A Brother's Love : O Brother, Where Art Thou?
A/N: So, it's official, Hiei likes Botan, and Botan likes Hiei. But, some would ask, what more could possibly happen? So much, my friends. I'm not done, and I hate to just leave my faithful audience hanging like that, so sit back and relax. Oh, don't forget to Read and review!
I
Botan dropped Hiei off in Genkai's forest. They stood there for a moment, not knowing what to say. Botan was still reeling from the fact that Hiei Jaganeshi had kissed her. Kissed her! It was hard to believe. Heck, if she was to tell anyone that Hiei kissed her, they would take her as a fool.
"Hiei..."
She was cut off. More like lipped off. Hiei kissed her and was licking her bottom lip. Botan's knees lost all knowledge of how to support her. But that was okay, because Hiei lowered her to the ground. The ferry girl moaned into his mouth, letting him slip past her lips.
That was when a thought occurred to her. She sat up quickly, without thinking, thus banging their foreheads together. Hiei hissed and blinked to stop himself from becoming dizzy. Botan had hit his Jagan Eye. The most sensitive part of his body.
"Baka onna, what were you thinking?"
Botan looked down, remembering Yukina's hope. She was waiting every minute of the day for Hiei to come and tell her that he had found her brother. It wasn't fair to her. She didn't deserve to be in constant pain.
"Tell Yukina who you are."
II
Hiei felt his eyes narrow. If he hadn't... admitted to himself his true... attractions... to the ferry girl than he might have just outright refused. But he stopped himself.
"Onna... Botan, don't push your luck."
He saw the ferry girl's face fall, and instantly he felt guilt ravage his soul. The Koorime approached the girl slowly and took her into his arms. He rested his head on her shoulders and felt her chest expand as she drew in a breath.
"But, it's not fair to Yukina. She's been dying to find you, Hiei. She prays for it every waking moment of her life."
"She doesn't want me. Not for a brother or anything else."
"You're wrong. I don't care what you say, Yukina loves you, and she'd love it if she knew that you were the brother she's been searching for all these years."
Hiei could tell that Botan wasn't lying. Besides, for the entire time he knew her, she never lied to her friends. Ever. He grumbled and pulled away from the hug, shoving his hands in his pockets, glowering at her.
"Fine."
His angered expression softened when Botan giggled with delight. She kissed him on the cheek, causing him to turn red. Turning toward Genkai's temple, the unlikely couple took the first step toward a new tomorrow.
III
Yukina was feeding the birds just outside the temple when she felt an approaching energy. She recognized it, her demon instincts had each Rekai Tentei member memorized to a T. It was Hiei... and Botan.
This is new. Could it be a coincidence? The ice maiden walked to the front of the temple to greet them. Right away she could tell that something was going on. Botan looked... serious. And Hiei was uneasy, nervous even.
"Hello, Botan. Hello, Hiei. Is something wrong?"
Hiei shifted and Botan had to nudge him in order for him to respond. His red eyes looked into Yukina's. She saw pain in them. Regret, hope, and anxiety. He shook his head slowly and approached her, like she would bolt if he moved too fast.
"No, nothing like that. It's just that, I have something to tell you."
Yukina nodded and she heard Botan whisper to Hiei.
"Do you want me to leave?"
Yukina saw the fire demon tense up and shake his head quickly. It was very... childish. Hiei put a hand on the ice demon's shoulder. He treated her as if she was very delicate, like the finest piece of art in the world.
"Your brother... he's..." Hiei took a breath, Yukina wanting to know what was coming next. Had Hiei found him? Was he dead? Oh please don't let my brother be dead! "I am your brother."
IV
Hiei didn't want to look in his sweet sister's eyes. He didn't want to see the disappointment. The sorrow and anger. He heard a sharp intake of breath. The uneven pants.
He gazed at her, and his heart broke to see tear gems falling out of her eyes. He was about to apologize when he felt two arms wrap around him. Hiei couldn't see past the blue-green hair, but he knew it was his sister who was hugging him tightly.
"Thank you, Hiei! Brother!"
Hiei wasn't sure if he was dreaming or not. All of his hopes and dreams were coming true. Actually, he only had one hope. For Yukina to be happy. And now, she was.
V
Botan was grinning from ear to ear. She had been praying for this moment ever since the Rekai Tentei rescued the little ice maiden from Tarukane. When Yukina pulled away, she looked at Botan, her smile a little smaller, but sweet none the less.
"Botan, did you know about... this?"
The ferry girl looked down. She wasn't counting on that. She felt herself blinking away the tears, but Hiei saved her.
"She did. I told her not to tell you. It was more like a threat, really."
Yukina's eyes shined with bewilderment. She couldn't understand why her own brother wouldn't want his true identity to be known. But, she figured that Hiei was very wise. She was sure he had a reason. The ice maiden bowed, a loving smile tugging at her lips.
"When you get the chance, I'd love it if you would come and visit me."
Botan looked at the fire demon. His mask was gone, and she could see... satisfaction and joy. He nodded curtly. Yukina let out a cry of victory/happiness. For Yukina, her story had a happy ending.
VI
Botan and Hiei stayed with the ice demon for a few hours. Before they knew it, the day had gone and the sun was setting. Saying their farewells, Hiei and Botan left. As they walked, Botan couldn't help but think, is this real? Did this really happen?
"Hiei? Am I dreaming?"
The fire demon's expression was priceless. His eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly ajar. It was... mind blowing to say the least. Hiei... astonished and utterly dumbfounded. Then his expression turned to cold and annoyed.
"Baka onna. This isn't a dream."
Botan's eyes seemed to lose some luster. He didn't use my name. Is... he...? No...
VII
"Baka onna... I'm still a baka, huh?"
The statement was meant to be funny. If Botan had been her cheery self, her face would have been glowing with mirth and her lips would be spread in a classic hyperactive girl grin.
But her smile did not show her teeth. It was almost... weak spirited. I don't like it... Hiei almost growled in displeasure. And the way she breathed, it was strange. Like she was hanging onto control.
"Yes, but you're my baka." Botan, his Botan, let out a little yelp as he pulled her to him. His head was nuzzling her neck. "Botan... do you... really want to do this?"
He felt Botan turn in his arms. So many despicable emotions. He had no idea what they are, but they caused him great pain. One was very bitter, the other he recognized as his self loathing, and one was a very warm and pleasurable. It caused his throat to tighten.
"Of course... I mean, unless you've gone back to hating me, then yes."
VIII
Botan felt his grip on her tighten. She was delighted at this.
"I never hated you."
His voice was different. It was strained, and Botan would never have considered this because Hiei would never sound... choked up. Botan whispered into Hiei's ear, and she felt him shiver.
"Let's go back to my apartment."
The fire demon nodded, and without hesitating, picked her up and was running at top speed. The reason for this was simple. He didn't want Botan to see the single tear gem that had rolled out of his eye and into the folds of his cloak.
IX
Once at Botan's apartment, Hiei set her down, taking a few breaths. It was... difficult to not take her right then and now. He wanted to do this correctly.
So he did.
He started slowly, with just a simple kiss, but when it grew into a frenzy, Hiei began to focus on her slender neck. He felt Botan's fists grasp his black cloak as he bit into her flesh, lapping up the blood with his tongue. He heard Botan moan in pain, but she soon found a new vigor.
She turned so that she was just at the right angle, and bit into his skin. It was hard, her teeth not exactly fangs like her new mate's, but she drew blood.
Hiei Jaganeshi felt pride rise up within him. Pride for Botan, for her and her alone. She was... beautiful. As he gazed up at her, her lips swollen, face flushed, and breaths coming in shallow pants. She was his.
The moments of that night flew by, harsh kisses melting into caresses. Soon the night was filled with each other's cries as the demon mating ritual was fulfilled.
X
Botan awoke the next morning slowly. Her pink eyes adjusting to the lack of light. She felt a form move beside her. The ferry girl gazed at the gorgeous being beside her. Hiei, all eyes closed and his breathing even. The little demon's still asleep! Botan smiled, biting down the urge to laugh.
His face was hopelessly innocent. His features relaxed, no anger corrupting them. She snuggled closer to him, if that was even possible, seeing as his arms were already holding her to him. He shifted in his slumber as Botan kissed his forehead, right on top of his Jagan Eye.
"I love you, Hiei Jaganeshi."
Botan pulled back to see herself being stared at by blood red eyes. She felt herself blushing at his confident smirk. Then, his smirk changed to a smile. It was gentle, and Botan relished in the fact that it was a rare sight, and it was just for her.
"I love you too, Botan."
The two snuggled until a loud alarm interrupted them. The ferry girl sat upright like she had just been electrocuted. Then realization dawned on her.
"AGH! I'm going to be late for work!"
The very distressed Botan searched her room for her kimono. She was almost done tying up her sash when Hiei slipped on his pants, wandering her bedroom shirtless. He muttered darkly, under his breath.
"Stupid brat... he should know better than to mess with mating rituals."
Botan smiled at the comment, causing Hiei to blush and look away. He's too cute!
Hn. I don't do cute, Botan.
Botan was taken off guard, but she walked up to him, taking his chin in index finger and thumb. She pulled off a smirk at Hiei's startled reaction.
"I think you pull off the look quite nicely, dear."
She kissed him quickly, a peck, and moved out when she heard a lethal growl behind her.
"What did you call me, onna?"
Botan gazed over her shoulder to see Hiei's red face. She winked at him playfully.
"I called you a deer, the four legged grazing animal."
Hiei rolled his eyes and then heard her hesitate before leaving.
"How do you think the team is going to take this? Us, I mean."
Hiei shrugged his shoulders, and Botan flashed him a grin.
"Hn. They'll accept it... if they want to keep all their limbs."
Botan laughed nervously and proceeded toward the door.
"Bye, see you later Hiei."
The ferry girl left, hearing a Hn just before she closed the door behind her. She was sure that he would be there. That little word of his that used to annoy her to no end, was now filled with promise. Hope. Botan grinned to herself. She couldn't wait to get off of work.
XI
A/N: NOT THE END! YES, I REPEAT, THIS IS NOT THE END! Now, calm yourselves. Yes, in a way... this could be considered a very near finish. In fact, the next chapter will be an epilogue of sorts. So, please, I need all the reviews I can get. All sorts and kinds, I don't care. Criticism, shouts of joy, or flames of hatred. Please review!
-Mia