AN: Hello there! If you're reading this, then you've obviously found your way to my fic. First off, I would like to thank you! It's not easy to get people to read fics, let alone actually review them (the obvious intent of this message...). Just so you know, I will likely respond in my fic to all reviews. Okay, enough of my patheticness to get people to read...Onto the fic!
Disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho. Mr. Togashi does, okay?
Dark Lust
Chapter One: Black Rose
"Winner of the Dark Tournament; Team Urameshi!"
It was a distant set of voices, from what seemed to be a distant time. To think, only days ago we fought for our lives in one of the greatest tournaments of all times...
Hiei....Yusuke...Kuwabara and even Genkai. We were a team. We had our faults, we knew that, but we were strong. We prevailed. But I was left with a strange feeling as we sailed away from the island. Like something was not finished. Surely I was mistaken...but even now I feel a strange emptiness inside, as if I left something unfulfilled. Yet I am unable to figure out what that something is. Every time I am on the verge of unveiling the mystery, something cuts it short. It slips through my fingers, lost in the shrouds of deep thought and subconsciousness...
"Shuichi! You're going to be late for school if you don't hurry."
Shiori...My human mother. It seemed as if I had been gone forever. Her soothing, loving voice tamed my rampant soul...How dear she has become to me over the years. How I missed her those few weeks.
"I'm coming Mother!" Gathering my stuff, I prepared for what school would bring about. Racing down the stairs thoughts of the piles of makeup work I would have flooded my thoughts. I was greeted by a gentle smile and I kissed the face it belonged to gently on the cheek, stating my goodbyes quickly. The morning sun met my eyes with the most pleasurable warmth. Today seemed perfect. Perfect...
My thoughts were interrupted however. Something was wrong...A strange presence drew closer and closer to me. I felt it closing in. I drew my breaths short, not moving. Gravity held me to my place, winning against my failing body. Then I saw it. From the corner of my eye a tall, dark shadow loomed closer, edging ever nearer. Finally, I wheeled around to meet my stalker in the eye.
"Hello Minamino-san!"
When I turned around, I almost yelled in frustration. "Amaya?!" It was only a ningen girl following me to school. "What were you doing?" She smiled.
"I was hoping we could walk to school together, Shuichi. Would that be alright with you?" I must have been too outwardly with my emotions for the girl frowned in disappointment. "It's fine with me if you don't want to, Shuichi. I was only asking."
I felt a bit of remorse for her, and agreed to let the human girl follow me. She wasn't unpleasant company by any means, but a slight annoyance when one is trying to think.
"So, Amaya, how much have I missed? I mean, since I was gone." She appeared to be thinking it over it carefully.
"Well, lets see. Two essays, one for language, one for history. We had a test in biology, though I'm sure you don't even need to study for that. You'll have to make up some tests for P.E. and there are about 10 assignments that you missed in math. It's really not too much."
"No, not much at all." A waste of my time, but I was bound to it. I could already foresee the hours and hours of monotonous labor of paper and pencil, scribbling meaningless rules and lifeless words. "It'll be fun, I suppose." I lied. She seemed to admire my remark.
"Oh Shuichi, you're so devoted! I wish I could be a better student like you..." Her eyes found the pavement as we reached the front of the school. In my mind I sighed, relieved that the walk was over.
"Well, I better get to class. I don't want to be late on my first day back." I said, waving as I turned to leave. As I approached the building's entrance I caught a glimpse of something dark. I was just being paranoid, I thought to myself. My hand found the door and I made my way inside.
"I found myself staring lazily up toward the clock. School somehow managed to become even more dull in my absence...
Tick...Tick....Tick...
"Shuichi!"
I snapped to attention. Apparently the teacher was yelling at me... "Yes sir?" I said innocently.
"As fascinating as the clock may be, could you please keep you attention up here?" He seemed a tad angry.
I hung my head a bit and murmured a "Sorry sir..."
Tick...Tick...Tick...
I wonder what Shiori's doing at work today...
Tick...Tick...Tick...
Sure is boring since the tournament...
Tick...Tick...Tick...
We fared fairly well....
Tick...
Except...
Tick...
Him...
....
....
"Hm?" I glanced up to see the thin needle stopped at the four. It half-heartedly fought toward the five. It kept trying, but it couldn't shake the four. It's fight was almost silent, until I listened...
Tak...
Tak...
The tak noise changed. I could hear the clack of shoes on solid ground.
Clack...Clack...Clack...
I found myself a little short winded and anxious.
Clack....Clack...Clack...
....
....
Something...dark...shadow...
....
....
I know that you fear what my touch can do to you, but perhaps you would like to know it better...
Ring!
I jumped as students took up their bags and began filing out of the room. Mr. Owanaga walked over to my desk and stopped to look down at me.
"Shuichi, I know you've been gone for a while, but do please try to stay on track. You're my best student and a role model for your peers. Perhaps you..." His voice faded. I heard a few more words followed by a pause. I faintly shook my head and started out the door.
I anxiously hurried away from the school. I felt a drop of swear roll down my face and drip off my chin. I gently brushed at it.
Kurama, get a grip. You don't have anything to be afraid of. Stop acting so fearful.
"Kurama..."
"HIEI!" I nearly screamed as I fell backwards, hitting the pavement hard. The fire demon blinked twice then scowled. I took a deep breath and got back onto my feet. "I'm sorry. I've been a bit...jumpy, I guess you could say."
He raised an eyebrow in question. "I can tell..." We stood in uncomfortable silence until I finally found something to say.
"So what brings you to the area?" I began walking towards my house. Hiei followed without hesitation. He remained silent. I waited.
"I...didn't really know where else to go. There's nothing to do, really." I turned my head toward him as he walked on looking straight ahead.
"I see." I waited to see if the black haired demon would say any more. When he said nothing, I conceded to walking in silence. I was a bit startled when he suddenly decided to talk again.
"So...what have you been doing?" He looked up at me rather innocently.
"Well, so far I walked to school, sat in class and now I'm walking with you." How eventful... "But I..." Hiei continued looking at me. I shook my head and said, "Nothing..." as we came to my house. "Care to stay a while Hiei? You said yourself that there is little to do at the moment."
"I...rather not." I felt a chill as he spoke. He obviously noticed. "Something wrong fox?" He said. I scanned my surroundings quickly, avoiding his gaze. He sighed in defeat. "Maybe...for a little bit." My eyes caught his and I gave him a quick, but forced smile.
I took out my key and hurriedly unlocked the door, opening it and letting Hiei in. I walked in behind and shut it, forcing myself to do so gently. Hiei made his way to the couch, looking around the room nervously.
"Don't worry, my Mother is still at work. Would you care for a drink?" Hiei gave his usual response, that being a 'hn.' I made my way to the kitchen to see what we had in the refrigerator. A dark shadow flashed by the window and a I turned my gaze to look out it. All I saw were the flowers in the backyard swaying in the gentle afternoon breeze. I removed two iced teas from their places and headed back to the living room.
Hiei had remained in the same place the whole time. "You can go ahead and have a seat if you like. Feel free to make yourself at home." Hiei gave me a sideways glance as if he...misinterpreted my intent. Nonetheless, he sat down and I gave him his tea. I watched as he unscrewed the cap and took a drink. He must have found it satisfactory since he didn't complain.
We sat in that familiar silence once again. It was then that I realized I had no idea how to start a conversation with the fire apparition. The only thing he would want to talk about would be Makai or fighting. Neither topic appealed to me, so I thought about trying something else. Surely Hiei had other interests...
"So Hiei. Have you had the chance to look around the city much?" He didn't bother to raise his eyes from his tea.
"No, not really." He continued to look down. He had told me that he didn't really have anything to do which made me wonder what he did do in his spare time.
"Well, would you like to?" He looked up at me but averted his gaze again.
"I...guess." I was surprised by this. Hiei never really cared for the human world. For him to accept was quite out of the ordinary and I found myself overjoyed.
"That's great!" I said, but tried to calm myself as Hiei gave me another look. "I'll bring a change of clothes to school tomorrow. We can head to town right after I get out of class." Hiei nodded slightly and sipped his tea. "I can show you all around town, Hiei. I think you'll really enjoy yourself." He nodded again and there's was another pause. Then Hiei stood up.
"I should get going." He walked to the door, placing his hand on the doorknob. He paused and looked back "See you tomorrow, Kurama." Then he left.
I sat staring at the door until I remembered the stack of homework I had to attend to. I quickly got up off the couch and headed toward my room, picking up my school bag along the way. I walked into my room, tossing my bag onto my bed. I sat down at my desk and went to reach for my bag and stopped when I noticed a mysterious object lying on my bed. I picked it up, turning it in my hands. It was a black rose.
Humans often talked of this famed flower. Many say it doesn't exist, which is true, but only in part. The reason these flowers were thought to not exist is because they are native to Makai. A black rose would not naturally grow in the human world unless mistakenly brought here by here by a demon. The question now was who put it here. No human had access to it and no demons knew where I lived, let alone which room I stayed in except...
An awkward thought came to mind at the possibility of it's origin. I felt a little flush and tried to erase the thought from my mind by starting on my work.
"Shuichi? Shuichi, dear, wake up. Shuichi?" Hm...A voice? Not Hiei's...I sat up and looked for the source of the voice.
"Oh, hello Mother. Sorry, I must have fallen asleep." I yawned and blinked and rubbed my eyes in an attempt to wake myself fully. "How was your day?"
"It went very well. How about you, Shuichi? How was your first day back?" She smiled kindly at me and I couldn't help but return that smile.
"It went well enough, though I must say I was given a lot of make-up work." I looked down at the pile of papers. To my surprise, they were all finished. "But it seems I finished it before I fell asleep." I said half trying to convince myself that I did in fact do it.
"Well, that's good. But you better go take a shower, Shuichi. It's starting to get late." She leaned down and kissed me on the cheek, then headed to the door.
"Good night, Mother."
"Good night Shuichi." She paused at the door. "Why, Shuichi, what a lovely flower." I looked at the Black Rose. I had apparently placed it carefully in a vase before drifting off.
"Yes, it is." The thought of the rose, for some reason, made me remember my plans for the next day. "Oh, Mother? I wanted to tell you that I made plans to go to town with a friend tomorrow."
"Well, that's good Shuichi. If you don't mind my asking, which friend is it?" I didn't say, but I did mind. Well, as long as she didn't ask to meet Hiei, I don't think I would have any worries.
"His name is Hiei. He's just moved here not long ago and has already finished school." It was more or less a true statement, though I doubt Hiei had ever gone to a human school...
I decided to continue on, knowing my Mother would be less curious if I gave her more information. "He's quiet and keeps to himself, but he's really very nice." I gave my Mother a caring look. She smiled back to me and I knew she was okay with everything.
"Well, I hope you two have fun tomorrow."
"I'm sure we will. Good night, Mother."
"Good night, Shuichi."
I sighed and got up from my spot, heading toward my closet. I pulled out my nightclothes and found my gaze falling on the black rose yet again. I shook my head and made my way toward the bathroom. An unwelcome sight was before me. I leaned down and picked up a bit of the unsightly mess and sniffed. "Feathers?" Sure enough the bathroom was littered in ebony feathers.
"That's odd...I don't remember leaving the bathroom window open..."I said as I walked toward it and found the window unlocked. I proceeded to pick up the mess, throwing the feathers in the trash. Another eerie chill ran down my spine, so I turned around, drawing the curtains tight over the window. I walked back to the sink and pulled a couple towels from under it, setting them upon the countertop along with the rose that had been neatly tucked in my hair. My fingers worked slowly to undue my magenta shirt. I slid the sleeves off my shoulders and gazed into the mirror. Somehow I could not shake the feeling that I was being watched.
I hesitantly began to undue my pants, occasionally glancing back to the window. After discarding all my clothing to the floor, I walked to the shower and ran the water hot. I stepped in and was greeted by the pleasurable feeling of the soothing water on my skin. I finally began to relax.
It had been such a long day. Hopefully tomorrow would be better. After all, I was going to spend the day with Hiei. I hope he'll like looking around. I don't want to disappoint him after all. I wonder if he was the one...no, it couldn't have been him...But Shiori obviously didn't know who it came from.
I sighed as I worked some shampoo into my damp hair. "I don't know why I'm so worried about tomorrow...or the rose for that matter. It's just a flower..." Or was it? Usually people don't just give others something for no reason. "Maybe..."In my mind, I shook my head. I then began to rinse my hair out.
I had noticed that the shower door had already fogged up. After making the observation, I returned to cleansing myself. For a second, I thought I heard a noise and looked at the door once again. Now I knew I was being paranoid. I closed my eyes, drowned in ecstasy. But when I opened them again they met with a indistinct silhouette.
My eyes went wide in alarm. "W-who's there?" The shadow flinched and then headed for the window. I immediately opened the shower door, but was too late. The curtains blew in the soft breeze as I stared through an open window...
I quickly shut the water off and got out. I wrapped a towel around my waist and walked to the window. For a second, I swear I saw a shadow in the tree outside my bedroom window, but it was nothing. I shut the window and hurried back to the sink. I found myself hastily brushing my teeth and drying my hair. With it still damp, I threw on my clothes and walked swiftly to my room. I tossed my clothes in the laundry basket and turned to look at my window with a blank stare.
The curtains were drawn, blowing in the wind. I found myself unable to avert my gaze, unable to move. "Who is doing this?" I ran to my window, almost slamming it shut and drew the curtains. As I stepped back I saw that some vines had been neatly added to the arrangement of one lone rose. I immediately threw back my blankets and crawled into bed. I drew the covers over my head and forced myself into a restless sleep...