Chapter Seventeen: Brothers' Defeat
The battle between the brothers and Kainna's teammates were underway. The smaller brother had transformed himself into a sword for the taller brother while the taller one transformed to an even larger demon with muscles protruding against his skin. He attacked Yusuke and Kuwabara with a quick strike, moving faster than anyone expected. Kainna was trying to pay attention while also giving subtle hints to Yukina. While her teammates were fighting, Kainna knew she should try to help Yukina escape while they were distracted. But when Kainna finally caught Yukina's eyes and motioned to the door, reminding her of the plan, Yukina shook her head stubbornly. Her worried eyes returned back to the arena; they were focused primarily on Kuwabara. Kainna sighed and returned her gaze as well to the fight, she couldn't force Yukina to listen without drawing the attention of the other guards in the room. Besides, Kainna wasn't exactly happy leaving her teammates alone with the Toguro brothers either.
Kainna watched as Kuwabara deflected Toguro's attacked before being forced into the wall from the sheer power of the demon. He concentrated his energy, fully intent on killing Kuwabara when Yusuke shot his spirit gun at him. Although catching him by surprise, Toguro easily dodged it but was right in Yusuke's path when he released his shotgun. A cloud of smoke covered the arena before showing that Toguro was unharmed. Yusuke glared at the demon before he ran at him. Toguro swung his sword at Yusuke which he dodged before aiming his finger right at Toguro's head.
"What about point blank!?" Yusuke yelled before releasing his energy.
"What!?" Tarukane sat up in his seat as he started to look worried for his fighter. While the guards were distracted as well, Kainna moved around Yukina. She placed herself between Yukina and Tarukane, ensuring Yukina was now closer to the door with Kainna in between her and Tarukane. Just in case.
The smoke cleared from Toguro again only to show that his brother had transformed last minute into a shield. Before Yusuke could react, Toguro punched him across the room. Kainna winced, that looked much harder than the smack she had received before. Yusuke laid on the floor for a moment before managing to get up on his feet.
"I thought you two would provide much more entertainment than this." Toguro said before unleashing a set of attacks on Kuwabara and Yusuke.
"Those Toguros are invincible, I can already smell my money coming in." Tarukane cheered from his seat. Yukina closed her eyes in despair, she couldn't watch it.
"Yusuke! Kuwabara! You guys better get up and fight or I'll have to come down there and really show you two up!" Kainna yelled down to her teammates.
"Yea, no sweat! I'm just getting warmed up!" Yusuke yelled back as Toguro kneed him in the stomach. Kainna winced as Yusuke spit out some blood. She was going to have a lot to heal after this.
"Feel free to take a little bit of extra time with them Toguro. I know how much you demons like to torture." Tarukane turned his attention over to the two demonesses. He reached towards Yukina but found Kainna standing in front of her, pushing his hand away.
"Hey, what's with the long faces. After your teammates loose, we three are going on a nice vacation." He turned his attention to Yukina, who was looking down at the floor barely suppressing her tears. "Why aren't you looking baby? I know that's the way you like it, humans getting killed cause of you. Just like that last one." Yukina's eyes snapped open at his words while Kainna stepped closer to Tarukane, blocking his view of Yukina.
"I'm going to enjoy seeing you bleed." Kainna spoke with an evil smirk. She knew Koenma's rules, no killing humans. But like Tarukane said, demons did love torture. Tarukane looked over the demon with barely contained worry.
"Yea... yea, you can't do nothing with those cuffs' lady." Kainna looked down, hiding her face from him. Her smirk grew, as long as he thought they still worked.
"Disgraceful." Kuwabara brought their attention back to the arena where Toguro had Yusuke by the neck of his shirt, ready to give him another beating. Kuwabara stood opposed, his spirit energy giving him a gold glow,
"You call yourself a man? Seeing you makes me sick." He addressed Tarukane who gave the orders to Toguro to finish off Kuwabara. Kuwabara attacked with his spirit sword, not even landing a hit. He was punched away only to make it by Yusuke's side. They seemed to say something to each other before they Kuwabara ran towards Toguro again, his spirit sword raised high. Toguro raised his own sword, fully intent on chopping Kuwabara in two until Yusuke rose to his feet. With a scream he shot Kuwabara with his spirit gun, launching him into Toguro. The sword penetrated his abdomen, bringing him down to the floor. Kainna watched in disbelief, there was no way they defeated them that easily. But there Toguro laid, unmoving.
"Move to plan B, start the chopper and make sure Yukina is with us." Tarukane addressed his guards. Kainna's eyes flashed before she snapped the chain of her cuffs. She flipped backwards over Yukina and struck down the two human guards that had surrounded her. Kainna hardly had to apply any spirit energy in her blows, one strike to the head and they were out. Regular humans were so weak. She kicked their guns away to the other side of the room before running back in front of Yukina, providing herself as a barrier between her and Tarukane again. Just as Kainna was about to make him scream, the door to the room slid open.
Hiei entered the room. His eyes noticed the immobilized guards on the floor first before they moved to the 3 people left in the room. Yukina had her arms pulled to her chest in a protective stance, her body being pushed against the wall as Kainna stood in a protective pose in front of her. Hiei could tell his sister was safe, he could feel enough energy from her to tell that Kainna must have healed her at some point in order to have that much after being held captive. Satisfied that she was safe, his eyes flickered to Kainna. He was less happy with her state compared to the last time he saw her.
Her hair that was neatly brushed before was roughed up, strands were sticking out of the parts of her hair that had braids and most of them were stuck to her face. Her eyes which were so carefully lined in black were smudged, from either sweat or tears Hiei was unsure if he wanted to know. His eyes trailed down her dirty kimono to her hands that were placed defensively in front of her. Hiei's blood boiled as he noticed the energy cuffs dangling off her bloody wrists, the skin underneath looked raw and abused. She must not have enough energy to heal herself or be saving it. Either way, Hiei was displeased. His eyes flashed dangerously to Tarukane.
"The game's over, you ugly fool. I saw the wards hung in the tower. That explains why I couldn't find Yukina with my Jagan eye. But you can't run from death forever. You sealed your fate when you took her too." Hiei addressed Tarukane but motioned to Kainna. Kainna blinked, Hiei knew she was taken as well? But, judging from his tone, he had no idea it was part of her mission.
"Spare me! I'll give as much money as you want. The broad behind you can produce jewels from her eyes. We can pump millions from her. Especially with the other one healing her. She's not too bad to have around either, especially with how she looks. I'm sure with some convincing she can make a great companion for you. What do you say?" Tarukane tried to convince Hiei. Hiei growled, his eyes narrowing as he felt bloodlust take over. Not only did Tarukane try to sell torturing his sister to him, but to include Kainna like she was his to give. The anger that was bubbling in him now started to overflow. To offer him Kainna, like this pathetic human owned her. And to insinuate what she could be forced to do for him. Like he would force Kainna into anything with him. What had Tarukane forced her to do? Was that why her face was stained with tears? Without thinking, Hiei punched Tarukane who in turn flew across the room and smashed into the glass window. Hiei followed through, fully intent on beating the human to death with his own hands. Kainna watched, completely enthralled. She had never seen Hiei so angry, he wasn't even using any of his spirit energy in his punches. Kainna watched as punch after punch came from him, her eyes trailing over his form. His shoulders were tensed, his fist so tight she could see the veins extending from his his wrist and disappearing under his sleeve. She could just picture his muscles flexing underneath his coat. Was it bad she found him attractive at this moment?
"Stop it Hiei, don't kill him!" Yusuke yelled, snapping Kainna out of her daze. Yusuke was right, even if she wanted Hiei to, he couldn't kill Tarukane.
"They're just afraid of justice." Hiei reasoned before lifting Tarukane by his collar, fully intending to kill him with one last punch.
"Stop!" Yukina yelled, placing her hand on Hiei's shoulder just as Kainna caught his fist. She had moved a moment before Yukina, not knowing that she as well was going to try and stop him. Kainna caught Hiei's punch easily, as it wasn't that much of a fight between the two. Hiei looked between the two demons, confusion coated his face.
"Please stop, no more!" Yukina begged. Hiei shifted his eyes towards her.
"Are you crazy? Is this not the man who tortured you and enslaved you both?" Hiei questioned, his voice in disbelief that these two women would stop him. Kainna let go of his fist now that he seemed less volatile. Hiei's eyes snapped back towards her, his hand that she had held had bruises and scrapes along his knuckles from where it came into contact with Tarukane's face. Kainna's cold palms had dulled the pain to a numbing feeling that now was absent since she had let go.
"He is, but I have to bear that. Taking his life won't wash away all that he's done to me. It will only bring more pain and nightmares. Please no more, I can't take it." Yukina sniffled, directing Hiei back to her. She let go of his shoulder as more tears streamed down her face; turning into the jewels Tarukane so desperately wanted.
"Understood, I won't make you cry. He's too worthless for that." Hiei's gaze softened as he addressed his sister. He took a step away from Tarukane, letting him fall onto the floor unconscious.
"You seem familiar, but I'm not sure why. Who are you?" Yukina asked. Kainna stayed quiet as she moved away from Tarukane as well and approached the siblings. Hiei looked shocked by what Yukina said, his eyes wide as he stared at her before looking down at the arena.
"No one, just a member of the team." Yukina also looked down at the arena before spotting Kuwabara struggling to get up.
"Oh no, I forgot about them." She said before rushing towards the staircase. "You've already healed me enough Kainna, let me help your friends." Yukina called back with a warm smile. Kainna smiled back and waved her off, there was no need for her to heal them as Kainna's energy was replenished but she thought perhaps letting her would make her feel better. Hiei turned to face Kainna fully now, his eyes raking over her body again.
"I can't imagine you hold the same sentiments about killing as Yukina does. Why did you stop me from ending this filth's life?" Hiei asked, his anger now returning as he gazed upon her face. He noticed dirt and scratches along her cheek bones, scrapes what he could only assume was cause by Tarukane and his goons.
"You're right, I would have enjoyed watching you spill his blood." Kainna admitted. Hiei felt a thrill of pleasure jolt through his body at her words, he would spill any blood that she demanded if she enjoyed it so. "But I would have missed my sparring partner." Hiei didn't respond, he hadn't thought of the consequences to his actions. Killing Tarukane would have ensured his permanent imprisonment, one where he would never see Kainna again.
Kainna shifted her feet as Hiei continued to stare at her, she awkwardly brushed a stray hair away from her face as she fidgeted. Hiei was reminded of her cuffs as they came into view again, her bloody wrist brought back to his attention.
"Are these still active? Is that why you aren't healing?" Hiei questioned as he caught her hand within his own. Kainna felt her face heat up as she felt his warm hand encompass her own cold ones.
"No, I just didn't want to waste any of my energy healing in case I had to make a run for it with Yukina. But I guess we are safe now." Kainna explained before allowing her energy to return to healing herself. Within seconds her body was healed, the stained blood being the only memory of her pain. Hiei held onto her hand, studying her wrist to make sure she was healed although he could feel the cool rush of her energy flow under his hand in her skin, a small taste of the feeling he missed. His eyes zeroed in on the cuffs that still remained on her wrist, the last reminder of his anger. He let go of her hand and grabbed the one cuff with both hands so that it wouldn't dig into her skin again before pulling it apart. Kainna shivered at his strength, again he did not need his spirit energy to completely snap the cuff in two. He grabbed her other hand and did the same, letting the cuffs drop onto the floor with a metallic clang. His hand stayed on her forearm; his eyes stuck on the dried blood of her wrist.
"Hiei?" Kainna brought his attention back to her face, her eyes searched his.
"Thank you." He murmured. "For helping my sister." Kainna smiled, a sweet smile that made it difficult for Hiei to keep eye contact with her, a small blush dusted his face.
"Of course." She answered simply. Hiei's grip on her forearm tightened. He fought impulses he didn't think he would ever have. To pull her into him, to hold her flush against him, to nuzzle his face into her hair and feel the soft strands against his face. He left her for a day and look what happened. If it were up to him, she wouldn't be leaving his side ever again. The only hint to his thoughts was the small twitch of his fingers that left a pleasant burning sensation on Kainna's skin.
"My my, I rushed all the way here but it appears my trip was a waste." A melodic voice broke the two out of their daze. Kainna moved away out of reflex just as Hiei dropped her arm. Both turned to look at the doorway where Kurama stood, an easy smile on his face. Hiei scowled at his friend.
"Why come at all if you were going to be this late." Hiei grumbled, more upset that Kurama had intruded on his time with Kainna than anything else.
"Koenma sent me, he was worried when he heard that the Toguro brothers were the demons that had captured Kainna." Kurama turned to Kainna now. "He wanted me to convey his apologies, he never would have arranged for you to get captured if he had known they were the demons behind it." Hiei stuffed his hands into his pockets, a frown on his face.
"Arranged? Was it part of Koenma's plans for you to get captured and tortured?" Hiei growled out. Perhaps he should be planning a visit to the baby.
"It was part of the plan for me to get captured but it was only to ensure that I would be able to save Yukina if it came down to it. And besides being tossed around a little, I wouldn't say I was tortured." Kainna explained, her hands held up in defense. But that only made her case worse as Hiei's gaze was once again directed to her bloody wrist. Intended or not, she had been in pain.
"Why would you even agree to it?" Hiei questioned further. Kainna's expression turned from one of nervousness to surprise.
"Because she's your sister." Kainna answered. Hiei didn't have a response to that, in fact her answer had made him speechless. He turned his gaze back to the arena where Yukina was healing Kuwabara.
"Well, it looks like we got a full house, huh?" Yusuke broke the silence as he entered the room with Botan. He looked around at the guards who were still knocked out. "Was this you, Hiei? Or did Kainna get to them before you?" Yusuke asked with a grin. Hiei turned back to the group and crossed his arms, his gaze settling on Yusuke. There was a lot things Hiei wanted to say, but he held his tongue for now.
"Kainna of course, I would have killed them." He admitted as he walked towards the door.
"They are human too, Hiei." Kainna said with a roll of her eyes as she followed him, unaware of the eyes that were watching the two. "Koenma still would have punished you for killing them too." Yusuke watched as Kainna followed Hiei with a smile on her lips, she caught up to him easily as they both walked into the hallway. Hiei paused, allowing her to take a few steps ahead of him before he followed. Both Yusuke and Kurama noticed the protective position he took; he walked a few steps behind her, his shoulders tensed, his eyes never leaving Kainna's form as he stuffed his hands into his pockets and followed after her with a soft expression. Neither waited for their teammates.
"Well, what do you think is going on there?" Botan asked with a smirk as they decided to follow the two demons, leaving Kuwabara and Yukina alone. Hiei and Kainna were a few yards ahead of them, completely in their own world. Hiei was watching Kainna talk, his eyes moving from her face to her hands as she used them to describe whatever she was talking about. Yusuke shrugged as a response to Botan but allowed a smile to grace his lips.
"I'm sure we'll figure it out before they do."
The whole group eventually made it outside onto the delicately manicured lawn. Yukina and Kuwabara were the last ones out of the mansion and joined the group with timid yet happy expressions as they stole glances at one another. Kainna thought it was cute and a good choice on Yukina's side considering it looked as if Kuwabara would impale himself on his own sword before ever letting harm come to her. Kainna glanced over at Hiei, he didn't look as happy. His eyes were settled in a glare at the two but since Yukina was unaware of exactly who he was, he couldn't raise his concerns to her. He just hoped her taste in men might improve with time and might even change to other demons instead of a human. Hiei wrinkled his nose at the thought of her settling with the oaf. At least for now it seemed like just a crush, he could deal with that.
"Yukina dear, Koenma has set up a portal to the demon realm not too far from here. We'll leave whenever you're ready." Botan addressed the girl with a smile. Yukina's eyes brightened; she couldn't wait to finally get home. But there was something she needed to do before she could go.
"Thank you all for helping me." Yukina bowed to the group. She straightened back up as they responded kindly to her, her eyes locking onto Kainna's. She quickly approached her and uncharacteristically threw her hands around Kainna and pulled her into a tight hug. Kainna laughed and returned the hug, not noticing as a pair of red eyes watched the two intently, a curious expression on his face.
"Kainna, I can't thank you enough for what you've done." Tears pricked Yukina's vision as she separated from the moon demon. "If you didn't come when you did, I don't know if I could have withstood their torture. Your companionship this past day really helped me pull through." Kainna smiled softly at the girl.
"Oh, come on Yukina, I worked so hard to stop you from crying." Kainna teased as she wiped away a tear from the corner of Yukina's eye. It turned into a jewel either way, dropping lightly into Kainna's hand. Yukina closed Kainna's fingers around it, a gift.
"I know, you even bit that smaller Toguro demon for me." Yukina laughed now that she said it, but it was true. "I'm sorry you had to get hurt though."
"You bit one of the brothers?!" Yusuke asked in disbelief. Kainna laughed awkwardly.
"Why would you do something like that?" Kurama questioned further. Hiei didn't speak but his eyes were on Kainna, waiting for a response.
"I was handcuffed, how else was I supposed to stop him? Besides, he punched like a bitch anyways." Kainna responded. Hiei looked away as anger consumed him once again. Kainna was a fighter, she was bound to get hurt and Hiei accepted that. But to smack her around while she was cuffed and unable to fight properly wasn't right, it unsettled him. There was no honor in fighting like that and to know Kainna had been treated that way, well he hoped her bite hurt at least.
"And she saved one of the birds." Yukina supplied with a smile. Hiei's gaze snapped back to Kainna, a glare settling on his face.
"You attacked him for a bird?" Hiei couldn't help but ask. He would have rather the bird died and Kainna remain untouched.
"Well yea, they were Yukina's birds." Kainna explained simply. Hiei's gaze then turned to Yukina, who looked at Hiei sheepishly.
"They were my only companions, before Kainna I mean. I'm sorry she got hurt because of me." Yukina apologized, bowing again to Hiei. Hiei looked away, an embarrassed expression on his face. His sister apologizing to him for Kainna made it seem as if he had a claim on the moon demon, one that he wanted but currently didn't have.
"I don't know why you are apologizing to me." He murmured looking away from her and happened to catch Kurama's eye. Kurama only smirked, it was entertaining to see Hiei squirm for once.
"Aren't you..." Yukina trailed off, now realizing her mistake. She had seen how Kainna and Hiei looked at one another, how they were always within arm's reach of each other, how protective he seemed of her. With all of this she had thought they were together, but apparently, she was wrong. She quickly backpedalled before she embarrassed her saviors even further. "Well, either way I am sorry for the trouble I caused." Yukina now turned back to Kainna, who was listening with a kind smile on her face. She had figured Hiei thought her stupid for getting hurt over a bird, so she was glad Yukina changed topics before he could make fun of her for it. Little did she know Hiei's true feelings on the matter.
With a final goodbye, Yukina followed Botan and Kuwabara into the forest. It would have just been the two girls but Kuwabara made a quick decision to follow them just in case there were other demons prowling around, or at least that was the excuse he gave them. Anything to prolong the time with his Yukina. With the team now split, the four remaining started there long walk back to civilization.
"Hey, Kainna?" Yusuke spoke after a few minutes of silent walking. Kainna tilted her head to look over at Yusuke, Hiei's hair slightly blocking her view as he had taken the spot next to her. "You were alright with Yukina, right? You'd tell me if they did anything to you." The question caught Hiei's attention, his eyes sliding over to Kainna. Everyone could understand what Yusuke had implied, if they had done anything inappropriate with her... if they had done more than the physical abuse she had told before.
"Besides tossing me around with the cuffs on, nothing else happened." Kainna reassured with a smile. Hiei let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. If she had said something else, he wasn't sure how he was going to be able to control himself from finishing the job with Tarukane. "I was able to break free of the cuffs a few hours after being imprisoned with Yukina so, even if they wanted to try something, I would have sent them to the afterlife." Kainna looked over at Hiei. "Yukina also told me that most of her torture involved burning her with the wards, they didn't touch her otherwise." Hiei didn't have a response, although his shoulders relaxed a bit more. At least he didn't have to wonder about that.
"Well, I'm glad this is all over now. It's nice to have the team all back together." Kurama supplied. They continued walking together for a few miles until they reached a point in the forest that would part the group into two. Genkai's dojo was Northwest while the city was located East. The group stopped once they reached a clearing. Yusuke had to hold his tongue when he noticed yet again that Hiei had grouped himself with Kainna, although he was sure Hiei's camp wasn't located so close to Genkai's dojo. It seemed it was implied who was going with whom, Yusuke smirked.
"Well, Hiei it's been nice saving your sister and all, but I gotta return Kainna back to Genkai now." Yusuke spoke nonchalantly. Hiei's eyes narrowed into a glare, a pout of annoyance settling on his lips. Yusuke smirked, there was no way Hiei could say anything without indicating his fondness for the moon demon. Hiei didn't like being backed into a corner, especially when it involved his complicated emotions that he wasn't willing to face at the moment. Couldn't he just spend some alone time with Kainna without everyone making a fuss about it?
"You aren't coming with me." Kainna's stern tone broke through the staring contest. Yusuke looked baffled, he hadn't expected Kainna to be so bold. Hiei smirked.
"What?"
"How many days has it been since you talked to Keiko? It must be around two, by now. Did you tell her you were going anywhere?" Kainna scolded Yusuke, it was only a day and a half ago that Keiko had asked Yusuke to communicate better with her. Did he forget already?
Any plot of embarrassing Hiei left Yusuke's mind immediately once he registered Kainna's words. His mind returning to the conversation he had with Keiko after he had woken up from the battle of Maze's Castle. He did promise her. Crap.
"I've got to go; she's going to be pissed. If I run now, I might be able to make it to her house before it gets too late." Yusuke all but talked to himself as he looked around the forest in a panic. Finally seeing the outskirts of the city, he took off at a steady pace. "I'll see you guys later!" He called back. Kainna giggled watching him go, he forgot but at least he cared enough to fix it.
"Well, I guess I will take my leave now as well. Unless you would prefer that I take you to Genkai's?" Kurama asked with a kind smile. Unlike Yusuke, he wasn't doing this to rile Hiei up, but offered just in case Kainna wanted his help as well. It didn't stop Hiei from glaring at him either though. Kainna smiled politely.
"No, thank you. You must have a longer travel time through the city, I wouldn't want to trouble you. Besides," Kainna looked over her shoulder at Hiei who quickly wiped the glare off his face. "Hiei owes me. Right, Hiei?" She asked with a grin. Hiei looked surprised for a moment, she wanted to spend time with him? He smiled, a small chuckle coming from his lips.
"That I do."
"So, its settled then." Kurama waved at the two as he started making his way down the path Yusuke had made. He paused before turning back around. "Don't keep her all to yourself Hiei, I would also like to get to spar with my new teammate as well sometime." Kurama had a kind smile on his face but Hiei could easily detect his teasing tone underneath, he was pushing it. A blush coated Kainna's face at Kurama's words, did they spend that much time together? Kainna glanced at Hiei to see if he was mad being stuck with her again, but calm red eyes met her own. If anything, he seemed content.