Author's note: All right! Chapter 5! I'm sorry about having you guys wait so long for chap 4 before.
I would like to take the time to thank the following reviewers. I love you guys!
Bar-Ohki
Crystal Koneko
Hiei's ice maiden
Tsuki koorime
I would like to respond to botan-cute-spiritgirl:
Your response made me laugh! I added a little more humor.
Disclaimer: That's right, I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. Big surprise.
Chapter 5: Dreams and accepting.
Hiei arrived back at the park, alone. He really didn't want to go to the Kitsune's tonight. He touched his cheek where Botan had softly kissed him and the heat rose to his cheeks again. He pulled his arm away quickly and sat in one of the taller trees.
'Why did Onna go and kiss me? So I have been around her lately, but that's only because she always gets into trouble! And if I don't save her Koenma will nag me to death and shit.'he thought.
He fumbled with his hands and looked at the ground. All his feelings seemed to be mixed up. Something he didn't like and he decided to sleep it off.
He had a dream then. He was standing on top of a building. His bandana was off and a little minion demon was crouched on top of his shoulder. He recognized this. It was the time he planned on killing Yusuke and wanted all the three treasures.
His eyes were steadily watching Yusuke and Keiko fighting and then Keiko stormed away from the school. Hiei flitted onto the sidewalk waiting to kidnap her. She walked past him and he hit her with the sword and dragged her to the pier.
He laid her gently on top of a warehouse box and went back to the building he had earlier watched the spirit detective. Only this time…he wasn't stuck on killing Yusuke….he wanted Botan. He ripped off his bandana and, with his Jagon eye, found Botan waiting patiently for Yusuke on the roof.
Her skirt whipped in the wind and her blue hair, tied in a ponytail, was swaying. 'Onna…'he said telepathically. Her purple eyes widened and went alert. 'Hiei? It's you isn't it?' she replied. He chuckled softly. 'Yes Onna…it's me.'
'What do you want?'
He jumped over to the fence on the school roof and she looked up. She looked at him slightly alarmed but kept her ground. He jumped down across form her, never taking his eyes away. "…wha-at are you going to do?"
"I'm not here to hurt you." He replied which surprised himself. He never had said that to anyone. She looked at him in disbelief. "I don't have the items, if that's what you're here for." she said nervously.
"I know." he answered. She bit her lip. "I'm here for you.," he finally blurted. She stiffened. "What? Why would you want me?" she asked. He turned his face. "I know…it's weird but…you have to understand. All I wanted was you. Maybe that's all I wanted to say."
"Is this a trick?" she asked. He saw pink hues on her cheeks. "No. I'm serious." He said turning around. "Tell the detective I have his woman." He was about to spring into the air when her hand held onto his arm.
Her purple eyes were soft. "Wait…Hiei don't. I'm just a ferry girl but…if your not lying…I couldn't fight you. It would break my heart." He turned to her wrapped his arms around her leaned forward and then…
"OW!" He found himself on the ground, awake. "Christ…"he growled as he heaved up onto his knees and looked around. It was early morning. He rubbed his back and then remembered the dream. His red eyes softened. 'It felt so right…'
Botan was nervously clutching her new oar walking to get more papers for Koenma. Her head was deep in thought of last night and her strange dream she had. Not paying attention she bumped into a familiar red head.
"Oh! Botan!" Botan looked down into the blue green eyes of Hinageshi.
"Oh dear! Sorry Hinageshi. I didn't see you there."
She smiled and waved her hand. "Oh no, it's okay! By the way, Happy belated birthday." Botan grinned and nodded. "Thanks. And congrats on becoming an official ferry girl." They both laughed and departed going back to work.
Botan grabbed the stack of papers and carried them back into the prince's office. "Botan, did you get the deceased reports?" he asked stamping papers as he went. "Yes, Master Koenma. All 150 of them." she obediently answered.
His head dropped onto the desk. She heard him curse under his breath. "Thank you…you may leave now." She curtsied and left. She headed to the Ferry girl office and grabbed her grade book to look for new deceased arrivals.
"6 more today." she sighed. She turned around when she heard someone call her name. "Botan! Botan! Wait!"Koenma slid in and stopped her. "Change of plans." He huffed as he caught his breath.
Suddenly a blue Oni jumped on top of him. "Master Koenma!" They dropped to the ground. Botan looked down and sweat dropped at the scene. "Er…Master Koenma?" she asked. Koenma kicked George off and dusted himself off.
"Now as I was saying…before imbecile interrupted." The prince started. George hung his head in embarrassment. "I need you to go on a quick mission." Botan gave him a quizzical look. "Hai?"She asked.
"A small town in Makai is having strange events occurring with phantoms, and since you are indeed a spirit and know a lot about dealing with such I'm putting you in charge." He explained. Botan smiled determinedly. "Okay then, Master Koenma."
"One, small, thing though…"He added. Then he took her hand into his and smiled at her sweetly. "Botan, dear…there is a catch." She raised an eyebrow at him. "You'll need to bring Hiei with you and cooperate."
Her eyes instantly widened and she slapped his hand away. " NANI??? Master Koenma, with all do respect, how in the HELL do you cooperate with Hiei?!!" she cried in protest. Koenma sweat dropped. "But Botan, Hiei is the only one available. And besides, I think you get him on his better side."
Botan snorted at that one. "Maybe Yukina does…but me? I'm the total opposite of him!"
"Well they do say opposites attract."Koenma added a-matter-of-factly. Botan slammed her oar promptly on top of his head and he bent over in pain. "OWW!!!Botan…" "But Koenma…"she whined. He stood up, Botan noticing he was still in his teenage form making him slightly intimidating.
"Botan, listen to me. You will do this. Hinageshi will work the rest of your shift." Botan dropped her head and mumbled a yes sir. She walked out into the hall then got an instant thought. She turned around and ran up to the prince.
"What now, Botan?" "Can I bring Yukina along instead?" The Prince's gold eyes glowed in fury. Botan noticed he did look cuter and very scary in his older form. "BOTAN GO!" he snapped and pointed at the door.
At that she scrambled out of the hallway and ran out the door. "Jez, Koenma sir. That was awful harsh." George noted. Koenma spun around. "Oni! Get back to work or your ass is mine as well!" The poor Oni ran away with his tail between his legs.
Fluster Botan shot out of Reiki trailing down to the park in search of the fire demon. Botan was a bit nervous. She still had that dream on her mind. She recalled it as she flew steadily on her oar.
It was the day when Hiei kidnapped Keiko. It was very windy and she was sitting on top of the roof, the wind blowing her hair in different directions. She was waiting for Yusuke to get out from detention and the sun was slowly sinking.
She noticed the sky turning pink and orange. Suddenly she heard a voice unlike hers enter her head. 'Onna…'it spoke softly. She snapped her attention away from the sun and recognized the voice. 'Hiei…It's you isn't it.' she responded.
She wondered when the demon was going to make his move. She heard him laugh. Except the laugh wasn't a demented evil one…just a soft rumble that seemed to calm her down. 'Yes Onna…it's me.' She paused.
He sounded like an old friend calling her up on the telephone. It was weird. But she kept on task. 'What do you want?' she asked. Waiting for a reply she heard a tap on the fence. Botan looked up to find two red crimson eyes staring back.
She stood up as he jumped and landed in front of her, making his black cape whip wildly in the wind. "W-what are you going to do." she asked out of fear he was going to tear her to pieces. She wished Yusuke were out of his detention to help her.
"I'm not here to hurt you." He said. Did she hear right? Never before had she ever heard him say that. And it almost angered her. This didn't happen that day. He had threatened her and Yusuke that he would kill Keiko if we didn't give him the treasures.
She wanted to tell him he wasn't doing it right, but those red eyes that were usually hard and piercing, were now soft and flickering. Hiei couldn't fake that even if he wanted to. She was confused at what he was getting at. "I don't have the items, if that's what you're here for."
"I know."
She bit her lip out of nervousness because his eyes were locked onto her. 'What did he want then?' she remembered thinking. As if he had read her thoughts he answered "I'm here for you."
She froze at the words and her mouth almost dropped open. 'What is going on?' "Nani? Why would you want me?" His face turned away from hers." I know…it's weird but…you have to understand. All I wanted was you. Maybe that's all I wanted to say."
He said letting all his feeling out in the open. She felt the heat rush to her face and her heart quicken its pace. "Is…is this a trick?" she asked unsure. She wanted to believe him. His face turned to look at her once again.
"No, I'm serious." He confirmed. And he was. He turned around on his heel. "Tell the detective I have his woman." 'No don't go.' she thought. She grabbed onto his arm before he could leave. "Wait…Hiei don't. I'm just a ferry girl but…if your not lying…I couldn't fight you. It would break my heart," she blurted. She felt his arms wrap around his waist, eyes locking onto hers he leaned forward almost filling the gap when
BAM!
Botan woke up on her floor, legs tangled into the sheets of her bed. Her door swung open with Ayame standing above her. "Botan!"She cried. Botan blushed embarrassed like she had been caught kissing Koenma. "Dream."Botan laughed. 'Of coarse Ayame didn't know what I dreamt but still! It's embarrassing.'
The flashback ended and Botan picked up Hiei's energy. She dived down…until she hit a tree. The oar crashed into the bark throwing Botan into the air. "SHITCAKES!"She shouted. She stopped herself and floated. 'Oh right I'm in my spirit form.'
"…the hell?" Botan whipped her head in the direction of the voice. It was Hiei sitting straight up on a nearby tree branch. She blinked then went to fetch her oar. "You're…floating…."the words dropped out of his mouth.
She ignored him and pulled out her oar. "You're not…a ningen…" Botan turned around annoyed. "Duh, dipshit. I've been a spirit my whole life." "Dipshit? Watch where you're flying, baka." Hiei snapped at her.
Botan sighed. 'Hello to you too. God I messed that up.' she thought. "Uh, sorry. I was caught off guard. Didn't mean to yell at you." She apologized softly. The fierceness in his eyes left him and he shrugged.
"What ever." She held her oar near her and then finally spoke. "Hiei can you accompany me on a mission?" Hiei stared at her. "Your birthday was yesterday. I don't do favors." "Believe me Hiei, You are the last person on the three worlds I'd ask but it's Koenma's orders. It's just a quick thing and then you can go back to hating the world again." she shot back.
He glared at her for being a smart ass. "I saved you a couple times in one week and you give me this BS?"He informed. Botan smiled. Her eyes turned pink. "And didn't I thank you countless times? Or do you just need an ego boost?" she pointed out. He grumbled. "Come on! You know you can't resist my smile." she persuaded as her smile grew bigger.
"HAH!"He snorted and turned away. Botan thought for a moment. "Oh…and here I was going to offer you ice cream…or as you know it 'sweet snow'." She said making him perk up. "Oh well then…"she said and turned around. "NO WAIT!!!…I mean…since your offering," he shouted. "Bingo!" she giggled.
'Curse my hunger for sweet snow.' he thought. "Now hop on." she said happily and patted her oar. He took one look and refused. "Ride the spoon? No way." Botan dropped anime style. "Its not a spoon! BAKA!" she bellowed and hit him upside the head. "Your gonna regret that!" he blared.
He lunged at her and she swiftly backed up her oar. "Oh shit" he had forgotten that he was on the branch and stepped off. He slipped off and felt Botan catch his foot. "Put me down Onna!"He hissed. "Your wish is my command." She replied and without a second thought dropped him on a branch.
"DAMN!"He screeched as he hit. "Dammit Onna!"He growled rubbing his head. "Don't get mad at me. You said let go." She answered a-matter-of-factly holding up her hands. He groaned and picked himself up. "Follow me to the portal." She called behind her. Hiei reluctantly stood up and followed.
"Stupid Onna, telling me what to do." he muttered under his breath and saw her floating in front of a huge hole to Makai. "There you are." she grinned and took his hand. Before Hiei could protest she pulled him in with her and they landed outside the village.
It was very silent and the wind whispered through the trees. Botan felt a chill run down her spine. Hiei ripped his hand from hers. "Jesus, I thought you'd cut off my circulation," he hissed. She gave him an apologetical look. "Sorry, it's just really creepy here." "Hn."He answered annoyed.
She dismounted her oar and started walking into the village with Hiei trailing behind. When they both entered the village gate it looked like a ghost town. Botan stopped and looked around. "It's deserted," she stated. "Well no one wants to live with a spirit annoying them all the time," he pointed out partly referring to Botan.
She gave him a dry look and then continued to find at least someone around. "Hello?" she called to anything in general. "Must have heard you were coming for a visit." Botan glared over to the fire demon with flashing violet eyes. "Yeah, they heard you were coming with me."Botan flying the insult right back in his face.
He ignored her and looked into the glass window. "They should be afraid." he smirked looking at his reflection evilly. "Yeah, afraid of your face." she laughed. He spun towards her eyes blazing. 'He asked for that.' she thought. She avoided his glare and ducked into one of the homes.
She touched a chair and saw white breaking everything with mad laughter. She quickly took her hand away and recoiled from the chair. "What's wrong?"
She turned around to the fire demon whose eyebrow was raised. "It was definitely here. But I'm still not picking it up." she told him. "God, this is impossible." he grumbled and started rifling through the house. She passed through the walls trying to pick up any spirit energy. Suddenly she felt that same chill again and snapped to attention.
A shrill scream was heard and a white figure appeared in front of her. She yelped in surprise and it lunged at her she dodged it and floated herself into the air. "BOTAN!" she whipped around in surprise and saw Hiei standing in the door entrance looking concerned.
The phantom laughed and through telekinesis threw knives at Hiei. He dodged them swiftly. Botan's turn. She thrusted her hand forward and through her emotions blasted the ghost back. Spirit energy spewed out throwing the ghost out of the house wailing. She floated back down to Hiei. "Hiei are you okay?" she asked.
Hiei nodded with astonishment. "Onna…did you do that?" he question pointing to the empty space where the phantom once was. She smiled. "Yeah. Didn't you know? Spirits have power through their emotions." Hiei hned and looked away. "Where did he go now?"
"I'm sure he's outside now. I'll be able to trap it in a small room and banish it. I just need your help," she explained. His eyebrow rose again. "What do you mean?" She smiled sweetly and took his hand. "Hiei…could you be bait for a minute?" He growled and smacked her hand away.
"Please Hiei? Remember ice cream?" she pleaded. He growled some more and then finally nodded. "It better be the right kind too," he reminded her. She nodded quickly.
Hiei was standing in a small room heightening his ki for the ghost to sense. 'Come out and get me.' he thought in his head. Finally he saw the ghosts' head pop out from the wall and laugh at him. Hiei stood ready and when the phantom reached him he flitted out of sight.
It stopped abruptly and then Botan dive-bombed out from the ceiling. Botan landed on the floor and threw her charm down and shouted. "EVIL SPIRIT I BANISH THEE!" It screamed and a white light consumed it and in one poof it was gone. Botan looked up with a huge smile on her face. She was so proud of herself.
"Hiei you may come out now." She called. He stumbled out from behind a table. "It worked." he blinked. "Of coarse it did, silly." and she flashed the charm at him. 'Weird.' he thought. Botan noticed Hiei favoring his left fore arm. "Are you hurt?" she asked slightly concerned.
He stuffed his arm into his pocket. "No." Botan approached him. "Yes you are, did the knife cut you?" she asked reaching for his arm. He grabbed her wrist. "Stop it, I'm fine." he lied. Botan looked at him. "Oh grow up! Its not gonna hurt your pride if I just take a look at it." she huffed. He rolled his eyes and thrusted the arm into her face.
She rolled up his sleeve and saw a cut on his arm. It wasn't deep but it was still bleeding pretty good. "Here I'll heal it." she cooed and positioned her hand over it. Hiei started to protest but finally let her do it. Her hand glowed a soft blue color and he felt his pain being relieved.
"I remember." he recalled. She looked up at him quizzically. "Nani?" "I remember you did this when I first fought Yusuke. You fought off the evil eye on Keiko's forehead with this." She looked into his eyes that seemed softer now. 'The dream last night.' she thought.
"Simple white magic." she replied as his wound fully healed. She rolled down his sleeve again. His eyes were still on her and she still felt his hand around her wrist, gently gripping it. She looked back at him. Hiei tipped his head forward and…Dinnnngggg!
Botan and Hiei snapped to attention. "Oh my compact!" He let go of her wrist and she opened it up. Koenma's face was on the screen. "Botan how are you doing?" "Fine Master Koenma. We just got done banishing it. Mission complete." she informed the prince. A smile of satisfaction formed on his face.
"Good work! Over and out!" and the screen shut off. She closed it and stuffed it back into her kimono and look back at Hiei. He turned around and started walking out the door. He stopped and turned his head slightly around. "You owe me ice cream." She nodded and quickly ran next to him.
"Hiei, you said my name! Does that mean you like me? You were so concerned looking. Were you worried?" she asked smiling. "Hn."He grunted. She poked him in the arm. "Come on Hiei. Admit it, you care for me." He shuddered at that. "Care?" he cringed. Botan rubbed her arm against his. "Hiei…you said my name." Hiei growled and tossed his head. "Don't get use to it."
"So you do care!" she exclaimed happily and her cotton candy eyes flickered at him. 'I'm getting weak.' he thought shaking his head 'but those eyes get me every time.' "What ever onna. It was just a reaction," he denied. Botan put her hands on her hips. "Hiei, you can't hide the fact that you were worried. NOW SAY IT!" she yelled into his ear. Hiei wobbled sideways. Finally he sighed, "Okay, so maybe I slightly care about what happeneds to you." She smiled again.
Well that's the end of chapter 5! See? I updated quicker this time! (I didn't have writer's block!) Happy? Did you see Hiei almost kissed her? hehehehe!
Review please!!!!!!!!