Blurring the
Lines
5 Angel's Protection
All basic disclaimers apply; I don't own any Yu Yu Hakusho characters. All ideas and original characters used are property of Beware of Mage and Tsuki Ryu Productions. Oh, yeah I don't own any of the lyrics I print; I just think they add a nicely atmospheric touch, and belong to musicians whose music I adore. Have fun reading!! Kohaku Frost
Hel-loo everybody! I just won a Simpsons poster in a dart game at the Cheyenne Frontier Days so forgive me (I spent two hours picking out and memorizing the locations of every character that I am familiar with). This lovely little chapter will be longer than the last, I promise. As the chapter title states, the chapter will provide. R&R!!! ^_^ 8/6/03
Run, running all the time
Running to the future
With you right by my side
Me, I'm the chose
Out of all the people
You wanted me the most
And I'm so sorry that I've fallen
Help me up, let's keep on running
Don't let me fall out of love
Running, running as fast as we can
Do you think we'll make it
We're running, keep holding my hand
So we don't get separated
Be, be the one I need
Be the one I trust most
Don't stop inspiring me
Sometimes it's hard to keep on running
We work so much to keep it going
Don't make me want to give up
Running, running as fast as we can
Do you think we'll make it
We're running, keep holding my hand
So we don't get separated
Running as fast as we can
I really hope we make it
We're running, keep holding my hand
So we don't get separated
The future.
Running, running as fast as we can
Do you think we'll make it
We're running, keep holding my hand
So we don't get separated
Running as fast as we can
I really hope we make it
We're running, keep holding my hand
So we don't get separated
"Running" No Doubt
Soft, gentle hands brushed back her hair, a woman's hands, Keiko realized. But, her mother had died years earlier, Shizuru was in America, Botan had married Koenma and wouldn't have come to her rescue, because she was on her honeymoon.
Then Keiko remembered the last thing she saw before she blacked out: eyes bluer than a deep, deep lake under a cloudless sky on a sunny day. The eyes had been those of the woman who saved her. The woman who was caring for her now, the owner of those beautiful eyes, the woman now washing her face. The woman stroked back Keiko's hair one more time, before starting conversation.
"I see that you are conscious again, Miss Yukimora. Sshhh!!! Hiei is sleeping in a chair right next to the bed. If you say anything, he'll wake up and he needs his rest; he's been watching over you for the last week." Keiko couldn't open her eyes, but her lips moved in a smile. Angel smiled mournfully in the twilight darkness dimming the objects in the opulent bedroom. Hiei would be waking up from the discreet sleep spell she'd cast on him, and he would not be happy about it. "I have bad news that I wish more than anything that I could change. You are dying, Miss Yukimora. It's a poison that I can't counter, one created by Kurama. I'm so, so sorry I can't save you. I must leave now, I will be reborn soon and I don't want to trouble your beloved Hiei with my needs, seeing as he'll be grieving for you for the rest of his life. I myself know of no cure for the poison in your system, but if you should manage to overcome it, I will be at the Tower of Roses. Should you need anything, tell my daughter, Azura. The best of luck, Miss Yukimora." Angel couldn't quell the feeling that she hadn't done enough. She lifted a beautiful blue gemstone pendant from around her neck and placed it on the chest of the girl. Angel held her hands over the pendant, and began the spell to activate its hidden properties.
"Shard of Omni
Grant my wish
Protect what poison
Would steal away,
Save her soul
Cast upon her the
Sleep of the Gardi
Til a cure is found"
The pendant glowed brightly for a moment, dimmed and returned itself to darkness. Keiko had drifted into sleep moments before, and Angel sighed, the spell had been one of the more energy draining magics. The sleep of the Gardi would keep Keiko alive, but she would never wake. Once the cure for the poison was found, she could throw off the sleep, but no human had ever been able to.
Kurama had already poisoned Keiko by the time he attacked. The shoulder squeeze; he had worn a ring with a poisoned barb, squeezing her shoulder had hurt so much because he'd pierced her skin. The attack was merely to injure her badly enough so that she'd pass out, enabling the poison to spread undetected through her system. Well, this time Angel could say with complete honesty that she was happy with Hiei's choosing this Keiko girl, even if she was human. She was a beautiful girl, possessing determination and a quiet strength that would be good for Hiei. The same strength Kohaku had radiated like light from a flame. Angel only prayed that she would survive.
Kohaku.Angel thought about her estranged sister for a moment, and from the Queen of her race, Angel's thoughts shifted to the events preceding her voluntary exile. Oh how the mighty fall! If Kurama became Yoko Kurama in an effort to destroy Keiko, Angel might have to return to her ancestral home, Garden, to restudy the Magic of Black Wings, the ultimate skill set of her clan. Angel sighed, careful not to disturb the once more sleeping Keiko. The demoness known as the Dark Lady would sooner die than see harm come to her loved ones, especially Hiei. The beauties of being in love.something that had been missing from Angel's life for centuries. The hole Shadow had left in her heart still went unfilled, but the pain had eased after finding Hiei.
Hiei would find happiness in Keiko's arms, and that was all that mattered to Angel. Only if Kurama killed the girl outright, then Angel would have had a chance. What!?!?!?!!!!! What was she doing thinking that?!?! There was absolutely no reason for Angel to be.jealous? Was she jealous of Hiei's love for Keiko? But why would her feelings make themselves known now of all times? Right when Hiei was in reach of true happiness would she snatch it away with her selfishness? Her body shook, her eyes burned and she felt her wings spread, revealing the full wingspan of a royal Gardi about to make like a phoenix and burn.
Angel fled the room, headed for the sanctuary of her flower palace, the farthest residence from the Palace of the Starscapes, the place where Keiko now rested in an unoccupied guest room. Angel had half a dozen palaces that she traveled between during the year, and at least twice that many that she used for special occasions. The Tower of Roses was one of the rarely used ones. It was a living, growing tower of vines and climbing roses that had been a gift to Angel from the king of the Yokos. She went there when she felt wounded, or wanted to be alone. Azura, her adopted daughter, would not question, and Hiei had only been there once, so even if he was inclined to find her (which due to Keiko's condition he would not) he would be unable to. She would not be able to save Keiko, and she had to leave, so that her needs wouldn't interfere in Hiei's grief.
* * *
Hiei woke, hearing a repressed groan from somewhere in the room where Keiko was, the room where he had so peacefully slept a moment earlier. As he sat up, a beautifully woven blanket fell off his lean form. The half koorime saw that it was Angel's blanket, the one that her sister had given her. Hiei rose stealthily, all his senses screaming that something wasn't right, that something was missing that shouldn't be. Keiko was all right, she was sleeping now, her body healing from her injuries.
The groan had not been an illusion. Hiei saw the door swing shut, not from a push by mortal hand, but by the ghostly hand of the strange Makai wind that tended to help guide Hiei's life. Hiei spared one last glance for the sleeping girl lying in the bed he'd slept in hundreds of times. He wanted to stay and hold her hand, but his sixth sense kept screaming that danger was threatening someone special to him. He stalled longer, and Keiko opened her eyes.
"Hiei.? Where's the lady?" Keiko seemed to get suddenly weak, it hurt so badly. The pain was of the burning variety. Deep down inside, Keiko knew that she was dying; even the lady had told her so. All she could do know was try to fight it. But.she didn't want to die; she wanted to live, to share her life with Hiei. She had awakened to face death as best she could, when she'd had the richest happiness of her life within reach after so long. Hiei stroked her face and felt fear creep along his spine. She didn't look too good; and besides Angel was supposed to watch over the girl.
"Keiko, you shouldn't speak now. You need to rest." Hiei didn't like the pallor in her cheeks. It scared him.
"Tell.the lady.I.don't hate.her for not being .able to save me. Promise me.you'll never go back.to Kurama.promise me, love." Keiko felt the life slipping out of her body like a flame burning through her veins, a spreading fire, sapping her strength. Hiei saw the blue gemstone pendant and he remembered Azura telling him about its abilities, and how it would prevent death. There was still hope that he and Keiko could be together. But in order to remove the sleep he would have to find Angel. He was no longer afraid for Keiko's life; but he didn't want her to be trapped in the sleep that served as death for Angel's race.
"Keiko, where did the lady go? Did she tell you?" Hiei didn't want to seem insensitive, but if Keiko was to be cured and eventually awakened, he had to find the powerful sorceress. And.as he looked around the room he saw the vengeance spell book that Angel had given him. Mild stuff such as its contents weren't good enough for Kurama now. He wanted the Yoko incarnation to die, and die painfully.
"Tower.Roses." Keiko was puzzled, the burning had ceased, but she was getting very sleepy. It didn't seem like she was dying anymore; but it didn't feel like living either. It felt like going to bed after a tough day at the store where she worked. It felt kinda.nice. Hiei watched as the sleep took her.
"Keiko, I love you. I will see you when you wake.Keiko?" Hiei whispered the name softly, aware that she had heard his declaration of love, but by the second time he whispered her name, she was in the warm embrace of the dream fairy.
A strange stinging pierced his eyes. He felt something wet slide down his cheeks and black hirui-seki stones fell to rest on the blanket covering Keiko. He looked at the tear gems dumbly. More slid down the soft cheeks and joined their fellows on the blanket. He realized he was crying, and as soon as the thought connected he started to cry harder. Soon, Hiei's face was buried in his arms and he was bawling in anguish.
He noticed that the tears had stopped a few hours later. Keiko's bed was protected in the beautiful hirui-seki stones. Hiei got up after watching the even rise and fall of Keiko's chest, convinced that she was sleeping peacefully. He straightened his clothing and left the room, looking back once, a temporary goodbye and a promise of vengeance.
Keiko had mentioned Tower.Roses. It might be the Palace of Springtime, or the Fortress la Rosa, or the Tower of Roses. Shocked at his own stupidity, Hiei groaned. It would be the third option. Angel retreated to the Tower when she craved alone time. Hiei needed someone to talk to, a shoulder to lean on. The Tower cut short the time until she was an adult. By now, she'd be about sixteen. She always looked cute as a teenager, all beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes. Hiei flitted to the nearest open window, the very same that Angel had escaped through. He smelled the one of a kind perfume the winged demoness wore and he followed it through the night, chasing away the thought of Keiko never waking. But.it was easier than he'd thought it would be. Thoughts of Angel crossed his mind in disarray. Her baby form the freshest of all.
He had enjoyed taking care of her. Hiei relished the time spent playing with her as a toddler, the childish squeak of "Heehay" always made him melt. The one thing he'd always been able to depend on was the delightfully sarcastic and caustic approach Angel took towards life. Being with her always made him feel better about himself, he truly respected her, and he loved her as the teacher he had yearned for his whole life. In return for keeping her safe, Angel had shared her life and knowledge with Hiei. Hiei had no idea how Angel felt about him. He knew that she would go out of her way to make him happy, but the black haired demon sighed again. She always did loving things for him, so did that mean that.?
No, Hiei told himself firmly. She was not in love with him! If she was, Hiei knew she was the type of person who would tell him. Unless.he had confessed his love for Keiko, and Angel had held back, because she thought it would make him happy. If Keiko never woke up, Hiei knew he would survive. If Keiko fell for another guy, he knew he'd get over it. And Angel would selflessly comfort him, never saying what he had finally guessed.
The ominous Tower of Roses came into view, and Hiei was thrilled to see a light shining from the window of the library there. It appeared that Angel was already researching punishments for Kurama. Oh joy, the fox's time has come to an end.
End Chapter Five - Angel's Protection
Thank you for reading. I called Kurohi last night and she said I had another review! Thank you fifth reviewer! You made my day.
Kohaku Frost
5 Angel's Protection
All basic disclaimers apply; I don't own any Yu Yu Hakusho characters. All ideas and original characters used are property of Beware of Mage and Tsuki Ryu Productions. Oh, yeah I don't own any of the lyrics I print; I just think they add a nicely atmospheric touch, and belong to musicians whose music I adore. Have fun reading!! Kohaku Frost
Hel-loo everybody! I just won a Simpsons poster in a dart game at the Cheyenne Frontier Days so forgive me (I spent two hours picking out and memorizing the locations of every character that I am familiar with). This lovely little chapter will be longer than the last, I promise. As the chapter title states, the chapter will provide. R&R!!! ^_^ 8/6/03
Run, running all the time
Running to the future
With you right by my side
Me, I'm the chose
Out of all the people
You wanted me the most
And I'm so sorry that I've fallen
Help me up, let's keep on running
Don't let me fall out of love
Running, running as fast as we can
Do you think we'll make it
We're running, keep holding my hand
So we don't get separated
Be, be the one I need
Be the one I trust most
Don't stop inspiring me
Sometimes it's hard to keep on running
We work so much to keep it going
Don't make me want to give up
Running, running as fast as we can
Do you think we'll make it
We're running, keep holding my hand
So we don't get separated
Running as fast as we can
I really hope we make it
We're running, keep holding my hand
So we don't get separated
The future.
Running, running as fast as we can
Do you think we'll make it
We're running, keep holding my hand
So we don't get separated
Running as fast as we can
I really hope we make it
We're running, keep holding my hand
So we don't get separated
"Running" No Doubt
Soft, gentle hands brushed back her hair, a woman's hands, Keiko realized. But, her mother had died years earlier, Shizuru was in America, Botan had married Koenma and wouldn't have come to her rescue, because she was on her honeymoon.
Then Keiko remembered the last thing she saw before she blacked out: eyes bluer than a deep, deep lake under a cloudless sky on a sunny day. The eyes had been those of the woman who saved her. The woman who was caring for her now, the owner of those beautiful eyes, the woman now washing her face. The woman stroked back Keiko's hair one more time, before starting conversation.
"I see that you are conscious again, Miss Yukimora. Sshhh!!! Hiei is sleeping in a chair right next to the bed. If you say anything, he'll wake up and he needs his rest; he's been watching over you for the last week." Keiko couldn't open her eyes, but her lips moved in a smile. Angel smiled mournfully in the twilight darkness dimming the objects in the opulent bedroom. Hiei would be waking up from the discreet sleep spell she'd cast on him, and he would not be happy about it. "I have bad news that I wish more than anything that I could change. You are dying, Miss Yukimora. It's a poison that I can't counter, one created by Kurama. I'm so, so sorry I can't save you. I must leave now, I will be reborn soon and I don't want to trouble your beloved Hiei with my needs, seeing as he'll be grieving for you for the rest of his life. I myself know of no cure for the poison in your system, but if you should manage to overcome it, I will be at the Tower of Roses. Should you need anything, tell my daughter, Azura. The best of luck, Miss Yukimora." Angel couldn't quell the feeling that she hadn't done enough. She lifted a beautiful blue gemstone pendant from around her neck and placed it on the chest of the girl. Angel held her hands over the pendant, and began the spell to activate its hidden properties.
"Shard of Omni
Grant my wish
Protect what poison
Would steal away,
Save her soul
Cast upon her the
Sleep of the Gardi
Til a cure is found"
The pendant glowed brightly for a moment, dimmed and returned itself to darkness. Keiko had drifted into sleep moments before, and Angel sighed, the spell had been one of the more energy draining magics. The sleep of the Gardi would keep Keiko alive, but she would never wake. Once the cure for the poison was found, she could throw off the sleep, but no human had ever been able to.
Kurama had already poisoned Keiko by the time he attacked. The shoulder squeeze; he had worn a ring with a poisoned barb, squeezing her shoulder had hurt so much because he'd pierced her skin. The attack was merely to injure her badly enough so that she'd pass out, enabling the poison to spread undetected through her system. Well, this time Angel could say with complete honesty that she was happy with Hiei's choosing this Keiko girl, even if she was human. She was a beautiful girl, possessing determination and a quiet strength that would be good for Hiei. The same strength Kohaku had radiated like light from a flame. Angel only prayed that she would survive.
Kohaku.Angel thought about her estranged sister for a moment, and from the Queen of her race, Angel's thoughts shifted to the events preceding her voluntary exile. Oh how the mighty fall! If Kurama became Yoko Kurama in an effort to destroy Keiko, Angel might have to return to her ancestral home, Garden, to restudy the Magic of Black Wings, the ultimate skill set of her clan. Angel sighed, careful not to disturb the once more sleeping Keiko. The demoness known as the Dark Lady would sooner die than see harm come to her loved ones, especially Hiei. The beauties of being in love.something that had been missing from Angel's life for centuries. The hole Shadow had left in her heart still went unfilled, but the pain had eased after finding Hiei.
Hiei would find happiness in Keiko's arms, and that was all that mattered to Angel. Only if Kurama killed the girl outright, then Angel would have had a chance. What!?!?!?!!!!! What was she doing thinking that?!?! There was absolutely no reason for Angel to be.jealous? Was she jealous of Hiei's love for Keiko? But why would her feelings make themselves known now of all times? Right when Hiei was in reach of true happiness would she snatch it away with her selfishness? Her body shook, her eyes burned and she felt her wings spread, revealing the full wingspan of a royal Gardi about to make like a phoenix and burn.
Angel fled the room, headed for the sanctuary of her flower palace, the farthest residence from the Palace of the Starscapes, the place where Keiko now rested in an unoccupied guest room. Angel had half a dozen palaces that she traveled between during the year, and at least twice that many that she used for special occasions. The Tower of Roses was one of the rarely used ones. It was a living, growing tower of vines and climbing roses that had been a gift to Angel from the king of the Yokos. She went there when she felt wounded, or wanted to be alone. Azura, her adopted daughter, would not question, and Hiei had only been there once, so even if he was inclined to find her (which due to Keiko's condition he would not) he would be unable to. She would not be able to save Keiko, and she had to leave, so that her needs wouldn't interfere in Hiei's grief.
* * *
Hiei woke, hearing a repressed groan from somewhere in the room where Keiko was, the room where he had so peacefully slept a moment earlier. As he sat up, a beautifully woven blanket fell off his lean form. The half koorime saw that it was Angel's blanket, the one that her sister had given her. Hiei rose stealthily, all his senses screaming that something wasn't right, that something was missing that shouldn't be. Keiko was all right, she was sleeping now, her body healing from her injuries.
The groan had not been an illusion. Hiei saw the door swing shut, not from a push by mortal hand, but by the ghostly hand of the strange Makai wind that tended to help guide Hiei's life. Hiei spared one last glance for the sleeping girl lying in the bed he'd slept in hundreds of times. He wanted to stay and hold her hand, but his sixth sense kept screaming that danger was threatening someone special to him. He stalled longer, and Keiko opened her eyes.
"Hiei.? Where's the lady?" Keiko seemed to get suddenly weak, it hurt so badly. The pain was of the burning variety. Deep down inside, Keiko knew that she was dying; even the lady had told her so. All she could do know was try to fight it. But.she didn't want to die; she wanted to live, to share her life with Hiei. She had awakened to face death as best she could, when she'd had the richest happiness of her life within reach after so long. Hiei stroked her face and felt fear creep along his spine. She didn't look too good; and besides Angel was supposed to watch over the girl.
"Keiko, you shouldn't speak now. You need to rest." Hiei didn't like the pallor in her cheeks. It scared him.
"Tell.the lady.I.don't hate.her for not being .able to save me. Promise me.you'll never go back.to Kurama.promise me, love." Keiko felt the life slipping out of her body like a flame burning through her veins, a spreading fire, sapping her strength. Hiei saw the blue gemstone pendant and he remembered Azura telling him about its abilities, and how it would prevent death. There was still hope that he and Keiko could be together. But in order to remove the sleep he would have to find Angel. He was no longer afraid for Keiko's life; but he didn't want her to be trapped in the sleep that served as death for Angel's race.
"Keiko, where did the lady go? Did she tell you?" Hiei didn't want to seem insensitive, but if Keiko was to be cured and eventually awakened, he had to find the powerful sorceress. And.as he looked around the room he saw the vengeance spell book that Angel had given him. Mild stuff such as its contents weren't good enough for Kurama now. He wanted the Yoko incarnation to die, and die painfully.
"Tower.Roses." Keiko was puzzled, the burning had ceased, but she was getting very sleepy. It didn't seem like she was dying anymore; but it didn't feel like living either. It felt like going to bed after a tough day at the store where she worked. It felt kinda.nice. Hiei watched as the sleep took her.
"Keiko, I love you. I will see you when you wake.Keiko?" Hiei whispered the name softly, aware that she had heard his declaration of love, but by the second time he whispered her name, she was in the warm embrace of the dream fairy.
A strange stinging pierced his eyes. He felt something wet slide down his cheeks and black hirui-seki stones fell to rest on the blanket covering Keiko. He looked at the tear gems dumbly. More slid down the soft cheeks and joined their fellows on the blanket. He realized he was crying, and as soon as the thought connected he started to cry harder. Soon, Hiei's face was buried in his arms and he was bawling in anguish.
He noticed that the tears had stopped a few hours later. Keiko's bed was protected in the beautiful hirui-seki stones. Hiei got up after watching the even rise and fall of Keiko's chest, convinced that she was sleeping peacefully. He straightened his clothing and left the room, looking back once, a temporary goodbye and a promise of vengeance.
Keiko had mentioned Tower.Roses. It might be the Palace of Springtime, or the Fortress la Rosa, or the Tower of Roses. Shocked at his own stupidity, Hiei groaned. It would be the third option. Angel retreated to the Tower when she craved alone time. Hiei needed someone to talk to, a shoulder to lean on. The Tower cut short the time until she was an adult. By now, she'd be about sixteen. She always looked cute as a teenager, all beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes. Hiei flitted to the nearest open window, the very same that Angel had escaped through. He smelled the one of a kind perfume the winged demoness wore and he followed it through the night, chasing away the thought of Keiko never waking. But.it was easier than he'd thought it would be. Thoughts of Angel crossed his mind in disarray. Her baby form the freshest of all.
He had enjoyed taking care of her. Hiei relished the time spent playing with her as a toddler, the childish squeak of "Heehay" always made him melt. The one thing he'd always been able to depend on was the delightfully sarcastic and caustic approach Angel took towards life. Being with her always made him feel better about himself, he truly respected her, and he loved her as the teacher he had yearned for his whole life. In return for keeping her safe, Angel had shared her life and knowledge with Hiei. Hiei had no idea how Angel felt about him. He knew that she would go out of her way to make him happy, but the black haired demon sighed again. She always did loving things for him, so did that mean that.?
No, Hiei told himself firmly. She was not in love with him! If she was, Hiei knew she was the type of person who would tell him. Unless.he had confessed his love for Keiko, and Angel had held back, because she thought it would make him happy. If Keiko never woke up, Hiei knew he would survive. If Keiko fell for another guy, he knew he'd get over it. And Angel would selflessly comfort him, never saying what he had finally guessed.
The ominous Tower of Roses came into view, and Hiei was thrilled to see a light shining from the window of the library there. It appeared that Angel was already researching punishments for Kurama. Oh joy, the fox's time has come to an end.
End Chapter Five - Angel's Protection
Thank you for reading. I called Kurohi last night and she said I had another review! Thank you fifth reviewer! You made my day.
Kohaku Frost