Disclaimer: I don't own YYH.
Thanks to all my reviewers:
Dreamstar22- You're welcome. I have an a/n at the end of this chapter, too. Glad it helped ) Is Jerin opening up more? I'm not really sure about that. You'll find out a little more about Hiei in this chapter. Also Ayra will play a part in the end. Perhaps not a big one, but she will )
Dragon and Sword Master- This whole story is pretty much centered on treachery. You first see it in Risho, then in the unknown traitor, and then in Ayra. It's weird how a story develops.
purplehairedwonder- Thanks so much! Hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter as well!
ToCOrNot 77- No problem. Ayra is pronounced eye-rah (never thought anyone would ask for pronunciation of names :) You'll find out more about Hiei in this chapter. Thanks a lot!
hieiluver213- Thanks for all the compliments! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
IwuvMyKenshyPoo- Thanks! Yeah, lots of torture, but it just makes it more interesting, I suppose D
Blitzkreig- Thank you so much! I'm extremely happy you like my work. You're right, it's been since February, but thankfully it hasn't been long since your review! Enjoy!
At last! Chapter 20 is here! I know it took a long time, as Blitzkreig pointed out, the last update was all the way back in February. There are a few reasons for that.
The first is the play. At my school, we put on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. For those of you familiar with the show, you know it's completely made up of music and dance. And I was one of the brothers (being in an all-girls school) So that was two months worth of excruciating work and 8-hour practices on weekends. Yes. 8 hours.
The second is my punishment. My mom got mad for something-or-other and wouldn't let me go on the comp. During which time my dumb computer deleted ALL the work I put into this story. I had the whole ending written out and everything! Baka comp.
Third is my artwork. I've been putting a lot more time and effort into my art lately, mostly because I'm a member of this awesome site called deviantArt. I've been drawing all my OCs from this story, so if you want to see the pics you can go to my page:
w w w . f r o z e n f l a m e 8 1 3 . d e v i a n t a r t . c o m
(Delete ze spaces of course) Once you're there, go to my gallery by clicking on the Gallery link. My OCs are the first few pics in the gallery I believe. Just hold you're mouse over the pics and you'll see the titles (which are also the names of the OCs). Than click the pic to bring it up on the page D
Thank y'all for bearing with me here. I don't know what I'd do without the support of you guys. Enjoy this chapter!
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Runae looked up as Hiei walked into the room, followed closely by Karasu. "Hiei the Forbidden Child, we meet at last," he drawled, smirking at the irony of his statement.
The fire youkai glared at him and growled. "From what I've heard, this is not our first meeting."
The Junik grinned. "Good, so Kurama did tell you everything. I had hoped he would, it saves me the breath of another explanation-"
"Get to the point, Runae!" Hiei snarled. "You've obviously brought me here for a reason!"
Runae's grin got wider and he gave a slight nod.
Karasu suddenly grabbed Hiei by the shoulders and forced him onto a steel table, strapping him down before he had time to protest.
"What is this!" the fire demon yelled, struggling against his binding. "If this is another one of your experiments, I swear, Runae!"
The Junik rose from his seat and looked down at the helpless warrior. Smiling an evil smile, he pressed a button. A small machine lowered into place above Hiei's forehead and clamped down on either side of his Jagan, holding it open.
Hiei stiffened and his eyes grew wide.
Runae smirked down at him. "This happens to be another of my experiments, sword master, and there's not really much you can do about it, now is there?"
The fire youkai glared at him, trying to suppress the dread building within.
"You're probably imagining the intense pain this particular procedure will instill upon your body," Runae laughed, picking some sharp tools from his assortment on the desk. "Don't worry, Forbidden Child. It won't hurt…much."
The swordsman took in a sharp breath as the Junik carefully leaned over his forehead.
Karasu, knowing to leave his master to his work, exited the room and closed the door tightly behind him. There he lingered for a few short minutes, but the wait was well worth it. He soon heard the delightful sounds of electric tools and bloodcurdling shrieks from within the chamber.
&&&&&
"Let's camp here for the night," Korio sighed, sitting down on a large rock. "It's past dark, and the day has been exhausting."
"You don't have to tell me twice," Yusuke groaned, willingly falling to the ground. "I think I could sleep while a train was slowly running me over."
"Yeah, sleep forever is more like it," Kuwabara yawned, plopping down beside the Detective. "Though now I don't think I'd mind sleeping for eternity."
"Aronae," Jerin growled. "Have you forgotten why we're here to begin with? Death at this point would not be wise for any of us."
Korio chuckled. "Thankfully I don't think they heard you." He pointed at the two snoring humans.
Jerin rolled his eyes. "Should I expect any less of them?"
"Ah, don' be makin' spor' o' them while they be asleep," Jin said. "Even the bes' o' us ge' tired sometime', includin' yers truly." He grinned and shot into the air. "G' nigh' all, an' pleasan' dreams!"
Ioe looked at Jerin. "I hate to trouble you now, but-"
The Sparian half-smiled. "No need to ask. After all these years, I know what you require."
He stepped away from the group, knelt on the ground, and closed his eyes, holding his hands a few inches above the dirt. Slowly the ground beneath him began to twist and bubble, transforming itself into a deep pool of water.
Kir dove right in without hesitation. Ioe smiled. "Thank you. I don't know what we'd do if not for your talent."
Jerin shook his head, disregarding the compliment. "Sanori, Ioe, sanori aaia maru."
"Sanori aaia maru," Korio repeated in the sprite's dialect.
"You two sleep peacefully as well," Ioe said before diving deep into the water to join his brother.
"Korio, marin daia raota sa ana," Jerin said in his own tongue before beginning to walk away.
"And you?" the Master questioned. "Where are you going?"
"Mia rai'mia rai nosatu ata jerin."
His friend sighed. "Again? Jerin, when will this end?"
The Sparian stopped. "Miano kora' miano saikora. Mia rai nosatu ata jerin siai"
Korio watched as he walked away, and silently begged him to return with the rising sun, all worries gone from his mind.
Later that night, Kir got out of the water and, checking to see that everyone was asleep, quietly walked away from the camp. He had heard the entire conversation, and he had to know what was going on with the demon hunter.
&&&&&
"You think he's had enough?"
"Nah, he still looks like he could use some more."
Rip.
Tear.
Heat.
Pain.
A silent scream that tore through every nerve in his body.
"Are you sure? He don't look so good."
"Runae's instructions were to torture him until he submits. Which he hasn't. That defiant gleam is still in those pretty blue eyes of his."
As if on cue, he forced one of his eyes open to stare at his tormentors.
"There, ya see? He still thinks he's in control here. We have to put him in his place."
Laughter.
Intense pain.
He had no voice with which to speak or scream. He just accepted it. He could not remember anything except pain. He couldn't even remember his own name. The most he knew was the evil mocking of the guards, mocking him with the word "Touya." But now the only thing he answered to was pain.
&&&&&
"Jerin?"
The Sparian turned to find the youngster of the group looking at him with pleading eyes. "What do you want?" he snarled, turning around again. "It's late. You should be resting like the others."
"And you should practice what you preach."
Jerin's eyes widened at the statement. "What did you say?" he hissed, spinning around to face the sprite.
Kir instantly averted his eyes to the ground. I-just-I just meant-"
"If you have something to say, say it," Jerin cut in, his voice dripping venom.
"Something's wrong with you, Jerin!" Kir suddenly yelled, surprising even himself. He looked the demon hunter straight in the eye. "You don't sleep! You hardly eat! You live each day not caring about anything, or anyone!"
Kir watched at the Sparian's eyes grew from wide to wider.
"I'm not the only one who's noticed! The humans and Jin, even they know something's going on! We all want answers, Jerin, and we want them now."
The hunter clenched his fists so tight that he drew blood. This was going too far.
"Shut your filthy mouth!" Jerin spat. "You're nothing more than a child! You know nothing about me! You know nothing about the dangers of this world! You're a fool who tries to follow in the footsteps of those around him!"
This time it was Kir's eyes that grew wide.
Jerin continued, "Every day you are surrounded by those you look up to, those you respect and try to befriend! But you know what? In the end, you'll be naught but a loser who depends on others to fight his battles for him!"
As the Sparian disappeared, Kir sank to his knees. Was Jerin speaking the truth about him? Was he really that immature?
&&&&&
"I'm looking for Runae."
Ayra jumped at the sudden voice from a hooded figure in the throne room. He...he's not here. And he doesn't wish to be disturbed," she replied.
The figure moved closer to her. "Then perhaps I can relay my information through you. I refuse to wait."
"Don't be so quick to trust. If you give me the message, he will not hear it," she said defiantly. "I'm not exactly the model officer."
There was a slight snort of amusement from beneath the hood. "And what if I told you I'm not exactly the model traitor?"
"I would believe you," she shot back. "No traitors are completely for one side over the other. They just do it for money, pleasure, or because of blackmail."
"An interesting and precise observation on your part."
"I don't take your compliment lightly."
"And why is that?"
"You don't want to speak to Runae. It's me you want to talk to, or you'd already be gone."
There was a smirk on the face of the figure. "Brilliant deduction."
"Just get to the point," Ayra growled.
"As you wish."
&&&&&
What-what's going on? Where am I?
You're inside your mind. Isn't it wonderful?
Runae!
Hiei. Now that we're acquainted-
What did you do to me!
Nothing, dear Hiei, nothing.
Than why can't I move!
Because I didn't tell you to.
What!
You'll see in due time, Forbidden Child. You'll see.
OK, author's note time! For all of you who have questions about this chapter, here are some answers! I'll be explaining by sections, which are all split apart by &&&&&.
Section 1
I. For those who don't know or just skimmed a few chapters, when Hiei says, "From what I've heard, this is not our first meeting," he is referring to the memory deletion of himself and Kurama over the past two months.
II. For those who don't know or are new to YYH, Hiei's Jagan (third eye) was implanted by a dude named Shigure (no, not the one from Fruits Basket). He got it so that he could find the glacial village where he was born, and then used it to find his sister. The pain he experienced during the implantation was beyond imagination. I think you'd be scared, too, if someone tried to operate on what already caused you more pain that you ever thought was possible.
Section 2
I. Jerin creates a pool of water for Ioe and Kir. Because they are water sprites, they cannot stand being without water for long periods of time. They are also more comfortable sleeping underwater.
II. Sparian Translation
1. aronae- fool
2. Korio, marin daia raota sa ana- Korio, may the sun set with you. (This is an expression used toward the closest of friends. It basically means that the speaker hopes you sleep peacefully at night, like the sun when it sets, and then rise refreshed in the morning.)
3. Mia rai'mia rai nosatu ata jerin- I just-just need to be alone. (Jerin uses his own name as the last word of the phrase. Besides meaning "solitary one," it is also used in the language and is the state of being alone.)
4. Miano kora'miano saikora. Mia rai nosatu ata jerin siai- I don't know, I really don't know. I just need to be alone now.
III. Water Sprite Translation (yes, I introduced a new language, and no, I don't have a fancy name for it)
1. Sanori, Ioe, sanori aaia maru- Sleep, Ioe, sleep with peace. (A formal way of saying good-night. It can also be translated as "sleep peacefully," which is what Ioe says to both Jerin and Korio in response)
Section 3
I. I'm talking, obviously, about Touya in this section. Nothing really interesting here.
Section 4
I. Kir, being the one usually left out, wants to be able to connect with Jerin. Kir looks up to the demon hunter and wants to understand him and his motives. Still, he may never gain Jerin's friendship.
II. Jerin is insulted when Kir says, "And you should practice what you preach." He had never been spoken to that way by someone substantially younger than him, and in Sparian tribes (as in our own culture today, I suppose) answering back is a huge form of disrespect.
III. When Kir says that, he is referring to how Jerin wants him to rest, but will not rest himself.
IV. As I said before, Kir looks up to Jerin. He takes Jerin's words very harshly, wondering if he really was what Jerin said he was.
Section 5
I. I'm not telling who the figure is. I think that's been established in previous chapters. But he/she/it obviously is a traitor.
II. Yes, Ayra is the new OC from Chapter 19. She is not the "model officer" because she bears grudges against Runae and seeks revenge.
Section 6
All this will be explained in the next chapter! Actually it was supposed to be in the next chapter but I just put it here because I wanted to end in a cliffie, hehe aren't I evil?
Hope this helps with the massive confusion that is my story. If ya have any other questions, just ask! And please tell me what ya think!