Reviewer Responses:

RitSuYue-Nope, I'm really excited about this story! It's much easier to write than my other fic actually. My goal is to get this chapter posted before New Years, so happy New Years and thank you for reviewing.

LivingImpared-Omg! I'm so sorry I spelt it wrong! Let's see how I spelt it last time…how the heck I got impared messed up with compare I will never know but I'm really sorry about that. Oh and what does matane mean? Thanks for reviewing!

Forgotten-Heart-Thank you very much! It's very rare to find a reader that is begging for an update. I don't mind when they do, I do it myself sometimes with other writers, but it's a nice change of pace for someone with patience. Thank you!

Kuwabara99-Yep, the demon was toast. Well, what did you expect from Hiei? I plan for Yukina to show up in the next chapter or perhaps two chapters. Depends if I decide to split this one up into two chapters because I expect this chappie to be a long one. Thanks!

BlueGreenGrey-I'm glad you liked the fluff in the last chapter! I hope this chapter is soon enough for you!

Vindiya- Thank you for your support, you will be happy to know this story is flowing so nicely that it's really easy to update and continue! I hope I don't jinx myself now! Well, enjoy the chapter and Happy New Years!

Ellamr-I'd probably want him to get tortured a little too, but this is Botan. She couldn't hold a grudge if her life depended on it. Thanks for reviewing and Happy New Years.

Bookworm0492-MERRY CHRISTMAS! There are lots of triangles in this fic but Kurama/Shizuru will be one of the pairings here. Are there any couples that you would like to see paired? I can't promise anything but I can consider it if you want.

KeKe-Kikyos-Daughter-Thank you and I will!

Betabonaza-Yep, I updated! I know the world is now officially in shock! What's your favorite chapter so far if you don't mind me asking? Thanks for reviewing!

Kitsune Kit-Thanks and Happy New Years!

MystiKoorime-My friend you have reviewed! Yay, now I get to respond! Hiei is Botan's savior that's for sure. I will include the crew getting their ears chewed off if I can write the scene properly. I plan too, but I'm not sure if I can do it justice so I may just refer to it. I'd really like to have it in though so I'll try! Hope you enjoyed the fluff! I needed them to get a little closer and harden their relationship a bit more to prepare them for the upcoming chapters!

Heartluv-Thank you very much! The two will get closer and closer as the story goes on! Here's the next chapter!

Amata Mercy-I'm glad you love this story! This fic will probably be better than the Will of the Fighter if you read that also, because I'm a much better writer now than when I started that fic. And this plot could go on forever no kidding! I love it so much that it probably won't end in awhile; you can judge it that's a bad thing or not lol. Hiei and Botan will get much closer as the story progresses, I promise you that, and yes, Hiei does take Botan with him, in this chapter anyway. Enjoy!

Keke-Kikyos-Daughter-Thanks for the review! You were the 120'th!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or anything worth patenting!

Tales of the Jagan

Chapter 7

Day Trip

OOOOOHieiOOOOO

The early rays of dawn's first light had started to trickle in from the balcony window. The blue-haired girl was sleeping fitfully in the same position as she had fallen asleep in hours before. Her cheeks were marred by the evident tearstains left behind from the midnight waterworks show.

Just as I had thought, I didn't get a wink of sleep, not that my body was protesting. I had slept a little last night and really my demon body rarely needed more than a few hours of sleep a week. Oh the joys of being a full-blooded demon.

I glanced at the dead carcass on the floor with unbridled loathing. That creature had tried to harm something that belonged to me. As my charge, I thought I had made it clear that nothing of mine was to be tampered with in any way. It seems that little message was forgotten and the crew would pay for this treachery. Dearly.

Footsteps started echoing down the hallway, and thanks to my exquisite demon hearing, I could clearly make out that it was coming down the steps, meaning it one of the other captains was awake. I heard the figure pause outside Botan's doorframe, the door clearly missing. I could picture the puzzlement on their face before my eyes connected with emerald green ones.

Kurama stepped in cautiously, his face carefully masking the surprise that I knew must be there. He regarded my position with Botan silently before redirecting his gaze toward the dead crewmember. The half-fox demon shifted his attention towards me again and I met his gaze indifferently, giving no hint that the red head seeing me in such an intimate situation with Botan affected me in the slightest. With all things said and done the fox had seen me in plenty more situations that were more intimate than this in the past. It was nothing to get embarrassed about and we both knew it.

I've had over my fair share of women and the fox had women flocking to him as well. In all my many years spent with women, I rarely cared for any of them. They were merely a convenience and happened to be there at the right time. Sessions of intimacy for the captains of the Jagan had no strings attached and were pretty much a one-time thing. It was a mutual, unspoken agreement that we knew and the women accompanying us knew from the start. For us it had never been about love, just the simple need to fulfill our desires and then take our leave.

Kurama, Yusuke and I have always been the same that way. Kuwabara, if he managed to snag a woman, tended to become attached to her before we forcefully dragged him off. The fool was too damn sentimental. It could get him killed someday.

I could tell that the fox's genius brain had clicked the pieces together and had figured out what had happened. His gaze turned cold and had a not been used to it, the look on his face might have even made me shudder. Kurama has been my closest friend for ages but even I know to tread carefully when he gets that face.

"Last night?" he growled, voice cold with an edge to it.

"Yeah, but I stopped him before he managed to get too far," I hissed and spat at the dead body.

"I assume you intend to question the crew about this?"

I nodded firmly.

"There will be hell to pay."

Realizing that the dead carcass on the floor would probably do nothing to calm the poor girl's nerves, I snapped my fingers and the body was set aflame. My flames ate away at the flesh and bone of the demon, and minutes later nothing was left, not even leaving a black smudge on the wooden floor.

At that moment the bluette beside me began to awaken. She unconsciously stretched out and yawned before completely awakening. Her eyes fluttered open, one hand coming up to rub the sleep from her eye. They widened considerably when she noticed that her body was snuggling on mine and she blushed deeply.

"H-hiei?" she squeaked.

"Morning," I said gently, "How are you feeling?"

It took a minute to sink in but the memories of the night before hit her like a smack in the face. She her eyes that were still puffy from all the crying she had done earlier. Her eyes became misty with emotion and she offered a cracked smile.

"I'm fine," Botan lied to the best of her ability. If Kurama and I hadn't been the incredibly perceptive demons that we were, it might have slipped by us. But, being who we were, we saw through her like a window.

Kurama walked next to us on the bed and Botan noticed him for the first time, just realizing he was there.

"My apologies for not helping you last night Botan," Kurama said sincerely. His eyes were serious, but they had lost the dangerous glint to them. Kurama could control his emotions better than I could, and could hide them better as well. He wouldn't show Botan an expression that would frighten her out of the security we provided now. No, the full extent of his wrath would be showered upon the crew.

Her lips quivered once before she tried to cover it up with a timid smile.

"No Kurama, it's ok, really. Hiei took care of it. That-that man hardly even touched me yesterday."

"Then what's this," the fox said, caressing her cheek gently where it became an angry black and blue mark. Botan winced at the touch, light as it was.

"I was lucky. I'd rather have him beat up on me than harass me physically," she spoke softly, but I could hear the truth in her words. She shuddered briefly at the memories.

"It won't happen again, Botan. I promise you." I looked her dead in the eyes so she could see that I was being completely serious. She just nodded and looked away, if she looked me in the eyes anymore her composure would break.

Kurama knelt on the floor and pulled her upper half into a tight hug. She hugged him back just as tightly, trembling, clutching him for dear life. Her whimpers started surfacing as she tried to use him embrace as reassurance that everything would be ok.

I was slightly surprised Kurama cared for the girl this much. Sure, he would be expected to come to her aid as she was mine, and we protected what belonged to the other, but it seemed as if he truly cared for the well being of Botan. Apparently the rest of the crew had gotten attached to the girl without my knowing. That was a hard feat in itself.

Kurama seldom became close to people enough to call them friends. He was civil and spoke more than I did, but he kept his distance well. Undoubtedly he thought Botan worthy of the title of friend if he would exert himself this much to comfort her. Kurama may be distanced, but he was a great friend once you were deemed as one. He was deathly loyal and protective, and would risk his own life to help his precious people. I knew I could trust him with Botan.

Looking at the two of them, I was suddenly overcome with a feeling of jealousy. I had half the mind to rip Botan out of his grasp and hug her to me but I resisted. He considered Botan his friend; of course he would be upset that she was almost raped. Instead, I contented myself with the knowledge that even though Kurama was hugging her; she was still sitting in my lap. I thought I made the right decision when Botan pulled back with a small smile, but a true one nevertheless.

She sniffled once and smiled sheepishly.

"Thank you, both of you. I-I don't know what I would have done if-" she cut herself off abruptly, not wanting to go into details. Kurama and I both got the message she couldn't voice in words.

"Don't worry, Botan. We'll take care of it," I promised. I shared a knowing look at Kurama, he nodded in recognition. We knew what we had to do.

"Please, don't tell anyone about this. I'd like to keep it quiet," Botan begged.

I looked away and shook my head.

"No can do."

"What?" She looked shocked.

"Do you think we will let them get away with what they tried to do to you?" I asked her, grabbing her wrists harshly. She looked on confused.

"What do you mean? You killed him yesterday, he's dead."

"We mean the crew, Botan," Kurama supplied.

"Huh? But they didn't do anything. It was just him! Surely you won't blame every member of your crew just because one of them acted out of line!" Botan argued.

"That filth may be the only one who acted, but he was not alone. Regardless, it seems the crew needs another reminder on how I respond to people who touch those that belong to me," I hissed.

The look of confusion prevailed until a light bulb lit over her head.

"That's right, because I'm your ward, aren't I?" she questioned.

I nodded.

"Yes. As long as you remain on this ship, technically you are mine."

"Well that's still no reason to blame everyone because one of them did something wrong."

Something wrong. Something wrong! She classifies someone trying to rape her as something wrong? What the hell!

"Botan," Kurama prodded gently, "I don't think you fully realize what could have happened to you last night."

She blinked.

"No, I understand, I just don't think it was their fault."

I groaned and resisted smacking my forehead. Why did this woman have to be so difficult? I decided that her naiveté and stubborn will was a bad combination to go up against so I decided to change the subject.

"Are you feeling alright?" She gave me a nod. "Good because after my little 'talk' I'll be taking you ashore to find some clothes."

She gave that bright smile that I had missed and her eyes lit up excitedly, everything concerning the crew forgotten in an instant.

"Really!" she exclaimed happily.

I nodded and gave a small smile that she didn't miss. In response her smile widened.

"Kurama, I trust you can find a village somewhere so we can make our stop?" I turned to look at him.

The fox smiled and nodded.

"That should be no problem."

Botan leapt off of me and in her haste nearly fell on the floor, but managed to catch herself at the last second. Kurama and I shared amused looks.

"Ok, I'll just eat breakfast and I'll be ready to go!" she exclaimed.

She was out the door in seconds. I shook my head at her excited state and waited.

"Three, two, one…"

The bluette stumbled back into the room sheepishly.

"Umm, Hiei? I forgot the way…" she played with her fingers in embarrassment.

Kurama and I got up from our places, one of us on either side, and led her out the door.

OOOOO

We had assembled the whole crew into one of the lower decks. As we had hoped, they were jittery and uncertain, knowing something was wrong and they were in trouble. Kurama was wearing his deadly expression again and it did wonders to unnerve the crew.

Yusuke and the fool and also been informed and were also positively livid. While Botan and Kayko were eating breakfast, it was decided we would hold the meeting now so the girls wouldn't find out, or at least be present.

For now I just let a nervous tension fill the room as they waited for one of their captains to begin speaking. It was Yusuke who broke the silence.

"Hey bastards! Obviously now you've figured out you've done something that's pissed us off so much I could spirit gun you to hell and back but you're not worth the hole in my ship!"

Some of the members honestly looked like they had no clue what was going on, while others looked guilty and stricken.

"One of your friends made his way into Hiei's charge's room last night," Kurama spoke coldly, "Ring any bells?"

Now they knew they were in for it. The fearsome pirate captains all had murderous looks on their faces. Facing their wrath was nothing they took lightly, many would prefer drinking poison if they had the option.

"And you call yourselves men, despicable," Kuwabara spat.

"Tell us which among you was involved in Gerra's plot and we may spare your life. If no one comes forward, all of you will die," Kurama spoke calmly, the death threat sweeping off his lips like he was talking about having tea.

Kurama knew that asking the crew to come forward in order to save the other crewmembers was useless. These men were the lowest of the low; the only life of value to them was their own. Kurama simply worded it in a way so that everyone, including the innocents and those who were guilty, would die. And they meant it too, it would be all too easy to replace the crew, the four captains saw them as nothing more than servant laborers.

"Pl-please we didn't think he was actually stupid enough to act on it!" A demon that could have passed for human if his skin was not brown and had his ears not have been pointed at such an angle cried out.

"Last night?" I questioned.

"Y-yeah. He came in the common room last night boasting of seeing the blue haired wench-girl!" He quickly referred to Botan with a much more respectable term as I gripped the hilt of my sword and glared at the man. He began to physically shake at my intense gaze, but continued his speech.

"He went on about how she was beautiful and that he wanted to have her. We could appreciate her beauty, but later that night he proclaimed he was going to her room. We didn't think he was serious!"

"So all of you knew?" Yusuke snarled darkly.

"If you had come to us, perhaps you would have saved your own life," Kurama informed, albeit too late.

I darted, too quickly to be seen, unsheathing my blade and made five quick slashes. A moment later I blurred back to my spot between Yusuke and Kurama.

Five bodies fell to the floor dead, a huge slash going across their bodies in places that varied. The crew looked shaken and curious, but took it as good fortune that only five had been killed.

"We know your schedules and your assigned jobs. Only those five could have been in the common room at that time. However, if anything like this happens again, none of you will be spared. Are we clear?" The demons knew that it was not a question, but a warning. None of them had any doubts that if one of them misbehaved, all would be slain.

"Now, clean this mess and get back to work."

The meeting was over.

OOOOOBotanOOOOO

I walked on after Hiei in the bustling town, careful not to lose him. This town was lively, and packed with so many people. When he walked people seemed to make a path for him and stood out of his way almost out of respect. Hiei was fortunate to be blessed with an aura that commanded authority. Just by looking at him, one could tell he was powerful and the people made sure not to come in contact with him or get in his way by this fear. Me myself however, had no such authority, and as I trailed behind him I was forced to shove and push my way through.

I was desperate to keep up with his fast pace, though he was only walking. It would have been easier if I didn't have all these people in the way! Hiei had made it quite clear that I was to stick close to him. This didn't bother me in the least, I didn't feel particularly safe in this strange town, and if we split up I certainly wouldn't be able to find my way back to the Jagan again by myself.

Earlier, I had borrowed yet another dress of poor Kayko's. It's amazing she still has a wardrobe with me around. After breakfast, I was told that the Jagan had stopped at a hidden dock and Hiei fetched me to go to one of the ports. The Jagan was famous everywhere, so of course the four captains would know tons of secrets in order to stay hidden and unseen. I doubted there was really anyone that could stand in their way, but it would be an inconvenience for them nonetheless.

The hidden dock was quite a ways off, so the fire demon and I had a bit of a ways to walk. We followed dirt path that stretched on for a few miles without encountering a soul. I enjoyed the walk, it was peaceful and I missed seeing nature again after seeing nothing but ocean for a few days. Hiei for the most part didn't talk and I didn't bother to bring up a conversation. After what had happened, I wasn't much in the mood for talking anyway.

The path eventually led to a heavily populated market. I had never in my life seen so many people in one place. In the hustle and bustle I made sure I was almost literally on Hiei's heels and continued to observe the area and take everything in.

The captain pirate stopped in front of a rack of women's clothes and nodded to the woman selling them.

"Pick your clothes out here."

I nodded and began searching through the clothes. Tearing through kimonos, dresses, skirts, and blouses, I looked for something that appealed to me. A dress caught my eye. I reached for it and pulled it off the rack to examine it more closely. From the texture I could tell it was high quality, probably made from silk. With the Timmons we didn't have the money for expensive clothes, Mrs. Timmons simply made our clothes from cotton, a durable and affordable material.

The dress was dark pink and had colorful orange flowers going up the left side. I pulled it against me quizzically, trying to judge how well it would fit. The sales woman must have seen my dilemma.

"Dear, do you want to try that on?" She asked kindly.

Before I could say anything she pushed me into a makeshift dressing room and pulled the curtain shut.

"Go on, go on, try it!" she urged.

I sighed and did as she bid. Sadly, there wasn't a mirror included in the tiny stall. From what I could tell, the dress was conservative enough, came down just above my knees. The straps weren't immodestly thin, about the width of two of my fingers if you were to measure and the neck didn't dive down.

It was a nice dress, it felt wonderful on my skin, but I was still skeptical. Though practical, it showed way more skin than I was used to. The dresses I used to wear were full-length, long sleeved, and I always had to wear a shirt underneath it. Waving myself with my hand, I noted happily that it was a light dress. The weather was unbearably hot and these clothes were unarguably lighter.

"Are you done in there honey?" The lady addressed me.

I realized I had been in there for many minutes and replied that I was dressed.

"Come now, don't keep us waiting, let us see it on you!"

The woman opened the curtain and pulled me out by my wrist. I was off guard and too shocked to struggle as she pulled me out. The sales woman backed up to take a better look.

"What do you think?" She was looking at Hiei; obviously the question was aimed at him. I looked up at him to see him eye the dress. His eyes narrowed in concentration and I held my breath for his decision. Finally, he nodded.

"It's acceptable," he said, paying for it.

"I like it too! It goes well with your eyes," she complimented me.

Personally, I thought it clashed a little with my hair, but if it was good enough for Hiei, who was I to argue?

I decided to stay in the dress, as it was lighter and the temperature was too hot for my liking. Hiei asked, more like ordered me to pick out some more clothes unless I wanted to wear the same thing everyday. I pulled some others off of the racks and Hiei quickly paid for them.

I was a little uncomfortable with him buying me everything, I wasn't used to people buying things for me and it made me feel a little guilty. The clothes must have cost a small fortune, but Hiei didn't seem to mind parting with it. He must have just spent more money than the Timmons had saved up in their lifetime. I fidgeted uneasily.

"Are you sure it's ok? That's a lot of money you're spending on me," I murmured.

Hiei smirked.

"It's fine. I've had meals more expensive than this," he said arrogantly.

I gaped.

"Besides you need something to wear anyway, as you said you can't live off a Kayko's clothes forever. And shopping's a pain in the ass, so we're getting it all done now."

He honestly did look bored.

The sales lady had somehow managed to pile all the clothes into one big and sent us off, merrily. The lady should be happy, Hiei probably bought a quarter of the clothes she had for sale.

I didn't want to go back to the ship just yet. This would probably be the last time in awhile I'd be allowed off the ship. I decided it wasn't worth fighting Hiei about it anymore. I could live with remaining on the ship; I'd have Kayko at least. I wasn't overjoyed in any sense, but had accepted it. At least Hiei and I would stay in good terms. As long as I could stay with him, I'd pull through somehow. Besides I did owe him for all he has done for me, taking me in, and the whole almost rape thing…

And really, it was too painful fighting with him last time. With my jumbled emotions I'm not sure I could take another round of arguing. I'd break if that happened again. I was barely stable as it was.

Looking down at the bag, I stopped abruptly. Was it me, or was something glowing…? Hiei stopped too.

"What's wrong?"

I didn't answer and my hands dove into the bag. It led me to my old clothes; the glow was coming from the pocket. I pulled out my gem to see it shining brightly. What was this?

Hiei's eyes narrowed and he grabbed my wrists, forcefully pulling my hand closer so that he could get a better look, but careful of his strength so as not to hurt me. I didn't resist even though it was rude, his pinky was stronger than my entire body. A fact that was a bit degrading, but true.

"Why is it…?" I voiced out.

"It's sensing another gem. All of them react this way if two or more pieces fall into a close proximity," he explained quickly, "We need to find the other one. I should be glowing as well."

Suddenly he was all business. I hoped he wasn't going to try to kill anyone for it. A replay of what happened to my own village came to mind; I sure hoped it doesn't come to that again.

"Come on." He grabbed the wrist holding the gem and tugged me along after him. I followed obediently, pleased that he hadn't taken the gem from me in order to seek the other one out and left it in my care.

We scanned all the people hurriedly. I resisted the temptation to smack my forehead. How are we supposed to do this? It was like trying to find a needle in a haystack! All we knew is it was somewhere in the area, with no clue as to the direction. Someone could be carrying it on his or her person, like I am, it could be in a pot, and someone could be selling it for all we knew. The gems were so tiny it could literally be anywhere.

I growled in frustration.

"Hiei this is impossible-" He cut me off.

"It should be glowing like yours. We should be able to see it. Keep looking."

I rolled my eyes but obeyed.

My eyes were drawn to a skirmish not far away. A pretty woman was being trapped between two human men who looked like they were trying to intimidate her. She had caramel brown hair that reached a few inches past her shoulders and tawny brown eyes that seemed furious. Obviously she was not happy to be in the predicament.

The brunette was garbed in a red shirt that was littered stylishly with black lines. The shirt was tight and ended an inch before her belly button, revealing a bit of skin. She also wore a black skirt that was slit up the right side, from her thigh down. I'd probably look ridiculous in an outfit like that but she pulled it off marvelously.

I looked on worriedly as one of the males grabbed her arm, but she punched him in the face, sending him off of her. This caused her to lose her balance however, and she staggered for a second before regaining it. I noticed what slipped out of her skirt.

It was lime green, but other than that it was identical to my indigo gem. And it was glowing.

OOOOO

Yay, I'm evil, I left it with a cliffhanger! Aren't you all just thrilled? Cookies to anyone who can guess who the woman is. I'll post the next chapter in the next fifteen reviews, 135. See ya then!

xxooFreesiaxxoo