A/N: Yeah, he is kind of a hypocrite. And I am sorry. I will try to make it
to the length of your liking.
Chapter 27: Dragon of the Darkness Flame; The Jagan Eye Revealed
Hiei could only watch in silent horror as this demon girl used her own life to save his. Everything seemed to move in slow motion for him. There was no injured Botan, nobody standing on the sidelines, no Kurama laying hurt somewhere, and definitely no Braeden waiting to kick his ass. The spotlights seemed to rest on him, sitting uselessly on the ground, and Amaranta, who was flying through the air towards a tree.
The sound of frail bones crushing into something hard made him flinch. The tree cracked. The force of the blow was too powerful. No one would be able to withstand a hit like that, and that was what made Hiei worried and angry. He watched as the girl slipped to the ground and lay motionlessly next to the fallen tree. Motionless. This couldn't be happening.
Everyone was quiet. Everything was quiet. It was as if there was no world, that it was frozen in time. Even Braeden had a shocked expression on his face. He hadn't expected this. He hadn't expected this at all. The last thing he wanted to do was harm his demon minion. He had thought she wasn't capable of any feelings other than those she was created with. Had she been able to develop more? Why had she never shown any other towards him? Why would she save- No. NO! Why would she save this-this runt? She was his! HIS!
Not anymore. Now she wasn't getting up. Now she was as still and quiet as death. Braeden knew what happened to his victim when this special attack hit them. First, it would hit you with such force and such pain like none ever experienced before. Your mind would want to slip into unconsciousness while your body wailed in agony, keeping your mind awake. If one were to hit a solid object, all the bones in whatever part of their body hit would cease to exist. They would be smashed into either a thousand pieces or into dust. At least that's what it would feel like.
Hiei stood quickly and started towards Amaranta. He needed to see if she was ok. He couldn't leave her there. Not like that.
"Hiei, no," Kurama rasped out.
He stopped and turned. "You're insane, Kurama. There is no way I am leaving her there."
"Have you forgotten about your battle?" the fox demon asked. He watched Hiei look over at Braeden, who was still standing in shock. "You must finish the task at hand first. Then attend to the girl."
Hiei hesitated. "But, she needs help!"
"I will watch over her until you are done." Kurama slowly stood, clutching his injured shoulder with his opposite hand. He limped towards the fallen demon and collapsed into a sitting position on the tree trunk. His breathing was quickened and his heart was beating faster than normal. He really needed to get this wound healed.
Hiei watched Kurama brush some hair out of Amaranta's face and then check her pulse. Her hand fell limply in the demons own.
"She's alive," he called happily. "But barely."
Hiei breathed a sigh of relief. Now he needed to kill this bastard who harmed her. He turned to face Braeden, who seemed to be out of the shock. The stare Hiei gave him was one that was rarely ever seen. It was one of sheer hatred and detest.
"You will pay for what you did to her," he snarled. "You will pay with your life!"
Hiei's speed was so fast that no one could see him. He attacked Braeden with much force and power. He hit about half of the time he was punching. This evil demon was getting sloppy. He must really not have been expecting to hit Amaranta. But it was too late for apologies. Hiei was just starting to unleash his wrath upon this unsuspecting victim. He would cry out for death before the end!
When Braeden lashed out in an attempt to stop him, he jumped back a ways. The demon opponent took deep breaths trying to regain himself. His lip was bleeding slightly and soon bruises would form on that once handsome face of his.
He slid his lower arm slowly across his mouth, saying, "You can pack quite a punch for a runt." A small, cocky smiled played at his lips.
At least he seemed less self-indulged. Those hits must have knocked some sense into his brain, if he even had one. Just in time too. It would be a shame for him to die in a haze of stupidity. Although, they always said that the only cure for stupidity was death. Should he find out?
"Why?" Hiei asked instead. "Why did you do that to her?"
"You think I meant to do that?" he asked quietly. "You think I would ever mean to harm her? Excuse me, but if you haven't forgotten I am the one who looked after her before you kidnapped her. I treated her well, I saw to it that she got whatever she wanted."
"If what you say is true, then why didn't she fight us to get back to you?"
Braeden said nothing. He did not know the answer to this. For once he could not think of a witty comeback. He had been good to her, hadn't he? He had treated her like a person, well mostly. She had known his responsibilities and obligations. She had accepted it silently, or at least that is what he had assumed.
"Can't think of an answer, can you?" Hiei stood very serious, not blinking. "Well I'll tell you the reason. It's because she wanted to get away! From you! From everything! You treated her like shit! Like she was nothing! That is why she didn't try to go back."
That was it. He didn't need to take this, especially from the bastard that stood across from him. He knew how he had treated Amaranta and how he felt about her. He knew he would never do anything intentional to harm her. This other demon, though, who had tried to steal her away from him, he would never know. He would never understand the feelings a demon who was supposed to be so sensitively challenged as himself would feel.
"Enough of this chit-chat," Braeden said. "Now it is time to die."
He ran towards Hiei, his speed decreased some because of all the blows he had absorbed and the wounds that still plagued his skin. However, he took no notice of them and just ran as fast as he could, his arm cocked backwards getting ready for the first punch.
Hiei saw him coming and quickly dodged the first couple attacks, but soon he began to feel forces project pain to different parts of his body. How had he suddenly been able to breach Hiei's defenses? He wasn't stronger, at least not since the new gashes. Something wasn't right. He wasn't focusing at all. The majority of his thoughts were on Amaranta and if she was going to be fine. He should have all his attention focused on defeating this pathetic loser.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Kurama watched the battle that was taking place so far, a little horrified. If Hiei kept this up, it would be over in just a short amount of time. He had to remain focused. He knew it was hard to do, but it was possible and it had to be done.
"Hiei, concentrate!" he yelled, hoping his friend would listen to the advice.
It seemed to help a little, as Hiei began blocking some of the attacks. He even managed to throw one of his own at Braeden, but unfortunately missed only to be knocked in the side of the head.
"Hmm."
Kurama looked down at Amaranta. She was stirring slightly. Maybe there was hope for her after all. Maybe she had been wrong. Hopefully. He saw her cough, some blood dribbling down the side of her mouth. She winced as pain shot through her from the movement of the cough. It did not look good. Not at all. Would Yukina be able to heal her? He hoped so.
Amaranta opened her eyes a slant and saw the red headed demon staring down at her. She moaned a little and rolled her head wearily to the side in order to see what Hiei was up to. He wasn't doing too well. He wasn't focused. It was all her fault. She opened her mouth to call out to him, but it filled with blood instead of words. Amaranta spluttered, blood shooting out of her mouth and onto the grass.
Kurama gasped and quickly turned her onto her back. He looked up and saw Hiei now staring at them. NO! A blow was sent to his stomach and he was thrown far back with the force.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hiei hit a tree hard, the bark cutting into his back. He fell to the ground with a thud. He had to go on. Keep fighting for her. She was alive. He had seen her move. But the blood that had come out of her mouth was nothing to take lightly. It just made him more angry and more worried. He needed to get to her and before he did that he needed to get rid of Braeden. That meant no more fooling around. It was time to end this futile dispute.
Hiei stood slowly and faced Braeden, who was looking to Amaranta with a little bit of relief that she wasn't dead. This was the time.
"Braeden!" Hiei called. "It is time to end this. No more playing around."
With one quick sweep, he removed the white bandana that had been tied around his forehead. An eye stared out at the evil demon now, ready and waiting.
"A third eye?" Braeden asked, apparently not scared. "What are you going to do, stare me to death?" He chuckled at his own joke.
"I wouldn't make light of the Jagan eye," he said darkly. "It doesn't like to be laughed at."
He could feel power starting to come forth into his right arm. It was a dark and strange power, yet he knew it all too well. What he was planning to do was dangerous and deadly. If it all went according to plan then this fight was over. It was time to say goodbye.
The dark power began to emanate from Hiei's arm. A black flame seemed to have engulfed it. Slowly the technique was coming along. It took much strength in order to control the monster made of energy that would come forth. If there was just one tiny mess up, the beast could turn on him and devour his life as he was planning to do to Braeden.
"It is time to face your fate," Hiei said. He pointed his right arm towards his enemy. "Dragon of the darkness flame!"
A black dragon made of dark energy from the spirit realm came forth. If it had vocal chords it would have been roaring and striking fear into the hearts of all. In one quick motion it rushed towards its victim. Braeden had no time to react. The beast was upon him faster than anything. He felt his life draining away. There was no other feeling like it. It rushed over him and then disappeared almost instantly in a haze of black smoke.
Chapter 27: Dragon of the Darkness Flame; The Jagan Eye Revealed
Hiei could only watch in silent horror as this demon girl used her own life to save his. Everything seemed to move in slow motion for him. There was no injured Botan, nobody standing on the sidelines, no Kurama laying hurt somewhere, and definitely no Braeden waiting to kick his ass. The spotlights seemed to rest on him, sitting uselessly on the ground, and Amaranta, who was flying through the air towards a tree.
The sound of frail bones crushing into something hard made him flinch. The tree cracked. The force of the blow was too powerful. No one would be able to withstand a hit like that, and that was what made Hiei worried and angry. He watched as the girl slipped to the ground and lay motionlessly next to the fallen tree. Motionless. This couldn't be happening.
Everyone was quiet. Everything was quiet. It was as if there was no world, that it was frozen in time. Even Braeden had a shocked expression on his face. He hadn't expected this. He hadn't expected this at all. The last thing he wanted to do was harm his demon minion. He had thought she wasn't capable of any feelings other than those she was created with. Had she been able to develop more? Why had she never shown any other towards him? Why would she save- No. NO! Why would she save this-this runt? She was his! HIS!
Not anymore. Now she wasn't getting up. Now she was as still and quiet as death. Braeden knew what happened to his victim when this special attack hit them. First, it would hit you with such force and such pain like none ever experienced before. Your mind would want to slip into unconsciousness while your body wailed in agony, keeping your mind awake. If one were to hit a solid object, all the bones in whatever part of their body hit would cease to exist. They would be smashed into either a thousand pieces or into dust. At least that's what it would feel like.
Hiei stood quickly and started towards Amaranta. He needed to see if she was ok. He couldn't leave her there. Not like that.
"Hiei, no," Kurama rasped out.
He stopped and turned. "You're insane, Kurama. There is no way I am leaving her there."
"Have you forgotten about your battle?" the fox demon asked. He watched Hiei look over at Braeden, who was still standing in shock. "You must finish the task at hand first. Then attend to the girl."
Hiei hesitated. "But, she needs help!"
"I will watch over her until you are done." Kurama slowly stood, clutching his injured shoulder with his opposite hand. He limped towards the fallen demon and collapsed into a sitting position on the tree trunk. His breathing was quickened and his heart was beating faster than normal. He really needed to get this wound healed.
Hiei watched Kurama brush some hair out of Amaranta's face and then check her pulse. Her hand fell limply in the demons own.
"She's alive," he called happily. "But barely."
Hiei breathed a sigh of relief. Now he needed to kill this bastard who harmed her. He turned to face Braeden, who seemed to be out of the shock. The stare Hiei gave him was one that was rarely ever seen. It was one of sheer hatred and detest.
"You will pay for what you did to her," he snarled. "You will pay with your life!"
Hiei's speed was so fast that no one could see him. He attacked Braeden with much force and power. He hit about half of the time he was punching. This evil demon was getting sloppy. He must really not have been expecting to hit Amaranta. But it was too late for apologies. Hiei was just starting to unleash his wrath upon this unsuspecting victim. He would cry out for death before the end!
When Braeden lashed out in an attempt to stop him, he jumped back a ways. The demon opponent took deep breaths trying to regain himself. His lip was bleeding slightly and soon bruises would form on that once handsome face of his.
He slid his lower arm slowly across his mouth, saying, "You can pack quite a punch for a runt." A small, cocky smiled played at his lips.
At least he seemed less self-indulged. Those hits must have knocked some sense into his brain, if he even had one. Just in time too. It would be a shame for him to die in a haze of stupidity. Although, they always said that the only cure for stupidity was death. Should he find out?
"Why?" Hiei asked instead. "Why did you do that to her?"
"You think I meant to do that?" he asked quietly. "You think I would ever mean to harm her? Excuse me, but if you haven't forgotten I am the one who looked after her before you kidnapped her. I treated her well, I saw to it that she got whatever she wanted."
"If what you say is true, then why didn't she fight us to get back to you?"
Braeden said nothing. He did not know the answer to this. For once he could not think of a witty comeback. He had been good to her, hadn't he? He had treated her like a person, well mostly. She had known his responsibilities and obligations. She had accepted it silently, or at least that is what he had assumed.
"Can't think of an answer, can you?" Hiei stood very serious, not blinking. "Well I'll tell you the reason. It's because she wanted to get away! From you! From everything! You treated her like shit! Like she was nothing! That is why she didn't try to go back."
That was it. He didn't need to take this, especially from the bastard that stood across from him. He knew how he had treated Amaranta and how he felt about her. He knew he would never do anything intentional to harm her. This other demon, though, who had tried to steal her away from him, he would never know. He would never understand the feelings a demon who was supposed to be so sensitively challenged as himself would feel.
"Enough of this chit-chat," Braeden said. "Now it is time to die."
He ran towards Hiei, his speed decreased some because of all the blows he had absorbed and the wounds that still plagued his skin. However, he took no notice of them and just ran as fast as he could, his arm cocked backwards getting ready for the first punch.
Hiei saw him coming and quickly dodged the first couple attacks, but soon he began to feel forces project pain to different parts of his body. How had he suddenly been able to breach Hiei's defenses? He wasn't stronger, at least not since the new gashes. Something wasn't right. He wasn't focusing at all. The majority of his thoughts were on Amaranta and if she was going to be fine. He should have all his attention focused on defeating this pathetic loser.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Kurama watched the battle that was taking place so far, a little horrified. If Hiei kept this up, it would be over in just a short amount of time. He had to remain focused. He knew it was hard to do, but it was possible and it had to be done.
"Hiei, concentrate!" he yelled, hoping his friend would listen to the advice.
It seemed to help a little, as Hiei began blocking some of the attacks. He even managed to throw one of his own at Braeden, but unfortunately missed only to be knocked in the side of the head.
"Hmm."
Kurama looked down at Amaranta. She was stirring slightly. Maybe there was hope for her after all. Maybe she had been wrong. Hopefully. He saw her cough, some blood dribbling down the side of her mouth. She winced as pain shot through her from the movement of the cough. It did not look good. Not at all. Would Yukina be able to heal her? He hoped so.
Amaranta opened her eyes a slant and saw the red headed demon staring down at her. She moaned a little and rolled her head wearily to the side in order to see what Hiei was up to. He wasn't doing too well. He wasn't focused. It was all her fault. She opened her mouth to call out to him, but it filled with blood instead of words. Amaranta spluttered, blood shooting out of her mouth and onto the grass.
Kurama gasped and quickly turned her onto her back. He looked up and saw Hiei now staring at them. NO! A blow was sent to his stomach and he was thrown far back with the force.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hiei hit a tree hard, the bark cutting into his back. He fell to the ground with a thud. He had to go on. Keep fighting for her. She was alive. He had seen her move. But the blood that had come out of her mouth was nothing to take lightly. It just made him more angry and more worried. He needed to get to her and before he did that he needed to get rid of Braeden. That meant no more fooling around. It was time to end this futile dispute.
Hiei stood slowly and faced Braeden, who was looking to Amaranta with a little bit of relief that she wasn't dead. This was the time.
"Braeden!" Hiei called. "It is time to end this. No more playing around."
With one quick sweep, he removed the white bandana that had been tied around his forehead. An eye stared out at the evil demon now, ready and waiting.
"A third eye?" Braeden asked, apparently not scared. "What are you going to do, stare me to death?" He chuckled at his own joke.
"I wouldn't make light of the Jagan eye," he said darkly. "It doesn't like to be laughed at."
He could feel power starting to come forth into his right arm. It was a dark and strange power, yet he knew it all too well. What he was planning to do was dangerous and deadly. If it all went according to plan then this fight was over. It was time to say goodbye.
The dark power began to emanate from Hiei's arm. A black flame seemed to have engulfed it. Slowly the technique was coming along. It took much strength in order to control the monster made of energy that would come forth. If there was just one tiny mess up, the beast could turn on him and devour his life as he was planning to do to Braeden.
"It is time to face your fate," Hiei said. He pointed his right arm towards his enemy. "Dragon of the darkness flame!"
A black dragon made of dark energy from the spirit realm came forth. If it had vocal chords it would have been roaring and striking fear into the hearts of all. In one quick motion it rushed towards its victim. Braeden had no time to react. The beast was upon him faster than anything. He felt his life draining away. There was no other feeling like it. It rushed over him and then disappeared almost instantly in a haze of black smoke.
