Chapter Fourteen

Forbidden

Stars began to fade overhead. A few more hours and the sun would slowly peak over the mountains. If Katani weren't back soon Ms. Minamino would be worried. Yet she didn't care. She couldn't face Shuichi, or Kurama as he said he was, after that. Nothing had pained her like what she was feeling now. Not even Tithe's death had stung as much. And the worst part was, she didn't know why.

She pushed on, unable to accept everything she felt. The thoughts and feelings she was experiencing were so twisted and mixed she didn't know what to believe. Katani pushed her way through the brush in the park. The confused child ran past bushes and shrubs until she made it to the shelter of the trees. Here she could be safe, no one would see her. At the same time she wanted someone to see her. Someone to hold her and tell her what she was feeling. Trusting her instincts sounded folly.

"What are you doing here, Katani?" A cold voice demanded.

Katani whipped her head around. Hiei sat underneath a large sakura. His cold stare met her fear and he cocked a brow. For a moment nether said anything. The wind gently blew and a car alarm went off in the distance. Everything around her seemed so still when her mind blew like a hurricane inside her.

Every emotion she felt that night rose to the surface. It couldn't be contained anymore. With a muffled gasp she threw herself at Hiei's feet. Sobs tore at her throat and tears raced down her cheeks. Without warning she clung to him as if he was the only thing saving her from falling into hell. In truth, he was. Her heart was in more pain then her mind had been. It was impossible for her to contain the emotions that were slowly being erased from her mind. In this way, releasing them at once, she was unknowingly making it easier to forget. With each tear another memory of him fell.

Hiei stiffened at the touch of another person but Katani ignored it. She told him everything that had happened through the tears. Her body shook as she tried to take ragged breaths. Slowly, very slowly, Hiei began to comfort her. It comforted her just to have someone to spill her feelings to. At first he thought of how best to get away without her notice, yet the strong grip she had on him proved she would notice if he didn't take a breath. After hearing her story he held his hand over her back and stiffly patted it. He had never done anything like this before and was acting on what he had seen the others do. Comforting was very alien to him and if she weren't a sobbing woman he would never have done it.

Yet Katani had a quality that reminded him of his sister. Also, she had been good to her word and hadn't said a thing to anyone about Yukina. Even when she had met her the previous week she was silent as stone. He owed her something in that regard.

Stiff hands pet Katani's back. Had she been more aware of what he was doing she would have thought he was treating her like a stove you were checking to see was hot. For once he placed his hand on her he quickly pulled it back. Still, it was something.

"Now I don't know what to do. Help me, Hiei. I'm so scared." Another sob made it impossible for her to continue. She clung tighter to him and he gasped for air. Wow, she had a strong grip.

Hiei pet her hair now the best he could. He didn't know if it made a difference but it was all he knew. Kurama's words the other day had been so firm. Hiei never would have guessed something like this to result. It was possible the fox only loved her for her blood. It was also possible that Katani only loved him because she needed someone after her brother had died. In that way the two were perfect for each other. He would never understand love.

With a low voice he spoke for the first time since she broke down. "Use your head, Katani. You're smarter then this so start acting like it. If it hurts so much for you to be with Kurama then don't. It's obvious this is harmful more then helpful so just take a step away. Don't be such an idiot."

The strength in his words was enough to stop Katani's sobs. She loosened her grip and sat to face him. In a way he was correct. This was all so painful that it made more sense just to let it go.

With a flick of her wrist she wiped away her tears. "So I should just harden my heart? How can I do that when I either serve with you guys or spend the rest of my life in jail? If he really is who he claims and I…" Her mind swam. Suddenly old memories burst into her mind. Tithe's erase during her fever had been hasty and sloppy. Memories came back in a flash and she remembered some of him and what she had felt. It was only a flash but it helped her to figure some things out. Eyes downcast, she continued. "It's not as easy as you say. I wish it were. I heard you talking to him after my training a few weeks ago. Your words have been on my mind ever since. I can't help thinking that if I were human he wouldn't have given me a second look."

Hiei crossed his arms over his chest. "Don't underestimate Kurama. He's no fool who chases around women. I know that he will never act on something unless he is dead set on it. When that happens you don't want to be the one opposing him. If he says he," Hiei almost spat the word, "loves you. Then that is what it is. Now get up and go home. You need to get some sleep."

The sun was nearly peaking its way over the mountains. Any minute Ms. Minamino would wake. A pale hand flew to her mouth.

I'll never make it! She thought.

Hiei read her mind. With a sigh he picked her up and disappeared in a flash of black. Those stupid humans were rubbing off on him.

The moon was still high as Kurama stood before Tithe's ghost. The boy floated in mid-air before him. His smiling was chilling because in it lay the truth. The child knew everything that was and will be. Such are the gifts of the dead.

Huh, you're nothing at all like I pictured. From the dreams Katani had I always pictured you with a beard… Ah well it doesn't matter anyway. My task is almost complete. In three hours the remainder of her feelings for you will be washed away. The child's laugh echoed through out the garden. Then it will be just as he planned.

"What are you talking about, Tithe?" He thought for a moment. An angry snarl flickered across his face before it was quickly covered with his usual calm. "You were the one causing so much discord. It is because of you she is so confused. What havoc had you wrought inside her mind?" His voice was dangerously calm despite the wildfire in his eyes.

I'm just protecting my sister. She doesn't know yet but she will soon. There are others like her. She met one of them the other day. But he was one of the half-breeds created from mergers like yourself and my sister. Cursed from birth he was. Cursed to die at her hands as any child born out of the family. All die unless they are pure.

Kurama's mind stored away every bit of information. A million pieces were coming together in front of him. This child held all the answers. If he could keep him talking long enough then he could figure it all out.

With a steady tone he said, "Is that how you died, Tithe? At the hands of your own family? Were you… impure?"

The ghost child smiled. You're as smart as she thinks. Yes, I am only her half-brother. My father was a Phoenix while my mother was a filthy human. It was her fault I died. Katani's lucky because she has the blood of the purest Gold running through her. She could save all the other half-breeds if she wants. Or she could stop anymore from being born.

My sister is blissfully ignorant of her heritage. I was too, but all-knowing Death opened my eyes. You came close once. Your aura is that of two merged into one. That is why she can never be with you.

"Have you affected her emotions this whole time?"

Tithe giggled. Well if I hadn't you two would have hooked up long ago. I planted the seeds of doubt in her mind. I started the myth that the golden blood lures demons. My family helped me draw them to my corpse after they killed me. She was so in love with you, Kurama. You should have seen some of her dreams. How she cried when she saw you being hurt. It was almost sweet. I am not limited to her dreams only. I have seen yours as well. I like yours more because they're just so funny!

Kurama's grip on his whip tightened. How he longed to strike at that ghost with his spiritual powers. He had to restrain himself if he was to find out a way to bring Katani to him, even if it meant listening to this child's taunts. His knuckles whitened then relaxed as he gained more control.

Tithe's empty eyes added emphasis to his ghostly grin. To see your dreams of my sister was funny. How you would hold her under the stars and give her roses and kisses. It was like something from a bad shojo. My sister deserves only the best. And you, despicable as you are, are not even close.

"If you truly love your sister don't you wish for her to be happy?" Kurama threw the question at him.

Why of course! But I know she'll be much happier with someone of her own breed. That's why I've been slowly working on her mind. Pretty soon she'll forget she ever had feelings for you. Boy that was tricky business. I thought for sure it was over when she realized she loved you. But the gifts of the dead are far reaching. I made her walk away from you and run. Good thing too, she was about to remember. Right now she is probably having flashing, remembering that she was going to tell the very moment she woke up. The farther from you she is, the easier it was to pull at the strands of her mind. Especially since she has been speaking our tongue regularly. I cannot believe she was teaching you our tongue. Tithe's smile disappeared and his empty eyes seethed.

Never is an outsider to speak our words. She should be put to death for her crimes. At least then she'd be with me. Really that would make her happy. She has always loved me more then you, Kurama. That's why she didn't push when she began to feel my influence. She welcomed me for her longing to see me was so strong. When the seeds of doubt and pain were planted all I needed to do was sit back and watch my harvest grow. How much will it hurt seeing her empty smile? How much will it rip at you when you touch her and see her recoil in fear. Yes, it was I who planted fear of you in her heart. Should you ever become Yoko again that fear will begin a rebirth. For a moment she had overcome that influence. Seeing you two touch each other was absolutely revolting. Had you kept after her I never would have been able to wipe her slate clean. Thankfully you are a slow mover in the way of important decisions. How ironic that your usual strong point prevented you from having what you really want!

Kurama swore at him. Every second became harder to hold his arm at his side. Katani was his and the soul of her disgruntled brother would not take her from him. The roots can be pulled up of every weed that's planted. If there was a way to remove her feelings there was a way to put them back. There had to be. For as much as he hated to admit it, he had come to rely on her. Her smile, her warmth, her kindness, and even her flaring temper were constants in his life. If her feelings for him were wiped clean her smile would have no glow. The fact that her own brother, who she fought desperately to avenge, was stopping her from being with him ate at him.

"How can you do this knowing she wants to be with me?" He had to keep him talking for just a second longer. With a flick he sent a seed flying behind Tithe as he kept is eyes on him. "You dare mess with another's feelings? Be warned, if this plan of yours takes place then I will come after you. You have harmed her more then you know. Have you looked in your sister's eyes and seen the confusion? The hurt and the fear you instilled in her gnaw at her like a ravenous dog. The only times she smiles are when she can briefly overcome your influence and be with me."

Tithe's ghostly grin faded. Shut up! She will be happy once everything is done! My sister loves me and I love her. You're just some stupid pretty boy who chases what you can't have! My sister is much better of without you and I'll prove it! Besides, it is forbidden.

"Forbidden?" Just one more second…

Yes, forbidden. She'll never be with you so long as the council has their way. Tithe suddenly stopped. Long grasping tendrils of ghastly plants tangled his wrists and feet. What is this! How can you hold me down with some stupid grass!

Kurama took a step forward. "That is not grass. That is the Specter Serpent. The only ghost plant of its kind. It feeds off of spirits like you. If I speak the secret word it will devour the remainder of your soul. Answer my questions and I'll let you go, maybe."

Tithe stopped struggling against the plant and burst into fits of laughter. Go ahead. Kill me. Katani felt my presence here only moments ago. I'm still with her. She is connected to me now. Kill my spirit and she will know. She will she the last thing I see, which is your smug face holding a whip. Forgotten feelings or not, she will never so much as glance at you ever again.

The plant quavered uncertainly. He was right and he knew it. With a heavy sigh Kurama pulled the plant back into the earth. Tithe had the upper hand. There was nothing he could do now. Only listen and try and figure out some way to help Katani. That left one option: Bluffing.

Kurama's mouth curved into a sly smile. "Your plan will never work. Katani is stronger then you give her credit for. Her will overcame your spell once before, it'll happen again. For I have found the hole in your scheme. Once I unlock her inner strength she will know it all and you will have no where to run except to the bowels of hell where you came from."

The sun was just creeping over the mountains now. Any second Tithe would have to vanish in case another saw him. It was risky enough showing himself to Kurama but he could not resist the opportunity to see the look on his face before Katani came striding back, not feeling anything for him.

Laugh now, Kitsune. But here she comes; I feel her sliding through the front door. I think my work is done for now. Good luck, make it fun to watch. With one last laugh Tithe dissipated into nothingness.

While quickly withdrawing his rose whip Kurama stepped in through the back door. Katani was nowhere in sight. For a brief second he thought Tithe had tricked him, but to what end? The sound of the bath washed away his doubts. Her scent was also near the front door and in the hallway. Hopefully nothing Tithe said was true. How he wanted to cut that ghost down for all the hurt he had caused her, let alone him. His blood boiled as his rage built but it quickly settled. Nothing would come from outbursts of rage. Only timed strategies would bring her back to him. First he needed to survey her condition. He had to see for himself whether she was herself as he knew her or some erased and modified puppet for her brother.

No matter the outcome, Tithe's words had a truth to them. Katani loved her brother more then him.