Light in the Shadow
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Disclaimer: I do not own Hiei, Yu Yu Hakusho or other related themes
Warning: May have some disturbing images, adult language, and some sexual content in later chapters. Not much in the earlier ones though.
Author: ‡ Mercury Mechanics ‡
Authors Note: This is a long chapter, I believe 7 pages in word exactly.
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Chapter 5 "In Dreams..."
The rain had poured from the darkened sky for many hours, filling the river that was nearby Hiei and Kohana's resting place nearly to its flooding point. The emerald hue of the plush grass had brightened and the smell of new life seemed ever more potent in the cooled air. Trickling slowly to a stop the spring rain settled into place and creatures who had sought refuge from the downpour crept forth from their homely hideaways.
Kohana was the first to awaken. Sluggishly her crystal glass eyes opened to greet the dim light of the early evening. Yawning a fang adorned yawn she snuggled her face deeper into the warm cloth her head rested upon. Taking in a deep breath the sleepy demon recognized a warm familiar sent. It was Hiei.
Snapping her eyes open Kohana looked forward to see that Hiei was resting against her overturned thighs and she was bent over on her side resting with her head on his stomach. Blushing lightly she noticed that their fingers were still weaved together and now rested on his chest. His breath was deep and his features still. Hiei was sound asleep.
Smiling Kohana stared at her new found friend. He had been her first in a while. As her gaze adjusted to the dim light she studied his features with a curiosity and a mild want to permanently indent his handsome face in her memory. Though Hiei was stubborn and sometimes very rude, she didn't mind. Gently, Kohana squeezed his hand lightly and tenderly ran the pad of her thumb over the warm flesh. Looking to his bruised hands she noticed that his tepid skin glowed with an untold warmth that had been concealed with years of pain.
As she looked upwards to his attractive face her neutral feelings for Hiei began to rile up against her. There was something about the way he looked in his sleep that made her heart leap out of her chest. He looked so peaceful and at ease with the turbulent world. His spiky black hair that usually stood strait was lax against the fabric of her kimono and cast shadows over his eyes. The hue of his cold crimson eyes were hidden behind beautiful black lashes that flittered lightly as if to show that he dreamt silent dreams where his desires were fulfilled. His full lips were slightly ajar so that breathes could pass and the small bruises and cuts on his face made him look as if he were a child taking a nap after an adventurous romp threw the forest.
Sitting up slowly Kohana moved closer to Hiei and supported herself by placing her hand near his side as she leaned over his chest. Tenderly with her left hand she reached up and brushed her finger tips lightly over his cheeks to rub away the dirt and bruises. As she watched his still and serene expression she couldn't help but feel inclined to try and help that same peace spread into the conflicted depths of his heart. Though she hadn't known him for long she still cared enough about him to hope for his happiness and comfort in the disorderly world.
Watching as Hiei moved in his sleep Kohana brushed a couple strands of hair away from his face and tucked them behind his ear. 'He looks so peaceful when he sleeps,' Kohana thought as she blushed. Becoming curious as to what had happened to make him so angry towards others she found herself pondering aloud, "What happened to you, Hiei?" Gently she caressed his cheek with her fingers as she continued, "Why do your eyes hold so much sadness?"
Looking up Kohana sighed but as a soft whisper caught her ear, her gaze fell back down to the demon lying in her lap, "I-I...was abandoned...as a child."
With astonishment Kohana's eyes grew wide. Did he just...speak? Blushing she leaned down and waved her hand in front of Hiei's face. As she sat up she came to the conclusion that he was, indeed, still asleep. As soon as his words set in Kohana's features softened and she replied in a quite whisper,
"I understand how you feel, Hiei. It's ok, you're not alone anymore."
Observing as a somber frown consumed his lips she listened as he mumbled back, "I've always...been alone."
"You don't have to be, Hiei," Kohana spoke her voice holding soft concern as she blushed lightly. "I'll stay with you, if you want." Brushing her fingers over his cheeks she smiled.
Watching as his eyelashes flittered and a faint flush heated his cheeks Kohana listened as he spoke softly, "Y-you...don't have to. I'm...not asking you to."
"It's ok. I'll stay right here," Kohana whispered as she took hold of his hand again.
Observing as he sluggishly turned onto his side and snuggled his face into the warmth of her kimono Kohana blushed as he mumbled softly, "Ko...hana..."
With a blush coloring her cheeks and a smile on her lips, Kohana watched Hiei sleep. She had begun to adopt this pleasurable habit as a normal routine. There were often times when he was awake that she would find herself staring at him. He would do as he always did when he caught her, just frown and look away as he rolled his eyes or snap at her to stop ogling and get back to work on whatever she was doing. Of course she didn't mean to do this, it just kind of happened.
About an hour after she woke and had her little chat with the unconscious Hiei, Kohana felt him move and closed the book she had been reading so that she could see what he was doing. Smiling she watched as his eyes slowly opened and he yawned. Surveying the weakened demon as he lazily looked around she noticed that he didn't make it an incentive to move from where he lay. He looked as though he were enjoying himself.
"Are you going to go ahead and sleep with your head in my lap the rest of the evening or shall I gather the fresh bandages so that I can change the ones you have on now?" Kohana spoke as she set aside her book and looked down at him.
Hiei blushed lightly as he swiftly sat up and moved away from her as he mumbled sleepily, "Shut up, woman."
"There's no need to get angry," Kohana laughed as she put her hands up in defense. "I was just curious that's all and don't worry, I don't mind you using my lap as a pillow because you're like a blanket for my legs. You're quite warm."
Looking up at Kohana, Hiei shook his head as he rolled his eyes and ran his hands threw his onyx hued mane. He was getting quite annoyed with this strange woman. She was smothering him with her calm words and polite manners. For once he just wanted her to yell at him or smack him or something. Shooting a quick glance up at her Hiei noticed that she was putting the book she had been reading away inside the basket and was retrieving some tightly wrapped bandages and a small wooden case as its replacement.
As he took a moment to rub his eyes Hiei cleared his thoughts. He had experienced a very odd dream while he lay to rest. With a small, confused pout he recalled the events of his dream. He had been lying seemingly all alone in a dark wood when he felt a soft touch caress his cheek. As he rolled over onto his back and looked up he came face to face with a woman who hid her identity behind a white mask. He had been laying beside her and he had never even noticed that she was there.
Then that's when she began to ask him questions and he actually answered them in return as she leaned over him and he stared up at her. Her hair was nothing but waves of light and her skin was as pale as snow. Her mask had black diamonds set in the eyes and red markings on the cheeks. The apparitions voice was soft and slow...It sounded nearly like his sister Yukina's voice and had the familiar sent of his mother. Yet near the end of their conversation they had been interrupted by Kano and a hoard of his Shadow Warriors. He had done his best to protect the woman he knew nothing about but in the end he had failed and Kano had pulled her away into a cloud of shadow...
As the ever cheerful tone of Kohana broke his train of thought Hiei brought his hands from his face and looked up to see her sitting in front of him with a curious look on her face.
"What's wrong, Hiei?" she asked as she sat down on her knees, tucking her white kimono under her calves.
"Nothing," he spoke calmly in reply as he sat up and brushed off the odd dream as yet another to add to his collection. "I understand that it's time to wrap my wounds in fresh bandages?"
Nodding Kohana reached forwards as spoke, "That is correct." As she placed her hand on his shoulder lightly she was surprised when Hiei smacked it away and spoke roughly,
"I can undress myself, Kohana."
Watching as she blushed deeply and looked down at her lap, Hiei's himself flushed as he slipped his arms from the sleeves of his coat. 'Damn it... I always get into helplessly anomalous situations with her,' he mumbled to himself mentally as he pulled away his coat and dropped into a heap next to him. Loosening his belt, Hiei pulled his shirt off over his head to reveal his bandaged chest. As the cloth fell into the pile along with his coat Hiei looked up to see that Kohana was already busy getting the new bandages ready.
"How do you feel? I pray that I didn't strain anything when I slept with my head on your stomach?" she asked as she looked up worriedly and scooted closer. "Here move closer to me." She instructed.
Blushing lightly Hiei nudged forward a bit so that Kohana was sitting directly next to him on his left. "I feel fine," he spoke as he looked up at the ceiling of their secluded hideaway.
Watching out of the corner of his eye as Kohana reached forward and began to undo the bandages Hiei sighed. It had been about six days since he had come into the care of the young Light Demon who had been nothing but kind to him. He found it actually frightening that he had come across a being that hadn't tried to harm him or taken advantage of his skills in some way, shape or form. Although she seemed absurdly happy and kind Hiei was no fool. He could tell by the way she looked at him with her hollow crystal eyes that she too held secrets inside her heart that were two painful for her to let go. He understood the way of the shadows because... he too walks threw them and knows them to a personal depth.
As he felt her cold hands brush across the warm flesh of his stomach he instinctively grasped her wrist and froze up as he said, "Woman, you're hands are freezing."
Looking down at her hands Kohana frowned as she mumbled, "Oh, I'm sorry." With a light laugh she pulled away her hands and cupped them as she blew into them and rubbed them together. "Well you know what they say, cold hands means a warm heart."
Hiei arched a brow and stared at her awkwardly. "Hn."
Ignoring Hiei, Kohana tossed away the bloody bandages and began to inspect the wounds for any sign of infection. Thankfully, there were none and the black and blue hue that corrupted his skin had already begun to reseed. With a grand smile Kohana looked up at Hiei as she spoke in a gleeful tone,
"It seems that you are healing quickly! That's excellent!"
Hiei looked away. "I had expected to."
As she opened the small wooden box Kohana brought it to her nose and smelled its contents. Smiling as the warm sent drifted into the air she dipped her fingers into it. Leaning forwards she smeared the cool cream onto the stitches and sections of the skin that were still being eaten at by the poison. Finishing Kohana looked up at Hiei and leaned up as brought her hands to his face. As he looked to her his eyes narrowed and he spoke, "What are you doing?"
"I have extra cream on my hand and am going to put some of it on the little cuts on your face," she explained as she cupped his cheek with her clean hand and began to smear the balm onto the smaller cuts on his forehead and on his cheeks.
"It smells...feminine," Hiei complained as he pulled back a little.
Kohana laughed. "Yes, it does but the herbs in it will help withhold infection from setting in," Kohana said as she smiled and gently applied it to a small cut over his right eyebrow with the pad of her thumb.
Looking down into Hiei's eyes, Kohana took note of how close she and Hiei really were. Trying in vain to force the blush that was gradually rising in her cheeks to desist, Kohana smiled in her normal friendly manor and sat back onto her calves. As she took up the clean bandages, she began to wrap up the stitching once again. Quickly moving the cloth around Hiei's torso Kohana could feel his eyes on her. Trying to ignore the odd feeling that was welling in the bottom of her stomach, she moved her arms more swiftly so that she could finish quickly.
Yet, as fate forgoes it, the cloth slipped from Kohana's grasped and bounced off to Hiei's right. Sitting up a bit she reached over to retrieve it but as she did Hiei also reached for it. As their hands lightly collided they both withdrew and blushed as they looked up at each other.
"Uh, I'm sorry," Kohana murmured as she brushed a stand of her hair behind her ear and sat back.
"Don't worry about it," Hiei mumbled as he looked away and handed the white bandage to Kohana.
With a smile Kohana took the bandage from Hiei and leaned forward to finish her work. The last time around, she slid her fingers over the bandages on his chest to make sure they weren't slack and tied it tightly so that they would not come undone. As she looked up Kohana noticed that Hiei's head was bent forward and his eyes clouded with worry.
"Hiei?" Kohana spoke as she reached out to touch his shoulder, "What's wrong? You look as though something is bothering you, do you wish to te..."
Before Kohana could finish her sentence Hiei sprung forward and clasped his hand over her mouth as he pulled her close to him, holding her tightly to him. Yelping at the sudden movement Kohana grabbed Hiei's forearm with her hands for support. Looking up at Hiei with utter confusion she noticed that in the distance there was a black haze coming towards them. Before long the sound of wings flapping and loud shrieking could be heard, a clear sign that it was only bats...or was it?
As the obnoxiously loud creatures moved swiftly underneath the awning, half of them split and flew over the fallen tree. Grasping Hiei's pant leg with her hand, Kohana brought her knees to her chest and watched with curiosity as the miniature beasts dashed threw the hollow of the fallen tree.
'Why are bats coming out this early in the evening?' she thought worriedly as the last few passed under the tree.
"Its not safe here anymore, Kohana, we're leaving," Hiei whispered as he threw Kohana upwards onto her feet.
Placing her hand over her rabidly beating heart Kohana asked with curiosity, "What? What do you mean?"
Swiftly standing up, Hiei pulled on his coat and spoke softly, "Don't ask questions."
Finding herself completely lost Kohana decided just to do what Hiei told her. As she bent over to grasp the cream for Hiei's wounds she felt the ground tremble, causing the small wooden case to shake. Gathering it into her hand she slid it into the sash of her dress and quickly stood as she took her place behind Hiei.
Pulling off the bandage around his Jagan eye the green orb opened and revealed his foes to him. Four lanky bat demons waited silently on the top of their hideout and in the distance four Hellhounds made their way towards them. In the condition he was in, Hiei knew that this was going to prove difficult. Though never the less, he would not give up without a fight.
As he felt a cool hand slip into his, Hiei glanced down out of the corner of his eye to see Kohana move a bit closer to him. With a frown he spoke to himself, 'I highly doubt she even knows how to harness spiritual energy...I'm going to have to protect her...'
"Hiei?" Kohana whispered as she tightened her grasp on his hand.
The ground shook again, a useful tool in telling how far away the Hellhounds were. Coming to a swift decision Hiei decided that he would deal with the demons first and then do what he could with the hellhounds. As he lightly squeezed Kohana's hand he spoke quietly,
"Kohana, if you have any interest in living to see tomorrow then I suggest you stay low to the ground and hide behind the wall of ivory to the right...Stay there and wait for me."
Releasing her hand Hiei took several steps forwards and drew his sword. 'What are they waiting for?' He though as he ran to the back entrance and jumped atop the fallen tree. Observing his opponents he saw that they were bat demons. They were crouched together speaking in quiet whispers soundly nearly as though they were fighting over something.
"I want to kill the little man," one hissed as he smiled sadistically.
"Don't overestimate him Takani," another growled. "There wouldn't be a reason for Taioni-sama to send us all if he wasn't a skilled fighter."
Swirling his blade in his hand Hiei leaned his weight on one leg as he spoke with mild disgust, "You all are pathetic."
As the tree demons looked up they were greeted with the cold steel of Hiei's blade. Though they scattered at the sudden attach Hiei had managed to slice one of the men right down the middle, eliminating one of his many annoyances.
As two of the demons lunged forward to attach Hiei the other slinked off to find Kohana. Seeing this he diverted the attaches of the demons he was now engage in combat with and did a flip, landing on the ground outside the entrance of the awning. Pushing off from the grass Hiei moved to slice the demon's head clear off his shoulders but his attach was sparred as the demons drew his blade.
Ducking lowly Hiei averted a horizontal slice from his opponents scythe and jumping into the air he raised his katana and brought it down hard on the demon's head. Yet before his attach could be complete the two demons he had abandoned came looking for their opponent and simultaneously kicked him in the side, sending him flying out of the cove and smashing to a tree.
Swiftly standing back up on his feet Hiei, shook his head to clear his vision. Grasping his sword from up off the ground Hiei fell into a battle ready stance and waited for his attackers to make the first move. As he locked gazes with the two demons Hiei took notice of their accomplice who now rummaged around in the picnic basket throwing out things Kohana had brought and sniffing the air as he attempted follow the ever pleasant sent of Lavender and Roses that emanated from her skin.
Turning his attention back to the two demons before him Hiei sprung backwards as a blade came swinging towards his face. As he flipped upwards He pushed off from the tree and landed behind the two demons, continuing to attach them in swift movements. Sparring their attaches and defending himself Hiei found that his new annoyances were becoming troublesome to keep up with. Not allowing himself to falter, Hiei forced himself to stay focused through the battle of blades and fists he now found himself in. Quietly sitting behind the wall of ivory that wound its way around the twisted roots of the tree Kohana cringed as he listened to the fight that ranged on outside. She hated it that Hiei had to fight in the condition he was in. She hated it because she knew why they had come. She knew to whom the demons obeyed and whom had sent out the Hellhounds to greet Hiei and her with an evil grin formed with jagged knife like teeth. Listening she could hear breathing coming towards her and stood up so that she could move if necessary to avoid being seen.
Moving silently Kohana slipped around a thick root so that she could loose her pursuer in the twisted vines of the fallen tree's roots. Jogging to the other end of a weaved pathway she peered around its barrier and looked out to the place she and Hiei had taken shelter from the rain, there was no one there. Due to her unnatural curiosity Kohana took a step out into the light and shyly observed the things about her. Save for the clang of steel against steel all was still and quite, nearly abnormal so.
'Maybe Taioni called off the Hellhounds?' Kohana thought as she bit at her bottom lip with worry.
"Ah what a sweet smelling Lady you are," a deep voice spoke from behind her.
Whirling around Kohana came face to face with one of the demons sent to kill Hiei and take her. Before she could move or react the man slapped her hard across the face, causing her to fall to the ground and cradle the stinging flesh in her hand. As she looked up she watched as her attacker came towards her and kicked her onto her back. Crouching down on his knees, he held her there with his knee to her chest and hand on her shoulder.
"What do you want with me?" Kohana snapped as he frowned. "I've already cleared things up with Kano, I'm not coming back and he knows it!"
"We could careless about what that fool says," the devilish man said, his wild eyes glowing a fierce hue of blood red. "Taioni wants nothing more to do with you, so he gave you to us."
Barring her teeth anger caused the hue of Kohana's eyes to slowly change from crystal blue to dark violet. "I am not his 'property' to give to anyone..." Kohana growled with controlled anger as she reached up and slapped the man, leaving a red hand print on his cheek.
"You bitch," the demon growled as he slapped her again, this time bruising her cheek with the force of the blow. "You will learn to obey me and do what I tell you." As he straddled her he pinned her arms at her sides and leaned down to admire her soft features and smell her hair.
"Don't touch me!" Kohana yelped as she tried in vain to get the demon off of her.
Right as she was about to scream, she was silenced by a fierce kiss. As the demon took a handful of her hair he crushed her lips against his, causing the sensitive flesh to swell. Coughing as a rancid liquid seeped down the back of her throat Kohana tried to pull her lips away but could not. Feeling the calm inside of her snap her alter emotion threw her into a dangerously angered stage. As she freed her arm she reached up to her hair and pulled out one of the pens. Swirling it around in her fingers she slammed its pointed end into the demon's temple, killing him nearly instantly.
As his body fell limply on top of her she cringed as his blood sprayed her in the face and seeped onto her clothing. With a revulsive growl she shoved it off. Standing up from the ground, she pulled out the flower and accompanying hair pen that held up her locks of hair. Swiveling the stick in her hand, Kohana stared down at the body, watching as it twitched. With a disgusted pout she threw the sharpened pen like a dart into the back of the demon's neck, severing his spinal cord and ceased the ever annoying twitch.
As her anger subsided and her body consumed in an terrible pain, Kohana felt herself regain control. Looking down at herself, she fell to her knees as she stared down at the lukewarm blood that contaminated the pure white fabric of her dress. With a cry she brought her hand up and watched as blood dripped from her finger tips. Then that's when she saw it, the darkness that began to cloud her vision. Attempting to blink it away Kohana turned to look for Hiei.
Twisting around she saw that Hiei still fought very valiantly against the last demon but to her dismay she watched as a huge, nasty looking black wolf came tearing out of the forest. The Hellhounds had arrived to join the fun. As tears pooled in her stinging eyes Kohana tried to wipe the blood off her face but only succeeding in smearing it. Giving up she reached out to Hiei and spoke in a voice that barely had a tune, "Hiei... watch out...!"
As shadow imminently took over her gaze the last thing she saw was Hiei's face. His piercing scarlet eyes were wide with anxiety and his lips pursed together in frown that served as an expression of his bold resilience to the things that now assaulted himself and threatened Kohana.
Hiei refused to fail her, to allow his enemies to take her...That's just not something he'd do.
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WELP, that's the end of chapter 5. Well this story is on its way into the sad, dark, action stuff...Anysnoo, now that it ish summer I will have tons more time to write!!! ::yelps in happiness and dances around like an idiot::
Ahem...sorry...Look out for more updates, they will be coming very soon!!
‡ Mercury Mechanics ‡
--- --- ----
Disclaimer: I do not own Hiei, Yu Yu Hakusho or other related themes
Warning: May have some disturbing images, adult language, and some sexual content in later chapters. Not much in the earlier ones though.
Author: ‡ Mercury Mechanics ‡
Authors Note: This is a long chapter, I believe 7 pages in word exactly.
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Chapter 5 "In Dreams..."
The rain had poured from the darkened sky for many hours, filling the river that was nearby Hiei and Kohana's resting place nearly to its flooding point. The emerald hue of the plush grass had brightened and the smell of new life seemed ever more potent in the cooled air. Trickling slowly to a stop the spring rain settled into place and creatures who had sought refuge from the downpour crept forth from their homely hideaways.
Kohana was the first to awaken. Sluggishly her crystal glass eyes opened to greet the dim light of the early evening. Yawning a fang adorned yawn she snuggled her face deeper into the warm cloth her head rested upon. Taking in a deep breath the sleepy demon recognized a warm familiar sent. It was Hiei.
Snapping her eyes open Kohana looked forward to see that Hiei was resting against her overturned thighs and she was bent over on her side resting with her head on his stomach. Blushing lightly she noticed that their fingers were still weaved together and now rested on his chest. His breath was deep and his features still. Hiei was sound asleep.
Smiling Kohana stared at her new found friend. He had been her first in a while. As her gaze adjusted to the dim light she studied his features with a curiosity and a mild want to permanently indent his handsome face in her memory. Though Hiei was stubborn and sometimes very rude, she didn't mind. Gently, Kohana squeezed his hand lightly and tenderly ran the pad of her thumb over the warm flesh. Looking to his bruised hands she noticed that his tepid skin glowed with an untold warmth that had been concealed with years of pain.
As she looked upwards to his attractive face her neutral feelings for Hiei began to rile up against her. There was something about the way he looked in his sleep that made her heart leap out of her chest. He looked so peaceful and at ease with the turbulent world. His spiky black hair that usually stood strait was lax against the fabric of her kimono and cast shadows over his eyes. The hue of his cold crimson eyes were hidden behind beautiful black lashes that flittered lightly as if to show that he dreamt silent dreams where his desires were fulfilled. His full lips were slightly ajar so that breathes could pass and the small bruises and cuts on his face made him look as if he were a child taking a nap after an adventurous romp threw the forest.
Sitting up slowly Kohana moved closer to Hiei and supported herself by placing her hand near his side as she leaned over his chest. Tenderly with her left hand she reached up and brushed her finger tips lightly over his cheeks to rub away the dirt and bruises. As she watched his still and serene expression she couldn't help but feel inclined to try and help that same peace spread into the conflicted depths of his heart. Though she hadn't known him for long she still cared enough about him to hope for his happiness and comfort in the disorderly world.
Watching as Hiei moved in his sleep Kohana brushed a couple strands of hair away from his face and tucked them behind his ear. 'He looks so peaceful when he sleeps,' Kohana thought as she blushed. Becoming curious as to what had happened to make him so angry towards others she found herself pondering aloud, "What happened to you, Hiei?" Gently she caressed his cheek with her fingers as she continued, "Why do your eyes hold so much sadness?"
Looking up Kohana sighed but as a soft whisper caught her ear, her gaze fell back down to the demon lying in her lap, "I-I...was abandoned...as a child."
With astonishment Kohana's eyes grew wide. Did he just...speak? Blushing she leaned down and waved her hand in front of Hiei's face. As she sat up she came to the conclusion that he was, indeed, still asleep. As soon as his words set in Kohana's features softened and she replied in a quite whisper,
"I understand how you feel, Hiei. It's ok, you're not alone anymore."
Observing as a somber frown consumed his lips she listened as he mumbled back, "I've always...been alone."
"You don't have to be, Hiei," Kohana spoke her voice holding soft concern as she blushed lightly. "I'll stay with you, if you want." Brushing her fingers over his cheeks she smiled.
Watching as his eyelashes flittered and a faint flush heated his cheeks Kohana listened as he spoke softly, "Y-you...don't have to. I'm...not asking you to."
"It's ok. I'll stay right here," Kohana whispered as she took hold of his hand again.
Observing as he sluggishly turned onto his side and snuggled his face into the warmth of her kimono Kohana blushed as he mumbled softly, "Ko...hana..."
With a blush coloring her cheeks and a smile on her lips, Kohana watched Hiei sleep. She had begun to adopt this pleasurable habit as a normal routine. There were often times when he was awake that she would find herself staring at him. He would do as he always did when he caught her, just frown and look away as he rolled his eyes or snap at her to stop ogling and get back to work on whatever she was doing. Of course she didn't mean to do this, it just kind of happened.
About an hour after she woke and had her little chat with the unconscious Hiei, Kohana felt him move and closed the book she had been reading so that she could see what he was doing. Smiling she watched as his eyes slowly opened and he yawned. Surveying the weakened demon as he lazily looked around she noticed that he didn't make it an incentive to move from where he lay. He looked as though he were enjoying himself.
"Are you going to go ahead and sleep with your head in my lap the rest of the evening or shall I gather the fresh bandages so that I can change the ones you have on now?" Kohana spoke as she set aside her book and looked down at him.
Hiei blushed lightly as he swiftly sat up and moved away from her as he mumbled sleepily, "Shut up, woman."
"There's no need to get angry," Kohana laughed as she put her hands up in defense. "I was just curious that's all and don't worry, I don't mind you using my lap as a pillow because you're like a blanket for my legs. You're quite warm."
Looking up at Kohana, Hiei shook his head as he rolled his eyes and ran his hands threw his onyx hued mane. He was getting quite annoyed with this strange woman. She was smothering him with her calm words and polite manners. For once he just wanted her to yell at him or smack him or something. Shooting a quick glance up at her Hiei noticed that she was putting the book she had been reading away inside the basket and was retrieving some tightly wrapped bandages and a small wooden case as its replacement.
As he took a moment to rub his eyes Hiei cleared his thoughts. He had experienced a very odd dream while he lay to rest. With a small, confused pout he recalled the events of his dream. He had been lying seemingly all alone in a dark wood when he felt a soft touch caress his cheek. As he rolled over onto his back and looked up he came face to face with a woman who hid her identity behind a white mask. He had been laying beside her and he had never even noticed that she was there.
Then that's when she began to ask him questions and he actually answered them in return as she leaned over him and he stared up at her. Her hair was nothing but waves of light and her skin was as pale as snow. Her mask had black diamonds set in the eyes and red markings on the cheeks. The apparitions voice was soft and slow...It sounded nearly like his sister Yukina's voice and had the familiar sent of his mother. Yet near the end of their conversation they had been interrupted by Kano and a hoard of his Shadow Warriors. He had done his best to protect the woman he knew nothing about but in the end he had failed and Kano had pulled her away into a cloud of shadow...
As the ever cheerful tone of Kohana broke his train of thought Hiei brought his hands from his face and looked up to see her sitting in front of him with a curious look on her face.
"What's wrong, Hiei?" she asked as she sat down on her knees, tucking her white kimono under her calves.
"Nothing," he spoke calmly in reply as he sat up and brushed off the odd dream as yet another to add to his collection. "I understand that it's time to wrap my wounds in fresh bandages?"
Nodding Kohana reached forwards as spoke, "That is correct." As she placed her hand on his shoulder lightly she was surprised when Hiei smacked it away and spoke roughly,
"I can undress myself, Kohana."
Watching as she blushed deeply and looked down at her lap, Hiei's himself flushed as he slipped his arms from the sleeves of his coat. 'Damn it... I always get into helplessly anomalous situations with her,' he mumbled to himself mentally as he pulled away his coat and dropped into a heap next to him. Loosening his belt, Hiei pulled his shirt off over his head to reveal his bandaged chest. As the cloth fell into the pile along with his coat Hiei looked up to see that Kohana was already busy getting the new bandages ready.
"How do you feel? I pray that I didn't strain anything when I slept with my head on your stomach?" she asked as she looked up worriedly and scooted closer. "Here move closer to me." She instructed.
Blushing lightly Hiei nudged forward a bit so that Kohana was sitting directly next to him on his left. "I feel fine," he spoke as he looked up at the ceiling of their secluded hideaway.
Watching out of the corner of his eye as Kohana reached forward and began to undo the bandages Hiei sighed. It had been about six days since he had come into the care of the young Light Demon who had been nothing but kind to him. He found it actually frightening that he had come across a being that hadn't tried to harm him or taken advantage of his skills in some way, shape or form. Although she seemed absurdly happy and kind Hiei was no fool. He could tell by the way she looked at him with her hollow crystal eyes that she too held secrets inside her heart that were two painful for her to let go. He understood the way of the shadows because... he too walks threw them and knows them to a personal depth.
As he felt her cold hands brush across the warm flesh of his stomach he instinctively grasped her wrist and froze up as he said, "Woman, you're hands are freezing."
Looking down at her hands Kohana frowned as she mumbled, "Oh, I'm sorry." With a light laugh she pulled away her hands and cupped them as she blew into them and rubbed them together. "Well you know what they say, cold hands means a warm heart."
Hiei arched a brow and stared at her awkwardly. "Hn."
Ignoring Hiei, Kohana tossed away the bloody bandages and began to inspect the wounds for any sign of infection. Thankfully, there were none and the black and blue hue that corrupted his skin had already begun to reseed. With a grand smile Kohana looked up at Hiei as she spoke in a gleeful tone,
"It seems that you are healing quickly! That's excellent!"
Hiei looked away. "I had expected to."
As she opened the small wooden box Kohana brought it to her nose and smelled its contents. Smiling as the warm sent drifted into the air she dipped her fingers into it. Leaning forwards she smeared the cool cream onto the stitches and sections of the skin that were still being eaten at by the poison. Finishing Kohana looked up at Hiei and leaned up as brought her hands to his face. As he looked to her his eyes narrowed and he spoke, "What are you doing?"
"I have extra cream on my hand and am going to put some of it on the little cuts on your face," she explained as she cupped his cheek with her clean hand and began to smear the balm onto the smaller cuts on his forehead and on his cheeks.
"It smells...feminine," Hiei complained as he pulled back a little.
Kohana laughed. "Yes, it does but the herbs in it will help withhold infection from setting in," Kohana said as she smiled and gently applied it to a small cut over his right eyebrow with the pad of her thumb.
Looking down into Hiei's eyes, Kohana took note of how close she and Hiei really were. Trying in vain to force the blush that was gradually rising in her cheeks to desist, Kohana smiled in her normal friendly manor and sat back onto her calves. As she took up the clean bandages, she began to wrap up the stitching once again. Quickly moving the cloth around Hiei's torso Kohana could feel his eyes on her. Trying to ignore the odd feeling that was welling in the bottom of her stomach, she moved her arms more swiftly so that she could finish quickly.
Yet, as fate forgoes it, the cloth slipped from Kohana's grasped and bounced off to Hiei's right. Sitting up a bit she reached over to retrieve it but as she did Hiei also reached for it. As their hands lightly collided they both withdrew and blushed as they looked up at each other.
"Uh, I'm sorry," Kohana murmured as she brushed a stand of her hair behind her ear and sat back.
"Don't worry about it," Hiei mumbled as he looked away and handed the white bandage to Kohana.
With a smile Kohana took the bandage from Hiei and leaned forward to finish her work. The last time around, she slid her fingers over the bandages on his chest to make sure they weren't slack and tied it tightly so that they would not come undone. As she looked up Kohana noticed that Hiei's head was bent forward and his eyes clouded with worry.
"Hiei?" Kohana spoke as she reached out to touch his shoulder, "What's wrong? You look as though something is bothering you, do you wish to te..."
Before Kohana could finish her sentence Hiei sprung forward and clasped his hand over her mouth as he pulled her close to him, holding her tightly to him. Yelping at the sudden movement Kohana grabbed Hiei's forearm with her hands for support. Looking up at Hiei with utter confusion she noticed that in the distance there was a black haze coming towards them. Before long the sound of wings flapping and loud shrieking could be heard, a clear sign that it was only bats...or was it?
As the obnoxiously loud creatures moved swiftly underneath the awning, half of them split and flew over the fallen tree. Grasping Hiei's pant leg with her hand, Kohana brought her knees to her chest and watched with curiosity as the miniature beasts dashed threw the hollow of the fallen tree.
'Why are bats coming out this early in the evening?' she thought worriedly as the last few passed under the tree.
"Its not safe here anymore, Kohana, we're leaving," Hiei whispered as he threw Kohana upwards onto her feet.
Placing her hand over her rabidly beating heart Kohana asked with curiosity, "What? What do you mean?"
Swiftly standing up, Hiei pulled on his coat and spoke softly, "Don't ask questions."
Finding herself completely lost Kohana decided just to do what Hiei told her. As she bent over to grasp the cream for Hiei's wounds she felt the ground tremble, causing the small wooden case to shake. Gathering it into her hand she slid it into the sash of her dress and quickly stood as she took her place behind Hiei.
Pulling off the bandage around his Jagan eye the green orb opened and revealed his foes to him. Four lanky bat demons waited silently on the top of their hideout and in the distance four Hellhounds made their way towards them. In the condition he was in, Hiei knew that this was going to prove difficult. Though never the less, he would not give up without a fight.
As he felt a cool hand slip into his, Hiei glanced down out of the corner of his eye to see Kohana move a bit closer to him. With a frown he spoke to himself, 'I highly doubt she even knows how to harness spiritual energy...I'm going to have to protect her...'
"Hiei?" Kohana whispered as she tightened her grasp on his hand.
The ground shook again, a useful tool in telling how far away the Hellhounds were. Coming to a swift decision Hiei decided that he would deal with the demons first and then do what he could with the hellhounds. As he lightly squeezed Kohana's hand he spoke quietly,
"Kohana, if you have any interest in living to see tomorrow then I suggest you stay low to the ground and hide behind the wall of ivory to the right...Stay there and wait for me."
Releasing her hand Hiei took several steps forwards and drew his sword. 'What are they waiting for?' He though as he ran to the back entrance and jumped atop the fallen tree. Observing his opponents he saw that they were bat demons. They were crouched together speaking in quiet whispers soundly nearly as though they were fighting over something.
"I want to kill the little man," one hissed as he smiled sadistically.
"Don't overestimate him Takani," another growled. "There wouldn't be a reason for Taioni-sama to send us all if he wasn't a skilled fighter."
Swirling his blade in his hand Hiei leaned his weight on one leg as he spoke with mild disgust, "You all are pathetic."
As the tree demons looked up they were greeted with the cold steel of Hiei's blade. Though they scattered at the sudden attach Hiei had managed to slice one of the men right down the middle, eliminating one of his many annoyances.
As two of the demons lunged forward to attach Hiei the other slinked off to find Kohana. Seeing this he diverted the attaches of the demons he was now engage in combat with and did a flip, landing on the ground outside the entrance of the awning. Pushing off from the grass Hiei moved to slice the demon's head clear off his shoulders but his attach was sparred as the demons drew his blade.
Ducking lowly Hiei averted a horizontal slice from his opponents scythe and jumping into the air he raised his katana and brought it down hard on the demon's head. Yet before his attach could be complete the two demons he had abandoned came looking for their opponent and simultaneously kicked him in the side, sending him flying out of the cove and smashing to a tree.
Swiftly standing back up on his feet Hiei, shook his head to clear his vision. Grasping his sword from up off the ground Hiei fell into a battle ready stance and waited for his attackers to make the first move. As he locked gazes with the two demons Hiei took notice of their accomplice who now rummaged around in the picnic basket throwing out things Kohana had brought and sniffing the air as he attempted follow the ever pleasant sent of Lavender and Roses that emanated from her skin.
Turning his attention back to the two demons before him Hiei sprung backwards as a blade came swinging towards his face. As he flipped upwards He pushed off from the tree and landed behind the two demons, continuing to attach them in swift movements. Sparring their attaches and defending himself Hiei found that his new annoyances were becoming troublesome to keep up with. Not allowing himself to falter, Hiei forced himself to stay focused through the battle of blades and fists he now found himself in. Quietly sitting behind the wall of ivory that wound its way around the twisted roots of the tree Kohana cringed as he listened to the fight that ranged on outside. She hated it that Hiei had to fight in the condition he was in. She hated it because she knew why they had come. She knew to whom the demons obeyed and whom had sent out the Hellhounds to greet Hiei and her with an evil grin formed with jagged knife like teeth. Listening she could hear breathing coming towards her and stood up so that she could move if necessary to avoid being seen.
Moving silently Kohana slipped around a thick root so that she could loose her pursuer in the twisted vines of the fallen tree's roots. Jogging to the other end of a weaved pathway she peered around its barrier and looked out to the place she and Hiei had taken shelter from the rain, there was no one there. Due to her unnatural curiosity Kohana took a step out into the light and shyly observed the things about her. Save for the clang of steel against steel all was still and quite, nearly abnormal so.
'Maybe Taioni called off the Hellhounds?' Kohana thought as she bit at her bottom lip with worry.
"Ah what a sweet smelling Lady you are," a deep voice spoke from behind her.
Whirling around Kohana came face to face with one of the demons sent to kill Hiei and take her. Before she could move or react the man slapped her hard across the face, causing her to fall to the ground and cradle the stinging flesh in her hand. As she looked up she watched as her attacker came towards her and kicked her onto her back. Crouching down on his knees, he held her there with his knee to her chest and hand on her shoulder.
"What do you want with me?" Kohana snapped as he frowned. "I've already cleared things up with Kano, I'm not coming back and he knows it!"
"We could careless about what that fool says," the devilish man said, his wild eyes glowing a fierce hue of blood red. "Taioni wants nothing more to do with you, so he gave you to us."
Barring her teeth anger caused the hue of Kohana's eyes to slowly change from crystal blue to dark violet. "I am not his 'property' to give to anyone..." Kohana growled with controlled anger as she reached up and slapped the man, leaving a red hand print on his cheek.
"You bitch," the demon growled as he slapped her again, this time bruising her cheek with the force of the blow. "You will learn to obey me and do what I tell you." As he straddled her he pinned her arms at her sides and leaned down to admire her soft features and smell her hair.
"Don't touch me!" Kohana yelped as she tried in vain to get the demon off of her.
Right as she was about to scream, she was silenced by a fierce kiss. As the demon took a handful of her hair he crushed her lips against his, causing the sensitive flesh to swell. Coughing as a rancid liquid seeped down the back of her throat Kohana tried to pull her lips away but could not. Feeling the calm inside of her snap her alter emotion threw her into a dangerously angered stage. As she freed her arm she reached up to her hair and pulled out one of the pens. Swirling it around in her fingers she slammed its pointed end into the demon's temple, killing him nearly instantly.
As his body fell limply on top of her she cringed as his blood sprayed her in the face and seeped onto her clothing. With a revulsive growl she shoved it off. Standing up from the ground, she pulled out the flower and accompanying hair pen that held up her locks of hair. Swiveling the stick in her hand, Kohana stared down at the body, watching as it twitched. With a disgusted pout she threw the sharpened pen like a dart into the back of the demon's neck, severing his spinal cord and ceased the ever annoying twitch.
As her anger subsided and her body consumed in an terrible pain, Kohana felt herself regain control. Looking down at herself, she fell to her knees as she stared down at the lukewarm blood that contaminated the pure white fabric of her dress. With a cry she brought her hand up and watched as blood dripped from her finger tips. Then that's when she saw it, the darkness that began to cloud her vision. Attempting to blink it away Kohana turned to look for Hiei.
Twisting around she saw that Hiei still fought very valiantly against the last demon but to her dismay she watched as a huge, nasty looking black wolf came tearing out of the forest. The Hellhounds had arrived to join the fun. As tears pooled in her stinging eyes Kohana tried to wipe the blood off her face but only succeeding in smearing it. Giving up she reached out to Hiei and spoke in a voice that barely had a tune, "Hiei... watch out...!"
As shadow imminently took over her gaze the last thing she saw was Hiei's face. His piercing scarlet eyes were wide with anxiety and his lips pursed together in frown that served as an expression of his bold resilience to the things that now assaulted himself and threatened Kohana.
Hiei refused to fail her, to allow his enemies to take her...That's just not something he'd do.
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WELP, that's the end of chapter 5. Well this story is on its way into the sad, dark, action stuff...Anysnoo, now that it ish summer I will have tons more time to write!!! ::yelps in happiness and dances around like an idiot::
Ahem...sorry...Look out for more updates, they will be coming very soon!!
‡ Mercury Mechanics ‡