Lost and Found: Love: Prequel Chapter 1: Rendezvous: Akita, a yu yu hakusho fanfic

A Past Love: Prequel

Memories: Akita and Hiei

by AngelK

Author's Note: Welcome and greetings! This is the prequel to A Past Love/Lost and Found: Love. This takes place quite a few years before Akita meets Yusuke or any others of the group, including her own brother. This is when Akita and Hiei for that matter are both thieves a part of separate crime rings. These particular meetings take place after the very first meeting (seen in Chapter 1: A Search Ended; A Love Rediscovered of A Past Love).

My usual blather, I do like comments and suggestions/criticism. But, if you don't like this story as you read it, it's kind of pointless just to tell me how much you hated it and how terrible I am. So, I want a reason for why you dislike it so much if you do (in other words, constructive criticism). If you see a problem with it, state it. Otherwise, enjoy yourself.

Disclaimer: This is a story based on characters of Yu Yu Hakusho. It is for entertainment purposes only.

Hope you like this edition to the series.

The Dark Tournament: Hanging Neck Island

"Sorry, sweetheart, I can't let you through here without a ticket." A male demon security guard commented firmly, leering lewdly at a petite female.

"Aw, can't you make an exception? You must be the guy in charge. I'll make it worth your while, I promise…" The lithe female batted her eyelashes flirtatiously.

"Listen, honey, I-" The guard stopped in mid-speech. He crumpled to the ground unconscious, an egg-sized lump on his head.

"I tried to do it the easy way," Akita murmured to the guard. Blending with the shadows, she wound her way through the corridors, avoiding security patrols escorting rowdy demons from the stadium.

"The first match of the finals, we have Karasu versus Kurama. Begin!"

Akita stood at the second level of the weatherproof stadium. "Pretty gloomy in here, huh…" The Koorime-kitsune noted to herself. She looked as two male demons entered the ring. Kurama…

"Kurama, don't move! You're surrounded by bombs!" Yusuke Urameshi, captain of the Urameshi team, cried out to his teammate.

Kurama, a gorgeous redhead, trembled slightly. He couldn't see the green energy bombs that completely encircled him.

Akita shot to her feet. "Get him out of there, Yusuke!"

"You're siding with the traitors, little girl!" A bulky demon demanded, one that was sitting behind her.

"Yes, you large brainless oaf." Akita snapped as she turned her attention back to her brother.

"Who you calling an oaf, you brat? I'll rip your head off!" The demon growled.

Akita whirled, a nasty look on her face. "You refer to me as 'little' one more time, and I'll punch your 'little' brain out."

"Is that look supposed to scare me? You'd barely reach up to my waist, pipsqueak!" The male chuckled, a conceited grin filling his face.

"Your smile-" Akita smashed the demon's nose with her fist, breaking it with a crack. "It pisses me off! If you talk to me again, I'll knock your teeth out!"

Agonized screams filled Akita's ears and mind.

The Koorime-kitsune turned to view the ring where he heavily bleeding and wounded brother struggled to remain standing. Unchecked tears slid down her face as she ran to get nearer to her brother. "Kurama…" Don't die. She reached the bottom of the stairs. Akita stood at the railing overlooking the ring. "Kurama, please get up!"

Juri, a green fish-eared announcer, stepped closer to the center of the ring. "Okay! He has until the count of ten. If he stays down, Karasu wins."

Hiei's red eyes darted to the railing. Someone had screamed for Kurama to rise again.

A female kitsune with black hair and onyx eyes stood at the railing, gripping the metal tightly in her small hands while tears glistened on her cheeks.

"It couldn't be…" The jaganshi murmured.

"Sit down, you bitch! Why are you cheering for the traitors?" A group of demons attacked the female, driving her away from sight.

"Akita!" The simple word had left his lips before he could stop it, much to the apparition's dismay.

Rendezvous: Akita

"Tonight's heist's objective is the Diamond of Desire. It can create an infinite amount of diamonds, each one perfect. We'll make millions on the Black Market."

That was the briefing Akita had received from the item's expert. Her special elite team left for the mansion shortly after sunset.

"I hope that we meet opposition tonight. These last couple robberies were boring." An android complained.

The hybrid leading this mission couldn't help but agree. She herself hadn't seen that dark, talented swordsman for about two months. He sure wasn't hard on her eyes, unlike some of her uglier associates.

"Sshhh! We're approaching the vicinity," hissed Nariko, Akita's dearest comrade. She studied her handheld computer. This particular apparition is a part of the elite of Sakamoya's crime syndicate like Akita. A Tracker, capable of finding anything, and a technological genius were her skills. She was responsible for the majority of Sakamoya's technology, carrying most of the plans for things in her own mind.

"Approximate distance?" Akita asked, laying a hand on Nariko's shoulder.

"Two hundred meters from the mansion. One hundred from the gate and security." Nariko replied after checking her small handheld.

"What sort of resistance? How many guards?" The defense advisor, Akita's former weapons sensei, Shaman, was the inquirer.

Nariko pulled a palm-sized laptop from her backpack. Punching a combination of buttons, she plugged the device into the ground. "Stand back."

No one dared ignore the command. The last demon that had made that mistake had been completely vaporized.

The machine began to whir and vibrate. After a few minutes, the plug was pulled from the ground.

"Obi, you check to see if we have any visitors." The half-breed ordered as the rest of the group gathered to examine the computer.

Obi grinned mischievously, every one of his sharp, pointed teeth visible. He palmed two long knives and quickly melted away. An assassin, Obi had come to relish in the taste of blood.

"We've got the works. Lasers, land mines, computer operated machineguns, and a few bombs. One hundred and fifty security guards are currently patrolling the wall while two hundred more are within the stronghold itself. No opposition had appeared as of yet." Nariko closed her laptop.

"All right, Rika," Akita began.

The sorceress's eyes were gleaming. "All ears, Akita."

"Sleep inducers and any other spells that you'd like to play with. Anganshi and Obi will accompany you against the resistance outside." Akita continued, looking over at the remaining member of the team.

The android nodded his understanding, preparing his weapons immediately after the order was given.

"Oh, I've been dying to see if this new spell book I got my hands on actually works." Rika smiled, eyes lit up at the chance to play.

"Shaman, you'll come with Nariko and I. Nariko will take out security and will be in charge of getting all of us in safely. If anything goes wrong, meet back at Sakamoya's." The leader stated.

All present vanished into the surroundings until Shaman, Nariko, and Akita remained.

"Well?" Shaman asked, directing his impatience at Nariko.

"I'm waiting for them to get into position." Nariko retorted, focusing all attention on her laptop. It vibrated and a video uplink appeared on the screen.

"We're getting started. Let us know when you're ready." Obi closed the link.

The trio headed to the gate. Nariko connected her laptop to the security box.

'Password confirmed. Entrance accepted.'

The gate swung open.

"Five guards approaching in two minutes. Twenty-five abandoned their stations to face our intruders." Nariko read from the computer's screen.

Akita led the way in, Shaman covering the trio with his new laser blaster. Working at the lock mechanism with a claw, Akita was unable to get the stubborn lock to budge.

"No time, Akita. Get us in. We've got only 30 seconds." Nariko hissed, anxiety rising in her voice.

Shaman set his laser to the 'fry' setting.

With a sigh, the Opener blew into the lock. Ice froze as fire melted the inside in less than a breath.

The door opened reluctantly.

"You people have no respect for expertise…" Akita muttered as they headed inside.

"Stop, intru- Hey, where did they go?" A demon guard looked around, a state of consternation settling onto his features as he saw nothing, no intruders and only closed doors.

His companion looked at him with a raised eyebrow, a cup of coffee in his hand. "I think you're just tired. Here, have a sip of my coffee."

Nariko checked the heat reading. "Hall's empty. Checking for activity…"

Shaman loosed a blast at the corner of the wall.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Nariko whispered angrily.

The weapons master pointed to the ashes. "Destroying surveillance cameras."

"Let's look for the main security room." Akita suggested in order to avoid an argument.

"Finally, a logical statement. It'll be upstairs, I'm sure." The Tracker stated confidently.

Akita led the way upstairs and down a hall.

"This door here," Nariko said after running a data scan.

The raven-haired leader scanned the door's mechanism. Fools. No point in security if you could simply blow the lock out. "OPEN!"

The doorknob popped out of its' holding, smoking on the floor.

Shaman took a guard stance at the door.

Akita knocked out the two guards within, knocking them out with a sleep gas grenade. "All yours, Riko."

Nariko took her computer and plugged it in, typing away. "I'm in and now…"

'Computer override complete.'

"I'm into the mainframe. Running a search for any rare treasures… Five hits. You all have your handhelds that I gave you?" The tech genius asked, speaking into her comm device.

"Affirmative," was the series of replies.

"I'm sending each of you separate coordinates that will coincide with your maps stored in your computers. Meet at the outer perimeter in exactly 30 minutes. After that, you will have no possibility of returning with the rest of us." Nariko ended the communication.

"Well, I'll be off to find my ordered rarity." With a toss of her hair, Akita turned to the door. "Riko, give me a heads-up if there's trouble. Use your own discretion. If you "forget" to warn me, I can always use some practice…"

"Wait!"

Akita turned back around. A headset came flying at her. Easily, she caught it. "What is this for?"

"Constant communication in case you-know-who appears." Nariko winked.

"I don't like just waiting and following our opposition." Hiei muttered, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his black cloak.

An male smirked. He brushed vibrant red hair from his face. "That's why Atashi put me in charge of this mission. I'm leader and you're just a helping thug. I make decisions that matter while you just wave your sword around to look menacing." Geanjo grinned, conceit lining his hard features that were littered with scars from when he had allowed opposition to get too close, too sure of his skills to realize that he was a novice.

Arrogant fool. I could decapitate you in the blink of an eye. Hiei glowered. This mission wasn't important to Atashi. It was simply cause he wanted his niece under observation that the group had been sent. It was a foolish mistake to give someone as hungry power as Geanjo authority. Besides, it had been bad enough to be demoted and how much more humiliating it had been to be under this foolhardy bastard. I'll just have to let some unfortunate accident befall this creature. Not like anyone would miss him. The jaganshi glanced around at the rest of his supposed 'team.' It was a real insult that the crimelord had dealt him, placing him with a truckload of clueless ignoramuses.

"Let's move out, men." Geanjo ordered with great aplomb.

Let this circus begin. Hiei thought glumly.

Nariko continued running checks on her team members while uploading a virus and leaving a very fine trace within the computer network just in case she'd want to hack in later. That was, if the computer was ever up and running again.

Suddenly a minor activity level showed up.

"Ooh…looks like we have company. Anganshi, majority is heading your way. Grab the treasure and choose whether to run or kill." Nariko studied the process of the uploading. Halfway done.

"Some fun finally. Shaman, meet me in two. See you soon, Nariko." Anganshi shut off his communicator.

The Tracker called Akita up onscreen. "Hello, sweetheart." She drawled.

"Hey, aren't you supposed to be working? Do I have to keep that whip on you at all times?" Akita joked.

"Well, I just wanted to share a bit of info with you, dear. We've got a familiar energy print. Dare I say it, I do believe it's your new love interest." Nariko quipped.

Akita's heart skipped a beat.

"He's headed your way. Judging by his speed, I give him a minute."

Akita could feel her friend's smile. "All right."

Hiei sped down the hallway. He turned a corner and saw a creature standing there. The long raven hair and that petite build… Could it be…

"Hello, Hiei." The female turned to face him fully.

"Akita…" The male trailed breathlessly.

"It's been awhile. I've missed seeing that handsome face." Akita admitted shyly, eyes hidden by lowered eyelashes.

Hiei gulped as he watched her approach. She had to have been a seductress… Every part of him was screaming to run and a few parts even voiced the order to kill her. But, the apparition was frozen in place, limbs completely immobile.

The hybrid leaned closer and her lips brushed his.

Hiei's whole brain was shutting down. What in the world was happening to him?

Suddenly, the blaring of alarms filled the air.

"Akita, we've got to get out. Everyone's heading to the agreed location. Good luck, Aki." The transmission ended.

"Did you get her?" Shaman asked, eyes worried and mouth set in a grim line.

Nariko nodded. "I doubt she'll make it. I sent her best escape route. But the room is at the lowest level of the mansion." A countdown ticked by menacingly on her laptop. "Five minutes until this place self-destructs." A tear escaped her eye.

Shaman hung his head. Akita was good, having beat many hopelessly impossible odds. Was she this good?

"Let's get out of here." Nariko murmured softly, despair in her voice. She didn't need to look at the weapons master. He had surely gone misty eyed at the thought of losing his favored student.

"Come on, I'll get you out of here. There's an exit a couple minutes away from here." Hiei's brain was working once more.

"But-" Akita began.

Hiei grabbed her hand and jerked her forward.

Akita's body obeyed.

The pair ran through the halls, Akita easily keeping up with Hiei's fast pace but unable to see his blurring feet. She was sure she looked the same.

Explosions resounded through the halls. Sounding closer with each passing second.

"There's the door. We're almost there." Hiei indicated.

The words had barely left his mouth before an explosion went off in front of them.

Hiei grabbed Akita, pushing her to the ground, shielding her with his own body.

Rubble and debris flew everywhere. Once the dust had settled, a minute later, stone, concrete, brick, and metal blocked the entrance.

Hiei gritted his teeth.

Akita released the hand that she had been thoughtlessly clutching. She pulled a gun from its' holster at her waist. Aiming at the bottom of the hill of rubble, she set the laser to the 'liquefy' and fired.

The laser blasts released in immediate succession incinerated the rubble until there was enough room to climb through the top half of the doorway.

Akita could see starlight outside.

"You go first. I'll come right behind you." Hiei reassured the Koorime-kitsune.

The half-Koorime nodded numbly. She began to climb the hill to freedom, her feet scrabbling in the gravel.

Hiei waited a few moments until he was sure that she would escape alive. Why was he doing this for her? She hadn't done anything for him to owe her.

The female glanced back over her shoulder just as the frame of the building began to tremble. It was going to collapse on them.

"Get through!" Hiei pushed Akita through the opening.

"Hiei!" Akita called, voice unheard over the building's collapsing. She tumbled down the mound of debris, body limbs getting scraped harshly. Wails and screams pierced the evening's stillness, as there remained nothing but rubble in the building.

The female knelt on the ground, trembling. The smoke settled, covering her with a fine layer of dust.

"Why…are…you…crying…?"

Akita gazed up into piercing crimson eyes in disbelief. "You… You're…"

Hiei nodded as his eyes vanished behind closed lids. His knees collapsed.

Akita caught and cradled the now unconscious jaganshi in her arms. "I'll get you to somewhere safe." Her dark angel wings materialized at her shoulder blades. They spread wide, invisible against the dark night sky. She draped Hiei's limp body over her arms. "I'll take good care of you. You saved my life." The dark creature lifted up off the ground, ascending into the air. Dark feathers scattered throughout the starry sky, floating dream-like down to earth.

Hiei opened his eyes. He had the odd sensation of being high up in the air. Had he fallen asleep in a tree? The fire demon glanced below him and his heart momentarily stopped. His vision blurred as he quickly closed them again.

Akita descended to the ground, landing gracefully. Her wings folded and dematerialized. The half-Koorime ran thin fingers through Hiei's black hair, tracing the white starburst.

Hiei muttered softly and shifted in his sleep.

The female bit her lip and quickly took him inside her home. She laid him on a table and rushed to gather her supply of medicine and bandages.

Garnet colored orbs appeared from behind long closed eyelids. Cool air hit the exposed skin of his upper body.

Soft sunbeams streamed in through a glass window and plain curtains fluttered in the breeze.

Hiei sat up awkwardly and cautiously. He examined his body. Just about every part was covered with white bandages.

A door opened. Akita stood in the doorway with her mouth slightly agape. She was dressed in a pale gray kimono with a white obi belt. "You're…you're awake."

Hiei nodded, doing his best not to jar any of his bones about.

The gait of the part-kitsune was fluent and graceful as she walked over to Hiei's bedside. She began to undo his bandages.

"What're you doing?" Hiei asked, his tone soft but somewhat menacing. He wasn't comfortable being touched.

"Making sure all of your pieces are still together." With gentleness, she ran careful fingers over each wound. "Does this hurt?"

Hiei slowly shook his head, expecting his body to involuntarily recoil from the touch and finding himself surprised when he didn't. "It'll be fine. I'll be fine soon."

"You've been asleep for almost three days. I was beginning to worry. Sorry about the cold." Akita smeared a healing salve all over the wounds that still hadn't healed. "This healing medicine is working slower than it should…"

A shiver ran down Hiei's spine. A weird sort of tingling was going through every single nerve in his body. As soon as Akita had touched him, his whole mind had slipped into a pleasurable, catatonic state.

"Hiei?"

Blood red eyes looked upward in response.

"Are you okay?" Akita asked as if repeating herself.

Hiei nodded. "Why?"

"I asked if you want something to eat." Akita murmured in explanation.

"Oh, no, I—I'm not hungry." Hiei replied quickly, reverting his eyes back to his blanketed lap.

"Well, do you need anything? Tea perhaps?" Akita queried. Her ears were met with a brief silence. "I'll leave you then." She rose to leave, but felt a hand gripping her kimono.

"Don't go. Could you stay… with me?" Hiei stared intently at his hands that he had folded in his lap.

Akita's eyes softened completely, losing their hardness. "If you wish me to, I will comply."

Hiei was surprised at his own actions. What had caused him to act upon that sudden impulse?

"Would you mind if I got some tea first? This is really the first time I've been allowed time in awhile for relaxing. With relaxation, I must eat and nourish myself." The dark female turned. "Oh, here." She deposited two rolls of bandages. "I'll leave you the salve too. I didn't bandage too much of your lower half. Only rolled up your pants a little. I figured you'd be mad otherwise." Akita departed briskly from the room, closing the door firmly behind her.

The jaganshi leaned back against the propped up pillows. What were these new emotions?

Akita lay quietly in her bed that evening. Hiei would be healed in a few days, now that he was conscious and soon to be moving. Then, they would return to their separate realities. "Why!" Akita demanded.

The shadows had no reply.

It's not fair. A soft noise disrupted her thoughts. She jolted from beneath her blankets and slipped from her bed. Picking up her sword, she cautiously walked to the door leading to the hall. The female threw open the door. "Freeze!"

Hiei stood, face lit by the flames within the palm of Akita's hand.

"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry!" She quickly withdrew the sword that was poised to pierce Hiei's chest.

"It's my fault. I apologize for waking you." Hiei bowed his head.

"You shouldn't be up. Do you need something?" Akita asked, placing a hand on his arm.

"Just hungry." The Koorime's stomach rumbled in agreement.

Akita hid a smile. "Why don't you go back to lay down? I'll bring you anything that you'd like." The female offered.

"I can forage on my own. I don't need any help." Hiei retorted. He took another step and his knee gave out. The apparition fell flat on his chest. Immediately, his face was stained with a deep red and shameful blush.

"What do you think you're doing!" Akita exclaimed with a yelp. She gingerly helped Hiei to his feet. "You're in no condition to be out of bed, let alone running around the house. I hope you learned something from that fall just now."

The fire demon hung his head sheepishly.

"Now, you'd better not move from this spot, understood?" Akita snapped. She stormed from the bedroom where she had deposited the male, slamming the door behind herself.

There was more banging and crashes.

Hiei winced. This girl had quite a temper. Heavy footsteps echoed and slowly retreated farther away. He decided to doze until Akita returned.

Akita continued grumbling. Pots clattered and a flurry of curses left her mouth. She glared angrily around. Raw psychic energy practically exploded from the demon's glance. All of the objects froze and time seemed to slow. Akita had to collect her thoughts. She seated herself, taking long, deep breaths. Doubts and worries slowly drifted from her mind, allowing her to release her hold on the items floating in suspended animation.

Everything began to fall to the floor.

"Return to your places!" Akita growled, forcing her energy in all directions.

A beeping filled the air as the pots shot back into their proper places.

The hiyoukai picked up Nariko's communicator.

"Hey, Akita. How's the captive?" Nariko asked, a smile on her face doubtlessly.

"Everything's fine. He should be able to return to Atashi any day now," Akita replied. "I should go. My tea's done. I'll let you know when I'm well enough to return." She clicked off the device and finished her preparations for Hiei's meal.

The door clicked open.

Hiei sat up, instantly alert, groping for the katana he didn't have.

"I'm sorry. If you're too tired, I'll bring this food back in the morning." Akita said quickly, a tray in her grip. She went to leave.

A blur rushed to stop her.

"What are you doing?" Akita snapped, irritated.

"Not allowing you to leave." Hiei responded smugly.

The part-Koorime gritted her teeth. "Move."

"Why did you bother to care for me? If you really had feelings for me, you wouldn't be concerned with just being hospitable to me." Ruby eyes seemed to stare right into Akita, deep into her soul through her dark eyes. "Why the hell did you kiss me? Tell me, damnit!" Hiei cursed.

Akita looked at him softly. "You can't stop thinking about it either?" She appeared stunned. Placing the tray on the bedside table, her eyes locked with his. I'm scared. I've never been allowed to really care for someone. Her eyes reflected the fear.

"You're a telepath?" Hiei asked aloud, involuntarily raising a hand to touch the kitsune's cheek.

"Among other things." She answered.

No one has ever cared about me. I… Hiei paused in thinking for a moment. It's difficult to say.

"Why don't we eat before the food gets too cold?" Akita suggested.

Hiei nodded his agreement.

Akita returned shortly with a second tray and they sat together to eat.

Onyx colored eyes opened, taking in the surroundings. Why had she fallen asleep in the living room? She took the blanket that had been covering her body and set it aside. The only thing she could recall was a gentle kiss that Hiei had placed on her forehead earlier. She inhaled, sniffing the air. The smell of food just beginning to burn and fire met her keen nose. Hiei was awake? The part-kitsune padded into the kitchen, pausing before entering.

The jaganshi stood near the stove. He was cooking, prodding something repeatedly.

The female Koorime crept forward. When close enough, she laid a hand on Hiei's shoulder.

The fire apparition whipped around, hand on his katana hilt, prepared to strike.

A warm hand covered Hiei's and replaced the sword back within its' sheath. "It's only me." She nudged the apparition aside and began to attempt to salvage her stove from whatever Hiei had been cooking. She took out eggs, milk, a bowl, and a frying pan and began to cook.

The male was forced to grudgingly take a seat at the table.

Akita placed a teapot and a cup in front of Hiei and returned to the stove. Humming softly, she continued her cooking. "Food's done."

As soon as the plate was placed before him, Hiei nibbled on a corner of the yellow substance on the plate. His eyes lit up and he eagerly began to eat.

"It's an omelet. I'm glad you like it. You can have mine if you'd like it." The half-Koorime pushed the dish across the space.

Hiei gave a nod of thanks and continued ravenously eating.

Akita sipped quietly from her teacup. It was nice to be at peace.

Hiei slid his katana into its sheath and tucked the weapon snugly into its place on his belt.

Akita observed him silently, stitching a design on a thick obi sash.

The jaganshi wrapped a cloak around his body.

The female remained still as Hiei placed a hand upon the front door's knob.

"You have my gratitude. I will reimburse you in some way." The fire demon opened the door and left from it, seeming to vanish.

The needles and thread clattered to the floor while the sash floated after them. The kitsune had vanished.

Hiei blurred, returning to Atashi at a speed known only by him.

"Wait, Hiei!" A female cried.

The apparition stopped as a blur paused beside him, holding his wrist.

"Don't go. Please," Akita pleaded, unaware of the tears gathering in her eyes. She removed a fantastic, shining gem from the sleeves of her cream colored kimono. "If you take this to my uncle, will you stay?" The female offered the Diamond of Desire in the palm of her hand.

Hiei glanced at the treasure but his crimson gaze returned to Akita's. "I can't stay. Our crime syndicates work against one another. You've done for me than anyone else ever has. I'll repay you somehow some day." Hiei turned away.

Akita placed the diamond in Hiei's hand and closed his fingers over it. "Be careful. In everything that you do." With her head bowed, she departed first.

The petite male watched her race away. He glimpsed a trail of water following her. A glimmer caught his eye. Hiei knelt, crouching on one knee, as he picked up a tiny, tear-sized… "It's a hiruiseki." The Koorime collected the gems and slipped them into his pocket. The diamond was then tucked away and Hiei returned to Atashi's stronghold.

Author's Note: Okay, one part to go. As far as the sequel goes, I'm working on the next chapter and I'll get it done as soon as possible. The prequel's next part is half done in my notebook and will be typed ASAP. Please don't hate me for being slow….

Much love to all of the readers. I always appreciate a review. Hope that this newest piece kept you entertained.