FIK: Hello me jolly mates, how'z it hanging! Okay, here's the lowdown on this chapter. No H/B at all unfortunately, but wanna know why? This started off as one BIG chapter, and I mean 20 pages in word, so I decided to cut it into two seperate chappies. Soo... I HAVE A SURPRISE! You'll all get to view chapter ten on Valentine's Day, in honor of all the romance and love. And that's not all... it's entirely H/B with lots of tender moments and one BIGGER surprise... Oh, I just can't wait! I wrote all of this today, all twenty pages. Yeah for me!
Hiei: Help me, someone... Save me from this torture.
FIK: HA! As if anyone would help-
(Bazillion fans suddenly appear, armed and deadly. ((gulp)) Hides behind Sesshomaru, who growls, flexing claws. Fans scream. He smirks. Fans jump on him. ((sweatdrop)))
FIK: Okay... (note to myself: Fans will go after the Fluffy. Must worship The Fluffy) Oh, and this is in reference to his fur cape, not the actually taiyoukai... Hehe, enjoy.
Chapter Nine
Flashback
"Hold him; grab his legs god damn it! Touya: get the water now!"
Three figures struggle in the dim light of a room, fighting to prohibit the erratic movements of the fourth lying between them. Spouts of flames shoot up with every sound that escapes the fourth's tensed face, searing the skin of anyone who didn't move quickly enough.
"Dump it! Kurama, get his arms above his head-"
Suddenly, the boy shouting folds over, clutching his stomach as his breath rushes out of him. The fourth figure, smaller and faster, jumps out of the others holds, snarling like the devil, eyes a vivid, blinding white. He tries to run for it, but is thrown to the ground, a blue haired demon wrestling his thrashing body downwards. Using as much strength as possible, the blue haired one creates an ice block the size of a bed and lands it onto the black haired figures open back.
"Yusuke, get over here now!"
The first figure, having recovered from the unexpected blow, rushes over, wheezing slightly, jumping up and catching a corner of the ice block. The red haired one grabs another, and together the three of them press it down. They flinch at the howls and cries coming from their friend, ignoring it for his own good. Hissing steam drifts upwards, the white hot skin of the small figure melting away some of the ice. He growls, snarls, and yells at them, all to no avail. Minutes pass, the ice nearly half melted; the arms of the three figures growing sore from pressing it so harshly onto him.
"Is it working!" Shouts the black haired one, cinnamon eyes flashing tiredly.
Silence endures after this, the three of them listening to the sounds coming from the trapped one. Nothing.
"I believe so." Answers the blue haired one.
Indeed, as they lift it slightly off of their enraged friend, they are astonished to find him unconscious, finally worn out, his body cool enough to touch.
"What was that?" Touya spoke softly, glancing wearily at the two detectives. He had been walking to Genkai's temple to visit Yukina, when Hiei had emerged from an alley way, fire streaming off him like water, Yusuke and Kurama tailing him closely. There was no need to explain why he had joined them; that part was obvious. If they hadn't gotten a hold of Hiei, there would have been many dead bodies lying in the street.
"His changes are finally setting in." Kurama said with a sigh, grabbing hold of Hiei's feet as Yusuke grabbed his arms. Carefully, they walk with him dangling between them to the back of the temple, and then laid him on a spare futon. Kurama placed a seed next to Hiei's skin, mumbling something. They all watched as it unfurled into a small plant, changing into a flower, and then died seconds later. Kurama hurriedly grabbed it, grinding it in the palm of his hand. He held it so that when Hiei breathed in, some of the pollen would go with it; when it was gone Kurama turned back to them.
"That should paralyze him for a few hours, if not longer. We should rest until then."
The other two nodded, staring wonderingly at the sleep dead koorime. Before their weary eyes, a light enveloped his body, glowing darkly one second and then brightly the next.
"Yes, I was correct." Kurama said, "It should be done by sunset."
"Why did he go berserk, Kurama; Botan didn't do anything like that." Yusuke asked, plopping down in a chair. Touya followed suit, his sharp sea green eyes intent on the black haired fire demon. 'Oh, why did he have to Yukina's brother?' He thought miserably.
"He is of demon blood Yusuke; surely you realize how unchanging demon's blood is? Botan did not have any serious reactions because her nature is accepting to near everything, while as Hiei's wants to remain as it is. That relapse was the first stage of the changes, the outburst of power the second, and now finally, this is the third and final stage. His blood is already changing; his body will do the same soon. Right now, the hardest part is happening."
"Yeah? And what's that?" Yusuke muttered.
Kurama sighed, noticing Yusuke's credulous tone.
"His soul is being changed."
Two pairs of eyes locked on him, disbelief thick in the air.
"You're kidding?!"
End Flashback
Lights flustered the evening air, sparkling fireworks of enchantment, illuminating secret corners and brightening nighttime's reaches. True to the tradition of the Reikai ball, the candles were dimmed and chandeliers lit as the sun disappeared beyond the azure mountains standing with their humble pride. It could be considered a romantic evening, the candles giving off their enticing scents, flickering shadows devising their own classic waltz, a steady stream of music flirting in each dancers ears...
...The exception being a sole deity, her head pounding, her feet aching, her heart heavy...
'Why... Why must I suffer? Can one person really cause so much pain? Every since that day I've felt sick, tormented. What does this mean? He... He's my friend, but, is he something... more? I wish... I wish he was-'
"Do I displease you, Fujiiro-sama?"
Botan snapped out of her thoughts, focusing her attention to Ryoushi, who gazed down at her concernedly, a flicker of worry sitting in his cobalt eyes. Botan shook her head, forcing herself to dance on, smiling shyly up at him. He was so kind, open to his feelings, even despite being a demon... 'Was He ever like this? Ugh! Stop being silly Botan, he's gone, so quit mopping and enjoy yourself!'
"Iie, Takanawa-sama, you are a wonderful dancer. Please, just call me Botan."
He grinned, twirling her around once, and then slowly bringing her back.
"As you wish, Botan-sama, but on one condition."
She looked up at him curiously, wondering what he wanted. Seeing her anxiety, Ryoushi chuckled, pulling her close to him, separated by just her timid hands.
"You," He whispered into her ear, "have to call me Ryoushi."
Laughing at her naïve look of surprise, he continued to wind them around the dance floor, careful to stay far from the ever watching gaze of Prince Koenma, who'd been staring at them like a hawk all evening. 'Yes, making sure your precious deities don't get stained by the outside world, eh, Koenma? Too bad, though, because she's mine...'
"I don't see her, fox."
Kurama shook his head, delicately sipping at the wine he'd taken from a waiter's offered plate. They sat near the back, Yusuke, Touya and himself feeling obligated to stay with the fiery koorime incase of another outburst. Unfortunately, the small demon's patience was wearing thin with the lack of a certain blue haired girl, and at that moment, Kurama wished nothing more for her to pop up on her oar, chipper exuberance and all.
"Don't worry, Hiei, she's here. We wouldn't have brought you if she wasn't."
Hiei slouched in his chair in an uncommon manner, muttering to himself in a language Kurama was curious as to where he learned it. His attention, however, was soon fixated on something other, as somebody all of a sudden came into sight.
"Is... Is that Keiko?" Yusuke breathed as his eyes near popped out of his head.
If it wasn't for his innate sense of control on his emotions, Kurama would have shouted out his own astonishment. There, coming towards them without realizing they were there, was Keiko, Yukina, and Shizuru, of all people. Next to him, Touya and Hiei tensed as they spotted Yukina, one stunned and the other with (ahem) male admiration.
Internally, Kurama was whistling that tune most females knew all too well. The girls, uhh, the women, were currently chatting animatedly, walking up the aisle in gowns and heels they had certainly not seen before. Truly, they were undeniably striking, faces lit with merriment, glitters at their ears and wrists, their silky evening gowns adorning them in flawlessness.
They reached them moments later:
"Hey Keiko, nice skirt!"
"Yusuke, you pig!"
(Slap. Bonk. Plop.)
Kurama: 'Something's never change...'
Two seconds later, the girls realized exactly who had spoken to them, what Keiko had done, and who was also watching.
"Kurama?"
"Touya? Hiei?"
"Oh, Kami-sama, Yusuke! I'm so sorry, I-I-"
Yusuke laughed, grabbing her fluttering hands, a grin plastered on his face. Keiko stared at him for a few moments, chocolate eyes proceeding to take in precisely what Yusuke was wearing. She had never (let me emphasize) never seen Yusuke in anything but his school uniform and fighting clothes; it was no wonder why her eyes went so round at seeing him in an nearly all black formal outfit; a tasteful satin shirt, white tie, spotless dress pants, and one of those nice leather jackets to finish it off.
"You... You're..." She stuttered, cheeks stained prettily red.
Yusuke brought her hands to his face, placing a small kiss on the palm of one hand, causing her to blush even more. His cinnamon eyes were dark, a strange, mature light glowing in their depths. He glanced over at the others, grinned, and then pulled Keiko to him, guiding her back down the path she had come.
"Yeah, I know, I'm all that, Keiko. Can I tell you something?" He murmured into her ear.
She nodded, her face taking on a faraway, head-in-the-clouds look.
"I think you're beautiful. Wanna dance with me?"
"Oh... Yusuke..." Keiko sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder gently.
"I'll take that as a yes then?"
Back at the table, where everyone had watched them leave without a word since this was one of the few times Yusuke acted his age (and stature), Touya and Hiei were in the midst of glaring at one another. Yukina stood between them, torn by indecision. Hiei was her brother, she knew that now, but Touya was... she flushed thinking about it. Only last week had he asked, but it wasn't permanent yet, as much as she wanted it to be. There was only one thing keeping them from fulfilling the ritual and he was currently staring at them guardedly.
"Hiei..." Yukina said softly, taking a step towards him. He stared at her, disbelief flickering in his gaze for a moment. Touya grasped her shoulder, ignoring Hiei's quiet growl, pulling her slightly behind him, a reassuring glance stopping her protests. Taking a steadying breath, Touya straightened, his gaze unwavering as his met the deadly sharp one from the fire koorime. He strode forward until only an arm's length was between them. Hiei said nothing.
"Hiei-san."
"Hn. Touya."
Out of the blue, Touya bowed lowly, talking in his bowed position.
"Do not blame Yukina for anything, it is my fault for not speaking to you earlier, seeing that you are her brother and have every right to know what your sister is involved in. Please, if you are to be angry, blame me, for I do not wish you to bring Yukina any shame for what I should have done."
A deafening pause followed his short plea, Kurama and Shizuru exchanging a mystified glance. Hiei crossed his arms, a small smirk appearing on his lips.
"Stand up, Touya. You should know that I can never hurt Yukina. And as for what you two have decided..."
Touya, standing on shaky legs, waited anxiously for the expected retaliation or insult.
"... It is all right. I trust you will not harm her."
Touya nearly keeled over right then and there.
"Yo-You... You're, uh, okay, with umm... us?"
Hiei rolled his eyes, again something uncharacteristic of him.
"Yes, and stop stuttering it's pathetic. She is worthy of you."
"NO. I am not worthy, but she seems to love me. Would you mind if I asked you sister to dance?"
"I don't know, maybe you should ask her that?"
Touya nodded as a goofy smile, unable to stay hidden, surfaced on his face. Turning, he bowed to the smiling ice koorime, her pink eyes alit with happiness.
"Would you bear me the honor of a dance, koi?"
"Hai. And, Hiei?"
Hiei glanced at her, sticking his hands in his pockets.
"Arigatou. Arigatou, onii-chan."
As the two also disappeared into the waltzing, rhythmic circle of sashaying couples, Hiei turned to Kurama, raising an eyebrow at his and Shizuru's incredulous stares, snorting when they continued to gawk at him.
"Staring isn't very fetching, fox." He said haughtily.
Kurama smiled, shaking his head in a marveling way. 'I wonder if this change has anything to do with earlier.'
"Iie, I am just surprised that's all, Hiei."
"Hn. Whatever. Go dance with your mate or something."
This comment not only threw Kurama and Shizuru off completely, but made them both turn a tomato red, matching Kurama's hair and her dress.
"Hiei! We-we're not-how did-surely-when-never-" Shizuru sputtered.
Hiei only smirked wider; 'And they say I'm ignorant...'
"Is that so? In that case, Kurama, you won't mind if I introduce her to a few admirers?"
A blood curling growl erupted from Kurama's throat, eyes glinting gold for a minute, fangs elongating.
"If you dare, I'll-"
"-Only state the obvious." Hiei interrupted, "Shut up fox. Go dance, I don't need a baby sitter." And with this, up and walked away, not even glancing back to see what happened.
"Kurama..."
Kurama turned at his name, his gaze catching Shizuru's and holding. She smiled lightly, placing her hand in his. He looked down at their entwined fingers, bringing his gaze back up to stare at her.
"I would like to dance." She said in a quiet voice.
"Then," Kurama answered intently, "You should dance."
"Kurama,"
"Hai?"
Tugging a little at his hand, she took a step towards the dance floor, a smile gracing her lips as she looked back at him,
"Dance with me."
FIK: So, there it is, chapter ten, with NO H/B! (sob) Just wait and see what I've got planned, plus all the goodies on how Hiei has changed, physically AND emotionally. Uww... SOO good! Sorry, but would anyone tell me how I'm doing on the OOC? The next part is going to be really, sort of OOC, so forgive me!