A Twisted Fairytale : Ice
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! If you want more, keep writing them!
I
Botan fell onto the ground, her clumsiness getting the better of her. She had never felt so helpless. Her eyes watered and a scream of terror lodged itself in her throat. When she tried to release it, all that came out was a hoarse squeak. It felt like it was burning away at the tender lining of her throat. She couldn't meet those red eyes that were blazing with primordial rage. Breathing frantically, the young woman ran out of the room, the tears finally rolling down her face. I don't care how nice the servants are, I have to get out of here!
II
Hiei snarled, rage corrupting his judgement. He realized just what he was doing when the woman, Botan, fled. The image of her frightened pink eyes was burned into his memory. At first, the Beast stood very still. That was when a thought struck him like a brick aimed at his forehead. If she goes out in weather like this, she'll die!
The Beast looked out of a nearby window. Snow was swirling down from the grey clouds in an ancient deadly dance.
III
Botan was almost stripping off her clothes before she reached her room. She pulled on her dress in record time as she headed toward the door. She was still hysterical, her eyes red and puffy. She vaguely heard the cries of the servants as she opened the doors and slammed them behind her, leaving the castle.
Her brain was working on a new level. There was only certain things that entered her vision. Things that meant survival. She never saw the snow, or the slick bricks, she only saw Puu. Pulling herself onto her horse, she galloped out of the grounds.
The cold was slicing away at her face, not that she could feel it. The adrenalin that was coursing through her was so strong that she was numb. Botan's sole objective was to live and escape the Beast. That was the only thought on her mind. Live... live... live...
IV
Yukina was crying. Hiei could hear her sobs echoing throughout the entire castle. They weren't loud, but anyone can hear the cries of an angel. The Beast stopped when he heard the gentle sounds. Slowly, Hiei looked inside the door. There was the tea kettle, and she looked up, hearing the door creak open. Hiei growled to himself. He hated to see Yukina cry.
"Master, please, get Botan back! She'll die out in the snow!"
Hiei never answered Yukina, but just opened the doors to the castle and slamming them behind him. I'll come back with the woman, Yukina. Botan will come back and make you smile again. He told himself that was why he was journeying out into the cold. He had noticed that his faithful servants had brightened lately. Ever since Botan came... Hiei snarled. Damn it! Botan, don't your realize how much you've effected us?
V
Botan and Puu raced across the hills. Everything looked the same since it was covered in white snow. That was when Puu galloped across a shallow valley. The young woman's thoughts were incoherent. She never thought that the cracking under the horse's hooves was ice and not branches. When Puu started to sink, Botan couldn't put the obvious together.
Puu did. He swam to the other side, climbing out. Botan wasn't as lucky. She wasn't aware that she was sinking into a lake until the water pierced through her adrenalin. She was so frigid she couldn't even open her mouth to scream.
Unlike most people would think, her vision did not fade to black. It just got foggy, a light gray fuzzing over all the details of what she saw. She was sinking. Down... down... down...
As she drifted down under the water, the young woman saw her father, her village, Yukina, Yusuke, and Kurama. Then, at the end, she saw the Beast. For some reason, as she felt her body begin to die, she felt no bad feelings towards the Beast. It's all okay... Dad's okay... the Beast is still alone... everything worked out for the best...
Botan suddenly felt like she was being lifted. It hurt as she moved. She tried to talk, but only thought her words. No... leave me be... you're hurting me... Botan squinted, icicles forming on her eyelashes. She saw a blurry blob of green before she lost all consciousness.
VI
The Beast followed the woman's horse's footprints. He heard a loud splash and the movement of water. His crimson eyes widened in horror as he saw the horse swim to shore, but Botan sank under the water.
Tearing off his cloak, Hiei dove under the water after her. He knew what his potentials were back when he was human, but now he was even better. He was an animal, and he could survive in harsh conditions, unlike Botan. He saw her blue hair floating around him like wisps of smoke. He grabbed her shoulders and yanked her up and out of the water, swimming sloppily to shore.
"Botan! Botan stay awake!"
He saw that her eyes were just barely open, but judging by her dazed expression, she couldn't hear him anyway. He carried her bridal style as he ran through the woods, faster than any other man in the countryside.
VII
Wet cloth. That was the first thought that entered Botan's mind. A warm wet cloth was on her forehead, and she was wrapped in something warm. Is this heaven...? Her eyes opened very slowly. It took awhile for them to focus, but the fuzzy shapes and slight familiarness of her surroundings told her that she was alive.
She saw Yukina was over her, keeping herself piping hot just for her. Botan gave a sigh of relief. She was surprisingly calm at the fact that she was back in the castle. The only thing that tormented her was how. How did she survive the waters at this time of year? It was unheard of!
She sat up, much to the protest of Kurama and Yusuke, who were by her side. That was when she saw him. The Beast. His green skin was glistening with moisture. Her pink eyes widened. Jin was pouring some hot water on a cloth that was turning red. Botan realized that the Beast was bleeding.
That was when she came to the realization of what her blankets really were. It was the Beast's black cloak. That was why she was warm! And that was why she could see so much green and so many eyes. And thus, seeing so much of his gorgeous chest... Agh! Botan! Stop it! Don't be like the hormonal girls back in the village! You are different than they are! That's why they don't talk to you!
VIII
Yukina was so relieved to see the Master return with Botan. Her temporary relaxed state was soon destroyed as she saw the poor girl. Her face was deathly grey, and ice was sparkling throughout her blue hair. Her lips were almost purple. The Master had saved her. He was soaking wet, but he had taken off his cloak before he jumped into the water. That was what she was wrapped in when he brought her back.
Yukina got to work, putting a hot compress on Botan's forehead. The girl woke up slowly and she sat up, earning concerned yelps from Yusuke and Kurama who had been tending to her as she laid down. That was when she followed Botan's gaze to the Beast.
IX
Hiei was licking his arm. The ice had given him a minor gash that more annoying than it was painful. Stupid, stupid girl! She must have gone temporarily insane! Who goes out in a blizzard? That was when he heard the clink of porcelain and the rolling of wheels. His head snapped up as he saw the last of his servants leaving so that he was alone with Botan in the den.
That was when his attention turned to her. She was sitting now, which she shouldn't be doing. The ice had melted in her hair, the drops of water sparkling in the candle light. She looks like a Goddess...
"Why did you come after me?" The Beast almost made an audible gasp as she tried to stand, but her legs failed. She fell, but he caught her, holding her to him. "Why...?"
Her eyes shimmered with tears as she was completely slack in his grasp. She was still recovering, and what she was doing now was more idiotic than normal. Hiei felt himself frown.
"Just go back to sleep. You need to heal."
"But what about you?"
The Beast kneeled on the floor, his arms still holding her tightly.
"Don't worry about me."
His voice was not full of care, compassion, or understanding. It was ice cold as the weather was outside. But the woman leaned closer to him and her breathing slowed. Hiei hadn't talked to another person for so long, he had almost forgotten how. Hn. Now that I remember, I was never social...
The Beast was remained awake for a few hours, the fire the only source of light in the room. The young woman was asleep in his arms. As Hiei himself found that he couldn't deny sleep any longer, his clawed hand wound itself throughout Botan's blue locks of hair.
X
A/N: Hooo- ray! Review! Please! I beg you! I want/need them. Tell me what you think! I worked hard on this one! -mia
