Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or it's characters. I do own Angela.
AN-If you really like Angela, you're going to hate me by the end of this chapter.
REVISED AN: I was going through this story and BA and saw a BIG, I mean a HUGE inconsistency, a detail that some might have overlooked, I seriously fixed it so read closely.
Legend:
Music
Noise
-Telepathy-
-Thought-
/Flashbacks/
/Visions/Dreams/
Chapter Fourteen
Kurama and Botan danced to the same slow song that Hiei and Angela were dancing to. As they danced, each was in their own thoughts.
-Why do I blush so much when I'm with him?- Botan thought to herself, blushing again. -I didn't know I had felt like this for him. Is it because I never thought about how I felt about Kurama and the other guys? Did Angela's question make me aware of how I felt?-
Kurama was equally confused about his feelings. -Am I feeling this way because I actually like her, or is it just a 'bounce back' effect from realizing that I'll never have Angela? I've known Botan for so long. Did I develope feelings for her but had just passed it off as friendship?-
They stayed in their thoughts for the whole song, afterwards they walked over to the refreshment table. Koenma came up to them. "Hey, we're leaving early. Yukina isn't feeling too well."
"All right," Kurama said. He turned to Botan to see a funny look in her eyes, as if she knew something about Yukina being sick. After Koenma left, Kurama leaned to Botan. "Alright, I see that look."
Botan looked at him, nervous. "Uh...What look?"
"The look that you usually get when you're hiding a secret," Kurama said. "What are you hiding?"
"Oohh, I can't tell! And don't ask me please?"
Kurama nodded, respecting her wishes. "Alright."
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Hiei leaned towards Angela, right hand coming up behind her head, left hand pushing on the small of her back. Their lips almost touched when a hand grabbed Hiei's shoulder from behind. It was Yusuke. He didn't see what was about to happen or else he would have waited, he had only seen Hiei's back. But he could guess that whatever he had interrupted he was going to die for it, if he was reading Hiei's glare correctly.
"Uh...I was just wanting to say that we're leaving. Yukina's feeling sick," he said hurridly.
Hiei's glare was quickly replaced with concern. He nodded and led a dazed Angela off of the dance floor, Yusuke following, sweating as he thought about what he had probably interrupted. -Damn, I have bad timing. Was he just about to...At any rate, I have a feeling I'm gonna get it for interrupting, and not just from Hiei. Shizuru is gonna kill me when she finds out that I probably interrupted a rare chance for Hiei to show his feelings for Angela.-
Angela followed Hiei, still dazed about what had almost happened. -I was about to kiss him...Or was it the other way around?- She looked back at Yusuke and glared at him. -But I'll never know now, dammit!-
Yusuke saw her glare at him and once again feared for his life. -Damn. I'm terrible at match maker. The moment it starts to work I mess it up.-
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"You're all home early," Suzuka said as they walked into the training room. He smiled. "Did the guys stir up trouble and you all got kicked out?"
Shizuru shook her head. "No, we just had to leave before the clock struck twelve."
Suzuka looked at her oddly. "Why?"
Kurama smiled. "It's something from a Disney film," he explained.
"Yukina felt sick so we came home." Kuwabara said as he carried Yukina to their room.
Suzuka's eyes widened when he saw Hiei carry a sleeping Angela to her room. Kurama turned to Botan. "Well, I should be leaving," he said. "See you tomorrow." He said it more to Botan, even though it was meant for everyone.
Botan blushed. "Yeah, bye."
"Seeya," Koenma said.
Shizuru waved over her shoulder as she left to her room.
Koenma turned to Botan. "Do you want to stay here or are you okay to fly back to Spirit World?"
"I think it'd be best to stay here, I'm awfully tired," she lied. She wanted to stay near Yukina for awhile. And she also wanted to be here tomorrow.
Hiei laid Angela on her bed, she had fallen asleep on the train, leaning on his shoulder. She stirred slightly as he took off her coat and shoes.He looked at her peaceful face. -She looks so innocent when she sleeps.- He leaned down and kissed her forehead. She stirred again and woke up, but Hiei was gone.
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The next three days flew by. Angela spent most of her time in her garden, thinking about Hiei and her feelings. She also spent time with Yukina and Botan. Shizuru was gone most of the day. The girls suspected that it had something to do with the tall dark haired man from the ball. Shizuru said his name was Drake, he was an executive from the branch in the US. Botan constantly talked about Kurama now, but that wasn't the only thing she talked about.
"So...Angela...tell me again what happened at the ball..." Botan said slyly as they did dishes.
Angela rolled her eyes. "No."
"Well, did Hiei really try to kiss you or was it you trying to kiss him before Yusuke interrupted?" Botan went on.
"I think it was both of us. And why do you keep going on about that?"
Yukina smiled. "I think it's sweet that you and Hiei like each other."
Angela looked at her. "You really think he likes me?" Botan and Yukina nodded. Angela looked out the window at the trees, thinking, a small smile forming on her lips. Botan and Yukina looked at each other and giggled.
"Oh Angela, I think you actually might be mooning over him," Botan teased.
Angela smiled at her. "And what about you, Ms. Talks-about-Kurama-all-day-long? Hm?"
Botan blushed. "Well...hehe."
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On the fourth day Botan was called back to Spirit World.
"What is it Koenma?" she asked as she walked into his office. He was in toddler form, staring at a stack of papers on his desk. He looked up and Botan could tell it was terrible news. "What happened?"
An hour later Botan sped back to the shrine. She found Angela in her garden. "Angela," she said sadly.
Angela looked at her. "What is it Botan?"
"I have to talk to you..."
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Saturday came quickly and the girls helped Yukina make a big feast. That evening everyone gathered around the table.
"Wowwee, what be the occassion for such a feast?" Jin asked, ears wiggling.
Kuwabara beamed, Yukina had told him about the pregnancy before dinner, wanting him to join her in telling the others. "Would everyone sit down please. Yukina and I have something to say." Everyone quieted down. Kuwabara took Yukina's hands and smiled at her. "We're having a baby," he said quietly, yet happily and proudly at the same time.
The effect was the same as if he had shouted it at the top of his lungs. Everyone was quiet for a second then everyone was congratulating them, cheering, clapping Kuwabara on the back and gently hugging Yukina. Hiei stayed out of the fray, not really knowing what to do. Angela saw him and dragged him to Kuwabara and Yukina.
"Uh...congratulations..." Hiei managed to get out, uncomfortable around his sister.
"Thanks Hiei," Kuwabara said, shaking his hand.
Angela hugged Yukina, "I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you," Yukina said, feeling dizzy. "But I think I need to go lay down for a bit." She smiled apologetically at everyone. Kuwabara helped her to their room. Angela looked around to see that Hiei had left. She left to the woods to find him.
She found him in a tall tree that over looked the shrine. "Hiei?" she asked. He looked down at her. "Are you going to tell her yet? I'm sure she would love to know that her brother is happy for her, and will be there for her," she said, starting to climb up the tree. Hiei didn't say anything. When she reached the top she sat in front of him. "I can feel it. She wants her brother now more than ever. Why won't you tell her? You say that you've led a bloody life, but that was in the past. Think about the life you've been living now. It's not bloody or dishonorable. And I'm sure she won't care about your past, only that you're here now. Why can't you see that?" She was practically in tears when she finished.
Hiei stared at her, wondering -Why does she care so much about this?-
As Hiei stared at her, Angela started to cry, thinking -He's so cruel. Why won't he tell her? Why can't he see the love Yukina could give him? He needs her as a sister as much as she needs a brother. Is he totally blind to love? Why does he keep pushing it away? Does he not realize how lucky he is to have her as a sister?-
Hiei saw her cry, and it felt as if his heart broke. He reached over and wiped the tears off of her face. Angela only started to cry harder. Hiei was confused. He couldn't tell why she was so emotional about whether or not he told Yukina he was her brother. He pulled her close as she started to sob. -What's wrong Angela? Why do you care so much?- He wanted to ask her, but he had a feeling that now wasn't the right time. He held her for a long while until she cried herself to sleep. He took her to her room and tucked her into bed. This time she didn't look peaceful as she slept. Her face showed deep sadness and pain. -What happened to make you this way?- He watched her for a few minutes before he left to walk through the forest, thinking about what just happened.
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Angela's moods were hectic the next two weeks. At one point she would be chatting happily with Yukina, Botan had left the day after the feast and hadn't returned, then at other times Hiei found her sobbing in her garden. And then again there were the times when she was snappy and waspish. Almost everyone found himself on the receiving end of her temper. Yukina and Shizuru were the only exceptions.
One day she walked into the training room to find all the guys talking. They instantly stopped talking when she walked in, which told her that they had been talking about her.
Suzuka, feeling brave since he was on the other side of the room, said. "I probably shouldn't ask this, but...are you menstruating?"
Angela turned back around and started walking out the door. "You're right, you shouldn't have asked," she said quietly.
Suzuka thought he was safe and would get away unscathed when Angela suddenly turned around, grabbed Shishi, in demon form and threw him across the room like a missile and hit Suzuka in the middle of the head, nocking both flat.
Jin shook his head. "Ya know, you deserved that one."
"Hmph," said an old voice from the front door. Everyone turned around and stared in shock.
Yusuke turned pale. "It can't be..."
A short old lady stood in the doorway. "Of course it can be, Dimwit," she said.
Botan flew in beside her. "Genkai's been allowed to come back temporarily to train Angela in Spirit power," she explained.
Genkai looked at Shishi. "Pretty powerful kid." Genkai looked at the stunned Yusuke. "So where is she?"
"She went to her room," Hiei said from the side door. He had seen Angela run to the house addition, then had seen the fire energy ball that she had thrown behind her go back into the training room. He was a little surprised to see Genkai, but he was more concerned with Angela.
Genkai nodded, "Botan, will you show me?" she asked Botan.
"Yes."
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Angela sat on the floor in her room, going through a chest filled with photos that Botan had brought her. She pulled out a picture of her, her parents, her aunt, uncle, two cousins, and her grandparents. She looked at it for a long while, then held it close as she cried silently.
"It's not good to carry all this pain by yourself," an old voice said behind her. She turned around. An old lady stood near the closed door. "There are people down there that will help you. You don't need to bear this by yourself," the old lady continued as she knelt by Angela. "They wouldn't want you to tear yourself up like this," she said softly, pointing to the picture.
Angela started to sob, choking out "It hurts so much."
The old lady reached out and held her. "There there," she said like a grandma. "Let it out, just let it out." Angela started to cry harder. She followed the old lady's advice and let her pain and sorrow come out. She screamed her sadness and pain.
Everyone in the shrine heard her screams and felt her pain and sorrow as she transmited through her psychic power of empathy. Botan hung her head.
Kurama saw and asked, "Botan, what happened?"
Botan looked up, tears streaming down her face. "A few days before the feast, Koenma called me up to his office...He told me that in a span of two weeks...Angela's entire family..." Botan paused as another wave of pain and grief came from the house. "...They were all killed. The humans will think that they all died from normal things like accidents, old age, disease and the like. But they weren't..." Another scream and another wave of sadness. "Those damn shadow creatures killed them! Everyone of her kin. From the oldest grandparent to the youngest infant," Botan said, crying. "Angela is truly the last of her kind." Kurama hugged her. "I came back that day and told her. I didn't want to, but Koenma said that she needed to know."
Everyone stood there, understanding now why Angela had been acting so strangely. Hiei looked towards the house. -Why couldn't you tell one of us? Why couldn't you tell me?- After awhile the waves of pain and sadness stopped.
"Genkai was also brought back to help Angela through this. Koenma thought that she would need a mother or grandmother figure. Someone she could look to for guidence. He noticed how she wasn't telling any of you, not even Yukina or Shizuru. He thought that maybe she would open up to Genkai," Botan explained. Everyone stood there in silence, wondering how they could help Angela.
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The old woman held the girl, rocking her gently, until she had stopped crying. "Come, I think it's time you let the others help you through this," she said.
Angela looked at her, asking "Who are you?"
"I'm Genkai, I was brought back to help you. Now, let's go talk to the others."
Genkai led the girl into the training room. Yukina, who had come into the training room when Angela started to transmit her pent up feelings, and Botan ran to her and hugged her tightly. Angela started to cry again. They stayed like that for several minutes, Botan and Yukina crying with Angela. Finally the trio stopped and Yukina and Botan let go of Angela. Kurama came and hugged her while Kuwabara patted her shoulder in comfort.
When they let her go Yusuke walked up to her, and held her close, saying softly "I know we can never replace your family, but we want you to know that we consider you family and we want you to consider us as family. You know that we'll always be here. You can count on us. We want you to be happy. So what do you say?" He looked at her face and saw she had started to cry again. She nodded. He held her close again. "Hey, remember what you told me about the stars and how whenever you looked at them you felt that you were with your family." She nodded again, crying even more. "Well you can still look at the stars and you'll still be with your family, cuz they're up there, watching you, looking after you. They'll always be with you," he whispered as he held her tightly and started to cry with her. -They're with her, just like you're with me Keiko.-
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That night Hiei snuck into Angela's room. Her face still showed sadness. He knelt bedside her and put his hand on her forehead. He closed his eyes and his jagan started to glow under the bandana. After several minutes he stood up and looked at her face. It now looked peaceful. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. -Have sweet dreams, Angela,- Hiei thought as he left her room. Angela smiled in her sleep.
/She walked through a park filled with all of her relatives. She stopped and chatted with a group of her distant cousins. They talked for several hours before she moved to a group of great great grandparents. She talked to several groups of distant relatives on the outer limits of the park for several hours./
She woke up just before she started to talk to a group of great great aunts and uncles. She stretched, feeling very restfull. She looked to the chest full of pictures that Botan had brought her so that she had something of her family. She thought about the dream. -It was like I was really talking to them. It was peaceful and wonderful.- She smiled sadly. -Though it's probably my imagination that's giving them life. But still, it was a nice dream.- She thought about what happened yesterday and about what Yusuke had said. -Genkai was right, there are people here who want to help me and they're my family now.- She looked at the sky through her window. -And Yusuke's right. All I have to do is look at the sky and stars to know that my family is there, that they're watching over me like guardian Angels.- Angela started to cry.