A Brother's Love : Back in Business
A/N : Hey! I thank all reviewers. To those who I can reply to, I do. (Bows). Okay, so Hiei is royally pissed that a demon DARE make his sister cry. (Cheers, yeah Hiei! Go kick some demon butt!) So, stay tuned, and watch the action/romance/broccoli fest unfold! Hahha. Don't forget to R&R!
Botan screamed at the top of her lungs as she was whirling through the air. She didn't like it. The wind was no longer her ally, it was pinching her face, hurting her. But that was least of her worries. She glared up at the demon who was squeezing her arm painfully.
"Let me go! I'm warning you!"
Botan got a lethal growl in response to her outburst, causing her to fall silent. She closed her eyes. Where was she going to go? Why her? Then she remembered Yukina. Was she okay? Botan felt cold hands clench around her heart. Dear Enma, let Yukina be okay.
Hiei could fell the aura receding into the distance, but whoever these demons were, their speed was nothing compared to his. Sure, though Hiei would never admit, they were fast and they got a good five minutes head start, but he would catch them. He would catch them, kill them, and steal the ferry onna back. He thought of his sister's tears. He growled and moved faster. Those demons had to die.
That was when he realized that he recognized where he was going. Memories flashed across his mind. It had began to snow, and he had caught a single flake in his hand. Yusuke and Kuwabara were heading in the same direction, thinking that they had pulled a fast one on him. Hiei's crimson eyes widened dangerously. No, it couldn't be...
Botan was taken into a small cave. It was cold, and Botan was scared. No, scared is not the right word. Terrified into shock is better. Her eyes were glazed over with anger and sorrow.
"Where am I? Who's there?"
Botan saw a light flash on. She squinted, trying to see. It was hard with the dark wetness of the cave, and her eyes that were threatening to leak. Then she saw a shadow emerge into the light. It was short and fat. It was evil, he reeked with the putrid stench of greed.
Botan's pink eyes widened. How? How could he have gotten her?
"Good, you're awake, Koorime."
Hiei felt blood boil when he saw a clearing. A large building that used to stand there was brought to be rubble. That bastard is back. He's not going to get off so easy this time.
Hiei searched high and low. He couldn't find anything, just the remains of the mansion that once stood. He seethed with rage. He wanted the blood of one man. He wanted it now, and he couldn't find him.
"Tarukane!"
The fat old man stopped. His eyes narrowed.
"How did you know my name, wench?"
Botan hit herself mentally. Baka! Now what am I going to do? Botan bit her lip defiantly. Her eyes had a fire in them as she glared at the man who had captured Yukina years ago. Then she realized that he called her a Koorime. Oh Enma. He thinks I'm like Yukina. What am I going to do? Someone, anyone, help me! Please!
Tarukane rolled his eyes, not caring and faced the demons that crowded the room.
"Oh well, do your job, boys."
The bastard walked out of the room, and Botan glared at the demons, mustering up all the courage possible. She frowned. She couldn't cry. She wasn't allowed. Because, if she did, she was as good as dead.
Hiei untied his headband. He'd use his Jagan to find the ferry onna. If she was still among living.
His eyes closed in intense concentration. That was when he heard her thoughts. She sounded so desperate. He honed in on them. Vivid and sharp emotions came to him from the onna. Hopelessness, a deadly anger, sorrow, and horror. Hiei had to take a few deep breaths. These emotions were the onna's, but he felt them all the same.
Botan was being hit, and she let out a shriek. Her right cheek was cut open, bleeding heavily. She knew that the demons wouldn't kill her. Tarukane needed her. She glowered at the thought. She had to suppress all urges to break down and cry. Fortunately for our ferry girl, all the concentration and resistance kept her mind off some of the pain. Some, not all.
Onna. Where are you?
Botan opened her eyes. Hope blossomed in her chest. Hiei was here. Thank Enma!
Hiei? I don't know, but get me out of here! Please! I can't keep the tears in much longer! Please, Hiei!
Botan looked and saw a mix between a horse and bird demon pull out a whip. The grin on his face was disgusting. Botan closed herself off to any emotions and braced herself for the pain.
A piercing crack was heard throughout the cave that was soon followed by a blood curdling scream.
She doesn't know how long she could keep the tears in? What the fuck does that mean? Hiei fumed as he thought about it. Then it snapped, his stomach turning to cold stone. Tarukane thought that Botan was a Koorime because of how similar she looked to his sister. If the onna cried, then it was all over for her.
Hiei prodded her mind, but all he got was a loud shriek and agony. He finally found it. It was underground, right where the mansion once stood. Hiei's eyes filled with the look of a murderer. He unsheathed his katana and sped into the rubble.
Botan was left alone to wallow in her pain. She saw a rotting piece of meat in the corner. Maggots were squirming all over it. Botan fought the urge to vomit. Where was Hiei? She wanted to get out of there. She was so close to crying.
Botan was broken. Her clothes were ripped, and most of her shirt was gone, leaving her in her bra. She would be embarrassed, but it's hard to care about appearance when you are close to dying. Her skirt was ripped in many places. Some corner of her mind thought about how it was her favorite outfit. Then she heard the dungeon doors open. Tarukane stepped in, his demon minions following him. They were smiling. Botan saw swords in their hands. This is it. This really is the end. Death is going to die.
Hiei ran through corridors, killing anyone who was in them. He smelled blood. It was the onna's. This seemed to fuel his rage. She was a defenseless girl! She didn't deserve this torture. Hiei remembered how she was fighting to urge to cry the last time he 'talked' to her. He felt an emotion work its way into him. He didn't know what it was. It was caused by the fact that Botan was doing this for his sister.
Shaking himself, Hiei sped through the complex, and then he saw two large doors. He allowed an evil smirk play on his lips. He could sense the onna. She was almost dead. When that thought came into his mind, he lost it. It was like he had no self control. Hiei let out a bellow of demonic anger as he barged through the doors, breaking them off of their hinges.
Botan let out a choked cry. No, don't you dare do it, Botan! If you cry, you won't only die, but Yukina will be in danger! Botan thought rebelliously. That was when the doors burst open. Botan couldn't even follow the movements of the intruder, all she knew was that she was covered in demon blood. It was sticky.
Botan got up, her legs shaking. If she gathered up enough strength, she should be able to stand for a few minutes. And even that was pushing it. Her eyes finally focused and they landed on Hiei. He was trembling, but Botan could tell it wasn't a sign of weakness. He was standing above Tarukane, who was stammering on the ground like the pitiful vermin he was. He recognized Hiei from their last encounter.
Botan walked over to Hiei, who turned when he heard the noise. She touched his shoulder, and to her astonishment, he didn't grab her wrist. She looked at the crime lord. For a fleeting moment, she was going to tell Hiei to spare him. Then, her face darkened. The pain she was experiencing sank in. Then her thoughts turned to what he had done to Yukina and she had to go through. He had gotten his chance.
"Do what you want."
The onna turned so her back was facing Tarukane. Hiei felt a maniacal grin spread across his features. He was sure that the crime lord could see his fangs.
Botan ignored the screams. Actually, she didn't hear them. Her mind was falling apart. She was confused as to why Hiei came to rescue her. It was a mystery to her. Then the cuts that the whips and swords made were also draining her of all thought. She felt her knees hit the floor painfully. Somewhere in the dark recesses of her brain, she noticed that Hiei was done. He was now looking into her eyes. He was saying something.
"Thanks, Hiei. I owe you one."
Botan smiled at him, letting the tears fall. She passed out, but not before she heard one word. It was panicked, like it was the only thing the half Koorime could think of to say. Even if that was all it was, it still made Botan's heart skip a beat.
"Botan!"
Hiei was satisfied at the death of the disgusting excuse for a nigen. Then he heard a soft thud. It was the sound of flesh hitting the cavern floor. He saw the ferry onna trembling on her knees. He lowered himself to her, worried. If she died, he had no idea what he would do. He didn't even know if it was possible for her to die.
She looked into his eyes with tears pouring down her face. He felt his expression become gentle. She had finally let the tears come.
"Thanks, Hiei. I owe you one."
She smiled up at him. Not just an ordinary baka onna smile, but an actual, genuine smile. It was full of so much emotion that Hiei didn't have time to decipher it before her eyes started to roll back into her head.
"Botan!"
He flinched as he said it. It struck him that this was the first time he ever said her name. But, it was okay, she passed out before she heard him, but a paranoid part of him thought that she was smiling as she lost consciousness.
Genkai found Yukina, and when she heard the news about Botan and Hiei going to rescue her, the old woman immediately phoned Yusuke, Kurama, and Kuwabara. Yukina had put all her faith into the half Koorime, but Genkai wasn't so sure. She just wanted to make sure that Botan got back to the temple safely.
Yusuke was there faster than she thought he would show up. The reason being was that he had never heard Genkai use the tone of voice that he heard over the phone. To say it bluntly, it freaked our detective out. Kurama and Kuwabara were only minutes away from arriving with Yusuke.
"Genkai! What happened? Tell us!"
Kurama was silent as Yusuke shouted at the old woman. Kuwabara felt a need to join in.
"Come on, tell us! What does this have to do with Yukina and the shrimp?"
The two bakas continued ranting. Their yells even reached Yukina, who had been waiting for Hiei's return. She stepped quietly inside, her emotions reserved as the guests eyed her. Kuwabara leapt to his feet, clasping Yukina's hands into his.
"Yukina, darling, tell us, what happened to Botan? We need to know so we can help."
Yukina made no move to remove her hands from Kuwabara's. The only thing that did was Yusuke's fist.
"Shut up, baka! You don't want to scare Yukina with that ugly face of yours!"
Kuwabara was about to scream at Yusuke about how good looking he was when a soft voice ruined any attempt.
"Botan was kidnaped by demons, and Hiei went to get her. He'll rescue her, you'll see."
Genkai looked at the confidence and hope in Yukina's eyes. Her sureness was in her voice as well. Kurama smiled wistfully. Yukina, with the kind heart that she had, would not care to find out that Hiei was her brother after all. In fact, she would probably be overjoyed with the fact. To bad Hiei was more stubborn than a donkey when it came to that subject.
Hiei carried Botan in his arms out of the torture chamber. Her head was resting on his shoulders, her shallow breaths warming the skin on his neck. Her hair had fallen out of its tie. Hn. I like it better that way... WHAT DID I JUST THINK!
Hiei growled at himself. Then he felt Botan shift in his arms as he sped towards the temple. Some blood from her cheek smeared on his skin. Then he felt the warm and yet sticky substance soak its way through his black cloak. The onna needs to get to the temple. Now.
Hiei jumped through the trees. For the first time in his life, he doubted if his own speed would be fast enough in order to save Botan.
The five people sat in silence for a long while. Yukina bit her lip nervously. It was getting dark out. Hiei should have been back by now. He is unbeatable. He must have gotten to Botan by now. He had just had to.
"Do you think we should follow him?"
Kurama was the one who broke the thick silence with his calm, serene voice. Yusuke frowned and shook his head slowly.
"Yukina said demons took her, and the only demons I can sense are the weaklings in the forest around Genkai's. Every now and then I can sense Hiei, but he's moving so fast."
This caused alarm for Kurama. Yusuke had gotten to be a great fighter over the years. He would be able to track Hiei even at his speed. That must mean that Hiei was pushing himself to go faster than he ought to. Kurama felt his teeth gnaw at his lower lip. Just what the hell happened to him and Botan?
As if to answer the fox's question, the temple doors opened. The team turned to see the half Koorime panting, his chest heaving. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes halfway closed. His shoulder rose with each breath he took. Botan was in his arms. She looked like she had been through hell and back.
"What the hell happened, shorty?"
Hiei was so exhausted he couldn't even retort to the baka's insult. He blinked, and his knees buckled. He felt himself fall, and he saw the onna start to roll out of his grasp. His fingers tightened around what remained of her clothes.
Botan...
A/N: Hey! I had so much fun writing this! I love it when Yu Yu Hakusho characters just let themselves go with unstoppable rage. It feeds the fire to my interest. So, how did you like it? Was it detailed enough? Do you want more? Oh please tell me if you want more! I would appreciate it. So review!
-Orphan Mia