AG310: I am extremely sorry for the long leave of absence but my computer broke and living in the Bahamas in my area there really isn't anyone who could help. I'm on vacation up here in the states and really trying hard to update each fic.
Disclaimer: I told you before I do not own anything.
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Botan stood looking down at the fire demon before her. How could he sleep at a time like this? And so easily too! Just find a tree and he's happy as a squirrel. "Come on, Hiei," she whined. "You know the faster we move the faster we leave this place." He didn't budge at her pathetic bribed and remained with his eyes closed.
He sat underneath the tree in his usually black attire. His katana safely tucked underneath his cloak for quick accessibility if the time came. The leaves above allowed little light to reach the ground providing perfect shade but enough passed through to give the ground a certain glow. A slight breeze quickly came before disappearing and ruffling his bangs.
She growled in annoyance at how peaceful he looked, she couldn't help the little wheels turning in her head. The way his eyes were shut as if in deep concentration. The way his lips slightly parted downward at the corners. She never really noticed how his brow forward slightly when he slept…or at least looked like it.
She wore a beautiful flowered red shirt with dark short jeans. Her hair was in a high sloppy ponytail. She shook her head and then concentrated on the matter at hand. She blew out a puff of air. "At least acknowledge I exist."
"No," he said bluntly. She blinked as he opened one eye and smirked. She huffed and stomped away furiously. Why should he partake in this ridiculous ningen ritual? Just because he had to protect her doesn't mean he had to help around in the 'chores' thing.
He hn'd miserably as he opened both eyes and turned toward the apartment complete of nightmares. It had taken three weeks to find a new apartment that suited them both. He refused to stay in anything 'pink', 'cute', 'warm', or anything that was remotely near them. It would be a lot easier if he burned everything and let her buy new things using Koenma's 'generous' allowance.
"Hey!" Akane walked out carrying a huge box. Plopping down tiredly onto the ground near the moving van. She wore a tight pink pants and dark blue blouse that hugged her chest. She wiped her brow bending over, the tight pants squeezing even more. "Now let's see."
Hiei walked over nonchalantly. Stupid ningen, he thought angrily. She had been flirting with him and he wished to kill her. But since he had to watch the onna, killing had to wait…and he wanted to kill her…but it had to wait. He narrowed his eyes passing the girl. Damn ningen.
There were a few whistles and hoots from behind at Akane. She 'smoothed' out her back pockets carefully and tilted her head to the side sticking her tongue out playfully. "Oh for goodness sake, Akane," laughed Botan smiling at the young teen before her.
Botan's face wasn't etched in tiredness and her smiled had a hint of warmth to it. Her eyes still held the pain but no one noticed…except Hiei. "Can't you give it a rest? Keep it up and Hiei might snap." Hiei's eye ticked but he showed no other emotion and he made himself distracted by putting the boxes into the truck.
Akane only smiled standing up straight. She raised her palms into the air as she shrugged. "Hey. If you got it flaunt it. Now," she squatted down more carefully this time as not to stretch her pants rummaging through the box, "I have some things for you." She grinned mischievously at Botan and winked.
Botan blinked curiously. She leaned over the box and blushed ferociously closing it shut. Squatting down next to Akane she whispered harshly, "What are you doing!" She looked around hesitantly. "Are you mad?" her hands were faced up and waving over the box.
She heard a slight thud inside the moving van and colorful words but she ignored them. In the corner of her eyes though she saw a stream of smoke.
Akane only smiled and stood up dusting her clothes off. "I'm just trying to make your life a little more…" she tapped her chin thoughtfully thinking of the right word, "interesting." She placed a hand on her hip and pointed behind her at the moving van. "Mr. Short, Dark and Handsome seems to have way too much energy, if you know what I mean." She smiled then.
Botan's jaw dropped open. Was this girl insane! Blinking a couple of times she stood up. "Are you insane!" she spoke a little too loudly causing Hiei to stop in his tracks. "Hiei isn't like that. In fact he's more gothic than the grim reaper of your imagination! He's not even into this type of stuff!" she pointed to the box between them. He murmured something underneath his breath and continued what he was doing. "Are you actually saying he would enjoy this stuff!"
"Hey," she shrugged again smiling, "all males got needs sooner or later." She grinned. "Don't deny it. I see how you look at him."
Botan blinked in disbelief at what she just heard. "Ha…" she said slowly. "HAHA." She laughed grabbing her sides. Tears slid down her face as her face turned red. She slowly regained her composure at looked at the confused girl.
Hiei heard the laughter and curiously peeked his head out of the van. He scoffed and placed the last box, at least she was laughing.
"Look, I don't see Hiei that way." Her face softened a hint of her old self-made it to her pink eyes. "He saved my life once and I own him it. I don't know where I'll be without him right now." Tears of pain ran down her cheeks. "I own him my life, Akane. And without him I wouldn't be here today. He helped me get back onto my feet."
Akane nodded slowly. "Besides," she wiped the tears away, "a group of people are a bit racist about different," she thought carefully, "nationalities being together." She referred to the camp. She would never forgive them for what they did to her but she wouldn't let that stop her. She was going to make it. The nightmares won't stop her in finding happiness and she knew…in time…she would heal but the wound would never quite disappear.
"Oh," she nodded in understanding…kindof. "You mean he's not from here?" She picked up the box and started for the van with Botan right behind her.
"Nope. He's kind of a loner." She felt an unfamiliar ache in her chest but she chose to ignore it. Akane stopped and blinked looking inside of the van. "How in the friggin hell did he get all the boxes in here! We were only speaking for like, one hour."
Botan laughed. The noonday sun beat down on them as they loaded two more boxes. "Thanks Akane, for everything but I'm alright now." She smiled her widest as her young attendant friend smiled back.
"Alright. Hey there's Hatsumi! Later." Akane turned and ran after her sister. As Botan closed the van's trunk she heard the young girl shout, "Haaasssuuummmeee!" and made her way cross the street, knowing Hiei to be near.
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Yusuke sat on the couch an arm wrapped protectively around Keiko, his eyes narrowed slightly. How could this happen? One of their closest friends...and this happened. They couldn't help at all. If this could happen to her then…"I'll never let anything to you," he said tightening his grip. "Never…"
Keiko looked up at him and placed a hand unto his cheek, turning his face to look down at hers. She whispered, ever so gently, "I know, Yusuke." She kneeled up now looking down at him, both eyes trained on him and hands on both cheeks. She kissed his forehead and he closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I know…"
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She sat at a table underneath the shade across the road. Her friend left with her sister and the landlady's son Ryoki. Botan shivered. He certainly gave her the creeps as well with Hatsumi. Poor girl, she thought as she sipped her lemonade. Been scared stiff of him since she was a child.
She placed her head onto the table. Why did this have to happen to her? She didn't do anything wrong. Everything was so perfect. Now the one thing Kami had given her that was actually hers, what she could give to the one man she would love have to spend his life with was now gone.
Was it her fault that this happened? Maybe she didn't fight hard enough. Maybe she wanted this to happen. Maybe she should have never gone there, to that kamiforsaken camp. Maybe it was her fault…maybe if she had screamed louder or had no more. Maybe she should have fought more. Send a transmission to Hiei. Maybe she should have gone into grim reaper mode into the spirit world. He wouldn't have been able to get her then...
She ran her hands into her hair, leaving them at the back of her head and took a sip of her drink.
Maybe…
"Ugh!" she said frustrated, slapping the table and spilling her drink. The liquid gushed from the glass, running over the edge of the table into her lap. "Oh, granny's apple!" she snapped.
"Oh Miss. Are you alright?" Botan mumbled something and turned around. "Oh, Botan its you." Botan smiled weakly staggering out of the chair.
"Kurama…hi…"she said slowly. She stood and smiled meekly as he bent down wiping the table. "What are you doing here?"
He smiled standing back up and placing the glass onto a tray. "This is my job for the holidays," he explained. "Mother isn't feeling to well and I volunteered for this to pay for this month's rent." Botan made an 'o' shape with her mouth as she wiped her blouse with the napkin he offered.
He looked at her worriedly as he placed the tray at the kitchen's opening. "Everything okay?" he asked.
"The shirt's ruined," she muttered absently.
"I mean with Hiei and the move."
"Oh, uh, yeah. Okay I guess. He's nearby." She smiled again. "You know he hates crowds." Kurama eyed her suspiciously as he picked up the new order. "I'm fine really." She waved a hand and smiled really broadly, like she used to.
"Are you sure-"
"Yo, Suuichi! Leave the chick alone, dude! Serve table two!"
Kurama sighed and shifted the tray unto one arm and on his left shoulder. "Coming!" He turned to face Botan. "Be safe Botan." He turned and left smiling at the table of girls who had ordered.
But I am safe Kurama, she wanted to say but instead rubbed her arm as if she was a lost child.
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He stood there looking rather proud at the work just accomplished. "Kumi," said the figure. He stood roughly eight feet and was solidly built. His eyes were cold as ice and as gray as a thunderstorm. His hair was sleek and spiked as he wore a blue cloak. A sword was strapped around his waist as.
Kumi walked into the darkened room into the center were light was only allowed to penetrate. He bowed respectfully and remained in that position. "Yes, Master. I have completed the task of which you asked of me."
The figure moved into the light, a scar running from his eyebrow to his cheek on his left side. "Fly." The girl walked into the room, face covered in shadow as she bowed. Blood oozed from her wound.
"I am here. I have completed the task in which you have asked of me." He smiled evilly and pulled out a small vile from his left pocket. In it was a red substance that danced wildly, trying to find way to escape. Cries could be heard coming from it as small face etched into the sides of lost souls.
"Phase one complete." He opened the vile and tipped it over allowing the red substance to make its escape. It was a small red puddle but it grew slowly into a blob. It moved slowly to the side as it took the form of a naked female. Her hair was as red as blood and her eyes as black as night. Her skin was as pale as the moon and her moans of that of a hungry lion.
The woman stood up as if strings like a puppet were holding her. A sound of joints snapping into place was heard followed by a high shrill like an electric saw. Her hair fell to her shoulders and spiked wildly as if it was alive herself… He smiled. "Go..." In a pillar of black smoke she disappeared with an evil laugh.
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She sighed wiping her brow and looked at all the packages. She tilted her head letting a few strands of her blue hair drop to her shoulders. This…is going to be a lot of work, she thought miserably going into the kitchen. The house was fairly large but small at the small time. There were three rooms and two baths. The kitchen had beautiful marbled floors with oak cupboards. The stove was in the middle instead of against the wall along with the dishwasher.
There was a balcony with the most beautiful view of the sea and a garden below it in the front. The neighborhood was quiet and warm welcoming and had the most stunning view of the sun as it sets over the horizon.
There was a large tree next the house outside of her window. A perfect place for Hiei to reside himself for the night if he so wished. The house was small but spacious. Perfect for two people.
Botan stretched as she looked around the room. "Okay!" she chirped clapping her hands. Tilting her head from side to side then raising each sleeve she marched forward a determined look on her face. She rummaged through each box, placing everything in its place. "Hiei?" she called poking her head around the halls. "Hiei? Oh come on!" She placed her hands on her kimber as she exited through the back door. "I need help in cleaning. The faster we get this done the fast we can eat!"
The area remained silent as she took deep breaths. She turned her head towards a small sound within the house. "Hiei?" she dropped her hands and entered the house and gasped. All her things were unpacked and the floor was cleaned. The furniture had been moved and the table in the dinning room was neatly set up.
"Wow," she breathed. In the corner of her eye she saw him and smiled warmly. "Hiei, thanks. You just cut three weeks into three hours." Hiei blinked and hn'd in response. He turned his head away from the blue-headed beauty to escape the faint shade of pink on her lips.
"Whatever," he muttered as she giggled and yawned. She stretched her arms into the air and stood on tipsy toes. She felt her muscles stretch and tighten and a few kinks were heard.
Hiei watched in the corner of his eyes as she stretched and relaxed her muscles. She slouched her arms down to her side and rubbed her neck. He growled in frustration slightly and went to the other side of the room. Botan watched him as he pulled a chair from the corner. She never knew him to be the sitting type. Usually the stay in the darkest corner and glare daggers at everybody or stand and try not to kill Kuwabara.
She tilted her head slightly and grimaced and the cramp she felt. She saw Hiei's eye twitch and ignored him with a 'humph'. She turned and began walking away. "Where do you think you are going?" can his gruff voice.
"I'm going to take a bath!" she answered hotly. "I stink, Hiei. I need a shower." She rubbed her neck some more. "I feel sore all over and…well…I just need to scrub." To scrub away all the filth that touched me, she thought. But she'll never feel clean. His hands touched her. His lips and his…thing was in her. He was in her.
She shivered closing her eyes. Even then she couldn't block out the image. The way he forced her down. The way his body felt when it touched her bare flesh. The pleas and cries she did to make him stop. The way…she allowed him to take her. All of her.
Hiei was with a raised eyebrow at Botan facial expressions. How it turned from hurt to anger. From anger to frustration. He sighed rolling his eyes heavenward. "Sit."
Botan eyes shot open, blinking a couple of times, startled at the intrusion. Was he here? Was he back? Her heart began to race as she hurriedly searched here surroundings.
The couch…the kitchen…the dinning room…Hiei…
Hiei?
"Sit," he repeated slightly louder and nudge the chair in front of him. Botan swallowed the bit of air she was holding. Hiei was here. Nothing would happen with him here. She was safe…for now anyway.
She took a step forward then stopped. Why did she have to sit? "Why-"
Hiei narrowed his eyes, as she smelt smoke. Her nose twitched and she sniffed repeatedly. Tipping her nose into the air her eyes widened. "Hiei! Not the furniture!" She quickly ran pulling off her soft blue sweater and banging it onto the sofa. She yelped as the fire died down and finally extinguished. Blowing out a sigh of relief she glowered at the sofa then at Hiei. Her eyes widened then she lowered her head.
Sighing, she scooted over to the chair Hiei had pulled out from the corner and sat. Don't let Hiei repeat three times.
Removing his hands from their folded positions he placed them onto her shoulders. "Hiei I-ohhh…mmmm….hmnmm," she said in content. She shifted slightly into the chair and began to lower her eyes, sighing softly. This wasn't too bad.
Hiei used his thumbs into her shoulders in small, pressure point circles. He then at the same time used the rest of his fingers into Botan's collarbone. He was uncomfortable at first, lowering himself to sooth her aches but now…underneath his fingers her skin felt soft, so delicate. For the first time he really took a look at Botan's skin. It was pale…like ivory, flushing slightly in a few areas.
His grip tightened and the young ferry girl let out a soft mewl. He could feel her muscles relax underneath his touch. The way she just sat there, turning her neck as his fingers moved up and down, allowing him to touch her.
Botan sighed again. This was…nice. The way the movements soothed her. A touch. A simple touch that left her skin tingly. She never really knew Hiei's hands were this soft and gentle. They kind of felt like cotton or a newborn's bottom after a nice warm bath and a good lotion. Amazing, she thought. Who knew demons hands were like this. She always thought they were harder, a bit rougher. But they weren't.
She looked into the corner of her eyes and saw his hands. The emphasis he placed on certain points in her shoulder. His nails she saw, were well kept. Trimmed just recently. They looked as if he had them professionally manicured. She snorted. Right like Hiei would do that.
"What's so funny?" Hiei asked raising an eyebrow but keeping his train of eye onto the deity's neck.
"Nothing," she said softly and giggled. His ears twitch. That laugh...it was cheery. A slight flicker crossed his eyes. A flicker of something unfamiliar…something ningens called…hope.
She closed her eyes momentarily. She was so tired. Just a little rest.
His hands touched her roughly. Covering her body in bruises and scrapes. Her neck, her shoulder, her stomach, her waist. Nothing escaped his hungry hands.
His hands touch her there, the part between her legs mercilessly…
His hands rough and uncaring on her flesh…
His hands will forever be embedded in her mind…
Her cotton colored eyes shot open filled with terror. She stood up in such a rush that she tripped on the flowered rug onto the cold hard mahogany floor. She scrambled to her knees and hurriedly crawled to the coach in front of her. Her heart was pounding against her chest and tears started to form.
Hiei was startled at her sudden jump and watch as she fell to the floor. He quickly marched around, his black boots echoing off of the hard floor. He bent down trying to help her but she quickly got to her knees and made her way behind the couch. What was wrong with her?
He heard the tears and wondered what was wrong. Did he do something? He shook his head and glowered after the girl. Making his head all fuzzy and stuff. Making his flesh tingle when he stared at her bare neck.
He walked over to the couch slowly as not to startle the ferry girl. He stood in front of her form, her knees brought up to her chest, her back resting on the pale brown couch. The salt-water droplets tinkled down her rosy cheeks to the corners of her slightly parted lips. Her eyes were partially glazed over as if staring off into an unknown place that only she could see.
He knelt down looking at her hard. He lifted his head looking at her face with utmost uncertainty. What made her snap like that? Did he touch her in a way that had made her hurt?
He lifted his hand to her slowly and watched as she tried to push her head further back into the setting. A single word left her mouth hardly unheard by him. "No." He stopped then moved his hand closer to her face. She slowly shook her head and repeated her one word a little louder.
Hiei opened his mouth slightly then bit his lip as he seen this girl do numerous occasions when she knew not what to do. Then he stopped himself and narrowed his eyes not in a hard way but in a soft yet comforting way. He prayed silently to an unknown god above that would listen that he won't do this again.
His hands reached forward and touched her cheek. She gasped slightly her eyes slowly coming into focus on him. He could do that, she thought. He could do what he did to her. He could but he wouldn't she countered. He wasn't like that. His honor kept him in check and he swore he would protect her. He promised…
"I promise," he whispered, his hand moving to her ear and into her hair. "Promise." He said more softly as was his tender touch. She watched as he leaned forward, his crimson eyes never leaving her puffed ones. His white bandana rested onto her forehead and their noses brushing each other.
Words that could not be spoken seemed to be transferring through her eyes. He watched and listened. Not with his ears but with something in his chest. Something unfamiliar. Not that he didn't mind, it just was so unfamiliar.
The river of tears slowed but still continued and she sniffed. He began to move away but she held onto his close in almost a death grip. She pulled him back, closer than she thought she should've their lips barely touching.
His eyes widened as hers closed. "Don't leave," she whispered against his lips, shakingly. She moved her hands down his cloak, under and around his arm, linking them in the back. He was still, so still, she thought.
She moved her head to the crock of his neck and cried. "Don't leave me, Hiei…please." His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her close. How did she do it? Get him to do these things like a little weakling.
She was scared. Even if he was here. She never wanted him out of his sight or even at earshot. She wanted him right her beside her and even maybe hug her again. She just needed a stable shoulder to lie on for comfort, for someone to listen or to just try and cry her pain away. He had promised but she was still uncertain if he would always be there.
He held her not knowing what else to do. He used one hand to hold her and the other to do small circles onto her back. He felt the tears soak into his neck and run down between his white t-shirt, sticking to his flesh.
The sun began to set, sending rays of light through the blinds. Her breathing had relaxed and her body had released him. But he didn't let go. For some reason he didn't comprehend he never wanted to let go. Maybe it was guilt getting back at him for those weeks ago.
That one little slip…
He sighed as he repositioned himself against the wall. Botan's hip rested against his thigh and her head on his chest. He felt her soft protest as he shifted her but then she settled. He rested the back of his head against the wall and drifted into thought as he closed him eyes.
The touch of her hand resting against his on the floor as his other was behind resting just barely above her hip on her side. The way their breathing mingled into one with the darkening sky.
What the hell had he gotten himself into…
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Author's note: there! Finished chapter 5! I hope ya'll like it! Please I need a lot more reviews if you don't mind…like maybe 50? If I can get those I'll be so happy and able to continue. Peace out!