NOTES: I had intended to finish this part in July 2003, but due to unexpected events I was delayed...then I had to travel...then classes started...and I had a class that was a thorn in my side, then I had to travel again, then two days after I got back my father had a heart attack, then the next semester started and more classes took over my life. I'm sorry for the long wait. The only good thing is that I have been writing original stuff, though because of that all my creative juices are drained when I DO have time to work on my fanfics.

Also I'd like to apologize because I am so confused of what the names of Hiei's attacks are and how hey are used. If I really botched something up, please KINDLY point it out and explain how it is used

Hmm...writing this chapter was difficult for many reasons. Among them is Homura himself. The copies of Saiyuki I own are with really, reeeaaaalllyyy shitty subtitles. Half the time I couldn't understand what was going on. Homura is the main event of this chapter and having the Kami speak took so much character study. Not only that, but Hiei really laid it thick on me (probably for my extreme delay). What kind of offers would he take? What are his goals and dreams, what does he seek other than protecting Yukina and the tear gem? Both of these characters seem so obvious but they have so much depth to them that my mind sometimes spins.

Heh, but I guess that's why I love them so much.

WARNINGS: Action, violence, and a little BLOOD!!! Not too much or I myself will puke...weak stomach.

ABANDONED CHILDREN

Part V

Hiei had never ridden in a car before...not that he ever wanted to ride in any four wheeled human contraption thought up by some deranged human with too many hours to spare. But riding on a car was something else, especially if said car was in reality a shape shifting little white dragon, and that the car was opened roofed and Hiei was allowed to sit quite comfortably on the warm humming hood. Hiei hated to admit it, but it was quite nice actually, with the wind blowing in his face, and the open road ahead of him, with the blue sky above...

"PERVERT! PIG! Watch where you put that nasty arm of yours!"

"I'm a big boy, kid, I need to stretch."

"You just want to get your greasy arm around Yukina!"

"I would think Yukina would prefer my arm around her, than your monkey voice howling."

...But then, the background noise was something to be desired. He would have gutted the two idiots in the back, then burned their remains till there was nothing left but black cinders if Yukina had not been sitting in between the two already mentioned idiots. Hakkai had leaned over to him when he was contemplating homicide and whispered to that had Yukina not been there, the two in the back would have already attacked each other with fists and feet, followed by Sanzou's gun firing to silence them.

"Actually, they're doing pretty good for Yukina's sake," Hakkai had added in the end.

And in a frightening way, Hiei believed the soft spoken Hakkai. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the two bickering youkai yelling at each other, yes, but yelling over Yukina's head. The girl was smiling, her large eyes darting in between the two as they verbally sparred with each other. Hiei glanced to see an equally smiling Hakkai listening to the squabbling as if he were listening to two songbirds making beautiful music. Sanzou on the other hand looked like he was near his last ropes as he attempted to read a newspaper, his glasses perched on his nose, a vein throbbing atop his temple. It seemed Hiei had not been the only one contemplating homicide.

"Just keep your dirty arms to yourself!" yelled Goku, his face turning to an interesting shade of red.

"You keep saying 'dirty', monkey, when I don't need to be reminded to take a bath," taunted Gojyo, a big grin on his face as he looked down at the fuming youth. When Goku fumbled with his words, the red haired half-youkai laughed and ruffled Goku's brown head, "Aw, the monkey has agreed that he is a monkey!"

Goku glared up at his older companion, and blushed slightly when he saw Yukina's eyes on him. Feeling whipped (and looking it) he turned to the one person he believed that could rescue him. "Sanzou..."

"Shut it; you start it, you finish it," was the cold reply to the plea from behind the flapping newspaper.

Hiei distanced himself from the back occupants as the jeep drove into a forest area, the road becoming slightly bumpy and uneven. Hiei dropped his head back to the top the windshield and shut his eyes. Yes, other than the infernal noise, it was nice. Without thinking, he dropped his bandaged hand to the hood and ran his palm over the smooth warm surface. In response to his touch, Hakaryuu cooed in a high peeping voice. Hiei continued stroking.

How long he did this, basking in the warmth, he had not clue. A couple of minutes, an hour? However long, Hiei was suddenly roused when his jagan flared up in warning as something fierce and powerful started to approach them fast. His hand stilled on the green hood as he said out load, "Prepare yourselves; something comes."

With his warning said, he jumped backwards, grabbing Yukina by her slim waist and hoisting the two of them up into the looming trees. Yukina had made no noise other than gasping lowly in surprise, remaining quite as he watched tensely at the surroundings. Following Hiei's swift movements, Hakaryuu transformed with a loud 'poof' spilling the remaining four occupants and flapping upward to land on Hiei's shoulder.

It was a funny picture, seeing the others sprawled ungraciously on the forest ground; limbs twisted comically, faces in the dirt. Goku was the first up, waving his fist up at them as he yelled angrily, "What the hell?! Next time a warning would be nice!!"

Gojyo was next to rise, rubbing his sore behind as he helped Hakkai up grumbling as he did, "Looks like you've been abandoned for another master."

Sanzou was the last, cursing foully and he rose and attempted to dust off his robe and clean his glasses. Once they were tucked away, he cast a baleful glance up at the three above, which amused Hiei. He would have said something, but the attack came from above. A streak of burning flames plummeted down, barely avoiding the four young men on the ground.

Letting go of Yukina, and brushing off Hakaryuu, Hiei whispered, "Stay here," he flitted off to another branch on another tree. As the four below cursed, he let his red eyes survey the landscape, trying to find where the enemy was hiding. Absently, he reached out to a sturdy branch and snapped it off, brushing off the smaller twigs and leaves. He had no weapon other than his powers, and it would be a waste of energy to attack with powers first. His sword was missing, so instead he had a flimsy excuse for a substitute. Even so, he could gouge out an eye with just a branch.

He cast a quick look back to Yukina, who was clutching the branch she was perched in with Hakaryuu hovering over her protectively.

As the red flames burned out, leaving the woodland ground scorched and blackened, a large wave of over twenty youkai swarmed out from the shadows, bearing down on the four companions below. They were such weak creatures, with barely any youki to speak of. It was a wonder why Hiei hadn't sensed such a large amount of enemies so close by. Hiei watched grimly as the youkai were slaughtered by Sanzou and his friends. It was like watching a suicide mission gone wrong, for suicide missions ended with the enemies dead. But what was the point of sacrificing one's life if in the end the enemy still lived?

Hiei watched the four fighting, their movements almost languid. They did not fear for their lives; it looked suspiciously like they were enjoying themselves! Hiei smirked, he could relate to that. He watched Sanzou with his gun, shooting impeccably at his opponents, killing them with one shot. Hakkai was like a viper, easily dodging all attacks and striking once with his ki. Gojyo taunted, and grinned as he swung his odd yet effective weapon about. Goku on the other hand looked like he was having the time of his life, jumping and stabbing down with his summoned staff. These four who seemed to want to kill each other when calm worked well together in battle.

Unbidden thoughts of the human world came to Hiei's mind. He could almost hear Yuuske laughing at something that only he could understand. The fool Kuwabara would be there, probably the butt of Yuuske's joke, and Kurama would be smiling in amusement as well.

Hiei snarled at himself angrily, since when was he to think about such foolish things? Truly he had let himself go soft since his fateful meeting with Yuuske.

His Jagan flared up once more, responding to that first fierce power. From right beneath him a lone figure stepped forward. He was a tall man wearing a flamed cloak, his hands shackled and emitting a great amount of power. Such power dwarfed even Sanzou's holy aura, and Goku barely came close to equaling this new opponent. Hiei was about to plunge down to attack this new arrival, but stopped when he saw a smirk appear on the man's features. Was he aware of him?

"Homura!"

It was Goku's outraged voice that jarred Hiei. Homura, the Kami whom the bitch wanted Hiei to attack, and Homura, the Kami who really pissed Goku off. It was ironic how everyone Yukina and him had met in this world were connected one way or other. He could almost hear Kuwabara babbling nonsense about fate and destiny.

Homura's voice drifted up to Hiei, "We meet again, Son Goku. I trust you have kept yourself busy since we last met? I see you were able to handle my welcoming committee quite nicely."

"What do you want this time, Homura?" demanded Sanzou, sounding quite put out.

The Kami still had the smirk on his face as he answered, "Nothing much, Konzen. Don't worry; I'm not here to take the Maten Scriptures or Son Goku. I'm here because I'm just curious about something."

Hiei barely managed to dodge the attack when it came. Homura had whirled around, a sword suddenly in his hand, sending flames right at the tree he was hiding in. Hiei sent himself plummeting down, the sharp end of thick branch in his hand aimed for the side of Homura's face. He wasn't all that surprised when the other dodged him, and for a moment he met his opponents eyes: Gold and blue, one so familiar to Goku's odd shimmering ones. There was always something haunting and ancient about Goku's eyes, something that spoke of great pain, sadness and uncontrollable rage. Homura was the same, but that rage had a purpose that made this Kami quite formidable.

But formidable or not, purpose or not, Hiei would not let anyone get in his way.

Gritting his teeth, Hiei leapt back, but pivoted on his foot and launched himself at the Kami once again, sure that this man would not be able to dodge in time. But Homura's smirk remained in place, his odd mismatched eyes gleaming with amusement as he stepped aside and twisted his arms about. This movement sent his long chains wild, snaring Hiei's neck in their grasp and locking tight. With a harsh jerk, Homura slammed Hiei into the ground with such force that the impact shook the earth and made a small crater where Hiei's small body had connected.

It was like being hit by one of Yuuske's strongest Rei attacks, knocking all the breath out, and making the demon taste blood in his mouth that had come from his lungs. But the Kami did not wait for Hiei to recuperate, tightening the chains so that they started to bite into Hiei's neck, and jerking up, lifting the small demon clear off his feet. Hiei saw red as he lost more oxygen, his mind slowly starting to become frantic, but his veteran instincts pushing them coldly down. Lifting one hand he attempted to pry his fingers in between his bleeding neck and the chain, while stubbornly keeping hold of the branch in the other. Any normal metal would have shattered in his hands, but this one was stronger, a ward in itself, keeping the power of the Kami who wore it stunted; keeping Hiei from breaking free.

Not too far away, Hiei could hear the sounds of cursing; Goku and his companions were obviously busy with some other opponents. It was a humiliating thought to be defeated so soon in the battle, even more if the others managed to reach him before his neck snapped. Even that idiot Kuwabara would have lasted longer in a fight where he was outmatched.

Growling in rage, he swung the useless branch, letting it shatter against the Kami's body. He despised the sword attack, it was inferior to all his other abilities, but there were times it came in handy. The problem was, like the Black Dragon, he needed time to gather it without the Kami noticing. He needed a distraction, a short quick distraction.

And as if summoned, the distraction came in the form of a frigid wind that encased Homura's arm in ice, followed by a red eyed white baby dragon, shrieking as it attacked the Kami's unprotected head.

"Interesting," murmured Homura, releasing Hiei with a flick of his wrists and swatting Hakaryuu away from him like he was an annoying insect. Hiei fell to his knees, but wasted no time as he summoned the dark blade and stabbed up at Homura. But like his name, Homura was a Kami, and a Kami who had the powers of the Heavens. He easily twisted his head to the side, avoiding the attack, then smirking down at Hiei's enraged shock; he swung leg and connected it to Hiei's side. In a second, some things cracked, Hiei tasted blood, he was airborne, and then came to a crunching halt as his back met the trunk of a large tree. The tree groaned and cracks shot up the trunk before it spit completely in half and both halves went plunging to the ground sending birds and woodland creatures scurrying for safety in neighboring trees.

Hiei had to blink the blackness from his vision, willing unconsciousness away by sheer stubbornness. He tried to move but felt the unnerving feeling of one of his ribs digging deeper into one of his lungs. Hiei found himself chocking and heaving blood, his mind raging in disbelief that this Kami had the power to render him useless with a single kick. Rolling to his side, Hiei hacked and spit the crimson liquid from his lungs, taking in small gulps of air as he clutched his torso.

A tall shadow came to loom over him, and Hiei managed to glare hatefully up at the gloating god. "Had enough?" asked Homura, a self-assured grin imprinted on his pale face, though his eyes were sharp daggers stabbing at the demon, as if slicing him apart to truly see what he looked like from the inside.

Hiei spat some more blood, and then sneered, "I know a human who can hit harder than you. The gods here must be weaklings if they sent you to represent their might."

Homura blinked for a moment, then laughed genuinely, amused by Hiei's words. Still chuckling, he reached down, digging his hand into the demon's dark black hair and lifting him so that Hiei was forced to look straight up. Kneeling slightly he said, "Your words are ignorant yet ring true, little demon. The gods are weaklings that need a heretical creature that should not exist, such as myself, to do their dirty work."

Though fuming from the shameful hold he was in, Hiei could not help but be intrigued by Homura's words. Snorting slightly, and barely able to hold back a wince at the pain that it caused, he said, "If you're so strong, then why not break away from the gods, and if they try to stop you, destroy every last one of them?"

Again the Kami laughed, "And that is exactly why I am here. Already I have broken away from those who thought themselves better, and now will create a world where they do not exist." Homura leaned closer, "Red eyes, the eyes of a child of taboo. Anyone with sense can see that there is no human in you, but nonetheless your existence comes from a forbidden union, and the rage I see in your eyes tells me that you have suffered dearly for it. Just as I and those you travel with have suffered, though none more than Son Goku."

Hiei stared at Homura; unsettled by the insight he was hearing. Few creatures ever managed to speak to him of the truth of his life so freely, and even fewer survived his anger after such words were exchanged. Only Kurama was able to get close enough to understand, but Hiei knew very well that had he met Kurama before his Suuichi years, things would have not boded well for Hiei. Yet here was Homura, speaking, and Hiei knew that he spoke from personal experience.

"Imprisonment and abandonment are the only things we know in our lives," Homura continued, "imprisonment from those who fear us and are too weak and cowardly to kill us; abandonment from those who were supposed to protect us," he paused for a moment, his eyes far away, "and even if there was one who took the chance to love us, they'd be taken away for daring to have feelings other than loathing and fear for the heretical child."

For a second, Hiei heard a desperate and pleading scream for mercy, felt the warded bandages imprisoning his infantile limbs as the hands that held him aloft let go, and as he fell his small fingers clutched what was dear close.

Gritting teeth at the unwanted memory, Hiei hissed, "So they become stronger, with every single drop of blood that is shed, they become stronger so no one can dare take away what is precious."

"We seem to understand each other," murmured Homura, loosening his hold from Hiei's hair and switching it to one of Hiei's forearms, lifting the demon higher till he was completely dangling off his feet. "Look at yourself, even with the pain of having your own broken ribs slicing into you lungs, with you quite literally drowning in your own blood, you're still fighting to survive."

"Get...to your point," seethed Hiei, barely managing to breath in this new position.

Homura smiled, "I will create a world where there are none of these laws made by beings who fear anything that they cannot see past their noses. A new world that is not governed by self-suffering fools. Imagine the possibilities! Imagine if you had been born, and not have been cast away; to have lived with your birth parents and siblings without fear of punishment from the heavens. Equality, a world without those self righteous bastards who call themselves gods."

Hiei felt his lids get heavy, and perhaps it was the lack of oxygen, but he could almost see the world Homura spoke of, a world where he could see his mother smile and his unknown father close by, and a world where Yukina sat with her animals and waved for him to join, her hand beckoning. All he had to do was reach and take it...

"It's...just a dream," whispered Hiei, turning away Yukina's hand.

"Not a dream," insisted Homura, placing his free hand over Hiei's ribs. When the demon tensed at this contact he continued, "I have a way of creating this world, but for this world to be, there must be a few who deserve to inhabit it. The ones who were abandoned because they were special."

Hiei let out a chuckle that came out more as a gurgle, but he met the Kami's mismatched eyes. "You're a fool," he mocked, "not only are you chasing a childish dream, but you are fooling yourself into believing that such a world can exist. No race whether they are god, demon, or lowly human will be able to live up to your ideals. Eventually the strong will rule over the weak, and you will have another corrupt world repeating the same mistakes." He sneered, "What will you do then? Create another one?"

They stared at each other for a moment, and then Homura sighed, "So you refuse?"

"A dream should stay as that: a dream. Anything else is madness, and death is better than trying to obtain what doesn't exist."

"Pity."

The hard grip on his arm loosened, and just as the small demon was slipping down, Homura's leg swung at him. Hiei barely was able to lift his arms to guard his already shattered torso before the kick connected, sending him skidding face forward deep into the forest ground. Haltingly, he lifted his face out of the dirt, pausing as the glimmering blue of the tear gem caught his eye. The front of his shirt had been shredded, exposing the top of his chest and the small stone. He hesitated, wanting to secure it out of sight so that it wouldn't get lost in the fray. However, he had no time to even lift his hand to it before Homura attacked, sending his fist down towards Hiei's back.

The agile demon managed to roll away to safety, standing up though still clutched his ribs, trying to ignore the sensation of his bones shifting and piercing his organs with every move he made. But Homura was at him again, this time his flame sword slicing at him, digging deep into his side with such force that Hiei was spun twice before falling. He was able to get out of the way of another thrust at him, but he stumbled back and Homura swung again, the sword cutting him from his right shoulder to left hip.

Time seemed to slow; the only thing clear amidst the sight of his blood splattering was the clear blue gem, the rope that held it severed, as it flew away from Hiei. He snarled in rage, twisting sharply, ignoring his broken body, he reached out and caught the gem in his bandaged hand, then landed harshly on his stomach. The small stone was solid in his clenched fist, not biting or sharp, but smooth and cold. Staring at it he could see that his hand was covered in his own blood, the crimson surrounding the blue.

Insanely, Hiei had the urge to giggle at the irony of it.

"You're strong," he said, smirking from his vulnerable position. "That's good. Would have been pathetic if you weren't among the strongest."

"The strongest, eh?" there was an odd tone in Homura's voice.

The flame sword was raised over Hiei, as if it were the weapon of an excecutioner. When it came carving down he swung his clenched arm, using his own flesh to deflect a blow that would have cleaved him in two. While Homura blinked at him in surprise, Hiei darted away, taking a second to look over his injured appendage. The cut was deep, nearly severing the tendons but not damaging the bone too severely. It still held the gem.

Already his blood was pooling under him. If he didn't loose consciousness from loss of blood, it would be from his punctured lungs. Either way, Hiei knew he was outmatched. Surprisingly this did not daunt him, he knew eventually an opponent stronger than him would finish him off. That was the life he had lived by since the Koorime threw him away. Strength was the only thing he acknowledged. Yuuske had it, Kurama had it, even the idiot had potential. There was no shame in being defeated by an opponent stronger than him.

But who said Homura was stronger than him? He hadn't even shown the Kami a bit of his Dragon.

Suddenly a familiar form leapt before him, and Hiei was forced to stare in horror as Yukina spread her arms in a makeshift barrier between him and the Kami. She was rigid, trembling slightly, and pale, but he could see the fierceness in her large red eyes.

"Stop this," her soft voice did not shake when she spoke, "that's enough. Don't you dare touch him again!"

Hiei's eyes widened, watching Yukina trying to protect him.

Homura stared at her, and he smiled almost knowingly, "So you show yourself as well? I thought you'd stay hidden as you were told. For one as weak as you it's foolish to stand there as if you can stop me. Move aside, there is no reason for you to get involved."

But Yukina stayed where she was, and Hiei knew that the Kami spoke the truth. "Get out of the way," he growled at her back.

However, Homura did not give her a chance to reply, striking forward, he grabbed Yukina by the front of her tunic and flung her aside. She skidded and rolled on the rough ground before she came to a stop, shuddering without so much as a cry.

And Hiei saw red...

...the pure gem fell from bloodstained nerveless fingers...

...then the pitch darkness of black flames took over...

White bandaged wards were reduce to ashes, the jagan pulsing with power and rage as he lifted his arm, the black dragon Kokaryuu began pulling away from his flesh, it maw gapping open with malignant intent. Through the darkness that surrounded his vision whenever he used this technique, Hiei could see the Kami's mismatched eyes widen in shock, the god taking an uncertain step back.

From the side he saw a hint of brown and gold and Goku's gasping in awe, "What the hell?! There's dragon on your arm?!"

Hiei spat out some blood and smiled sinisterly at Homura though he addressed Goku when he spoke, "Not for long, its begging for a taste of god."

"Wait...!" started Goku, stepping forward, but Homura flung his arm out, halting him.

"Do not get involved, Son Goku," he said, his eyes narrowed at Hiei's arm and the dragon that was getting larger with every second. "I believe I have pushed your new companion without doing the proper research. Come," he beckoned Hiei with his red sword, "let us see how far you can go."

"Die then."

And the dragon was let loose, spinning off of Hiei's outstretched arm and charging at the god. It expanded in size so that its long serpentine body towered over the trees, knocking some down, while others were caught up in an eerie black flame. It struck at Homura, and Hiei was sure the kami would be consumed, but everything halted as the Kokaryuu's jaws were stopped by Homura's flame sword.

Hiei saw a twisted smirk on the kami's limps as he watched his attack dispel. As the flames flickered out, the black dragon reared back returning to his arm. There was a heavy silence, with only Hiei's labored breathing ringing in his ears and the distant cackling of burning trees.

"I cannot die here."

Hiei looked up at god as he approached him, the sword was gone having served its purpose. He shuddered once, and then lifted his arms halfway in defense. That was as far as they would go. "I will kill you," he hissed.

"You will fail," said Homura softly.

Goku's sudden desperate scream reached them, "Homura, stop!"

Hiei clenched his teeth, feeling the blood dripping from his chin. He had lost too much blood. "I will get stronger."

Homura stopped a few feet from him. "Perhaps," he said. "But you will never be the strongest." Hiei growled at this, but the god continued, "Only the strongest will be able to kill me, and you, little demon, are not him."

Goku lunged in between them, his golden eyes wide and stricken with horror. "Homura, you bastard!" He jumped up, trying to land a solid punch on the kami's face, but the attack was easily dodged. Goku managed a small curse when his fist was caught and he was flipped onto his back, the impact so harsh that the ground cracked beneath him. He gasped, and let out a gurgled cough, rolling onto his side and shuddering.

Turning away from him, Homura went back to Hiei, leaning down so that they were nearly eye to eye. Though his eyes were blazing in rage, Hiei could see the image of his enemy wavering and shifting. He blinked, unwilling to be the one to look away.

From behind them Goku cried out, "Homura! Don't!" Desperate, pleading, tearing at him.

Even with his failing vision Hiei saw a change in Homura's eyes, something sad and ancient in the glittering gold and blue. It brought him back to the rooftops with Goku, that hidden fury that was always there behind the smile, hidden so tight that it was nearly forgotten.

Strong hands gripped his shoulders, forcing Hiei to stiffen in alarm as Homura came closer so that his face was beside his own, his lips right at his ear.

"Only by his hand will I die."

Then the kami was gone.

And Hiei's body finally gave out, letting his consciousness drown in the sea of darkness of his mind...

Goku's cries drifting farther away in the shadows.

TO BE CONTINUED....O.o

OH MY GOD I FINALLY FINISHED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And when I mean IT I mean the chapter not the story. If it were the chapter I would have passed out in sheer joy, not feeling proud and shamed at the same time like I am at this very moment. But anyway, here it is...Chapter 5 done...and for some reason Hiei can't stay conscious for more than two chapters in this story.

Anyway, please review, send e-mails...whatever. Constructive criticism is good, especially since I know I botched up the whole Dragon thingie...I suck.

Sarlinia