rubbed at the back of his neck.
"That's one scary demon." He joked. "Glad he doesn't desire a piece of the jewel!"
God, that turned out much longer then I thought it would. Hehe…the necklace on Hiei is pay back for his earlier comment to Inu Yasha about it. But don't worry, I don't think I'll use it a lot. I really can't see Hiei taking a dirt dive every five minutes and Miroku living to tell about it. I think it will only happen by accident, you know, Miroku letting it slip and Hiei eating dirt.
And I lied. No Kurama until next chapter, but I promise he's coming. And questions will be answered! Such as, who found Kurama? Is it a known character? Are they evil? What will they do with our precious kitsune?
All that and more in the next chapter!!
Now, please review!!!