Suntiger: I'm back after the long break. Trust me, I needed it. Though, I'm still tired. I'll just let you read.
"Blah" talking
/ Blah/ Talking in her head
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An Alien's daughter
I groaned. I was stuck in bed and I had bandages covering me even though I was still drenched in blood. At least the bleeding stopped. Shiva must have been working while I was unconscious because the wounds were gone. The healer had magnificent powers. I forced myself out of the bed. A bad idea since the first thing I did was collapse. They must have heard my fall because the next thing I knew everyone was in the room. They were all hovering above me.
"VARIA! YOU SHOULD NOT BE OUT OF BED!" Yusuke was hectic.
His hair didn't look like it had been combed out for a year. He had dark bags under his eyes. Of course, Keiko didn't look any better. Her eyes were the same and they were puffy, as if she had been crying. Hiei came in a few seconds later. He looked like he was about to kill me.
"ONNA! You truly are an idiot! Do you have a death wish? You could have died!" Hiei was shaking me by the shoulders. My eyes rolled back and I groaned. Hiei you're not helping.
"Let her go, Hiei," Kurama ordered and grabbed the raven-haired demon.
"No!" Hiei shouted. Why was everyone a mess? Kurama's hair was as wild as ever. Look, I found a red jungle. You could put little toys in there and play hide and seek with them. His eyes were flashing gold and green.
Shizuru stood along with Kuwabara at the edge of the bed. Yukina sat in a chair next to them. They appeared tired, like someone had been overworking them. Hiei, too, for that matter.
"Umm, guys, hate to tell you this, but you look like you all went to hell and were forced to come back." I rubbed my aching head.
"We thought you died," Keiko's voice cracked. Her eyes gathered up with salty water.
"You were out for a month," Shizuru informed me. Her voice was in her usual monotone.
"A month?" I asked. Holy shit! The homework and tests and quizzes I have to make up! I lay back down. I wanted to cry again.
/ Your fault / Celosia's tired voice spoke.
/ Why didn't you wake me up/ I spat.
/ We were healing your body, Varia. It sounds easy, but it takes a lot of time and strength / Solace yawned.
/ Not just your body but your spirit energy too. Shiva and Yukina cured most of your injuries. Solace, Celosia and I had to give up most of our strength to keep you alive / Hecate sounded like she wanted to pound me.
/ Are you guys mad at me/ I was suddenly tired.
/ We were worried. Just like they were. You scared us / Shiva pouted. If there was ever a time I wanted to hug them all, it was now.
/ Thanks / I whispered and fell back into the darkness.
I woke up three hours later. Hiei sat on a chair off to my right. He seemed to be sleeping, but hey, I never know. I nudged him and his eyes gradually opened. He stared at me.
"What? What did I do now that you're staring at me?" I sighed. Why is it that whenever I try to make him happy it only backfires?
"Nothing," He said in a monotone voice. I stared back at him. I finally gathered up my courage and smiled sweetly.
"Hiei, can you sleep next to me? I don't mean in a perverted way either," I asked him. It's something I've always wanted to do, but he was a very touché person. He didn't answer me at first. However, he then climbed into the bed with me. I snuggled closer to him. I don't know when I decided to be more affectionate around him but I am. I also don't know when I started to actually have feelings for the idiot.
"Why did you do that?" He whispered.
"Do what?" I questioned. I think I said that too softly, because I couldn't hear myself anymore.
"Take the attack." I heard him swallow.
"Because, I'm your 'mate'. I thought that's what they do. Protect each other," I answered. I stressed out the word mate. I wasn't sure what I was to him or what he was to me. A friend perhaps, but sometimes I wanted more. Do I make sense? I felt arms suddenly wrap around me protectively.
"Does that mean you accept?" He murmured in my ear.
"Accept what?" I questioned.
"Do you accept me as your mate?" he sighed. I bit my tongue.
"Hiei, I'm not so sure. My head hurts and right now I can't think properly. Do you think you could ask me a different time?" I mumbled. I felt him smirk against me and nod. He pulled me closer to him. The warmth of his body was slowly putting me to sleep. I was out like the new moon.
In the morning ----
Yusuke trotted into the kitchen where Keiko was lingering. Kurama was having a drink. Coffee, to be more precise. Yusuke sat down next to his girlfriend and poked her with his index finger.
"What is it?" She yawned. It was too early in the morning. Kurama gulped down the rest of his coffee.
"Keiko, I know I already asked you this but I want to get a good answer this time," He smiled. She turned herself around to see him. Yusuke got off the stool and unto his knees. Kurama smirked.
"Will you marry me? I mean it this time." Yusuke pulled out a white CZ wedding ring set. Keiko gasped and fell off the stool.
"Yusuke! What a dumb question. You know I will!" Keiko shouted delightfully. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Kurama clapped so they wouldn't forget that he was there and to congratulate them.
I went downstairs very slowly. My sides hurt. My ears perked up when they heard clapping and my eyes landed on the couple.
"What's going on?" Hiei's voice came from behind me. I leaned against him. Keiko grinned at us and Yusuke held up his ring.
"We're going to be wed," Yusuke smiled. I was definitely awake now.
"OH MY GOD! KEIKO I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!" I ignored my pain and flew down the stairs. Half falling and half going down gracefully. Hiei followed me down to make sure I wasn't going to hurt myself.
"So when's the date?" I asked.
"I don't know." Yusuke blushed.
/ Awww he's so adorable when he blushes / Shiva laughed.
/ We have a wedding to plan/ Solace was grinning.
/ A wedding/ Hecate questioned.
/ Don't tell me you don't know what a wedding is / Celosia frowned.
/ It'll be great! Hecate, I'll have to show you some pictures of my parent's wedding / I couldn't stop smiling.
"Earth to Varia." Kurama snapped his fingers in my face.
"Sorry, Hecate wanted to know what a wedding was," I chuckled. I could hear Solace explaining to the robot. I glanced at Hiei who looked just as clueless as Hecate. Guess I'll have to enlighten him too.
"I know what it is. I just don't see the purpose in it." Hiei glared at me.
"It's a human's tradition, Hiei," Kurama pointed out.
"He's a demon now. He should just mark her," Hiei stated. I was ready to smack him again. How could he say that? Weddings are the most beautiful and romantic celebration ever to be seen. I was glad that Yusuke and Keiko weren't paying attention to him. They were too busy trying to plan the date. Hiei must have sensed my heated stare because he looked at me. I chewed on the insides of my cheek to keep myself from arguing.
"Okay, we decided to make it June," Yusuke announced. I grinned.
"So, who wants to spread the news?" I asked.
"I'll do that." Keiko gave me a sisterly look that was clearly amused. She went off to grab the phone. Yusuke watched her leave.
"I saw that," I smirked. He blushed.
"Saw what?" He questioned.
"You were so checking her out!" I laughed.
"I was not!" He exclaimed. Teasing him was too easy.
Elsewhere—
Aithne smiled. She had heard the news from where she stood. Being that she was an alien she had excellent hearing. She jumped off the building she was standing on. She headed toward her master's headquarters, which was the park, and she waited for her.
"You're here," A voice called out to her.
"Yes, Aponi." Aithne bowed in greeting.
"Did you find her?" Aponi's long blue hair was braided. It was as long as her mother's hair. Her eyes resembled her mother's.
"Yes, she is indeed the guardian of your mother's soul," Aithne said as she rose. Aponi's lips formed a smile.
"Your mother spoke while I was there. Not to me, but inside the girl's body," Aithne informed her.
"How do we free my mother?" Aponi asked.
"We have to kill Cyrus." Aithne almost made the mistake of saying her father. It had been centauries since Aponi called that man her father. In fact, she refused to say she was related to him. She hated him with a passion. Aponi's eyes expressed anger.
"Very well." Her smile turned into a frown. Though, she was glad she was getting rid of him. Aithne watched her master.
"When shall we launch our attack on him?" Aithne asked.
"I want her with us first," Aponi answered. She was referring to Varia.
"Why do you want her?" Aithne's head tilted.
"She has my mother's soul and her soul needs to be freed. Might as well let my mother do it," Aponi explained. Aithne nodded in agreement.
"When do you want me to retrieve her?" Aithne watched her master.
"Next time Tala decides to attack."
The two warriors disappeared.
The rest of the morning was okay. Keiko was busy calling everyone to tell them the news. Yusuke was in a daze. Probably visioning it all in his head. Kurama was finishing his homework, helping me while at it, and Hiei just stared at me. Okay, so I lied when I said his stares don't affect me anymore. I sat on the stool as Kurama explained what I was supposed to do in math. Did I mention that I hate this subject? I read over the instructions only to be confused even more. Kurama must despise being my teacher. I mentally chuckled.
/ The poor fox. I feel sorry for him / Celosia shook her head.
/ Oh? You have pity for a male? This is new / Shiva raised her eyebrow.
/ Shut up, Shiva / Celosia snapped.
/ Make me / Shiva stuck out her tongue.
/ Ladies, lets not get into a fight / I said, but at the time they weren't listening to me. Figures.
/ Children, hush / Solace ordered. Finally, they were silenced.
"OWW!" Something hit my head. I looked up to see Kurama holding a book in his right hand. "What was that for? That's the second time someone hit me with a book!"
"Pay attention when I'm trying to help you," Kurama smirked.
"Sorry," I muttered. Solace helped me finish the homework.
"Now I just have to study for the non-ending pack of tests," I sighed.
"You're at fault for that," Hiei mumbled.
"Hey! I thought I already told you why I did that!" I yelled.
"Hn." Hiei was no longer staring at me. I knew why. Once again, I caught the scent of a wolf. The same as the last time I did.
"She's here," I murmured. It was like time froze. Kurama stopped what he was doing, Keiko dropped the phone, Yusuke zapped out of his daze, and Hiei brought out his sword as the first window was smashed. It's time like these I was glad that Keiko's parents weren't here. Someone, by the way, has to remind me where they went off to because I haven't seen them.
"Missed me?" Tala came through the broken window. She was welcomed by Yusuke's fist, which came in contact with her stomach. She let out a yelp. I would have cheered, but realization hit me.
"HEY! WE DO NOT FIGHT IN KEIKO'S HOUSE! GET OUT!" I shouted. If Tala wanted to fight, fine, but not in here. Not when so many things could get damaged, and if this house collapses, Keiko would have a lot to explain to her parents. Yusuke shoved the intruder out. Hiei attacked next.
His sword clashed against hers several times before he finally he was able to cut her. A long line of blood appeared on her chest.
"I think your mate is trying to claim someone else," Tala giggled. I felt a pang of wild fire settle in my chest. Jealousy perhaps? I just felt like shredding her. Hiei beat me to it. His sword left a few more other cuts on her body. Mostly on her arms and chest. Kurama exposed his whip. The whipped lashed out. He recited a spell, and the next thing I knew roses surrounded me. Kurama grabbed my waist.
"Get out of here," He ordered me. I shook my head. Tala was my enemy not his. He stared at me with concern glistening in his eyes.
"She's mine," I snarled back. His eyebrow arched in question.
"Not like that. I meant that she was mine to kill. She attacked me. Now it's payback," I smirked. Kurama stood there for a moment, but then he bobbed his head in concord. Tala was looking in my direction. The weapon she was using was drenched in blood. She performed a ritual with it. Don't ask me how to describe it because I honestly don't know, but it was weird.
In a few seconds, Hiei was on the ground squirming in pain. Blood was pouring out of the new wounds that scarred his body.
"Hiei!" Yusuke shouted. It wasn't like he could stop what Tala was doing. He couldn't see. It was as if some invisible force was attacking Hiei.
/ An invisible force / Solace whispered.
/ Varia! Don't just stand there! Help him/ Celosia yelled. I understood now. Tala could scuffle anyone without them knowing and the blade that was covered in their blood was controlling it all. I had to take her blade.
"Yusuke! Aim for her sword!" I yelled.
Yusuke didn't even have to register what I said. He shot his spirit gun right at the weapon. After the sword fell, Hiei was sitting up and spitting out blood. Kurama rushed to his side while I dashed toward Tala. I immediately felt myself transforming as I used my spirit energy. Claws extended, my right hand slashed her face.
"AAHHHHHH!" Tala shrieked. She was powerless.
"You'll pay dearly for doing that." My voice was cold and cruel again. I shivered. I didn't like the way my voice sounded.
"Humph," Tala picked up her rapier. Words were forming in my mind.
"Scarlet cascade!" I cut myself on my right arm. My blood turned into a flowing river. It wrapped around Tala in tight whirlpool of red liquid. I watched her body twist and turned into a deformed creature. My blood was acting like it had a life of its own. It begun to rip her flesh off, and I just stood there watching. I was the only one that heard her last screams of pain.
I turned my head away to avoid getting blood on my face. The shrieking stopped. I looked back to see a pile of licked clean bones. The cut on my arm healed. The blood stopped swirling around and rested on the ground.
/ You killed her/ Shiva's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
/ I had no choice/ I whined. My body went back to its original state. I was sore. I groaned, but I refused to sit down. I forced myself to walk.
"Hiei, you okay?" I asked him. His pupils were dilated. They weren't their usual red either. Instead, a twist of darkness covered his eyes. "Hiei?"
He whimpered. He tried to stand up, but fell back down. I caught him before he landed on the ground.
"What's wrong with him?" Yusuke asked.
"I don't know," Kurama answered. He checked Hiei. I was worried.
/ It's the Martian fever / Solace whispered.
/ It's what/ I questioned.
/ An illness that only those who have fire powers get. If he's not treated soon, your 'mate' might just die / Solace explicated.
/ What does he need?/ Hecate finally spoke.
/ Special herbs that only exist on Jupiter / Solace muttered. I felt blood rush to my face. I suddenly felt really light headed.
"It's an alien illness," A voice said. I turned to see the librarian.
"Miss Aithne?" I probed. Aithne came into view. Her orange hair swayed in the sudden appearance of the wind.
"What can we do?" Kurama asked.
"Nothing. He will die," Aithne stated. I growled. She wanted something of me."Unless you come with me."
Wow, I should try predicting the weather.
"Why do you want her?" Yusuke snapped.
"I don't want her. Aponi wants her mother," Aithne countered.
"Solace is Aponi's mother," I said to the detectives. "I'll come. Under one condition. You get me the herbs that will cure him."
She smiled. It was like she was counting on me to say that. She nodded and disappeared. Yusuke glared at me.
"How could you make a deal with her!"
"I can trust her," I smiled and sat down with Hiei in my arms. "Think about it, Yusuke. Aponi just wants to see her mom."
Yusuke frowned. I knew he disliked it, but he'll have to get over it. I have to take care of Hiei. I ruffled Hiei's hair as he panted. Kurama picked Hiei up and carried him back inside. Yusuke, still angry, saw Keiko and made sure she was okay. Then he explained to her what happened. Keiko wasn't mad at me at least. She seemed to understand my actions.
"I don't see why you agree with her!" Yusuke shouted.
"Because, I would have done the same thing if you were danger," She said sadly. Yusuke's eyes softened. I watched the two embrace. I sighed and followed Kurama up the stairs. Kurama had placed Hiei on the bed.
"Do you think I made a wise choice?" Kurama didn't answer me.
I rolled my eyes. "I just did what I thought was right."
"I know, but I still don't like it," Kurama frowned. We heard a knocking on the window. Aithne was waiting outside. She gave me the herbs I requested. I told her that I would go with her after I helped Hiei. She accepted. I sat down on the bed.
"Hey, Kurama?"
"What?" He looked at me.
"Can you leave me and Hiei alone for a while?" I asked. He didn't say anything, but his smile reassured me. He closed the door. I looked at Hiei's uneasy sleepy form. He growled, tossed and turned in his slumber.
"This is gonna be a long night," I sighed.
/ I'll help you apply those / Solace smiled.
/ Thanks / I replied.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXSuntiger: Hmm…. I was going to ask something, but whenever I get down here I always forget. Oh well. Thanks to:
Schizo Aka Steph: Yep, another long chapter. This one is longer than the others. Eight chapters. –yawns- I'm going to sleep. Night night.
Kitten: Good, I hardly forget birthdays. Strangely though, I did forget mother's day. I didn't give my Mom a card. Hmm..at least she's not pissed at me.
SilverDragon063: Nope, Varia will never get a break till she's free of her mind invaders. Hiei, obviously, doesn't get kidnapped. But I would have to agree that Tala was a bit insane. Either that or very stupid.
Peeka- chan: You and your muses are quite amusing. –grins- That's why they use the term muse I suppose. Anyways, I learned Japanese last year in school. It was the language I chose. However, this year I took Spanish. Pity, I really liked Japanese.
Hieifiredemoness: Well, you got your wish. Tala died. Hiei will be needing a nurse. Poor girl. I assure you that Hiei won't attack you. He might suffer the wrath of Varia. Has anyone besides me notice that she's getting stronger?
Queenoftheshadowfangs: Everyone likes the way those two flirt. Which I would have to agree, they are adorable. I draw okay. Better than a young (like a five year old) child. I congratulate you on your grade –claps- keep doing well.
EternalMidnight: You took your time updating so I took mine. Varia's birthday was in August o.O . Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter.
Wolf-Black-Flame: Yea, I do think cliffhangers make the readers continue. Thankies! I wouldn't have so many reviews if you weren't one of them –grins-. Which reminds me, you still have yet to tell me when you updated.
Hei Huo: I've been reading your story. It's real good! So I hope some of my readers will visit your profile and check you up. Anyways, like always, I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter and I hope you liked this one.
Suntiger: Did anyone besides me notice that Varia is getting stronger? Question is, should I make her stronger than Hiei or the same level? Most likely, I will have her a tad bit stronger since Solace is training her with alien techniques. Or should I not let that happen? I'm just saying because I'm tired of guys telling me that women are weak. When they are most certainly aren't.
Previews:
... I'm stuck with taking care of a very ill-tempered fire demon...
... However, when he is cured.. what will happen?
... Aithne brings me to Aponi...
...And the alien's daughter is proposing something to me...
And that would be my freedom.