Memoir

Summary: Sequel to "Forgotten." "Time really does change everything, doesn't it? Hard to believe I'm the same person." Hiei/OC

Author's notes: I HAVE 100 REVIEWS! Unbelievable. I really can't believe that. Thanks, you guys. Thanks A LOT. Hmm. Lots of folks have questions about Sangre… Well, you guys will just have to wait for a while to find out about him (I know, you guys all hate me now… but that's just how it has to work… sorry). But anyways, I'm really excited about this chapter… it should be great. So, I think it's time to thank my wonderful reviewers.

Yoru Inu: Thanks! I'm glad you liked the chapter. The ending of it was my favorite part too. Keep reviewing!

The Shadows Hide All: Thanks. Yeah, I have the sonogram picture now… it's great. The doctor labeled the babies "Baby A" and "Baby B." I told my sister that they should just keep those names… she didn't like that idea too much. Yes, yes, Hiei was the boss. Easy to understand, right. I know, Hiei's being a bit of an ass right now. What else can be expected? Thanks for reviewing.

-X-1fallen angel-X-: Thanks, glad to know that. Grandeur is a fun word, isn't it though? Yeah, yeah, I know he's being cruel. We'll see if that changes.

TriggerHappy666: Thanks. It's too early to tell what the babies are going to be. I'm hoping one of each. I have to say, I nearly fell out of my seat at your "busy" comment… I hadn't even thought of it that way until you said it. I mean, I suppose he could have been busy…in that way. Not that he would tell Akiko if he had. He's being an ass to her, but I don't think he would want to hurt her like that. But he has been doing a good deal of work while he's been gone. We'll see what he's up to soon enough, though.

brezzybrez: Yes, it was just starting to get interesting. But trust me, the rest of the fic is just as interesting.

MikoHatome: Ha, really. I've seen happier reunions. Hiei left in the last chapter of "Forgotten." If you want all the big details with that, you can reread that chapter. It might clear things up. Thanks for the review.

ImParanoid: Ah, tension, yes yes. That's the key to suspense, no? I'm glad the fic is keeping you interested.

EvilTwinKae: Random? I guess it might have been. Hiei and Akiko have an odd relationship. And since Hiei is a stubborn guy, Akiko has to have a certain level of candor when dealing with him. Now, she didn't say that she "really really really" likes him in so many words, but that was the point she was trying to convey.

BlueWater26: I know, I know. He's just being a real meanie butt, isn't he? Then again, what more can we expect from our favorite fire yokai? Thanks for the review; I hope you like the rest of the fic.

sillylittlenothing: Nope, he won't give a clear answer to her. But that will be completely explained in a later chapter (it's really horrible how I always make you wait for answers… I'm really sorry about that). I don't know if the heir thing is addressed or not. I might add it in now, though. Sangre and his origins will be further explained as the fic goes on (there I go making you wait again). Glad to hear that you like the fic so much! Keep on reading.

Jingenji: Yes, that seems to be a popular opinion. Hiei is one to keep up a tough act. Can you blame him? Especially with all of those yokai looking up to him. But, you know, he can't stay that way permanently. I'm glad you like the fic, though (and that you're still alive). Thanks for reviewing.

Bec: Merci, gracias, and thank you! I'm glad you like this fic so much. I hope you like the next chapters, too!

Sakura Jazmine: Yeah, it was about time Akiko got that out in the open. We'll just have to wait and see what Hiei does, though. As for the twins, we can't tell what they are yet. But thanks for asking anyway. And thanks for reviewing.

mysadeyes: I'd venture to say Hiei is important to most of the readers of this fic. Glad that you're happy he's back. Thanks for the review.

Dolphingirl32173: Thanks, I'm glad you liked the chapter. Good luck with your work and thanks for reviewing.

You're wonderful, all of you.

I HAVE 100 REVIEWS! Ok, enough of that now.

Part Eleven: Light in the Darkness

Akiko didn't feel comfortable with being on a floor full of boys, so she requested a room on the second floor of the fortress. Perhaps wanting to avoid an argument, Hiei agreed to giving her another room. The room was pleasant enough, but Akiko found it too small to house both her and her confused thoughts, so she stepped out onto the balcony.

Outside under the stars Akiko felt better.

Not much better, but still….

"God, I can't believe all of this," Akiko sighed, running her hands through her auburn hair. "I can't believe it."

The past three years she'd waited for him to come back. Not that he'd ever said he would, she'd just assumed…. Why couldn't he just answer her? She just wanted to know why he hadn't come back. Not even just to make sure she was adjusting to her new life.

She wasn't even really sure why she was mad. After all, he'd told her that he was leaving. What right did she have to be upset?

He didn't come back. That was what bothered her. He left, and he didn't come back. It was like he'd forgotten her.

Heaving an exasperated sigh, Akiko rested her elbows on the balcony railing and placing her head in her hands. "God, this is too much."

The first faint lines of sunlight had just started creeping into view; Akiko sighed again, knowing that a sleepless night could hardly help them find Sangre. Wearily, Akiko lifted herself off the railing and turned to go back into her room, hoping that she could at least get an hour's sleep in.

Darkness enveloped the fortress—unnatural darkness. Akiko felt a chill completely unrelated to the temperature around her.

"Doesn't seem to care too much about you, does he?" an icy voice said from behind her.

Thinking, 'That can't be good,' Akiko turned in the direction of the voice.

She found herself face to face with someone she had only seen once before, in a vision.

"Sangre," she breathed.

Sangre smiled, though Akiko hardly found that comforting. "I thought you'd know who I am by now. But I didn't think Hiei would be so quick to tell you. He doesn't like me much."

"Didn't notice," Akiko spat sardonically.

Sangre smirked. "He's not very discreet about that sort of thing, is he? Managed to be cruel enough to you, I noticed."

"What the hell do you mean?"

"Just that he seemed distant with you. Weren't you two close before?"

A cold hand slid onto Akiko's shoulder and to her neck. Akiko drew a shuddering breath.

"Don't touch me."

Sangre drew his hand back laughing. "Touched a nerve, didn't I? Well, that's hardly surprising."

Akiko didn't respond.

"All else aside," Sangre began, "I have an offer to make you."

He waited for Akiko to speak, but she didn't.

"Come with me."

Akiko forgot her silence. "What? What are you talking about?"

Sangre smirked. "I said come with me. There's a lot that I can offer you. Much more than Hiei could ever give you."

"Look, I'm not sure what exactly you want, but there's no way I'm going anywhere with you."

"Alright," Sangre said. "But you'll regret this decision."

Sangre disappeared taking the darkness along with him. Akiko felt herself stumbling, falling to the ground. The fact that she was standing on a balcony overhanging a concrete walkway came slowly to her as she fell. She snapped her eyes shut.

A strong arm wrapped around her waist, gently lifting her back to a standing position then releasing her.

"And once again, I have to save your ass," Hiei's voice said coolly.

Akiko opened her eyes to see the fire yokai watching her calmly. She turned away from him, folding her arms across her chest.

Hiei was either unaware that this was abnormal behavior for Akiko simply chose to ignore her cold attitude. "You had a vision again. What did you see?"

She didn't answer right away—really, she didn't quite know what she saw or what had happened. Knowing that Hiei wouldn't leave her be until she answered, Akiko replied.

"I saw Sangre. He was talking to me. Trying to get me to come with him."

The fire yokai's eyes narrowed at Akiko's statement. Akiko was slightly taken aback—she'd only seen Hiei really angry once before; he nearly killed someone then. He was furious now; Akiko could tell.

"That bastard dares to try this in my territory?" he hissed.

"Whoa, Hiei, chill out," Akiko said, raising her hands defensively. "It's not like anything happened—"

"That's not the point," Hiei snapped. "Go back in you room now."

"You can't tell me what to—"

"Now. And don't go anywhere alone."

Sangre watched Hiei lead Akiko back inside the fortress, a smirk playing across his blood coloured face.

"Ah, Janganshi," he breathed. "You should know better than to think that you can hide her from me.

"This is working out to my advantage…. The last angel and the Forbidden Child both at my mercy…."

The sun was finally fully exposed, hanging over the fortress; Akiko, having stayed up half the night, was curled up under her blankets, sound asleep.

And therefore unaware that someone was watching her.

Akiko's room was in shadows—she had drawn the curtains before she had gone to bed—which made it easier for Hiei to watch her without any awkward questions.

He still thought she looked angelic when she was sleeping, but he didn't dare let on to that.

A sigh escaped his lips. Not saying anything was more difficult than he thought, especially now that Sangre was involved.

But he couldn't say anything to her.

Not unless he had to.

Author's notes: Yeah. So that's all for chapter eleven. Fun and exciting, wasn't it? Well, actually, I guess you guys decide whether or not that's true. But whatever the case, I HAVE 100 REVIEWS! That's really very exciting for me! I've never had a fic that's done that well before. And I have YOU GUYS to thank. YOU ALL ROCK. Anyway, I'm going to stop gushing now (I'm sure you're all glad to hear that). I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter; please read and review!