FIK: Okay… Here's my MONGO GIGANTIC MEGA SIZED APOLOGY TO ALL MY WONDERFUL READERS…. My comp died and I lost all my files… I've been plagued by the BLOCK and Finals…. AND THEN WE MOVED! GAGH! Yeah, life has been hell. Please don't kill me… Here's the long awaited for: Chapter 14.
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 me: Fans will go after the Fluffy. Must worship The Fluffy) Oh and this is in reference to his fur cape, not the actually taiyoukai... He heh, enjoy.
Over the ground lies a mantle of white,
A heaven of diamonds shine down thro' the night
Two hearts are thrillin' in spite of the chill in the weather.
Love knows no season, love knows no crime,
Romance can blossom any old time,
Here in the open we're walk'n' and hoping together!
"Green or red?"
"Hmm?"
"What do you think, green or red Botan?"
Botan glanced up from the pile of Christmas decorations piled in front of her, seeing Keiko holding up two different color streamers.
"Red; reds good."
Keiko nodded, studying the material, "You think? Yeah, you're right. It matches the candles anyways," She said smiling, "Besides, Shizuru's already dominated the main room with almost all green, so red is going to go in the side rooms."
With this said, Keiko grabbed up the red streamers and scurried away. Botan watched her go, sighing and returning to what she had been doing. Tonight was Christmas Eve and they were holding a party at Genkai's house, seeing it was the largest and the most accommodating place. Shizuru, Keiko and Yukina had dragged her over to help a few hours ago, nearly five if she had been counting right. The old fashioned dojo was now covered in sparkling, glistening decorations, with wreaths, holly, streamers, lights and ornaments everywhere, bringing a sense of jolliness to the normality of the place.
"Hey, Botan, can you help me with these things!" Shizuru asked irritably, arms filled with more holly than she could handle.
"Coming!" Botan chirped, hopping up and running over to her.
Shizuru sighed, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her face, watching lazily as Botan tumbled across the room with a load of the holly, dumping it onto a table. The deity brushed her front off, smiling and humming as she quickly strung it on the banister running the length of the room, her face content and bright. It concerned her, seeing Botan the way she was, so… normal… almost like nothing had ever happened. Only a week or so ago, the girl had refused to come out of her apartment, followed by a reclusion in her room out of depression. She had been so lost, so broken that Shizuru barely recognized her when she finally had let them talk to her.
"Does this look alright Shizuru-chan?" Botan called. Shizuru gave her thumbs up; Botan grinned and skipped off to find Yukina in the kitchen.
"Botan… You make us worry, ya know that…?" Shizuru murmured, standing and heading out the door, making her way to her car. Once inside, she started it up, driving down the snow covered driveway, the brisk air of midwinter streaming inside her open windows. She popped open her cell, dialing up a number and pressing it to her ear. The temperate, calm voice on the receiving end bringing a smile to her face,
"Hey Kurama. Listen, would you mind having coffee with me? I need to ask you something."
Kurama, on the other end of the line, tilted his head back, smiling softly as his younger brother and mother played monopoly at the kitchen table,
"Alright. Where do you want to meet then?" He asked.
"Don't worry about that, I'll be driving by in about ten minutes. Is that enough time?" Shizuru said, turning left and heading for uptown Tokyo. She heard him chuckle briefly at the other end, another voice asking him to get something.
"That's fine Shizuru. I'll see you in ten."
"Thanks, Kurama."
Sleigh bell's ring, are you listening!
In the lane snow is glistening,
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight,
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
The night settled in rapidly, bringing with it the chilling frost of midwinter, sending shivers down the spines of those less wary. Everywhere, across the globe, and around the world, voices rang happily; joy and hope enraptured the hearts of the merry. For tonight was the Night of All Ages, the Eve of It all… tonight was Christmas Eve. If there ever was a time where love and cheer were most abundant, tonight was it. Even the poorest family found warmth with one another, finding spirit and enlightenment by the very smiles that they shared.
Yusuke whistled, a grin glued to his face as he trudged up the way too long staircase to Master Genkai's place. Behind him, Kurama and Shizuru walked together, talking quietly about something. He didn't really care what they were doing; he was just anticipating what was going to happen… food, music, mistletoe, Keiko… Yusuke smirked widely, hands clasped behind his head devilishly. He couldn't wait.
"Yusuke!"
He looked up, grinning naughtily, "Keiko!"
She smiled, running down the last few steps, throwing her arms around him tightly. Yusuke caught a whiff of vanilla and peppermint before he twirled her around once, producing a small gasp from the small brunette.
"Gosh, it's been two days and you act like you haven't seen me in years. Maybe I should disappear more often!" He teased, scooping her up bridal style, making her squirm, and her fisted hands playfully punching him.
"Don't you even think about it, mister!" She replied, chocolate eyes glistening cheerfully.
As the two disappeared within the confines of the aged dojo, Kurama found himself smiling at the obvious display of affection between the hardheaded pair.
"I don't think I've seen them any happier than just now, ne?" Shizuru commented, watching him out of the corner of her eye. Kurama nodded; face softening in the gentle moonlight melting away the harsher darkness of twilight.
"Hai, quite so. Yusuke seems more…?—"
"—Mature? Less childish? Serious? Stupid?"
Kurama nudged her, laughing, "You take the words right out of my mouth."
She smirked, waiting as he slid open the door. A twinkle was at his eye as he gave a bow, ushering her inside. They both grinned, the fox's gaze wandering over the sparkling decorations clothing the once barren dojo house. Coming upon the green themed room, they were greeted by a number of people including Jin, Chu, Rinku, Kaitou, Mitsunari, Touya, Yukina, Shishiwakamaru, Koenma, and Ayame and so on. It surprised them really, to see so many people they knew in one place.
"Oy! Kurama!" Jin shouted out, jumping up and waving from across the room. Touya grabbed him, shaking his head. Apparently, Jin was the same as ever, zooming around the room energetically, talking and smiling rapidly. Yusuke grabbed him, punching his shoulder easily, Jin returning the favor with swift glee. They soon were arguing humorously over something, okay, make that fighting, since fighting is one of their number one favorite things to do.
Shizuru turned to Yukina, smiling a greeting, "You've seen Botan yet?"
The small ice koorime shook her head, delicate tendrils of hair swaying from the bun she'd arranged it in, "No, I haven't. She said she might be a little late."
"Oh? Okay then. Thanks Yukina-chan."
Yukina nodded, twisting with a bubbly laugh as Touya snuck up behind her, tickling her neck with a piece of holly. Shizuru grinned, walking to find Kurama, who was talking to Koenma and Kaitou calmly.
Gone away is the blue bird,
Here to stay is a new bird,
He sings a love song,
As we go along,
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
Botan trembled, walking quickly down the near barren sidewalk, snow bristling in choruses of crackles. Little did her winter coat do to protect her from the chill of a brisk wind, whipping up flurries of white crystals. With the sun setting at her back, she felt the freezing grips of night start to take hold of the ironically glowing city of Tokyo, lit with billions of cheery Christmas lights.
At her wrist, something jangled and chimed; soft whistling emitting from whatever it was. A glitter of bronze caught in the yellow glow of a streetlight. Botan slowed, tiring, coming to a sedate, relaxed stride. The glint brought her attention to the object, a mysterious light shining from amethyst eyes. Picking at her jacket, she rubbed the bracelet with a finger, delighting in the smooth feel of the metal. Eleven charms hung from the bronze chain, each a different design of a pipe or horn.
'Eleven pipers piping…' She thought, remembering how she had received it yesterday. It had been sitting out on her balcony when she awakened and went out to stretch.
A particularly cold breeze brought her out of her thoughts, her pace increasing once more. She was already late for the Christmas party, yet for some reason this didn't bother her; the thought of it was actually quite disappointing. In her mind, she could picture herself laughing merrily with the hordes of friends that had been invited, drinking Keiko's best punch and admiring the decorations she had helped to put up. But then she could almost feel a coldness gripping her, squeezing her heart as she looked about at the cheery faces, bright and happy, ignorant of all troubles for one night of rejoicing.
She sighed again, her gait slowing just a bit, then a bit more. For some reason now, the thought of partying didn't seem all that great. Then again, she had promised that she would go and she never went back on her word.
Ten minutes later, Botan was greeted by a chorus of hellos and welcomes, the warm atmosphere enveloping her in its comforting grasp. She returned the greetings with her own, shaking hands, smiling, hugging and winking, her chirpy nature going into auto pilot as she made her way around the room. Shizuru seemed nearly relieved to see her, clapping a hand on her back as she laughed and reintroduced her to one of her friends.
"'Ey there, lass, how'z you been doin'?"
Botan looked around, spotting Chu, Rinku and Jin sitting on one of the many couches surrounding the room. Chu grinned; blue Mohawk and all, Koto sitting next to him with Jin and Rinku playing some sort of game.
"Oh, I've been fine Chu-san. It's great to see you all again!" Botan chirped, coming to stand near them. Jin jumped up, "Ah, Rinku! I swear you've beatin' me again!" He said with a groan.
Upon seeing Botan he grinned, giving her a one armed hug, while Botan just smiled dazedly. Rinku laughed loudly, exclaiming his victory. Botan couldn't help but laugh with them, the infectious laughter tickling her throat. Chu watched with a big smile plastered on his face, Koto ignoring them all as she talked to Juri who had arrived at the sofa also. After observing Jin and Rinku go at one another again, Botan stood to mosey over to the punch table where Keiko and Yusuke were arguing again, when Chu said something to her when she started away,
"By the way, Botan girlie, you've seen that Jagan wielding bloke? I haven't seen him anywhere. Don't tell me he skipped out on the party?"
It seemed as if the world had frozen, time spinning to an abrupt halt as Botan's unmoving form stood, eyes wide, and face paling rapidly. Several pair of heads turned in her direction, some of the talk dimming as the Reikai Tentai heard Chu's question, immediately dialing their interest onto the deity.
Chu's face darkened as he saw all this, a gut feeling telling him he had just said something wrong, "You know what, don't worry 'bout it, alright?"
Instead of nodding and walking off like he expected, Botan shifted, half-lidded eyes peering over her shoulder at him, an understanding, sorrowed grin spreading awkwardly on her pale features.
"No… I'm sorry Chu-san, but I haven't seen… him." She murmured through tight lips.
He nodded, a troubled expression furrowing his brow, "Alright then lass. Sorry for troublin' you."
She gave a brief nod, a deep breath escaping her. Slowly, she relaxed a bit, turning and resuming her way to where Keiko and Yusuke were cautiously watching her. As she passed, she smiled reassuringly at them, saying she needed to use the restroom. Keiko smiled back weakly, dimly nudging Yusuke, who hurriedly asked if she needed help finding it. With a shake of her head, Botan disappeared around the corner. They watched her go without a word, that is, until Keiko muttered,
"I wonder if she'll realize that the restroom is the other way."
Later on we'll conspire,
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid,
The plans that we made,
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
In the midst of the woodland green and pines, snow layered the ground, icing on the cake of Mother Earth, freezing the buds of new plants until they defrosted and grew in spring. Outside the dojo, fairy lights twinkled, strung about the area set up earlier for outside festivities to come later that night.
Staring up at the frozen glitters of space diamonds, a solitary figure, azure black hair trailing down her back, stood. Her face seemed peaceful, glowing heavenly, bathed by the crescent moon's gentle light. A shudder reached out and shook her, from her toes to her rosy cheeks, turned red from the cold.
She hummed softly, low at first, but gradually it grew into a delicate song,
"On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… A partridge in a pear tree… On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… Two turtle doves and partridge in a pear tree…."
The song grew longer as she continued to list the things given to her by a true love, her voice growing stronger, more beautiful, and then lowered again,
"… And on the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… twelve drummers drumming—"
Pit Pat—
She paused, pointed ears hearing something.
Pit Pat—
Frowning, she twisted around, searching for the source of the sound.
Pit Pat Pitter Pat—
A gleam of red and she spotted it, gasping.
Pitter Pat Pit Patter—
Miniature hands held tiny sticks, proud uniform spotless and bright. Held by a blue strap was a small, delicate drum.
Pit Pat Pit Pat—
Amethyst red eyes sparkled with confusion, pale, creamy hands grasping the tiny soldier in a trembling hold. The drummer's wind up key stopped, the hands ceasing their movements, the rhythmic drumming also dying. She reached to wind it up again when…
Pit Pat—
Staring into the distance, she spotted another solitary silhouette standing not ten yards away, this time dressed in green and red.
Pit Pat—
She walked slowly to the toy, wild-eyed and silent, cradling it with its brother in the crook of her arm. It played another beat and then it too stopped, arms resting from song.
Pit Pat Pitter Pat—
A ball lodged itself in her throat as she moved quickly towards a third figure. Soon following it were seven more, all leading her deeper and deeper into the forest. Each time she picked them up, the bundle of drummers growing steadily in her arms, the sounds of another drum being played calling her to continue on.
Pitter Pat Pit Patter—
An eleventh stood proudly in blue and silver, a matching drum at its side. A tear made its way down now white cheeks, freezing and rounding into a cold ball of ebony and blue. She caught it as it fell, placing it into her pocket, picking up the dignified figurine along with it.
Pit Pat Pit Pat—
Now shaking in her very boots, she strode apprehensively towards the distant sound. She emerged in an open space, surprised to be looking down upon the dojo. Crackling merrily in the center of the area was a fire, red and orange hissing as blue swayed delicately atop them. Sitting on a snow frosted log was… the twelfth drummer, in black and purple.
Pit Pat—
She walked without a sound towards it, resting each drummer along the log with it, standing back to listen to the last fading sounds of drumming, the night's shadows reaching her, falling back with the sharp crack of fire.
Pit… Pat… Pit… Pat…
The wind up key stopped, silence setting in, everything deathly still. Her heart pounded loudly, her stomach filled with nervous butterflies. A wisp of snow flew up on the breeze, playing about the clearing, twirling around her in snow tornado, momentarily blinding her, the fire roaring to sustain its wonderful heat. As fast as it came, it was gone.
Standing on the opposite side of the fire, shrouded in darkness, was Hiei.
Botan trembled, immobile, her dark violet trench coat swirling about her ankles, her hair loose and free from the rubber band that had held it. She stared, flickering emotions brightening and darkening her eyes, aura filling with fear, confusion, sorrow, longing. A step forward brought her a foot closer to him, and yet he still seemed so very far away, so distant and still.
"Hiei…" She whispered.
He said nothing, ruby silver jewels staring at her blankly, observing her. He wore a blue and gold outfit, black pants and black cloak with it. The clothes were strange in her eyes, so used to seeing his all black attire so often.
"It was you… it was you who left all of it." Botan murmured in a voice low and quavering. She took another step towards him, coming around the fire to stand five or so feet from him. Slowly, almost so slow that Botan didn't catch it, he nodded.
His voice made her legs watery, vibrating in her bones, washing warmth and relief over her with its low honey quality, "Hai… It was me."
She nodded, sadness filtering in to darken her eyes,
"I don't understand Hiei… I don't know what to think anymore. You hurt me, your words; they hurt me so very much."
She touched the place where her heart lay, as if to reassure her that there was no wound. Something flickered across his face, her downward eyes not catching it. She heard a sigh,
"I cannot explain myself onna, because I myself do not understand my actions. All my life I've lived in a word of solitude, relying on only myself. I did not need, nor did I understand the emotions humans call compassion or care. They were useless and weak in Makai."
He said all this with a harsh tone, regret and resoluteness playing at the edges of his voice. Botan felt her heart miss a beat, pity for the dark featured youkai seeping into her. He wasn't looking at her, but she knew that he was trying to tell her something,
"Emotions: I still do not recognize their use, their meaning. My world has always been straightforward: fight or die. There is no use for mercy or compassion for creatures that would sooner kill you then accept defeat. If you appear weak, attack is eminent. Being alone all the time, I found little usage for others and their company. Solitude was paradise to me. Independence and strength: that is the ultimate goal for a demon…."
He paused, eyes narrowing on her, taking in her broken face, the slumped shoulders, the smell of salt overwhelming her normal sweet scent. She appeared as much hurt on the outside as he knew she felt on the inside, because right now, the connection between them allowed each to feel and recognize one another's feelings.
"….That is why I need you to understand. I need you to understand that I do not know how to be compassionate, how to be less than completely independent. I said what I said because I had always done that. I am so used to being alone that I automatically responded how I constantly have…."
He took a second and stepped towards her, watching as her eyes lowered, unable to look at him directly. With a gentle touch, he firmly cupped her chin with his hand, taking in how she shivered, innocent heliotrope eyes staring at him watery.
"…So I owe you what you deserve, always deserved. Gomen, Botan. Gomen for the hurt I've caused you."
In a split second, her eyes had widened dramatically, a sharp intake of breath following his apology. She stood stock still, uncertain whether she had heard him correctly.
"You… Did you just say you're sorry?"
Hiei smirked slightly, an old glimmer of arrogance dancing on his face,
"And what if I did?"
She paused and then a second later she slapped him.
Hiei barely moved, allowing the slap to happen. Botan looked at him with anger, with relief, with joy,
"What was that for?" He asked.
She smiled, "That was for being a heartless bastard. And this…"
Botan stepped up to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She felt his arms wind their way around her waist, warmth heating her body,
"…Is because I love you…"
And then she kissed him.
Time stood still then, the shadows secreting the passionate meeting of lips, two lonely, confused souls finally realizing their mistakes, their stubbornness pushed aside for a moment of perfection and heat. Botan moaned against his mouth, the fire raging within her consuming everything as he returned the kiss with equal urgency. At first it was soft, tender, apologetic, but after a few moments it grew, becoming rough with desperate longing. For the first time since she had met him, Botan knew that right then, Hiei had released himself, displaying his powerful emotions in this one tumultuous embrace. Their scents flared and wrapped around one another, driving their senses into overdrive. They continued, their needs growing with each passing second...
…Hiei pulled away, breathing heavily as he held her firmly, eyes searing into her very soul as he stared down at her. A wild, flaring eruption of emotions engulfed her as she watched the crimson eyes of the dark koorime glare with a passion unhesitatingly showcased. In a voice primitive and thick Hiei asked,
"What… What did you say?"
Botan whimpered as the cold reached her suddenly; she suddenly found herself surrounded by a familiar black cloak.
"I said I love you."
His eyes widened, "You… love me?"
"Yes. Aishiteru Hiei. More than anything in the world."
As if time had stopped just for them, Botan was encased by nerves and need as she watched conflicting sentiments raging on the face and aura of the demon that held her so close. And then, everything sped up again,
"Onna… Botan…"
"Nani?"
"Aishiteru."
Sleigh bell's ring, are you listening!
In the lane snow is glistening,
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight,
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
FIK: YEAH! I DID IT! I COMPLETED THIS CHAPTER! (pats self on back)
Hiei: NOOO!
Botan: Shut up! (whaps with ice cream scooper)
FIK: Okay... SO WHAT DO YOU READERS THINK! GOOD? BAD? AWESOME? HORRIBLE? (god I hope it wasn't that bad) REVIEW IF YOU LOVE OR HATE ME! (please don't hate me!)