Shadows of the Past
by Yami Yue
The next morning Hiei went to train alone. I decided to take a walk in the woods to pass the time and to think for a while. Hiei and I had talked well into the night and I hoped that somehow something he'd told me would release more of my memories. Unfortuately, none came flooding back. I figured a walk might help clear my mind and help bring back more memories and being close to nature would help me relax some. I couldn't shake this feeling that that I was being persued and it made me uneasy.
I decided to head to the forest. Hiei would be training nearby and I wouldn't be close enough to intrude. After all he needed time to himself as well as I. As soon as I left the hotel I felt as though I was being followed. I was glad I was stronger than when I had first awakened in Hiei's room. If there was going to be trouble I was more than ready for it. It wasn't long before I reached a clearing and the one following me was revealed. "Kurama," a soft feminine voice called. I whirled around to face a beautiful youko vixen. My eyes widened when I realized who she was. "Velaska?" I asked. "Yes Kurama," he answered. "It's me," "My you've grown," I said. "So have you," she replied. "Much has changed with time," "What are you doing here?" I asked. "I came to find you," she answered. "Why?" I questioned. "The clan wants you back," she said as she took my hand in hers and wrapped an arm about my waist. "I want you back,"
I broke free of her embrace. "I can't Velaska," I said. "Why not?" she demanded. "I have a mate," I answered. She stepped even closer. "The swordsman is not your mate," she said. "He deceives you my love," she raised her hand and caressed my cheek. "He clouds your mind with his evil eye," she said. "It was he who placed you into a deep sleep for all these years and kept you hidden from us," "I fear he will try to harm you," she continued. "Please, come with me, let me get you away from here," "I've heard enough," I said then turned away. "Kurama," she said as she grabbed my wrist. "Please wait," "He said he's heard enough," came Hiei's deep voice as he landed behind me. I tore my wrist from Velaska's grip and went back the way I came.
"How dare she accuse Hiei of such a thing," I thought angrily as I walked away as fast as I could. "He wouldn't do such a thing to me..." "She's lying you know," he said as he appeared at my side. "I would never use my jagon on you," "I know," I said as I took his hand. "You would have already if such a thing were true," "Besides, after last night there's no way I could believe none of what I'd felt wasn't true,"
"Koemna said he'd sensed human magic upon you," he said after a few moments silence. "Perhaps that is what caused your memory loss," "Who would use human magic here?" I asked. "From what Kenji and Ryou told me, Velaska could have the ability to do so," he answered. "Why would she do such a thing?" I asked. "She wants you," He answered. I frowned and resisted the urge to roll my eyes. There was no denying that. Velaska had always chased after me, despite the fact I'd never shown any interest in her.
"If I can get close enough, I could try reading her mind with my jagon," Hiei said. "...then I'd know for sure what she was up to," "Perhaps I can lure her to you," I suggested. "I'm sure I can keep her busy long enough for you to find out all that you need," He nodded. "When shall we do this?" I asked. "Tonight," he answered. I nodded in agreement.
That night I sat out in the hotel garden waiting to see if Velaska would show up. Hiei was in a tree above me concealed in the darkness. He had masked his spirit energy so that she could not sense him. I hoped this plan worked. If she had done something to me I wanted to undo it and get back my life, my memories. I didn't have to wait long. Velaksa approached from the opposite direction from which I had come within a half hour. "Hello Kurama," she said softly as she sat down beside me. "I'm sorry about earlier, but I love you too much to let him hurt you," she gently touched my hand. "Come with me Kurama," she pleaded. "Rejoin your clan. Return to me my mate," My eyes widened slightly. "Your mate?" I asked. She nodded. "When?" I questioned. "Just after you were banished," she said. "We eloped," "How many times did you mark me?" I continued, not believing her at all. She smiled and caressed my cheek, trailing her fingers down my jaw to my neck. "Only once my love," she answered. "You do not seem to bear my mark," I commented. "Come with me and I'll show you," she purred seductively.
"Go with her Fox," Hiei said telepathically. "What!" I exclaimed mentally. What in Inari's name was he thinking, sending me away with this temptress. "The only way to break the spell she cast on you is to get the spell she used," he said. "I want you to keep her busy while I get her spellbook," "I'm not sure this is a good idea," I said to him. "I trust you," he assured me. "Just keep her busy the best way you can," "Alright, just don't be long," I agreed.
"May I ask where we would be going?" I asked her. Velaska smiled. "You're a bright boy," she said as she lowered her hand to my chest. "I'm sure you can figure it out," I smiled back at her. "I think we should get reacquainted first don't you?" I responded. "Oh?" she said with slight surprise. "I suppose it was too much to expect you to pick up where we left off," "We can talk over a meal then," "Why waste such a beautiful night inside?" I asked. "You're right, let's take a stroll through the garden," she replied. I nodded in agreement. "So where do I start?" she asked as we rose to our feet. "What happened after I left?" I asked. "Your father begged mine to help him find you that very morning," she informed me. "His dying wish was that you be found and brought home," "I suppose he still wanted me in the temple," I commented. "I don't know," she responded. "I only know that he wanted you to return home,"
I made no comment. I doubted my father would have begged the leader of the clan to find me. However, I believed he would have wanted me to come home. "How was I found?" I asked. " I found you here," she said. "The one who calls himself your mate had awakened you and is controlling you with that evil eye of his," I raised an eyebrow. "...and when was I placed into this long sleep?" I asked her. "Just after we were married," she answered. "He came upon us in the night, impressed by your strength he was determined to have you as his servant, his slave," "He tried to capture us both, but I was resistant to his spell," she continued. "You my love wasn't so lucky," "You fell into a deep sleep and could not be awakened," "The swordsman hid you away and I was afraid I would never see you again, that you were dead for sure," "Still the clan searched for your sleeping form until I was the only one who hadn't given up," "I found you in a cave near here, but before I could break the spell he came," "He released you from your sleep and apparently erased some of your memory as well,"
"This can't be true," I thought. "What purpose would it have served to make me love him? "There's no way I would have married Velaska of my own free will," "She lied about that too I'm sure," "... but ... what if ... there's no way she's telling me the truth... there's no way... Hiei wouldn't decieve me like that... what reason would he have? ... what would he gain? ..." "What better way than to gain loyalty and trust than through love?" I thought. "Someone beloved would be more eagerly and faithfully served than someone feard and despised..." I shook my head, suddenly feeling ill. "No..." I thought desprately "Velaska must be lying..."
"There's no denying that I love him..." I thought. "Surely he wouldn't be pretending to love me in return..." "...the hurt in his eyes when I said I didn't know him...when I pushed him away... the hope and love there when he'd kissed me ... that was impossible to fake...wasn't it?" I blinked in realization to the answer to my own question. Of course it wasn't impossible, but I doubed that Hiei was decieving me. I suddenly became aware of the fact that I'd felt his sadness and his hurt when I pushed him away the night before and the joy he'd felt when I remembered him giving me the necklace that now hung around my neck. It was impossible to fake that. There was a bond between us that Velaska didn't know about and it was that bond that kept me from further entertaining the doubts that had come to mind so suddenly. Velaska was lying, I was sure of it. Her motive had been evident from the start, but was she able to use human magic?
My thoughts were interrrupted by my mate a moment later. "I've got it Kurama," Hiei informed me telepathically. "I'll meet you upstairs," I replied. "I should go," I said to Velaska. "Hiei will be back soon," "Kurama please don't go back to him," she pleaded. "Come with me,' "I'm sorry Velaska, but I cannot," I replied then turned and headed back toward the hotel room I shared with Hiei.
He was sitting on the bed with a large book in his lap when I entered. He flipped the pages, frustration evident in his features. "It's all in Latin," He said with a scowl as he set the book aside. I could feel his anger as though it were my own. I stepped toward him, almost hesitant to ask the question I was sure I already knew the answer to. "Were you able to figure out which one it was when you read her mind?" I asked. He shook his head. "She's kept it too well hidden for me to find without her knowledge," he answered. "All I know is that the one who holds the spell controls it," I sat down beside him and fingered the tiny rose of the ring on my finger. I blinked as another scene played itself before my eyes.
"So what is it you want from me Kurama?" Hiei murmured huskily in my ear, before nibbling on the sensitive lobe and earning another moan from me. "Is it my body you want?" Hiei asked as he straddled my waist and began gently caressing my chest with his hands. "Yes." I answered as I half opened my eyes. "….want more..." I started to add but I was cut off as the fire apparition attacked my chest with his lips, and tongue making me moan in pleasure again. His kisses and tongue caresses were making my whole body tingle with desire. I knew I had to do something if I was going to tell him what I wanted to say, before I lost control. I grabbed Hiei and flipped us over so that I was on top. "You didn't let me finish." I said as I leaned toward Hiei. "I do want your body." I began. "..but I want more than that." "I want your friendship." I said as I kissed the fire apparition's forehead. "I want your love." I said as I kissed Hiei's cheek and "I want your heart. "I said then kissed Hiei's lips. "Let's make a pact." I suggested. "What kind of pact?" Hiei asked. "Neither of us shall take another lover unless and until we part ways." I said. "Agreed." he replied. I reached up and pulled two seeds from my hair. Hiei watched me with curiosity as I took his hand. I carefully balanced the seed on his ring finger and willed the tiny plant inside to grow. It wrapped itself around his finger forming a ring. In it's center was a tiny red rose. I repeated the procedure with my own ring finger. "The bloom will only die if one has been unfaithful to the other." I told him. He held up his hand and stared at the tiny rose in awe for a moment. "Then you are mine and I am yours alone." Hiei said. "Yes." I replied.
"Kurama?" Hiei asked. "Are you alright?" I nodded. "I think I'll go get a shower," I said as I got to my feet. He nodded in acknowledgement, but said nothing. He didn't have to. I could feel his concern and curiosity.As soon as I stepped into the bathroom and shut the door I was assaulted by another memory.
Hiei lay with his head gently resting on my chest and his arms wrapped protectively around my waist. We laid like that for a few moments before Hiei reached up and began stroking my hair. He shifted against me, making me open my eyes. His ruby red orbs seemed to be taking in my every feature. He brushed his lips against mine in a gentle kiss. "Marry me." He murmured. My eyes widened in shock. "What?" I asked, sure that I had heard wrong. "Marry me." He repeated. "Are you sure?" I asked. "You want me as your mate?" Hiei raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't sure." He replied. "…and why wouldn't I want you as my mate?" He continued. "You do want me as your mate don't you?" Hiei asked. "Of course I do Baka." I replied, then kissed him lovingly. "So this means you'll marry me?" Hiei asked teasingly. "Yes." I replied. A brilliant smile graced Hiei's lips and I couldn't help but smile in response. "You're even sexier when you smile." I told him. "So are you." Hiei said as he sat up. He opened the drawer of his nightstand and reached inside. Curious I sat up to peek over his shoulder. He closed his hand over something and turned to me. With his free hand he took my hand, carefully he slipped a ring onto my finger. When it reached the rose ring I wore, he removed his hand allowing me to see it. It was a simple silver band with a dark tear gem set in its center. Despite it's simplicity it was beautiful. I stared at it in awe.
My eyes widened in awe at the ring's detail as Hiei slipped it onto my finger. It was made of silver carved into the shape of a dragon. The design made it seem as though the tiny dragon was curled protectively around his finger, it's three tear gem eyes gazing up at me. It fit perfectly into the engagement ring he'd given me making it seem as though the dragon was gripping the tear gem in it's claws. I took his ring from Genkai's hand and slid it onto his finger. The sliver form of a small fox now curled protectively around my love's finger, it's two tear gem eyes looking up at him.
I glanced down at my rings and smiled. So, that's how I aquired them. I'd asked Hiei not to give me many details when talked last night. I'd hope the facts themselves would trigger a memory. Now it seemed my memory was trying to come back on it's own. As I removed my tunic one more memory came to surface.
I ran my hands over the firm muscles of his bare chest. He ran his hands over the thin shirt I wore, teasing me with his touch. He caressed my back just as I had taught him. I quivered with pleasure. "I think it's time for a more advanced lesson." He said softly, then kissed me again. He released my lips and began his sweet torment on my neck. I leaned down and nibbled on his ear as he brought his hands around to my chest. "Let's see how well you've learned what I've taught you first." I responded. "Hn," Hiei replied as he slid his hands under my shirt and began caressing my stomach. "As you wish." He murmured huskily. I laid him onto his back and began attacking his chest with my lips, tongue and lightly with my teeth. Hiei's eyes darkened with passion and he tugged at my shirt. I sat back a little, straddling his hips, straitening up just enough to allow him to remove my shirt. It was gone in a flash landing out of sight somewhere to be forgotten until later. Suddenly I was on my back. Hiei sat astride my hips looking down at me with an impish grin. He continued his kisses and caresses with passion. His fevered touch set my body afire with pleasure. "Inari Hiei." I thought. "Do you know what you're doing to me?" I looked into his eyes. Oh yes, he knew.
I gasped as he found another sensitive spot and he grinned. He nibbled my ear teasing the sensitive lobe with his tongue as his hands caressed my chest. I moaned and closed my eyes. "So sensei has your student learned well?" he asked in a sensual tone. "Yes." I murmured. "Very well." He brought his lips teasingly against a sensitive spot just below my throat. "Then shouldn't you get a reward for teaching me so well?" he continued, his warm breath teasing my skin as he spoke. My breath caught in my throat as he gently grazed my skin with his teeth. I moaned as he kissed me. "I think you do." He murmured as he took my hands in his. I opened my eyes and watched with a half lidded gaze as he placed my hands on the waistband of his boxers. I looked at him, completely dazed. His eyes met mine and I could see the intense desire in his gaze.
Though we had been together a year now we had never gone further than kisses and caresses. I'd vowed to myself that I'd do things right this time, take things slow and wait until Hiei was ready before taking things further. Then of course there was the problem with timing. We never knew when my mother would come home or when Hiei would come to visit, so we just stuck with our usually heavy make out sessions. I'd been careful in the past not to loose control and seduce him into further pleasure. Hiei's seductive voice and sensuous touch however, were steadily diminishing that control.
"What did you have in mind?" I asked, deciding to get him to tell me what he was thinking. Hiei smiled enticingly as he rested his hands on top of mine. He leaned forward and kissed me passionately. He broke the kiss and brought his lips to my ear. "I want to make love to you fox." He murmured huskily. "Are you sure?" I asked him. "Yes." He hissed in my ear. "I want you." Said a voice tenderly in my mind. "I need you." I shivered. Hiei had never spoken mind to mind like this with me before. "You told me that you wanted more than just my body." He said softly. "You said you wanted my friendship…" He kissed my cheek. "….my love…" He kissed my lips lovingly "….my heart…" he planted a soft kiss on my chest. "I've given you these and you've given me the same." "Now I'm offering you my body." He whispered sensually. "Are you willing to accept?" I shivered. I could deny him nothing when he used that sexy tone of his and he knew it. I leaned up and claimed his lips with my own. "I'm yours Hiei." I responded once I broke the kiss. "Do with me as you please." Hiei smiled. "Then teach me fox." He said. "Give me my next lesson." "As you wish." I responded.
I removed the rest of my clothing and stepped into the shower. As I washed the vivid images from my memory replayed themselves. The cold water did nothing to deminish my desire. I wanted Hiei and I wanted him bad. A mischievous smile spread across my lips as I closed my eyes and let the water run through my hair. Perhaps if I asked nicely he would be willing to oblige me.
I finished my shower and toweled myself dry, tying the damp towel around my body. I grabbed a second towel and began drying my hair with it as I exited the bathroom. Hiei gave me a once over, a slight smile gracing his features. Perhaps I wouldn't even need to ask. "I had dinner sent up," He said. "Forgive me for not waiting, but I was quite hungry," I smiled, not mistaking the double meaning. I could feel his desire just as he could feel mine. "Perhaps I won't even need to ask," I thought as I smiled seductively at him. "So am I," I said, hoping he'd understand the double meaning in my words.
His smile widened slightly as he passed me, heading into the bathroom. I finished drying my hair and set the towel aside. I sat down at the table and began eating as I heard the water in the shower turn on. It didn't take me long to finish the light meal he'd ordered. I shed the towel covering my body and set it with the other one. I climbed into bed and pulled the sheet to my waist. I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of running water, trying not to visualize the enticing male in the next room without clothing. Before long the water was shut off, and a short while later the bathroom door opened.
I opened my eyes and stretched cat-like. Hiei emerged, toweling his hair dry. A grin spread across his lips as he caught sight of me. He tossed the towel he was using to dry his hair on top of mine. "Are you trying to seduce me Fox?" he teased. "Maybe," I replied as he untied the towel that was around his waist. He undid it slowly as he stepped closer. My heart began to beat faster as he let the towel fall. My eyes followed the towel as it fell to the floor and Hiei was revealed in all his glory. I licked my lips. "Like what you see?" he teased. "I love what I see," I replied. He climbed into bed with me and lovingly kissed my lips. "Are you sure about this?" he asked once we had broken the kiss. "Yes," I murmured seductively. "Make love to me like that first night," Hiei gave me a kiss that made my heart race and my toes curl. "That is a wish I'm more than happy to grant," he purred seductively as his hands began to roam my body. I knew it wouldn't be long before all coherent thought would leave me and I would only know the pleasure he was giving me.
To Be Continued ....
AN: Thanks to all of you that reviewed and to make a correction Kie-the-dark-demon did guess correctly about the poem that Hiei's and Kurama's parting words came from. It's my favorite poem. Loreena McKennitt does a beautiful job of turning it into a song. I heard it in a shop and had to have it.
So far no one has guessed which show Velaska's spell came from, but I'll reveal that at the end of the story if no one knows. I'll give you a hint though, It's not an anime but it is an animated series that ended in 1997. If you manage to guess you'll probably know how Hiei can break Velaska's spell.
Until Next time,
Yami