dont own YYH


Chapt. 28

Small Talk

"Are you the Genkai from Kurama's stories about the Ankoku Bujutsukai?" I ask her, returning to Hiei's wounds.

"I'm assuming."

I smile a small smile, carefully cleaning an oozing cut.

"You know, you're injured just as bad," Genkai reminds me after a while.

"I know that," I whisper. "But Hiei's wounds are in worse condition than mine."

"Yes, Hiei is very lucky to have you around."

"Tell him that," I joke.

"Food's here!" Botan calls, pushing open the door.

I turn to look at her. "Pizza smells good."

"That was supposed to be a surprise," she whines. "Oh well, you're right. I thought we'd try some American food this time."

Keiko and Shizuru walk in carrying five steaming boxes each. Yukina steps in behind them carrying a few smaller steaming boxes.

"And breadsticks," I grin, sniffing the delicious air.

"'Ey, she gots a good nose on 'er!" Jin grinned, coming into the room with Yusuke and Kuwabara.

"Thanks." I continue the clean Hiei's wounds, being careful not to press too hard. A low growl escapes his body. "I didn't mean to press that hard," I apologize.

His face becomes a slight pink.

"Hm? I get it; you're hungry!" I grin. He tries to turn into the couch, but I stop him. "Not until I finish." I turn around and grab a small slice of cheese pizza. "Here."

He stares at the greasy piece of pizza in my hand and tries to turn away again.

"I know you're hungry. Now, you'll eat this willingly, or I'll stiff it down your throat," I threaten.

He nibbles at the end.

I sigh angrily.

He takes a bigger bite. Soon, the piece is gone.

"See, that wasn't so hard. A few more minutes and you'll be as good as new." I close my eyes and sit very still. An energy leaves me and intertwines with another inside the body before me. The smell of oak fills me again and I open my eyes. The light green aura of the oak spirit was hovering over Hiei's body, trying to find a way in.

A faint black and red aura outlined Hiei, keeping the oak from entering. But Hiei was weak still and his aura wound not last long.

"Hiei, he only wishes to help."

"I don't want it," he breathes.

"You need it."

"Hiei," Genkai starts, "this girl is trying to save your life. You don't want her to die. Maybe, letting her save you will save her." I liked her logic.

Hiei's mind seems to ponder this for a moment. Slowly his aura fades away; a silent sigh of relief slips from his body. The oak spirit seeps into Hiei's body, making him glow a light green. The cuts slowly fade from their black or purple color into a soft, healthy pink. The oak leaves him and returns home to me.

"That wasn't so bad was it?" I yawn. Drowsiness splashes against my tired, bloody body. I create a makeshift pillow with my arms and lay my head on the edge of the couch near Hiei's arm. "Just a little nap."

A small whispering takes place behind me. Shuffling, cardboard scraping, and a squeaking door happen quickly, leaving the room silent; save for the breathing of Hiei and me.

"What happened?" I whisper, too sleepy to look for myself.

"They left," he answers quietly.

"That's nice..."

A heavy object places itself on the back of my neck, resting softly there. I snuggle closer into the couch, grasping the heat. It was a wondrous feeling of comfort and belonging that kept me there when the object hugged a little tighter around me. A sweet scent lingered about me; oak and something else.

"Hiei," I whisper, "when will you tell her?"

"Someday...maybe."

My heart sinks slightly. His only living relative, and he won't even let her know. This was a sad man indeed.

Sleep overcame my weakened mind.