Suntiger here. Again.. sorry I haven't updated, but I wanted to wait for today. Why? Today's Kitten's birthday! She's an author, my beta, my adopted online sister, and a reviewer. Can everyone please sing happy birthday to her or check out her fictions?
"Blah" talking
Blah mind invaders
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Arrival of someone new
Hiei has been following me like a hawk watches its prey. It's okay sometimes, but other times I wish he'd give me some privacy. Two months has passed and I think Yusuke has been taking lessons from Hiei.
He stalks Keiko around school and makes sure she's safe. I mean, did Cyrus know about Keiko? Would he stoop so low that he would attack her just to get to me? School started up again. This time Koenma shipped me off to Keiko's school. He didn't feel like I was going to be secure around my old one. In a way, I sorta like the change. I got to spend more time with Keiko.
Since I was a friend of hers, she introduced me to everyone. Not saying that's a bad thing but her friends are the most gossip-addicted people I've ever met. If they heard a rumor, they would most likely believe it. So, I kept quiet about my mind raiders. They were back inside my head and they won't be released until another year comes.
Wow, I'm really fifteen now. I feel so old sometimes. I looked up to see Hiei sitting in his favorite cherry blossom tree. Shame that I didn't see it bloom during the spring season. It was fall so I had a long time to wait to see it flourish but there were a few ripe red cherries on the ground. I threw a small pebble at the fire demon. He was always staring off into space. I wonder what he was thinking about.
"What do you want?" He asked. Judging by his tone, he was annoyed.
"I'm going to a library to do some research on the panthers for a school animal science project. Can you not disturb the peace for a while?" I replied with a matching tone of voice. He constantly managed to make me mad for the most stupid things ever.
"Hn."
Keiko told me that was how love relationships work out. Love? Who was saying I was in love? With that kind of grouchy person? I would rather be alone. I sighed and approached the library. It was a nice place. A red brick building that had white sliding doors. A few windows, which remained closed, and trees surrounding it. A perfect place for Hiei to wait for me.
I entered the library at a slow pace. I was in no hurry to leave. I turned left into the aisle that contained information about mammals and found the books I was l searching for. I started copying down the data, revising it so it wouldn't be plagiarism, and placed most of the books on the shelves. I was about to reach for another one when I felt a light tap on my shoulder.
"Hello, Miss. Are you doing all right?" A lady asked me. I turned around to face the woman. She had oddly colored orange hair, layered with under layers of red and overlays of yellow, for an overall orange effect. Her eyes, which were the same color, bore into mine. I felt like someone was scanning my soul. I hope she didn't notice the other ones.
"I'm fine, actually." I stood up from my sitting position. She was my height, but with heels, she seemed taller.
"All right, if you say so. If you need any help, my name is Aithne." Aithne gave me a bright smile and returned back to her work.
/ Aithne.. That name sounds very familiar / Solace mumbled to herself.
/ She seemed too eager to help me / I said.
/ Lovely, do you think that she could be one of Cyrus's pets/ Celosia growled. She was getting tired of being protected.
/ AH HA! I got it! Goodness, she's the one that my brother appointed as Aponi's servant and bodyguard / Solace exclaimed.
/ A pony who/ Celosia asked.
/ Not a pony, Aponi. My daughter's name / Solace frowned at the pyro.
/ I want to meet your daughter/ Shiva smiled sweetly.
/ If she's here, then your daughter will most likely be, as well / Hecate uttered and scowled. Our problems were getting bigger every day.
/ Should we get Hiei/ Shiva questioned.
/ No, Aithne is no harm to us / Solace smiled.
/ So far.. / I muttered. Not that I don't trust Solace's opinion.
/ Well, if that's the case, then why hasn't she pulled us aside and taken us to your kid/ Celosia didn't want to panic just yet.
/ No clue / The other three replied all at once.
WHACK! I was brought back into reality when I felt something hit me and a book fell on the floor. I glared at Hiei, who was standing in front of me. Of course, only he would have slammed the book on my head.
"Talking to them again?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Obviously." I gave him a dirty look. "Didn't I tell you to not disturb the peace?"
"You have to be more specific about what sort of peace."
"Don't get technical with me, buddy," I snapped.
"What's going on? Is he bothering you?" Aithne came behind us and glared at him. Perhaps she and Celosia had something in common about men.
"No, but thank you," I sighed.
"All right." She left us alone.
"Who was that?" Hiei returned my glare.
"Huh, hello? You're at the library. She would be the librarian," I answered.
"Do you have to be so sarcastic?" Hiei sneered back.
"You do the same thing, buster!" I scoffed. We stood there fuming at each other with flames radiating off of our bodies. I could still feel Aithne watching us even though she wasn't around, so I backed off.
"Did you find your information for you project?" He asked. Was he trying to be nice all the sudden? Men.
"Yea, I just have to read the reproduction chapter." I held one book closely to me. It was titled as Black Leopards by Vittoria Rivers.
"Reproduction?" He smirked mischievously. I didn't even bother smacking him. If he was going to be perverted, then I'll just have to deal with it. I blushed as I read over some of the paragraphs in the book.
"What?" The little demon was curious.
"Nothing."
"Tell me." He demanded to know what I was blushing about so I read it out loud for him.
"Breeding may occur throughout the year with a peak in the winter or spring time, a gestation period of around ninety to ninety-five days, litter sizes of one to four kittens, and a breeding cycle of two years for females successfully raising young to dispersal, which occurs around eighteen to twenty-four months." I stopped reading. He had a smirk on his face again.
"So in March and April? No wonder you were so grouchy when I met you," Hiei stated. I felt myself ready to detonate.
/ Inhale some air, Varia. / Solace told me.
/ I'M GOING TO KILL HIM/ I shouted.
/ Leave some for me/ Celosia laughed.
/ Calm down, Varia/ Shiva tried to coax me. Hiei poked my rib cage. Startled, I jumped and scratched his arm. Lately, I've been letting my nails grow.
"ONNA! Watch where your hands go!" Hiei hollered at me and everyone turned around to face us.
"Young man, this is a library. You either keep quiet or get out," An old lady informed him. Hiei glowered. I sighed and recovered from my outburst.
"She's right you know. Let me just check this book out and we'll go," I said and headed for the checking out area. I headed home with him following me.
Over the months that I've known the spirit detectives, I've been learning how to control my powers. Though, there were times that I would forget what I was doing and suddenly go invisible. Not one of the nicest things to do to a fox demon. As soon as I disappeared, Kurama went out in an all-panic mode. This is when I learned that he may look calm and cool, but even he freaks out.
Anyways, on the way home I caught the scent of a wolf. Freaky, isn't it? Now I feel like I'm turning into Hiei. Checking out people's scents and such. I decided to ignore it since Hiei obviously didn't find anything unusual. I opened the door to Keiko's place and closed it.
"How was the Library, Varia?" Mrs. Yukimura asked.
"It was all right," I answered.
/ Just occasional flirting with a certain fire demon / Solace teased me. I held back the urge to suddenly hit her. I trailed up the stairs and into my room. Keiko was in her room.
Her music was on, which is how I knew she was home. Yusuke wasn't around for once because when he's here he usually shuts it off. He doesn't like Keiko's music taste. I had to disagree. I rather like techno and some of her pop stuff. I reached my computer desk and dropped my library books on it. My head jerked up in annoyance. Hiei was still here. Waiting for me outside on his tree.
"Planning on coming in when I invite you or just randomly barging in when I'm not around so you can deck my stuff?" I quizzed him.
"I do not touch your stuff," He growled at me.
"Liar. Every time you're in my room I find it a mess, which is good that you don't have your own, 'cause I was thinking that you were going to be a slob," I said in frustration. He kept his cold glare on me and I shrugged it off.
I was used to his stares now. They had no affect on me. I sat back down at the desk as he closed the window. I opened the book and my hand started to dash on the keyboard. I was slightly copying down the information onto my computer. I felt eyes watching me.
"You can sit you know. Or do something to keep yourself occupied," I told him. I heard him smirk.
"You told me not to go through your things."
I frowned. Fire demons are so aggravating. I grabbed one of my old books that I used to reread over and over again. Obviously, this novel was my favorite. I glared at him. Letting him know that if he destroys the novel I would do some permanent damage. He flipped through pages and put the book on the bed. I sighed.
"Okay, Hiei, I know there's something you want, so what is it?" I turned around in my chair. He was still staring at me.
"Hn."
/ I really hate it when he does that / Celosia scowled.
/ Join the club / I remarked.
/ He wants attention / Hecate said.
/ That's right. Men are like children, Varia. They constantly demand attention and when you give it to them they act like it was nothing / Solace rolled her eyes. She clearly had her experience.
I got up from my chair and hugged him. Sometimes he would allow me to hug him. Other times he would push me off like I was a disease and run away. However, this time he clung to me like glue. Thank god no one else was here to see. We heard a tap on the window. I reopened it slowly and the October breeze greeted my face. I glared at the blue haired woman that sat on her broom-like thing. She ruined my moment.
"Varia! Good to see you again!" Botan's voice rang in my ears. I could hear Hiei shuffling behind me. He stood next to me.
"Hiei, good, you're here too. I have some important news," She abruptly frowned. Hiei closed the window. I told her to sit down. Hiei and I sat on the bed while she rambled about her job.
"Get to the point, Botan," Hiei snapped. Sometimes Hiei's arrogance and bad attitude comes in handy.
"All right, there's a servant running around here that works for Cyrus. We all know what she wants," Botan said.
"Harva?" I asked.
"I don't know her name. Who's Harva?" Botan's eyebrows ascended.
"Someone I ran into a long time ago," I answered. I didn't think I would see her again. After all, I just removed her eye.
/ You mean I removed her eye / Solace corrected me.
/ Whatever / I replied.
"Are you here just to tell us this?" Hiei was getting annoyed. I feel sorry for Botan. She's always getting snapped at.
"Even though we already knew this, I appreciate it," I smiled at her.
"Thank you, Varia. I wish everyone were just like you," She grinned back.
/ Oh, no, you don't/ Celosia laughed.
"Well, I'm off. Ta ta for now!" She got back on her oar and sped away. I glanced at my clock. It was almost dinnertime.
"Hiei, hate to bust your bubble, but you have to go." I spun back around from the window. He was already gone. I smirked. The dude was still reading my mind. He says he doesn't, but I think he does. I went downstairs for the evening meal.
---Next day –
What child does not hate going to school? I was dragged out of bed at an ungodly hour and forced to go somewhere I didn't want to go. Keiko had to maintain a tight grip on my wrist to keep me from escaping. A half hour passed by and I was already getting bored. My mind wandered out the window. Lovely October, how much I love the colors of the leaves and the gentle breeze. Hey! I just rhymed!
"Miss Caligo, I want you to go the board and work that problem I left up there," My teacher ordered me. Hehe oops. She must have noticed me spacing out. I got up to board and slowly solved the problem. I hate math.
Especially since it was geometry. My sincere apologies, my mind does not function at seven in the morning.
"You're lucky, Miss Caligo. That is the correct answer," She frowned at me.
You're kidding me? You mean I actually got it right? Whoopie! Thank you Kurama for the mental training! Keiko stifled a giggle and parked me in my original chair down since I forgot where I was sitting. Another hour passed. This time I was stuck in biology. Truth be told, I actually love this class, but the subject was organic chemistry. I was lost at the first sentence. Keiko passed me the notes so I could understand what the hell I was supposed to be doing. Something about lipids, proteins, amino acids and so on. Lunch came around. Keiko and her friends met up with me in the cafeteria.
Keiko's friend Kyoko pointed out a guy that had been staring at me for the past few minutes we've been in the cafeteria.
"Dudette, he is so checking you out," Kyoko grinned. I sighed and prepared myself for the matchmakers.
"She's right, you know. Come on, look at him," Yumiko edged me to look.
I studied the guy that was 'checking me out' as Yumiko put it. He had brown short hair. His bangs went over his gray eyes and they winked at me. His body was well toned, but not as great as Hiei's. He had a nice smile. One that didn't scare you, but could make you shy. He wasn't one of the popular guys but he was well liked.
"Go talk to him," Kyoko nudged me. I looked at Keiko for help but didn't receive any. I wasn't getting up though. My legs weren't working. I wasn't nervous but I still didn't want to meet him. To my advantage, he got up and hurried to the restroom.
"Aww darn," Yumiko frowned. He was gone for a while too.
"What's he doing in there?" Kyoko scowled along with her friend.
"Maybe he's doing.. you know.. in there," Yumiko grinned.
"Well, he was staring at Varia pretty hard," Kyoko laughed as Keiko blushed. I had no idea what they were talking about. So Keiko decided to clue me in by explaining.
"They think he's jacking off," She pretended to choke. I felt heat rise up to my cheeks. Keiko's friends were unusually kinky during lunch.
"How do you know that?" I glared.
"Well, if he comes back smiling," Yumiko started.
"Or if he has anything white on him," Kyoko finished. I was very close to losing my lunch. Keiko changed topic. What would I ever do without Keiko?
The rest of the day was just a haze. I barely remembered what happened.
/ You're going to start paying attention in Math or you'll fail / Solace scowled me. I waved her off with a faint grunt.
/ Wow, you're really out of it today / Shiva said.
/ Something wrong, Varia/ Hecate's voice rang in my head, but I was no longer listening to the noises in my skull. Something was pulling at me. Not literally grabbing me, but at my senses. It was like being in a spinning room. I groaned.
"Varia. Hey! You okay?" Keiko shook me.
"No, I don't feel so good. I would be very grateful if you'd stop shaking me," I said. She released me. Something was wrong here and it wasn't just me. I smelled it first. Danger. I had to get Keiko away.
"Too late," I muttered, as we were teleported to another location.
"Varia, what's going on?" Her voice trembled.
"Welcome to my world, Soul redeemer." A female body emerged from the ground. The girl had long dark purple hair that reached her waist.
It almost looked black, but when the light hit it you could see the violet highlights. Her eyes were a vivid amethyst and they glared at me. Two chocolate-dipped colored ears were flickering around on her head. Her bushy tail was the same shade as her ears. She was wearing thigh length purple-pink boots. The mini skirt she had was the same tint of her boots and she wore a tube top. A color with a medal was around her neck. She carried a dagger. Keiko took one look at her and knew she was the enemy.
"I am Tala," The lady introduced herself. Why does the enemy always do that? They say in a tone that sounds like 'Oh I'm better than you because I think I can beat you!' and then when you beat them they get all sulky.
"Like I wanted to know that," I grunted. I held onto Keiko's arm. I didn't want to lose her if I was just suddenly teleported again. Tala threw her dagger at us and I managed to dodge. Keiko, on the other hand, got her face scratched. I heard her screech in pain. I turned to Tala.
"Obviously, you already know who I am." She was making me angry.
I glowed white. My aura was always white. Solace said it was because I am pure. Untainted of everything. My rage grew as I thought about my spirits' pasts. I had no violence in my family like Shiva did. I didn't have to go through the pain of men and their shameless acts like Celosia. My mate didn't murder me, nor did my creator kill me, and I didn't kill other people. Not just yet anyways. I was so chaste and innocent compared to my spirits. My fury became greater. According to what Kurama told me, my energy was drawn by my emotions. If I was nervous I would go invisible. If I were upset or crying over something my defense shields would block out people. If I was angry my power seems to erupt like a volcano. Or at least that was how he described it.
"Your spirit energy is increasing," Tala smirked.
/ No shit, Sherlock / Celosia grinned. She barely touched my shoulder and begun feeding me her gifts.
/ You need the blending of us all / Hecate grabbed a strand of my hair. Her mere touch sent rivers of robotic strength into my muscles.
/ Prepare yourself, Varia, this could hurt after you're done / Solace placed her arms around my neck and Shiva wrapped her arms around my waist. I was stuck.
The two spirits gave up their talents over to me temporarily. I already began to transform. My black hair turned to a shade of dark red. My eyes flickered to a yellow tint. Violet body marks covered my form. I got an inch taller as my feet turned into paws. Kurama taught me to use my spirit energy. He informed me that I had an animal's spirit, which is why I was given the name Varia. Like I said before, it means Panther. Now, most people think 'Oh, I know what I'll call her' and just give their kid a name. I mean that's what my parents did. Yet, they didn't know what their child's destiny was to be.
Strange how that works out. Anyways, I have animal spirit energy like Kurama does. Only without the demon stuff in it. So when I use my spirit energy I change forms from human to slightly animal. Kurama keeps his human form because of his demonic energy. Lucky.
I flexed my arms to get use to the new strength that circulated in my muscles. I looked behind me and guess what I found? A tail. It was bushy cat-like tail and I thought it was cute! My arms were inside of this rough lizard-like armor. Claws extended from them and readied for attack. I faced Tala.
"I was not expecting this," She tilted her head.
"I bet you weren't," I didn't even sound like myself. My voice was cold and fierce. Not paranoid and chickenish like I always have been.
"Varia?" Keiko was gaping at me. Couldn't blame her. Heck, I would have passed out if I saw Keiko suddenly transform.
"It's me. My spirits and I are combined at the moment," I explained so she wouldn't die of shock.
"Hmph. Let's see why Cyrus fears you so much," Tala growled. In a swift move, she was already standing in front of me. I went right through her. I vowed to myself that I would protect Keiko. Even if it costs me my head.
I attacked Tala, throwing her off guard, and punched her in the stomach. She doubled over in pain. I took my chance. I kneed her in the same place. She yelped. I jumped back. I made a high kick and managed to slam my heel into her neck. I just cut off her breathing.
"YOU GO, GIRL!" Keiko shouted. I smirked. Maybe I was spending too much time with Hiei. I felt a sudden pain to my ear. Tala was holding her dagger again. It contained blood. My blood.
"You should pay more attention," She said.
"Like who hasn't told me that yet," I was grinning. She threw another dagger and my defensive shields flew up. They blocked out her weapons.
The dagger that had my blood started to float in the air. It spat out some green liquid and I screamed. I don't know what was wrong with me, but I felt pain. My blood was boiling over temperatures I couldn't imagine. My ears throbbed as I heard very loud screaming voices. I felt my skin tear and blood pour from the wounded flesh. Above all the noise, I heard Keiko.
"LET HER GO!" She screamed and the pain stopped. When I was finally able to see again, Hiei stood next to me. He was holding a bleeding sword, had a scratch on his shoulder, and he was glaring at me.
I checked myself out. I was bleeding from head to toe. Red water dripped from my forehead, arms, legs and stomach. I didn't know I was in such a bad shape. Tala came after Hiei with her dagger. She was grinning as though she had already won. I watched the two clash their weapons against each other. It was then I saw Hiei wearing out. In a moment, Hiei was on the ground and I did something I never thought I would do. I jumped in front of the dancing blade. Preventing Hiei from harm as the sword went through my chest. I shrieked and fell forward.
I blacked out.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXSuntiger: That's all of it. Well, at least for this chapter. I can't believe I got a hundred and four reviews. That's amazing! Thanks to:
Kairos: I don't like seafood. You know that. GOOD! Let me know when the wedding is!
Raven: You sound mad… are you mad at me? I'm sorry, but my computer time is limited. TT I'll try to talk to you more.
Hieisfiredemoness: I hate timers! GRR! Well, you witnessed to what I did to Hiei. How did you like it?
Lady Liliana: Thank you so much! I asked Kairos to tell me if she found any mistakes and such, but she didn't inform me at all! So many thanks! –bows- Yea, we forget to spell our names sometimes. I know I do.
Schizo aka Steph: It's okay, I'm not big on reviews. Lol when are you updating! I've been waiting!
Kitten: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! DO YOU GET THE PICTURE NOW? Some time during the story, I'll make Varia give him a bath.
Wolf-black-flame: I got your emails. Sorry if I made you mad. Trying is good! Hell, I'm still trying to get better at writing. GOOD JOB AT YOUR GAMES!
Peeka-chan: Scared, eh? Wow, and I thought I was a chicken. But then again I am very paranoid.
Eternal Midnight: You should never tell me to get excited. Why? Because I do. To make it worse I was hyper…
Black Wolf Jaganshi Lover: Brothers aren't just stupid and annoying. They are rude, arrogant, and uncontrollable unless you strangle them. I have a 13-year-old brother that my parents spoil him to death. He gets treated like a five year old (Mind you I'm 15). XD is a smiley face. Like :D only you use a X.
Queenoftheshadowfangs: That's cool! I love to draw but I suck. Lol. I never heard of this poem. Maybe I'll search for it online. I can't play instruments! You're lucky. I have no patience with them. I hope you did well on your test.
NordicNymphs: If you really love mythology, then you're gonna love the next story that I have coming out soon. I won't tell you just yet, but most of it has to deal with the gods, goddesses, and creatures of the underworld.
Cherri: Well, here's the next chapter. Lol
Previews:
…..Tala is after me….
….Hiei gets caught….
…And I get stuck nursing him…
… Yusuke has a surprise…