A/N: Two updates in one day! That kind of makes up for my slow posting right? Right?! Hn, well thanks for the reviews, it's nice to know that people are enjoying the story. There's lots more twists and turns up ahead...one in this chapter for sure.
Dark & Light: Her Night, His Day
Chapter Five: The Key to Her Memories
"Botan? Botan?! BO!" Shizuru called as she slid her free hand along the frigid wall of the underground tunnel.
Where the heck did she get to?! I can't take my eyes off that blue-haired, cat-faced, soul shipper for a single minute! Shizuru grumbled inwardly, It's almost as bad as having to keep up with Baby Bro...sigh...Am I cursed to be everyone's keeper?
The fuchsia eyed ferry girl crept nervously along the ledge of a hidden passage within the underground tunnels. The Island of the Koorimes was a real maze below the surface!
Ice lined the walls in thicker sheets here and the drop off beside her looked as though it went on forever. She was sure that the blackness concealed jagged rocks, icy spikes, or maybe even some abominable snow beast just waiting for her to slip and fall to her doom.
Swallowing a lump in her throat she pressed on, remembering why she had forced herself to come into the passage in the first place.
It was just after Ruri had created the ice barrier between Hiei and Inferuno. The cruel fire demon was about to run his blade through the heart of his own son before Ruri stepped in and used her wintry powers to block the attack.
Infuriated Inferuno decided to resume his power-driven obsession of obtaining the Reikai Orb. He'd charged for Ruri and snatched her away before anyone could spot his move. Botan hadn't seen which direction he'd gone, yet she'd felt a slight gust of wind and an irrepressible urge to follow it.
There had been a long crack in the side of the wall, not large enough to be noticed. However, it was possible for a person or two to squeeze through it without much trouble. She'd been too preoccupied with wriggling through it herself that she hadn't thought to alert the others until she was already on the other side.
If I call out to them now I'll just be warning Inferuno that they're coming. she thought dejectedly. Wait! Hiei! He can read minds right? He must be able to read my thoughts! Hiei! HIEI?!
About a mile down the corridor of stone and ice the young fire youkai froze in place and yanked the bandanna away from his Jagan. It was...pulsing? The only thing he figured that could mean was that someone was trying to call out to him. Opening the Jagan he focused on any telepathic channels that might be active. He grabbed his temples upon coming across one particularly loud one.
BAKA ONNA STOP SCREAMING ALREADY! I HEAR YOU!! he snapped.
Botan's eyes widened, flooding with relief. Hiei! I'm so glad you heard me! It's Ruri; I think I know which way Inferuno's taken her!
Distracted by her mental conversation she lost her footing and nearly slid off the edge of the small walkway. "AAAHH!!!"
"ONNA!" Hiei both thought and screamed.
The emerald eyed fox demon rushed back towards the tunnel's end going as fast as the legs of his human body could carry him. When he neared the exit he spotted Shizuru frantically searching the right wall.
She paused in her actions when her hand seemingly pushed through the stone. Drawing closer Kurama noted the narrow opening between the jagged rocks and slabs of ice. "A hidden passageway?"
"Yeah," Shizuru nodded, used to having the fox demon appear out of nowhere, "I assume you heard that scream."
"Yes," he nodded, "it was undoubtedly Hiei."
"No," Shizuru cocked an eyebrow, "I definitely heard Botan."
"This opening-" Kurama began but was cut short by the arrival of a visibly rattled fire demon. "-Hiei?"
"The onna!" Hiei demanded, "Where is she?!"
Surprised by Hiei's uncharacteristic show of concern Shizuru finally managed to reply, "Uh, I lost sight of her just after we split up. I think she might've followed the hothead through here."
Hiei noticed the long opening she pointed to. Kuso! If he's caught her we may already be too late!
Kurama and Shizuru were shoved aside as Hiei hastily made his way into the passage. Once through he nearly plunged to his death. Through sheer luck of decent footing he was able to prevent himself from falling off the crumbling ledge. The walkway was narrow so he was forced to press himself against the frigid wall, worse still; the ledge was covered by a thick sheet of ice, making the passage extremely treacherous.
Botan...she could have slipped and...he shut his eyes tightly, unwilling to complete the terrible thought. He'd find her; he just had to keep going.
Back outside Kurama brushed himself off and gestured towards the opening, "Shall we?"
"Why not?" Shizuru shrugged before squeezing through leaving a bound and gagged head minion behind.
It came as no surprise to the pair when they found no sight of Hiei along the passageway. "He's probably already found her," Kurama speculated.
"Too bad I didn't bring my ice skates." Shizuru mumbled before her right foot shot out from under her.
She would've slid off the edge if it weren't for the quick reflexes of her companion. Reluctantly opening an eye she saw Kurama's forest green eyes staring back at her. Half her body was dangling off the edge and she sighed with relief as he increased his firm grip on her wrist and pulled her back onto the ledge.
"Watch your step." he cautioned her.
With an appreciative nod she pressed herself back against the wall and allowed him to step around her, taking the lead. She noticed, however, that once he was in front he continued to hold on to her wrist.
He's just worried that I'll slip again. she told herself. The reddish tinge on her cheeks and incessant fluttering in her chest made her concerned of her emotions. The last time she'd reacted this strongly to a guy was when...Sakyo.
Desperate to distract herself from that line of thought she blurted out, "So what's the deal with Hiei all of a sudden anyway?"
"What do you mean?" Kurama asked, carefully moving forward so as not to throw off Shizuru's footing again. She'd given him quite the scare just a moment ago. He knew his reflexes were sharp, but that midair rescue shocked him as much as her.
"How could you not know what I mean?" she asked skeptically.
Sighing he relented, "Alright, I'm guessing that you're referring to his behavior concerning Botan?"
"Duh," she huffed.
Edging his way around a curve in the path he moved his hand from her wrist to the middle of her back to support her as she rounded the curve next. Shizuru's blush intensified, and this didn't go unnoticed...
Smiling to himself Kurama tried to remain focused on their current conversation. "To tell you the truth I'm not really sure myself. I just get the feeling that perhaps Hiei and Botan share a common interest."
"Really?" Shizuru fake coughed as the redhead slowly slid his hand back to her wrist, "A-and what's that?"
Pausing momentarily he turned his head to her, their eyes locking in a serious yet suggestive manner, "Each other."
Grasping the edge of the pathway tightly Botan struggled to pull herself up. After a half dozen attempts and near death failures she managed to lunge upwards at an angle that landed her far enough on the ledge so that she could swing her legs around and stand up.
Huffing and puffing she watched her breath swirl around her nose and fade just below her bangs. I should've stuck to ferrying souls across the River Styx.
She was overjoyed to find that the path nearly doubled in size just up ahead. But her silver lining was destroyed when she spotted two silhouettes just beyond that. One was being struck down by a marginally taller male figure.
The other individual, decidedly female, hit the icy ground like a stone. The surface beneath her cracked from the impact.
"Ruri..." Botan whispered, without realizing it she'd quickened her pace.
The assaulted koorime pushed herself up on her elbows only to be kicked down again by the evil fire youkai. She rolled against the frigid passageway wall, pinned in, as her attacker quickly loomed over her.
"Enough of your stubbornness wench!" he seethed, "Give. Me. The. JEWEL!"
"N-never." Ruri grunted, just barely managing to raise her head and return his hateful glare.
"You're a bigger fool than Hina." Inferuno snarled, "Isn't it obvious by now? You CAN'T win!"
"I may not have been able to stop you before," Ruri admitted clutching something unseen to her blood stained kimono, "but I finally have a way of making sure that you never get to lay a finger on this gem!"
Frustrated by her heroic declarations Inferuno drew his sword preparing to strike.
"NO!" Botan cried lunging at him from behind and grabbing hold of the sword's hilt.
"LET GO!" the youkai ordered tugging against Botan's surprisingly firm grasp.
"I WON'T!" she exclaimed, "Ruri...RUN!"
Staggering to her feet the ice maiden stumbled along the ledge unable to take her eyes off the struggling pair. They were both dangerously close the edge of the pathway.
Inferuno growled deep within his throat, sick of all the outsider interference. "I've had enough of you ferry wench. Prepare to DIE!!!"
Dark flames engulfed the youkai and ferry girl, Botan's teeth grit and insuppressible moans of pain escaped her as she pried her hands of the searing hot hilt of Inferuno's sword.
Covered in first and second degree burns Botan fell backwards over the side of the ledge only to land on a slab of ice that jutted out just a meter or so beneath the edge. Wincing she held out her burnt hands. Okay those are 3rd degree burns. she concluded. Groaning she noted the deep red hue that her skin now bore. It would take days, no weeks, for this to heal...even with the combined healing powers of both Yukina and herself.
Smirking in triumph Inferuno approached the edge. Leering down at Botan he held out his left hand, his dark aura blazed around him, this would teach her to stop meddling!
"AAAHH!!!" he shouted as sharp shard of ice pierced his right shoulder. Blood dripped forth and formed streams running down onto his black and silver armor.
"Your fight is with me!" Ruri exclaimed from behind him. I can't run anymore. He was bound to come back for the Reikai Orb. I will NOT let an innocent person die! I am its protector, and if anyone's life is to be taken over it...it shall be mine.
The fire demon chuckled wickedly as he slowly stalked towards the koorime. "You're twice the fool that your friend Hina was."
"She loved you." Ruri narrowed her eyes, shaking with fury, her nails dug into her palms. She would not cower away; she would stand her ground, and deny Inferuno the orb.
Inferuno's eyes shone a bright blood red signaling the fatality of his next attack. Dark flames of black and deep purple danced around his motionless form. His whole body seemed to pulsate with unfathomable power. The S-Class demon was about to unleash a furious attack upon the meager ice maiden.
Ruri didn't flinch, "Do not underestimate me Inferuno."
"Enough with the speeches Ruri," he chuckled in a much deeper, more foreboding tone, "You know as well as I that your end is near."
Ruri's grayish-blue irises shone brightly before shifting to a pure ice blue light. The underground maze of tunnels and hidden passageways started to tremble sending shards of ice raining down. Fierce gusts of chilling wind swept through the stony corridors countered by waves of raging heat. The temperatures shifted from freezing to sizzling as the two great auras clashed upon the crumbling passage.
"KOORIME!" Inferuno bellowed, "You will destroy us BOTH if you persist in defying me!"
Ruri kept her gaze fixed to his; this was something she'd waited nearly a century for. There was no turning back.
Noting her steadfast resolve to fight him to the bitter end Inferuno allowed his aura to flare out turning the ice around him to quickly evaporating puddles. The steam that filled the passageway made it impossible for anyone—ningen or youkai—to watch the battle unfold.
Botan clutched the end of the ledge, ignoring the pain from her burns, and started hauling herself up again.
It was at this moment that Hiei reached the section of the passageway where the ice maiden and fire demon were facing off.
He would've arrived sooner had he not been skidding with every other step. Even with his experience he was still a fire youkai and racing on ice was not his strong suit.
His Jagan Eye shone a fierce red, showing him who and what lay within the steam.
Ruri's hair tie ripped apart allowing her hair to fly loosely about her head as her pale skin was illuminated by the bright ice blue glow emitted by her aura. Hiei had never known Ruri to be so powerful. Then again, Koenma wouldn't have entrusted the Reikai Orb to just anyone, he supposed it was almost a given that Ruri should possess great spirit energy.
A quick glance over at his father showed him that Inferuno too possessed an enormously powerful aura. His levels of youki were off the charts. The flames pouring out from his body, the blood red fury of his eyes, and his snarling grin were clear signs that his great attack against Ruri was mere seconds away.
From the looks of things, Ruri was ready for it.
Scanning the passageway Hiei growled to himself realizing that Botan was nowhere in sight. No! She wouldn't have fallen off! The onna MUST be here somewhere.
It was then that he spotted her, at the edge of the path, just barely clinging the side. If the falling ice shards and roaring flames didn't kill her, the ultimate attacks of both the fighters' clashing auras would!
"BOTAN!!!"
The ferry girl caught one brief glimpse of the shorter fire youkai before the final attack began. A furious inferno of dark flames collided with a brilliant wave of ice and snow. The two forces of nature clashing created one of the most colossal explosions Makai had ever seen!
Outside the floating island quaked and rumbled as large chunks broke away and came showering down destroying all in their path. Inside the island was caving in on itself.
The light was blinding and seeped out of every crack in the stone walls. Ice shards fell in larger portions, one landing right atop the slab of ice that had supported Botan.
The ferry girl shrieked as her 'safety net' was knocked from its position under the passageway's edge and sent hurdling into the black abyss.
Hiei was blown back from the sheer force of the blasts. He would've joined the ice slab over the ledge's side if he hadn't managed to dig the blade of his katana into the path, narrowly saving himself from certain doom.
He felt himself slam into something and turned around to find Kurama clutching the oaf's sister tightly. Both arms were wrapped around her protectively and a large gash was across her forehead.
The fox demon looked up at Hiei with an unmasked expression of worry, "I think she was hit by one of the ice shards."
"She's unconscious then?" the black-haired fire demon asked.
"Yes," Kurama answered, clearly feeling responsible for the injury.
"Hn, stay here then." Shielding his eyes Hiei drew his katana out of the stone ground and struggled back towards the fight.
"HIEI!" Kurama shouted, "What in the three worlds are you doing?!"
"Just watch over the oaf's sister Fox!" Hiei replied without slowing his pace or facing the redhead, "I've got to save the baka onna!"
Kurama's green eyes doubled in size. Did he just hear what he thought he heard?!
The raging battle continued with blasts of dark fire and deadly ice shards beginning to break through the aura boundaries. Neither fighter could repel all of their opponent's attacks any longer. The fight was drawing near a close.
Keeping her eyes shut tightly Botan felt mini ice shards, frigid winds, and sharp rocks slice her aching body as she struggled to hold on. As if that weren't bad enough, she let out high pitched yelps as massive sparks from Inferuno's dark flames landed all over her body, scorching what was left of her kimono and blackening her charred hair.
I...can't...hold on...much...longer! she realized frantically.
A roar of pain interrupted her panic as a blazing form was sent flying backwards off the edge of the pathway, plummeting into the dark nothingness below.
With a loud screech Botan too started to fall as the ledge she'd grasped gave way. Squeezing her eyes shut again she prepared herself to meet with her second end. Only, the pain never came. In fact, the sensation of falling had stopped all together.
Cautiously she opened her eyes and stared up at her rescuer. The smudged and slightly burnt face of Ruri greeted her with a meek smile.
Botan felt herself return the smile but frowned again once she was back on solid ground. The koorime's eyes were half lidded and lacked the spark of joy she'd expect from her being victorious against her longtime foe.
"W-what's wrong Ruri?" Botan questioned softly as Ruri slowly let go of her hand.
The ice maiden smiled a bit wider as tears welled up in her eyes threatening to spill over at any second. She still had the unseen item clutched firmly to her chest.
A look of horrified understanding flashed in the ferry girl's fuchsia eyes, "Ruri! Oh Ruri! I know what's wrong! You-you're a koorime! And koorime are highly vulnerable to heat and fire!"
Ruri gave a slight nod but remained silent.
"Well don't worry," Botan assured her, pushing up what remained of her sleeves, "I possess healing magic so I'll be able to help you with those burns and-"
Ruri's smile had grown yet one could tell that she was fighting to keep smiling as the corners of her mouth kept trembling. She shook her head and put up a hand to quiet the ferry girl.
Botan's brow furrowed as she tried to understand what it was that Ruri was trying to say. Her eyes traveled the course of the koorime's body until she spotted the gaping wound beneath her ribs. "R-Ruri...!"
The ice maiden's eyelids sagged lower as she slowly laid herself back on the ground with a bit of help from the horrorstruck Spirit World assistant.
Tears flowed freely from Botan's eyes and spilled over onto Ruri's paling face. She was trying her hardest to be strong for the koorime but she knew that Ruri's physical life was drawing to an end.
A soft hand gently stroked her dampened cheek causing Botan to startle and meet Ruri's gaze.
"Y-you didn't have to...to do what you did...back there." the koorime said weakly.
"I-" Botan choked back a sob, "-I couldn't just stand back and do nothing. I-I know I'm not the best fighter but...well how could I not help?!"
A distant look washed over the koorime's face, as though she were recalling an event from long ago. "You'd be surprised...at how many people...simply don't lift a finger."
Botan's eyes widened as she realized what it was that Ruri was referring to.
"Even when they know...that what's happening is wrong. So, thank you." the ice maiden finished.
The item she held clutched so protectively in her hand began glowing with a stronger light. Botan watched as Ruri slowly began uncurling her fingers.
"I don't know...if Inferuno is truly dead," she confessed, "But I do know...that he failed to steal this."
A small sphere was revealed, its white light brilliant and warm. "The Reikai Orb," Botan murmured breathlessly. It was beautiful!
Ruri smiled at the girl's astonishment. "If there...were more women, like you...on this island...perhaps our past would not have been so shameful. And our future...not nearly as bleak."
Hiei stood a few yards away watching the scene unfold with mixed emotions. Botan was safe, and for that he was grateful. Yet Ruri was dying, he wasn't sure how he felt about that. She had cast him from his home...despite the desperate pleas of his mother, her best friend. However, she had also cared for Yukina after their mother's death, provided him with Hina's tear gem, and encouraged him to seek revenge upon her for his banishment. What bothered him the most, was the feeling that whatever was about to happen, would alter his world again...and it wouldn't stop there.
The koorime held the sparkling jewel level with Botan's chest and coughed as she struggled to inform the ferry girl of her decision. "You came to retrieve the jewel?"
Botan nodded, her eyes still transfixed upon Ruri's dimming orbs.
"Then you may have it." Ruri pressed the gem against Botan's chest, above her left breast, and into her heart.
Hiei shifted from his stance a short distance away, preparing to rush to Botan's aid. Her expression was one of complete shock. Her eyes were wide, her mouth agape, and her face illuminated by the jewel's strange light.
Her whole body stood rigid as the jewel was buried deep within her. It was a lot like the sphere the Netherworld had sought; only...there was no pain this time. Her body engulfed the palm-sized gem with ease and she could feel strange yet incredible sensations sweeping through her body, a new strength coursing through her veins, and then...
...Flashback...
"so...what was your home like?"
Lush green grass, beautiful cherry blossoms, a breathtaking view, sparkling pond, welcoming Japanese-style house, and peony flowers surrounding the area...all in bloom.
"What about your family?"
Soft magenta eyes, sparkling in the sunlight...
A silky lavender kimono tied back with a purple bow, adorned with violet and white lotus blossom designs.
Usagi...mother.
Honey brown orbs, full of life, happiness, concern, and dedication...
A fighter's spirit and strong arms with a surprisingly gentle touch. Fond memories of embracing a loving general returning home from war...sadness, at a time when he didn't return safely.
Kaemon...father.
"Did you have any siblings? Or were you an only child?"
Their father's eyes, their mother's gentle nature. A laughing young boy, a skilled soldier waving goodbye as he rides off to defend his loved ones.
Someone to look up to, a friend and protector.
Taro...older brother.
A cooing baby boy. Turquoise hair and inquisitive nature.
Someone to set an example for, someone to protect, someone...she died for.
Ronin...younger brother.
Windy night, fierce storms in the distance, Taro was returning from war sometime near morning.
A lamp crashes down on the porch; oils are ignited by a stray spark. Soon fire is blazing through the house; villagers see the smoke and rush to help. Usagi is pulled from the inferno...her children still inside.
Botan awakens to a smoke-filled room. Rolls off her futon and scrambles for the door. Down the hallway is an open door, her mother's eyes lock with her gaze. As she rushes forward to safety a familiar cry pierces the air.
Over the fire's roar Ronin's whimpers reach her ears. She stares into her mother's teary light magenta orbs, Usagi struggles against panicking villagers, warning them both to stand clear. The sixteen-year-old girl ignores their commands to rush to safety and bites back tears as she turns away, racing back down the hall as her mother pleads for her to emerge.
Ronin's room is blazing; the small wooden cradle will soon be ash. Choking she makes her way to the helpless baby, holding him close, and vowing to protect him.
Honey brown eyes look up at her, there's no backing out now. She stumbles out into the hallway again, only the flames have grown much worse. The heat is unbearable, it burns! Ronin is crying and her mother's sobs filter through as well.
She takes a step forward just as a flaming beam falls from the ceiling. Botan has just enough time to react, to shield her infant brother with her burnt and trembling body, before the heavy board crushes her to the ground, shoves her against the flames...and snuffs out the spark of her life.
Taro rushes in...two seconds too late. Sword swinging, crashing through the wreckage. He reaches her lifeless form. Draws her up into his arms. Notices the blanket clutched to her chest...and their weeping brother within.
...End Flashback...
The torrent of tears gushed from the quivering ferry girl as memories of her past life flooded forth from her heart, reaching her mind, and providing answers she'd ceased to hope for centuries ago.
Ruri struggled to wrap her arms around the shaken girl. Drawing her close with her last bit of strength she whispered. "I told you before...I am barren...I have no child to call my own. But...if fate were to have blessed me...with even one daughter...I know she would have been...so much like you."
Body wracking sobs shook the grieving ferry girl and worsened tenfold as Ruri's arms slid out from around her shoulders and fell lifelessly across her chest. The soft clatter of tear gems sounded around the tragic scene.
"Ruri? Ruri?!" the blue-haired girl grabbed the koorime by the shoulders, frantically shaking her as her surroundings continued to crumble away. "RURI!"
The ice maiden's eyelids slid closed, her skin now deathly pale and cold, her entire body motionless. Heart stopped, breathing ceased, Ruri had died in her arms.
"NO!!!"
Hiei winced, moving back a few paces as Botan threw her head back and wailed as her heart was overwhelmed by endlessly intense emotion. She clung to the departed koorime as if she were her lifeline to sanity, her anchor to reality. Unfortunately, Ruri had given all she had, and now someone else would have to step in to aid the weeping woman.
Helpless, he felt helpless to dry the ferry girl's tears. He hadn't caused them, but he felt it his utmost duty to stop them. Cautiously making his way over to her he stood there, lost for a moment, watching Botan as she wept. Her face was buried in her hands as her lower arm encircled Ruri, drawing the koorime's head against her shoulder.
His hand was visibly shaking as he tentatively reached out to touch the backs of her tear soaked fingers. Botan jumped and drew back from the sudden contact. With a look of stubborn resolution Hiei snatched both her hands and yanked them away from her reddened face.
Her eyes were puffy and red, a deep pink tinge covered her entire face, she was wet from crying and hoarse from her outbursts. He forcefully planted her hands at her sides then pulled her against him in a tight embrace.
Shocked she ceased her crying momentarily and tried to wrap her mind around what was happening. Her sorrow and emotionally boggling memories wouldn't permit her time to think clearly however and Hiei soon felt his shoulder soaked with fresh tears. Her muffled sobs just barely reaching the ears of the two figures standing where Hiei once stood.
Shizuru had regained consciousness just after the defeat of Inferuno. Kurama had wanted to take her back to the exit but she had insisted on finding Botan.
Now they both stood there, still as statues, heartbroken for Botan, both amazed and confused by Hiei's actions. Why was he comforting her? What made him care?
"I read your mind." he said softly once the ferry girl had quieted down a bit.
Botan sniffled and rose up off his shoulder, "Then you know why I'm like this. You know that...not only is Ruri dead..." she choked down a sob, "...but I've just recalled a lifetime of memories I thought I'd lost forever."
Nodding Hiei helped her to her feet, then bent down and scooped Ruri's body up in his arms. "We should at least give her a proper burial." he muttered.
Botan nodded in agreement. "I owe her a lot more than that. Her soul will be ready for ferrying soon."
"Hey!" Shizuru's voice rang out over the din of the collapsing passageway. "I hate to break this up, I really do, but incase you two haven't notice—THIS WHOLE ISLAND'S CAVING IN!"
Whipping around Hiei bent over slightly, grunting to Botan, "Get on."
Botan blinked soaked eyelashes, "What?"
"GET ON." he instructed more sternly.
Jumping onto his back she clung to his neck and shoulders as he raced forward carrying two extra people. Kurama had followed suit, scooping a surprised Shizuru up bridal style and rushing off down the narrowing ledge.
The falling ice shards and rubble left large gaps along the pathway. Some were harder to leap over than others so it was a good thing that Botan and Shizuru were relying on the demons for escape.
Most of the ice had melted away due to Inferuno's fiery attacks; this made the stone walkway easier to walk upon and sped up their progress as the group ran to the passageway's end and squeezed (one-by-one) through the thin opening.
Hiei gently guided Ruri's body through the opening then turned allowing Botan to hop back on his back. With Kurama at the lead--once again carrying Shizuru--the four allies reached the exit at last, barely escaping with their lives.
"C'mon!" Yusuke called out up ahead, "Ayame says this portal won't hold out much longer!!"
"What are they doing with a portal open already?" Hiei asked.
"It appears that they contacted Ayame once the island started to crumble." Kurama answered.
"AVALANCHE!!!" Kuwabara yelled pointing to a large mound of snow falling towards them from the mountaintop above.
Hiei's body stiffened as he heard Yukina's scream.
Fortunately 'the oaf' grabbed her before the jagged boulder-sized piece of ice could crush her. The mound of snow was inches away when Keiko and Yukina were pushed through the portal, followed by Kuwabara, Hiei and Botan (Hiei carrying Ruri), then Kurama and Shizuru, with Yusuke bringing up the rear.
One hour later...
Yukina cried openly into Kuwabara's blue jacket as he held her close to comfort the grieving ice maiden.
"Oh Yukina," he said softly stroking her pale green hair, "I'm...so sorry."
"Oh Kazuma," she wept against his chest, "I just can't believe what that monster did to her!"
Hiei glanced over at his sister, she was upset (obviously) but she seemed to be in good hands. Maybe the oaf was good for something after all? The Kuwabaka was dangerously close to his sister right now but considering the circumstances, he'd let him live, this time.
He was currently preoccupied anyway as he followed Botan out into a clearing not far from Genkai's temple. It was foggy out, the sun was setting and crickets could be heard chirping all around. A solitary, transparent figure stood at the edge of the clearing. She regarded the approaching pair with a small smile and knowing blue-gray eyes.
"Hn, look at her." Hiei scoffed, coming to a halt halfway through the clearing, "Dead and she's still mocking me. Like she's privileged to knowledge about me that I can't know yet. Some people never change."
"Hiei," Botan watched the grumbling fire youkai with sad fuchsia eyes, "I don't think she's trying to mock you. Maybe...maybe she's just happy because now she can go be with Hina again. They were best friends, and I'm sure Hina's forgiven her by now."
"She's still awfully smug about something." the scarlet-eyed demon muttered.
Botan locked eyes with the ice maiden's spirit and turned back with a curious expression, "Maybe she just knows something good about your life for a change? All those years of worrying about you, feeling guilty, not able to give you any happy news. This could be her way of telling you that something wonderful is going to happen to you?"
"I don't need any hints from her," Hiei turned away, still unsure of how to regard the koorime. "I'll live my own life, day by day, as usual."
Sighing Botan faced the ice maiden again. Ruri's smile seemed to brighten in the distance as she shook her head in amusement at Hiei's antics.
I wonder what she knows...Botan puzzled.
They stood there in silence for another minute or two before Botan held out her arm, summoning forth her oar. "Well, I guess we'd best be going." she started walking across the clearing towards Ruri when she paused, causing Hiei (who'd been watching her out of the corner of his eye) to look over.
"What?"
Botan seemed hesitant to reply as she watched the sun sink down below the horizon. "Will...will you still be here...when I get back?"
The fire demon looked torn for a moment. Would he still be here? What about Makai? What about patrolling the boarder for lost humans? Mukuro would've surly started to wonder about his whereabouts by now...
A glance in Ruri's direction made up his mind. "Hn, yes baka onna, I'll be here."
Flashing Hiei a genuine smile she spun around and hurried off towards the koorime's waiting soul.
"Onna!"
Fuchsia eyes met crimson awaiting the reason behind his outburst.
"Tell the koorime," he turned his head away, staring off into the forest, "that all's forgiven. I thank her for watching over Yukina, for the tear gem, and...and I wish her well."
The ferry girl stood glued to her spot as she saw him pretend not to notice. A faint red tinge lining his cheeks. He really does care about Ruri. He's a much nicer guy than he gets credit for. No wonder I'm starting to fall for him.
Hiei couldn't hide a smirk as he watched the pair soar off into the sky, hidden by clouds and midnight blue, illuminated by a stray moonbeam or twinkling star. Baka onna, of course I'll still be here. If Ruri's so sure something 'wonderful' is coming my way, then I wanna be here to find out who—ur—what it is...
Amanda/Artiste: And that's the end of chapter 5! I know there was some angst/drama in there but I think it turned out pretty well. Review and let me know what you think! Next Chapter: Wounds are attended to...things go wrong. Secrets are out and life altering changes take place! Will Hiei and Botan grow closer...or will he return to Makai?