Okay, I have changed my mind. By the power of suggestive force, my Poetry teacher has convinced me to write more. :D (because I apparently lack action in the first chap)
There is no telling how far I will go in this story, but my plot bunnies tell me Yukina and Hiei's relationship will bloom in a certain way many of you won't like. But what can I say? The character's are directing me to possibilities. :p And I am deeply fascinated in the incest taboo the way some people are fascinated in the student-teacher taboo. To each his own.
Your Hand in Mine
{Hiei x Yukina}
Chapter 2
Genkai, long hair greying like the sakura blossoms in late spring, lounges outside on the veranda while smoking a cigarette (in consideration to the ice maiden who loathes the harmful fumes). The item poised idly in her bony hand, she inhales the gaseous tar, indulging in the mind buzz, the unwinding muscles, the boredom relief. Smoke permeates the fresh air as she exhales, weaving into the dark like silver eels. The old woman pays no mind to the flying shadow that leaps from tree to tree, looming in on the temple with frightening speed, knowing it poses no immediate threat.
Yukina lights an incense stick, another, and another, inserting the opposite ends deep into the ash, carefully arranging the wooden spaghetti inside a glass censer, inhaling the sultry myrrh vapors. The heavy, sweet odor lingers in the air, mingling with the fresh, crisp evening air– an oddly soothing contrast. Sitting as still as a statue, she willingly loses herself in this intoxicating scent, eyes drooping, smile listless, hands limp on her lap. This has become a recent ritual, burning incense to dispel the dark feelings, nightmares, and inner evils from poisoning her, to ensure a good night's sleep and a bright new morning.
The orange cinders flicker, and a quiet shift in air blows the vaporous incense. Immediately she senses his ki and gasps in pleasant surprise, snapping out of her trance-like contentment. Twisting around while rising in hasty eagerness to meet him, Yukina loses her balance and plummets to the ground. Hands deftly snatch her arms not a moment later.
"Be careful. You want to hit your face again?" His curt, condescending tone greets her ears, and Yukina wobbles to his eye level, grinning in humble gratitude.
"Sorry, and thank you, Hiei... for catching me."
"Hn."
He steals his hands back, sliding them into the slits of his coat, regarding the girl with stern crimson eyes. Yukina stands a little straighter in his presence, feeling uplifted that he chose to visit her tonight, like she has hoped for. "I've made some tea. Do you like oolong?"
"It doesn't matter." Translating that as a 'yes', Yukina wastes no time to retrieve two cups and the iron kettle full of lukewarm tea, an hour having already passed since Yukina made the batch fresh. Hiei plops down on a cushion, leaning forward with his arms on the table, waiting, watching Yukina's every move with false disinterest. She tips the kettle in one small smooth motion, liquid gradually pouring from its long, curved nozzle, filling both ceramic cups to the brim, afterwards placing the teakettle on the table. Yukina makes herself comfortable on a pillow near him, tucking her legs beneath her, hands cradling the cup and lifting it to take her first sip.
The grimace on Yukina's face at the bitter taste soon becomes smooth when the sweet melon settles on her taste buds. Curiosity eventually compels her to sneak a peek at her silent companion. Eyes closed shut, teacup tipped on his lips, his impassive face is unresponsive, save for the invisible twitch of a smile. Crimson orbs linger on his calm form, considering the boy before her.
Hiei is a walking flame, his demon energy overflowing with an ever consistent heat, melting Yukina's inner ice at times, though never completely. The river of emotions that stream from the glacier of her heart re-freezes the moment whenever physical contact is lost. Yukina reminisces last week, their mid-afternoon stroll, and their parting at the end. Sadness consumes her, absorbed in a memory; fingers untangle, the cacoon of warmth encasing her hand falls apart at the frail, invisible seams. It leaves her fingertips tingling in want and loneliness, her heart throbbing in yearning– a bizarre, emotional sensation Yukina has never felt before, let alone towards anybody. Kuwabara's outlandish "power of love" and aggressive proximity cannot even compare.
More than anything, she wants to engage in this affection once more, but doesn't know how to approach Hiei without offending him. He has rejected a fair amount of her advances before, but fortunately not all of them.
Perceiving her turmoil on the surface, he places the cup down, switching his hold on the handle to his left fingers, and casually extends his right arm within reach. This unspoken offer of comfort tempts Yukina to receive it. Her hand is slow in enveloping his, cold fingertips stroking his knuckles, leeching off the generous heat radiating from his skin. Warmth; not only his body heat, but his demon energy as well. I wonder if brother's flame feels similar... Fondness is swept away only to be replaced by wistful thoughts.
If her brother is still alive out there, if he cares about his sister at all and knows that she exists, he will surely show himself someday. And that is why Yukina realizes, after days of expecting news from Hiei, different happy news, after days of hoping to see his face, yearning to know what he is like, after days of imagining their first chance meeting, she has to stop waiting. She has to stop embelishing their friendship with misplaced affection. Maybe I am trying too hard, finding solace in someone I see as an ideal sibling. My brother and Hiei... they are two different people. My loneliness does not justify having a substitute. I can't put Hiei on the spot, filling a brotherly role he may not want, will not be able to fill.
Rescuing her from the grubby hands of crime lord Tarukane, protecting her from a fatal accident at the Dark Tournament, agreeing to her impossible request to find her brother, knocking some sense into her selfish, vengeful feelings, and frequently going out of his way to spend time with her– to call Hiei her brother would be too convenient, too insensitive. He has done so much for her, Yukina doesn't know how to express her gratitude best. "Thank you..."
Yukina's murmur catches his attention, and he spares a brief glance her way.
"What for?" Hiei doesn't need to be retold of his deeds in protecting her; he may not see it as anything important, but to Yukina it means a lot, and she wants to remind him of his kindness.
Her euphoric smile and crinkling eyes startles him with its innocent intensity. "Everything."
He stares, baffled, unable to come up with a remark harsh enough to dismiss her kindness, this familiar tongue-tied feeling lodging the words in his throat. Tilting his face, Hiei scowls soft to conceal his discomfort, but his hand has a mind of its own, moving to squeeze her cold fingers within its tight grip. The crystal tear, hanging from the leather string tied to his wrist, gleems in the dim lamplight. It is by solemn acceptance that she resolves to move on, and prays for this boy to break apart her chains and guide her back into the light.
I have Hiei now, and he has me. We are friends, and we support each other. Beyond this world and next, find me, and I will welcome you home.
You will always be my close friend, my beloved fire demon, the one whom I can rely on and trust, always.