Chapter 3 Consequences of War
Hiei awoke feeling very rested and rejuvenated in his bed back at his fortress. He sat up to see his head maids, Maria and Claudia. They rushed to him as he sat up.
"Hiei-sama are you alright?" Maria asked.
"Would you like some food Hiei-sama?" Claudia followed.
"Yes, Claudia. Where is the woman?" He asked.
"In the dungeons for now. Her head was covered so she does not know the location of the fortress, my Lord. Also, Kurama-sama is here and has been monitoring her while you rested. Shall we call for him?" Maria asked.
"Send him to the dining hall. I will take my food there. Bring some out for Kurama as well," Hiei said as he slipped out his bed. The maids bowed to him and rushed off.
Hiei walked slowly through the stone fortress he learned to call home. He hadn't been here in over a year, he was constantly on the move with an army or with Yusuke and Kurama. The familiar cool air from the stone comforted him and Hiei knew that he wouldn't have to leave here for an extended period of time anymore. Servants bowed to him as he passed by them in the halls and he could see the relief in their faces that their master had finally come home. Everything was going to fall back into place and the Makai would recover. He would make sure of it.
Hiei pushed open the doors to the dining hall and saw that Kurama was already there, seated in one of his Chinese robes with his legs crossed.
"Hello, Hiei. Feeling better?" Kurama asked smiling.
"Yes," Hiei said as he took a seat next to his friend. The kitchen doors opened and servants came out, bringing them their food. Hiei immediately dug in, starved, and Kurama took a sip of his drink.
"Hiei, we are in a good place right now. You were out for a little longer than usual so I began correspondence with the elf King on your behalf. I was afraid that if we waited too long he would assume the worst of his daughter and begin to track us down," Kurama said. Hiei nodded at him, motioning for him to continue while he ate.
"The princess in the dungeon , constrained by a plant that causes her to become immobile. After you had passed out, we sent Shana to make sure he was actually going to surrender. When we got the word, Yusuke set out to tell Yomi and Mukuro and I brought you back here, since we were close by. Also, with her in the fortress she has less of a chance to escape. She doesn't know where we are, of course. I had her head covered the whole way here and once inside I took her around the dungeon a few times so in case something happens she won't know where to go initially. But, Hiei, now that we have her, we need to use her to our advantage. We need her to anchor our security from these people."
Hiei stopped eating, looking at his friend. Kurama had become quieter which usually meant he was about to say something that was not very good. But what could it be? Hiei assumed they would trade her over and they would leave but Kurama was talking as if she would never leave the Makai at all. If they kept her prisoner they would just come after her, that wouldn't end the conflict. Hiei furrowed his eyebrows at his friend. What was Kurama getting at? How could they keep her safe enough but contained enough so they never came back?
Kurama was staring at him sadly; Hiei hated it when he did that. He hated the pity in the fox's eyes, no matter how close they were. But why was he looking at him like that? What did he have to do with that woman that would cause Kurama to… Oh no. The answer hit him so hard it felt like Kurama had whacked him in the face with a bat. No, he wasn't going to do that, no way in hell! No, no,
"No!" Hiei growled.
Kurama eyes were still looking at him with that pity, sadness. "Don't be naive, Hiei. We cannot give her to Yomi. He will abuse her to no end. Yusuke is already married and I…" Kurama averted his eyes from Hiei's but Hiei knew what he was thinking about. Before the war started Kurama had assisted Boton on an undercover mission, presumably for her security. From that time they had become very close, though it seemed that Kurama had yet to make a move. When the war hit, there was no time and he left her, holding onto those feelings. Hiei knew he was excited to go back and see her, to finally be with her. So, he had ruled himself out because he was tied to someone else.
"How do you know I won't abuse her? I want to kill her!"
"I know you won't abuse her because you aren't like that Hiei. If anything you will neglect her instead," Kurama said calmly.
Hiei sat back in his chair and frowned at the fox. "I am not doing it. Ever."
"Then I will." The words stung Hiei. Kurama would sacrifice Boton for the pathetic woman in his dungeons?
"I will not see our efforts go to waste," Kurama said almost in a whisper. His eyes were hollow now and Hiei's insides lurched at seeing his friend so empty. "If she is married then that secures an alliance. If she reports that she is happy, it solidifies it. They won't come back because they can't. The relationship would be a fragile but it can work. It has to."
There was a small pause before Hiei asked. "Why do you think I can do it?"
Kurama seemed to snap out of the small daze he had been in, no doubt thinking of what he would tell Boton. Life seemed to return to his eyes and Kurama gave him a weak smile. "Well, for starters you have no female companion and you haven't for a long time."
Hiei growled, "How do you know?"
Kurama chuckled as he said, "No need to defend your pride, Hiei. I know you never took up with Mukuro and, since I've known you, you've never seemed interested in women in any fashion. Also, the only woman you have nightmares about is Yukina. In all the years I've known you, if you had a mate before we met I would have a faint idea of it by now. I'm not saying you aren't experienced, but that you haven't ever had a lover."
"Hn," Hiei said. He hated it when that damn fox was right.
"Second, you are the highest ranking demon in the Makai. As heir to her own throne, you two are on the same social status. While that isn't important here, I would imagine it has importance to the elves. Third, you may have wanted to kill her on the battlefield but she was defending herself. It was easy to see that she didn't want to be there or even partake in the battle. She was fighting you out of duty, not for bloodlust."
Hiei frowned. "How is that a good thing?"
"It means that she doesn't hate demons. She may hate you… but at least we know she doesn't have it out for all of us. If she can get over hating you, then maybe you can actually…"
Kurama let his words trail off and Hiei knew it was to choose his words carefully. Either way, he did not like where the conversation was going.
"Can actually what?" Hiei said quietly, staring hard at his friend.
"Make it work. Have a mate, have someone to care about who knows you exist. Have someone to care about you."
Hiei stood up angrily. "That is none of your business!" Hiei hissed.
Kurama stared at him calmly, "You are not incapable of love Hiei, in any form. I know you think you aren't good enough but-"
"Quiet!" Hiei roared. Kurama fell silent but his eyes still seemed to be whispering to him, go on, you can do it. Furious, Hiei turned away from his friend. How dare he! What did he know? Hiei didn't need a mate, and he definitely didn't need love. He had his friends and Yukina was safe. That was all that mattered.
"Hiei," Kurama said quietly. "Do you really think Yukina has no idea who her brother is? After all you have done for her? When she gave you her tear drop do you really think she had no idea? And all the times she invited you over for tea or to go out in town, do you really think she had no idea?"
As Kurama's words sunk in, he turned around. Of course the thought had crossed his mind that she had figured it out but to actually tell her… she could still reject him, push him away. He was not sweet, charming, and innocent like her, he was the total opposite. How could she love him as a brother when they were so far apart?
Kurama was sitting in his chair, quiet and patient. Hiei walked back to his chair and sat down but he didn't want to look at his friend.
"Will it really work?" Hiei asked, breaking the small silence.
Kurama sighed wearily, "I don't know. But I know she has a better chance with you since you are free."
Well, Hiei was glad that the only reason he was compatible was because he had no woman. Great. Maybe he should have taken concubines as Yomi suggested… Hiei shot a glance at his friend and from the pensive look on his face, Hiei could see that Kurama had more to say, as usual.
"Hiei, do you want to know the real reason why I think you're the best choice?"
Hiei frowned, confused. Kurama usually didn't ask him if he wanted to hear his opinion. Kurama usually gave it to him. Why would he ask? Unless, it was something else about himself he didn't want to hear.
Hiei inhaled and exhaled deeply before answering his friend. "Yes."
Kurama took a sip of his drink before continuing. "You are loyal, Hiei. Even if you don't want to admit it aloud, you were always willing to help Yusuke and once you discovered you had a sister, you searched for her desperately. Even if she never cares for you deeply, or you for her, I know that you would remain loyal to her. You would protect her, keep her safe, and at least try to make her content."
Kurama placed his hand on his friends arm. "You have a good soul, Hiei. If you didn't, you wouldn't care so much about what Yukina thinks about you."
Hiei wasn't as confident. He supposed Kurama was right but… he didn't know the first thing about women! Generally, he tried to stay away from them especially after watching Yusuke and Keiko. They just seemed like money sucking, annoying things that hung on the arms of men because they couldn't take care of themselves. They were more of a pain than it was worth.
Hiei must have scrunched his face because Kurama started laughing. "Don't worry, you can come ask me for advice any time you need it."
Hiei glared at the fox. "Tch, I haven't agreed to anything yet. I want to see the woman first."
Kurama led him down to where they had put her. Along the way, they had run into Maria and Claudia and Hiei motioned for the two dog demons to follow them. As they walked through the dungeon Hiei heard a voice singing. The song was beautiful but sad.
"That's her. She does it to pass the time and probably for comfort. It's harmless, I've made sure of that. Her cell is around the corner."
Sure enough, they turned the corner and two guards were standing outside of a wooden door. Kurama had taken no chances, he put her in solitary confinement. Hiei grabbed a torch from the opposite side of the wall and Kurama grabbed a torch as well. Hiei walked in front of the door and the singing suddenly stopped. Hiei motioned to the guards and the opened the door.
"Stay here," he told Maria and Claudia who took a step back.
Hiei looked up at Kurama who said, "After you."
Hiei stepped inside the cell which was illuminated only by the torches he and Kurama were holding. When he saw her he smiled to himself; Kurama was most certainly someone he was glad to have on his side. Her arms and legs were stretched out apart and each limb was shackled to the wall. The vines were wrapped around arms and legs and led up to a medium sized bulb on the back of her neck. The vines around her torso and neck seemed loosened but only slightly. Her head hung low and it was easy to see that her white hair still splattered with blood was now filthy with dirt and grime. The cell didn't reek so Kurama had made sure to at least give her a semi decent way of disposing her bodily fluids, but he had made sure she knew that she was their prisoner.
Hiei took a few steps towards her and knelt down so he was on eye level with her. Her head slowly raised and when she saw him, she smirked.
"So you are no longer indisposed, Demon King. So tell me, since you seem to have no desire to torture me for information or pleasure, can I at least have bath?" She said, her voice raspy. Hiei was slightly impressed. Even in this state she had enough energy to be, what was the word Yusuke described Shizuru as once? Ah yes, sassy. Sarcastic and defiant in one. This woman was going to be difficult…
Her pale face looked ghostly in the dark and was tainted by the grime and blood on her face. Her eyes however… Hiei was drawn to them as he was before when they faced in battle. Her eyes were still defiant, confident. Any confidence she had however must be fake or a show, but she was too prideful to show him weakness.
He stood up for a moment to take a better look at her. She pushed herself back against the wall, presumably to follow his gaze. Hiei suspected that she was wondering if indeed he was going to take her. No one had touched her before now but that may have been because he was still recovering. He could see her fear through the trembling of her body, though her eyes remained the same. She was brave. He could respect that. Her limbs looked worn and weak but no permanent damage. As his eyes inspected the torso of her body, he could feel the tension within her. She knew that he was inspecting her body, judging her merit. She seemed to have decent sized hips and supple breasts which was a good side note. Not that he cared for her body but if, Kami he couldn't believe he was thinking of this, if they had children her body would be strong enough.
Hiei knelt down again to her face her. He didn't say anything but he stared into her eyes. What was it about them? They were strong, defiant, determined. Why did it seem so familiar?
"Like what you see?" she snapped.
Hiei ignored her and cupped her chin in his free hand. He slowly turned her head from one side to the other, examining her ears. He had seen pointed ears on demons but hers were more slender and went upward rather than out or back.
"Maria, Claudia, I want you to prepare a bath. I don't care if it's hot or cold. Get a maids dress for her to wear, she has to look presentable," Hiei said.
"Bringing me to my father are you? Well it's good to see you have enough sense to give me back," she said snidely. Her eyes contained arrogance now… why was it familiar?
Hiei ignored his thoughts and stared straight into her eyes as he said, "Who said anything about giving you back?"
Her eyes widened in shock and darted to the side. He could tell she was thinking. She gasped sharply and brought her gaze back to Hiei's. She was angry now but he saw the tears in her eyes.
"Do I at least get to choose?" she asked coolly.
"No," Hiei said. She scrunched her face and something told him that she was able to sense who she was being propositioned for.
She sucked her cheeks in and Hiei wasn't sure if she going to say something or yell. Her neck went back slightly and Hiei shut his eyes just in time as she spat on him. Hiei slowly wiped the spit off of his eye lid and looked evenly into her eyes.
Hiei never liked spitting. It was disgusting, filthy, and a habit of lower class demons. But he felt he could make an exception, just this once. So, he spat back.
He stood and walked out of the cell as she began screaming in elvish. As the doors closed behind him he said,
"Maria, Claudia, make sure to clean her face last."
He cast a glare at Kurama who had an amused look on his face. Kurama sooo owed him one.