InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Not So Young Anymore ❯ Chapter 4, Figured You Out, Nickelback ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: YuYu Hakusho belongs to Yoshihiro Togashi. InuYasha is solely Rumiko Takahashi's. I own neither, as I am not those two. So don't even think to sue me. You wouldn't get anything, because I make no claim to these two kick ass works. Duh.

 

-+-+-+ Chapter 4, Figured You Out, Nickelback +-+-+-

 

Sango shook her head. “No, InuYasha. He needs a sword that can grow with his strength. He needs a youkai katana, like your Tessaiga. Something that only he can wield and force his power through.” The half-breed shrugged his shoulders.

 

“Who'll make a sword like that for tha squirt?” InuYasha stared at Sango curiously. The rest of the group, Hiei included, gazed at the tajiya silently.

 

“Toutousai.”

 

Everyone blinked in surprise. “That old geezer?” The hanyou quipped. “Yeah, I guess he's good enough.” He lazily scratched his cheek. “Something that can handle flames…” The teen paused briefly. “Speaking of fire…” He turned his glittering amber eyes onto the young hiyoukai. “I've never really seen you shoot off any fire. What's keepin ya from doin' it, gaki?”

 

The tajiya sighed softly. “That's also another reason why I wanted to go to Toutousai… Hiei… May I?” She looked at him, silently asking his permission to delve the information.

 

“Hn.” Was his squeaky answer.

 

Sango, taking that as a yes, continued. “Hiei can't produce a flame. And I don't know why, so I thought it would be a good idea to go to Toutousai, since he's a hiyoukai as well.” The group gazed at Hiei openly.

 

Kagome looked down at his spiky head and worried her bottom lip. “You can't make fire?” He nodded, glaring silently at the dying embers in the fire-pit. No one noticed the sparking coals.

 

“Hmm…” Miroku caught the room's attention. Rubbing his thumb and forefinger on his chin, the raven-haired male scrutinized the youth. “Maybe he's a late bloomer?” Sango sighed softly.

 

“I thought of that, but wouldn't he have died already from the youki overload?” The houshi nodded sagely.

 

“Yes, he would have. Maybe his youki is being blocked by something else. Do you mind if I look at your aura closely, Hiei-kun?” The fire youkai stood up and marched over to the monk. Standing in front of him proudly, Hiei tilted his head back and awaited the monk's probing touches.

 

Miroku rested his large hand on top of Hiei's spiky head and closed his eyes. His brows creased as his energy poured into the tiny demon's body. A few minutes passed and Hiei was ready to tear the monk's hand off for being on his person so long.

 

A startled gasp had the hiyoukai jerking out of the houshi's hold. “What?” He growled.

 

The amethyst-eyed male stared unabashed at the diminutive boy. “I-it can't be.” He whispered before roughly grabbing at the suddenly squirming child. “Do you know who your parent's are?” The monk questioned, forcing Hiei in his lap.

 

The annoyed youkai growled up at him. “I don't know! Those damned bandits found me fifty years ago! Let me go, bouzu!” Hiei squirmed in Miroku's rough hold.

 

He let the child go, who instantly raced over to Kagome and grabbed at his katana threateningly. Miroku's bright, glittering, plum-colored eyes stared unseeingly at the wall in front of him. “It's not possible! Someone like him shouldn't even exist…” His dark orbs instantly locked with the tiny youkai's. “How did you survive, Hiei-kun? Y-you shouldn't even be alive…”

 

“Miroku-sama! What's wrong?” Kagome cuddled the miniscule boy tightly, pressing his pale face in her bosom.

 

The monk didn't say anything for a moment, eyes locked solely on the orphan's every movement. His voice was deep, a grumbling tenor that was unusual, unless he was completely serious. “Hiei is an Imiko, Kagome-sama. He shouldn't even be alive, his elements too conflicting to be stuck in that body of his.”

 

No one spoke for a few minutes.

 

It was Kagome who eventually broke the silence. “What's an Imiko?” She asked seriously. Her stormy orbs flashed dangerously, warning any who dared deny her the desired information a painful beating.

 

Sango answered. “An Imiko, or Cursed Child, is an offspring of two different species of demons. Like, a dog and a wolf mating and producing a wolf-dog hybrid.” InuYasha growled at the analogy. The tajiya ignored him. “What do you mean `his elements too conflicting', Houshi-sama? What are Hiei-kun's elements?”

 

The monk's voice was grave. “Fire… And ice.” Kagome's eyes widened.

 

“B-but… Fire melts ice! H-how can he have both elements inside him?” She looked down at the diminutive hybrid in awe. “You must have a strong will, Hiei-kun.” She surmised, lightly touching the tip of his nose with her finger.

 

Miroku nodded. “Sumimasen, Hiei-kun. I did not mean to handle you so roughly. I was merely surprised to find such different elements inside of you. Do you accept my apology?”

 

“Hn.”

 

Kagome giggled softly and cuddled the tiny demon happily. “He does, Miroku-sama!” She rubbed Hiei's cheek softly with the back of her forefinger absently as she spoke. “So, what are we going to do, now? Are we still going to see Toutousai-san, or are we gonna get Hi-chan a different sword-smith to make him a sword?”

 

The group silently thought it over. “Well, really, its up to Hiei-kun. If he wants to learn how to control his main element, fire, then we must find him a suitable hiyoukai to teach him. I think Toutousai would be a good choice.” Sango murmured contemplatively.

 

“And Hiei-kun can get a new sword in the process!” Kagome added.

 

They turned expectant eyes onto the silent hiyoukai. Hiei blinked at the sudden spotlight before turning his head away with a soft snort. He was silent and Kagome continued to thread her fingers through the velvet soft hair. “Hi-chan…?” She murmured and the child looked up at her questioningly. “Do you want to see Toutousai-san?”

 

He shrugged indifferently and the group decided they would go see the old hiyoukai.

 

The inu-tachi quickly snuggled down in their respective beds, Miroku and Sango beside each other (Kirara between them), InuYasha in his corner, Kaede under her futon and covers and Kagome sandwiched (sort of) in between Shippou and Hiei. The group slept peacefully that night and woke early in the morning, quickly ate and were on the move not an hour after sunrise.

 

InuYasha raced ahead of everyone, Kagome firmly planted on his back. His long fingers held onto the silky miko's thighs tightly. Kami, how he loved when she rode with him anywhere. It gave him free grounds to grope her and not get beaten up, unlike a certain monk he knew. For four years, the hanyou was given free passage to the oblivious priestess's long legs when they traveled. Miroku had called him out on it once (or twice… or a few hundred times, he lost count after fifty-six) after a year of traveling with them, and asked if he kept his hands that high up Kagome's legs on purpose. The hanyou denied anything the hentai houshi said, but mentally kicked himself in the head for being so obvious.

 

So, over the years, he had devised a foolproof plan. Every touchdown, and forceful jump, he would squeeze Kagome's supple thighs and run his thumb over the soft flesh. He coped a feel and didn't get slapped in the process.

 

She thought he was making sure she didn't fall off, the dumb girl.

 

The half-breeds mind was dragged from his perverse thoughts as a black blur speed up beside him. His golden eyes narrowed in anger. Ever since that little fucker had started traveling with them, he contently hung off of his miko. InuYasha knew what the hybrid was doing. `Covering my scent with his. Like he could compete for Kagome when she so obviously loves me.' The hanyou didn't like the hiyoukai. He was trying to move on the half demon's territory (Kagome) and it was annoying him. Well, really, it was pissing him off.

 

Every time he rubbed up against Kagome, or had her ride with him, Hiei would cover InuYasha's scent with that disgusting coal and burnt cheery-wood stink.

 

Hiei was an infuriating love combatant.

 

Both the hanyou and the hybrid wanted the miko for themselves. That was one of the reasons they didn't get along, the hanyou concluded. Otherwise, he was sure they could at least be civil to the other. But no, that kusogaki had Shippou play little, annoying pranks on him to get Kagome all to himself. And the fox was in on it, InuYasha knew it. Why else would the kitsune do those mean things to him?

 

Ignoring his conscious that told him it was his fault that Shippou pranked him constantly because of how he treated the kit, InuYasha landed harder then usual on a thicker branch. Kagome made a loud `oofing' sound and gripped his shoulders tightly. “Oi, InuYasha, can we make a pit stop?” The teen snorted but dropped down to the ground underneath the tree.

 

The priestess slid from his back and raced into the woods a few feet away from them.

 

Kirara landed not to far from them and let her passengers off. She quickly turned back to her tiny state with a mighty swirl of her reddish orange flames. Trotting next to Sango the nekomata watched Shippou silently as he raced over to the hanyou and jumped up to hang of his arm.

 

“InuYasha! Are we stoppin' to eat?” He quipped and the rest of the group nodded their heads encouragingly. The inu grunted in agreement.

 

“Yay!” A voice called behind them. The group watched Kagome jog out from the woods, brushing off her skirt in the process. “Good, cause I'm hungry.” She giggled softly before turning serious. “Hey, InuYasha… Uh… Could you take Hiei-kun hunting with you this time? I know you two don't get along that well… So… Maybe this could help your… relationship?” The miko threaded her fingers in front of her bosom and stared imploringly at the half demon.

 

InuYasha wrinkled his nose before an idea popped into his head. He could get Kagome to like him more and get the little basterd off his miko at the same time. “Feh.” He stated and stalked away. “Come on, Runt.”

 

Hiei's eyes narrowed at the hanyou's back but followed after him silently.

 

When they were a good ways away from the group, InuYasha turned to him and stared the hiyoukai down. “Back. Off.” He hissed.

 

The child bared his tiny fangs before jumping into a tree to be better leveled with the half-breed. “No.” He snarled back.

 

“Look, the only reason I let you hang off Kagome so much is because she likes you—” Hiei tilted his head back importantly. “As a son.” The tiny youkai's shoulders dropped like a lead weight. “She'll only see you as a child, for that is what you are in her eyes. Kagome doesn't know about demons like Sango does, and even she thinks you're just a child, same as Shippou. I may not know much about hiyoukai, but from what I've gathered, they're able to pick out their mates at an early age, like inu and kitsune can.”

 

The hanyou stepped threateningly towards the flabbergasted hybrid. “But… Kagome is mine. Was mine long before you came into the picture.” He pointed a long claw at Hiei. “So back the fuck off before I have to slit your throat. I'm only givin' ya one warning, gaki, and you better heed it. Otherwise I won't be held responsible for what my youkai does.” That said, InuYasha turned away and marched deeper into the woods. “Lets get somethin' ta eat. I'm fuckin' starvin'.”

 

It was an eight day's travel to the active volcano where Toutousai resided. In that time, Hiei seemed to grow more attached to Kagome, even going as far as trying to follow her to the bathroom. The miko had blushed and pushed the apparition away from her, murmuring something along the lines as: “This is Kagome time, Hiei-kun.”

 

And InuYasha was easier to agitate, it seemed. Even the tiniest thing set him off, like when Miroku had been talking to Kagome and touched her shoulder lightly, the hanyou had snarled and kicked the monk away.

 

Kagome sat him a good few times for that.

 

The priestess walked silently ahead of the rest of the group, Shippou and Hiei walking dutifully beside her. The inu-tachi continued up the warm path into the heart of the volcano, a large skeleton quickly growing in the distance. Kagome worried her bottom lip, blue eyes flashing silver for a second. `What if Toutousai-san doesn't accept Hiei-kun as his apprentice? Who will teach him about hiyoukai?' Her thought trailed off as the fire demon's cow mooed to warn her master of their arrival.

 

Hopefully Myouga had told the old man that they were coming.

 

They stopped at the mouth of the bone-house, Kagome wringing her skirt in her hands nervously. “Toutousai-san?” She called out.

 

When no one answered InuYasha stepped forward and snarled loudly. “Get your ass out here, kuso-jiji! We got a job for ya!” Kagome glared at the hanyou angrily.

 

“Onegai, Toutousai-san! We need your help!” She stated, a hand cupped around her mouth to help her voice.

 

That got a reaction. A wrinkled old man with bulging black eyes and a hunched back hobbled out of the bone-house, his green and silver kimono hanging off his skin lazily. A large hammer was clutched tightly in his decrepit hands “Wha—?” He asked blearily. It seemed they woke the poor guy from a nice sleep.

 

Toutousai rubbed his left eye sleepily and gave a large jaw-cracking yawn before smacking his lips. “Who are you? How do you know my name?”

 

InuYasha's eyebrow twitched in anger. “Chikuso! Stop acting so fuckin' innocent! Didn't Myouga-jiji come and tell you we were comin'? Or is he late?”

 

The old hiyoukai yawned again. “Ano…” He scratched his cheek. “Maybe, I don't remember.” His eyes narrowed suddenly. “Leave me be, can't you see I was sleepin'? Go away!” He waved his hammer in front of the hanyou threateningly.

 

InuYasha caught the blunt iron easily and jerked it from Toutousai's hands. “Bakamon! Will you stop with that? We got a job for ya!” He slammed the mallet on the poor demon's head.

 

Hiei stared incredulously at the haggard, wrinkled old man. `This can't be that Toutousai guy they told me about! He's supposed to be a great fire demon and sword smith! Not some… Old, half-dead geezer!' His eyes narrowed angrily and the hybrid quickly turned his head away in disgust. He wouldn't, couldn't, be trained by such a sorry excuse of a demon.

 

After a few minutes of `witty' banter between the sword smith and the half demon, the group meandered into the… er… quaint living quarters of the older youkai. The inu-tachi gathered around the brightly burning fire pit and waited for the elder to turn his attention to them. When that didn't happen, InuYasha growled menacingly.

 

Toutousai blinked over at them. “And you are…?”

 

Kagome pulled on the hanyou's haori to keep him from throttling the zany youkai. “Toutousai-san, we need a favor from you—”

 

“No.”

 

She blinked in surprise. “Why not? All we need is a sword… And you to teach our hiyoukai how to make fire.” She grinned hopefully at him.

 

The old man shook his head. “Can't do it. Got to much to do anyway, makin' a sword right now would bog me down.”

 

“And what are you doin' that's keepin' you so busy?” InuYasha growled out. Toutousai blinked over at him in a way that reminded Kagome vaguely of Hiei. An owlish, innocent blink, she guessed.

 

“Sleep.”

 

Kagome lunged and knocked the half demon down, arms locked firmly around his legs. “Damn it, Kagome! Let me go!” He squirmed in her hold, but not too hard. He didn't want to hurt the tiny ningen. Flicking his burning amber eyes towards the sleepy looking hiyoukai, InuYasha snarled loudly. “You better fuckin' make the sword and train Hiei, or so help me, when Kagome gets off my legs I'll rip you limb from limb and piss on yo—”

 

“INUYASHA!”

 

His ears pulled against his skull at the shrill tone of Kagome's voice. He sighed heavily and pushed himself up, his ass rubbing against the priestess's dark locks. She made a disgusted sound and jerked back before fisting her hand in his hinezumi cloak. She pulled him back next to her and took a deep breath.

 

“Onegai, Toutousai-san. We would be very grateful if you forged a formidable blade, because we all know there is no other sword smith who can made swords as well as you can. All we ask of you is to make a sword for our hiyoukai friend—”

 

Hiei spoke up for the first time in a while. “A sword that can stand the Flames of Hell itself.” All eyes swiveled over to him.

 

Toutousai stared at Hiei for a moment before laughing loudly. “I doubt in your current state you could even hold a youkai sword!” He cackled.

 

Kagome picked up where she left off. “That is another reason we have come seeking you, Toutousai-san. Hiei-kun is—” Once again she was interrupted, but by the old hiyoukai this time.

 

“He can't make a proper flame right now. Your ice side is overriding your fire side. You need to get your internal flame back up to peak condition, otherwise…” He paused for dramatic effect. “…you'll die.” The comment caused the room to become deathly silent.

 

Miroku murmured everyone's silent question. “You know of Hiei's lineage?”

 

“Of course! I'm half of what he is, I should know if he's full hiyoukai or not!” Toutousai looked pretty offended, so Kagome tired to placate the elders preverbal ruffled feathers.

 

“Tou—” And again, she was rudely cut off.

 

Hiei tilted his head back defiantly. “I will not die so easily.” He bit out, voice deeper then usual. His red orbs flashed dangerously, the pupils thinning rapidly.

 

Toutousai stared at the child for a moment before grabbing a burning log and held it, flame out, towards him. The fire burned merrily, tauntingly in Hiei's face. “Catch the flame.” The aged hiyoukai stated.

 

Hiei looked up at the old man, to the fire, then back before nodding his head. He plunged his pudgy fingers into the heat and waited for the pain to happen. When nothing burned him, the hybrid's eyes widened. The fire was tickling his hands more than anything. Cupping his hands, the apparition pulled back, a tiny flame flickering in his hands before going out, since it had left the bright fire.

 

He turned his bright burgundy orbs towards Toutousai in excitement. “You will practice catching that flame until you can carry it with you wherever you go, and not let it die.” Hiei stood up and reached for the burning wood, only to have his hands gripped lightly by the older demon. “Not yet. I still need to get some ingredients for your sword. Open your mouth wide.”

 

The tiny tot blinked his eyes slowly before complying. His mouth opened slightly, but with gentle prodding, soon had it as wide as it would go.

 

InuYasha forced his mirth down when he saw Toutousai pull his pliers from behind his back and lock it on one of Hiei's baby fangs. With a mighty jerk of his wrinkled hands, the tooth came out and glittered proudly at the end of the metal.

 

Hiei's scream of pain had the hanyou's fluffy ears lying flat on his skull.

 

Tears pricked the sides of the child's eyes as he clutched his mouth. A single tear trailed down his cheek before tinkling softly on the rock ground. It stared up at everyone silently, it's bluish red color odd yet perfectly beautiful, but went unnoticed by everyone except the raven-headed miko. Kagome reached for it and lightly picked up the strange gem before gripping it tightly and turning her stormy orbs over to the two hiyoukai.

 

The apparitions bottom lip trembled but he held in his sobs and quickly shook his head, the pain subsiding gradually. His dark red eyes flashed to the curious old man.

 

Toutousai examined the small tooth before shaking his head sadly. “I need more to make the sword able to withstand Hell Flames and heavy beatings.” He turned his bulbous eyes onto the glaring hybrid. “Open your mouth and let me get the other fangs.” Hiei growled deeply in his throat. “Or you can rely on someone else's strength. I'm sure InuYasha wouldn't mind handing over a few of his teeth to make your blade.”

 

Hiei opened his mouth and the elder yanked the rest of the little youkai's fangs out. “That should be enough to reinforce your blade so it can wield flames and take down a seven ton rock youkai.” He held the burning stick out to him. “Now, practice and show me your progress in three days.” And in that time, Hiei made himself scarce, only coming in to eat and let everyone know he was alive.

 

On the night of the third day the tiny hybrid walked proudly into the cave, a small dancing flame clutched tightly in his palms. The piece of wood was tucked under his left armpit, and was out.

 

Toutousai nodded his head before he stuck his hand into the fire and grabbed a burning coal. He dropped it into Hiei's awaiting hands. “This is your second test.” He informed the other hiyoukai. “Gather your youki and make the dying ember a burning flame. This will expand your fire youki and let you have complete control over it. Before, with the pre-made fire, all you had to do was give it constant youki. Now you must use your own youki to grow and sustain the fire.” He waved his hand at Hiei's face. “Come back in five days. Or until you can make a flame from the coal. There's a fire outside that you can use to start burning your coals near a small hut if you lose that ember.”

 

Kagome's nails were down to her skin she had chewed on them so much. She was worried sick for the young demon, because she had yet to see Hiei, and it was two days past the five-day mark.

 

Toutousai was eating his share of food happily, his bulging eyes closed contently. “Toutousai-san… Hiei isn't back yet.” She said and pulled at the hem of her skirt absently. The aged demon took another large bite from his meat.

 

“Of course not. He hasn't gotten it yet. His ice side is fighting his fire side pretty hard right now. That's why I said `or until you get it'. I suspected he wouldn't in those five days.”

 

The miko stared at him openly. “But… You gave him… He's going to be so disappointed in himself! Why would you—?”

 

“So he will try harder on the next test. If I had given him the week and a half that firetot's usually get, he wouldn't train himself so hard.” Toutousai said wisely.

 

Miroku nodded. “So if he completes it earlier—”

 

But a dancing flame at the mouth of the cave interrupted the monk. Glowing red eyes stared at the group before Hiei walked in with his head held high in a superior way.

 

Toutousai grinned. “Finished four days earlier then most firetot's, my boy!” He patted Hiei's head proudly. “Knew you could do it!” Snatching a black coal from the stack beside him, he tossed it to Hiei. “Test three. Make a flame from scratch, using that as a base. That should make your ice side weaker so your internal flame can burn brighter. A week, Hiei. If I don't see you back in that time, I'm going to be very disappointed.”

 

Kagome saw the hiyoukai's determination, but also his fatigue. He had large scratches and burn marks littering his pale skin. His muscles were jumping from the strain and his hair was matted with pieces of coals and scorched follicles. He had sooty cheeks, like he had swiped his black hands over his face from exhaustion and frustration.

 

Hiei started towards the mouth only for Kagome to grab him and shove her food into his hands. “You better come and eat everyday, Hiei-kun. I don't want you to push aside meals just because you want to control your fire powers.” Her blue eyes bored into his and the child nodded his head.

 

“I will come and eat at noon everyday, Kagome.” With that said, Hiei stuffed his face with anything he could get in his pudgy, soot-covered hands on. After his feeding frenzy, Hiei left the cave and made his way over to the small hut to practice.

 

Three days passed and Kagome had had enough. The child hadn't come to eat his promised lunch and she was worried. So, against the protests of the rest of the group, the miko made her way over to the small hut a few yards away and paused next to a large rock.

 

Hiei's crimson eyes were dark with anger as the coal that was clutched tightly in his tiny hands continued to stay black and unburned. He gave an angered growl and threw it away before snatching up a fresher piece. He let his youki flood and overflow in the coal piece. It exploded in his hands, giving a few nasty cuts that almost instantly started to heal.

 

Kagome stepped from behind the rock and held out the raw meat for the tiny tot.

 

He jumped at her sudden appearance, having been so absorbed in his training to notice anything else. Instantly he snatched the offered food and gobbled down it with a vengeance. Once he had his fill, Hiei turned his curious ruby eyes onto the smiling priestess. “What are you doing here?” He questioned, his voice high and squeaking, making Kagome giggle happily.

 

He's so cute!! Kagome squealed mentally before shaking herself from her self induced stupor. “I wanted to see how you were doing, and bring you some food. You didn't come and eat like you promised…” She trailed off and moved to sit by the run-down hut's wall.

 

Hiei watched her silently before grabbing his piece of coal and turning his attention to it. “Are you gonna stay?” He asked and turned his brilliant eyes upon her.

 

The miko smiled softly. “If you want me to.” She supplied.

 

The hiyoukai shrugged and concentrated on the rock in his hands for a moment.

 

Kagome's sweet voice broke through his mind and jerked him back to the outside world. “You shouldn't put so much youki into it, you might make it explode like before.” He gave a visible blush.

 

`She saw that?'

 

The raven smiled warmly at him and shifted to her meditative position. “Want to know a secret that I use whenever I want to gather my power?”

 

Hiei turned towards her fully and clutched the coal in his hand tightly. “What?” He questioned, eyes blinking owlishly in curiosity.

 

Kagome closed her eyes and took a deep calming breath. “I usually meditate, when I'm not fighting.” He gave her an incredulous look, but the miko didn't see it. “It helps me calm my emotions and lets me focus on my powers instead.” She gave another deep exhale and let her face relax. “Want to try it with me? You might learn something about yourself.” She opened an eye and smiled warmly at him.

 

Deciding it couldn't hurt to humor her, Hiei walked over to Kagome, the chunk of coal lying forgotten on the ground where he had dropped it. The hybrid settled down on the ground and crossed his legs similar to the way Kagome's were crossed and closed his large eyes.

 

As he sat, silently taking in Kagome's heavenly scent, his body relaxed and his mind clouded.

 

A great flash had the child covering his face with his arm, shielding his eyes from the bright light. Once it passed, Hiei let his arm down and blinked his great eyes in surprise. Rows upon rows of doors ran down the sides of the hallway. One side blue, the other red.

 

His eyes fluttered in confusion. `Where am I?' He thought before turning his head around to survey his surroundings. There was a sliding door behind him that was locked, so he concluded he couldn't get out that way.

 

`Maybe one of these doors can let me out. `Hiei surmised and walked to the closest door, a blue one. It was unlocked, he noticed, and as he reached his hand out, felt a cool draft brush against his warm flesh. He jerked his hand back and stared at the door.

 

Gathering his courage, since he decided nothing here could hurt him, the boy gripped the handle and slid the door open.

 

Icy winds cut and bit at his skin, stinging his eyes and nipping at his nose and ears. Harsh gusts billowed from the door and Hiei took a tentative step back. `Nothing can hurt me.' He snarled to himself and let a shallow breath pass his pale lips. `I can do this; I'm not a child. I'm not scared of anything!' With that thought firmly planted in his mind, Hiei stepped forward into the snowy doorway.

 

It slid shut behind him, though it went unnoticed to the entranced imiko. He was standing in a lonely looking village, hundreds of ice-covered huts set in straight lines, one right after another. No one was outside, he noted.

 

Deciding standing around wouldn't get anything accomplished, Hiei walked down the frost-coated pathway, his natural internal temperature raising to fight of the stinging cold.

 

Hut after hut, and not a single human, demon or other came out to greet or banish him from their village. It was slightly unnerving. `This place is… Quiet… Why is it so silent? Did someone die?' He turned his head this way and that, searching fruitlessly for another living creature.

 

It seemed like hours since he had come into this frozen hell when something caught his attention. It sounded like a woman screaming, or something similar. Quickening his stride, the apparition paused at the entrance of a hut where the sound had originated. It was dead quiet now.

 

Taking a calming breath, Hiei reached out to grab the mat that served as a makeshift door, only to watch with fascination as his hand passed through it. I'm not even… Wait… Realization slapped him harshly.

 

`I'm reliving my subconscious memories… Those doors weren't doors to get out… They… They're my memories!' Excitement curling in his tiny chest, Hiei raced into the tiny hut and instantly regretted it. The sight before him would scar him for the rest of his life.

 

A woman with long teal-colored hair was panting heavily, her bent legs pointed towards him. Her womanhood, which also pointed towards him, was stretched and had something… black…? poking out of it.

 

“Push, Hina, push!” Another woman, this one old and decreed, held the females hand as she gave another strangled cry. She groaned in pain and grunted as she pushed again.

 

“Aargh! Ha…. Ha… Urmmnaah!” Hiei watched transfixed as a child with familiar black hair, a white starburst in the middle, came out slowly. Pale skin glistened with birth goo in the dim firelight.

 

There was silence in the room, which seemed eerie for him. Shouldn't I be… crying, or something? The old woman who had helped pull him from his mother, dropped Hiei and turned her pale eyes upon the shivering lady. Mother…? He thought and watched as the batty old witch gaped openly at the other woman.

 

“Hina! How could you? You disgraceful… What possessed…? A BOY!”

 

His mother groaned and gave a few heavy gasps before grunting and pushing. “Uurrgghaaa!” She groaned and Hiei watched as more time passed as the midwife completely disregarded the now screaming Hiei-tot and focused on Hina, who seemed to be birthing another child.

 

A..another? The thought passed randomly in Hiei's mind before he focused all of his attention on the two in front of him.

 

A head of thick teal hair appeared and the hiyoukai waited as patiently as he could while his sibling was brought from their mother's womb and into the cold world of the Koorime. The midwife breathed a sigh of relief. “A beautiful baby girl, Hina. You lucked out. She's full Koorime, unlike your other… Disgrace.” She sneered her wrinkled face in the general direction of Tot-Hiei, who was squirming and crying on the wooden ground.

 

Hina moaned in pain. “L…let me see my children…” She breathed and held out her arms expectantly for the twins.

 

Midwife handed over his little sister and helped Hina clean her off from the birthing juices. The newborn shrieked and twisted in her mother's hold. “Whe-where's my other child?” His mother questioned.

 

Hiei watched as Midwife sneered again. “He's nothing you should worry about. Go to sleep and we'll take care of your child. What should we call her?”

 

Mama closed her eyes and let a slow breath ease past her lips. “I… I think I'll call her… Yu… Yukina…?” His sister gurgled happily before yawning and closing her burgundy eyes.

 

“Like mine…” Hiei whispered softly, to no one.

 

“And… Hiei… For my son… May I see him?” His mother's voice was getting stronger.

 

Midwife narrowed her eyes but grabbed Tot-Hiei by his leg and dragged him over to her. She raised him up, upside down, and showed him to Hina. She screamed in surprise and anger and made to grab Tot-Hiei from Midwife's hold. She let the drained mother cuddle the twins together and stood to leave.

 

“My children… My wonderful children…” His mother's voice trailed off as a bright flash blinded him.

 

When Hiei opened his eyes again, he was standing in front of the blue door, a lock firmly place on it. He narrowed his eyes but turned to look at the second, unlocked, door. Making his way over to it, Hiei opened it without hesitation and stormed into it.

 

He needed to know what happened after that.

 

Once again he was blinded momentarily as he fell into his subconscious memories.

 

“NOO!! STOP!!!!” A screeching voice had the apparition covering his ears in slight pain. Blinking his eyes open, the boy watched as his mother (looking healthier) struggled against three different Koorime women. “Don't do this, Rui! Please!” She was sobbing, glittering jewels falling from her pained eyes.

 

Another female stood at a cliff edge, a bundle of wrappings and bandages clutched tightly in her pale hands. “I am sorry, my dear Hina… But he is an imiko, and we can not let such a child live among us…” She trailed off and looked down at the Tot-Hiei, who stared up at her curiously.

 

Big-Hiei scowled. “What are you doing with me, onna?” He growled, knowing full well that she wouldn't here him. And surprise, surprise, she didn't react to his high-pitched voice.

 

“Rui… Please, don't! Stop and give me back my Hiei-chan!” She collapsed in the other Koorime's tight hold and sobbed harder, more of her tear gems falling around her.

 

“I truly am sorry, Hina-chan… But…” Rui turned away from her best friend and held her arms out to their fullest.

 

Hina's struggles grew harder and fiercer, but the trio of Koorime were determined to hold her back.

 

Rui's fingers loosened, and Hiei watched as his coffin-like blankets slipped from her pale fingers and fell away.

 

His mothers screams of rage, pain and sorrow were the last things he heard before he was brought back to the blue door via blinding light.

 

The door in front of him was locked and he turned to look at the next one, but saw it was locked as well. All of the blue doors were closed off from him, so he turned around and made his way over to the first red door. Opening it, he was greeted by comforting warmth, the exact opposite of the Koorikai. And unlike the Ice World, he could smell the forest around him. It tasted wonderful on his tongue compared to the dead world of the Koorime.

 

A loud crying had the hybrid blinking. `Why am I crying?' He questioned mentally and walked towards the loud sound.

 

A bundle of cloth and rags laid hazardously on the ground, Tot-Hiei squirming in its hold.

 

Crunching sounds alerted the bright-eyed demon of the arrival of someone. A ningen man stepped from the foliage and paused, his dark brown eyes landing on the bundle on the forest floor. “What tha…?” He murmured before stepping over to Tot-Hiei. “Where'd you come from…?” He pushed his finger into the tiny hole, only to gasp in pain.

 

Tot-Hiei had bit him. Then started to gurgle happily at the taste of the human's blood.

 

The male looked at his bitten finger before turning his soft eyes towards Hiei. “Are you alone?” He looked around, seeing no one, and picked up the bundle and held it up by one of the dangling strands of cloth. He stared into Tot-Hiei's huge eyes for a moment and saw the child give an eerie smile. “Hmm… A youkai child?” He pondered to himself for a moment then carried the child (by the cloth, still) to his camp.

 

Big-Hiei followed after him, wondering why this ningen smelt so familiar.

 

They walked for a while; time running quickly, yet at the same time seemed to drag on, before they came to his encampment where twenty-some-odd other ningen males sat around a fire. “Back so soon, Daisuke-teichou? Where's lunch?” A male with a large scar covering his left eye, the lid closed over in a deformed way, questioned.

 

Hiei's memory clicked and he stared openly at the first ningen to actually be… somewhat kind to him. He taught Hiei how to hunt at least, when he was barely twenty years old.

 

Daisuke smirked and tossed the infant onto the ground next to the fire. “Got us something better in the long run. A youkai child we can teach and keep as our own.”

 

And once again, the bright flash blinded the older Hiei who closed his eyes and waited to be brought back in front of the now locked red door.

 

Hiei opened the next few doors, reliving his subconscious memories until he came upon the ones he could remember on his own, the last being with him meditating with Kagome to train his fire youki.

 

Once he was on the outside of the door again, Hiei crossed his arms and looked down the path to the closed, and locked, larger doorway. “Can't get out that way…” He shrugged his tiny shoulders before moving down the hallway, looking left and right at all of the locked doors.

 

Time slipped by him as he continued down the path, looking for a way out.

 

A blue and red door caught his attention, since it was placed at the end of the hallway and was unlocked. He could feel immense warmth surging behind the wood and instantly locked his hand around the sliding handle. Pushing it open, the hybrid's eyes widened.

 

Long tendrils of crimson energy snapped out of the doorway and latched onto him. Hiei fought with all his might as the overpowering youki coiled and flooded his tiny body.

 

“—d hopefully he'll wake up soon.” A sweet, melodious voice cooed as the hiyoukai came out of his trance. “I don't want him to starve…” The miko trailed off and let out a strangled gasp. “HIEI-KUN!” She cried out and he felt her oddly cool arms coil around him and pull his frozen body into her lap. “You're burning up, what ha—”

 

A voice Hiei defiantly did NOT want to hear growled behind him, since his face was once again pressed into Kagome's squishy breasts. “He unlocked his youki, wench. Can't you feel it? the gaki's pretty strong for someone his age…” The hanyou trailed off and Hiei fluttered his eyelids open. Tilting his head up the apparition stared past the soft mounds of flesh to stare questioningly into Kagome's worried, and proud, blue eyes.

 

“Oh, Hiei-kun! You did it! I knew meditation was the best thing for you, I knew it!” Her attention went to the half-breed and she stuck her tongue out at him.

 

“Keh.” InuYasha snorted in answer to the childish action.

 

Hiei wiggled from her grasp and stood in front of her. He held out his hand and flames instantly curled around his fingers and danced up his arm, just as he commanded it. His black haori insanely caught fire but he dulled the burning fabric till it was nothing but a smoldering piece of material. Hiei turned around and let a tentative smile play across his lips.

 

Kagome squealed and snatched up the now arrogant hiyoukai. “Oh, those were beautiful flames, Hiei-chan! Now we can finish making your sword!” The hybrid gave a pleased smirk and cuddled up against the happy miko.

 

`A sword that can stand the Flames of Hell…' He thought and let his eyes slide shut in sudden exhaustion.

 

Hiei woke up a few hours later, still in Kagome's lap, though he was now in Toutousai's cave. The other hiyoukai was eating a rather large piece of raw meat when the apparition leaned up and turned his bright ruby eyes onto the feasting group. “Your awake, Hiei-chan.” Kagome lightly ran her fingers through his hair and handed him a large chunk of bloody meat.

 

He smelt her disgust and stood up to move over by Shippou and ate his yummy treat, back turned to the grateful miko. Once his food was consumed and his face cleaned of any blood, the youkai stood up and ambled over to Kagome. He sat down in her lap again and stared expectantly at the satisfied old demon.

 

Toutousai patted his belly before scratching his nose absently. “Five days of that meditation and you can produce a flame. Wow… Anyway, here. Set this on fire and give it back to me.” He held out a long strip of paper towards the youngster.

 

Hiei grabbed it and let his youki flood the slip.

 

Kagome beamed in pride at the easy control the hybrid had of his energy. She waited for the special oofuda to burst into flame. She blinked in surprise and awe when it glowed a deep crimson. Hiei dropped the glowing paper as it started to grow and change into a three-foot long scabbard. It landed on the ground with a soft clatter.

 

Toutousai grabbed the sheath and dropped the four stolen fangs into the opening. The soft brown wood darkened to a burnt burgundy. “Now, got a base sword for me to use?” Hiei picked up the rusted sword and handed it over to the old hiyoukai. The geezer examined the blade before pointing the tip in the open end. Kagome grabbed his hand to stop him.

 

“Here.” She said and held out the tiny tear gem.

 

Everyone blinked at her in surprise. “What's that?” Shippou asked and peered at the glittering blue and red crystal.

 

“It came out of Hiei when Toutousai pulled out his tooth. He cried and his tear turned into this.” She turned her large blue eyes onto the tiny apparition. “Is it okay if it's in your sword, Hi-chan?”

 

The hybrid shrugged in a bored manner. The elder snatched the tear gem from her palm and dropped it into the scabbard before sliding the old sword into it.

 

A brilliant flash blinded everyone momentarily.

 

Once the light died down the inu-tachi turned curious eyes onto the sword and scabbard. “It… doesn't look any different.” Shippou surmised.

 

“Oh, it's very different. Here, pull it out, boy.” Toutousai held out the blade for Hiei. The child snatched it from the elder's hold and pulled the sparkling katana from its sheath. The long silver blade glinted with an inner fire that Miroku could easily see now burning in the tiny hiyoukai. The blade belonged solely to Hiei and Hiei alone. He guessed the only other person who could wield the blade like it should be was Toutousai, who was the forger… sort of.

 

“Able to withstand the flames of hell and easily cut through any metal. Your sword… choose a name for your sword, Hiei.”

 

The hybrid stared long and hard at the silver blade. Only one name fluttered in his mind, and he thought it was fitting. “Shuuketsu.”

 

-+-+-+ End Four +-+-+-

 

HBWD's Corner: ALL RIGHT! There's chapter four; all gussied up and purty-fied! And I made it extra long just for you guys! (winks) That and I wanted to make up for the shortness of the last chapter. And from now on, all my A/N's are going to be posted at the end so you guys can jump head-first in the chapter! YAY!!!!

 

This chapter was REALLY Hiei-centered, but that's how I wanted it. Also, the memory thing is what set's Hiei on his quest to find his mother and sister. And I don't think his sword really has a name, but for this story, it does. (shrugs) Anyhoo, sorry to those who wanted this to have more Kagome, but I did sprinkle our little miko here and there just to give it that Kaggy-flavor. Lol. The next chapters will defiantly have more Kagome in it, since (SPOILER) she'll be going home.

 

But, anyway, all that fire-demon stuff? Completely off the top of my head. And the whole doorway thing, I kinda pawned off of Harry Potter with the prophecy room and Robot Chicken, I think. Well, it's with that episode where that guy dies and he's with god and asks the book of his life how many buildings he could fill with all the pooped he shit out, or something like that. (scratches head) I thought most of it up at work these last few days since I am that cool and can think while I make sundae's and scoop ice cream! (dances) I love my job, but that's beside the point! None of YOU guys want to hear me ramble on the awesomeness of my Braum's job. Anyhoo, please leave a nice review, since I am a starving authoress who needs reviews to live!! (makes choking noises) REVIEW BEFORE I CROAK!!!! (face vaults) X_X

 

Preview of Next Chapter:

Kagome's head shot up and she turned her teary blue-gray eyes upon him. “Hi-chan…?” She whispered before hastily whipping her face with the sleeve of her strange haori. Sniffling, the miko turned her watery silver eyes on him and forced a tired smile on her face. “What are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be celebrating with the others…?”

 

The child walked slowly towards her, eyeing her wearily. “I wanted to be with you…” He mumbled.

 

The priestess's bottom lip trembled and she held her arms out for him. The hiyoukai raced forward and pressed his face into her neck. Kagome's arms locked around him and she pulled her legs up around him. “At least someone does…” She sobbed and cuddled the tiny demon tightly. “I…” She gave a deep, shuddering breath. “I don't want to find the last shard…” She started and loosened her hold on the toddler-sized demon.

 

Translations: youkai - demon; katana - Japanese long sword; tajiya - demon slayer; hanyou -