Well, everyone, I'm back! And with me, the long awaited (not really) third installment of Stockholm Syndrome. Enjoy!
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Hiei shifted slightly in the tree, pulling the dark cloak tighter around his slender frame. There was a cold wind blowing from the north tonight, he thought to himself, and that was rather irritating. It meant all windows would be tightly shut and locked.
No matter. He'd made a living by getting into places he wasn't supposed to. The spotlight flashed by the wall once again, and Hiei made his move. It was timed for exactly sixty-seven seconds between flashes. Sixty seven seconds to get the window open and closed. No sweat.
The lock was no trouble at all, but the window proved irritating. It had rusted shut. Obviously it was not opened often, if ever. Still, that problem was dealt with relatively easily. Hiei tumbled inside, jerking the window shut again behind him.
As he lifted up his head, his nose brushed against rough fabric. He blinked. Curtains? It was pink. But…the carpeting was magenta. Either that rich man is color blind or—shit. Hiei somersaulted forward, vaulting up to his feet and staring into the shadows.
Darkness covered the upper half of a man's face. He lounged against the stone wall next to the window, and Hiei could see him smirking. Still rather stunned, Hiei's instincts took over and he assessed the man with a practical eye. Medium height, slim build, good muscle tone. Shockingly red hair, though that didn't seem particularly significant at the moment.
The man shifted his weight slightly, turning more to face Hiei. "Hiei. I was wondering when you would make an appearance. Though I must say, you certainly acted quickly."
This must be him. The master of the house. Famous Kurama. Hiei sneered, more to regain his own composure than out of contempt for the other.
Kurama noticed. The smirk faltered a little, and he stepped forward out of the shadows. The steel in those vibrant green eyes very nearly took Hiei's breath away. And he was off balance again; for the second time that night. This had better not become a habit.
"You're confused, I expect." Kurama said quietly, his tone laced with amusement, "This is a new situation for you. What will you do?" He spoke the last part more softly, almost as if talking to himself.
Oddly enough, Hiei had been wondering exactly the same thing a second ago. Only, now he had an answer. Steel rang as he freed his katana from its sheath at his side. A moment later Kurama was clutching his shoulder in an attempt to stop it gushing blood. It wasn't working. Hiei grinned, confident. This was what he did best.
He moved to strike again, a blow that would end the fight. It never connected. Hiei stumbled slightly as he hit the ground, startled. He swerved to see Kurama standing tall, shoulder forgotten. In his hands he held a long pale green vine studded with thorns. Somehow, Hiei got the feeling it wasn't just there for decoration.
Kurama took advantage of Hiei's surprise and lashed out with his weapon. Hiei snapped back to reality in time to block, and counter with a strike of his own.
Really, the fight should have lasted longer. Hiei blamed his loss on the element of surprise. Who would have expected a pampered rich brat to hold such power? But that didn't matter. Hiei was still kneeling with his own katana pressed up against the back of his neck, listening to the harsh breathing of his companion.
"Your reputation exceeds your skill," the redhead breathed, leaning closer, "I expected more of a challenge."
Hiei snarled in response, twisting, and the blade pressed closer. Warm blood trickled down his throat and seeped into the dark fabric of his cloak. "Release me, and I'll give you one," he hissed, furious.
"I don't think so."
Out of the corner of his eye, Hiei caught a glimpse of movement. He turned his head slightly, eyeing the newcomer. He was a large muscular man dressed all in blue, and with the most ridiculous looking orange hair.
The new man stared back calmly, almost defiantly for a moment before turning his attention to Kurama. "The changes you requested to the guest room are finished," he said. "It's ready for whenever you need it."
Then he went back to staring at Hiei.
"Thank you." Kurama's voice softened slightly, and Hiei couldn't help but notice how much it resembled music. Violins, maybe. But that thought was too sentimental, and so Hiei quickly banished it from his mind.
"No problem." The orange haired man said in his gravelly voice. Casting one last curious glance at Hiei, he turned and slipped through a door halfway down the hall.
Hiei had no idea what had just transpired, but it didn't sound all that dangerous. No talk of, "Kill him quickly; get it over with". That was a mistake on their parts. Unfinished business had a nasty way of poking up its head and biting back at the most inconvenient times.
"I suppose you're wondering now what we plan to do with you," Kurama sighed, loosening his hold on Hiei's shoulder somewhat.
"Not really." Hiei replied scathingly. On the contrary. He was practically eaten up with curiosity. And apprehension, as well. But there was something freeing about the knowledge that death could come at any second. Expecting the worst made any alternative seem attractive.
"Don't lie to me." Kurama sounded very certain. "It's pointless. I'll tell you what will happen. You'll be staying here for a while, with us."
"Prisoner. You're keeping me prisoner." Hiei said flatly. "What a totally useless idea."
"I'll admit, I don't believe ransom will profit me any in this situation. But there are always other ways to make yourself needed."
The phrase was thick with implications. Though it probably wasn't intended to be. Hiei wasn't sure whether to be amused or indignant. In the end, he settled for amused. It was easier to keep control of the milder emotions; there was less chance of them blowing up in his face.
So Hiei allowed himself to be pushed at sword point down the hall, and up several flights of stairs. He noticed that Kurama seemed to have a preference for greenery. The place was bursting with plants, like an oversized and underheated greenhouse. He wondered briefly who purchased them all, watered them, and how the heck anyone could stand seeing flowers everywhere they turned.
They stopped before a heavy wooden door that seemed to be built for keeping people out...or in. Hiei could feel the wards on the door, and in the room. Powerful ones. He made his break when Kurama leaned forward to unlock the door. Sliding out from under the redhead's arm, he dashed away, not caring what in which direction.
He actually seemed to be making some progress. It was a rather anti-climatic escape, he had to admit. Kurama hadn't even made a move to stop him. And then the plants came alive. The tiny, innocent looking white lilies hanging in a pot overhead suddenly stretched themselves out and wound tightly around Hiei.
Kurama slowly approached, expression unreadable. Hiei glared. His vision was beginning to flicker, and fade into darkness. Before he totally lost consciousness, he heard Kurama's voice.
"Interesting that you should be caught by this plant. The Death Lily. How fitting." And he might have said something else, but Hiei didn't hear it. He had blacked out.
When Hiei came to, he found himself sprawled atop a large, soft bed. He removed himself as quickly as possible, trying to recall where he was, and how he had gotten there. He was drawing a blank, and it was frustrating him.
He wandered around the room, grimacing every so often at the vegetation that crowded every empty corner. It was irritating, but some instinct in the back of his mind warned against simply uprooting them and smashing the pots against the walls.
There was a quick knock on the door, and Hiei whirled around into a crouch. The door began to open. Hiei tensed. A woman's voice floated through the crack.
"I hope you're decent, because I'm going to come in now!" A kimono clad, blue-haired woman bounced into the room, balancing a tray of what looked like food.
She introduced herself as Boton, Kurama's personal secretary. Kurama. The name sounded familiar. Hiei frowned and concentrated for a moment. It was all coming back to him in flashes of red hair and poisonous plants. Oh. He was being held captive.
"…food three times a day, and…" Boton was still blabbing on about something. Hiei rolled his eyes.
"Save it. I don't care."
She closed her mouth, eyes filled with surprise. Hiei resisted the urge to grab the tray from her hands and hit her over the head with it. He couldn't believe such an incompetent was secretary to one of the most famous men in the modern world.
"Well," she huffed, recovering, "You don't have to be so rude about it! I just thought you'd like to know more about your situation."
Hiei's eyes flashed up to meet hers. "Then tell me more about your master."
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(-sigh-) Rather shorter than my other one, but I figure quick updates beat out lengthy ones any day. I thought it was pretty interesting...but feel free to tell me I'm wrong, or anything else that's on your mind.
A huge thank you to KyoHana, ladyasile, Gemenice, Darkness is My Savior, chrono-contract, and DarkKitsune18 for reviewing my other chapters. I hope you all liked this one too, and keep on reading!
As always, read and review and you will gain my eternal gratitude.