Rain and Fire
Chapter 7: Aftermath Of The Jaou Ensatsu Koko Ryu Ha
-------------
Rain awoke to the sound of a gentle breeze blowing through leaves. She couldn't find the strength to open her eyes, but she could feel something warm and soft beneath her.
She was moving; at least, whatever was underneath her was moving.
Soft splashes reached her ears, and she finally managed to open her chocolate brown eyes.
It took her eyes a second to focus, but when they did, she saw that she was in a forest. She could see slight movement above her, and she raised her head.
She realized that she was on a horse's back, and the horse was trailing slowly and weakly through the little river that they were passing through.
Its mane, which was made of flames, seemed to be...dieing almost.
"Where am I?" she whispered.
The horse suddenly collapsed, and Rain fell off. The water engulfed her for a second, and she pushed herself back up to the surface, coughing and sputtering.
She quickly moved towards the horse, who had turned into Huo once his consciousness had slipped.
She quickly put her arms under his, and started to drag him back to the shore. She wasn't strong enough to get his entire body back up on dry land, but she managed to get most of him out of the water.
She flopped down beside him, and sighed.
"So…if we're here…then where are the others? What happened to them…?" she asked, though she knew the horse couldn't answer.
She sighed, and angrily pounded her fist into the dirt.
"Damn it!" she screamed.
A tear rolled down her cheek, and she didn't bother to wipe it away.
"Why…did Hiei have to save me? This whole thing is my fault…for being so weak. And now the others…they might be hurt."
She fell onto her back, and her chocolate orbs drifted to the starlit sky.
"Damn you Hiei…I could've handled it…"
Huo coughed and rolled over, and Rain sat up quickly.
"Huo-san!" she exclaimed.
He sat up as well, and his crimson eyes twinkled dimly with laughter.
"You're awake." he said.
She glared. "I could say the same about you."
He lightly touched his side. "Hiei's attack hit all of us, I believe."
Her face softened. "Where are the others? Did you see them?"
He shook his head, and laid back down. "We all got separated after the explosion. The cliff came down. Hiei should really learn to control his powers, ne?"
"Did you see Rin at least? She's human. Did…did Sesshoumaru save her?"
Huo chuckled. "From what I've seen, I don't think the lord would ever let her get hurt."
Rain nodded. "I just feel so terrible…"
He gave her a confused look. "What for?"
"This is…all my fault. Those demons were after me. If I had just gone with them, they would've left all of you alone."
"That isn't true. Those demons are as stupid as they are strong. They probably would've killed us all even if you had gone quietly."
He chuckled, and gave her a lop-sided grin. "So, don't worry about it, okay?"
She growled. "People are getting hurt because of me! How can I not worry? I never asked for this!"
Something flashed across his face, but the smile was back in an instant. "Rain-chan - you don't mind if I call you that, do you? - you're being too hard on yourself. You need to take life as it comes. This is fate; this is what Kami-sama wants to happen. None of this is coincidental."
She stood, and brushed off the skirt of her yukata. "You're…right, I guess."
She reached out her hand, which he accepted, and she helped him to his feet.
"That's the spirit! Now let's go find the others, ne?" he said.
"But what about your side?" she asked, confused.
He lifted up his shirt, and she blinked. "All healed already."
"Oh…"
"Come on, Rain, let's go."
--- --- ---
Hiei slashed down another tree with his katana, while doing his best to not look at his rival and enemy next to him. Youko was doing the same, slashing at the brush with his rosewhip so that Aura and Kuronue could make it through.
The bat was unconscious, and he needed to see a Healer as soon as possible; there was a chance that his wing's damage would be irreparable if they didn't get him help soon.
It took all of Aura's strength to carry him, and not cry at the same time. She was worried, and the tension between the two youkai ahead of her wasn't helping.
Hiei, however, wasn't thinking about Kuronue. In all honesty, the bat could die and he wouldn't blink an eye. The thing the koorime was really worried about was Rain.
After the cliff had collapsed, he had heard her scream, but…
She had to be alive.
She had been near Kouga and Huo; one of them would have helped her to safety, he knew.
He suddenly stopped his frantic slashing.
Why did he even give a damn about her? She was human.
"Hey, koorime, don't wimp out. Keep cutting!" Youko exclaimed.
Hiei snapped out if his daze, and growled at the fox.
"Shut up, will you?! All you've been doing this entire time is complaining!" he yelled back.
"Both of you stop it!" Aura exclaimed. "Think about Kuronue, okay? Save your differences for later, after he's been treated!"
Youko snorted, and resumed cutting down the thick vines.
Hiei, however, did not. When Aura had been talking, he had felt an odd tingle shoot down his spine. He didn't know what it was, but for a second, he felt like shuddering.
He shook it off, and turned back to the brush ahead.
"Fox, let me. I can get us through faster if I use-"
Youko cut him off. "Look, koorime, the last time you tried to help, you nearly got all of us killed with your stupid dragons. I'm not so sure that we can trust you again."
He growled. "Damnit! That was a different attack! Those dragons are uncontrollable by anyone, so don't go trying to pin it all on me!"
"Well, why the hell did you use them if they can't be controlled?! Power shouldn't just be thrown around - you need to be able to be in charge of it!"
The fire demon turned on his heel, and started walking past Aura and Kuronue.
"Where are you going?!" Youko exclaimed. "Get your midget ass back here, Hiei!"
But he just waved a dismissive hand as he walked off into the forest. "I'm going to go look for Sesshoumaru and Rin. You can go ahead and get you and your posse to a Healer by yourself - you obviously don't need my help."
Youko bristled, but kept his mouth firmly closed. Truthfully, he didn't want Hiei to stay, but it was looking like they may need him - for Kuronue's sake.
Aura glared at him. "Well? Youko, aren't you going to go and get him?"
"Hmph." he snorted, turning and folding his arms over his chest. "I don't have to. We don't need 'im."
She sighed, and looked down at Kuronue's unconscious face.
"But…what about Kuronue-kun?" she whispered.
Youko's ear twitched, and he sighed.
"Damn it, woman. I hate it when you're right." He turned back to her once more, and gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll go after him. Don't worry, Aura."
With that, he dashed off in the direction that the fire apparition had gone.
--- --- ---
Hiei walked along, using his you-ki to try and find where Rain was. He had lied to Youko, he knew, but he didn't want to make it sound like he actually cared about the girl.
He frowned, as he kicked at the dirt.
He didn't care, really! He just…knew that Sesshoumaru would take care of Rin, and the others were just none of his concern. In fact, he told himself, the only reason he was searching for her now was because he needed her for revenge against Yakumo.
He stopped walking when a tingle ran down his spine again.
"What the hell…?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such language."
He spun around, and came face to face with a girl. At least, it was sort of face to face.
He jumped back, his crimson eyes wide as he stared at her.
She was standing upside down on a tree branch, her sky blue hair falling down around her, and her matching eyes staring into his.
"What the hell?! Who are you?!" he exclaimed, putting his hand on his katana hilt, ready to strike the strange girl if need be.
She giggled, and faded away. This made Hiei's eyes widen once more, and he frantically tried to sense where she was.
Her laughter echoed through the woods, and finally came into one central point.
He spun around, and she was standing before him again, this time right side up.
"Are you lost? Or are you searching for her?" she asked.
He gave her a confused look. "What? Searching for who?"
The girl giggled again, and turned around, her hands behind her back. She started walking away from him, fading as she did.
"You know who I'm talking about!"
"No, I don't!" he yelled, trying to find her.
She appeared on a nearby tree, walking up its trunk as though it were the ground.
"Ah, but you do! Have you ever heard of the yin yang, Hiei?" she asked as she paced up the tree.
"How do you know my name?!" he exclaimed. This girl was starting to get on his nerves!
She appeared on another tree, this time walking towards the ground.
"The yin yang, Hiei. Two opposites, opposing each other yet embracing each other at the same time. Light and dark, love and hate, rain and fire. They're all examples of the symbol that the yin yang shows us. Neither of these things can live without the other. They coincide, and clash. Do you understand?"
He growled. "I have yet to understand one word that comes out of your mouth, onna!"
She suddenly appeared about four feet in front of him, the playful look on her face gone.
"Find her, protect her. She's more important than you know; she plays a major role in this war."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Start talking some sense."
She sighed, and her face softened. "Hiei, you don't understand your own role yet, do you?"
He didn't reply, but kept glaring.
She disappeared, and then reappeared right in front of him, floating. She cupped his face in her hands, and laid a gentle kiss on his lips.
His eyes widened, and she faded away once more.
When she was gone, her voice echoed around him for a second.
"Hiei…be careful…"
He stood there for a second, stunned, before touching his lips.
"Who was she…?"
.
.
.
--- --- ---
Author's Notes: MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA! Hiei's first kiss has been stolen by a blue-haired girl with no name!! MWAHAHAHAHAAA!!
How many of you now wish to strangle her and scream in her face: "His first kiss was meant for Rain!! RAIN!!!"
LOL.
Anyways, does anyone recognize where I got the girl's disappearing power thingie from? Anyone at all? If you can tell me what character does something similar (it's from a video game, I'll tell you that much), then I'll give you this [holds up Hiei plushie] plushie!
.
.
miyako14: LOL! Actually, I meant for pairings for this story. Anyways, I was actually going to have Kurama go with Botan - I don't even think I'm going to have Cheza in the fic. Maybe, maybe not. There are two parts to it - if she were to be in it, she'd be in the second fic.
crimson7319: Awwwwww, what's wrong with Aura and Kuronue? LOL. Yeah, a lot of people really liked the Midori/Kuronue (or Kano, whatever) pairing. I did too, kinda, but you have to remember that everyone's favorite phoenix doesn't even exist in this story. Neither does Amaya. Also, I won't be updating the 'Trial By Fire' story (the other with Saphir and Crystal) until I'm done with this one, and I have the next Kokoro No Kaitou story underway.
Coodle: Actually, I'm still debating on them REALLY getting together as a couple. I dunno. And yes, I looooooooove Wolf's Rain!! Hige rocks!!
Chibi Lady & Reecee: Sure! I just want to know which one I should write next. It seems like I'll be doing the Youko/You one next, after the next KnK story gets started.
Pheonix-of-Fire: Here's a new face. Thanks for the compliments! LOL, I think you should come up with titles for ALL of my stories. I like that one. 'The Price Of Fate'...I just might use that. You wouldn't mind, would you?
Kaija Katake: Hmmmmm...I don't see Kuronue as being the type to fall in love with Rain. In this fic, he's more lustful... Maybe if she looked more like Aura, he would. LOL.
slave2anime: LOL! That doesn't help if ya don't vote! But then again, I think the voting is pretty clear on who's going to be with who.
Sei-san: Thanks! Wolf's Rain, eh? Who's your favorite character?
Psychocatgal: Yeah, I am. It's called New Generation: The Angel Keepers. It focuses on Skye and Shuichi, who are aaaaaaaall grown up! I should start posting it...in a few weeks. I sent out an e-mail to everyone who reviewed the last two chapters of the final story (so if ya didn't get an e-mail, it's because I couldn't find your address), telling them that I was going to make a new story. There was even a form to submit an OC.
Story Weaver1: There's a loooooong (OK, maybe not THAT long) story behind the 'Kitsune In A Bubble' pen name. If ya wanna hear it, let me know, but if not, then I'm not gonna bore you with the details. Hey!! Booyaka is MY word! LOL. Actually, it's really Selphie's but I stole it from her. MWAHAHAHAHAAA!! Are you looking forward to the next KnK story? Just wondering. I'm gonna post it on my birthday (July 28) as a b-day present to everyone! LOL.
??????????????: They aren't as bad as they could be, but they are pretty evil. There's a reason behind Youko's and Hiei's never-ending battle, which should be explained in the next few chapters. In reality, if you think about it, they probably would fight. I mean, Hiei is kinda cocky, and Youko is the height of arrogance; they just wouldn't click. I hate Yaoi too!!! EWWWWWW! Especially when people try to say that Hiei and Kurama are gay. That's just wrong.
TPM-girl: Okay! So far, it's lookin' like I'm gonna post the Youko/YOU fic.
DarkVixenNisha: I adore Wolf's Rain! Who's your favorite character?????
Chapter 7: Aftermath Of The Jaou Ensatsu Koko Ryu Ha
-------------
Rain awoke to the sound of a gentle breeze blowing through leaves. She couldn't find the strength to open her eyes, but she could feel something warm and soft beneath her.
She was moving; at least, whatever was underneath her was moving.
Soft splashes reached her ears, and she finally managed to open her chocolate brown eyes.
It took her eyes a second to focus, but when they did, she saw that she was in a forest. She could see slight movement above her, and she raised her head.
She realized that she was on a horse's back, and the horse was trailing slowly and weakly through the little river that they were passing through.
Its mane, which was made of flames, seemed to be...dieing almost.
"Where am I?" she whispered.
The horse suddenly collapsed, and Rain fell off. The water engulfed her for a second, and she pushed herself back up to the surface, coughing and sputtering.
She quickly moved towards the horse, who had turned into Huo once his consciousness had slipped.
She quickly put her arms under his, and started to drag him back to the shore. She wasn't strong enough to get his entire body back up on dry land, but she managed to get most of him out of the water.
She flopped down beside him, and sighed.
"So…if we're here…then where are the others? What happened to them…?" she asked, though she knew the horse couldn't answer.
She sighed, and angrily pounded her fist into the dirt.
"Damn it!" she screamed.
A tear rolled down her cheek, and she didn't bother to wipe it away.
"Why…did Hiei have to save me? This whole thing is my fault…for being so weak. And now the others…they might be hurt."
She fell onto her back, and her chocolate orbs drifted to the starlit sky.
"Damn you Hiei…I could've handled it…"
Huo coughed and rolled over, and Rain sat up quickly.
"Huo-san!" she exclaimed.
He sat up as well, and his crimson eyes twinkled dimly with laughter.
"You're awake." he said.
She glared. "I could say the same about you."
He lightly touched his side. "Hiei's attack hit all of us, I believe."
Her face softened. "Where are the others? Did you see them?"
He shook his head, and laid back down. "We all got separated after the explosion. The cliff came down. Hiei should really learn to control his powers, ne?"
"Did you see Rin at least? She's human. Did…did Sesshoumaru save her?"
Huo chuckled. "From what I've seen, I don't think the lord would ever let her get hurt."
Rain nodded. "I just feel so terrible…"
He gave her a confused look. "What for?"
"This is…all my fault. Those demons were after me. If I had just gone with them, they would've left all of you alone."
"That isn't true. Those demons are as stupid as they are strong. They probably would've killed us all even if you had gone quietly."
He chuckled, and gave her a lop-sided grin. "So, don't worry about it, okay?"
She growled. "People are getting hurt because of me! How can I not worry? I never asked for this!"
Something flashed across his face, but the smile was back in an instant. "Rain-chan - you don't mind if I call you that, do you? - you're being too hard on yourself. You need to take life as it comes. This is fate; this is what Kami-sama wants to happen. None of this is coincidental."
She stood, and brushed off the skirt of her yukata. "You're…right, I guess."
She reached out her hand, which he accepted, and she helped him to his feet.
"That's the spirit! Now let's go find the others, ne?" he said.
"But what about your side?" she asked, confused.
He lifted up his shirt, and she blinked. "All healed already."
"Oh…"
"Come on, Rain, let's go."
--- --- ---
Hiei slashed down another tree with his katana, while doing his best to not look at his rival and enemy next to him. Youko was doing the same, slashing at the brush with his rosewhip so that Aura and Kuronue could make it through.
The bat was unconscious, and he needed to see a Healer as soon as possible; there was a chance that his wing's damage would be irreparable if they didn't get him help soon.
It took all of Aura's strength to carry him, and not cry at the same time. She was worried, and the tension between the two youkai ahead of her wasn't helping.
Hiei, however, wasn't thinking about Kuronue. In all honesty, the bat could die and he wouldn't blink an eye. The thing the koorime was really worried about was Rain.
After the cliff had collapsed, he had heard her scream, but…
She had to be alive.
She had been near Kouga and Huo; one of them would have helped her to safety, he knew.
He suddenly stopped his frantic slashing.
Why did he even give a damn about her? She was human.
"Hey, koorime, don't wimp out. Keep cutting!" Youko exclaimed.
Hiei snapped out if his daze, and growled at the fox.
"Shut up, will you?! All you've been doing this entire time is complaining!" he yelled back.
"Both of you stop it!" Aura exclaimed. "Think about Kuronue, okay? Save your differences for later, after he's been treated!"
Youko snorted, and resumed cutting down the thick vines.
Hiei, however, did not. When Aura had been talking, he had felt an odd tingle shoot down his spine. He didn't know what it was, but for a second, he felt like shuddering.
He shook it off, and turned back to the brush ahead.
"Fox, let me. I can get us through faster if I use-"
Youko cut him off. "Look, koorime, the last time you tried to help, you nearly got all of us killed with your stupid dragons. I'm not so sure that we can trust you again."
He growled. "Damnit! That was a different attack! Those dragons are uncontrollable by anyone, so don't go trying to pin it all on me!"
"Well, why the hell did you use them if they can't be controlled?! Power shouldn't just be thrown around - you need to be able to be in charge of it!"
The fire demon turned on his heel, and started walking past Aura and Kuronue.
"Where are you going?!" Youko exclaimed. "Get your midget ass back here, Hiei!"
But he just waved a dismissive hand as he walked off into the forest. "I'm going to go look for Sesshoumaru and Rin. You can go ahead and get you and your posse to a Healer by yourself - you obviously don't need my help."
Youko bristled, but kept his mouth firmly closed. Truthfully, he didn't want Hiei to stay, but it was looking like they may need him - for Kuronue's sake.
Aura glared at him. "Well? Youko, aren't you going to go and get him?"
"Hmph." he snorted, turning and folding his arms over his chest. "I don't have to. We don't need 'im."
She sighed, and looked down at Kuronue's unconscious face.
"But…what about Kuronue-kun?" she whispered.
Youko's ear twitched, and he sighed.
"Damn it, woman. I hate it when you're right." He turned back to her once more, and gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll go after him. Don't worry, Aura."
With that, he dashed off in the direction that the fire apparition had gone.
--- --- ---
Hiei walked along, using his you-ki to try and find where Rain was. He had lied to Youko, he knew, but he didn't want to make it sound like he actually cared about the girl.
He frowned, as he kicked at the dirt.
He didn't care, really! He just…knew that Sesshoumaru would take care of Rin, and the others were just none of his concern. In fact, he told himself, the only reason he was searching for her now was because he needed her for revenge against Yakumo.
He stopped walking when a tingle ran down his spine again.
"What the hell…?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such language."
He spun around, and came face to face with a girl. At least, it was sort of face to face.
He jumped back, his crimson eyes wide as he stared at her.
She was standing upside down on a tree branch, her sky blue hair falling down around her, and her matching eyes staring into his.
"What the hell?! Who are you?!" he exclaimed, putting his hand on his katana hilt, ready to strike the strange girl if need be.
She giggled, and faded away. This made Hiei's eyes widen once more, and he frantically tried to sense where she was.
Her laughter echoed through the woods, and finally came into one central point.
He spun around, and she was standing before him again, this time right side up.
"Are you lost? Or are you searching for her?" she asked.
He gave her a confused look. "What? Searching for who?"
The girl giggled again, and turned around, her hands behind her back. She started walking away from him, fading as she did.
"You know who I'm talking about!"
"No, I don't!" he yelled, trying to find her.
She appeared on a nearby tree, walking up its trunk as though it were the ground.
"Ah, but you do! Have you ever heard of the yin yang, Hiei?" she asked as she paced up the tree.
"How do you know my name?!" he exclaimed. This girl was starting to get on his nerves!
She appeared on another tree, this time walking towards the ground.
"The yin yang, Hiei. Two opposites, opposing each other yet embracing each other at the same time. Light and dark, love and hate, rain and fire. They're all examples of the symbol that the yin yang shows us. Neither of these things can live without the other. They coincide, and clash. Do you understand?"
He growled. "I have yet to understand one word that comes out of your mouth, onna!"
She suddenly appeared about four feet in front of him, the playful look on her face gone.
"Find her, protect her. She's more important than you know; she plays a major role in this war."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Start talking some sense."
She sighed, and her face softened. "Hiei, you don't understand your own role yet, do you?"
He didn't reply, but kept glaring.
She disappeared, and then reappeared right in front of him, floating. She cupped his face in her hands, and laid a gentle kiss on his lips.
His eyes widened, and she faded away once more.
When she was gone, her voice echoed around him for a second.
"Hiei…be careful…"
He stood there for a second, stunned, before touching his lips.
"Who was she…?"
.
.
.
--- --- ---
Author's Notes: MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA! Hiei's first kiss has been stolen by a blue-haired girl with no name!! MWAHAHAHAHAAA!!
How many of you now wish to strangle her and scream in her face: "His first kiss was meant for Rain!! RAIN!!!"
LOL.
Anyways, does anyone recognize where I got the girl's disappearing power thingie from? Anyone at all? If you can tell me what character does something similar (it's from a video game, I'll tell you that much), then I'll give you this [holds up Hiei plushie] plushie!
.
.
miyako14: LOL! Actually, I meant for pairings for this story. Anyways, I was actually going to have Kurama go with Botan - I don't even think I'm going to have Cheza in the fic. Maybe, maybe not. There are two parts to it - if she were to be in it, she'd be in the second fic.
crimson7319: Awwwwww, what's wrong with Aura and Kuronue? LOL. Yeah, a lot of people really liked the Midori/Kuronue (or Kano, whatever) pairing. I did too, kinda, but you have to remember that everyone's favorite phoenix doesn't even exist in this story. Neither does Amaya. Also, I won't be updating the 'Trial By Fire' story (the other with Saphir and Crystal) until I'm done with this one, and I have the next Kokoro No Kaitou story underway.
Coodle: Actually, I'm still debating on them REALLY getting together as a couple. I dunno. And yes, I looooooooove Wolf's Rain!! Hige rocks!!
Chibi Lady & Reecee: Sure! I just want to know which one I should write next. It seems like I'll be doing the Youko/You one next, after the next KnK story gets started.
Pheonix-of-Fire: Here's a new face. Thanks for the compliments! LOL, I think you should come up with titles for ALL of my stories. I like that one. 'The Price Of Fate'...I just might use that. You wouldn't mind, would you?
Kaija Katake: Hmmmmm...I don't see Kuronue as being the type to fall in love with Rain. In this fic, he's more lustful... Maybe if she looked more like Aura, he would. LOL.
slave2anime: LOL! That doesn't help if ya don't vote! But then again, I think the voting is pretty clear on who's going to be with who.
Sei-san: Thanks! Wolf's Rain, eh? Who's your favorite character?
Psychocatgal: Yeah, I am. It's called New Generation: The Angel Keepers. It focuses on Skye and Shuichi, who are aaaaaaaall grown up! I should start posting it...in a few weeks. I sent out an e-mail to everyone who reviewed the last two chapters of the final story (so if ya didn't get an e-mail, it's because I couldn't find your address), telling them that I was going to make a new story. There was even a form to submit an OC.
Story Weaver1: There's a loooooong (OK, maybe not THAT long) story behind the 'Kitsune In A Bubble' pen name. If ya wanna hear it, let me know, but if not, then I'm not gonna bore you with the details. Hey!! Booyaka is MY word! LOL. Actually, it's really Selphie's but I stole it from her. MWAHAHAHAHAAA!! Are you looking forward to the next KnK story? Just wondering. I'm gonna post it on my birthday (July 28) as a b-day present to everyone! LOL.
??????????????: They aren't as bad as they could be, but they are pretty evil. There's a reason behind Youko's and Hiei's never-ending battle, which should be explained in the next few chapters. In reality, if you think about it, they probably would fight. I mean, Hiei is kinda cocky, and Youko is the height of arrogance; they just wouldn't click. I hate Yaoi too!!! EWWWWWW! Especially when people try to say that Hiei and Kurama are gay. That's just wrong.
TPM-girl: Okay! So far, it's lookin' like I'm gonna post the Youko/YOU fic.
DarkVixenNisha: I adore Wolf's Rain! Who's your favorite character?????
