Chapter 43

True Feelings

It had been two days since Shinzu's visit. Nami had been living at Genkai's temple for safety. She did her best to act normal but the others could tell Shinzu had changed her. She was more cautious when venturing outside and had problems getting to sleep at night. When she did get to sleep she would be haunted by memories of the lab and Shinzu.

She was now sitting in the living room drinking some soda to calm her nerves. "Hey Yukina could you get me another" she called. No response. "Yukina?" she said again, still no response. She got up and headed for the dinning room.

She found Yukina lying on the counter swapping spit with Riku who was on top. I'm in grave danger from some crazy doctor and those two still can't keep their hands off each other. She'll be distracted for a while Nami thought as she got her own soda. She headed back to the living room and slumped on the couch.

The front door opened and Crystal walked in with a shopping bag in each hand. "Hey Nami" she said cheerfully. "Where have you been?" Nami asked. "Kazuma took me shopping" she replied. Nami sweatdropped. Since arriving in Japan Kuwabara had taken Crystal to the movies four times, shopping six times, and dinner two times. "Hey Crystal, where do you want all this stuff?" Kuwabara asked behind a mountain of shopping bags. "In my room silly. Why don't you wait out here until I drop off these bags and help you?" she said. "Oh no I'll carry all of them for you" he said as he scooped all the bags in his arms. "Kazuma, be careful" she said. "Don't worry my love this is no problem for Kazuma Kuwa…AHHH" he said as he fell down the stairs. Crystal flattened her ears on her head so she couldn't hear the sounds of breaking bones crashing down the stairs. When it was over she rushed to Kuwabara's side. "Kazuma, are you okay?" she asked. Kuwabara didn't reply but he did have swirls in his eyes. Crystal examined him and found that he did have quit a few broken bones.

"Hold on, I'll get Yukina" she said as she hurried back up the stairs. She rushed back inside and headed for the kitchen. Riku and Yukina were still going at it. Crystal sweatdropped. They've been going at it since I left and that was five hours ago. How can two demons hold their breath that long? she thought. "Will you two give it a rest, Kazuma needs help" she said. Riku and Yukina broke and looked at her. "He's tough, he can take care of himself" Riku said. "No with both his legs broken" Crystal replied. "Riku as much as I love kissing you, I have to help Kazuma right now" Yukina said. Riku sighed in defeat and rolled off her. "Come on" Crystal said as she grabbed Yukina's hand and pulled her to Kuwabara.

Riku stood up and decided to help them carry his adopted sister's bags. "Bout time you two stopped" Nami said. "She's my girlfriend what do you expect?" Riku replied. "You two are either making out or staring at each other all day" she said. "Oh don't get started on staring at each other. Since Shinzu left, I've noticed how you look at Hiei" Riku said. "What are you talking about" Nami said wish a faint blush on her face. "Don't play dumb with me. You've fallen for Hiei but you're to stubborn to admit it" he said. "Yea right wolf boy" she said. "Then why haven't you two had a single fight for the past two days. Usually it looks like World War Three in here but not since Shinzu came. Admit it, you like Hiei" he said. "Oh so since I haven't fought Hiei in two days I like him? I don't have to put up with this" she said as she got up and headed out the door.

She just had to be away from everyone at the moment. She took off into the woods. For the past two days Botan and Keiko would tease her about liking Hiei. Nami would always try to slug them but they would somehow dodge. Why does everyone say I like fire shrimp? He's nothing but a stubborn, short-tempered, cute, shrimp sized jerk. Wait where'd the cute part come in. I really need some rest she thought. She started to look around for a good tree.

It was then she realized someone was in watching her. She looked around a little and sensed who it was. Hiei? Why would he be out here? She thought. Could he be watching out for me? Staying in the shadows until something attacks me she thought. A smile crept on her lips at the thought of him protecting her. Realty check, Hiei would never want to protect me. Why did I like that thought? 'Because you like Hiei' a voice said. Who are you? 'I'm you Nami or at least the part that can admit you like, no love Hiei' it replied. I do not like that fire shrimp Nami replied. 'Yes you do. Come on you can tell me I can keep a secret' the voice said. All right, if it will get you to shut up I do have a small crush on him. There you happy? Nami thought. 'For now' the voice said before stopping. Nami sighed and continued to look for a good tree. So what if I like Hiei. It's not like he feels the same way she thought.

Up in the trees Hiei was having a similar debate. Why do I care if she goes out alone? He thought. 'Cause you can't bare the thought of losing her' a voice in his head said. Like I would ever fall for a girl. Let alone a bitch like her Hiei replied though he felt kind of bad for calling her a bitch. 'Then why are you following her?' the voice asked. I…er…I…oh shut up. I don't like Nami and that's the bottom line cause I said so. 'Stubborn to the end' the voice said before disappearing. Stupid voice in my head Hiei thought. I think it's time for another fight he thought as he followed Nami.

Nami finally found a good tree and hopped onto one of the branches. It's been days since I've been in a tree. Beds may be nice but the fell of bark under you is so much better she thought as she relaxed on the branch. Hiei came to mind. He's still following me. So what if I have a crush on him I'd never tell anyone she thought.

Hiei appeared on the branch in front of her. She almost jumped in surprise but her pride stopped her. "What do want fire shrimp?" she asked trying to his her nervousness. He has such a sexy body. Stop that she thought. Hiei was staring at her. She's got a pretty nice rack there. Where'd that come from? he thought. A very faint blush appeared on his cheeks. "I want you out of my tree" he said. "What do you mean, your tree?" she asked. "You're in the tree I sleep in, now get off" he growled. "No" she said defiantly. "I'm not gonna asked you twice, now get off" he said. "There's plenty of trees out here go use one of them" she replied. "This is the only tree I sleep in so you find another" he said. "My aren't we spoiled. Did your daddy not give you enough spankings when you were a kid?" she asked mockingly.

That did it. In all his life, Hiei hated it when people joked about his father. He may not have known the guy or even know what he looks like but no one jokes about the demon who gave his life to be with the ice demon Hiei called mom. His anger boiled until it took over. He had no control over what he said next. "Well at least I'm not some fucked up lab rat" he said. He instantly regretted saying that when he saw the look in Nami's eyes. Her eyes had widened and had a mix of sadness and surprise in them. A single tear rolled down her cheek. "I HATE YOU!!! I FUCKING HATE YOU!!!" she yelled. She jumped of the tree and ran at top speed toward the temple. Hiei could see tears falling in her path.

He placed his hand over his heart. To his surprise, it hurt. He thought about what she said. She hates me. Why does that hurt so much? He thought. He leaned against the tree. When Nami said that there was nothing but anger and hate in her eyes and Hiei knew she meant every word. What have I done? He asked himself. He started running to the only one who could help him, Kurama.

Nami was still running back to Genkai's. Hiei had called her the worst thing possible. He could have called her anything else and she would have brushed it off but lab rat. That was the only name that hurt her more than anything else. It reminded her so much of her past in the lab and she hated it.

When she reached Genkai's she leaned against the wall. It wasn't long until she broke down crying. How could he? He knows how much I hate my past. Why did I fall for him? He's just a heartless jerk who only cares about himself she thought.

Yukina came around the corner to investigate some strange sounds. When she found Nami crying her eyes out she rushed to the half devil's side. "What's wrong Nami?" she asked. Nami looked up and leaned on Yukina for support. She put a comforting arm around her. "How can you and that asshole be twins?" she cried. "What'd he do this time?" Yukina asked. "He…he called me a lab rat" Nami replied. Yukina had the sudden urged to pound her brother into the ground with a hammer then pull him out and do it again, which wasn't something a sweet girl like her often thought about. "You want me to have Riku teach my brother a lesson?" Yukina asked. "No Hiei doesn't deserve such mercy" Nami said. "I'm sorry this happened but you should know more about Hiei. He doesn't always mean what he says" Yukina said. "But he sounded like he meant it" Nami replied. "Yes but I know he doesn't think of you like that. Call it knowledge between twins. Now, let's get you cleaned up" Yukina said as she helped Nami to her feet. "Thanks Yukina" she said. "Don't mention it" Yukina replied.

A few hours later

Kurama reached his house after a nice day with Botan. He would have come back later but a war in the Middle East caused an increase in dead souls Botan had to bring to Spirit World. She had to cancel earlier than expected. Kurama unlocked the front door and went in. "Mother, I'm home" he called out. No response. "Must be at work" he thought out loud as he headed for his room. Along the way he examined himself in a mirror. "My hairs a mess" he said. He headed for the bathroom to fix it.

After spending thirty minutes getting his hair just right he headed for his room. He went in and grabbed some cloths from the draws. He turned around to start changing and jumped in surprise when he saw Hiei glaring at him from the corner. "How long have you been here?" Kurama asked. "About an hour before you came back. You really shouldn't waist so much time in the bathroom" Hiei replied. "What brings you here my friend" Kurama asked as he sat on his bed.

"Nami" Hiei replied. "Hiei, are you having girl problems?" Kurama asked slyly. "It's not like that fox" Hiei growled. "Then what is it?" Kurama asked. "Well me and Nami got into another fight" "I was wondering when you would" "Don't interrupt me" "Sorry, continue" "Well we got into a fight and she made a joke about my father. As you know I let my anger take over when someone does that and I called her a fucked up lab rat" he said. Kurama winced. "Bad move" he said. "I know but when I said that she said she hates me and than took off" Hiei replied. "Well can you blame her?" Kurama said. "I guess not but the part that bothers me is that it hurt when she said it. I felt a strange pain in my chest. And for some reason I don't like seeing her sad" Hiei said scratching his head. Kurama couldn't help but smile. He's in love with Nami he thought. He started to chuckle. "What's with you fox?" Hiei asked. "Hiei, your in love with Nami" Kurama said. Hiei's eyes widened and a blush stained his cheeks. "I do not" he growled. "Then why are you blushing?" Kurama asked. Hiei turned his back to the kitsune. "I don't have time for weak emotions like love and don't care about anyone" Hiei said. "What about Yukina?" Kurama asked. "Well she's my sister, of coarse I'm supposed to care and protect her" Hiei said. "Riku seems to be doing a nice job" Kurama said. Hiei growled. "That's beside the point. The point is, your in love with Nami but your to stubborn to admit it" Kurama said. Hiei had no response to that. Instead he jumped out the window and into the night.

What's that fox thinking? Me? In love? Don't make me laugh. If I ever fell in love it wouldn't with Nami he thought. At thinking her name she came to mind. He thought about the was her silvery blue hair glistened in the sunlight, her blue eyes that looked so mush like the sky, her goddess like body, her bravery and stubbornness in battle, her heavenly scent, and how she sort of floats when she walks. He then stopped in his tracks. The fox is right; I am in love with Nami. I gotta find her he thought as he sped to Genkai's temple.

When he reached it he looked around for Nami. He first cheeked the stairs but only found Kuwabara making moves on Crystal, he cheeked the house but only found Riku and Yukina making out on the couch, he cheeked the training room but only found Genkai meditating, so he decided to check the surrounding forest.

He found her sitting at the base of a tree at the top of a hill looking at the stars. He cautiously made his way to her. "Nami" he said gently. She turned around and glared at him. "What do you want" she asked angrily. Hiei approached her and carefully put his hand on her shoulder. Nami seemed a bit surprised by this but still glared at him. "I'm sorry about what I said about you earlier" he said. He didn't care if he wasn't acting like his usual self. This was the woman he loved and if he didn't swallow his pride he would lose her. Nami's expression gentled. He took a seat next to her and was surprised when she rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry for what I said. I don't really hate you. I just don't like it when people talk about my past" she said.

He put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him. "What did they do to you?" he asked. "When I was five they started conducting experiments on me. They injected me with poisons to see how long it took my immune system to get rid of it. It didn't kill me but it hurt so much. They also cut off my arms or legs to see how long it took them to grow back. I always went to bed in so much pain. The endurance tests they gave me made me more and more powerful until I was strong enough to fight back. I escaped and destroyed the place. But because I was half angel and half devil no other demon culture would take me in. I became an outcast and eventually a demon slayer. You guys are the first friends I've ever had" she said.

"I know how that feels. My mother and father knew they were breaking sacred laws when they mated but they didn't care. My father was killed by the koorime before I was born. When Yukina and me were born I was thrown of the floating island and into the Makai. My mother killed herself a few months later. I was forced to grow up fast and by the time I was five, I was already an S-class demon. Every demon wanted my head so I spent most of my life staying one step ahead of them. I was taken in by a gang of thieves and taught how to use a sword and steal. When I was strong enough I went to find Yukina. I found out she had left to find me. After searching for her with no luck I learned of the Jagan eye. So I had it implanted on my forehead. I've never felt so much pain but when it was done I had the power to easily find Yukina. After regaining some of my power I started to search again. I met Kurama who became my only true friend. After stealing three artifacts I fought and lost to Yusuke. That's how I ended up here" Hiei said. "I sorry I said that about your father" Nami said. "It's okay. You didn't know any better" Hiei replied as he ran his hand through her hair.

"If only Shinzu had died then I could live my days in peace" she said. "Your not going back to him are you?" Hiei asked. "I don't know. If I refuse he'll force me to" she said. "Nami, I won't let him take you from me" Hiei said fiercely. Nami gasped in surprise and looked at his face. She saw he really meant what he said. "Thank you" she said smiling. "Don't mention it" Hiei replied. They closed their eyes as they closed the gap between their lips.

Their lips were millimeters apart when a spirit blast headed for them Hiei pulled Nami out of the way as the blast destroyed the tree. They both looked to the source and saw Shinzu pointing a finger at them with a smirk on his face. "You basterd we were so close" Nami growled. "I was watching the whole thing. I know with him around you'll never leave on your own free will" Shinzu said angrily. "I won't let you take her" Hiei said gripping the handle of his katana. "I was trying to avoid doing this but you leave me no choice" Shinzu said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a remote with a dial on it. He turned the dial. When he did Nami started to scream in pain. Hiei turned around and saw she was clutching her head. "Nami" he said as he ran to her side. "Make it stop" she cried as she rolled on the ground. All of the sudden she stopped. She calmly stood up. "Nami, what's…" he was cut off when she punch his face and sent him flying into a tree. He looked at her and saw her eyes were completely blank.

"What did you do to her?" Hiei growled to Shinzu. "It's a little safety precaution. You see, Nami had a chip put in her brain when she was born. It gives me complete control over her" he said. "Nami fight it" Hiei said to her. "She can't hear you, she only obeys me" Shinzu said.

He pulled her scimitars from his coat and tossed them to Nami. She easily caught them. "Now get rid of the disguise and show us your true form" Shinzu said. A black aurora surrounded Nami. With a screamed her body erupted in a purple explosion. Hiei shielded his eyes. When it died down he gasped at what he saw. Nami's hair was now spiky, her nails had changed to claws, two black angel wings had sprouted from her back, her eyes were still blue but now had white pupils, and she had a devil like tail. "Say hello to Nami's true from and the true purpose behind Project Fallen Angel, to create the ultimate demon weapon" Shinzu said in triumph.

Hiei watched helplessly as she flew to Shinzu's side. "Don't bother following us or I'll have her attack you. Come Nami let's test your new power" Shinzu said. Nami bowed and followed him into the forest. Hiei collapsed to the ground as tear gems fell from his eyes. "I failed her. I failed to protect the woman I love" he said.

The bushes started to shake. Out of them came Riku, Yusuke, Kurama, Kuwabara, and Botan. "Riku said he picked up Shinzu's scent and…" Yusuke stopped when he saw Hiei. "Where is she?" Botan asked. "He took her. That slimy basterd took her" Hiei growled. He stood up and started to walk in the direction they disappeared. "Where are you going" Riku asked. "To get her back" Hiei said. "Don't rush into danger like that. We don't know what we're up against" Riku said as he grabbed Hiei's shoulder. Hiei stopped. "What did he do to her?" Botan asked. "He used some kind of device to control her. She has no freewill" Hiei said. "I should have known he'd pulled something like that" Riku growled. "So let's get her back" Yusuke said. "He's masked his scent so I can't follow him and Nami's been all over these woods today so there's no way I can track her" Riku said. "Then how are we supposed to find him?" Kuwabara asked.

"I can help" a voice said from the trees. The group looked to the source and saw a shadow sitting on a tree. The shadow jumped down into the light. Standing there was girl with curly brown hair, golden brown eyes, a red skirt, and a black tan top with the word 'ANGEL' written in red letters and with horns on top of the letters. "Who are you?" Riku asked. "The names Tengoku" she replied. "Wait a minute your the Gate Keeper of Heaven and Hell" Botan said. "Correct Grim Reaper" Tengoku replied. "So how can you help us?" Yusuke asked. "I've been tracking that Shinzu guy for months. He managed to sneak out of hell, like a certain fire demon" she said glaring at Hiei. "It's not my fault you're lazy" Hiei replied. "Why did you go to hell?" Yusuke asked. "To steal some artifacts" Hiei replied.

"Why are you helping us?" Riku asked. "Koenma sent me when he heard Shinzu was causing trouble" Tengoku replied. "Whatever" Hiei said. "So you know where he is?" Yusuke asked. "Yep, and I've been sent to help get Hiei's girlfriend back and drag Shinzu back to hell" she said. "Wait a minute, Hiei and Nami aren't together" Kuwabara said. "I was watching from the trees and they seemed pretty close. Or was the lips closing together just my imagination?" she asked. "Seems the shrimps have been getting all mushy" Kuwabara said. Hiei slammed his fist into the back of Kuwabara's head, which knocked him unconscious. "Does anyone else have something to say" Hiei asked. Everyone shook his or her head. "Let's get going" Yusuke said as he lifted Kuwabara onto his shoulder. The group followed Tengoku to Shinzu's hide out. I'll get you back Nami Hiei thought.

In the demon world

Dusk made his way through the halls of the Demon King's palace. "Pssed" a voice said from the shadows. Dusk looked to the source. He saw a girl who was 5 foot 6 in height with short sleek chin length black hair, gray eyes, and wearing a black kimono with long sleeves. A wooden pole was tied to her back. "Azeri, what have you to report?" he said. "The good doctor got his hands on Nami but now Riku and his friends are going to rescue her. And the Gate Keeper Tengoku has joined them" she replied. "This is disturbing news" Dusk said rubbing his chin. "Should I tail them?" Azeri asked. "No, I'll do it, you head back to the clan" he said. Azeri bowed and disappeared back into the shadows. Let's see how the Devil Wolf handles this Dusk thought as he to disappeared. 

It's been awhile since I wrote a chapter that long. Seems Hiei and Nami were about to hit it off. Don't worry Shinzu will get what's coming to him.

Tengoku was created by Sweetangel.

Next chapter, the battle against Shinzu. Review and send in characters please.