Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or it's characters. I do own Angela.
Legend:
Music
Noise
-Telepathy-
-Thought-
/Flashbacks/
/Visions/Dreams/
Chapter Seventeen
Once they arrived in Demon World, the group split up.
"Touya and I will check Shigure's labratory in the castle," Suzuka said.
Mukuro nodded. "Then Hiei and I will check his hut in the forest."
They started to run in different directions. After several days of running, Hiei and Mukuro arrived at a hut deep in a forest. "Well, now the hard part begins," Mukuro said.
They entered the hut to find dust and cobwebs hanging everywhere, a surgical table, and several shelves with jars filled with odd things, several old books, and many manuscripts.
"Where do you want to start?" Hiei asked.
"How about the manuscripts. That seems the most likely place he would write down notes about the Idun fruit," Mukuro said.
They then gathered all the manuscripts and proceded to look through them. It took two days before they had looked through the whole stack of manuscripts, not finding anything. Hiei was getting frustrated.
Mukuro studied him as they started on the old books. "You know Hiei. This woman has changed you, both as a woman and as a child," Mukuro said after awhile.
Hiei looked at her. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"I mean, you've never cared this much about anyone other than Yukina. When I sent you on this mission, you never would have come within ten feet of a child if you could help it. Now I see you comfort a child, telling her you'll be back, giving her your cloak. And now your trying to find an antidote for this woman. Before you met her you wouldn't have cared." She smiled. "You're in love with her aren't you?" He looked at the book he was reading, not answering. "Hiei, life is never a sure thing. You never know if tomorrow will come, for you or someone you love. Take a chance. I know why you wouldn't tell her. Now she's a child again. You can't be sure that we'll find a cure, and you can't be sure that you'll live long enough for her to grow up, or that she'll live long enough to grow up. You might have missed your chance at true love. And if we do find a cure, will you tell her, or will you risk loosing her by not telling her. A woman can't wait forever, sooner or later she'll give up and try to find happiness somewhere else."
Hiei looked at her, admitting "I didn't know for the longest time how I felt. And now that I do, I don't want to tell her, because it will put her at risk. I don't want her in danger because I told her. I'd rather she be happy with someone else, if it keeps her safe."
Mukuro shook her head. "Just think about what I said before you make a definate decision," she said as she went back to reading.
They were half way through the stack of books that they had gathered when Mukuro came upon a book with a chapter dedicated to the Idun plant and it's various uses. "I think I might have found it." She read further and found a list of antidotes to the Idun plant and it's uses. "Yes, this is it. Let's get Suzuka, Touya and the various plants needed and head back to Human World," she said.
Hiei paused. "Why are you doing this?"
Mukuro didn't turn around. "I'm not sure. Maybe I'm doing it because she's an Angel. Or maybe I'm doing it for a friend that needs her." She walked out of the hut.
Hiei thought about what she said, then thought about the numerous rumors about Mukuro and him being lovers. He thought about the confusing feelings he had towards her. He had been so busy with Angela and how he felt about her that he hadn't had time to think about Mukuro.
-Don't think about it Hiei. It doesn't matter,- Mukuro told him. Still, Hiei couldn't help feeling that he had betrayed Mukuro in some way.
When they met up with Suzuka, he looked at the list. "Hm, I'd never would have thought that those plants would be antidotes. And I surely didn't think about dosages," he said.
Touya looked at him. "By the way, how were you able to tell if what you cooked up didn't work as an antidote?"
Suzuka looked at him. "We used it on Kurama, since we knew he'd transform back to his normal self with out an antidote."
Mukuro started to walk away. Hiei turned to her. "Where are you going?"
"I need to oversee the rest of the border patrol," she said as she started to run to the castle. -I'm happy for you Hiei. Please make the right choice,- she thought.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Several days later, Angela, wearing Hiei's cloak, was sitting with Kurama and Botan in the training room while Kurama read to her and Botan put her long hair into a french braid. They turned their heads when they heard someone enter the shrine. It was Hiei, Suzuka and Touya.
"Uncle Hiei!" Angela cried as she got up and ran to him. Hiei bent down and picked her up. "I've been a good girl and kept yourw cloak clean," she said proudly.
"That's good," he replied.
Suzuka went to Kurama, saying "We've found an antidote."
Kurama nodded. "I've moved the lab into one of the spare rooms." They walked out, leaving Hiei, Botan and Touya with Angela. Kurama looked at the list, and instructions. "This shouldn't take long."
They managed to create the antidote in an hour. Now it was time to find the right dosage. After several tries, they found the right dosage. "Now the problem is getting Angela to take it," Kurama said. They thought about it for several minutes. They then heard a big splash and a squeal.
They ran out of the house to find Angela, held by Hiei, soaking wet. "What happened?" Kurama asked.
"Sisi fell in the water and I went in to save him," Angela explained.
Kurama looked at Hiei. "Why weren't you there?" Hiei looked ashamed.
"Uncle Hiei couldn't see me," Angela said defensively. "I was going to tell Uncle Barwa and Aunt Kina that they were back but I couldn't find them, then Sisi fell into the pond." She sneezed.
An idea came to Kurama's head, he looked at Suzuka. "Uh oh. I think you need to take some medicine before you get sick," Kurama said, bending down to Angela.
She squeaked. "No!"
Hiei nodded. "Yes, you need to. Hey, if you take your medicine, I'll read to you." Angela thought about it, and nodded. -Always work,.- Hiei thought.
Suzuka left to get the antidote. He came back with a bottle of red syrup and a 1/8 teaspoon. He filled the teaspoon and stuck it out to the child, saying "It tastes like cherries."
Angela took it, grimacing as the taste touched her mouth. She swallowed. "No it doesn't!" she protested.
All of them held their breaths. -Please let it work,- they were all thinking. Angela started to feel dizzy, the world around her became hazy. She passed out, Hiei catching and holding her. Slowly her body began to change. After a few minutes Hiei was holding the grown up Angela.
She slowly opened her eyes. "Woah...that felt strange..." she said as she carefully sat up.
They cheered. "It worked! It worked!" Suzuka was saying to Kurama, who was nodding happily, relief in his eyes. Botan was clapping and laughing. Hiei looked at Angela, relief and happiness in his eyes.
Angela blushed. "Uh thanks guys, but I ripped all of my clothes as I 'grew up'," she said. The others laughed as Hiei helped her up. She was a little wobbly, so Botan helped her to her room.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hiei sat on the porch, thinking. -Mukuro said I almost lost the chance to tell Angela that I love her. She said I have to take the chance and tell her or I may never get the chance ever again. Do I want to put her in danger? Or do I want to tell her?- He thought for several minutes until Angela came back outside and handed him his cloak.
Kurama walked over to her and hugged her. "I'm sorry for not warning you about the Idun box. At least now you're back to your normal age."
Angela laughed and put her hand behind her head, mimicking Yusuke. "Well, actually I'm three years older. I'm 25 now."
At that time Yusuke showed up. "Okay, I'm here for Angela duty..." He did a double take when he saw Angela. Instead of a small blonde child he saw a grown blonde woman. "Angela?" he asked, knowing the answer. Then he ran to her and hugged her fiercely. "Oh it's so good to see you back to normal!"
Angela laughed. "Was I that terrible?"
Yukina, Shizuru and Kuwabara walked in from the training room, holding grocerie bags. When Shizuru and Yukina saw Angela they put their bags on the ground and ran to her.
"It's good to see you grown up kido," Shizuru said as Yukina hugged her. "You were a handfull for everyone."
"Speaking of everyone," Suzuka started. "Where is the rest of the DT gang?"
"They left to Demon World shortly before you came, all except Sisi, excuse me, I mean Shishi" Kurama said, laughing at the glare from the wet Shishi. He then explained, "Mukuro sent a message wanting them back. She also asked that you three return as soon as you can." He said, indicating Touya along with Suzuka and Shishi.
"Well, I guess it's time we left." Suzuka said to his two comrades. "See you everyone."
"Thanks Suzuka, Touya!" Angela said as they left.
"It was our pleasure, just don't ever call me 'Aunt Suzi' again," Suzuka said.
"Or call me 'Kitty' or 'Sisi'," Shishi growled as he shook dry. He had been trying to escape from the child when she had tripped. The force of the trip and his escape had sent him flying into the pond.
Angela laughed, "Okay, sorry."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Angela spent most of the next few days with Yukina and Botan, catching up on what had happened. She remembered that things had been happening but she couldn't understand it with her child mind. She found out that it was official that Shizuru was dating Drake, and that Botan and Kurama were going out as well.
"So who asked first?" Angela asked Botan as they sat in the kitchen and ate sandwiches.
Botan blushed. "Actually we both asked at the same time."
Angela smiled, "That's cool."
They talked about Yukina's pregnancy. "The baby is due around October," Yukina said.
"What names have you picked out?" Angela asked.
"Well, we want to wait until we know what sex it will be, but if it's a girl and she has red hair, Kazuma wants to name her Sakura."
"That's a pretty name," Angela said.
Botan thought for a second. "Hey, Angela?" she asked.
"Yeah?"
"Do you have the Tongues-Ring and Hear-Ring still?"
Angela shook her head, "No."
"Then why can you speak and understand japanese?"
Angela thought for a second. "Maybe it's because when I was in child form I was speaking it and I 'grew up' knowing it."
"Yes, but why were you able to understand it as a child?" Botan asked.
Angela shrugged. "No clue."
Botan looked out the window. "Oh! Look at all those butterflies," she said, pointing to several yellow butterflies. "I love spring. It's so pretty with flowers and things like butterflies."
Angela turned and started to walk out of the house. "You reminded me that I haven't tended my garden. I'm going to check on it. Seeya later," she said.
When she got to her garden she found that weeds had taken over. She spent most of the afternoon removing the weeds. At one point she paused for a second to wipe the sweat off her forehead. She heard a rustle in the trees behind her. She 'felt' with her empathy and found it was Hiei. "Come and join me Hiei," she invited.
Hiei smiled, -She seems to not have forgotten how to use her powers. I guess there won't be any need to retrain her.- He jumped down and walked into the sunny little garden.
Angela turned to him, sitting back from her garden. She patted the grass beside her. "You can sit down, I'm not going to jump in your lap." She smiled. Hiei sat down beside her.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, finally Angela broke the silence. "I want to thank you."
Hiei looked at her. "For what?"
"For staying here and taking care of me. I was sure that you would have left. That you wouldn't want a child hanging all over you. But you stayed." She looked at him, a strange look in her eyes. "You know, you'd make a good father if you ever decided to settle down." They stared at each other.
Finally Hiei leaned forward and kissed her lightly. "I just might," he said, then he got up and left, leaving a stunned Angela.
Angela thought about the kiss for a long time. She thought about what Hiei had said. -Is he saying that he's thinking of settling down. And did he mean me?- She shook her head as she started to tend to her garden, trying to clear the confusion in her head.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
That night, Hiei snuck into Angela's room when he was sure she was asleep. He knelt beside her, and put his fingers on her temples.
/He entered her dream. She was sitting in a two seater wooden couch swing hanging from a large cherry tree that was in bloom. They were drifting in space around a sun with walk ways of grass littered with cherry blossoms. It was a peaceful setting.
Angela saw him. "Hi Hiei. It's a surprise to see you here. I usually don't have visitors in this dream. Come sit down."
Hiei walked along the walk ways to get to her. He sat down on the swing, causing it to swing slightly. They swung lightly in silence. Finally Angela spoke. "I like this dream, it's quiet and wonderful. I wish some place like this really existed." She looked at him. "Are you real, or are you something that my dream made up?"
Hiei smiled. "I'm real." "
Why are you here?"
"I came to say goodbye."
Angela looked away becoming sad. "Why?"
"Mukuro sent for me. The shadow creatures have been showing up in Demon World. They need my help."
Angela nodded. "So that's why the DT gang was called back." They swung in silence a little more. "Why did you come to say goodbye in my dreams?"
"I wanted to talk to you where no one could over hear." He took off a necklace that he had hidden in his shirt.
Angela's eyes widened. "That looks like a hiruseki stone."
"It is. A Koorime mother cries a special tear during birth. Our mother cried two. One for Yukina and one for me. This is mine. I lost it long ago but when I met Mukuro I was given a challenge to see under her bandages that she had been wearing at that time, hiding herself. After I succeeded she gave it back to me. She had found it and had kept it."
"Yukina told me the story about the special hiruseki stone. And that she gave you hers to give to her brother when you found him. So now you have both gems," Angela said, looking at him. She wanted to talk to him about telling Yukina, but she didn't think now was the time. "Why are you showing me this?"
Hiei handed her the stone. "I want you to keep it for me until I return. Through it I'm sure you can sense me with your power of empathy. You'll know when I come back."
Angela smiled as she put it around her neck. "Is this your guarantee?"
Hiei smiled. "Yes." He got up and started to walk away.
Angela called after him. "What did you mean earlier when you said 'I just might' when I was talking about you settling down?"
"Hn, don't worry about that right now. Goodbye Angela." He disappeared.
Angela sat there for awhile, thinking./
Hiei stared at her for a few minutes, then he took off his necklace and placed it around her neck, hiding it in her night shirt. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. "Be safe." Then he departed.