A mix of searing pain yet a soothing chill were the first sensations Hiei became aware of. Trying to take in a deep breath was impossible, choking on blood when attempting it. There was a ringing in his ears as the world spun around him. Opening his eyes in hopes of quelling the dizziness, the fire demon was met with Botan hovering over him, white magic flowing from her hands.
She was muttering something, though the ringing in his ears didn't allow him to hear it clearly. A faint glow of white surrounded her entire form while tears spilled down her cheeks yet her face was of pure determination. The soothing chill morphed into a comfortable warmth, his body repairing bit by bit. His lungs filled with a shaking breath before he coughed out the blood that had filled them before.
Unresponsive to his movements, more of Botan's white magic poured into him. He could see her hands shaking as the ferry woman continued to heal him. Her energy felt so strange; bigger than he'd ever sensed from her before yet he could feel just how low she truly was. Almost like she was being filtered more energy from some outside source.
Knowing he was well enough to survive on his body's own natural healing, Hiei grasped the ferry woman's wrist to stop her. Her amethyst eyes met his, just now realizing he was recovered enough to be awake. The power immediately stopped, causing Botan to fall back onto her butt on the ground. Whole body shaking, exhaustion crept in as her low energy finally revealed itself. Hiei wondered where the filtered energy went (and where it had come from to begin with).
He watched as she took a moment to get her bearings. Hiei had enough energy to shift around but was not even close to walking levels at that moment. Botan, on the other hand, took a long, deep breath before pushing herself into a kneeling position. Hands still shaking, the ferry woman lifted him up onto her back. After a few moments of adjusting, she began carrying the fire demon back to the temple.
As much as Hiei tried not to, his body hung heavily on her. The blood, a thick mixture of his own and Leviathan's, from his clothes stained through Botan's own and onto her skin. She desperately tried not to think about it while hefting him up her back again. The slickness of it made the fire demon slide down from her hold more frequently. He gave a small grunt at the action.
"Do you need a break?" Her tone was concerned as she turned a bit to look at him. Hiei's cheek was resting against one of his arms draped over her
"No, though I could ask the same to you." The words were mumbled out and she could hear the energy it took to say them.
"I'll be fine." Amethyst eyes looked up to the sky, worry beginning to wrap around her. "The sun will be setting before we know it. It's best to keep moving." Using every ounce of determination she could, Botan kept putting one foot in front of the other. Her muscles protested but something within her said that stopping while they were both so weak would only get them killed.
The ferry woman instead focused on getting back to the temple and to Yukina. The ice maiden was probably becoming concerned with each passing minute. She would be worried sick over both of them. The guilt of her friend's distress and the fire demon in her hold helped Botan ignore her aching muscles and heavily thumping heart.
Trying to distract herself some more, she concentrated on the feel of Hiei's legs in her hold. His muscle, even in its relaxed state, was still solid and firm. Each muscle was carefully built, crafted and honed to do exactly what he needed. Not only could the fire demon move faster than she could blink but the heights he could achieve with one leap were astonishing.
His arms, resting heavy against her clavicle and upper chest, were practically sculptures of perfection. His wrists hung together down in front of her, giving Botan the chance to perform a closer inspection of the appendages. His arms were littered with small scars, some old and some new. The dragon rested, coiled around his arm firmly. She'd decided not to wrap it back up, deeming it unimportant in thtat moment.
The dragon always excited her; its raw power quite a force to be reckoned with. Botan couldn't help but to admit that watching Hiei wield the dragon gave her thoughts innocent ferry women shouldn't have. Knowing the type of strength and determination it took to tame such a beast made her heart race with anticipation and exhilaration.
"And lust." A voice tauntingly whispered in her head. Taking a deep breath, Botan did her best to ignore where that voice was trying to take her. "You know the truth as well as I. Watching him hold that kind of power sends your mind to the deep, dark thoughts of what he could do to you instead."
Her heart thudded heavily as she continued moving, not wanting to let the demon in her head influence her. The ferry woman had been okay for a bit after the battle, the demon prince having left her alone during that time. It seemed that something had suppressed him and Botan desperately wished for it back. Now wasn't the time for this.
"When is it the time, Bo'?" The voice, deep and layered, sultry and smooth, asked in a teasingly pouty voice. Heat coursed through Botan's body, flaming the lust that the demon prince was igniting within her. It was both distracting and enticing. "You never make time to care for yourself. Having a body means you have needs. Poor ferry girl, pining away for a demon she can't have. All you have to do is ask him. Learn what it's like to have him pinning you to a bed; what it would feel like to kiss him as he enters-"
"Shut up!" Botan hissed quietly, her teeth grinding a little. The voice went quiet, though a mocking laugh echoed in her brain. The lust that had been building within her remained, trying to muddy her mind.
"Onna?" Hiei muttered near her ear and she flushed at his closeness, hoping his eyes were still closed.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." The words were soft, shame and concern coating them.
"The dragon is restless. Why?" His voice was a little groggy, almost distracting her from his question. She sighed, embarrassment in the sound.
"I don't have the protective ward anymore." Botan quietly spoke, trudging on. She knew that the moment they were safe, her legs would collapse under her. Until then, she kept moving on autopilot despite the physical suffering. "The demon prince can affect me easier."
"What does he do?" The almost sleepy quality to his voice made images of the two of them in bed together pop up in her brain. Shaking her head of the thoughts, Botan focused again.
"He talks to me in my head. Shows me things that he claims I want. I just have to ignore it and keep moving." Her determination sounded tired. "I'm sure someone will show up and drop off the wards they got today. I'll have an easier time after that."
Hiei didn't say anything to that but it didn't bother the bluette. The silence actually helped because every time he talked, it was close to her ear and sent shivers of pleasure down her spine. Ignoring that was incredibly difficult and it wasn't even anything the demon prince of hell had to induce. The level of closeness they were at right now satisfied a deep need within the ferry woman and she was a little terrified to admit just how much she craved more of him touching her.
Gritting her teeth, Botan realized she kept easily falling into that line of thought. Instead of focusing on it, she hefted Hiei yet again and thought about the fact that her current outfit would just have to be thrown away. There was no salvaging it. Then she would take the world's hottest shower and scrub her body of the horrifying reminder that the demon she loved almost died.
She knew that St. Raphael had helped her heal him. In fact, it wasn't the first time she had asked for the Saint's help in regards to the fire demon. He was reckless and easily got into dire straits, some of which he was never meant to wake up from. The fact that the saint helped Botan, thus helping a demon, every time felt important though how wasn't yet clear.
Glancing at the sky again, Botan noted the tight angle of the sun against the horizon. Taking in a deep breath and mustering all of her energy, the ferry woman began to walk a little faster. It hurt fiercely, promising that some of her muscles would be shot once they got back. Hiei was densely packed full of solid muscle, something the ferry woman wasn't used to carrying around. She was surprised her arms hadn't given out yet.
"We're almost there, Botan." Hiei suddenly spoke. While his voice was mostly emotionless, the bluette could hear the recognition in his words. Her determination and steadfast nature weren't going unnoticed by him and it made her heart flutter. Oddly enough, those words gave her just a bit more energy to get them to the temple.
Breaking through the trees, the sight of the temple greeted them. Yukina and Kurama stood at the doorstep, waiting. Upon seeing the duo emerge from the woods, they rushed over. The redhead went to take Hiei but Botan didn't stop. She was going to get them inside on her own, wanting to complete their journey together. Strangely, it felt monumental to her.
It seemed that Hiei's words were just enough for her to get them past the threshold before Botan's knees met the floor and she groaned. She knew there would be bruises, deep ones, but not having the weight on her legs was intense. Hiei slid off her back but was caught by Kurama.
All of her exhaustion, both physically and mentally, caught up to her and Botan let her body slump to the floor. She curled into a ball as her muscles twitched and sent shocks of pain throughout. Gentle hands washed comfortable white magic into one of her calf muscles, easing the ache. She wanted to open her eyes, say thank you to the ice maiden, but there was no energy left to do so.
Instead she laid there, letting her mind drift in and out of consciousness. Hiei's energy signal began to move away; the bluette wanted to protest and ask where he was going but it wasn't possible. Reminding herself that Kurama and Yukina were here to help calmed her down.
"Botan, I'm going to pick you up now." The fox gently spoke before scooping her up. His gait was even, with little jostling, as he carried her somewhere. Next thing Botan knew, there was a comfortable bed beneath her and a blanket over her. Finally, her eyes just barely peeled themselves open.
"The ward…" Saying words took so much effort. "...need new…one."
"I've already put a new one on you. Rest, now." Kurama reassured her but it wasn't enough. She began to rotate her head, looking around. "Other side." Kurama lightly chuckled. Immediately Botan turned her head and relaxed the moment she saw Hiei's spiky hair and sleeping face. Her eyes slipped closed, knowing he was safe.
"Thank you, Botan, for saving him." There was a deep sincerity in his voice that made Botan smile. Sleep took her soon after, though restful it was not.
Sometime later in the night Botan shot up wide awake, putting a hand to her chest before groaning at all the movement. Muddied memories of a dream half formed flickered through her mind but there was nothing substantial to hold onto. Dropping her arm back down, the ferry woman looked over to where Hiei was before she passed out. His crimson eyes were open and on her already, making Botan jump.
"I'm sorry." Frowning a little, the ferry woman looked him over briefly. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"You didn't." Hiei extended his arm to display that the dragon was shifting. "You were dreaming and muttering something."
"I don't remember much but…" Botan found herself clenching and unclenching the blanket in her hands, looking off to the side. "Something horrible was happening." Her breath caught as a memory of a scene in the dream hit her, bringing it all back. "Leviathan…ate you." Tears welled in her eyes. "I couldn't save you."
"It was just a dream, Botan." While she wanted to feel comfort at his words and the fact he used her name yet again, a sense of despair was trying to fill her.
"One day it won't be, though." The words were wet, whispered tightly. Amethyst eyes stared into crimson ones imploringly, intense desperation filling them. "You don't understand."
"What don't I understand?" Hiei shifted into a sitting position, looking at her with a patience she usually only saw him hold for Yukina. Botan sniffled a little, glancing away before meeting his eyes again.
"You don't know how many times I've saved you." His eyes narrowed a little in confusion, brow furrowing some. "Do you remember times you've woken from close calls after battles…farther away from the area than you should have been, all things considered?"
"What are you saying?" The question was quiet, his tone suspicious and a touch worried.
"You were supposed to die today but I saved you." Her hand clutched the blanket again, tears slipping down her cheeks but she maintained eye contact with him. "I'm death. I always know when someone is supposed to die."
"How many times have you prevented my death?" Hiei's eyes were wide as he realized exactly what Botan was implying. Amethyst eyes shifted to look away, a frown marring her face.
"Including today," Botan's voice lowered to a very quiet whisper, "Nine."
"Nine." Hiei repeated back, the word spoken with utter shock in his tone. She nodded her head, fiddling with the rumpled blanket in her hands. "And the others?" When the bluette looked at him again, her head tilted in confusion, he elaborated. "How many times have you saved them?"
"Not counting bringing Yusuke back from limbo, um…" Breaking eye contact, Botan looked out the window. "None."
"None?" The fire demon could only blink, not expecting that answer anymore than her last one.
"You're more daring than they are." He could tell there was more to her answer but somehow knew he wouldn't get anymore out of her at the moment. Besides, Hiei was still exhausted and knew she had to be as well. The dragon had settled down and the demon decided to as well.
"You should sleep, onna." He slipped his eyes closed but Botan didn't move from her spot. Turning her head from the window to his prone form, the ferry woman sent silent thanks up to her patron saint. She didn't know why St. Raphael aided her in keeping Hiei alive but she was grateful nonetheless.
Glancing down, the ferry woman looked for the ward that Kurama said he'd placed on her but only found ash on her clothing instead. A feeling of dread crawled through Botan as she realized that the demon prince burned through that one faster than before. It made her feel exposed and vulnerable, especially with Hiei nearby to look at. That was what was used against her the fastest.
Tired eyes gazed over Hiei's sleeping form. At some point, he had taken his shirt off and that was the exact moment that Botan realized she hadn't gotten the chance to shower. The errant thought that the futons would need to be burned to be rid of the blood stains ran through her mind. Shaking her head a little, the ferry woman slid out of her futon and padded over to the closet.
Pulling out a yukata and towels, she made her way to the bathroom. Without thought, Botan slid open the door and stepped inside, closing it behind her. She undressed, eyes practically closed in tiredness, and started the shower. The moment hot water hit her skin, the ferry woman believed she'd found heaven.
Using a washcloth, the bluette lathered shower gel onto it. The scent of lavender filled the room as steam billowed around. She scrubbed every inch of her body, desperate to get any caked blood or body parts off of herself. Washing her hair took three times before it felt clean enough to condition. Finally, though, Botan's shower came to an end.
After turning off the water, the ferry woman stepped out and began drying herself off. Wrapping the towel around her body, Botan took another towel and put up her hair. Going up to the sink, she picked up her toothbrush. Movement in the mirror caught her eye and that was when Botan remembered the whole reflection thing.
Heart thumping, she slowly looked up to greet her reflection. A nasty, cheeky grin was on her face and her eyes were narrowed in mildly sadistic amusement. Botan couldn't break the stare, something that she was sure the demonic reflection knew. For a long moment, the two just stared at each other as dread filled her.
"You could make things easy on yourself, you know." The reflection spoke. Watching her reflection move without her input made Botan's head spin. Sinister amethyst eyes looked her up and down. "All you'd have to do is go into that room just as you are and beg. Sure, it would cost your dignity but when has that ever mattered in the grand scheme of things? Besides, you'd get exactly what you've been craving."
"You won't get me that easily." Botan's reflection merely raised an amused eyebrow at the defiance.
"This is more effort than I need to do." It taunted her, the grin turning wicked. "All I have to do is provide a little thought in your head and you willing run wild with it, desperate for its reality."
"I've withstood stronger things than you." Botan gritted her teeth as the reflection grinned. She could feel the demon prince slipping into her mind, his layered and echoing presence filling it. It wrapped around her, holding her hostage to whatever he wanted to do.
"Don't you know lying's a sin?" Her reflection teased, leaning forward a little. Botan felt her heart thud in her chest as a viscous and heavy feeling began to swim through her veins. It made her heady, fogging her thoughts. "I can feel how tired of holding off you are. What good is living if you don't have a life?"
"What would you know about having a life?" Botan hissed back, her body held immobile by the demon prince's actions. "All you do is play with others lives instead!"
"Don't get cute, Botan." Her reflection sneered a little before smirking smugly. "I'm just guiding you to your true wants. You're the one who can't resist what I'm showing you. You can lead a horse to water and all of that." Her reflection waved it's hand dismissively.
Botan's jaw clenched as she tried to ignore the demon taunting her. He forced her body to pool lust inside of her belly and played the memory of Hiei's body pressed against her frame. She fought following the trail the demon prince wanted her to but it was nearly impossible as he fed ideas into her mind. Botan's eyes tightly closed as she felt the pull of the thoughts.
"Oh don't frown, Bo'! It's not all bad down here and besides, you will finally get what you've been wanting for years." The reflection cackled right before the door burst open and Hiei rushed in.