A/N: Two chapters in a week! Aren't you guys lucky I'm an impatient POS XD Like I said in the last chapter I'm moving finally (to an apartment, which is a huge change for me) and I'm also taking classes again. I don't have as much time as I used to, chapters might come slow. So I hope you will all be patient with me. Thank you to everyone who's been supportive and continues to come back to this fic again and again. You're all amazing.
Disclaimer: Wow…let's see…hmm. No, I still do not own YYH.
Warnings: Profanity (lots of it), violence, sexual themes, drama, blood/gore, adult themes, and etc.
. . .
Have you ever experienced the feeling of nostalgia so badly, it made you wonder if it wasn't Deja-vu? At first it's just this whisper in your brain, maybe it makes you sad…maybe you will smile. But it's always some kind of memory, isn't it? One that makes you yearn for something you no longer have.
That is exactly how I felt as I sat before my sister. Hitomi and I were in the kitchen, as far away from the rest of the occupants in the compound as we could get. I systematically checked for their energy signatures just to be sure…but Hiei was hiding his.
I didn't worry about him as much…he would drag whatever she told me out later anyway.
I sat with a cup of coffee and a sandwich Hitomi had felt the need to make me. I hadn't taken a single bite and I didn't plan to. This wasn't supposed be some family meeting where I admonished her for missing her curfew. This was serious, not sandwich eating conversation.
Green eyes stared, imploring me to take a bite. She knew my body needed the energy. I was still tired…I could have slept for days if Chronos had allowed it. But I still have two weeks of training left. I couldn't waste them lying in bed.
I took one prolonged sip of coffee and then set my cup down with a bang.
"If you don't start talking I'm going to wring your neck," I said.
"I wouldn't be able to speak then, would I?" her tone told me how foolish she thought I was being.
Even though I was older (albeit only by minutes) she always treated me like a child. It made me purse my lips and glare at her.
"Don't think you're going to waltz back in my life and pick up where you left off," I snapped.
Her eyebrows rose to her hairline, her lips turned down into a frown. She tapped her fingers against the counter, a nervous habit she had picked up a long time ago.
I sucked in a breath and tried to keep myself calm. I'd already had one melt down today…or yesterday…what time was it?
It must be late in the evening by now, if not the wee hours of the morning.
"I'm sorry I've been gone so long," said Hitomi but I cut her off before she could say another word.
"How about we start with you stabbing our uncle and go from there," I said, voice cold and tone harsh enough to make her cringe.
She nodded slowly, "Alright."
"I knew about Chronos…I'd had a vision a week before our parents died –"
"What?!"
"I didn't understand what it was back then!" she defended, holding her hands up to try to calm me.
My eyes narrowed but I kept my mouth shut and let her talk. It would be faster to let her get it all out now. I would only ask questions if I needed to, I decided. I took another sip of my coffee to try and distract myself. She'd seen mom and dad die…she'd known about Chronos all these years. And she hadn't said a fucking word.
"Ojichan told me when he sealed the god up inside you. He said that it was for your own good."
I released a humorless snort, my lip turning up in a sneer. Of course he had. I guess he hadn't thought about how much of disaster that would be. I could have had reiki my entire life. Imagine the difference if I'd always been practicing…instead of just the past six months.
I'd have more experience with it than Yusuke even.
I could lament all day over receiving the short end of the stick. But it changed nothing. I had to play the cards life has dealt me. That was the only way to go forward.
I'd chosen to do much the same with Hiei. I'd thought at first that fighting my fate would be the best choice. If Ren could fall in love with someone else, couldn't I? But then I thought about how miserable Ren was. And did I want to be with someone else? How could I…when my head was filled with nothing but thoughts of the hiyoukai.
Hitomi sighed, seeing I was distracted. She cleared her throat and continued her explanation without waiting for me to catch up.
"I started seeing snippets of things about our uncle then. I learned he held something similar to Chronos…"
"…I wanted it. I had to have it. Because around that same time…Oneesan…I saw you die."
This warranted my full attention. I knocked over my coffee cup, the hot liquid spilling over the metal counter. It dripped to the floor, but neither of us moved to clean it up. The sandwich lay forgotten at the edge of the island.
"I saw you die, over and over. I needed the power to save you."
"So you killed our uncle to gain that power?" I said in disbelief.
"No…I killed our uncle…because he tried to kill me."
I gasped, my eyes opening wide and staring at her in horror. Why would he do that? Sure, we hadn't known him very well. He and my dad hadn't gotten along, even though they were twins. They even looked alike, though there were too many differences to mistake them for each other. My father never spoke a bad word about him. He only said that he hadn't agreed with our lifestyle…whatever that had meant.
"Do you remember that summer he came to visit Ojichan?" she asked me.
All I could do was nod, still stunned by her revelation.
"Twice he was interrupted by you, of all people. He was sneaky; he made it look like something out of the ordinary."
I wracked my brain for those memories. I could recall him paying a visit. He'd told our grandfather it was to settle affairs with the family. After my parent's deaths, our grandparent's had inherited the estate and all the money. I'd just figured my uncle had come upon hard times and wanted a handout.
And now that I thought about it…he had gone missing about three days later. My grandfather had acted like nothing had changed. Like the man hadn't even shown his face.
Did he help Hitomi cover it up?
And when had our uncle tried to hurt her? Shouldn't I have noticed something like that?
You spent more time worrying about yourself, than paying attention to her!
It came to me then. Once, I'd walked into our bedroom to wake Hitomi from a nap. Our uncle was already there, a pillow in his hands. Hitomi looked out of breath, red faced. The man had covered it up as them having a pillow fight. I was plenty old enough back then to know this seemed odd. But I never questioned it.
The second time, I'd gone to the kitchen to help with dinner. I found Hitomi there brandishing a knife. Our uncle had quickly apologized for frightening her and then pulled the knife from her hands. He'd begun to chop vegetables and acted as if nothing had happened.
By the fourth day, when I awoke that morning he was gone. No one had said a word and I'd figured he'd left in the night.
"Are you serious about this, Hitomi?"
"I wouldn't lie to you, would I? When have I ever?!"
"That doesn't explain why it looked as if you were enjoying killing him!"
"Because I did!" she shouted.
My mouth fell open wide and I floundered for a minute, before spitting a disgusted, "What the fuck is wrong with you?!"
"I enjoyed it because he was an evil son of a bitch! He gave away dad! He's the reason he's dead!"
"How do you know all this?" I asked.
"I don't think you realize how often I have visions now, Kasumi."
Her eyes were cold. A sense of bitterness filled the room. The visions were not pleasant for her. She had probably seen things beyond my comprehension. Things that had hurt her…changed her.
"Tell me everything," I said.
And so she did.
She told me about how when dad found out mom was pregnant he'd left his old life behind. They stopped hunting demons and ghosts and other beasts. They changed their names, their appearances, their jobs. They settled down in a life of domesticity instead of magic powers and monsters.
Only immediate family knew of this change. My father had trusted his brother, had always wanted to see the best in him. My father made a poor choice.
When Hideki came looking for the vessels, my uncle had given up my father in an attempt to save himself.
In the original timeline, as Hitomi had envisioned it, Hideki killed dad and then came back for our uncle. But our uncle, as stupid as he was, had a fleeting feeling of remorse. He'd called dad to warn him, giving our father a chance to move us. We were the next logical choice for the vessels, we needed to be protected. But of course, when Hideki returned to kill our uncle, he would have dragged the information out of him.
"So what changed? Why didn't Hideki return?"
"That was my doing," said Hitomi. "I called our uncle and warned him just as he did dad."
"But you were so young…" I said.
"It didn't matter, he believed me. He might not have cared for the supernatural, but he knew it was real."
She continued to explain that our uncle went into hiding for about nine years. Thinking he was safe after that time, he came looking for us. He'd come up with a plan. He wanted to keep the key for himself. So he decided to try and murder Hitomi, knowing that I already possessed Chronos. I was worthless to him. But my sister was a threat that needed to be eliminated.
After his two attempts at taking her life, she'd taken things into her own hands. She'd seen how the timeline would change, that it was the best course of action for her. That it was the lesser of two evils.
And the righteous side of her wanted to see his life-force drain from his eyes. He was a pitiful man that did not deserve the life he'd been given.
Hitomi had called him out to the vast field on the edge of Ojichan's orchard. She'd used the ruse that she had lost something there and was afraid of the dark. The fool had thought it a lucky chance. So he had jumped on it…not knowing the fate that awaited him.
She'd taken that same kitchen knife and plunged it through his chest. And in that moment, time had aligned…and everything changed.
"When I gained the key…I could see it all Kasumi. I can pick out specific timelines…I can change things!"
"Is that really wise, Hitomi? Think of the consequences!"
"I don't care…as long as I save you."
I put my head in my hands then, dragging coffee through my hair.
"I don't need saving!" I shouted. I was so tired of this. Why was everyone so determined to stop me from fucking dying?! Messing with the future over it seemed even stupider!
I shot up in my seat, back rigid and slammed my hands to the counter. Coffee splashed into the air, dark colored droplets came raining back to the table.
"You're being selfish!" I said.
Her face contorted in anger and she swept an arm through the wet mess on the island. The liquid splashed me in the face and covered the front of my shirt. I belated realized that it wasn't actually mine…but Hiei's. It would take a lot of scrubbing to get the coffee stain out of the blue fabric.
"You're right, I am! You're all I have left, Kasumi!" she had tears in her eyes that made my heart clench. My hands balled into fists, sloshing the coffee between my palms.
Just like me, she had made difficult decisions based off of one sole reason – because we only had each other.
There was no other family. None that shared our blood, that is, but I had new people I cared about. I wanted to stay by their sides. I wanted to save their lives too…not just Hitomi's.
I pushed my sister's stupidity aside for now. I had to sweep it under the rug, because there was still one thing I needed to know.
"Where have you been the past four years?"
All the unabashed rage that had been in her face fell away. The mood turned somber and she shrunk in on herself.
"I'm so sorry, Kasumi Oneesan…" she wouldn't look at me. She only stared at the mess across the island, drawing shapes in the coffee with a finger.
"Sorry isn't going to cut it this time! Now tell me!"
Her gaze finally shifted at my outburst. The green of her eyes pierced me. She suddenly looked so much older…like she had seen things that had scarred her.
What had happened to the kindness filled, gentle, little girl I once knew?
Hitomi was supposed to be my exact opposite, no matter how alike we were in appearance. It had always been that way.
But now I saw more of myself in her than I wanted to admit.
"The day I left and never came back…," she began, "I'd had a vision that morning."
She looked back to the table, her eyes swimming with something I didn't understand.
"I'd been experimenting with my new powers, I'd discovered the ability to turn time backwards or forwards."
Something similar to my clock, perhaps, I wondered.
"At first it was just short bursts, minutes at most. But after that vision I pushed myself."
"What did you see?" I asked. If it had caused Hitomi enough unease to do something rash…it must have been something awful.
"I saw the gate to Purgatory open. Its mouth like a giant black maw…you stood there in front of it."
"So what," I said. I already knew that was going to happen and I didn't need to be clairvoyant.
"You're eyes held a heavy resolve…a dying wish. I saw you jump through that door…and it was my fault."
"I already know all this," I said flippantly.
She pursed her lips, "You don't wonder why the door was already open?"
I took in a sharp breath as I recalled what Hideki had told me – one of the vessels must be sacrificed to open the door.
If I was still alive…and standing in front of it, that meant Hitomi had been killed.
That was exactly what I wanted to prevent. Did that mean I would have to offer myself up as the sacrifice? It wouldn't be as simple as plunging myself into Purgatory? The only way to save my sister…was to give my life in exchange for hers?
"I won't let that happen," I snarled.
The mood shifted again, Hitomi's face breaking out into a smile, "I know. But this is why you need the dragon's heart."
She was trying to change the subject. She'd never told me where she'd been. Don't think you can pull a fast one on me, little girl.
"We'll discuss that later. You still haven't answered my question."
She swallowed hard, "I messed up Oneesan."
My eyes narrowed, "How?"
"I used too much of my power, too soon. I sent myself to the future."
I must have gone through a range of facial expressions at her confession. At first I snorted, thinking she was joking. But when she did not laugh or even smile, I turned to confusion…then shock…and finally I landed on pissed off.
I put two and two together and came up with an explanation on how Hitomi seemed to know everyone. She'd already met them…Kami only knew how far ahead of me.
"How far?" I ground out.
She locked her jaw, planning on keeping that information to herself. But I shot forward across the table. I grabbed her arm and hauled her from her chair. I dragged her forward until I was only an inch away from her face.
"HOW FUCKING FAR?!"
She looked somewhere over my shoulder, avoiding my eyes and said, "Twenty years…"
I dropped her arm like it had burnt me and fell back into my chair.
"Twenty fucking years, Hitomi, are you shitting me!"
She didn't say a word. That was answer enough for me. She was serious, one-hundred fucking percent – serious.
I could kill her!
"So, did you meet all of them there then?"
"I can't tell you everything Kas – "
"No, of course not, privileged information right?!"
Incensed, she stood from her seat, her chair toppling over in her haste.
"It is the burden I must bear! I can't reveal information on the future!"
"You can't tell me who you met there?!"
She sighed, "I'm sure you can make an educated guess. I know the Tantei at any rate."
The fucking Tantei, I didn't even fully know what that was! How the hell could Hitomi? She was so many steps ahead of me it was unbelievable!
"You met Hiei there didn't you? Tell me!"
"Yes," she breathed, "But that's all I can say."
I was so frustrated I could have ripped out my hair. As calm as I was able, I rose from my seat. As happy as I was that Hitomi was alive and well…I needed time to process this.
I left the kitchen; she didn't try to stop me. I had only left so I wouldn't do something I'd regret. She'd left me with so many questions and very little answers. I needed to talk to someone who would make sense of all this.
Hiei came to mind first…but something told me now wasn't the right time. I would have to tell him later. So I turned to Takahiro instead.
I found him in the common room. The only problem was the fact I also found everyone else there too.
Most of them sat around the big table in the center of the room. Takahiro was strumming his guitar in one of the arm chairs. Yusuke and Kazuma kept calling out song requests that my uncle blatantly ignored. Kurama was in the corner inspecting a rather odd plant my uncle had acquired. And old lady Genkai had taken a seat in the arm chair opposite of Takahiro.
When I entered the room, Takahiro's strumming changed to something more akin to a lullaby. Kazuma was the second person to notice my presence.
"Kasumi-chan, you're awake!"
"And normal," added Yusuke.
Kurama turned from the plant to cast me over with a critical gaze. Those old eyes saw more than he let on, but a small smile crossed his face all the same.
"Good to see that you're well," he said.
The tone of his voice clued me in to the fact that he knew something. It was so blatant that I knew he'd done it on purpose. I didn't think him the type of person to hold that over my head…
But the hidden warning in his tone told me otherwise. His cold eyes spoke of painful promises should I hurt his friend. The kitsune was protective of Hiei…I would be a moron to provoke him.
I gave him a subtle nod. The smile on his lips widened just a smidge in acknowledgement. He moved to the table then, pulling out a seat for me before he took his own. I sat, not wanting to refuse his offer although I hadn't planned on sticking around.
Takahiro changed his tune again, the song turned darker, the notes heavier. They were still melodic in their own right, a hidden power coming from his strings.
If you paid close attention to my uncle you'd notice several things. All of those things would make you doubt your sanity.
First was the atmosphere that followed him everywhere he went – charged with electricity, the constant scent of rain, and the sense of foreboding. Then, if you looked real close, you could see lightning streak across his eyes every once in a while.
From there, perhaps you take a long look at the tattoos on his arms. If you're lucky, maybe you'll even see him shirtless. If that's the case, take note that his back is also covered in body art. The tattoos on his arms, however, are of his own creation. They're imbued with the protection of the gods, making his skin hard like marble.
The images on his skin seem random, but are actually old and symbolic in nature. If you pay attention, you'll see them move. The eyes of the beasts glow, the images of fire flickered, and the waves crashed…
It was subtle, only noticeable out of the corner of your eye. But I'd seen it enough times to know I wasn't crazy.
And then of course there were the most obvious reasons – his unusual height, the power you could feel seeping off his skin, the haunting sound of his music.
It was all wrapped up in one large, very creepy, Takahiro shaped package.
"I need to speak to you in private, uncle," I said. I used uncle to try and butter him up. Feeling like he was really part of the family brought him unbridled joy.
But he kept on strumming like he hadn't even heard me. His song would influence the mood of those around him. Kurama had already noticed, as had Genkai. But Kazuma and Yusuke either hadn't noticed or didn't care.
"There's nothing I can add," he finally said. He didn't even turn to look at me, the bastard.
"Would you please stop playing your guitar a moment, Takahiro-san?" asked Kurama.
"So you can clarify what you already know? I don't think so," my uncle replied.
I almost laughed at the face Kurama made. He hadn't expected uncle Taka to be so rude. But that's why we got along as well as we did. He was a social pariah as well.
The song changed again, to something a little lighter.
"Kasumi, do me a favor?" spoke up Takahiro.
I scoffed at him. Why should I do him a favor after he'd just dismissed me like he had?
"I'll give you something nice if you do it," he tried again. He finally tuned in his seat to look at me, his face unamused.
"Some answers?" I asked hopefully.
He shook his head, "No. I was thinking more along the lines of ink."
I rubbed my chin in contemplation. Hmm, now that did sound interesting indeed.
"Ink?" asked Kazuma.
Takahiro waved his tatted elbow in Kazuma's direction, "Yeah, ya know, ink?" he said.
Kazuma's mouth formed an "oh" of understanding, "Another tattoo huh?"
I knew it wouldn't just be any old tattoo, but they didn't need to know that.
"Sure, that's fair I guess. What do you want me to do?" I asked Takahiro.
"Get your boyfriend the hell out of my library."
"Huh?" My boyfriend…surely he didn't mean Hiei?
But he couldn't be talking about Ren. He'd never cared about him being in there before.
Curious now, I rose from my seat and took off down the hall. The library was up a level, on the third floor. Truth be told, I'd escaped to avoid questions on whom, exactly, my "boyfriend" was.
The word kind of made me want to cringe. I'm sure Hiei wouldn't enjoy the moniker any more than I did. But what do I call him otherwise? I should be asking myself if we were even together first, before thinking of that.
We hadn't said so in words. But I thought I'd made my thoughts fairly clear. I mean…how many times did you have to kiss a guy before they dated you?
Or was I doing this all ass backwards? I was wasn't I? I slapped a hand to my face and groaned. Why was I so stupid?
I came upon the library's door. I could feel his energy there. It shined brightly through the metal if I used my mind's eye to see it. I turned the knob and pushed it open.
I found him sitting at a circular table, books strewn across its surface. Several were open and he was in the middle of pouring over one in particular. He didn't look up when I entered the room and shut the door quietly behind me.
To gain his attention I called, "What are you up to?"
His eyes did not stray from the book. They flashed over its pages in rapid succession. But he did bother to answer me.
"Research," he said.
"I can see that," I replied with a raised eyebrow.
I approached the table, trying to catch a glimpse of some of the books' titles. There were far too many in different languages. It made me wonder about the man before me just a little more.
"Do you speak many languages?" I asked.
His eyes jerked up from the book then, intrigued by my question. He snapped it closed with one hand and set it upon the table.
"A few," he said, "Not always fluently, however."
I looked from each book…there was more than just "a few" here. I hadn't considered him a scholar, but there was much I didn't know about Hiei.
"I picked up different dialects during my travels," he said.
My gaze shifted away from him at his words. The memories that Chronos had fed me were hard to keep at bay. I feigned interest in the books I could understand. I picked one up. The title read "Of Gods and Men" and it began to dawn on me what he was searching for.
"Surely you're not doing what I think you are?" I said.
"Depends on what you're thinking of," he said.
The fact he wasn't in my head gave me a little comfort. Chronos had done as she'd promised. She'd backed off.
"I'm thinking you're looking for a way to get rid of Chronos," I replied. I slapped the book back onto the table. The sound reverberated around the large oval shaped room.
There were two levels to this room and it was so massive I couldn't count the books if I tried. I couldn't image how many rows Hiei had gone through just for a little bit of useless information.
"There's no separating us and if she dies, I die," I informed him.
His upper lip curled, "Has she told you so?"
"No, but my gut knows it's true," I replied.
He looked ready to fight me on this front. I knew my words would not stop him from looking. But at least for now, I could distract him from his vendetta. He wished to help me. That was what should have been obvious here. He hadn't liked what he'd see earlier…and he wanted to prevent it from ever happening again.
But he needed to learn to trust me.
I leaned forward, whipping his chair around by its wooden arm so he was facing me. He glowered up at me, but I just leaned over him. I planted my hands on each arm, knowing he had a clear shot down my shirt. But his eyes strayed from cleavage to take in the sight of me in his clothing instead.
The arm holes were too large. I was pretty much completely exposed. But yet, he only cared about the fucking shirt itself. The coffee had mostly dried. The stain was not so obvious now. But he didn't seem to care.
He reached his hands up to pinch the material between his fingers. His eyes held confusion and desire and pleasure, but he didn't understand why.
Before he could dwell on it too much, I climbed atop him. My legs straddled him and I ran a hand down his bare chest. I was happy he hadn't bothered to put his hideous cloak back on.
"Would you like it back?" I whispered, indicating the tank.
Smoldering eyes looked up at me through thick lashes and a smirk crossed his lips.
"I know what you're doing," he said, leaning forward to run his teeth down the side of my neck.
I shivered and he chuckled against my skin. His hands gripped my hips, the palms hot, my only protection the thin cloth of his shirt.
As he ran his lips over the pulsing vein in my neck, I came to a decision.
I didn't care what we were. There was no need for a label of any kind. What did any of that matter? Hiei wanted me…
This incredibly strong, sinfully beautiful, perpetually pissed off man wanted me. I should be pinching myself just to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
And then I should slap myself for being stupid enough to try and run from it. I just needed to ignore the whole soulmate drama and everything would be just fine.
Yeah…keep telling yourself that, Kasumi.
One of his hands was traveling up the shirt now, his fingers leaving hot trails. They ran over my ribcage, making me suck in a sharp breath.
I hadn't planned on continuing these little escapades outside of my head. Yet here I was, once again in his lap. His hand cupping my breast and his mouth leaving marks on my neck, it was absurd.
But Hiei was like a force of nature. Unstoppable as well as irresistible, good luck getting away once he'd decided what he wanted. He'd drawn me in and sunk in his claws. I'd never be free now.
And I no longer knew if I really wanted to be…
"I told my uncle I'd get you out of his library," I mumbled. I was doing my best to concentrate but it was beyond difficult.
A thumb flicked my nipple and my eyes dipped closed, "Cut it out," I whispered.
However, by the breathy sound of my voice, I doubted he thought I meant it.
He drew away from me to cast a sultry gaze over my flushed face. That smirk was still firmly in place. In fact, I'd say it had grown.
"And what would your uncle say…if I took you here, on this table?"
He looked completely serious and I was tempted to push him, to see how far he would take it. But he held far too much promise in his eyes and it made me back off. I couldn't deny that I was sexually frustrated…and Hiei…
Fucking Hiei, I wanted to let him devour me. But I also wasn't ready to take it that far. The last time I'd slept with a demon…he'd tried to murder me afterwards.
He sensed my change in mood and his hands fell away. He cocked his head, heavy-lidded eyes darkening.
"Do not fret. I will not push you further," he said.
But it remained unspoken that it pained him to do so. I also knew that his self-control would only last so long, if I kept playing around like this. I didn't want him to think I was toying with him. This meant…more to me…than that. It wouldn't be right.
I clambered off his lap, bare feet hitting the cold cement floor. I hated to leave his little bubble of warmth, but I took two careful steps back.
On accident, I expelled a rather loud yawn, giving away how truly tired I was. He chuckled again, amused by me.
"I will leave, if you agree to go rest," he offered.
I was quick to accept his terms and rushed him from the library.
I never even noticed when Hiei swiped one of the books. Unbeknownst to me, it was slipped into one of his pockets, safe from prying eyes.
. . .
I slept for over twelve hours. Hiei was nowhere to be found when I awoke. I had moved to a different room. I was thankful none of my things had been ruined the other day. I'd found them all safe, hidden in the bathroom. I kept most of my things in the duffle I'd arrived with. There was so little, I hadn't bothered to use the dresser in the room.
I rolled over to retrieve my glasses off the bedside table. I settled them on the bridge of my nose and took a good look around the room.
I'd awoken because I'd felt someone's presence. And it wasn't Hiei's.
"Why?" I whined, rolling back over and pulling the covers over my head.
With my eyesight restored I'd discovered Takahiro waiting by the door. He had a pipe stuck between his lips, smoke curling up to the ceiling.
It made me crave a cigarette. And I remembered the pack Yusuke had gifted me, hidden in the duffle.
"Thought you'd like your reward," he said around the pipe's mouthpiece, the wood clacking against his teeth.
That had me throwing my covers off. I rushed into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
"I'll be right out!" I called to him.
I heard him grumble something in return. I was sure it was something rather derogatory but I let it slide.
I don't think I've ever showered faster in my life. I threw on a pair of spandex shorts and a loose tank. I ran back out to the main part of room barefoot.
"Okay, I'm ready!"
He rolled his eyes, even though he smiled fondly. With a jerk, he wrenched the door open and led me down the hall.
We entered into a part of the compound I hadn't been in yet. The doorway we passed through was marked private. I realized that these were Takahiro's quarters.
It was like entering into a different world.
Like the rest of the compound, everything was metal and cement. But that is where the similarities ended.
Along the walls hung paintings, each of a person I did not know. In between the paintings hung an array of guitars and basses alike. I spotted a few traditional Japanese instruments as well.
The hall had several doors. One of which was plastered in posters of rock bands – I was sure that was my uncle's room. And then we came to a stop in front of one in particular. He pulled out a key from nowhere and unlocked the door. When he pushed it open, the lights came on automatically.
Inside was what looked like an artist's studio, except a black tattooist's chair sat in its center.
Takahiro gestured for me to sit, but I straddled it instead. I lifted my shirt over my head and tossed it aside.
I reached an arm over my shoulder and pointed to my back, "Make it big."
I heard him chuckle, pleased with me, "Sure thing."
It was a long process. I must have lain in that chair the entire day. Takahiro picked what was placed on my back. He formed it around the tattoo I already had there, twining it in with his art. He worked in silence, the smoke from his pipe continuing to curl to the ceiling.
The buzz of the gun filled my senses; the vibrations having made my skin go numb. I drifted in and out of sleep, listening to Takahiro hum some old tune.
I could feel the imbued power in the ink. With each swipe, swirl and scrape of the needles, he infused more. When he was finished, I would have a tattoo just as magical as all of his.
A couple of more hours ticked by, I was mostly awake now. Takahiro had set down his pipe long ago, so he could concentrate better. His gloved hands were covered in the remnants of his work, ink coating the tips of his fingers. With one final pass of the gun, I heard him turn it off. He set it aside, the buzzing still vibrating through my ears even though it was gone.
He wiped my back clean and I felt the unpleasant sensation of ointment being rubbed there. With a snap, he pulled off each of his gloves and threw them into a trash can.
"It's finished," he said. He got up to retrieve a full body length mirror and hauled it over to me. I stood from the chair, my body stiff. I stretched a few times, feeling my newest addition ache with the strain.
When I turned to finally get a look, cocking my head over my shoulder, I gasped. Covering my whole back was a tree. A gnarled, bark covered, beautiful, ancient tree. He'd taken my original tattoo, with the English word "strength" written in the infinity symbol, and tied it in. Each branch stretched high towards my shoulders, the trunk ending near the small of my back.
Amongst the blossoms, pink like my energy, were other English words. He'd twisted the branches to look like the infinity symbols, the blossoms like sakuras. There was strength, the original. But Takahiro had also added loyalty, life, love, courage, honor, discipline, pain, passion, sadness, desire, and fear. Each word made up a new branch and all were entangled amongst each other.
I saw Takahiro come to stand beside me in the mirror, a smile on his face.
"When you experience these feelings and emotions, those words will light up," he explained. "When your life force dwindles, the branches will decay."
He grabbed me by my shoulders and shifted me, so I could get a better look.
"The image of the tree will change with the seasons. It is now spring, so it's in full bloom."
I stared up at my uncle, stunned by what he'd placed inside my skin. It was hard to see him for what he was – a half-god with powers to match. But to me, Takahiro had always been my uncle. Like the second father I'd always wished I'd had.
He turned away, but not before I saw the hint of pride in his eyes. He reached for his pipe, knocking the remaining ashes into the trash bin. He reached into the pocket of his leather pants and pull out a pouch. From inside he pulled out…whatever it was he smoked. It was more fragrant than regular tobacco, so it could be anything.
He packed his pipe, lit it with a match, and placed it between his teeth. Around the mouth piece he offered up one last bit of information.
"I've imbued it with protective powers. It will help you in your coming journey."
"Thank you, uncle Taka."
"Yeah, you're welcome brat."
I left him then, with instructions that I shouldn't wear any constricting clothing for the day. It would heal faster than a normal tattoo, he'd said, but I should still be careful.
It was evening by then, another day wasted. A week and half left before I traveled across time and dimensions in search of a heart. It was so surreal, such a fantasy like story that I wondered if I wasn't dreaming almost daily.
I thought about what I should do, now that I'd been gifted with this wonderful piece of art. Should I go show it off? Nah…I hadn't really had "the talk" with my friends yet. I didn't know if I was ready to deal with that today.
I could find Hitomi…but I sensed her presence up a couple of levels. She was with everyone else, in the common room. It made me jealous…a sudden emotion I hadn't expected to feel. Was she encroaching on my friends now? She'd already met them, hadn't she? Perhaps she was even friends with them first…and then what right did I have to claim them?
It was petty…and stupid, but I couldn't help it. It made me mad. So I wandered down to the arena.
An hour later Hiei found me.
I was practicing my Tai Chi. It was the only form of training that didn't make my back burn or itch. My movements were slow and deliberate, each step, each push of my hands – forceful but calm.
It took my mind off things I'd rather not be thinking about.
"What is that on your back?"
He did not startle me as he might have months ago. I continued my routine as if he hadn't spoken, though I broke my silence to answer him.
"A tattoo," I replied.
"And where did you acquire such a thing?"
He was close to me now. I could feel his warmth at my back. It made a wistful smile cross my face.
"Takahiro," I said.
"Is that where you've been all day?"
His voice told me he'd been worried but didn't want to admit it. Perhaps he'd thought I'd run off. Or maybe he hadn't cared at all and I was looking too far into it. Either way, a playful smirk replaced my smile.
"Wouldn't you like to know," I said.
A warm palm reached around to grab my forearm. I saw as his hand fit perfectly with my scar, like a puzzle piece that had found its home. His other arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me backward.
I wasn't pleased he'd interrupted me right in the middle of a routine. I was about to turn and tell him so, when his next words stopped me.
"Strip," he said. Simple enough…but oh, his tone – it was sultry and full of yearning.
Surely he didn't mean what I thought he meant?
"Strip," he repeated. "I wish to see it."
He wanted a glimpse of my newest addition. But something in his voice caused me to be bashful. A flush covered my skin, making my face heat up. Should I obey him? Or would that be a mistake?
I never had to decide, for Hiei took matters into his own hands. He lifted my light tank from the front, pulling it upwards with a single hand. I wore nothing underneath, to save myself the discomfort it would have caused. It reached my neck and with one, fluid, upwards tug, he removed it.
The way he touched as he inspected my back wasn't sexual, but curious. His fingers left smoky, hot trails as they curved around each branch. I heard him try to sound out the words. English, apparently, was not one of the languages he spoke.
"Would you like me to tell you what they say?" I asked.
The fingers paused, the rough pads merely resting against my skin. And then he grunted. I took that as his way of admitting he needed help reading them.
I used his roaming palms as guidance. When his fingers reached the farthest branch, the one with my original tattoo, I spoke the word aloud. Then I would repeat it in Japanese for his benefit. This continued in much the same fashion as the tips of his fingers traced the words. He sounded them out himself, after each one I whispered, memorizing them.
Something about this seemed far more intimate than anything I'd done with him before. When his fingertips reached the branch that said "passion" he stopped again. I could feel it…I knew what had caused his hesitation. That word must have lit up like a beacon, if what I was feeling now was any clue.
Suddenly, I felt like I had been laid barren. The tattoo did not seem so great anymore. Would this happen every time I felt something? Would it light up…and give my deepest secrets away?
I would not find out until later, that Takahiro had not been so honest with me. For they only lit up for two people's eyes only – mine and the man's that stood behind me, as he gently caressed that piece of art.
"It's glowing," he finally said.
I said nothing, releasing only a sound of displeasure. He did not question me, he only continued on his trek. I was no longer as inclined to speak the words aloud…but I did so anyway, just for him.
When he'd reached the final branch, his hands traveled lower and they traced the great trunk of the tree. His all-consuming need to record every inch of my tattoo came to an end. His fingers ran over the giant roots and stopped at the waistband of my spandex shorts.
"It suits you," he said, his voice quiet.
My shirt was dangled over my shoulder and I took it from him without turning around. I pulled it back over my head. I wondered why Hiei hadn't thought to ask why it was glowing. But then again, he probably didn't want to know. He understood it held a power all its own and that was good enough for him.
As if I hadn't even been interrupted, I restarted my routine. Each move I administered with careful placement, feeling the full effects as his eyes watched me. Normally, I might have been nervous…he might have managed to make my deliberate steps falter. But his eyes were not as intense as usual; they watched…but did not linger.
What ended up throwing me for a loop had me halting all movement completely. Hiei had come up beside me and was mimicking each move I made. He'd shed his shirt and tossed his swords aside. He glared at me, annoyed I had stopped so sudden.
But it had reminded me of that one time with Chronos. That time images of my future had flashed across the blackness of my mind's inner workings. I'd seen Hiei and I practicing Tai Chi, our movements in such perfect sync it was astonishing. Was this how all that started – this moment, on this very day?
Curious to see if he'd continue and catch on, I started moving again. I watched him from the corner of my eye. He picked up the steady pace easily, the movements he made fluid. He hesitated only briefly with each new one I made, but he caught on fast. Soon enough, our steps were synchronized.
Tai Chi was a discipline in breathing and controlled movements. It surprised me to see Hiei, who moved so fast, slow to a crawl. His breaths that once matched mine soon remained calm while my own sped up. My heart beat quickened and I did everything I could to calm it to no avail.
I stopped just as sudden as last time, but I flopped to the ground unlike before. Dust rose up as my ass planted itself in the dirt. I ran a hand through my hair and wiped the sweat from my forehead.
"Why did you stop?" he asked, annoyed. Hiei had come to stand above me, his presence managing to swallow up even this giant room.
Honestly? I'd stopped because he looked…well, fucking sexy. He had rippling muscles and an amazing physique and don't even get me started on the rest of him. His eyes, even his crazy, demonic fucking hair – it drove me crazy! No one should rightfully be that good looking! It wasn't fair to the rest of the world, damn it!
He rose an eyebrow at the blush I was sure had graced my face. And then he stepped around me, to get a view of my back. He hummed contemplatively, a low chuckle leaving his throat.
"Two are glowing now," he said.
Fucking Christ almighty! I was going to kill Takahiro, for real this time! I was just lucky he hadn't been a total jerk and written "lust" on there as well. That would probably be the brightest fucking one at this point.
I felt him lean forward and pull down the neckline of my shirt. He practically choked me in the process and I ground out, "What the fuck, Hiei?!" before he laughed again.
"Passion…and –" he sounded out the first word, still foreign on his tongue. But the second was far easier for him to expel.
"– Desire…how interesting," he said.
My neckline was released, but the hand only snaked around my neck. It traveled upwards to lift my chin and he tilted my head to the sky. There I found him leaning over me, a smug look upon his face.
"Did you see something to your liking?" he asked.
I glared at him, my upper lip curling, "Not at all," I said.
"You lie," he replied.
My eyes only narrowed and I clamped my mouth shut. Nothing short of torture would get an admission out me.
"Torture…hmm, there's an interesting idea," he murmured. His tone telling me the type of torture he had in mind would be…far from painful.
He was in my head again and I now no longer had to worry about the branches. Each trip into my mind Hiei took these days could be devastating. I never wanted him to see what I knew. I made sure my wall was firmly in place and I saw his lips purse.
"You've never tried to push me out before," he said.
A damper was put on the heightened sexual tension that had just filtered through the room. I swallowed thickly, trying to come up with a way to distract him.
But when I reached up a hand to try and touch his face, he jerked away from me.
"Do you think I'm stupid?" he asked. His hold on my chin tightened, squeezing now.
"Of course not!" I barked. I knew he wasn't stupid; he was smarter than me for fuck sakes.
"Then tell me what you're hiding."
"Maybe I just don't want you in my head all the damn time!"
"You barely complain anymore, why now?" his tone was beyond suspicious. It was now bordering on rage. If I did not come up with a plausible lie and fast…
But I never had to. I heard the sound of voices coming down the arena's steps. It was blind luck that none of them had bothered to look through the plexi-glass window. Hiei's hand fell from my chin and I felt when he flitted away, the air shifting. He didn't leave, only took a perch on top of one of the stalagmites.
He could be the poster boy for innocence, for all the range of emotion he showed on his face. He'd managed to get his shirt back on and had both katana in hand. He acted as if he hadn't just been about to strangle me. But at least I was saved from having to lie.
"This isn't over," was whispered across my consciousness.
Of that I had no doubts. He wouldn't just let it go, now that he knew I was hiding something. I would have to be on my guard.
The first person to come barging through the door was Kazuma. He stumbled out, like he'd been pushed. It didn't take a genius to realize it was Yusuke that had done the pushing. He came sauntering out afterwards, a large plastic bag in one hand. Kurama followed him, casting curious green eyes around the arena. He shook his head at his friends' antics, but said nothing.
"Do you know how long it took to find this place without a guide?" Yusuke whined, as he jumped from the platform and headed straight for me.
"This place is like a maze. How the hell does Takahiro-san manage?" said Kazuma.
Kurama just grinned mischievously behind his comrades' backs. By the glint in his eye, I'd say he knew exactly how to get down to the arena but had stalled the others. He smiled at me secretively and I realized it was so Hiei and I could be alone. Fat lot of good that did me thanks so much Kurama.
"We've come with an offering," said Yusuke before he proceeded to flop into the dirt. He rummaged through the plastic bag and out popped my best friend – booze.
I frowned appreciatively, "You really know a way to a girl's heart Yusuke."
He grinned and waggled his eyebrows, "If that was true Keiko would have married me by now."
"Keiko hasn't married you because you're an irresponsible man-child," I retorted.
This caused Kazuma to crack up, his laughter ringing across the arena. Kurama wasn't far behind him, though his chuckles were far more refined and no knee-slapping was involved.
Yusuke pouted on the ground for a minute before stuffing the liquor bottle back into its bag. He stood and turned on his heel, marching off towards the door.
"I guess I won't be sharing this then, will I?" he called.
"Oh come on Urameshi, don't be a baby!"
"You're just mad 'cause it's true," I sang out.
I heard him grumble something about pushy women and their irritating mouths. He stopped just before reaching the platform and then turned on his heel again. He stomped back towards us and dug something out of his pocket. He stopped directly in front of me, so we were nearly toe to toe. Then he handed me a slip of paper.
"Here, I was told to give this to you," he said. I think he might have tried to keep his little charade going, but before he could turn I grabbed his arm.
The paper he'd given me was a note from Takahiro. He'd be gone for a little over twenty-four hours…and he'd taken Hitomi with him. Goddamn it, now that I'd calmed down, I'd wanted to talk to her more!
"Genkai, Botan and Ren took off with them too," Yusuke added.
"How'd you get the alcohol then?" I asked, suspicious.
"Your uncle stated that it was a gift well deserved," said Kurama.
I stared at him, a funny look on my face. What the hell did that mean? Takahiro had always given Hitomi and me little gifts through the years, but I hadn't expected this.
"Flip over the note, baka," said Yusuke as he shook his arm from my hold.
I did as he said and noticed Takahiro's tiny scrawl had continued to the backside.
Thought you could use a pick me up of the non-caffeinated variety. Don't get into any trouble. Have some fun. You've earned it.
"Is he stupid?" was the only thing I could blurt, looking at Yusuke incredulously.
The boy only shrugged and then jerked his head towards the door, "Can we go somewhere else. This place gives me the creeps."
I nodded absentmindedly, noticing that he'd given up his little act and I was happy for it. I followed behind the three men, Yusuke and Kazuma spouting off ideas for drinking games. I had no inclinations to join in such nonsense, though I had a feeling I'd be dragged in anyway. I could see Kurama held the same sentiments, if his increasingly panicked look said anything.
I wondered why no one had mentioned my previous break down. Was the offer of drinks just a way to get me to loosen my tongue?
I suppressed a smirk – good fucking luck boys.
I felt a presence at my back and turned just enough to shoot Hiei a look. I did smirk this time, my lips curling further when I saw how annoyed he was. I knew if no one else did, at least Hiei would try to wrench information out of me.
But what he was forgetting is that I was a…experienced drinker. I could hold my liquor just as well as any of the men around me…with the fire demon being the only exception. And for all I knew, Kurama, as I'd never seen him drink.
But I had seen Hiei drink. He'd polished off a fifth of 120-proof whiskey with me no problem one night. I didn't even notice a flush to his cheeks, let alone a slur. And I know he drank more of it than I did! I was tempted to see just how far his tolerance went. But I might end up in a world of hurt if I tried to keep up with him.
"What are you starting at, onna?" he snapped.
I rolled my eyes and faced forward again. It seemed we were back to cold, pissy, stuck in a constant haze of irritation, Hiei. Considering what we'd been doing lately, I was rather put out at the use of "onna." I had a fucking name you know!
We emerged into the control room and I took the lead from there. I'm sure they planned on heading to the common room, but I had other plans in mind. I wanted a change of scenery and I knew just where to get it.
I took them to the top floor, the one I had fallen in after my first time climbing the mountain. Up here was the only access to the outside world, it seemed. Though I did wonder where Takahiro hid his car, he hadn't bothered to mention where it was. I was sure he didn't want me to know, either.
The upper floor was also much smaller than the rest of the compound. I wandered down a couple of different hallways, until I saw my goal at the end of one. There rested a spindly metal staircase, where it twined high up into the ceiling.
I lead the group of boys up it, feeling like I was in a reverse harem anime or something. But that wouldn't matter soon enough. Soon I would be drunk and I could forget about my worries for just a little while.
"Where are we going?" I heard Yusuke ask, but I didn't answer him.
I just kept climbing until I reached a large metal hatch. I twisted the handle that opened it and pushed it upwards. It fell open, revealing the most beautiful part of Takahiro's hideout. It was honestly the only room I liked out of the entire place.
Here, the ceiling was just one giant window. It gave you a perfect view of the sky. I flicked on the lights, which illuminated from the circular floor to give the room a soft glow. It didn't burn your eyes and only gave off enough light to read by. In the center of the room was a platform with a giant telescope mounted on it.
This was uncle Taka's observatory and one of the places he spent most of his time, when we weren't training.
The walls were made up of bookshelves, all filled, and all with various texts on astrology. Takahiro didn't look like he was an educated man, but he was by far one of the smartest people I'd ever met. But I guess he should be…given how many years he'd been alive. He certainly had the time to read the thousands of books he owned.
"Wow!" I heard Kazuma exclaim.
Yusuke's first instinct was to run to the telescope (this didn't surprise me at all, honestly). He moved it about with ease, not at all phased by its weight. And then he grinned triumphantly when he had it focused enough to actually see something.
"Yusuke, perhaps you shouldn't be playing with things that aren't yours," said Kurama. Not that he should talk, considering he was thumbing through one of my uncle's texts.
"Well!" Yusuke hopped down from the platform, grin still in place. "Let's get this party started!"
Hiei breezed by me at Yusuke's words. The cold smirk he sent my way told me exactly what he had planned. I flipped him the bird as soon as his back was to me.
Beyond the telescope was a little lounge, a level lower than where the platform rested. It gave you the opportunity to stare up at the sky. The chairs were comfortable and it had a round table just large enough for our purposes.
It was here we all settled. And so my twenty-four hours of fun began. And I'd be damned if I let a single thing spoil it.
I should have known by then…that things never worked out how I wanted them to.
. . .
A/N: Drunken Kasumi makes another appearance next chapter XD I shouldn't laugh, because she legit has a problem sometimes. But Hiei will be joining in fully this time around and that should make things interesting! Nothing gives me the jollies more than writing out a drunken fire demon. Kasumi's tattoo was inspired by the Tree of Life. And neither Takahiro nor Hitomi have been completely honest with her. To the person who wished to see a chapter in Hitomi's POV, you'll get your wish! But not for a while I'm afraid! Till next time, thanks for reading!