Fear of Fire
Disclaimer - Don't own YYH.
Chapter 3 - Acceptance
XxXxX
Hiei opened his eyes, blinking. He sat up quickly, looking around him. Where in hell-? Then he remembered. He was in the ferry onna's apartment.
Hn. Baka. I should slit Koenma's throat for this.
Memories of last night flooded his mind. He did get the ice cream but they didn't go for a second ride. He frowned at their line of conversation on the way here. How could he even say something about himself to the ridiculous blabber-mouth?
She was not as annoying as she usually is. I wonder if what she said was true.
"From now on, I'm going to be less irritating to you."
Feh, like I care.
He pushed the covers off of himself and stood up, stretching. His katana rested against the nightstand but he took no notice. Walking out of his room, he looked around. There was a room next to his, which he knew was her bedroom. He saw nothing on and heard no one up walking around so he quietly infiltrated her room, his eyes going to her sleeping figure. It may have only been six in the morning but he didn't care. She was facing him, a light frown on her face as she dreamed. She had kicked the covers off of her mostly during the night, revealing her shorts and tank top that she slept in.
Hmph. Lazy. She should be awake.
He wanted to train before noon so he walked over to the bed and stood there, glaring down at her.
"Onna, wake up." She stirred but didn't wake up. He growled. "Onna, I said wake up." She opened her eyes and looked up at him. She stared at him for a second before she let out a cry and pulled her blankets to her chest.
"What are you doing in here? Don't you know how to knock?" He didn't take his eyes off her and he didn't move. He just stared at her with a frown on his face.
"I would like to train some time soon so, if you don't mind, get up and make yourself something to eat." He knew she would irritate him and screech at him if he didn't wake her up and tell her that he was going to train. He folded his arms across his chest and scowled when she didn't move.
"I'll get up as soon as you leave." He rolled his eyes.
"Hn." Before she realized that he even moved, he was out the door. She sighed. She needed to lock her door from now on. She had almost forgotten he was there last night when she went to bed. She looked at the clock.
"Six o'clock? Hiei! You're an infernal baka!" He flinched at the loudness of her voice. He couldn't stand it when she used that tone. It went right through him. She came out minutes later in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, her hair down around her shoulders and a hairtie around her wrist. She stopped in front of him, her hands on her hips. "What's the big idea?"
"Don't feed me the line about beauty sleep, onna. It isn't going to help you." She glared sharply at him and stormed into the kitchen. He could hear her slamming pottery and the refridgerator door along with cupboards for a little while until things grew quiet. He knew his comment ticked her off. That much was clear. But she wasn't taking her anger out by screeching at him. Then something caught his attention.
"Also meaning that we do not take our anger out on each other."
Was she sticking to her little truce? Well, he didn't see how it would hurt. Her rules were pretty simple. Toleration was a hard thing to achieve and would take a lot of self-restraint. He smirked. A good challenge. She was challenging his restraint. He got up from the couch and walked out to the kitchen.
"All right, onna." She turned around and raised a brow. "I'll try this little truce thing of yours." She stared at him before turning back to the stove.
"That's good." She mumbled; going over to the cupboards to get plates. Then, as whatever she was making cooked, she set the table and got them both drinks. "I'm thinking that at noon, we'll come back and have lunch. Then you can go back to training." It turned out that she made eggs, ham, and toast with orange juice to drink. They ate pretty much in silence. When they were done, Botan picked up the kitchen while Hiei went back into his room and slid his katana through his belt. He met her back out by the door where they both put their shoes on. They decided on walking, since it turned out to be a nice morning. As they walked along the street, people who were already out whispered to each other about them as they passed. Hiei felt his face grow warm, since he could hear them, and he scowled.
"Stupid ningen fools." He looked to the other side of the street. Botan blinked at him then just shook her head. It was 7:30 by the time they reached the park. They went into the woods, Hiei leading to his favorite tree.
"Okay, you've got...four and a half hours." She sat down, leaning against a tree and taking out her book. He only now noticed the bag she had at her side. Shrugging, he pulled out his katana and began his training.
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Forward...back...two steps to the right...side slash...upward arc...spin around...use momentum of spin as weapon... Remember to use maximum speed when attacking the opponent. Build strength for the last blow. Don't miss. Remember your lessons, your training.
These were Hiei's thoughts as he trained, performing the moves he knew he had mastered. Botan stared at him, at the look of pure concentration on his face. Sweat was now rolling down his face, down the back of his neck, and soaking his shirt.
One step forward with right foot, spread feet apart, five slashes to the vitals, two to the arms and legs, and as many to the vitals once more as possible. If opponent dodges, jump up and bring blade down, slicing him in half.
Botan had set her book down a while ago and was just concentrating on watching him. He had the most graceful movements she'd ever seen a fighter use.
Well, no kidding...look how much he trains. It must be hard to master all of those styles and techniques he knows. I wonder how many masters he had. Yuusuke only knows one style of Reiki and that's his Spirit Wave. Since the Spirit Wave is only a stronger form of the Spirit Gun and the Shotgun, they're considered the same except he can punch, kick, or shoot it. Hiei seems to know a lot of sword forms. I wonder who taught him. He certainly knows how not to quit.
She looked at her watch. It was only ten o'clock. Two more hours. She could see the way he moved his body, the graceful, liquid motions of his movements. Hiei could feel her eyes on him but he wasn't bothered by it. He kept his concentration.
Swing blade in an arc, turn, slash, dodge. Simple maneuver.
He continued to think about his movements, using every one he ever learned. By noon, he was even beginning to pant. She stood up and pulled her bag over her shoulders.
"Come on, it's noon." He looked back at her and nodded, sheathing his weapon. During the week, the others had school. So, since it was a Monday, they were at school. She decided that she should take him home and have him shower before she took him out for lunch.
XxXxX
"Why couldn't we eat at your place? I'd much rather be there."
"Lighten up." Botan stated, looking at the menu. It was just a little fast-food place so she ordered french fries and a hamburger and got Hiei the same thing. "I don't want to cook all the time. It isn't like I'm your servant."
"You should be." She gave him a sharp look.
"Look, Mr. High-And-Mighty, I understand that you're a very strong fighter. But tune the attitude down in public, would you?" He crossed his arms and slouched down.
All he's missing is the pout and he'd be a little kid...
She thought with a sigh. She stood up and went to order their food. He glared out the window, his crimson eyes sending chills down anyone's spine when they looked at him. He didn't know how long he sat there before she came back with a huge grin on her face.
"Eat up so we can leave and go shopping."
"You've got to be kidding me..." He twitched. She shook her head and sat down, setting the tray down on the table.
"Nope, Yukina just called my communicator. She wanted to know if I was free since she was getting lonely. I told her you were coming, too, since I had to watch you."
"What the hell did you say that for?"
"We've done what you like so this time you're coming to the mall." He cringed. "Stop that. It isn't so bad."
"Maybe not for you, onna, but I happen to not like crowded, bright places with a lot of annoying people!" She stuck her fork into her salad and ignored him. He scowled and ate his meal in silence.
"Stop sulking. You won't get your way, anyway. Yukina sounded happy that you would be joining us." He stared at her with his most deadly look. She felt a tingle of fear run through her body but she gave him a grin.
"I thought you said you would be less irritating."
"I did, didn't I? Well, I've stopped the useless 'blabber' as you call it." She frowned. "Besides, it looks like it's going to rain."
"Did rain ever hurt someone who stood outside in it? No."
"Was there a point in that question?"
"I'd rather train than walk around a mall with two females."
"One being your sister." He snarled at her. She felt fear partially paralyze her. Why was she so afraid of him?
Maybe because he wouldn't hesitate to slit my throat?
"Listen, we'll make it as short as possible, okay? I'm sure you can't disagree totally because I plan on getting you a milkshake." She swallowed the lump in her throat when he looked back up at her.
"Milkshake?"
"A drinking form of ice cream... It isn't totally ice cream...never mind. It's hard to explain. You'll see when I get you one." She finished up most of her salad before she put it back on the tray. She took a sip of her water. "Come on. Let's get out of here."
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Yukina swung her bag slightly as they walked to the food court. She laughed lightly at something Botan said.
"Well, did you?"
"Of course not!" Botan's face went red and she frowned. Yukina giggled. Hiei walked behind them, taking care to watch people around him, to make sure none of them were staring at his sister.
"Well, does anyone hold your affections now?" Hiei's gaze went to the ferry girl's back. She tensed slightly at the question.
"Not really..." She looked at the ceiling. "Right now, I'm trying to find out who I do like."
"Oh? Is there a certain someone in mind?" Botan blushed and nodded slightly.
"Don't tell, okay?" Yukina smiled and nodded. "Well, I'm thinking that I really like Kurama... But I'm not completely certain. Besides, I don't know how he feels about me."
"Well, there is only one way to find out, right?"
"You mean tell him, don't you?" The ice koorime nodded. "I guess I should...but I don't want to get hurt and I will be taking that risk if I tell him."
"But if you don't..."
"He could get taken, right? I know..." Botan sighed. "Anyway, what about you?"
"Me?" The girl blinked. "Well, now I understand what Kazuma has been saying to me...and well, I don't really wish to be with anyone just yet. I would rather focus everything on finding my brother."
"Do you have any ideas?" Botan asked, as if she didn't know who it was. Hiei stared at Yukina's back.
"Not really... Whoever he is, I wish I could find him. I've never felt alone...and I know he's watching me. I really wish that he would show himself and tell me that he's my brother." She sounded so sad. Her voice grew distant. "I hope that I find him soon. I don't know what he looks like, obviously..."
How sad... Yukina really wants to find her brother. Hiei, you moron, look at what you're doing to her.
Botan put her arm around her friend's shoulders.
"Don't worry, Yukina-chan. We'll find him. Until then, I'm here for you and so is the rest of the gang." Yukina brightened a little and nodded.
"I know... You've done so much for me by yourself, Botan-chan. I owe you for talking Koenma-sama into letting me stay here in Ningenkai, being like a sister to me, comforting me, helping me... I only wish I could repay you for it all."
"Nonsense! You don't need to repay me." Hiei's eyes widened.
What? This baka onna convinced the toddler to let Yukina stay here in Ningenkai?
"Now, let me get us all milkshakes. On me." Botan giggled and told them to pick out a table while she went and got them their treats.
XxXxX
Botan looked down at the sheet of paper before her. She had to fill it out and it was quite easy...but her mind was wandering through other doors. It was 2:45 A.M. and she hadn't been to sleep yet. She had tossed and turned but then decided to give up and fill out paperwork.
"Onna, what are you still doing up?" She looked back at Hiei and smiled wearily.
"I am filling out your sheets. The ones that are the cause of this." She set the pen down and stretched. "I couldn't sleep for anything." She watched him sit down across from her. "Why are you still awake?"
"I just woke up and could not fall back asleep." He answered in an off-hand tone. She then seemed to brighten.
"Why don't we play a few games? Maybe we'll get tired and go to sleep faster." He shrugged and she stood up. She grabbed a notebook and another pen, a pack of cards, and two glasses of water for them. "Okay, how about hangman?"
"Hangman?"
"It is a game where you think of a word or even a phrase and you put lines for each letter. Then the other person guesses letters and if they are right, fill the letter in the correct blank wherever it is. If they're wrong, you draw small parts of a stick-figure until you've completed it. If you hang the person before the word or phrase is completed, you lose."
"Hm..." He still looked a little puzzled.
"For each letter, you draw one part of the person but only if that letter is not in the word or phrase, see?"
"I think so..."
XxXxX
"Man, Hiei..." Botan lost another game and Hiei was getting bored. "Think we should play something else?" He nodded. She tried tic-tac-toe with him and it worked for a little while until he got better at guessing where to put his mark. Less than an hour later, Botan was asleep at the table. Hiei heaved a sigh and stood up, walking to the other side of the table. He picked her up gently and she snuggled into his arms. He frowned and felt his face grow warm. He shook it off quickly and walked to her room, setting her on the bed, and covering her up. He stared for a moment longer at her face, bathed in the moonlight shining through the window before he turned and left the room.
It was the least I could do to repay her kindness to my sister. She has been watching over Yukina far better than even I have. Is that why I am feeling this? Is that one of the things that I want...?
XxXxX
"Time for training." Botan mumbled as she sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes. She looked at the clock. It was...8 in the morning. She blinked. Why didn't he wake her? Was he still asleep? She pushed the covers off of herself and was about to get out of bed when she froze. Had he carried her here? She didn't remember coming to bed... "Hiei?" She called out quietly, thinking maybe he would hear her if he was awake. When no sound followed, she got up, got dressed, and exited her room. She searched the entire apartment before realizing where he was. Training. "He let me sleep..." She grabbed her keys and ran out, locking the door behind her, and quickly running to the park.
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The next chapter will be out soon! I really hope you like this second HB fic... n.n I get to use an abandoned idea in this one and I'm liking it. The next chapter will contain some material from the original Streaks of Darkness before I deleted it and started over. Thanks for reading!
Be Kind, Review!
Sure, it doesn't rhyme but it has a ring to it...