The Shotgun Approach

Chapter 6: Drowning

. . .

August—2003

It took three more weeks of Hiei pretending to be an EMT before he caught another tendril of thought. And in the thick of assisting me during an accident at a theme park (involving one of the more precarious rides) he only caught bits and pieces of it.

He cursed me for forcing him to go through with this farce, in which I just rolled my eyes and ignored him.

In the three weeks he'd spent working on my team, Hiei was beginning to act like an actual EMT. He no longer sat around and watched, or pretended he knew what he was doing—because he did. He did know. He watched everything I did and stored it away and in a measly three weeks time he was a pretty useful part of the team.

It simultaneously made me want to hit him and hug him.

He was quick and smart and often times witty. But he was also cruel and cold and mean. So damned mean. Working with him tested every boundary of my patience.

I watched him set a teenage boy's broken arm and splint it, before I asked, "So, what did you hear?"

"Not enough," he snarled. "They're careful. Too careful. Thoughts are guarded and hard to hear."

"Are you considering they may be aware of us?"

"Of course they're aware of us. To what extent is the true question."

I followed behind him as he escorted the teenage idiot to the waiting ambulance and then helped him inside none too gently. "Next time don't remove the harness, you imbecile," he snapped at the kid.

I placed a palm over my face, my eyes closing. This was also a constant. His inability to not say something downright nasty to most of his patients. No matter how many times I asked him to act a little more professional he always chose to ignore me. It wasn't really his job, after all, so what did it matter? According to him, anyway.

We climbed into the back after the kid, as was protocol, sitting on opposite sides of the stretcher. The kid lied there and spoke not a word, just staring at Hiei like the man was sporting two heads.

Hiei continued our conversation right over the teen's head, acting as if he wasn't even there. "I do not think they are aware we know who they are, but I am certain they know exactly who we are."

"Everyone involved with demon world knows who you are," I said, I did not skimp on the sarcasm.

"Yes, and he must be highly suspicious as to my presence on an emergency medical crew."

"He's human though," I said.

"And when has that mattered? Just as many humans are dying, it is not just the murder of demon kind."

"W-what are you two talking about...?" piped up a voice that we disregarded entirely.

"How could he know you then? Not many humans are aware of famous demons."

"Perhaps not, but I am a special circumstance."

I almost spat some rude remark, but then I remembered what Hiei did for his every day job. He was not just Mukuro's second in command—he was also an ambassador between demon and human world, chosen by Yusuke, the king.

Why the hell Yusuke would pick this person for such an important job, I would never fathom.

"Many of the humans know me as well, especially the ones in government positions," he continued.

"Lord Mukuro must love your wavering loyalties."

The glare he pinned me with was deadly. But I only stared back with a deadpanned face. He took every chance to insult me, it wasn't my problem if he couldn't take as well as he got.

"Mukuro does not control me," he snapped. "And my loyalties have never wavered."

I recalled that night months ago, when he came with a packet of information for Yusuke. And the question Yusuke had asked him in return.

"How is that possible when you are using her for information so you may pass it along to Yusuke? Most lords would consider that treason."

"I never said my loyalties were reserved for Mukuro."

That shut me up, to the point my jaw made an audible snap as it closed. I should have considered that he never meant Mukuro in the first place. He worked for her, did her bidding, and perhaps would consider her a comrade, but his loyalties remained where they always had—with Yusuke.

I dropped that train of conversation quick enough after that. "Were you able to garner anything of use?" I asked.

"A date," Hiei said, "but no location."

"When?"

"In ten days, on the fourteenth."

The fourteenth? My eyes widened and stared at Hiei in horror. He just raised an eyebrow at my obvious distress. He did not understand the significance.

"That's during one of the biggest festivals of the year—Obon."

. . .

"How the hell are we going to clear out an entire festival without causing total chaos and getting caught?!"

"We don't," replied Hiei.

"We have to do something, we can't just let all those people die!" said Kuwabara.

"There is no foreseeable approach to this matter," stated Kurama, "we must abandon our endeavor to capture the person planting the bombs."

"Bullshit, if we do that we might never get another chance," said Yusuke.

I kept my mouth shut through their entire run around of the facts, listening as they came up with ideas on how to change the obvious course of events. Each one was refuted by either Hiei or Kurama and all of the scenarios were lacking in some vital way.

"What the hell are we going to do?" I murmured around the tablet in my mouth. I chewed it up, the taste as bitter as our current predicament.

"The lives of those at the festival are our first priority," said Kurama.

I agreed, but it didn't make it any less shitty. I cast my gaze around the bar, the one Yusuke had taken me to months ago, as if I could find some sort of answer there. When none presented itself, and the drug was starting to make me feel fuzzy, I rose from my seat at the booth.

Yusuke rose as well, as if it were second nature, but it was Hiei moving to my side that caused me pause.

The fire demon turned to Yusuke and said, "I'll walk her home tonight."

Yusuke looked confused at first, eyes flicking between the two of us, but I was no less confused than he was. So he just shrugged and said, "Alright. Be careful," and sat back down.

I bid goodbye to all three of them and then shuffled my way outside. Hiei kept close, watching from behind as I walked towards the back lot of the bar. My ride waited a few feet away, nestled beneath a street light.

"Hello beautiful," I breathed.

"Are you sure it is safe for you to be operating that death trap?"

I turned a wane smile Hiei's way. "It isn't my first time. Won't be the last."

I ran my hand down the leather of the seat before pulling on a jet black helmet and climbing on. I drove this even in the winter, the cold and snow having no affect on me if I did not let it.

My "ride" was an all black 1985 Suzuki Intruder—a cruiser motorcycle I picked up and rebuilt several years ago. It was, in my biased opinion, the perfect way to get around. I put the key in the ignition and turned it. The rumble between my thighs was a comfort and a pleasure all in one.

"Care to join me?" I asked, though I knew what his answer would be. Hiei would never be caught dead clinging to me on the back of a bike. The image was almost laughable.

"Of course not, fool. I will follow to make sure you do not kill yourself."

I stared at him funny. What did he just say? Just a month ago he would have gladly reveled in my untimely demise.

He pointed at the belt wrapped around his hips. I realized he was still in uniform. "I'm on call tonight and I refuse to drag your sorry ass to the hospital."

"You are aware that you're not really an EMT, right?"

"And I thought I told you I wouldn't do this half-assed."

For quite a few seconds I sat there stunned into silence. What an odd turn of events. Perhaps I was too far gone to be driving, if I thought I heard what he said correctly. There was no way Hiei was serious.

So I started to laugh, thinking it was all a big joke. I mean, Hiei actually wanting to be an EMT was laughable, wasn't it? It just wasn't possible; wasn't within his character. So it was with one last bark of mirth that I revved my bike and sped off.

As promised, Hiei ran in the distance, making sure I made it home without killing myself. By the time I parked my bike and made my way inside the main lobby of my building, he was gone. I paused at the doors, looking through the glass, just to be sure.

Strange guy...

Later that night, a muffled, cloudy feeling encompassed my brain as I worked single mindedly on a drawing. My fingers dragged charcoal across coarse paper until a face was formed—an oddly beautiful face, with hard angles and boyish features and eyes too big.

I searched my entire apartment for my paints. Tried to mix the perfect shade of red. It still fell flat.

The next morning, when I opened my sketch book and saw the drawing, it went straight in the trash. What the hell was wrong with me?

. . .

"Today's the day, you guys ready?"

Yusuke's question sparked differing reactions from all those gathered. Some determined, others grim. We were dressed for Obon, in traditional garb that hid weapons, and in my case, some essential medical supplies. Nothing big, but a suture kit, bandages, gauze, and antiseptic were staples.

The festival was in full swing. Yusuke was unable to convince the city's officials that something major was in the works, something that could cost countless lives. Because Yusuke was a demon he was considered an unreliable source of information.

I didn't think there was a time I was ever so angry.

Demons, even the weakest of our members, were stronger than humans. But we were considered sub-level, unintelligent creatures akin to beasts instead of people.

Living among them was tenuous at best. They would never accept us fully. And the idea of there being royalty in the demon community was lost on them. They still considered Yusuke a battle hungry savage. Still considered my kind a dangerous and often worthless contribution to society.

Fire simmered in my veins.

Hiei's sharp gaze bit into my back. He could feel it, I was certain. He was attuned to fire, after all. But I'd also taken two tablets before meeting up with them.

I was nearing a breaking point.

Usually so calm under pressure, I could feel tiny fissures cutting through that careful control. If something happened here...if we couldn't stop them...

No. We would. Yusuke would. I needed to have hope.

We were on the outskirts of the festival, watching groups of people mill in and out, waiting for one in particular. Hiei was careful to keep at an angle that hid his jagan, but he could not cover it. He spread his power wide, searching for even the tiniest of thoughts.

But each second that passed he became more frustrated.

"They should have been here by now," I said, leaning up against the back of a food stall.

Hiei stiffened beside me and then snarled, "They're on to us. It's too late."

"You heard that?!" demanded Kuwabara.

Hiei shook his head, "No, but that is the only explanation. I stored the wavelengths of the man meant to plant the bomb. I've heard nothing, even with being able to track it."

"Which means he's either blocking you...or someone else was slated to place the bomb," said Kurama.

"It doesn't matter now. Split up, find the bomb!" Yusuke commanded, taking off in a random direction.

We followed suit, each choosing our own area. I ran as fast as I could, stopping to check any likely hiding spots. When my searching came up empty I began to shout at the gathered crowds, "Leave this place! There's a bomb! It's too dangerous to stay!"

Some turned and looked at me like I was crazy but the more I hollered the more people listened, until panic filtered through them all. This wasn't the best alternative, but it was better than all of them dying. According to Hiei the bomb was meant to go off at peak festival time, around six in the evening. It was quarter of now. We'd waited too long.

The crowds pushed and shoved their way out of the festival grounds, bottle-necking towards the entrance. Too slow, they were going too slow.

I kept searching for the bomb, hoping I would find it in time even if I didn't have a clue what to do with it afterwards. My mind raced and my breaths burned and my feet ached in those stupid wooden sandals. I ended up kicking them off, leaving them behind in the dirt.

I pushed back the sleeve of my kimono, stared at the watch there with swimming eyes. Five minutes. Five minutes was all that was left.

An idea formed then. I needed to contain the explosion. That was the only way to lessen the damage.

Because this was meant to be the biggest yet. And there was probably even multiple bombs and here we were searching for one like fools. We should have known better.

The festival grounds were clearing out. I doubled back, running towards the lake where the fireworks would have been lit off. I didn't know how many people were left, but I didn't have much of a choice. Time was of the essence.

I plunged my hands into the water, felt my power roar through my veins and push past so many limits. It hurt, it physically tore skin and muscle and spirit. But I kept pushing until the water rose from the lake and then I turned it into ice.

The ice spread around the grounds, great curved walls of shear blue. But it was slow and it cost me too much. There was only a few minutes left.

I was unable to cover the entire grounds, but the semi circle was enough to protect the people who fled. It was enough to protect the parts of the city that faced the festival grounds. But it was not enough to save all of them. I knew it wasn't.

The bomb went off, so great that my eardrums were blown and I went flying into the lake. My ice wall was destroyed, pieces falling around me, great chunks that threatened to crush whatever was below. I was too weakened to swim. My back was probably a burnt mess and my body was ruined from pulling out so much youki so fast, but I couldn't feel it. Not anymore.

So I sunk...the outer ring of my vision fuzzy and blackening. My core pulsed weakly—a last cry for help.

I was going to drown.

And part of me thought that was okay. That it didn't really matter.

Drowning wasn't such a bad way to die. Peaceful, they said.

It was in the moments before my vision turned fully black that I thought I saw a figure dive in above me. Arms wrapped around my middle, the hold firm, and I was wrenched upwards.

I didn't know if I was dreaming or not.

Next thing I knew, I was having precious air breathed into my lungs. Two breaths, thirty compressions, perfect form.

The water was pushed out of me and I was rolled over so I wouldn't choke on it. I coughed it up onto the ground, vision swimming and blurry. I couldn't speak, but I heard them, heard their frantic words and sighs of relief. They were okay. They were all okay.

My vision cleared just enough to see my savior.

I stared into the eyes of Jaganshi Hiei, ragged breaths drowning out the world around us, and thought to myself, this bastard will never let me live this down.

They convinced me to go to a hospital after that but I refused to be taken in an ambulance, so Kurama drove me. I laid in the backseat and felt the car beneath me and wondered about things I shouldn't.

Hiei. Hiei saved me.

He'd given me CPR. He'd learned it from watching me. Jaganshi Hiei saved my life.

I weakly told Kurama where to go when prompted, because I needed a specific hospital, a specific doctor. They didn't need to know why.

We arrived in short order and Kurama helped me from the car. He offered to carry me, because I was wobbling on my feet and my back was burning and I felt like my entire body was one giant bruise. I bled on the ground and left little pools as I dragged myself to the front doors, refusing his help.

He still managed to force me into a wheelchair when I tripped on the carpet at the entrance.

He went to check me in and when his back was turned I pulled out my cell phone. I clicked through my contacts until I found a certain number. I pushed the call button.

It rang for awhile before I grumpy voice answered, "What?"

"Nice way to greet a friend," I said.

"You can't be out already and I'm at work, so of course I'm annoyed."

"I'm not out Tadao. I'm at the hospital."

"Wait, my hospital?"

I told him what happened and he swore, before clicking his phone shut. It isn't long after that he comes swinging out of one of the hallways, doctor's coat billowing behind him. He clapped the doctor Kurama was currently talking to on the shoulder and told him he'd take over from there. The man gave him a funny look before conceding.

Then he stalked over to me, clearly not happy.

He told the nurse at the desk to admit me and then wheeled me away, leaving Kurama behind—confused. I waved goodbye while I still had the chance.

"You're lucky I'm on duty today," he grumbled.

"Thank you, Tadao," I said, shoulders drooping. I was so tired.

Tadao was an old friend of mine. He also happened to be my dealer. He was one of the few doctors around that knew demon anatomy well enough to operate on them. He was actually in the process of developing special equipment designed just for use on demons. Tadao was an amazing man, if a little obtuse and often times a total jerk.

"There's going to come a day when you get hurt and I won't be around to cover your ass."

"I know," I replied just to placate him.

A team of nurses helped him get me situated in a hospital bed, stripping me out of my ruined kimono and hooking me up to all the appropriate monitors. He sent them away so he could examine me, shaking his head and grumbling the entire time.

When finished, he pulled up a rolling chair and flopped into it. "Well, you're not going to die."

"What a pity," I said and he rolled his eyes.

"You've used up most of your energy reserves however, and your back is badly burned. It'll take a few days for your energy to return and begin to heal you. I can help speed along the process, if you want."

I nodded, "Sure."

"I'll make sure you get the good drugs too."

This made me chuckle. And soon enough he followed through with his promise, giving me enough morphine to knock me out.

I did not wake. Not for several long hours.

When I did it was to find Yusuke slumped in a chair beside my bed and my upper torso wrapped in bandages. My core pulsed, making the monitor I'm hooked up to beep loudly. What was he doing here?

"Yusuke?" I whispered, though my voice was scratchy and broken. When he didn't wake I tried again, a little louder, "Yusuke?"

His eyes fluttered open, lashes so long it should be criminal, and he smiled. "Hey, welcome back." And then a little more sternly, "Don't ever fucking scare me like that again."

"I'm sorry," I said.

He stretched and then got up to get me a glass of water. He handed me the cup and a straw and I sipped from it gratefully. My throat not so dry now, I looked up to him and said, "Please tell me I dreamed that Hiei saved me."

Yusuke laughed, the sound coming straight from his stomach. "Sorry, I can't do that. That bastard sure surprised me because I didn't have a clue what to do," he said. "He just went diving in after you. When he pulled you out and realized you weren't breathing he didn't even think twice. He just did what he had to."

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. I owed him my life now. That just would not do.

"I can't believe it," I breathed. It seemed like just a few weeks ago he would have preferred to see me dead. Why go through all that trouble?

"I think you're growing on him," joked Yusuke. "Besides, there's not a chance in hell I would have let you go out that way."

The mood turned serious then and I looked up at Yusuke with wide eyes. He leaned over the bed, careful not to disturb my wounds, and planted both hands on either side of me. He was so close his breath blew the hair around my face.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my mouth suddenly dry again.

"Don't you ever risk your life like that again. Not for anything," he growled. "I can't lose you too."

What was he saying? Lose me? I wasn't his to lose. I was just his friend...wasn't I?

Foolish, I thought, this was a mistake.

It wasn't like I was blind. I could read signs, I could feel the tension and saw the way he looked at me sometimes. And I wasn't about to become a rebound. I wasn't about to ruin someone else's life. Yusuke was better off without me.

"Take a step back," I said, my tone hard and brooking no argument.

"Huh?" Yusuke was confused now, his face screwing up and hurt in his eyes. But I wouldn't let it affect me. I couldn't.

"Please, step away from me." I pushed out the power of wind, letting the air buffet against him until he was forced to move back.

"I guess you need your rest," he said, his voice just as hard as mine was a moment ago. "Goodnight, Ettie."

He left, hands shoved into his pockets and gait lacking it's usual energy. His shoulders were hunched and his eyes were angry, but I did not call him back.

My blood thundered in my veins.

None of this was okay.

. . .

Tadao let me leave the hospital a few days later. He sent me home with a fresh supply and told me not to bother him for awhile. I would heed his warning.

I was still sore, body aching. But I walked the entire way to my building. Most of what was on me the day of the festival was left at the bottom of the lake. That included the money in my wallet. Which meant public transport was out of the question.

The walk was slow going. And I found no relief when I reached my building.

I made it up to my apartment, unlocked the door, and stepped through. The first thing I saw were the sliding doors that led out onto my balcony and the brightness that spilled through them.

And beyond those, his body glowing from the back drop of the risen sun, was Hiei.

Penetrating red eyes, the gaze so fierce settled on such a cold face, pinned me to the spot. I took a single, shuddering breath...

And strode to the doorway.