A/N: LOL, well I hate to leave everyone hanging, and I'm finally getting to the romance parts so...voila! An update that wasn't nearly a month in the making!
Dark & Light: Her Night, His Day
Chapter Six: A Time to Heal/Some Scars Won't Fade
Just a few short minutes had passed since Botan had taken off with Ruri to deliver the kindhearted heroine to Spirit World. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that she would receive a fair judgment. Her good deeds far outweighing her crimes.
The koorime had sacrificed herself to save not only one, but all three worlds. Beings in Makai, Ningenkai, and Reikai would all sleep safely tonight, thanks to the selfless act of one dedicated ice maiden, the last guardian of an immensely powerful jewel.
The Reikai Orb now rested within the chambers of the head ferry girl's heart. Botan was its keeper, its wielder, and its destined owner. No doubt others would soon learn of the ferry girl's possession of the powerful gem. The others took special care to keep their lips sealed, trying to preserve the common belief that the Reikai Orb had merely been obtained and relocated back to King Koenma's castle.
Hiei came back into Genkai's temple shortly after seeing Botan off. It was odd enough that he'd bothered to. Such a pointless action would've been beneath him before the last case. But things with Inferuno, the Reikai Orb, Ruri, and especially Botan's revelation had changed things. His mind had still been linked to hers when the jewel took effect and revealed Botan's past to her overwhelmed mind. It was astonishing how much information a single human spirit could keep locked away within the depths of their heart.
Still, Hiei couldn't help but wonder, why would those specific memories have been hidden from her consciousness in the first place?
Shrugging it off he decided he didn't care. Well, that was his story anyway. And he was most definitely sticking to it. He didn't need the others getting any ridiculous notions that he actually cared about the baka ferry onna. Hn, not more than any other dolt in the ridiculous spirit detective band anyway. he concluded, The only person whose welfare I actually make my topmost priority is Yukina.
Speaking of his sister...
The fire demon spotted Kurama leaning against the windowsill near the temple's main doors. Stalking over he slumped against the wall on its opposite side. Without bothering to face the fox he grunted, "Where's Yukina?"
Kurama took note of Hiei's presence with a slight glance in his general direction. "I believe she's in one of the back rooms, attending to Shizuru's wounds."
"The oaf's sister get hurt bad?" Hiei muttered. He hadn't recalled exactly how many scrapes or bruises the elder Kuwabara had received during the cave in.
Kurama cast his gaze to the floor, a guilty look spread over his features. "Well, she did suffer that gash to the head. It wasn't too deep, still..."
"You blame yourself too much fox," Hiei interrupted, "Don't take the weight of every ally's well being on your shoulders. You'll only be wreaking havoc on your own emotions. And those seem to dominate you now—in your human form—especially since you decided to stop transforming into Yoko."
Kurama smiled faintly, "You tell me not to care so much Hiei, and yet, you seem to be developing a stronger sense of concern yourself."
Hiei sent the fox demon a sideways glare, "And just what is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing bad," Kurama remarked rather quickly, "it's very humane of you."
HUMANE?! Hiei's red eyes blazed with fury, "Are you calling me HUMAN fox?!"
"No," the redhead chuckled while shaking his head, "contrary to what many believe Hiei, one does not have to be human in order to be humane."
While that may be the small stature fire youkai was still rather offended by Kurama's pointed compliment. Brushing past him he took off down the hall towards the back rooms in search of his sister. Being around sweet, innocent Yukina always calmed him down. It would be a shame for Botan to have to go back to Spirit World a second time because a certain smart-aleck fox couldn't keep his smug comments to himself.
Hiei grinned to himself at the thought of Botan freaking out after arriving only to find she had to turn around and make another trip to take Kurama's soul to Spirit World. She'd probably get all weepy then angry...chasing him round the temple grounds waving that metal bat of hers in the air.
Entertained by his musings Hiei barely noticed the two figures talking softly on the other side of a half closed sliding-door he was passing by. Pausing he peered in through the crack and saw Yukina kneeling over another figure resting on a futon. The orange-haired oaf was with her, sitting cross-legged on the sleeper's opposite side.
Hmph, I guess I can't really blame him. Hiei admitted, The klutz is only worried about his sister's well being.
Hiei's left eyebrow shot up when he saw Kuwabara reach over and place a hand over Yukina's, which were both folded and currently resting in her lap. Or at least that better be all that baka is concerned with!
"Yukina...." Kuwabara began tenderly; he couldn't help but stare down at his injured sister as he spoke.
"Kazuma," Yukina gazed at him with teary eyes, "I've never seen you...this way."
It was true, Hiei noted, Kuwabara did seem quite different now. His eyes were dull and somewhat confused as he peered down at his sister. He appeared lost, like it was all trying to sink in—the fact that—he'd nearly lost her.
Of course this wasn't the first time that Shizuru or any of the girls had been seriously hurt. He thought back to the Netherworld's attack on Genkai's temple while they'd been away trying to secure the elemental sites. In the quest for the Power Sphere King Yakumo had raided the shrine with one of his demon lord minions. Each ruthless male had attacked Yukina and Genkai who'd been watching over the injured and suffering Botan.
Gritting his teeth at the memory of standing in this exact spot, watching helplessly as Yukina lay injured just a few feet away; Hiei realized he had common ground with the oaf. They both shared a strong love for their sisters. A second glimpse back reminded him of Kuwabara's shocked face, his mirrored look of helpless horror when he beheld the ice maiden lying on the mat, a damp cloth over her feverish brow.
He figured it was the least he could do to step in and offer his condolences. Some sort of 'emotional support', Kurama had mentioned once that ningens relied heavily upon that sort of thing in their times of grievance and vulnerability.
Kuwabara didn't show his concern for his sister very often. This was most likely because among all the girls Shizuru was seen as the best apt to take care of herself. She wasn't afraid to wallop demons or speak her mind yet she had the good sense to know when and how to pick her fights. The Kuwabaka was twice as prone to injury as his older, wiser, and probably tougher sibling.
"Hn, this must have really caught you off guard." Hiei murmured stepping into the room.
Kuwabara didn't bother to raise his head, "Yeah, it's not like sis at all. She's not one to be hurt easily. It's weird."
"Weird?" Hiei questioned. What an odd choice of words. But then again, this was Kuwabara, not known for his witty articulation.
Yukina looked down at Shizuru's bandages. The wrappings around her head were fine but the gauze wound round her upper arm was soaked in blood.
"She's bled through her bandages again." Yukina said as she gently lifted the brunette's arm to inspect the wound. "I want to focus on healing her forehead before I get to this."
Kuwabara winced at the deep cut revealed as Yukina unraveled the gauze. "How'd that happen?"
"She was probably nicked by a falling rock or shard of ice when the island's tunnels started collapsing." Hiei stated nonchalantly.
Reaching over into the basket Genkai had brought in the ice maiden was disheartened to find that she'd already used the last of the bandages. She'd have to go out and search the temple for more. She only hoped there were more to be found.
Botan, Hiei, Kurama, and Shizuru had come back pretty banged up after the last mission. Her healing energy was already exhausted. Yukina did her best not to show it though. Besides, once Botan returned from Reikai she'd be able to help her heal the last of the injuries, then her strength would have time to recover.
"I'll have to go find some more bandages," Yukina sighed picking up the half empty basket and making her way to the door.
She stopped, casting a quick glance over her shoulder and seeing Kuwabara in his unusually sad and quiet state. "Hiei," she addressed the fire demon that looked ready to follow her out, "would you please stay here with Kazuma, and help him watch over Shizuru?"
About to object he was cut off when she added in a whisper, "I've never seen him so down before Hiei. I'm worried, it's almost as though he senses something wrong. Please stay and help him."
Grumbling inaudibly Hiei relented and turned around. Yukina smiled as he slumped down in the spot where she'd been sitting. His crimson eyes traveled from Kazuma to Shizuru and back again. He really is a nice person. she beamed, It's a shame he won't show it very often.
Kuwabara barely noticed his love leave the room. He was deep in thought as he watched Shizuru breathe in long heavy increments. She seemed to be getting better. But he couldn't shake the strange feeling that the worst was yet to come. It just doesn't make any sense. What the heck could happen to her here? With all of us around to keep an eye on her?
Yukina had combed nearly the entire temple in search of more bandages. She was about to find Genkai and ask for some cloth to rip apart when she spotted a long strip of gauze lying out on the floor.
"That should be enough," she decided as she picked it up. Keiko must have left it lying out when she was tending to Kurama's wounds.
Happy that there had been just enough extra wrappings to patch up her friend Yukina hurried back to the room where Kuwabara and Hiei were waiting.
Shizuru was still resting, blissfully unaware of anyone else's presence and almost completely unconscious of her pain.
The koorime sat the basket down beside her unknown brother and took out the bottle of disinfectant. She poured a few drops onto some cotton balls and gingerly patted the blood away. Kuwabara held up the brunette's arm allowing her to wrap the strip of gauze around the cleaned wound.
"There," she smiled, "now I can finish up with the cut on her forehead, rest a moment, then come back and heal her arm."
"That sounds like a good idea." Kuwabara nodded, giving a faint smile himself. I shouldn't worry so much about these weird premonition thingies. Yukina's got everything under control. Sis is gonna be all fixed up and back to buggin' me about school and stuff in no time.
After Yukina had finished with the gash across Shizuru's brow she pulled the blankets up to the woman's shoulders and stood. "I think it's best if we let her sleep in peace for a bit. She's had a hard day." the ice maiden announced.
"Right," Kuwabara chimed in, "oh Yukina my goddess of winter! It's so noble of you to use such vast amounts of your healing magic on my poor injured sister!"
"Hn, better hope your 'poor injured sister' can't hear you right now baka," Hiei chided, angry that the oaf had grabbed his sister's hands and leaned in so his face was just inches from hers, "she'd beat you to a pulp for such comments."
"Can it small fry!" Kuwabara snapped.
"Shh!" Yukina whispered, "If you two insist on yelling then please do so outside."
Blushing in embarrassment the two feuding males followed Yukina out into the hall.
The room fell silent. Once the bickering males and mediating koorime were out of earshot the brunette on the futon broke out into a cold sweat. Her exposed arms tensed, her hands balling into fists and clutching tightly to the blanket. Wincing and moaning in newly felt pain Shizuru fought back a scream.
Something was seriously wrong. Her arm, it hadn't hurt this badly before!
Her upper left arm had swollen beneath the gauze. The skin turned red, then purple as the pain increased. Veins became visible as the strange stinging sensation swept through her entire body. It was as if the source of her physical agony had entered her bloodstream.
Rapid images of golden eyes, pale skin, and long silvery hair flashed before her tightly shut eyes. A fang revealing smirk flashed in her mind then dissolved into a swirling figure of snowy white. This creature was decidedly animal...a fox?
W-what's going on?! she groaned internally, starting to panic from these strange hallucinations. M-my arm...it hurts! Every cell in my body feels like it's being attacked. What the Hell's happening?!
Back at the windowsill forest green eyes widened as a strong sensation of disarray overtook the redheaded kitsune. Something's wrong!
In a flash Kurama was off down the hall nearly knocking over the three people traveling in the opposite direction. Running in a blind panic he came to the room his instincts screamed was the source of the trouble.
The door slid open revealing a moaning brunette, drenched in sweat, and thrashing about on the futon. Kurama rushed to her side and noticed the purple coloring of her left arm. Without hesitation he ripped off the bandages and drew back at the sight of the unveiled injury.
The wound was bleeding badly; her entire arm was purple with a few navy colored veins showing through the skin. The upper arm was swollen and her fist was clenched so tightly that blood dripped from her palm where her nails had dug in.
Mentally alerting Hiei of the situation he proceeded to pry apart Shizuru's fist. He couldn't allow her to harm herself further; she'd lost enough blood as it was.
Next he grabbed the brunette by the shoulders and attempted to shake her awake. "Shizuru! SHIZURU!"
At this time Hiei raced in the room followed by Kuwabara and Yukina. "What's wrong fox?" he demanded.
"It's Shizuru," Kurama threw him a helpless look that surprised the fire demon, "she's suffering and I-I can't wake her!"
"WHAT?!" Kuwabara shouted. He watched his sister writhe in pain as Kurama continued to shake her. Nothing the redhead tried seemed to be working. He pulled her close and tried to think of something else to try. Shizuru's condition was worsening by the minute; her life energy was starting to decrease drastically.
"I just don't understand what could have happened," Yukina gasped, "She was resting calmly when we left her just a moment ago."
A loud groan from Shizuru made everyone's heart sink. She was fighting a losing battle...for her life. More frustrating than anything, no one seemed to know how to help her. Well, almost no one...
"Stand back!" Kuwabara announced stomping over to the futon and falling to his knees. "This is my big sister we're talkin' about here and I think that if anyone knows how to wake her up it's me!"
Hiei sweatdropped, Yukina clasped her hands together hopefully, and Kurama leaned back giving Kuwabara a look of nervous confusion.
Leaning towards the struggling Shizuru the orange haired man cleared his throat. "Okay sis, I've got a few confessions to make here before you go and die on me so listen up! First of all," he began counting things off on his fingers, "remember in third grade when ya had that hamster named Numb Chucks? Well he didn't runaway; turns out he escaped from his cage and my old cat Precious kinda ate him for dinner."
Everyone's eyes widened (except for Shizuru) and Yukina gasped in horror.
"Oh and remember the time you caught me with your diary back in middle school and I swore to you that I didn't open it." he laughed slightly, "Well I actually DID open it and made about a dozen copies of certain pages then passed them out in class."
"You dolt!" Hiei hissed, "This isn't helping!"
"Hey back off squirt I know what I'm doin'!" Kuwabara insisted.
"Hn please, you're just-"
"No wait!" Kurama interrupted, "Look," everyone leaned closer to see Shizuru's right eye twitching and teeth visibly clenching, it was as though she could hear every word her dumb brother was saying...and she wasn't too happy about it.
"Hehe, see Hiei, I am getting through to her!" Kuwabara laughed, the fire youkai just rolled his eyes. "Okay now, where was I? Oh! That time a whole carton of your cigarettes turned up missing, it was cause I flushed 'em all. Ya see I didn't want Eikichi suffering from all your second hand smoke."
The fool is going to die. Hiei gulped almost feeling sorry for the oaf.
Kurama sweat dropped as he felt Shizuru's writhing die down, she was starting to stir angrily in his arms now. "Um, Kuwabara perhaps you should-"
"OH! And then there was the time me and the guys drank all your booze and blamed it on the landlord. HAHAHA! That was good one! And when I accidentally stepped on the side of Eikichi's litter box and broke it that week you were off on vacation with the girls. I had to use your sock drawer until I could buy her a new one."
"BABY BROTHER YOU MORONIC BASTARD!!!" Shizuru screamed suddenly awakening and struggling against Kurama's tight grasp to wring her sibling's neck.
"Well," Hiei smirked, "seems I was wrong. The oaf's suicidal method was quite effective."
"I'M GONNA BEAT YOU WITHIN AN INCH OF YOUR PATHETIC LIFE YOU BRATTY LITTLE PUNK!" she continued threatening, red faced and furious.
"Oh dear," Yukina murmured, "Kazuma maybe you should leave before she wriggles out of Kurama's grasp."
"Better listen to Yukina," Hiei agreed amusedly, "once Shizuru gets her hands on you you'll be lucky to escape with your life."
Beads of sweat rolled down from Kurama's brow as he did his best to keep hold of the infuriated brunette. He wasn't about to become a casualty in the fight to safe Kuwabara's life, he merely wanted to prevent Shizuru from straining herself so soon after her critical ordeal.
"Shizuru please," he begged, "calm down. You've been seriously injured and one of your wounds has been infected."
"Huh?" the brunette paused as she recalled the immense pain and odd hallucinations she'd experienced just minutes ago. Looking down at her arm, which Kurama held pinned to her side, she noticed the fading purple swelling.
"What on Earth is going on in here?!" Genkai demanded entering the room.
"It's alright," Kurama assured her, "Shizuru was unconscious and in great pain a short while ago but it seems to have subsided now."
Genkai took note of the odd wound on the woman's arm and went over to inspect it further.
"Hm," she mumbled then spotted the torn strip of gauze lying on the floor. "This gauze has a strange inhuman aura about it."
"What?" Yukina asked, "But I found it near the temple's entrance. It didn't seem used at all. I thought it was left over from when Keiko had wrapped Kurama's injuries."
Lifting an eyebrow Genkai held the material out in her hands. Her amber eyes carefully roamed over the piece of gauze until she noticed a bit of blood along the tip. "This blood is much different from Shizuru's," she noted, "it has a demonic feel."
Everyone stared in silence wondering what it might mean for the elder Kuwabara sibling.
"It's such a small trace of blood that it was probably easy for you to miss in your rush Yukina." Genkai continued, "But I'm afraid that it's enough to have a rather drastic effect on a human with unusual psychic abilities like Shizuru. Of course, that's only if it's entered her bloodstream."
Yukina covered her agape mouth with her hands. Oh no! I-I've accidentally infected Shizuru with a demon's blood!
"Hn, well that's just perfect." Hiei remarked, tossing a sideways glance at his trembling sister. He hated the look of guilt that flashed in her teary eyes. "We should try to stay focused though. We need to find out whose blood this is."
Genkai nodded, "Yes, the more we know about the demon whose blood is now coursing through the girl the more accurately we can treat her condition."
"Hello," Shizuru grumbled, "the 'girl' is right here ya know? And I think it's obvious that the only people here with genuine demon blood are Hiei, Kurama, and Yusuke."
"Well there's Yukina but she wasn't bleeding." Kuwabara turned to the worried koorime and quickly inquired, "Right Yukina my darling? You're not hurt are you?!"
"I'm fine Kazuma," Yukina muttered, hanging her head in shame. "And I'm so sorry Shizuru. I-I didn't know there was demon blood on the gauze. I never would have used it if I'd known!"
"It's okay," Shizuru smiled faintly, "accidents happen. I'll survive."
"That remains to be seen," Genkai stated gravely, "Some individuals can handle the presence of demon blood in their bodies. While others tend to reject the blood, and it battles against their own. Such an unfortunate reaction can kill them. Being a human unnaturally in tune with the world of spirits and apparitions your body is more inclined to do the latter. Demon blood doesn't usually survive long within normal humans, not unless they're born a hybrid. In your case your unusual aura could cause your blood to clash with the demon's, there's no telling what will come of that."
"Hn, thanks for the boost of confidence hag." Hiei spat, his sister now looked more guilt ridden than ever.
"Let me see the wrappings please," Kurama said as Genkai handed him the gauze. He studied the bloodied bandages intensely. The majority was Shizuru's blood. But when he spotted the small trace of youkai blood along the edge a pang of guilt rang through his heart. The scent was undoubtedly his own.
...Flashback...
"Alright everyone," Yusuke turned to the group, "let's get ready to move, the portal's gonna open up here any second!"
Sure enough the portal appeared, first through it were Hiei and Yusuke followed by Kuwabara and Yukina. Once Keiko had stepped through the portal Kurama tugged on his tightly bandaged arm.
"Sorry Yukina, but I think this bandaging will inhibit my ability to accurately fight with the rose whip." Giving the gauze a final tug he yanked the bloodstained material from his arm and casually tossed it through an open window to the temple before entering the portal himself.
...End Flashback...
Kurama's silence left the whole group hanging in suspense. Something was wrong, the redhead's typically cool and collected visage changed to a frown of worry and guilt. Hanging his head so that his downcast eyes were hidden beneath his bangs he finally muttered, "I'm sorry Shizuru. But I believe that I am the one whose blood has infected your body."
There was a collective gasp from the group save for Shizuru who only stared at the shamed fox with sympathetic amber eyes. "Hey, don't beat yourself up about it. I'm still alive aren't I? Heh, as if your blood could really whip a tough girl like me?"
Tilting his head upwards a bit to face her Kurama forced a small smile, "I hope you're right. I assure you I'll do whatever I can to help you through this. If it wasn't for my carelessness earlier the bandage would've never just been lying around in the first place."
"So you made a mistake," Shizuru shrugged, "you're only human now right?"
"A strong disadvantage of the species," Hiei remarked.
"Like a remark from the pint sized peanut gallery was really necessary right now." Shizuru scolded the fire youkai.
"Whatever," Hiei turned and headed towards the door, "she seems to be fairing well enough right now. It's not like the oaf was infected, the onna will probably live. No need to get overly dramatic about it."
Giving a small bow Yukina apologized again and followed Hiei out. Kuwabara stood and scratched the back of his head for a moment. "Well um...gosh sis I'm glad ya didn't die and all. Is there anything ya need?"
"Yeah," the brunette glared up at him, "how about a grenade launcher to aim at your head you numbskull. Don't think I won't pay you back tenfold for all that shit you pulled with me."
"Ehehehehe..." Kuwabara chuckled nervously. Oh man, I am so gonna die! "Well I'd love to stay and chat sis but it looks like Kurama and Genkai have everything covered here. Holler if ya need anything! See ya later, gotta go now! BYE!"
The three occupants of the room watched as Kuwabara high tailed it out and down the hall so fast that he left a trail of smoke behind.
"Sometimes I swear he must've been adopted." Shizuru muttered, "Either that or I was."
Smiling Kurama nodded, "That would explain a lot."
"But it's not likely," Genkai commented, "The chance that you would both have such extreme amounts of spirit energy and be so closely linked to the supernatural world without sharing a blood relation is about a million to one."
"Well so much for that fantasy," the elder Kuwabara mumbled as Kurama chuckled good naturedly.
"Now Shizuru," Genkai stared down at the young woman seriously, "It's very important that you understand the seriousness of your present situation. True you're fairing much better now after absorbing the demon blood into your bloodstream but even a fool could see that your initial reaction wasn't so good."
Kurama frowned and unknowingly pulled Shizuru closer, "So you're saying there's a chance she could relapse into her former state of pain."
"I'm afraid so," the elder woman nodded. "So I suggest you spend the next few nights here with me at the temple. That way I can keep watch over you and be able to use my healing powers to aid your struggling body if anything goes wrong."
"A few nights away from Baby Bro's loud snoring," Shizuru said in a joking tone, "sounds like Heaven."
"Genkai," Kurama spoke up, "I would like to stay as well and assist you. If Shizuru's condition worsens it would be best to have more than one person's healing powers at work. Mine aren't quite as effective as yours but I did manage to help keep Keiko's third eye closed back when Hiei had struck her with the Conjuring Blade."
"Agreed," Genkai replied, "even our combined powers may not be enough to fully prevent whatever effect your blood will have on her. It's a shot in the dark really. But sadly, it's the only shot we've got."
Amanda/Artiste: Ah, I just love having a day off to get caught up on my fics. I'm looking forward to getting some good reviews for this one. No flames, not that anyone's really flamed me for this fic, which I appreciate! Next Chapter: The effects of Yoko Kurama's blood on a psychic human body. Botan and Hiei have a late night talk and catch up on a few things.