The Lock and Key : Shock
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. I'm glad that I've caught your interest. Well, I have been writing and updating like crazy, but I'm running out of room in the journal that I write all this stuff in... poo-face. Also, I'm pimping my other fic because I'm a loser like that, Brink of our Time, it's a good read, don't be scared! Read and Review!
I
4:58 a.m.
Dried blood stained the floor. The whip lay alone, almost as battered and beaten as its Master. Sprawled on the couch, eyes closed, lay Hiei Jaganshi.
4:59 a.m.
His lips were parted in sheer exhaustion. Many sheets covered the couch so that, just in case his wounds opened, nothing would dirty the furniture. His arm hung limply, his fingers brushing the granite.
5:00 a.m.
"Wait, just answer one question... are you a virgin?"
"You guys—"
"I knew it! You're a virgin. It makes so much sense now!"
Blood red eyes opened to Judd Apatow's classic Forty Year Old Virgin. Groaning, Mukuro's former Second in Command woke, his lips following every characters lines.
"I may be a virgin, but can still... fuck you up."
Hiei strapped his ankles to the small clamps above this doorway. His bare stomach gleamed with sweat after fifty sit-ups. Gritting his teeth, he breathed out punch lines viciously, not understanding the humor behind his words.
An hour later, Hiei released himself. Pressing STOP on his DVD player, his eyes skimmed over his film collection. Before... the incident... he had never taken a second glace at human films. Until the incident. Now an entire wall had been filled with movies, books, and music.
Long nails skimmed over covers. He took a small book out, a journal. Opening it, he read the small, feminine handwriting inside.
Top ten must-see movies: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Beauty and the Beast, Monsters Inc., Pan's Labyrinth, No Country for Old Men, V for Vendetta, The Santa Clause, and Silence of the Lambs.
When Hiei first watched these ten films, he did not understand any of them. However, he did research, and now he understood every aspect of those ten films. If asked, Hiei would say how E.T. could be easily compared to Jesus Christ and that the film was nominated for several awards. If asked, Hiei would tell you that Anthony Hopkins won the Academy Award for Best Actor for portraying Hannibal Lector in Silence of the Lambs when he was only in the film for sixteen minutes.
Only if someone asked, and no one ever did.
Hiei decided not to go with the Top Ten. His long nails glided over the green and black cover of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice.
Flipping through the alphabetized pages, he found it quickly.
A classic. Though it doesn't appeal to all, everyone has to give Michael Keaton praise for the incredible job he did. Watching this, I don't see Keaton, only Betelgeuse, the Ghost with the Most. It was given an Academy Award for Best Costume, and it's quite easy to see why. Naughty, fun, and a bit dark, this is a great movie for the unbalanced, like me.
There was an asterisk.
P.S. Beetlejuice is one of the movies that were the main reason for the later creation of the PG-13 rating. The other was Spielberg's Gremlins.
Beetlejuice it is. Hiei tucked the DVD under his arm as he walked out of his chambers to the training room. He left the book at home.
On the cover, in neat black ink, was the title that made Hiei steal it after the incident.
Books and Films according to Botan.
II
"It's good to see you two again."
"You too, sis."
Groggy, the voices seemed fuzzy and blurred to the hung over Botan.
"And you're still in hiding?"
A small, feminine voice answered.
"Yes. They are still out there... and... I don't want... another..."
Thick, heavy sobs broke the speech.
"There, there. That's over... and it won't happen again."
"B-But... I-I-I though that... that had killed her. I-I-I could have sworn that... he had killed her."
"I was just as surprised as you."
A long silence followed. The gravelly voice of Kazuma broke it.
"If Hiei knew..."
Botan blacked out again, the alcohol pounding against her skull engulfing her, pulling her down. She lay there until she was stirred by Shizuru.
"Come on, sweetheart. Wake up."
The caretaker burped, scowling.
"I am never drinking again. Ever."
Shizuru smirked.
"That's what you always say." Helping her up and shuffling to the bathroom, Shizuru helped Botan undress and turn on the shower. "Clean up and I promise you'll feel better."
Botan nodded dumbly and was halfway in the stall when she stopped.
"Shizuru... I think... I had this weird dream that Yukina was crying about someone dying."
Shizuru shrugged.
"Weird dream."
III
Jin and Chuu walked into the training room to find Hiei sparring with one of Enki's guards. Immediately, Hiei dismissed himself, turning to his two teammates.
"You're late."
Jin looked away while Chuu shrugged. The wind-master glanced ate the television just as a man in a black and white striped suit looked into the camera, grinning.
"It's Showtime."
Hiei made no move to suggest that he noticed the film.
"Are you ready?"
Chuu cracked his knuckles.
"We're the ones who should be askin' you that."
Hiei smirked.
"Yeah. Right."
For an intense thirty minutes, Hiei, Jin, and Chuu fought. By the end, Jin was spitting out blood and chuu was nursing his left shoulder. Hiei's nose was bleeding and he was starting to bruise just above his hip. The three men sat in front of the television, watching the remainder of Beetlejuice to forget about their aches and pains.
Jin's green eyes narrowed as the antagonist covered a young girl's mouth, her voice coming from his mouth.
"So, what is this again?"
Hiei dabbed at his nose with a towel.
"Beetlejuice."
Chuu snorted.
"Funny name."
"In the title, they spelled his name wrong. That guy," Hiei pointed to the crazed looking man, "is named after the star in the constellation of Orion."
"A star?"
"Yeah."
The two demons, who had never heard of Beetlejuice or Betelgeuse, had learned not to ask. Every day they came in to find a different film with different people in it. It was an African American drug lord one day, and a talking pig the next.
It was a rule to not ask where Hiei got all these human films, let alone why he watched them. Jin sighed, watching as a giant monster ate "Beetlejuice". Hiei might look the same, he may act the same, but... he was nothing near the demon he had once been.
As soon as the credits rolled, Hiei popped the DVD out and left. Jin often wondered why Hiei changed. Some nights, when alcohol wasn't enough, he would remain awake thinking about the fire demon. Jin heard rumors. Rumors that he had a sister. Rumors that he had been killing since he was a kid. Rumors that he was born from a Koorime.
But there were no rumors about why Hiei watched movies, read books, and never talked to any of his old friends anymore. There were no rumors about why, when Jin would sneak into Hiei's chambers late at night, there was blood on the floor and raw whip burns on his back.
No... Jin hadn't heard anything. However, as he watched Hiei disappear into his room only to quickly return with a book he had started yesterday, Jin began to wish he had.
IV
Botan swore she was half-asleep when she had gotten out of the shower, thrown on clothes, and called a taxi. The next thing she knew, she was breathing heavily after climbing those God-awful stairs to the Temple.
She had changed into baggy pants and a tank-top. Pulling her shoelaces tight, she was ready to pull some weeds. Her lips smacked together. Right after some water.
After filling a glass, Botan leaned on the counter. Her eyes landed on a closet, and her curiosity peaked. Putting down her water, the caretaker moved forward. Turning the knob, a wave of dust spilled out. Coughing, Botan saw a pink kimono inside.
Her fingers brushed over its smooth material.
Blood poured from her eyes, the screams of many echoes in her ears.
"STOP! PLEASE! I'M YOU'RE HURTING ME—"
Botan slammed the door shut, running outside. Her heart began beating again once she closed the door to the Temple behind her. Deep breaths... deep breaths. For the life of her, Botan could not explain what had just transpired. It was irrational, and probably a bit insane. Insane people don't question their sanity though. Right?
Pulling on gloves, Botan decided it would be better if she didn't think about it. She had weeding to do.
It was an hour of pulling weeds when she first heard it. Voices.
Standing up straight, Botan tried to listen.
"—you're a tit, Chuu."
"—took 'em from me—"
"—wanna see..."
They were soft, but there. Picking up her spade, Botan ventured into the woods.
V
Jin and Chuu wrestled around for the binoculars, and Hiei stalked off. As soon as he was gone, the two immediately stopped.
"Did you see the... the marks on his back?"
"Aye."
The two men, best friends, were silent.
"Couldn't we—?"
"No. It's been five years."
"Remember the first year and a half? He never left his room!" Jin shivered at the memory. He recalled how he had stood outside that door, listening for something. Anything. "Then... out of no where, he comes out, acting as if nothing happened."
"Mukuro was pissed, but never told him off."
"Would you?"
"Hell no."
The two men sighed. Jin got up angrily, kicking some leaves.
"Fuck this, Chuu. Let's go see Yusuke. He'll know what to do!"
The Australian smiled.
"That's the spirit, Jin."
They were just about to leave when a gentle, novel voice stopped them.
"Excuse me, you're trespassing. This is private property."
VI
Botan watched the two men. The red-head was charming, but she only thought so because of his accent. As interesting as they were, she had to say something.
"Excuse me, you're trespassing. This is private property."
She expected for possible anger, but most likely embarrassment. What she didn't prepare herself for was grins, big green eyes sparkling as the Irish man elbowed his Australian companion.
"Oi, Chuu. It's Botan."
She dropped the spade.
"Do I know you?"
The man seemed to fly over to her, he was so light on his feet. He wrapped his lean, muscular arms around her.
"You've cut your hair!" Before Botan could demand release, he let her go. "It's a good look for you."
"T-Thanks, um... did you go to college with me?"
The Aussie chortled loudly, punching her shoulder playfully.
"College? Please, girlie, stop teasin'. We met you at the Dark Tournament." He gave her a coy wink. "I'd never forget such a pretty face."
Botan smiled back, trying not to laugh. They were nice, and seemed to be genuine, but... she couldn't let this continue. Inhaling slowly, Botan tried to be as sincere as she could.
"Thank you, really. You two are sweet, but I'm afraid that you're confusing me with someone else. I've never been to a... Dark Tournament in my life—"
The Irish man's face fell.
"Impossible. Blue hair, pink eyes, gorgeous... you're her."
"No... you're wrong, you see, I'm just a caretaker and I—"
"Jin, Chuu, what's all the noise—?"
A dark man walked out of the trees. He wasn't literally dark, but just seeing him sent other-worldly chills all over her body. Their eyes met, those red... blood red pupils sucking her in. Her breath caught in her throat, her entire body going numb.
"Please... please... don't do this." Those red eyes bored into her's. She saw fear, sorrow, and desperation. "I'll find something... just... don't..."
His hands pressed to her temples.
"I'm sorry."
Tears slid down her cheeks as she began to sob loudly.
"Puh-Please!"
"I'm sorry."
His nails dug into her skull and the world exploded in fiery agony.
Botan came back, ice cold. The dark man was crushing the Irish boy's throat under his boot.
VII
Hiei scowled when he heard three voices. Those idiots. I told them, just call me when they find a human, no conversations! The fire demon made his way back to the little clearing when a female voice buzzed in his ear.
When he finally saw who it belonged to, time broke. He felt as if he had been walking up a flight of stairs and had taken an extra step. For a short moment, he was helpless, frightened, and almost certain that he was going to swallowed up by the ground.
But that quickly faded into rage.
Jin turned, a cheery smile on his face.
"Hiei, look, Botan's come to visit—"
His nose was soon broken by Hiei's fist. Chuu puffed out his chest, and took a swing at the fire demon. His wrist was broken beyond immediate repair. Hiei Jaganshi never looked at the woman, this... imposter.
"If you two... think you are being funny... you have made a grave mistake." Jin clutched his nose, his hands shaking. Chuu paled at the sound of Hiei's voice. It wasn't loud or sharp. It was soft... soft and unstable. It sounded like Hiei was about to cry. "Tell me who put you up to this and I may not kill you." His foot landed on Jin's throat. The Irishman wheezed, tears falling from his eyes. "Tell me! Who told you to do this?"
"N-N-No one..."
"Stop it!" Hiei stopped increasing the pressure to stare at Bo... the human woman. She was beginning to cry. "They didn't do anything. I just came to tell them that they were on p-private property." He didn't lift his foot. "Please, sir, please."
He obeyed, but not because she asked him to. He followed her instructions because his heart hurt so much to see those pink eyes again. The resemblance was truly striking. It's not Botan. Botan is dead. Hiei's eyes were cold as he maintained eye contact even as Jin rolled over, moaning.
"You are?"
"Well, my name is Botan. I'm a caretaker for the Temple."
VIII
The man's face paled. Botan wasn't sure why, but she was almost certain that he didn't pale often. He shook himself, his back straight.
"Just relax. Everything will be fine." He walked forward, blood on his boots. Those red eyes bored into her's. "You won't remember any of this ever happened."
His palms were stiff, and he was moving them to her temples. A wave of nausea swept over her as the strange flash returned.
"NO!"
She threw her hands out, closing her eyes as every part her body willed for this madman to not touch her. A loud snap made the caretaker open her eyes. Her mouth fell open when she saw a tree had cracked in half, two boots falling into it. Did... I do that?
Botan fell over, her hand wrapping around a long stick. The man growled. He sat up, ripping off his head band to reveal... a third eye. Gasping, Botan struggled to stand.
"Who are you?"
His voice wasn't so menacing as she thought it would be. He almost sounded as if he were... pleading with her. Botan's stomach twisted as he walked towards her.
"Stay away! Get away from me!" She rose the stick up, as if it were her shield against a man with unknown abilities. He's going to kill me. Her face darkened when a familiar voice spoke to her. He already has killed you. "STOP!"
He killed you. You told him no, you asked him, he was your friend and he still killed you.
Tears fell from her eyes. Her hands gripped the large stick and she closed her eyes tightly. Dear God, please, take me away. I don't want to die. He was getting closer. Too close. She needed to run! Running isn't fast enough, please...please.
With a mighty jerk, her prayer was answered.
IX
A/N: Thanks for reading. I hoped you liked it. Once again, check out Brink of out Time. Um... did you like this? Too fast, too slow? I love everything, including all types of reviews. Peace out!
-mia