InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Tales of the Night ❯ Night CLXXX: Decisions ( Chapter 26 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Title: Night CLXXX: Decisions
Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of Sengoku Otogizoushi - InuYasha or Yuu Yuu Hakusho. InuYasha belongs to Takahashi Rumiko, Shogakukan, Viz Media, ShoPro Entertainment, and Shounen; while Yuu Yuu Hakusho belongs to Togashi Yoshihiro, Shueisha, Viz Media, and Shounen. No profit or money of any kind is made from this fan-created crossover.
Warning(s): Light swearing


One measly message. Sometimes, Hiei knew, that was all it took to change everything to an astounding degree. He had the proof of it in his hand.

When he had come back from saving the world with his friends (yet again, he would sneer), things had not been quite the same. With the world, though he would admit to having had a hand in that; with Kagome; with whatever their relationship was. The latter two he was sure he had had no hand in changing as he had not been around when they did. The two days he had spent away seemed as if they had changed the rules of the game, and she had yet to inform him as to what they were now. Not that he would follow them, but it was the thought behind it. He could not break rules he did not know existed.

And it was frustrating because nothing had changed externally. She would still smile at him with that smile meant only for him, her displays of affection were still full of adoration, and he could still read her emotions too easily for it to be healthy. However, he would catch her looking at him with eyes lost and guarded as if he were a foolish inu-hanyou determined to break her heart. And there were times he could feel a longing or loss in her lips and caresses and voice. For the first time, he could not figure out what she wanted or needed. He had reasoned it was because she, once again, had no clue as to what she wanted. It would not be the first time. Had he been a lesser youkai full of emotions, he would have admitted that it hurt at times to look at her haunting eyes unable to pinpoint what had changed.

That was why he preferred not getting involved with humans. They were fickle and easily confused by their own emotions. It was aggravating to one such as he who had never second-guessed any of his actions until he found entangled with the guardian of humans: a miko. Not that he was regretting it or anything of the sort.

More aggravating than that was the fact that it seemed as if she was pushing him away. He did not know how to deal with this.

Then the message had come as he had sat amongst the leaves of Goshinboku as dawn was close to approaching, given the lightening of the night.

He had felt the youki long before he could see the messenger. Her shrine had enough purity that anything related to youkai or darker emotions was easy to pinpoint. The suppressed power of the youkai had not gone unnoticed to him as he had just recently acquired his old power. It had made him curious that after all that had happened involving the toddler prince, Enma and Reikai that they would allow a youkai to cross over into the Ningenkai legally.

Though he had kept up a facade of feigned nonchalance, as to give away any emotion to a strange youkai who legally crossed the barrier and had come to a shrine was stupid. And Hiei was not stupid. He had kept an eye on the intruder as he had a sick feeling that he was looking for him. Though no malevolence emitted from the youkai, he had shifted his new sword and scabbard into a better position to pull it free should he make one misstep.

Yet the intruder had done nothing to even suggest he was youkai. He had come to stop at the base of the tree, perfectly feigning normalcy and humanity. It did not sit well with Hiei as no youkai should be able to pull off such an act without having lived in the Ningenkai for years. He had tried to keep from clenching his hand as he thought over how easily it would be for one of them to sneak up on his miko and kill her. Though he had trained her and she was quite good at using her hama no reiryoku, she was foolish enough to believe their feigned humanity. He did not like that thought at all.

"I bring word from Mukuro-sama. Will you hear it?" the youkai murmured.

Hiei knew who Mukuro was, any youkai worth their name knew who the three lords of the Makai were. Despite his thoughts, he had glanced down at the youkai who dared to talk to him. He wanted him gone. "Why should I care what your master thinks? He should've come himself if he wanted to be taken seriously."

"Mukuro-sama is one of the three lords. Reikai would never allow for someone of Mukuro-sama's caliber into the Ningenkai."

Hiei had turned away, no longer interested in the words of a servant. Nothing they said about their lord would be entirely true.

A round ball had been tossed up toward him. Hiei caught it on reflex. He had rolled it between his fingers, curiosity tinging his touch and gaze.

"Mukuro-sama brings an offer for you. Please hear my lord out as it may be very advantageous to you. An answer is required by the end of the week, when Reikai will provide passage into the Makai."

That had cleared up some of his confusion about why Reikai would allow a youkai to legally cross over. Enma wanted his friends and him gone from the Ningenkai. It was not surprising given their power levels and what the newly banished KoEnma had said about how terrified his father was of strong youkai.

He had held the ball up to catch the filtered dawn's light, and he could not help but wonder what message it contained. Or why he was even considering listening to it. As he heard the youkai turn to leave, he had said, "How did this Mukuro know where to find me?"

The youkai had paused. "Anyone in the makai can find you after your display of power there last week. I would not be surprised if your friends have been tracked down and given an offer as well."

Hiei's countenance changed from curiosity to a hardened scowl within seconds as his hand tightened around the message ball. That information did not sit well with him. If he could be tracked down that easily even with his power cloaked as he had it, then there was no telling how many would be able to find him. And the more who could meant the more danger Kagome was put in. For all her training and improvements, she would be in for a losing battle against most who would come. And they would come, he knew, because he had been no kind bystander in the Makai nor while he was helping out the detective.

And... He felt too much anticipation over a chance to go back to the Makai in his dark heart for any good to come of this. Perhaps the offer had come at a good time.

He tucked the message into his cloak and left the shrine with a smirk. It was the thrill he missed most from his time in the Makai. For now though, he had a fox to see.


A version of this chapter was posted to the livejournal community 30_Nights for their theme #004. Darkness in my heart.
Edited 19 May 2010.
Word count: 1203