NOTES: Second chapter!!!! Sorry that Sanzou and group weren't in the last chapter, BUT THEY'RE HERE!!! So, don't worry.
WARNINGS: Racisim, big time in this chapter. Violence.
LANGUAGE:
Baka: Idiot
Saru: Moneky
Itai: Owwww/ouch
ABANDONED CHILDREN
Part II
A cool breeze ruffled Yukina's hair. The smell of fresh grass and the outdoors wafted her nostrils. She lifted her head and opened her eyes with a gasp. Gone was the dark room with its computers and cables. The Professor Nii with his jester's grin and stuffed animal no longer stood by his computers. The Youkai guards of Empress Gyokumen no longer banged at the door, trying to gain entrance to apprehend her and Hiei. They were free the fortress and whatever horrors lay within its walls.
She sat on her knees, her arms still cradling an unconscious Hiei. She was outside, surrounded by grass. There was a dirt path to her left, followed by some grassy hills and what looked to be a forest. To her right there was a shallow river, clean and inviting. Mustering the strength she had, she tightened her grip around Hiei and pulled herself up, making her slow way to the river's edge.
She lay Hiei down carefully on his back, then pulling out a small white cloth from the folds of her kimono, she dipped it into the cool river, wrung it and dabbed at his face gently. Turning his head to the side, she brushed the fine black hairs at the nape of his neck and looked at the tiny puncture wound there. It wasn't discoloring, and Hiei merely seemed unconscious. There were no muscle spasms, his lips remained the normal color and though his breathing was a bit labored, there was nothing else. An open wound, Yukina could heal with her powers, but poison was something she had no power over. All she could do was wait it out and pray that whatever had been injected into Hiei's blood was not lethal.
She continued to dab at him, relieved that his temperature remained normal. It was while she wringing the cloth over his lips, wanting to hydrate him that slowly his eyes slid opened, red eyes slightly dazed and exhausted.
"Hiei-san!" Gasped Yukina in relief. "How do you feel?"
Hiei blinked up at her and made an attempt to sit up, but Yukina pulled him back down saying, "You mustn't move. You were poisoned and though I'm sure it isn't lethal, I still don't want you moving around and spreading it through your system."
Hiei glowered tiredly at this, and his eyes drooped, barely staying conscious. Yukina looked away from him and whispered softly, "You must be mad at me."
"Why do you think that?"
Yukina gasped at Hiei's soft tired voice, looking down at him in shock that he had been that aware even though he was barely conscious.
He was frowning at her, a look that looked slightly ravaged on his drained features. "Why do you think that I am mad at you?" He repeated.
Yukina found that she was blushing, and looked away from his fiery red eyes that seemed to pierce through her soul. It was at times like these that Yukina felt that Hiei knew her more that she knew herself. Not even Kuwabara whom she loved could fluster her like Hiei could with a few simple words. Perhaps it was because he had experienced a lot in his life. She knew he had been raised by thieves and had a very harsh life unlike her sheltered one on the Island of Koorime. His life probably enabled him to see through people like her. People who were…
At her silence, his frown deepened, so Yukina forced herself to say truthfully, "You are mad at my weakness. I showed that women how frightened I was, and…and I even wept before her, revealing my ability to make the tear gems. I am weak unlike you. You never showed them a trace of emotion other than your anger at their holding you and me. I…I must disgust you with my weakness." She looked away in shame. "You are always saving me, Hiei-san. I really am a pitiful creature." Her eyes filled with tears.
"Stop that." Said Hiei gravely. "I don't know where you got those stupid ideas. I am not mad at you because you wept or because you showed your fear. You are neither weak nor pitiful. Had you been weak or pitiful we would not have escaped." Yukina looked at him at this. "It is true." Continued Hiei, his voice oddly gentle. "You are the one that saved me today."
Yukina let the tears fall then, wiping them with the back of her hand. "I…I got my mother's tear gem back." She said in a shaky voice. "That doctor in the white coat gave it back."
She watched him slowly reach into his black shirt and pull out the small gem. She watched as a look of utter relief and calm came over his features. He then said almost wistfully, "You're brother…would treasure this gem…it would be his most precious treasure…"
She looked at him oddly, for she caught a hint of pain in his voice. Hiei was never this talkative, and she didn't understand what she was seeing before her. Hiei looked young and vulnerable, the opposite of what he usually was. Cold and collective, without a trace of emotion that could be used against him. Yukina admired these traits in Hiei, so it unnerved her when she saw him acting otherwise. Perhaps this was the poison speaking. After a pause she replied, "Because, it is my mother's tear gem."
Hiei shook his head, "Maybe…but I would think that…that it would be precious because…it would be a gift from you…"
Yukina sniffed and said softly, "But, Hiei-san, I know you are mad at me."
He looked up at her, the frown returning slightly. "You shouldn't have…tried to pull me away."
"What?"
Hiei shut his eyes, lids too heavy to say open. "You should have stayed by…Kuwabara's side…instead of trying to pull me away…trying to protect…me…" His words drifted off as once again he fell into unconsciousness.
Yukina sat over him, pondering over his words. Letting him sleep, she drank some of the cool river water, silently wondering what she could do while he slept. She could not chance wondering around, for though Hiei seemed safe, his condition could turn for the worst. Also, there could be wild animals out, and even unsavory characters. It looked like they were in the human world, but still, they were in another dimension and anything could happen.
It was almost an hour later that Yukina heard voices coming from the path. Standing she looked over and found over ten human men walking. They're clothes were odd, nothing like the clothes the humans wore in Tokyo. She hesitated when she saw them carrying shovels and rakes, but then she saw that they were covered in dirt.
Thinking them now farmers coming back from work, Yukina ran up to the path. She did not run to meet them, not wanting to take her eyes off the still unconscious Hiei. She stood impatiently, wringing her hands as the men spotted her and hurried their pace over to her. So wrapped up in her own anxiety over Hiei, she did not see the men's faces twist into hatred as they finally got a good look at her.
"Please," She said desperately, "My friend has been injured, and we are lost. Can you please help me?"
"You and your friend are Youkai, aren't you." This was hissed at her by the closest man to her. Yukina looked up at him at this. Usually humans had no clue about Youkai, unless they had were spiritually inclined like Kuwabara and his sister.
She gasped and stepped back when one of the men raised his shovel threateningly at her. The man snarled, his eyes bloodshot, "We just buried our families 'cause they were ripped apart by you murdering Youkai!"
"Why don't we kill them and be done with it. The less Youkai the better!" Shouted another.
"Kill them! Let's rip them apart!"
Yukina did not bother to protest, or to cry out. Her heart hammering in terror she sprang away from them, nearly tumbling as she went to the still unconscious Hiei and pulling him to her. He moaned, but did not awaken. She let out a strangled cry when she saw the men, their shovels and rakes raised, stalking slowly toward her and Hiei, the promise of death in their eyes. She yanked Hiei back, both of them stumbling into the river, the soft currents reaching up to her waist. Clutching at Hiei who remained limp and unmoving, Yukina brought forth a small blizzard with her powers, aiming the strong winds at the men.
"Get away from us!" She yelled as loud as she could.
The men swore foully and stumbled back from the biting icy winds. One fought Yukina's blizzard to the river's edge, swinging his large shovel back and forth as if attempting to block the wind. This man swore at Yukina, who trembled at the pure hatred in his voice, "Dirty Youkai bitch, I'll kill you myself when I reach you."
He swung the shovel at her, and she cried in pain as it grazed her shoulder throwing her back, taking Hiei with her. She struggled up, grasping at Hiei and keeping his head above the water, her kimono weighing her down heavily, her blood coloring the water red. Her blizzard had died when she fell, and when she looked up she found the shovel wielding man standing over her, the shovel about to descend.
And Yukina, seeing her death approaching, buried her face into Hiei's wet hair and gasped, "Hiei-san!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Sanzou…I'm hungry."
An annoying whine, high pitched and hard to ignore, repeating like a broken record behind his ear.
"Oi, Saru, you've already said that ten times! You need to learn some new words."
A nasally lazy voice, older than the last one but just as annoying and childish.
"Who asked you, cockroach?"
The monkey.
"What did you say, you dumbass monkey?!"
The pervert.
"BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP!!!"
The fan.
"Itaiii!!!! What did you do that for you violent droopy eyed monk!"
"You didn't need to hit me, monk. The monkey here has been the one whining all this time."
"Ah, what a peaceful day we're having."
A calm content voice amid the chaos and mayhem.
Genjo Sanzou didn't even grace them with a glance as he simply pulled out his exorcism gun and pointed it over his shoulder at them, simply saying in a low growling voice, "Shut up, or die."
It did shut them up.
For five minutes.
Sanzou dropped his head into his hand, feeling a major migraine about to start pulsing at his temple. Beside him, driving the green jeep, Hakkai smiled serenely at him and said, "My, they are as lively as ever."
Sanzou managed a tired glare at the green-eyed man, saying, "Not for long if they keep this up."
'This' being Gojyo holding Goku in arms length by the head, while the idiot monkey boy tried vainly to score in some punches and kicks.
It was like this every single day as the four traveled west together. They woke up, and Gojyo does something while waking Goku up, to make the boy throw a fit. At breakfast, either Goku ate the last meat bun, or Gojyo stole the last fried shrimp, and again, a fight erupted. On the road, not an hour went by without something happening between the two. Then at night when bedding for the night, a fight would erupt over whose sleeping with who, or who gets the bed. The only time those two weren't after each other was when being attacked by Youkai, and unfortunately, there hadn't been any attack or ambush for a week. In other words Sanzou never had a moments peace.
Sanzou glanced at the two in the back at the sound of Goku's distressed voice calling him. Somehow or other, Gojyo had maneuvered Goku so that he was being held by the neck with his head between his legs, his arms waving around futilely for freedom.
Gojyo held the boy down with an amused smirk on his face, a cigarette dangling from his lips. His long red hair flapping wildly as the wind blew it back, his red eyes burning with glee at Goku's expense. Sanzou could not understand how the twenty-two year old half-breed could go from his age to a brawling teenager in a matter of seconds when Goku was involved. It was as if he was making up for a lost childhood.
Actually, it could just be that…
Goku was straining himself, looking with his large golden eyes, beseeching Sanzou to interfere and aid him. The boy's unruly brown hair was a complete mess; the only thing holding it slightly in place was the golden diadem on the boy's brow that held back Goku's true horrific powers. Sanzou had the urge to whack the boy with his fan again, that stupid look was on Goku's face again, the one where all his hopes were resting on Sanzou and Sanzou alone.
Baka Saru.
It was reliable Hakkai who came for the teen's rescue. The ever pleasant smile on his face as the he looked over his shoulder, hands never leaving the steering wheel and said to Gojyo, "I think you've held him like that enough, don't you agree, Gojyo?"
Gojyo glared, his red eyes narrowed onto his green-eyed friend, "You keep driving, and keep that freaky grin off your face."
Hakkai blinked innocently at him, "Freaky grin?"
Gojyo wasn't buying it. "Don't give that innocent act. It's that smile when you're about to do something dangerous with out warning us."
"Hakkai…Sanzou…!" Whined Goku, still in that uncomfortable position.
Sanzou stifled a moan, if they wouldn't shut up in the next few second he was going to shoot them all…he was going to hand their corpses from a tree, and then he was…
The blizzard caught all of them unaware. The cold biting wind hitting them, startling Hakkai so that he lost control of the jeep and swerved into a ditch, throwing Gojyo and Goku out in a heap. Sanzou managed to hold himself from bashing his brains on the dashboard, and Hakkai took held back from the steering wheel.
"What the Hell…"
Hakkai spoke, staring grimly at the direction of the blizzard. It's main force coming from beyond the trees on the other side of the road, "Sanzou, this isn't natural."
Suddenly, Goku was next to him, a bit dusty but unharmed, behind him a shocked Gojyo. The half-Youkai was staring at the blizzard with a look that said that he didn't like what it implied.
Sanzou then saw a serious look on the Goku's face. It was rare that the boy ever looked serious. Even when fighting he had the time of his life, smiling as he eradicated anyone who dared challenge him. Though with recent events, Goku had been showing his serious side more and more. "Goku?"
The boy looked at him, his golden eyes uncertain as he said, "I'm not sure, but I think I smell blood."
"It could be a trap." Warned Hakkai.
Gojyo snorted, "It's always a trap, either from Kougaji or from Homura. In case you haven't noticed, we're veeeerryy popular."
All their heads shot up at the sound of a scream. Sanzou looked at his three companions, already knowing that the scream had made up their minds. It seemed damsels in distress was their Achilles heel. All three were idiots, but he would not get in their way. Sanzou had been always able to tell when there was something malevolent about a situation or person. What he was feeling from the direction of the blizzard was no aimed at them. And anyway, even if he did sense something wrong, and warned them, they'd still go off like stupid heroes to rescue the girl.
"Sanzou?" Goku who was looking at him, waiting for his word. Unlike Hakkai and Gojyo, Goku would always (or usually) wait for Sanzou's word to move out. Sanzou took a moment to stare at the direction of the blizzard, his blonde hair flying back off his face from the sheer force.
"Lets go." He muttered lowly, wondering what consequences his decision would make. There was something off by the whole thing, but Sanzou could not tell what.
Climbing out of the jeep, the four ran off the road and into the foliage of trees. The center of the blizzard was even stronger, forcing the four to rebalance themselves. They trekked on, almost blinded by the snow and ice that was thrown at them. What seemed like forever to them was only a few minutes before they broke free of the trees to find themselves at another road right beside a river.
Over ten men were gathered at the edge of the river, all wielding shovels and rakes, shouting and cursing at a girl who stood cowering in the middle of the river, holding to her an unconscious boy. It was from this seemingly teenage girl that the blizzard came from, aiming at the men who were attacking her.
Youkai.
The blizzard then died as the girl was struck on the arm, sending her flying back into the water, at the mercy of the man who stood over her.
They moved then, Gojyo going to the who was about to kill the girl, grabbing the man by the arm and slugging him on the face, sending him flying back and into the river. His red eyes glinted with a mix of mischief and anger as he said, "Since when do armed men gang up to beat an unarmed girl?"
Sanzou, with Goku at his side, came between the other men and the river. Sanzou merely took out his gun and shot it in the air, making the men drop down in fear. They were brave when attacking children, but when faced with an armed man they were cowards. Shovels and rakes were no match for a gun. At least they had sense for that. Goku growled at them menacingly, though it was mostly in show, enjoying the power trip of the men being petrified of him and his companions.
From the corner of his eye, Sanzou watched Hakkai slowly approach the girl and the boy she held from where she still cowered in the river. The whole scene made a cold shiver run down Sanzou's back, and made him feel a burning rage at the men who cowered before him. In the recesses of his mind, he heard a faint chanting:
"Drowned Kouryo…Drowned Kouryo…"
Hakkai's voiced quelled the inner chanting in his head.
"Are you hurt?" He asked sweetly, offering the girl his hand for assistance. "Your friend doesn't look well, let me take him for you…"
"No! Please, stay away!" It was a frightened cry, one who had been terrified and confused, one who didn't know who to trust. She had very weak youki, that blizzard was probably the extent of her powers. If that man had struck her again, she would have died.
Sanzou let Hakkai and Gojyo calm the girl, as he turned all his attention on the cowering men before him. Ten grown men, were now prostrating themselves before him, obviously recognizing him for who he was. Goku was looking at him in amusement, the boy knowing how much he hated being worshipped and enjoying watching him deal with it.
"Sanzou-sama…!"
Bloody shit.
"Shut up." He growled venomously. He swore to himself that he was going to shoot every last one of them if they didn't have a good excuse. "You better have an excuse for attacking children."
The man who had succeeded in striking the girl blubbered in a shaky voice, "Sanzou-sama…they're….they're Youkai, Sanzou-sama!"
Sanzou glared icily at him. "Tell me something I don't know."
The man winced and continued, "Our village was attacked by Youkai, Sanzou-sama, our families…everyone was butchered. We…we weren't there at the attack; we all had gone out to visit the neighboring village for the day. But…but when we returned…" His voiced dropped off in grief and he looked away to compose himself. When he spoke again his voice was hard and he cast hateful looks toward the girl, who was being supported by Hakkai as he helped her get out of the river. Gojyo was carrying the unconscious boy. The girl shrank back at the deadly glare from the man, hiding slightly behind Hakkai's tall form. The man continued, his eyes never leaving the girl. "We buried all the dead and torched the village. Then came upon those two Youkai. She said that her companion was injured, probably when they were killing our friends and family. The little bastard can die, its what he deserved! We have the right to avenge out family's death!"
"You're wrong!" Sanzou turned in surprise to find the girl, who had been hiding behind Hakkai, now coming to stand by him. Her hair was an odd aqua color, and her eyes…Sanzou started when he saw red eyes glaring angrily at the men. A half-breed. "We had nothing to do with what happened to your village! We're were kidnapped, and now we're lost! Hiei-san didn't get injured attacking your village; he was poisoned when we ran away! You had no right assuming that we did anything!"
"You're Youkai." Snarled the man. "That's enough evidence for me. All you Youkai scum enjoy nothing more than murdering us humans and destroying our lives! You're brutish animals that deserve to be butchered like you did with our village."
The girl could only gape at him, tears rising into her eyes. When Sanzou was sure that the tears would fall, she stilled herself and drew the tears within, though Sanzou noticed that she could not still the trembling of her hands.
Finally, Sanzou spoke, tiring of the whole situation. "You have no evidence that these two Youkai were among those who attacked your village."
The man gaped up at Sanzou, "But…but…they're Youkai! The Youkai all over the land are going on a rampage and killing us. It would just be better to kill them all before they kill us!"
Sanzou sighed and turned away from them, not wanting to stare at the men's stupid faces any longer. "Just because Youkai killed you're village, doesn't mean all the Youkai have gone on a rampage. There is something that has driven the Youkai crazy, and only a few remain sane, as it seems these two have. Go, find another village and rebuild your lives. You are lucky that today who have not stained your hands with the blood of innocents."
"But…Sanzou-sama…"
The monk suddenly whirled to them, a gun in his hand. "Go! You're lucky I haven't shot you already. Ten grown men attacking two unarmed children, Youkai or not, is despicable. GO!" He shot at them, and the men cried out like the cowards they were and tripped over themselves as they desperately tried to distance themselves from the murderous monk's wrath.
Idiots. They were all idiots.
Goku, who had been standing silently by his side at him and moaned, "Sanzou, all that action made me hungry."
"Shut up." It was always the same. One day he was going to beat the hunger out of the stupid monkey. But not now, he still had to deal with the Youkai girl and the unconscious Youkai boy. He turned to her and once again had to start at facing her red eyes. A quick glance was enough for him to notice that Gojyo was staring at the girl with a haunted look on his equally red eyes.
Child of Taboo: The offspring of a human and Youkai. They're trademark was the red hair and red eyes. Just like Gojyo…Yet, this girl had the red eyes, but her hair was different. Was she a half-breed, or was she just a simple Youkai? There was one thing for certain: Sanzou felt no malice or bloodlust from her. She posed no threat to them, but Sanzou would not let his guard down.
Sanzou was more than a little surprise when the girl suddenly stood and bowed low before the him, saying gratefully, "Thank you so much for saving us. How can I ever thank you?"
He noticed that Goku, Hakkai, and Gojyo were smirking knowingly. How was it that no matter where he went, people (and now seemingly Youkai) felt the impulse to bow before him as if he were Buddha himself? Rolling his eyes slightly, he said, "Stand up."
The girl obeyed, facing him squarely. She was a cute little thing, with her large eyes and round face. He saw that the sleeve of her kimono as soaked in blood, but the skin beneath it was still whole, meaning Hakkai had put his healing ki to work.
Sanzou felt the comings of a migraine when he felt the familiar tug of his sleeve, followed by the annoying, whining voice of Goku, "Sanzou! I'm hungry!"
"Shut it or I shut you up for good!" Hissed Sanzou, restraining himself from pulling out his fan and pummeling the boy's head in. His threat silenced the boy for the moment, allowing him to turn to the girl and ask, "Who are you?"
"My name is Yukina." She replied, the glanced toward the dark haired boy whom Gojyo held carefully in his arms. "My friend is Hiei. And again, I thank you for saving us...but please…Hiei-san had been poisoned and needs a healer to look at him. We are both lost, and don't know where to go." She had raised her hands and was clasping them to her chest, pleading.
Sanzou raised a pale eyebrow at this. "You said you were kidnapped."
The girl named Yukina nodded, a frown marring her pretty features. "Both Hiei-san and I were taken. I was drugged then, and I am still confused about the some of the details." Suddenly, she gave Sanzou a sharp look. " 'Sanzou'? You're name is 'Sanzou'?" She then looked at the sutra that was draped over his shoulders. "And with you, you carry very important scrolls."
At her words, Sanzou raised his gun and pointed it at her head. The little Youkai girl's eyes widened slightly, but she did not flinch away.
"Sanzou!" Protested Hakkai.
"Monk! Put that thing away!" Growled Gojyo angrily.
Goku surprisingly said nothing, his attention somewhere else. Sanzou was not about to deal with the idiots. "Who are you?" He growled menacingly, his finger pulling slightly at the trigger.
"I am Yukina." Replied the girl calmly. "Hiei-san and I were kidnapped from our home. The one who took us wanted Hiei-san to go after a man named 'Genjo Sanzou', kill him, and take the scroll that he carries. We managed to escape, but Hiei-san was poisoned in the process."
"Why should I trust you?" He hissed. Who was it that had sent them? Was it Kougaji, though kidnapping was very unlike him (though then again, the whole story could be a lie), or was it Homura, that idiot Kami?
Sanzou jerked back as he sensed the rising of a very strong and deadly youki, and suddenly, Gojyo cried out as a black whirlwind of fury rammed into Sanzou, sending him and his gun flying to the ground.
"Hiei-san!"
Blinking red flashes of light, Sanzou looked up to find the boy, Hiei, standing over him. He was just as short as the girl, but with spiky black hair with a splash of white in the front held up with a white bandanna. He wore all black, with one of his arms bandaged. The boy had an immense youki, the bandanna and bandages actually wards to block out some of his powers. What stood out about him, though, was that like Yukina, he had red eyes. But unlike the girl, whose eyes were gentle, this boy's eyes were twin drops of red rage and hatred. The eyes of a killer.
"Hiei-san!" Cried Yukina, standing behind the boy who looked about to tear him limb from limb. Not far from them, Gojyo was on the floor, clutching his ribs, with Hakkai next to him. The boy must have done something drastic when waking up in the arms of the half-Youkai. Goku was no where to be seen.
Yukina continued to cry out desperately to her friend, "You mustn't move, Hiei-san! The poison!"
But Hiei ignored her, and Sanzou watched as the boy raised his unbandaged hand, a black flame swirling around his fist. "I'll kill you!" He snarled at Sanzou, but when he stepped forward, he stumbled a little, his eyes drooping slightly, as if fighting to remain conscious.
So he really was poisoned.
Then, the absent Goku suddenly appeared, coming to stand between the boy and Sanzou, growling warningly, "I won't let you touch Sanzou." He raised Nyoibo, and crouched in a fighting stance, gold eyes trained on Hiei and only Hiei. Sanzou stood painfully, and stepped back, his eyes searching for where his gun had fallen.
"Then die with him!" Snarled Hiei, eyes almost glowing at the approaching bloodshed. But he swayed slightly, his black fire flickering. He fought it though, and crouched, facing off with Goku.
To the side, Hakkai was about to send a ki blast at the black haired boy.
Gojyo summoned his weapon.
And Sanzou picked up his gun and aimed it at the weakened Youkai boy.
"STOP IT!" Screamed Yukina, leaping at Hiei and wrapping her arms around the other's waist, as she fell to her knees. "Please," She wept hoarsely, tears sliding down her cheeks and falling to the floor as…gems. "Please Hiei-san, don't move or the poison will spread and just may become lethal."
Sanzou watched as all the rage and hatred washed away from the boy's face, his bloodlust gone. In its place was a pale young face of anguish and pain, red eyes haunted by one who had seen too much.
"Yu…Yukina-chan…" Whispered Hiei, looking down at the girl who clung to him weeping. His black flames extinguished as his hand fell limply to his side.
"You won't be able to heal, and might die." Wept the girl. "I am not strong like you Hiei-san. Please, I need you."
Sanzou and his companions watched this display in wonder. Sanzou was aware of Goku stepping closer to him, his golden eyes sad and ancient as he looked at the two.
Stupid Monkey.
Hiei's legs chose to buckle then, and Yukina cried out as his sudden weight dragged both of them to the ground. She cradled his head and ran her hand through his hair soothingly and whispered softly just enough for Sanzou to hear: "Rest Hiei-san. Don't worry, just rest and when you wake up it will all be fine."
There was anger in his voice as he said heatedly, "I will kill them."
Yukina smiled through her tears and shook her head, "They will not harm me, Hiei-san. Now rest, and when you have healed everything will make sense." The boy fought unconsciousness, and failed, going completely limb in the girl's arms.
Yukina looked up at Sanzou, her eyes sad as she asked, "Are you hurt, Sanzou-san."
"No." He replied coldly. He hated being caught by surprise.
Gojyo came up to them, glaring slightly and the unconscious boy, but he gave the girl a crooked grin and said, "That little imp is strong."
Yukina nodded solemnly, "He is. He did not take kindly to seeing Sanzou-san pointing that gun at me."
She sighed and looked up at Sanzou. "Sanzou-san, please, Hiei needs a doctor to look at him." Her voice became slightly pleading, "At least…at least point out the direction to a village. I am already in your debt for saving us and…"
She stopped abruptly, blinking in surprise as Goku knelt next to her, looking at her face in amazement, making her blush nervously. The brown haired boy then asked curiously, "Are you like Gojyo?"
"Hey!" Snarled Gojyo.
Yukina blinked, "What do you mean?"
"I mean are you a half-breed like that perverted cockroach?"
"YOU TACTLESS BAKA SARU!!!" Howled Sanzou, bringing out his fan and hitting the boy upside the head with it, making a loud resounding CRACK. For an idiot who had a weakness for cute girls, he had no tact whatsoever.
Goku proceeded to wail in pain, grasping his head and demanding, "What the HELL did I DO?????!!!!"
In the background Gojyo cackled in merriment at seeing the idiot monkey get what he deserved, while Hakkai just smiled idiotically, used to such violence. Amazingly, Yukina started giggling cutely, brushing her wet hair from her face. But she sobered quickly, looking inquisitively at Goku who still knelt before clutching his aching head. "How…how did you guess?"
Gojyo also knelt before the girl, Hakkai taking a step closer. The girl and her murderous companion had truly snared the interest of them all. Sanzou huffed in exasperation at the idiots, knowing where this was going to lead, but he listened just as intently as the others.
"I...I am the offspring of a forbidden union. Myself and my twin brother."
"Which of your parents were human?" Asked Gojyo, that haunted look in his eyes.
Yukina looked at him oddly at that, then said the most unbelievable thing: "Human? What are you talking about?"
Four pairs of eyes stared at her, but Yukina stared back at them.
"But…didn't you just say that you were the offspring of a forbidden union?" Demanded Gojyo, leaning on Goku's head, the boy snarling and trying to push his offending arm away.
"Yes." Yukina said seriously. "The forbidden union of a fire Youkai, and a Koorime, an ice Youkai."
Once again four pairs of eyes stared right at her, but their eyes dropped down nervously when Hiei shifted from where he lay. Yukina placed her hand on his bandaged forehead, but the black haired boy stiffened slightly, head jerking back from the touch.
The inevitable happened:
Yukina looked at Gojyo, Hakkai, and Goku…
Who then all looked up at Sanzou.
Idiots. They were all idiots.
"Ch'. Do what you like."
But then, only an idiot would be journeying west.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Riiiight! Took me three weeks, but I finally was able to spit this chapter out! Whew!
I hope I was coherent enough, YYH fans, if you're confused than just e-mail me and I'll be happy to explain some confusing things. This way I'll know what details to add in the next chapter (unless its giving away something I don't wanna give away that is important to the plot!).
About Hiei being sort of OOC: I've seen both YYH movies, and in the second one, Hiei used his Kokoryuha and sort of got drained. Is it just me or was he kind of vulnerable after that? He's still himself, but there is a softness there that I'm playing on. Hiei is poisoned, he's sick, and he's barely conscious. He's one tough SOB (like Sanzou) but he ain't no God, and his touch exterior is going to break during these moments of vulnerability.
But overall, just tell me what you think!!!