A Twisted Fairytale : Tears
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! I guess you really like/want more of the story! Okay, well, here it goes!
I
Botan had mixed emotions when the Beast grabbed George. She felt like he cared about her, which made a warm feeling whisper up and down her spine. But, she also knew that this was a bad idea. She saw the look in George's eyes. Behind the horror was a grim knowledge of what he "had" to do. It was like a premonition when he let the little man go that Botan shivered.
II
Hiei got them back to Botan's house, making sure that the path was clear a good ten feet ahead. When they got to the cozy cottage, Kuwabara invited the Beast to say. He was surprised to say the least. He wasn't wearing boots, his clawed feet not allowing it, but he did take off his cloak, Botan quickly whisking it away to hang in their bathroom.
The Beast looked around, the house silent for a few minutes. He had never been anywhere besides the castle before... and if he was still human he would have sneered at this place. But that was a long time ago... I'm different now...
The house held a warmth, even if its occupants were cold because they were soaked. It held something that his castle didn't have. Love.
"I don't know how long I should stay here."
He was talking to Botan's father. It was hard to be around him without feeling a very sharp pain in his chest. Was it... guilt?
"What makes you say that?"
Hiei turned to meet his eyes, which proved to be quite difficult.
"That man, he saw me. It won't be long before the town will come after me." He drew in a breath. "And after you and Botan."
A grim silence fell over the two. It was true. They both knew it. Footsteps were heard and some chatter came from a hallway. Botan came out in the hall, in a simpler dress, having gotten changed. Once she entered the room, she fell silent.
"Um, Daddy?"
Everything went in slow motion for Hiei. He saw Botan's father's chest rise with his slow inhale. He saw Botan's pink eyes blink. It seemed like a dream when screams came from the outside. The flames danced in the windows.
"Bring out the Beast!"
Botan went up and opened the window. She got hit in the face with a stone. She winced and Hiei felt his spine snap into an offensive stance. She backed away form the window, blinking back the tears.
"Botan, are you all right?"
Before she could answer, the same voice shouted once more.
"Give back the girl, Beast! Come out and meet your maker!"
Hiei didn't know what to say. The rage was overpowering. He knew just who that was. The cocky ring in his voice. It had to be Botan's suitor. Botan went to the window, waving them off.
"Go away! There's no danger here!"
That was when the windows broke. A torch was thrown in and the wooden floor quickly caught on fire. The Beast's eyes lit up as he saw the flames lick at Botan, and so he dashed. His two green arms picked her up, then grabbing her Father and dragging him out a window that was down the hall.
III
Botan was still coughing even when the Beast brought her and her Father back out into the cold rain. She was shivering and she heard the howls of anger from the mob outside her house. The Beast took off his cloak, wrapping hit around her securely.
"You have to go, now!"
She turned in his grasp so that she could see his face. His confusion was apparent.
"What do you mean? I'm not leaving you and your father alone!"
Botan bit down tears as she heard the more glass breaking as the mob continued to storm and destroy her house.
"Go back to the castle! You'll be safe there!"
The Beast snarled, his fangs glistening.
"And you? What are you going to do?"
Botan had a firm hold on his arms, but she weakened. She didn't know what she was going to do. That doesn't matter now... the Beast has to be safe... Father and I will do fine.
"I'll be fine! Just go! Please!"
Botan saw the flash of uncertainty in his eyes. But, that was very faint. His blood red eyes shone with something more. Her pink eyes opened wide. No... it couldn't be... His eyes narrowed.
"Don't do anything stupid."
He turned, but Botan grabbed his hand.
"Beast... I, uh... what is your name?"
His eyes met hers, and right then, Botan's heart skipped a beat.
"It's Hiei."
And just like that, he was gone.
IV
Hiei didn't look back. He couldn't. He heard the screams of the mob, the pounding of the rain, and the cracks of lighting. He wanted to look back. To see Botan's face one last time. But he couldn't. The reason was very simple.
He didn't want her to see him cry.
V
Botan felt her Father place a comforting hand on her shoulder. He spoke softly.
"Let's get out of here. He'd want us to do that."
The young woman nodded, fighting the urge to cry. The smoke from her house filled her nostrils, and the rain was slowly soaking through Hiei's cloak. It hit her hard, but she stood strong as her Father moved her out to the woods. That was when she heard her Father let out a struggled choking noise and a large, strong hand squeezed her shoulder painfully.
"Botan..." Botan whirled around to see Koenma gritting his teeth angrily. "Tell me where the Beast is." His grip tightened causing her to shriek in pain. She swore that she heard her muscle tear and her bones creak. "NOW!"
Botan hissed as a single tear fell out of her pink eye as she shuddered.
VI
Hiei came back to the castle, sopping wet. Yukina made some tea, her eyes watering once she saw the Botan didn't come back with him. He could tell that his servants wanted to know what happened, but the whispers were exchange between them.
How could I leave her there? She's not safe, and neither is her father! The Beast fumed as his stomach practically was eating out a hole for itself inside of him. She had told him to leave! She begged him...
He regretted one thing. He wanted to tell her that he loved her... that he would probably never, ever see her again. He went up to the Observatory without saying a word to his servants.
VII
Yukina was in the West Wing, on a stone balcony, not caring about the rain. She was with Kurama, who was annoyed that he couldn't keep his flames lit up.
"It would have been better if she hadn't come here at all!"
Yusuke crossed his arms angrily. Kurama sighed.
"I miss her too, Yusuke."
The three servants sighed. That was when they heard shouts and yells. Their eyes traveled to the front of the castle beyond the gates. There was a mob of people, villagers, and they reeked of bloodlust. Torches blazed and pitchforks glistened. But, that was the least of their worries. It was the handsome man. It was what he had.
Walking up to the castle, the handsome man was dragging a woman with him, her hands tied behind her back and a gag silencing her. Yukina gasped as she saw Botan's pink eyes crying as she slowly approached the castle.
VIII
A/N: WOOT! Okay, um, how do you like the plot twist? (Coughs, Botan's a hostage... chyeah.) Review, review, review! Please! Love you all!
-mia
