Fear of Fire

Disclaimer - Don't own YYH.

Chapter 13 - The Arrival

XxXxX

When Botan opened her eyes, she realized that they had stopped somewhere. Her senses were so out of whack that she couldn't tell the exact spot. When she sat up, she noticed that Hiei was across from her, fast asleep. He obviously felt at ease, wherever it was they were or else he would be keeping watch.

Why is he taking me somewhere? Did Koenma-sama give us a mission?

Botan somehow knew that it wasn't the case. Hiei would've told her the details. She felt like shaking him awake and demanding to know where it was they were going. Her stomach began growling, reminding her that she hadn't eaten in a while. She sighed and lay back down. It was a few long moments before she was able to fall back asleep.

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When next she returned to the conscious world, she discovered that it was the smell of food that roused her sleeping mind. And, unfortunately, her stomach.

"Hiei?" She sat up and rubbed her eyes. A yawn escaped her mouth. "What time is it?"

"I would say it's just past sunrise." Hiei was kneeling in front of the small cooking fire, blocking her view from the food. "This is all I could find. It is what's left over from my dinner last night." He brought over a sharpened stick with meat on it. She took it from him and looked at it in doubt before she tried it. The taste wasn't bad so she was able to finish it. "How did you sleep?" She smiled.

"Just fine." The very fact that he was showing that he had such a side to him made her forget all about where he was taking her. "What about you? I noticed that you slept last night." He shrugged.

"It was fine." His voice was soft. She was afraid to ask whether or not he had another nightmare. "Are you done? We should move on. There's a river about a mile away. When we get there, you can have a drink." He made it a point to avoid where they were. She just left it alone. If he didn't want to tell her, he wouldn't. It wouldn't matter how much she asked.

"Yes, I'm done." He nodded and kicked dirt on the fire to put it out. "But could you wait? I have to go to the bathroom." She looked around the place they were at once more. After deciding on a small walk into the woods behind her, she stood and went far enough away. When she came back, the koorime had just finished burying the rest of whatever it was that he killed. They left quickly.

Hiei had stopped only briefly at the river before they were once again on their way. The more she looked around, the more Botan noticed that they were in unfamiliar territory to her. That led her to the conclusion that they were no longer in Ningenkai but in Makai. Then again, there was also the fact that she could now sense powerful Reiki. It was odd but she was thrown off before. The koorime suddenly sped up. The scenery went by so fast that she could hardly tell a tree from a tall rock.

"We'll be there soon." Was all he said so she just rested her head against his back and stayed quiet.

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Botan noticed that Hiei stopped before beginning to walk. She peered over his shoulder and leaned forward.

"Can I walk now?" Her legs were getting a little sore from the position. He shook his head.

"No, this is dangerous ground. There are traps everywhere." Her eyes went wide. "You can walk after we clear this." She looked down at her attire. She was still in a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved navy blue shirt, and had her white sneakers on. He suddenly jumped into a tree and then leaped pretty far before landing and setting her down. "Be careful. This is still pretty dangerous." She nodded. They walked for a few moments in silence.

"How far is this place?" He looked over at her.

"We've still got a way to go." She smiled and looked around. "Stay close to me." His voice broke her reverie. He reached over and grabbed hold of her hand. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "This land...belonged to my ancestors. It was passed down to my father." He felt like explaining it now. "I don't really know what's happened to it. I figured that I would come and look at it."

"So, do you know who your father is?" He didn't answer her question. Silence engulfed them until they came to a large barrier. It was then that he turned to her.

"This is a tough barrier. Once we enter it, turning back is not an option. Are you ready?" She gave the nod and he led her inside. The force was great and it resisted to their presence. However, they continued pushing for a while until there was a second barrier. He let go of her hand. "You have to deactivate that barrier. I can't pass through it." She looked at him with a slight frown.

"Why?" He shrugged. "I can sense that it is a strong barrier but...to be able to keep you out? If you can't then..." She sighed and gazed at it for a moment before going through. He closed his eyes.

Father, this one is far stronger than the other ones and is willing to come here, to Makai, just to see me. She is the one that will make it.

Botan fought the resistance. She had to get through. Hiei was counting on her.

I can see what Hiei meant now. This is a special barrier that only those with a certain Reiki signature can pass through. Koenma-sama made me do this for my training... All I have to do is adjust my signature.

Sweat began to bead on her forehead. Then, suddenly, the force vanished, causing her to stumble.

Well...at least that part's taken care of. Now...for the part of taking it down.

She turned to look at the blue glow the barrier emitted. Her amethyst eyes went to her hands as she called forth her Reiki. Since she was a spirit, her energy was pure and strong.

"Here goes..." She put her hands against the barrier and willed it to split to allow entrance. Hiei suddenly ran in. She looked back at him before letting go of it.

"That was fast." The koorime said in surprise. She smiled.

"I will admit that I haven't done it in a while but...it wasn't too hard. I can't help but wonder how long this has been here. The masters that made this died away at least a thousand years ago."

"This territory is sacred. My father must have someone inside that knows the secret about this barrier." He smirked at her. "I'm impressed that you knew how."

"It was part of my training as a ferry girl. All kinds of barriers are erected to keep us from getting souls." She looked around for the first time inside the barrier. Her eyes caught sight of a castle that looked like it reached the heavens. Hiei began to walk forward but Botan stopped him and took his hand before they continued on. The guards at the front gates noticed them and looked them over. They stared at the koorime, remembering what their lord had ordered them to do only a few days ago.

"If you see a demon approach with eyes the color of blood and hair like the black flames of Hell, let him in without question."

They opened the gates for him and watched as he walked in, hand-in-hand with a young girl. Botan clutched his hand tightly. She was nervous and scared but still kept quiet. Hiei watched her out of the corner of his eyes.

"Onna, relax." He whispered as soon as they got inside. "You will only draw attention if you show your fear." She stiffened and looked up at him with wide eyes.

"I'm sorry." She bit her lip. "It's just that the aura around this place is giving me chills. That, and you failed to tell me there were demons here." He tightened his grip on her hand to give her comfort.

"Don't worry. I'll protect you." Her fear didn't completely go away but it was not very potent at all. He smirked. "You're safe here. This is...my father's castle. He found me the last time I was here, before you came to get me. He showed me the way to this place and told me that I should come." She sighed with slight relief. They went up a few stairs before coming to a long hallway. Windows lined it, allowing light to pour through. An unlit torch hung on the wall space between each window. They turned a corner before he pushed her down, shielding her with his body. "Run, Botan." He pushed her away from him before drawing his sword. She rolled to her feet.

"Hiei!" She looked back as she ran. Suddenly, someone grabbed her and restrained her. She fought him as hard as she could but he overpowered her. When she caught a look at him, her will to fight vanished. He was dressed like one of the guards, since he had the head gear and the armor on. Then she remembered Hiei and began struggling again. "Hiei..." She kicked one of them, sending him into the wall. The one holding her got kicked in a very sensitive area. As soon as he dropped her, she began running toward Hiei. He pursued her and hit her hard across the head with a sheathed sword.

Hiei finished up the last of the men attacking him. He sheathed his sword before turning around to follow Botan's tracks. A battle met his sight. A man had Botan cradled in one of his arms while he used his sword to fight those coming at him. It was only then that the koorime noticed the blood running from the unconscious ferry girl's head.

"Botan!" He felt rage consume his mind. His eyes flashed red as he charged forward, nearly incinerating the men that had hurt her. He threw one against the wall, holding him by the throat. "Were you the one who hit her?" His voice was tight with anger. The man wouldn't tell the truth but Hiei sensed it. The koorime tightened his grip on his throat, his eyes now completely red. Heat spread from his hand into the criminal's body before he just burst into flame.

"Hiei, settle down. They are all dead now." Hiei turned to look at the one who had saved Botan. It was his father. Eien smiled at him. "So, this is the one you told me about, hm? We should get this wound taken care of." He watched the expression on his son's face.

"I will take care of it." Hiei took her from his father's arms. "I shouldn't have told her to run..."

"It was all you could do for her." Eien sighed. "Come on, let me show you where the room is." He led him to the rooms where they would be staying. "This is hers. There are medical supplies in the bathroom." He watched as the koorime set her on the bed before hurrying to get the supplies. He came back a moment later and treated the wound. He placed the bandage over it carefully then stood up.

"She'll wake up soon. Before then, there is something we need to talk about." They went to Hiei's room and closed the door.

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Botan opened her eyes and sat up, remembering what had happened before she blacked out. She looked around, expecting to see one of them guarding her from leaving. But there was no such thing. The door opened and, as soon as she saw who entered, she got up and rushed to him.

"Hiei!" She threw her arms around him. "I wanted to get to you but they knocked me out before I could get very far." He wrapped an arm around her, walking her back over to the bed.

"Botan, I'm sorry-" She placed a finger over his lips and smiled. Then she kissed his cheek.

"I'm all right now so you must have protected me." He was looking away, trying to hide the sudden color that had come to his face. A man that sort of resembled her friend walked in. Hiei cleared his throat and gazed at her.

"This is the one whom you should thank. His name is Eien and he is my father." Eien held his hand out and stared into Botan's eyes with a gaze that she swore could see right through her soul. But she just smiled and put her hand in his.

"Thank you. It really is a pleasure to finally meet you." She said cheerfully. He smiled.

"The pleasure is all mine, Botan. I should thank you for taking good care of my boy." Hiei blushed and looked away after crossing his arms. She grinned.

"Well...actually, I do try to keep up with him. But I can admit that Kurama must be a saint for still putting up with him. That and he isn't the easiest person to get close to." The koorime looked at her in curiosity when she frowned. "But...I can understand why."

"I am glad to hear that." Eien let go of her hand before closing the door and gesturing that they should all take a seat. "We have much to discuss about your stay." She went back over to the bed and sat down, a bit surprised that Hiei took his seat right next to her. Eien, on the other hand, took the chair beside the two. "All I wanted to say was that you have both come during a wonderful week. Tomorrow, we will start a tradition that has been in our family for centuries." He sighed softly. "It would be an honor if you saw the entire ceremony." Botan smiled.

"I would love to but...it really is up to Hiei. After all, I have no idea what he had in mind. I don't even know why I'm here." She looked away. "This seems like such an emotional time for the both of you. I don't know why...but I feel as though I am intruding-" Hiei grabbed her shoulder and swung her back around to face him. She nearly stopped breathing when she realized how close he was to her.

"Do not speak such nonsense. I-I wanted to come here because...I want to discover my purpose for being born." Her eyes went wide. "I don't want to find out alone so that is why you are here."

"But you could've brought someone else-"

"No!" He stared at her with fire in his eyes. "They wouldn't understand me. I-I feel like I saw your soul when you forgave me for everything I did to you. It was beautiful and pure... Now I want to repay that debt by doing the same for you. It may not be much but I have to do it." The way he said those words made her understand far more than just the surface meaning.

"Hiei, I see your soul almost everyday. The way you talk to me...is so different from the way you talk to everyone else." She smiled slightly. "I know that your soul is so different from Kurama's or Yuusuke's. And it's not because you're more of a criminal than them. It's because you repent for that by protecting Yukina...and me, too." Eien watched with interest as they spoke to each other.

Finally, my son has found her. Now, with the ceremony only a day away, he can finally gain the thing he has been deprived of so long.

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I think this chapter is long enough. See ya in 14!