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: Okay, sorry this took so long… it was a pain to write. Anyway I have just over one week left before classes start again, so I'm going to try to really work over the next several days, because, after class starts, I won't have so much time. There are still nine chapters after this one, so I don't know how far I'll get before school slows me down. Anyway, it's now time for me to thank the reviewers.
BlueWater26: It is Jaganshi, not Janganshi…. I must have just not realized that I added the "n." Sometimes I'm just not observant. Thanks for catching that for me. And thanks for reviewing.
Yoru Inu: Ah, thank you; that's so nice of you to say. I'll try to keep the updates coming; thanks for reading the fic.
AnonymousHieiFan101: Thank you! I'll try to keep the updates coming.
Demon's Amaya: He is quite frustrating, isn't he? But that's part of his persona. Any who, thanks for the review.
Jingenji: Thank you! Don't worry about your review count… it took me two years to get above twenty reviews on a fic. I'm glad you like the fic. Yeah, I don't think Hiei does things without having a reason. Anyway, you probably want me to go ahead and save you from frostbite….Enjoy the fic.
ImParanoid: Thanks; glad you liked the chapter. I'll try to keep the speed on updates.
Bec: Hmm…reading fanfiction during class… for shame. Okay, so I do the same thing…. I wouldn't know if the work is harder here or in Australia. Well, don't get caught by that teacher! Thanks for reading (and send these pink clowns away… they're unbelievable frightening). Keep reviewing.
Dolphingirl32173: Hiei's got a reason for being the way he is… though he is being pretty cruel to her. Good luck on your fic and thanks for the review.
mysadeyes: Glad you liked the chapter. As to if Hiei will have to tell Akiko how he feels… can't tell you! . Thanks so much for the review.
The Shadows Hide All: Ha, no she was a bit upset with that suggestion. Like I told Jingenji, don't worry about your review count. It can take forever…. Two years for me. Thanks so much for the review. I hope you enjoy the fic.
Kurayamihikari: Thanks, I'm glad you liked the chapter. It was one of my favorites too. Thanks for the review; I'll try to keep the updates coming.
MikoHatome: Ha ha. Yes, Hiei saved part of the day (but it was an important part of the day…). Thanks for reviewing!
Sakura Jazmine: Sangre is pronounced SAN-grey. Umm… I wouldn't particularly think of him as good looking myself, but some might. As to what he wants with Akiko… that will be answered later. Thanks for the review!
brezzybrez: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you like the story.
Ummei Genkai: Thanks, glad to know the story's progressing well.
EvilTwinKae: He just might be…. But we'll have to wait and see. Thanks for reviewing the chapter; I'm glad you like the fic.
Baka Hanyou Rahvin: Yeah, I know, he's a total ass. But hey, what more can we expect from our favorite fire yokai? Thanks for reviewing.
Moojuice Nne of the Mayonaisse: I was there when you wrote the review… You already know what I have to say about the review…. . And thanks SO MUCH for your help with this chapter… who knows how long it would have taken without you.
Part Twelve: Burnt by the Light
"Less than two hours of sleep is really not a good thing," Akiko yawned rubbing her eyes.
Yusuke, Kurama, Kuwabara and Hiei were lingering around the gates of the fortress when Akiko walked up.
"It's about time," Yusuke said. "We wanted to start tailing Sangre and hour ago."
"Sorry," Akiko shrugged.
On that note, the five of them set out from the fortress, each of the guards watching them as they left.
"You're sure you know where you're going?" Akiko asked after an hour of walking. "I mean, everything looks the same around here, maybe—"
"I know where I'm going," Hiei said, walking ahead of the group. "I do live here, you know."
Akiko shrugged, lagging a bit behind the boys. She was right; the scenery didn't vary much, trees, grass, mud and various bits of what Akiko could only assume were corpses.
"Cheery place, isn't it?" she muttered to herself as they past a particularly grotesque body. "Homey, almost."
A blunt object made contact with Akiko's head; she turned to see where it had come from.
"Keep up or you'll get lost," Hiei's voice said from in front of her.
The yokai himself had hung back until she had caught up. "I don't need an escort, you know," Akiko grumbled as she approached. "And I really don't need a yokai giving me a concussion."
"Then keep up," Hiei said, returning to the head of the group.
Scowling and mumbling something about "stupid asshole yokai," Akiko plowed her way to the front of the group. "You know, you could try to be a little nicer to me," she said. "It wouldn't kill you."
The stretch of orange sky visible through the canopy of trees suddenly and inexplicably darkened.
"What the hell?" Yusuke's voice hissed.
When light returned to them, they were surrounded by a dozen red and black yokai.
Hiei's hand shot out and wrapped around Akiko's elbow, and he yanked her behind him.
"Don't move."
Akiko found herself suddenly surrounded by her traveling companions.
In a rush of scarlet and black, the yokai sprung into action, splitting to attack from all sides.
The scent of roses permeating the air pulled Akiko's attention away from the yokai in front of her. She turned just in time to see the green flash of a whip followed by a splash of blood.
"Oh God," Akiko breathed. Cringing away from the falling droplets, she clutched the back of Hiei's cloak like a safety blanket.
Being a little too preoccupied with the three yokai that were attempting to gut him, Hiei didn't notice the hindrance of Akiko's terrified grip.
Kuwabara's voice rose above the tumult. "Three down over here."
"And here," Yusuke answered.
Kurama tucked the rose from which the whip had come back behind his ear. "Sangre knows we're coming."
Hiei sheathed his sword, smirking dryly at the carcasses lying at his feet. Bending down to remove a piece of flesh from his boot, he was suddenly stopped by a tightening of the cloth around his neck. He turned halfway around; Akiko's hands were buried in his cloak, her face was white with terror. Hiei's eyes narrowed slightly, and he pried Akiko's hands from the fabric.
"Let go of me."
Akiko immediately let go of the cloak and took a few steps back, eyeing the carnage with a revolted look.
"Hey, Hiei," Yusuke said turning to face the yokai. "How far are we from Sangre?"
"Another two or three days' walk."
"Wonder why he's so worried," Kuwabara said, checking to see if anymore of the red and black yokai remained. "I mean, it's not like we can even do anything to him yet."
"I don't think he sent these things after us because he thinks we're a threat," Kurama said.
Yusuke frowned. "So what does he want?"
Kurama shrugged; Hiei answered for him.
"He's after her." The yokai jerked his thumb towards Akiko.
The other three looked to Akiko, waiting for her to confirm this.
"Yeah," she nodded. "I'm not sure what he wants, though. Why he's just now coming after me. Why he's coming after me at all."
"Well," Yusuke smirked. "Here I thought after the whole Tierra des Ángeles thing you were done with killers and non-humans."
Akiko shrugged. "No such luck, huh?"
Kurama sighed. "After all that, maybe we should call it a day. Hiei, do you think we've made enough progress to stop for the night?"
"Hn."
"I'll take that as a yes."
Kurama, Kuwabara, Yusuke and Akiko each claimed their own patch of ground and curled up to sleep, leaving Hiei to keep watch.
The yokai was nearly lost in his thoughts when a nearly imperceptible sound reached him.
A whimper?
His eyes fell upon Akiko, curled into a tight ball and shaking. Having a nightmare, probably.
Hiei closed his eyes.
Sangre had better hope Hiei wouldn't find him.
Author's notes: I know, it's pretty short. Couldn't help it. I'll do better next time, I promise. Anyway…I really don't have a whole lot to say. Just read and review, then. Thanks.