Not Okay : "Kidnapping" Botan
A/N: Thanks for the reviews, though I thought I was going to get more. But hey, whatever. Read and Review, and I know lots of you don't like the idea of the wrong person being blamed for a crime, but I thought this would be fun. R&R!
I
Hiei flitted with the onna in his arms. She would close her eyes sometimes, but other than that, she didn't move. Her entire body was relaxed now, getting used to him carrying her. The Koorime frowned as he found the kitsune's house.
It was quaint, two stories and it was painted a pale yellow. Hiei was hidden by the trees and all he had to do was cross the road. Cross that road and the onna is safe. Hiei began to walk forward. Cross that road and you will have assistance. The demon knew that Botan was aware of where she was. Cross that road, and all this will be over.
Biting his lip, Hiei stepped over the guardrail. His left foot was the first to touch the asphalt, and that was when his thoughts were invaded.
I wouldn't do that if I were you.
Hiei stopped and looked around. His eyes were over the trees, the houses, and even the dirt. He couldn't feel energy.
Who are you?
The Voice laughed. Hiei didn't recognize it... and it was bothering him. To say the least.
That's not important. What is important is that if you go to that house, I will kill the woman in your arms. Hiei froze, invisible icicles running up and down his spine. If you take one more step, I'll remove a body part of the woman's. I'll start with the fingers. Then I'll move to the arm.
The demon whirled around, but made sure not to move his feet.
What do you want?
The Voice was silent for a moment.
I want her.
Hiei gazed down at the ferry onna. She looked up at him, and her eyes were big and she sniffed as she looked at the house and then back to Hiei's face.
"H-Hiei?"
The demon was like a statue. Cold and frozen in time and space. Botan began to move, almost sliding out of his arms.
DON'T LET HER GO! IF YOU LET HER GO, I'LL MAKE HER SCREAM!
Hiei gripped her tightly and pulled her to him, trying hard to ignore her racing heart and her quickening breathing.
Fine. I've done what you've asked. What now?
Hiei was planning how to get out of this. Botan shivered in his arms, and she was saying something. He couldn't hear her. He was waiting for an answer form the Voice.
That was when a door was opened. Hiei didn't hear it, but he did hear his best friend's voice.
"Hiei?"
The demon was pulled from his concentration and saw Kurama staring at him with wide emerald eyes. Hiei tensed and he bit his lips. The fox's eyes traveled to Botan and her dress. He went back inside and threw on a coat.
He stepped out of his doorway and began to approach.
Stop him!
Hiei was thrown into cold water as he opened his mouth.
"STAY AWAY!" Hiei felt Botan whimper and her grip tightened around his neck. She buried her head in his chest as she began to cry. Kurama came to a halt Hiei could see the kitsune's breath coming in short white puffs. "Please... don't come any closer."
Kurama did as he was asked.
"Hiei... what happened? What's wrong?"
The demon knew Kurama was concerned. So was Hiei.
Don't tell him.
Hiei remained silent as his eyes remained locked with Kurama's. There was nothing he could do. Hiei was glued to the spot.
"Hiei...?"
Run.
The Koorime frowned.
What the hell are you talking about?
The Voice took a breath.
I said RUN!
Without saying a word, Hiei disappeared and ran away from Kurama. His friend. The possible end to this entire situation. Gone. And Hiei was sprinting like a fugitive as he took Botan far away.
II
Botan was worn down. Her muscles were aching. Whatever Hiei stopped me from doing must have been strenuous. Her eyes drooped as they became a blur in the forest. I wonder where we're going...
She would nod off every now and then. It was only when the air got a bit warmer and the trees swayed a bit more gently that she woke up. She saw the yellow house and the familiar street. They were at Kurama's.
Hiei hopped up on the guardrail and stepped down from it as smoothly as he could. Botan felt her heart swell with a mixture of guilt and thankfulness. He hasn't complained once... and he's doing all this for me... a woman that he hates...
He began walking across the street, and suddenly, he stopped. Botan jerked forward. She felt a chill engulf her body as she looked up at Hiei's face. His face was stone cold but his eyes were flaring with rage that was just begging to be unleashed.
"Hiei...?"
She licked her lips as he looked down at her, but his mind wasn't all there. Terror shot through Botan's veins and she did the only thing her body would tell her to do. Run. Just get to the door, and everything will be alright.
When she was almost out of his arms, he pulled her back roughly, almost ripping the sheet. It was when Kurama came out that Hiei screamed at him to stop and not to come any closer. Botan started to cry. Something is wrong... what's happening?
She needed to be close to something. Anything. And since Hiei was around and she couldn't go anywhere else, she crawled up into him. She didn't even flinch when he began to run again. Why are we running? Her eyes opened. What are we running from?
III
Kurama woke early, his eyes opening slowly. He could feel a familiar demonic energy outside. For a moment he was a bit wary, but then he realized just who it was. Hiei... Stretching lazily, Kurama got up. His red hair was a bit messy and he was still in his boxers and a "wife- beater'" tank top.
That was when he picked up a weaker spirit energy. Kurama opened the door. What he saw didn't register.
Hiei was there. His cloak was on, and he was dressed in his usual garb. The expression on his face was the same of a man with a gun to his head. A bit angry, but extremely wary. But that wasn't the main problem. The main problem was that Botan was in his arms.
She had just woken up, it was apparent by her glassy eyes and frizzy hair. But why is Hiei carrying her? Another wrong point in the picture was what she was wearing. If Kurama was correct, which he always was, she was wearing nothing but the white sheet that was wrapped around her.
"Hiei?"
Hiei snapped from his anger at something or someone that was in sight. Or maybe he was angry with himself, Kurama didn't know. His entire body tensed and he gritted his teeth.
"STAY AWAY! Please... don't come any closer."
Kurama flinched at the stone and menace behind his voice.
"Hiei... what happened? What's wrong?"
The fire demon stood still for a long moment, not speaking. Kurama saw that Botan was crying now, shivering with fear. Hiei bit his lips, and his eyes met Kurama's. The world stood still for those short hundredths of a second. The kitsune was so confused as he stared into Hiei's eyes. Why is Hiei with Botan? Why is she crying? Why is she only wearing a sheet? Why–?
And then, just like that, his two friends disappeared.
Kurama was alone, still standing just slightly outside of the doorway. Botan's breath still hung in the air, the clouds still hovering for a moment. Hiei's footprints were still in the dirt behind the guardrail. Kurama didn't want to think. His brain didn't want to tell him what the obvious pointed out.
Pulling out his pocket communicator, Kurama dialed Koenam's number, his fingers shaking.
"Koenma?" A pause. "Yes, I'm aware of the early time. Yes, I understand that you were sleeping, but I think you should listen to me, sir." The kitsune took a shaking breath as his hands shook slightly as he looked off into the horizon. "Hiei was just here... and in his arms was Botan."
IV
YUSUKE! WAKE UP! WAKE UP! I NEED YOU IN REKAI NOW!
The ex-spirit detective jolted up from his sleep. Keiko moaned and blinked as she was jerked along with him.
"Yusuke, what is it?"
She bit down a yawn as she began to slide out of bed, but Yusuke grabbed her arm and pulled her back to bed. He looked around the room.
"I don't believe this shit..."
Pulling on his boxers, the detective began to get dressed.
"Yusuke! What's going on?"
Yusuke turned to his mate, smiling a bit.
"The toddler." Yusuke held his shirt in his mouth as he tugged on his pants. "Probably just discovered that he doesn't need diapers anymore and wants to tell everyone."
Keiko smiled lazily and snugged into the warm covers.
"Hurry back."
Yusuke kissed her gingerly on the lips.
"Of course."
Then he disappeared.
Yusuke yawned when he found himself in Koenma's office. He saw that Kurama and Kuwabara were already there. The fox wouldn't meet anyone's eyes and he kept on biting his lower lip.
Kuwabara, on the other hand, was fighting back tears. His face was red with rage as he shook. He grabbed Yusuke by the shoulders.
"URAMESHI! BOTAN'S BEEN KIDNAPPED!"
Yusuke frowned, Botan might as well have been his sister.
"Where's Hiei? We'll get started as soon as the old team is back, okay Kuwabara?"
Kurama's shoulders shot up, and his hair fell over his eyes. Kuwabara finally began to shed tears, and Koenma was the only one who was able to answer the ex-detective. His voice was unusually cold and not screechy or nasally.
"Yusuke, Hiei is the one who kidnapped Botan."
The blood drained away from Yusuke's face, leaving a chalky color behind.
"W-what?"
Kurama finally spoke, still refusing to face any of them.
"Hiei was at my house. He told me to stay away from him, and in his arms was Botan. He left shortly after that..."
Yusuke could not... would not believe. Sure, the shrimp would get ticked at the ferry girl once and a while, but kidnapping? It wasn't logical. Hiei wouldn't do that! Yusuke was sure of it!
"How can you just say that? Hiei wouldn't do that!" The room was silent. "Sure, he had his annoying moments, but COME ON! He was our friend, dammit!"
Koenma sighed.
"I'm sorry." Yusuke felt tears gathering in his eyes, his world spiraling. "We've tried to contact him using our minds and his Jagan Eye. He pushes us away, telling us not to interfere." The Prince took a slow breath, sad and almost hopeless. "It's obvious, Yusuke. You can see that."
Yusuke sniffed and wiped his eyes roughly. But... but... He was floundering for something... anything that could prove Hiei innocent. There was nothing.
"What..." Yusuke took a breath, trying to gain control of his emotions. "What do you want us to do, sir?"
Koenma was deadly serious.
"Find her. Bring her back to me. Hiei as well."
The three men nodded, and Kurama whispered.
"Come on, I can track him if I get a lead on his energy."
Yusuke felt sick. He wanted to vomit.
"He can only run for so long."
V
Hiei stopped, panting. His legs... they HURT! The muscles were crying, begging him to stop. His arms were shaking, and he wasn't sure how long he could keep this up. His breath caught, and he started to hyperventilate.
Staggering, Hiei dropped to his knees and leaned back so he didn't fall on the onna. She was still crying, but not nearly as hard as before. He closed his eyes and he continued to lose control of his inhales.
"Hiei?" Botan, wait... the onna left his arms. Judging by the sounds that entered Hiei's ears, she was fixing the sheet. Did I mess it up...? Crap. "Hiei! Stop it!" Did she think he was breathing this way on purpose? "STOP IT!"
He fell backwards and his legs twitched. I really shouldn't have run that fast for that long... His arms were limp at his sides.
"QuIet, onNA."
His breathing made him say certain parts of words louder than he intended. Botan was moving around frantically. Once, he thought he felt her sheet brush against his arm. But maybe he was just delusional. After all, the pins and needles were already beginning to emerge in his legs and arms. Soon his whole body will be consumed. If I stop breathing so fast... but I can't stop.
"Stop! You have to stop!" I can't stop, baka onna. "Please... Hiei..." Some tears fell onto his face. Stop crying, onna. She began to fidget and he heard her talking softly to herself. She was shaking. "I'm sorry."
Sorry for wh–?
SLAP!
Hiei's eyes opened. Everything was blurry for a bit because his blood red eyes were struggling to focus. He saw her peering over him. Her face was bright red and but at the same time she was trying to smile. That was when Hiei realized why.
"I'm not..." He took a slow breath. "Breathing too fast..."
Botan grinned, tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry... it was the only thing I could think of."
There was a silene and Hiei sat up and began to massage his legs, easing the feeling back into them. His brows were furrowed as he thought of what he could possibly do.
"Onna, did you piss anyone off lately?"
The ferry girl blinked and bit her lips.
"What? No."
Hiei hissed as he hit a sore muscle. Damn it...
"Well, you've got people after you." He moved to his arms, and he was surprised to find an arm had popped out of its socket. Grunting and squeezing his eyes shut, Hiei popped it back in. "Do you have any idea who it could possibly be?"
Botan withdrew and lowered her gaze to her hands in her lap.
"No..."
Hiei hissed as he tried to stand, but he faltered. Instantly, Botan was under him, supporting him with his arm around her shoulder. He didn't bother snapping at her for touching him. At the moment, that was far from important.
"Great." They began to walk slowly. Botan would stop occasionally to tug up the sheet, and that was when Hiei remembered the pajamas. "Onna, do you still have those clothes with you?" She nodded. Hiei stopped and pushed himself off of her, leaning against a tree. "Put them on."
She stood still, and then moved so she was behind a bigger tree that was surrounded by some bushes. She soon reappeared in the dark blue pajamas. She had the sheet in her hand.
"What should I do with this?"
"Leave it. We don't need it." Botan dropped the sheet and ran to her companion, slipping under him again and they began their quest. Hiei let out a humorless laugh. "That is the second time you've slapped me today."
VI
Botan flushed at the statement.
"Really? When did I slap you before?"
Hiei kept walking.
"Earlier. When I first found you." His voice darkened. "You don't remember."
A silence.
"Hiei?"
"Hn."
"How bad is this?" She wasn't answered. "I mean... should I be worried?"
Hiei drew in a slow breath.
"Onna... I don't know. I'll tell you when I figure all this out."
The ferry girl nodded.
"Okay, but will you tell me what happened at Kurama's?"
Hiei decided to play dumb.
"What do you mean, baka onna?"
Botan gave him a playful shove, making him growl.
"Come on, you scared me back there! I actually thought... well... I didn't know what was going on."
"Later onna. Not now." He coughed a bit. "Tonight, when we make camp."
VII
Amiri broke his connection with Hiei. The Chosen One. His dark purple hair fell in front of his golden eyes. He was wearing a black suit. He pushed his hair away so the eye in the center of his forehead was visible.
"Amiri?" The young demon turned toward a portion of the darkness. "Is it all going smoothly?"
"Of course, sir."
Another demon stepped forward, the grey light hitting him softly.
"Good."
Amiri brushed off his shoulders.
"Malik, why are we letting him live?"
Malik turned, his long black hair was stringy. His eyes were not visible as he smiled, his fangs showing.
"To see if he really is ready to find out just what his real purpose is."
Amiri smiled giddily like a little school boy, clapping his hands together.
"Cool! This will be fun to watch."
Malik was silent as he walked out. Hiei... time will tell if you really are as strong as the Three Worlds think you are.
VIII
A/N: Hey dudes! Did you like this chapter? I hope you did. Please... PLEASE review if you read this chapter. I want to know what you liked, or didn't like about it. Thanks! Peace out!
-mia
p.s. Amiri is Arabic for Prince, and Malik is Arabic for King