Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho, but I (unfortunately) own the annoying Greta and the world –evil laugh-
Warnings: AU, Yaoi, hetero, language, violence, but not yet.
Little Myy: After the mistake-full last chapter. I decided to say to them who haven't read my bio or my other story Sweet Memories or figured it out that English isn't even close to my native language (I am Finnish).
I went to see a doctor three days ago, who said that I had a sinusitis and inflammation of the ear. Now I have three medicine courses plus I have to eat painkillers, because the whole illness thingy makes my head ache. So now I'm not only in fever (though it isn't so bad it was), but I am also drugged by medicines. So nothing good can be done. I appreciate them who kindly told/tells me about my stupid mistakes, but some of them are so stupid I would like to go and bang my head on the brick wall, but it would make my headache even worse, so I don't do it.
Enjoy the next chapter and let's hope it isn't so bad.
"indicates speaking"
::indicates Hiei's thoughts::
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Chapter 3: The Ball
::Why me? Why do –I- have to go to some stupid ball? I would have had better things to do, like for example train.::
"Hiei darling", a woman with blue eyes and blue-greenish hair bend closer to the boy and tidied up his collar. "Your lapel will go all wrinkled if you continue to finger it like that." Her dress was deep purple; expect the pink lace decorating the neckline and cuffs. Her hair was in a bun and the little bit of jewellery she was picked to wear were simple, but beautiful. Next to her was sitting a girl very much alike the older one, but she had red eyes, plain, light green dress and only a thin chain where was hanging a round gem around her neck.
::Great, and now she starts fussing around.::
"Isn't it nice that we are invited too", the younger lady said. "I'm just little disappointed that Kazuma can't come."
::Something good. The idiot isn't there clinging on Yukina.::
"But I'm happy that his sister is", she continued. "And the other day I met one of Kazuma's friends. He'll be there too."
::Damn, another idiot will appear.::
"Isn't that nice", the woman said to her daughter. "I'm so glad you're happy."
::Yeah right. Soon she'll be crying her broken heart.:: He watched as the houses passed by. ::Why can't we be there, so this could be over?::
It didn't take very long when his prayers were answered. As soon as the carriage stopped Hiei hopped out and helped his sister and mother out of them to the ground.
They were standing in front of a big house that was located near to the city. The hedge that surrounded the house outlined a 'small' front yard and probably a larger back garden. Everyone knew that the real house of Karasu Hiretsukan was farther away.
Chatting and music could be heard even to the outside of the building. Only a thought, about the large number of people, all the dancing and laughing send shivers through the boy. He had to spend hours in that rumour cave.
"Hiei", a happy girl's voice said from the stairs. "Are you coming?" His mother and sister were already hurrying their way in. It had been Hiei's fault that they were late. He had delayed as much as he could. But from all the good attempts he had done, the women had managed to drag him here. He had no choice but to follow them into the carnivores' mouth.
He walked the stairs preparing for the worst. He probably would die in boredom as the night would go by. He reached the terrace and took a deep breath. After that he stepped inside. Yukina was nowhere to see.
::I only came a minute later and now there isn't a trace of her.:: There were so much guests so it was impossible to find anyone specific very fast. He walked into the mass of celebrating people to search his sister. He wouldn't want any fortune-hunter to be cooing at Yukina, would he?
After wandering around with no luck, he made his way into the biggest room, where most of the people were in. There was also his mother talking to some chubby older lady, but his sister wasn't there.
He decided to go around the dance floor to the other side of the room and continue his search when he spotted the girl dancing with someone. Hiei would have wanted to go straight to his sister and drag her out of there, but it would have made too much hassle. He stopped right there and leaned to the closest wall, keeping the whole time his eyes on the couple. It was kind of hard, because Yukina was shorter than most of the others, but her partner's red hair was kind of noticeable. Well, he didn't properly see any other parts of the man.
The boy had never got the point of dancing. People walking, doing circles, bows and curtsies, trying to make them look like they were in rhythm. It was absolutely ridiculous. And according to his mother, everyone should know how to dance. But only a glance to the floor's way, made him doubt that.
The older ones did remember the steps and could actually talk to each other at the same time, but half of the other had hard time to even remember what they needed to do.
Hiei got couple of good glances at the couple while the dance proceeded. He had to admit that the one who was dancing with his sister made it look easy.
::At least he doesn't humiliate her.::
When the piece of music ended, each one thanked their pair and either prepared to the next dance or left the floor. Yukina started to look around and noticed Hiei. She waved to her brother and turned to talk to the other. The young man smiled and answered something. They started to walk towards the boy leaning the wall.
"Hiei", the girl started. "This is Kazuma's friend I told you about."
::So this is the idiot number two.:: He looked at the redhead. The boy was probably somewhere the same age than Hiei, slender, maybe a head taller than himself, if he didn't count his own black spiky hair into it, and he wore a tuxedo, like every other man. But the most shocking part was that he looked so feminine; almost like a girl, dressed in men's clothes. His long flaming hair came down near to his waist and he had big, bright green eyes. Hiei would have sworn that the stranger was female, but Yukina had clearly said 'he' in the carriage on their way here.
"Kurama Hatanaka", the boy introduced himself. Even his voice couldn't say clearly if he was a male or not. "I presume you are Miss Yukina's brother, Mister Hiei."
"Hn", was all he said back turning his look away.
"I guess your brother isn't one of the talkative persons", he heard the redheaded youth say with amused voice.
"Oh, don't mind him", his sister explained "He's always like that."
Hiei turned his eyes back to the others, it seemed like the boy wasn't leaving soon. Now he had to listen to some idiotic small talk. If he couldn't have silence, he'd at least prefer some kind of proper conversation heard. But he could expect that from the oaf's friend. He had maybe better looks than the Kuwabara guy, but probably also smaller brains, if it was even possible.
"Well, sometimes silence is gold", the young man said smiling. "You don't at least say anything stupid and it is most of the time very comforting."
The black haired boy had to agree in that. But of course he didn't admit it. One intelligent word from the boy's mouth didn't make him any smarter.
"Hi", a brown haired woman greeted. She was holding a cigarette on her other hand and with the other she was holding up her dark green, almost black dress' hem. Looked like she didn't care what people thought about her. She placed herself to stand between the green eyed youth and Yukina.
"Hello Miss Shizuru", the redheaded boy bowed. "I see you aren't with Keiko anymore."
"Your aunt wanted to introduce her to someone, so she left me", the woman said. "But then I spotted you. We have to keep our promise to Kazuma, don't we?"
Hiei saw his sister blush from the words. He succeeded in ignoring the others small talk by thinking, what could they have promised to the oaf. He couldn't come up with anything good, or stupid, enough. He hadn't even noticed that his gaze had drifted to the door that led to the backyard. He realized that he had to get out. He turned his head to excuse himself when he saw a man walking straight towards them. He had long, black hair and he was wearing instead of tuxedo, some kind of full black suit. Maybe the outside visit could wait after all.
The man made his way to the youth next to Hiei and placed hand on his shoulder. "So nice to see you here. Kurama."
The look on the green eyes changed to totally different. He brushed the others hand away. "Hello –cousin-. I hope I could say the same."
"Don't be so cold", the other smirked. "Even your sister calls me by my name."
"I'm happy I'm not her", the boy said taking a step further away from his cousin and closer to Hiei.
The woman, who had been called Shizuru, spoke. "So you are the host of this magnificent ball." She didn't speak the same way she had earlier. Now she sounded very affected.
"Yes I am", the man said turning to her way and kissed her hand while introducing. "Karasu Hiretsukan."
"Shizuru Kuwabara", the brunet said making a curtsy. "And here are Lady Yukina and Mister Hiei Koorime."
"What a pleasure to have you here", the guy named Karasu said smiling smugly.
"The pleasure is all ours", Yukina answered politely.
It was surprising how differently the redheaded boy was acting after the host's appearing. He was looking tense and didn't talk almost at all. Every comment he said towards his cousin was cold and impolite.
Luckily it didn't continue very long.
"I was thinking", the man turned towards the green eyed one. "Aunt Greta's house is pretty far away..."
"It's only little bit over half an hour way there, so thank you but no", the boy spoke before the sentence could be finished.
"You should think about your aunt", the host said. "She is getting old and..."
"Cousin Karasu!" some brown haired girl shouted from the crowd and made her way to them as fast as she could in her blue dress. "Good that I found you. Aunt Greta wants to talk to you."
"I'm sure it can wait", the man said trying to continue, but the girl interrupted again.
"She said it's very important."
The black haired man looked like he was thinking and then turned to face the others. "I'm sorry, but I have to excuse myself now", he started making his leave. "Because of this sudden interruption, I couldn't dance with this young lady." He smiled mischievous smile as he pointed to the brunette girl. "But I'm sure Mister Hiei would do it gladly for me."
"I'm sure he will", the girl said and grabbed Hiei's hand. She started to drag him into the middle of the dance floor. Before they could get there and the Karasu man was gone the spiky haired youth snatched his hand out of the girl's and started to walk back to Yukina.
"You didn't dance?" his sister asked with a disappointed voice. "I was so looking forward to see you dancing."
He could do nothing else but to swallow his pride and walk back to dance with the girl. At least Yukina would enjoy it.
He hated it. Why hadn't he just left before the host had come? Then he wouldn't be dancing some stupid dance, with some stupid girl, in some stupid ball. For a second he was glad his mother had made him to learn some dance steps. But it went on its way.
"I'm sorry about this", the brunet apologized. "Karasu wouldn't have left otherwise."
"Hn."
"I'm serious. He is like some blood sucking vampire, always clinging to my brother", the girl continued.
"What ever", Hiei murmured. She obviously wanted him to get the point. But he didn't care, or so he wanted to think. For some reason, he actually was kind of curious.
"Well, thank you anyway", the girl finished and didn't speak anything after that.
Fortunately to Hiei, they had joined the dance in middle way or so, therefore the torture was soon over. He made his way back to his sister. She was talking happily to the Shizuru woman, but the redhead wasn't there anymore. The girl he had danced with came also.
"Hi Keiko", greeted the smoking woman. "You came just the right time back there."
"Luckily I did", the girl giggled. She let her look wander across the room. "Where did Kurama go?"
"Who knows", the older brunet said blowing the smoke from her mouth. "He left soon after you went dancing."
"You looked great there." Yukina phrased the two of them.
"Thank you", the other girl said with pleased tone. "Your brother sure knows how to dance and I had a good teacher."
Now was the perfect time for Hiei to leave. His sister was girl talking and his tolerance for this all was at its end. He mentioned that he was going out and made his way to the backyard, away from the torture chamber.
He took a deep breath of fresh air and felt immediately better. He let his gaze wander around the yard. There was a fountain in the middle of the backyard, benches around it and bushes and trimmed trees here and there. Saying it other way, it was a typical garden. Karasu had obviously hired a gardener with no imagination.
He walked to one of the benches to sit. There was someone else too, though he was sitting right behind the fountain, so that he couldn't be seen from the door.
"Running away from the prying eyes or just looking for breathing space?" the redheaded boy asked. His name was Kurama if Hiei remembered right. The youth's green eyes were directed towards the starry sky.
"The last one", the black haired boy answered shortly.
The other one chuckled. "Thought so." He turned his head so that he could look at the spiky haired boy and continued with amused voice. "Why don't you sit down? I wasn't planning to bite you or anything."
Truth to be told the young man didn't want to sit, but the boy made it sound like it was a challenge, so he sat there, next to him. Silence surrounded them. They starred at the stars for a long while. It was exactly what Hiei hoped for; a quiet moment just by himself. It was nice as long as it continued.
"I know, I don't have the right to say this", the redhead broke the silence. "But I really think you should give Kuwabara a chance."
"Hn. Save your speech to someone else."
"Really", the youth tried again. "I have known him for long time and I can tell that he is serious about your sister."
"You are his friend. Of course you'll speak for him." This was starting to annoy Hiei, why couldn't the other just stay quiet.
"Maybe, but I wasn't saying this directly to you if I didn't mean it", the green eyed boy continued. "I know he isn't the brightest one, but he is loyal and honest. I'd rather had that kind of brother in law or friend than a smart looking one, who will backstab you as soon as he gets the chance."
Again Hiei had to agree with the other. He had to think again; maybe the green eyed youth wasn't exactly as stupid as he had first thought.
"Well, I don't want to stick my nose any deeper to others business, because I know how annoying it is. Just wanted you to know there is another point of view for the situation." The redheaded boy explained. "You probably don't care, but still. It gives me ease of mind."
The black haired youth was just going to comment to the others words, but a sudden appearance of a hand to cover his mouth stopped him. He looked at the Kurama guy, whose eyes were fixed towards the backdoor of the house. He turned his gaze also that way and saw the host of the ball at the entrance. The man looked into the garden like he was looking someone. Then he started to come down the stone stairs.
Hiei could feel as the hand covering his mouth started trembling slightly.
Suddenly the man turned his head back at door and soon walked back where he had come from and the green eyed youth removed his hand and sighed in relief.
"What a close relationship you and your cousin have", Hiei stated sarcastically.
"Wouldn't want it to be any closer", the other said coldly. It was clearly not the favourite subject of the redhead's.
"What's so bad about him?" the spiky haired boy didn't even know why he asked. It wasn't his business. He just wanted to give back for the talk before. It must be that.
"You can only imagine", was the answer. The emerald eyes turned to look straight to Hiei's red ones. "Can't we talk about something else?"
"Fine", the boy agreed before he could even think that he had given up. He hadn't got his revenge.
"So", the redhead said again smiling. "Do you work at somewhere or?"
Hiei frowned. Now he actually had to small talk. "I manage the family business", he answered.
"Which is?" the other boy encouraged.
"We own iron- and coal mine", the red eyed boy said shortly. "But that hardly interest you." How could it interest the oaf's friend? He probably didn't even know anything about mines.
"In fact it does interest me", was a surprising answer. "It's a great combination for weapon industry, isn't it?"
::Okay, maybe he knows a little bit.::
"Yes it is."
And as the conversation (if it could be called that, when the other one didn't talk very much) progressed, Hiei's prejudices towards the redhead got totally crushed. The boy actually knew many things most of the managers in the mine industry didn't know. For once the spiky haired youth had to admit that the other one was quite enjoyable company, even tough he could have been little less talkative. But his talk wasn't annoying, so it didn't bother so much.
"Found you!" the brown haired girl, who had dragged Hiei to dance, walked to them. "Hello Mister Hiei", she greeted.
"I guess you have something you want to talk about", the red haired young man stated smiling.
"Yes" apparently the boy's sister started. "I was thinking that I'm getting little sleepy and the diver probably would also appreciate if he hadn't hang around here, so could we leave soon?"
"What about Aunt Greta?" the boy asked.
"Oh, she is staying here, but I know you don't want to stay here the whole night", the brunet grinned.
"Well, if you have finished your girl talk and you want to leave, then it's fine by me." The youth got up and turned towards Hiei. "It was an honour to be talking to you", he said sounding very official. "I hope I didn't say anything offending."
Hiei just nodded as a sign that it was fine. He was confused, a minute ago the emerald eyed youth had been talking to him very casually and now he sounded over official.
"I have to leave now, but I hope we'll meet again", the redhead bowed and left with his sister.
The spiky haired boy just sat there for a moment and then realized that he had left Yukina in the house full of greedy people. He stood up and walked back into the hell to make sure everything was fine. Luckily his sister was still talking to the Shizuru woman, but there were two new persons also. A young woman, who had blue hair and pink dress and she visibly radiated a hyperenergetic glow. With her was a man, who was, surprisingly, wearing a tuxedo and whose hair was short and brown.
He sighed and walked to them. As soon as he arrived the blue haired girl, who introduced herself as Botan, started asking him question. When he didn't answer she turned to Yukina for them. After couple murderous looks the young woman realized to change the subject, but still she didn't shut up. Suddenly Hiei missed the quiet garden and the redhead's company. Even though the brown haired guy, who was called Koenma or something, didn't look like a thread to Yukina, because the annoying girl was hanging on his arm, Hiei wouldn't leave. He wanted to make sure every fortune-hunter wouldn't come even near his sister. He had to bear the blue haired girl for the rest of the night.
Then it finally came; the leaving time. It was like a blessing from the heaven. They said goodbyes and got on the carriage, which set off towards their city house.
"Did you enjoy yourselves?" their mother asked.
"I did", Yukina said happily. "I had really great time."
"How about you, Hiei?" the woman asked smiling.
"Could have been worse", he murmured. It was true. He hadn't had to chase off more than five men who were trying their luck on his sister.
"How about you mother?" the girl asked.
"I had wonderful time, thank you", she said happily. "I met the host's aunt, Lady Greta and her adopted daughter. The daughter was very nice girl, Keiko was her name if I recall right. It was a shame that Mister Karasu couldn't find Lady Greta's adopted son anywhere, so I couldn't meet him. Anyhow, she invited us for a picnic. I hope you'll come too."
"I would like to", Yukina said exited.
The thought about the picnic wasn't very appealing idea, but then again... Wasn't Keiko the redhead's sister's name?
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Little Myy: The ball is over, as you can see. Really can't figure out what to say, except that I don't know a thing about mines. So sorry, if sounded stiff or wasn't right. But my world, my rules.
Review and I'll update.
Answering reviews:
To What2callmyself: I wouldn't worry so much about the mistakes, but there were so much of them that I was in shock. But let's hope I get better and that in the future can concentrate. Oh and here was the ball and Hiei came at last in the picture. I even had a writers block, but luckily it didn't last long. It went after I delayed for awhile and wrote three sentences under pressure.
To mistressKC: I have corrected the mistake. And that was one of the stupid ones. Alright all mistakes are stupid, but still.
To KitsuneAkai13: I know. There was too much talking in the last one. Well, it didn't go (as didn't this and the first chapter) as I planned. But as you said, 'Kurama got a front way ticket to meeting Hiei'.
To Marori: Hope you'll continue reading and that the interest in this doesn't drop.
To Nasa ow/d Maxwell: Well, you don't have to come after me yet. Here was your update.
To evilgoddess1990: I hope this chapter was a good one too. I have problems on writing Karasu and Hiei. And now that this was from Hiei's point of view in a way, I really had hard time.
To Fairren: I proofread my stories, but I can do it only once or twice to make sure there aren't very big mistakes. After that I start to hate 'em and don't want to put them out for anyone else to read. And as I said, I have fever so I think it has something to do with it. Also, my friend rebecca proofreads my stories, but I guess this time she forgot (or didn't notice or was too exited or something) that she didn't give me the list made of my mistakes. But thanks for the suggestion anyway. I just have to be more careful when I write. Thanks for the mistakes you pointed out. I corrected them. The tee/tea thingy was a pure typing error. –sigh- I was called a mistress of typing errors couple years ago. It seems like I still have the gift.
To Nite Nite: -takes the cookie gratefully- Thanks. I hope you aren't trying to bribe me. But anyway, here was the update.
Thank you all!
