Spirit Egg


L.A.: I barely had time to get this out.

Amu: At least you still met the goal.

L.A.: Yay! Cool! Whatever. I don't have time to be witty. Let's just get on with it.

Review Replies:

Angel of Randomosity: Thanks for the review! Who knows if Hiei knows. He never reveals anything. He probably already knows the entire story but won't say a word about it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. No time for anything else. On to the story!


Christmas and New Years passed by with ease. There was nothing abnormal and no attacks. After the first of the year, Koenma finally allowed Tori and Sira to get jobs.

Honestly, it was a relief for Sira. Having a job gave her something to do. Allowed her to be distracted from her other thoughts. Thoughts she didn't want to think about.

Luckily, the jobs they previously held were still available. Tori went back to working the register at a bookstore while Sira was at the register in the gift store of the zoo. She couldn't help but feel a little smug when they were shocked that she breezed through training. In fact after a couple of days, they decided to deem her acceptable and left her to her own devices.

That was a week ago. Sira sighed as she leaned back on her stool. Today was a dreary slow day. The overcast and chilly weather kept the tourists from venturing out. There had only been two people in the gift store in the past hour and they had only browsed.

What I wouldn't give for some entertainment now.

Naturally without something to do, her mind wandered back to unpleasant thoughts. She had seen no hide or hair of the strange woman from the shadow world. It had practically killed her hiding that from Tori. She knew her best friend knew she was hiding something and it made her feel guilty. The woman told her not to tell anybody and despite Sira wanted to disobey her, she felt a hint of fear. She didn't know why, but she somehow knew the woman would know if she told someone and would make sure Sira would pay for it.

There was also the favor the woman wanted. Sira knew she would collect on it and it terrified Sira what the favor would be.

By lunch time, Sira had completely freaked herself out. Taking her lunch with her, she decided a walk around zoo would help clear her head.

The cold air nipped at her as she walked through the the zoo nibbling on her sandwich. She pulled her jacket closer as her gaze roamed the enclosures.

The animals were barely moving. The cold weather making them want to sleep. Sira couldn't blame them. Right now, curling up under a blanket beside a fire sounded awfully good right now.

She stopped in front of one enclosure and felt a sad smile form on her face.

Of course she would subconsciously be drawn to the wolf enclosure. She always had a love for wolves; but, after Haku was born, she had found them even more like kindred spirits.

She felt a dull ache build up inside her. She missed Haku so much. Despite being the jerk's spirit animal, he always knew how to make her feel better.

Sira peered down into the enclosure. Li, one of the workers, was ambling through the enclosure. He was a few years older than her with shaggy black hair and brown eyes. It was probably his laid back personality that allowed him to be one of the few zookeepers the wolves tolerated in their enclosure. Currently, the wolves were laying about the enclosure watching Li move about with mild interest.

Li glanced up and spotted Sira. He gave her a wave. "How ya doing?"

Sira shrugged. "Bored. Nobody's here."

Li smirked. "That's what you get for working behind the desk."

Sira rolled her eyes. "Not all of us have a way with animals. If I went down there they would probably maul me."

"Nah, I think they'd like you. You've got that kindred spirit wolf vibe," he smiled at her. "Besides, I'd protect you."

Sira frowned. She wasn't positive but it almost sounded like Li was flirting with her. "Uh-huh. I bet you say that to all the girls."

Li winked at her. "Only the pretty ones."

Sira clasped her hand over her chest. "Be still my heart, the cliche jabs are about to rip me apart."

Li laughed.

One of the wolves perked up and looked at him. Seeing nothing of interested, it went back to its malaise.

"I'll see you around," Li said. "And my offer stills stands."

Sira smirked. "If I feel an urge to dance with wolves, I'll let you know."

"Ah, she has a good choice in movies, makes her even prettier," Li said as he waved and exited.

Sira chuckled to herself. She'd never go out with Li. He was great as a friend and nothing more. Still, it was flattering to be flirted with.

Suddenly the wolves all stood up abruptly. Looking up at her, they stood tense, hair raised and growling.

"Since when do you not like me? I'm slightly offended." Staring down at them, Sira soon realized that their attention didn't seem to be focused on her.

She tensed as she felt a presence behind her. Despite it being cold, she could feel heat pounding against her back.

Whirling around, she came face to face with Hiei. "Hiei? What are you doing here?"

He stood glaring at her, not saying a word.

The wolves growled louder.

Sira took a cautious step forward. "Hiei? You okay?"

"Why were you talking to him?" There was something in his voice… something off. He sounded calm, but it was like he was trying to suppress a strong anger.

"You're talking about Li?" Sira asked. "He's a friend."

"Hn…" Hiei took a step toward her.

It was like she was being bathed in a sun lamp. If she couldn't see the snow out of the corner of her eye, she would have thought it was 90 degrees.

"You shouldn't talk to him." On closer look, his eyes were bloodshot. This was an amazing feat since his eyes were already red.

"What? You afraid he's a bad person?" Sira let out a short laugh. "Yeah, pretty sure he's had multiple times to get me." Sira frowned. Did Hiei's face look paler that usual? And was there sweat forming on his face? Before she could stop herself, Sira reached out and place her hand on his forehead. She immediately recoiled. "Jeez, Hiei you're burning up."

Hiei caught her hand and pulled her closer. She didn't even have time to yelp before his face was close to hers.

"What the hell, Hiei?"

The wolves started to howl. It sounded as if they were frustrated they couldn't come up and rip Hiei apart.

"You are mine," Hiei said. There as a slight growl to his voice. "And no one else's."

"What?" Where on earth was this coming from? She barely talked to Hiei since coming back and now he was acting like an over possessive boyfriend? Why would he be doing this?

Unless…

"Hiei, do you remember before?"

Hiei's lips hovered over hers as he stared at her face. "I…" His expression clouded over as a look of confusion crossed over his face.

"Hiei," Sira pressed.

Suddenly, Hiei let her go and took a step back as he rubbed his head. "Why was I…" He trailed off as if he just remembered she was there.

This was definitely weird behavior, even for Hiei. Sira was about to comment, when she noticed that Hiei's left arm was bleeding. Right were the Wraith had scratched him.

"You're bleeding," Sira said.

Hiei glanced at his wound as if he just remembered he had been injured. "Hn."

The wolves snarled and growled from their enclosure.

Sira took a step forward. "Maybe you should see a doctor?"

Hiei snapped out of his daze. Without another word, he flitted away.

The wolves immediately settled down. Glancing down at them, Sira noted that they were taking the previous positions. Their ears were still perked, as if expecting Hiei to returned.

Sira wasn't sure what spooked her more, the wolves reactions or what was happening to Hiei.


"You're certain the wound was bleeding," Koenma said.

As soon as she could, Sira returned to the apartment and relayed what had happened to the others. She was actually surprised when they held the meeting at the apartment later, Koenma had shown himself. It must have been serious if Koenma took time outside his office.

Sira nodded. "Definitely and I think he had a fever." She turned to Koenma. "Can fire demons have fevers?"

Kurama shrugged. "Possibly. Hiei never shares much about himself so I couldn't be sure."

"But, it does sound like something's up," Yusuke said, "I mean for him to show interest in a human." He glanced at Sira. "No offense."

"None taken." Sira tried not to let her cheeks turn red. She hadn't told them everything about the encounter. She felt the more intimate details should be kept out. The other details seemed more than enough to convince them. Maybe later she'd tell Tori, to see what she thought.

"So, what are we going to do?" Kuwabara asked.

Koenma turned to Botan. "Botan, do you still have that tracker I gave you?"

She nodded as she pulled it out of her sleeves. It looked similar to her mirror compact. "We should be able to track him."

Tori raised an eyebrow. "You have a tracker on Hiei?"

Botan nodded. "Just because he's off probation doesn't mean we fully trust him."

"I don't blame you," Sira said.

Tori glanced at Kurama. "What about him? You still got one on him?"

Koenma stared blankly.

Botan opened the tracker. "Should take a minute to trace him."

Tori frowned. "You didn't answer the question."

Kurama eyed them uneasily. "I don't know if I want to know the answer."

Botan lit up. "Got it. Let's go."


Botan had tracked Hiei's location to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. The others had been reluctant to let Tori and Sira come but after Sira threatened that she would just wander around aimlessly until she found Hiei on her own, they had relented.

Now, Sira wasn't so sure she should have been so determined to come. The warehouse was reminding her of one of the B-rated horror movies that sent her screaming out of the room. She was just waiting for a chainsaw wielding maniac to come charging at them.

Tori shifted nervously beside her. "Are we sure he's here?"

Koenma nodded. "That's what the device said." There was an edge to his voice. He obviously didn't like being here either.

Which made Sira wonder, why was Koenma here? He usually would let the team take care of missions like this. Koenma liked having a desk job. He was the type that delegated not take action.

Something was up. Sira just wished she could figure out what it was.

Kuwabara took out his spirit sword as they approached the entrance.

Yusuke eyed him. "Is that really necessary? It's Hiei."

Kuwabara nodded. "Yeah, exactly. Do you know how hard it is not to have my sword out at all times when he's around? I swear that guy wants to kill me."

Tori and Sira traded amused glances. If Kuwabara only knew.

"Perhaps it's wise," Kurama said. "Who knows what else might be in there."

They entered the warehouse.

It was dark decrepit and abandoned. Graffiti covered several of the still intact walls. Several windows had been smashed. There was no trace of Hiei anywhere.

"Yo Hiei," Yusuke shouted. "You here?"

Kuwabara glared at Yusuke. "Why are you calling out to him?"

"So, we can find him."

Kuwabara shivered. "Don't. For all we know. He's waiting in the shadows planning his attack."

"Hiei wouldn't attack us… I don't think."

They were standing in the center of the warehouse. Nothing looked out of place. Judging from the others, Sira got the impression that they were frustrated as well.

"I can't sense him," Kurama said.

Koenma nodded. "Something's wrong. We should-"

He was cut off by a loud screeching sound that filled the room.

Tori covered her ears. "What is that?"

Sira couldn't hear the rest. It wasn't the screeching that made her not hear. It was something more. Like a familiar tug.

Ignoring their cries of protest, Sira took off to the room to her right. The feeling of unease was rushing through her.

As she entered the room, she felt her blood run cold. Hiei was sprawled on the ground, pale and unconscious. Above him, hovered a glowing blood red egg. Heat emanated from it and the aura around it felt warped. A crack appeared on the egg.

It was a spirit egg, but unlike before Sira had the growing dread that the spirit beast that was about to emerge was not the one she had been waiting for.


Amu: Dun… Dun… Dun…

L.A.: No time for sarcasm. No time for wit.

Amu: Will you chill? You still got time.

L.A.: I have no time. I have too much to do (runs away)

Amu: (stares blankly) Okay…since the author is having a breakdown, I guess I'll finish up. You know what to do READ and REVIEW!