Welcome, I finally updated!
I'd just like to adress an issue a few people seem to keep pointing out. Yes my fic does mirror alot of things from Beauty & the Beast. Don't know if we forgot but I stated that I got the idea for my fic from the movie. Just to remind you all.
Hint: My fic will not have the same ending...
Well, you get to read and when your reading just think, I'll beheading toCalifornia this time next week.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or Beauty & the Beast. I do however own an adorable coconut named Jimmy.
Chapter 15: Library Liaison
"How come no one ever told me!" exclaimed the loud and slightly agitated voice of Osina as she walked down the hallway with Yusuke and Kuwabara on either side. She was just a little upset with them and everyone else.
"How were we supposed to know you were a bookworm, its not like you ever told us." replied Yusuke as he looked down with an arrogant smirk on his face.
The carrot top said nothing as his hand was covering his mouth. He had no desire to enrage the already fuming girl at his side. He knew from experience to not make short people mad. A strange look appeared on his face, at the thought of short people, they were so scary.
Osina glanced over at Kuwabara, a little mystified at his silence. He was usually so loud, why so quiet now? She shrugged her shoulders and turned her attention back to the hallway. They'd been walking for about 10 minutes now. How much further could it be?
"Yusuke, why is the library so far away from everything else in the mansion?" she finally asked after her inward interrogation had told her nothing. "I mean, we've been walking down this hallway forever and why does it twist and turn so much?"
"Beats me" was his only reply.
A growl escaped her throat as Yusuke snickered. Stupid boy. She hated not knowing what everyone else knew! With a huff she directed her gaze back to Kuwabara. He hadn't said anything since they'd started. Maybe he was sick? Or, maybe he was lost in thought, though Kuwabara thinking didn't seem to make much sense.
"We're here" Yusuke's voice pulled Osina away from her current mystery.
"Wow…" Osina stared up at the large double doors in front of her. They were made of the same wood as the entrance to the mansion. That rich, dark brown color. As always the same complex designs were present on the door and its frame.
"Hey are you gonna stand there and drool over the door all day or are you gonna go in?" whined Yusuke.
"I'm not drooling over the door, I just think it's pretty!" retorted Osina, her face drawn in a tight frown at the boy's teasing.
Yusuke scoffed at her reply. "Yeah, right, and your not itching to sink your little claws into Hiei either. Give me a break."
Osina paled slightly at his comment but recovered quickly with a mean glint in her eyes. "I do not have any feelings for that, that thing!"
"Right…" With that comment Yusuke stepped forward and pushed the doors open revealing a massive library. "Tada!"
Osina stared wide-eyed at the numerous shelves that held the countless books. There were so many! She ran up to the nearest shelf, holding her kimono up with one hand and placing the other on a small, green hard-backed book. Very slowly she pulled the novel out and opened it. Her brown eyes lit up as she realized what story it was, Black Beauty. Without hesitation she located a small comfy armchair and began to happily devour the bittersweet tale. Even though she was trapped physically by the confines of this mansion, a book could take her anywhere.
Yusuke and Kuwabara watched her for a moment before leaving silently and closing the door behind them, hoping that she came out a little less moody then when she'd entered.
With a small grunt of irritation Hiei tossed the book he'd been reading onto medium sized pile beside his chair. He'd been carrying on this fruitless search for over an hour and was still empty handed. There was nothing in this library on a 'light'. Maybe if he'd had his Jagan eye he could have saved himself some time. His lips drew into a stern, unforgiving frown as he pondered on his situation. He'd gone through so many of the books and scrolls on the history of the ice demons and found nothing about curses of light. The fact that there were plenty more to go through was even more infuriating.
The sound of the thick wooden doors creaking open broke his string of negative thoughts. Deciding it was just Kurama he returned to his inward thoughts. The doors closed once more and he was only slightly puzzled that the fox hadn't come to pester him. At least now he knew he would not be disturbed as no one else ever came here. He leaned back into the chair allowing himself to relax, just a little, and picked up yet another boring historical document on ice apparitions.
""
Having finished off the first chapter to her horse tale Osina found she desired to read something new. Black Beauty held a special place in her heart but it would be nice to read something different for once. With a smile on her face and a bounce to her step she started her search for a fresh read. A good thirty minutes later she still hadn't found anything worth looking at. On the verge of giving up hope and returning to her first book she noticed a set of shelves towards the very back of the expansive room. She traversed the small distance to the books and hastily turned the corner only to wish she hadn't.
And there he sat, in all his dark foreboding glory, glaring at her through his deep, crimson eyes. Dressed in his usual attire of black, this time including his cloak-like top and white scarf. His bandaged hands were gripping the arms of his chair tightly as if they would fall to the floor if he lessened his hold on them. Overall he had not been expecting her sudden appearance and was far from happy about it. Even knowing that fact Osina still found she could not take her eyes off of him.
Hiei narrowed his gaze at the young woman who had appeared so suddenly in his midst. Her body was rigid and her arms were clasped firmly at her side, her small hands hidden by the long, draping sleeves of her white kimono. She appeared to be frightened but when his eyes fell on her face he found himself confused. She was anything but afraid and it unnerved him, slightly.
Hiei didn't like being unnerved and her very presence was driving him mad.
"Leave." Hiei said finally, hoping she would do so without hesitation.
Her only action was to narrow her own brown eyes at him.
"I said leave!" he ground out, his voice own sounding coarse and unfamiliar to him. If she didn't leave he was going to lose control again and he didn't want a repeat of last time.
Completely ignoring her instincts Osina stood her ground. She may have given up on him ever having feelings for her but she sure as heck wasn't about to let him push her around.
When she didn't move Hiei began to growl. There was no trace of fear in her eyes instead they seemed to glow with some unnatural fire. He would have been impressed had it been anyone else, but it wasn't. He slowly lifted himself out of the chair and advanced towards her, using the two inches he had over her to his advantage.
"You will leave this room, now." He commanded, holding his own fist clenched at his side.
The scowl on her face deepened. "No"
Hiei's eye twitched in agitation. Why did she have to be so stubborn? Why was he being so stubborn? He could just as easily leave the room but he couldn't bring himself to do so. He soon found himself in front of her getting a sense of dejavu from an earlier encounter. She was so close and he almost felt glad he didn't have his heightened senses or he would really have gone off the edge.
"I will ask you one more time to leave or I will remove you myself." threatened Hiei as he glared at her maliciously.
Preparing to give the stubborn fool an ear full, Osina took a deep breath and let it go as soon as she had gathered it. Her gaze went past Hiei and stopped on the pile of books he had accumulated on the floor. Completely ignoring him, to the surprise of Hiei, she strode over to the pile and picked up one of the hand-bound books.
Looking a bit shocked and feeling slightly stupid Hiei turned around to see what it was that she had found more interesting then him. She was crouched before the scripts and journals eagerly studying them inside and out. He opened his mouth with every intention of telling her off but closed it. What was wrong with him? Why was it suddenly so hard to reprimand her?
He blinked a few times attempting to rid his mind of his current thoughts. He opened his mouth again only to be interrupted by her this time.
"Can…can I help you?" asked Osina; her question was spoken so softly he barely heard it.
"Why?" He eyed her skeptically as he frowned at her.
With a great sigh she cast her eyes downward as she pulled a thick, red book to her chest, clutching it tightly. "Because, you can't do this alone" she whispered softly.
Making no move to reply Hiei watched her steadily for a few moments trying to understand her real reasons for wanting to help him.
"What makes you so sure you know what I'm looking for?" he retorted, crossing his arms over one another as he did so.
"You're looking for your light." She stated simply finally allowing her gaze to fall on him. He was so handsome and he was clueless to that fact. The urge to run her fingers through that thick, dark hair of his was overpowering. His sharp and slightly exotic features only added more strain to her secret desires. How she longed to be able to just lose herself in his fiery gaze and forget everything else.
Hiei loosened his intimidating stance a little at her soft words and kind expression. He was still unsure of what his next move should be but maybe it was better this way. Even though he was fighting to keep his own feelings in check around her, she still managed to bring an air of comfort to his otherwise chaotic existence.
He released his arms and let them fall to his side once again, though they were relaxed this time around. Without a word he returned to the chair he had been reading in and picked up one of the unread books beside him. There was no smile on his face but the frown he usually wore was gone, replaced by a look of understanding.
After Hiei had taken his seat Osina waited, knowing he would send her away any minute. The silence stretched on and he made no a further attempts to get rid of her. She continued to watch him until he turned his red eyes on her.
"Why are you just sitting there? If you're going to help make yourself useful." He stated curtly, trying to sound upset but soon realized that no longer worked on her.
A soft gasp escaped her lips at his words. They'd been harsh but she couldn't help but think it wasn't meant to be. Grinning like a fool she nodded her head slightly and dove into the literature before her.
He tried to look away but still he somehow managed to catch a glimpse of her smiling face. Her warm brown eyes had lit up instantly and her smile doubled in size, if that were even possible. Seeing that look of pure joy on he face almost caused his own lips to turn up in a smirk. For once he surprised himself by allowing it do as it pleased, feeling a strange sensation as he did so. Maybe having help wouldn't be so bad afterall...
There you go, sorry it took me so long to get this out, really sorry. I promise I'll have another chapter up soon after I get back from California, TTFN!
Don't forget to review!