Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Dragons of Shame ❯ Chaptire 20 ( Chapter 20 )

Dragons of Shame

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho, Saiyuki or Journey to the West. They belong to their respectful owners.

Special dedication to everyone who has followed this story, thanks for your support!

Warning: B/H Lemon ensues

An: Hello, lovelies! I hope you are all doing well, remember to wash your hands often to avoid the Swine Flu and stay healthy! For those of you reading this on media miner, you will get to read the unedited version. I'm afraid those on fan fiction will be reading the abridged version.

 

Ahaha, for those of you have been to my home page/myspace page (which you can find on my profile) you may have had the pleasure of reading the 6-page preview to this chapter, and you'll notice several changes which may or may not be greatly significant. The chapters are going to be rather long, from now on, so I will be posting previews there, quite often. I'm updating the page a lot recently, so may I suggest giving it a glance? I've posted several pictures and a drawing or two over the past week. Next week, I hope to have drawings of Ranma and the original characters posted there. Yeeeeuhp. So:

 

Please enjoy Chaptire 20:Dragon and Peony

 

My lover is gone. His boots no longer by my door...

 

The moment Master Yu released Ranma, the young pupil roared ferociously. Without a word, his master opened the portal to Heaven which Ranma marched through to enter Goku's castle. He stomped forward, emanating such fierce energy that the marble walls and pillars cracked around him as he passed. Any god or goddess that felt him coming quickly fled as he made his way towards his bedroom.

 

“GRAAAARGH!” The young demon screamed gutturally as he kicked down the bedroom door and promptly picked his bed up and chucked it through the wall into the garden below. As he continued to tear his room apart, Goku walked in, followed by Master Yu and his pupils.

 

Jessy and Yuji stood behind them “What's going on?” Jessy queried, eyes fixated on the out of control demon.

 

“He met his father.” Shinobu informed “Apparently, he's a dick.”

 

“Is that so?” Jessy held back Yuji by his sari “You don't want to mess with him right now. Just look-” she motioned towards her father and Master Yu still standing in the hallway “if they won't go in there, then you know something is wrong.”

 

After running out of things to smash, Ranma turned towards the spectators “YOU!” he shrieked madly, pointing an accusing finger at Goku “YOU KNEW! YOU KNEW ALL ALONG WHAT HE DID TO HER!” He picked up a large chunk of fallen marble and hurtled it at the Monkey King.

 

“Ranma,” he replied as he simply swatted the marble away “there are things you need to understand about the situation.”

 

“ABOUT WHAT?!” the demon bellowed “WHY DIDN'T YOU KILL HIM?! AND WHY WASN'T I ALLOWED TO! IT WOULD HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED! WHY DID YOU ALLOW HIM TO GO UNPUNISHED ALL THIS TIME?! WHAT HE DID TO ME IS…WHAT HE DID TO HERIS INEXCUSABLE!” Ranma dropped to his knees “My mom…” his eyes softened and pain crossed his face “I was so cruel to her before I left…I said such horrible, horrible things to her.” he began to sob “I want to see my mother right now. Take me home.” Nobody moved “TAKE ME HOME NOW!”

 

“Ranma,” Goku spoke softly “We can't.” Ranma let out another choked sob before throwing himself completely to the rubble littered floor, an uneasy silence engulfed the room, save for the uneven and choked sobs. His body shook with each cry, he didn't care who was watching and he didn't care what they thought. The only person who could comfort him was in the Human world, and they weren't allowed to see each other.

 

Yuji wanted desperately to run to Ranma and comfort him, but Jessy's grip remained firm. When the teenager stole a glance in her direction he noticed the unmistakable tears running down her face “I think you should all leave,” Master Yu said softly “I'll take care of the boy.” He walked forward and placed an arm around the Ranma, everyone began to scatter, Goku, Yuji and Ranma's teammates towards the throne room and Jessy towards her own room.

 

“I know it hurts,” The old demon consoled “I can understand your anguish. But your mother was strong…and I'm sure she wouldn't want to see your tears.” Ranma gave another cry so soft it was barely audible, Master Yu closed his eyes. Ranma was so mature it was rather easy to forget he was still a child. A child that relied heavily on his mother, the only person he'd had all his life. “To be torn apart from the woman you depend on so dearly must be excruciating.”

 

“Master Yu,” Ranma wept “I apologize for being so weak. But I can't believe she could love me with what my father did to her. I feel disgusting knowing that I'm the result of…of…” he trailed off and lied there for several minutes before he cleared his throat “I wish to b left alone now.” The old demon nodded and stood up.

 

“I will be in Heaven for the next few days, Ranma.” He informed as he left the room and headed towards the throne room.

 

He left at dawn. And as I slept I felt him go…

 

Yusuke sat in the comfortable recliner in Botan's living room, biting his nails he stared into the fireplace. Botan sat across from him on the couch with Kuwabara sitting beside her. The crackling of the fire was the only sound until Keiko walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray of tea. She set it down gently on the coffee table and cleared her throat.

 

“Botan,” she started “I hope you don't mind that I used the tea in the golden case from the pantry. I couldn't find any other and it smelled so wonderful.”

 

“I don't mind,” the blue haired woman replied with a smile “it was a gift from Ranma…” she bit her tongue and fought back tears before forcing another smile “I was looking for an excuse to use it.”

 

“Ah,” Keiko smiled “I wish my sons would get me gifts like this. But they take after their father!” She forced a small laugh that sounded ridiculously out of place., the others avoided eye contact with each other. Keiko began pouring the first cup “A-anyway, what is it, exactly?”

 

“Oh,” Botan sighed “it's…ah…What was it?”

 

“It's Nuwara Eliya tea from the Ceylon island state in the Indian Ocean.” Everyone turned towards the source of the voice, Kurama had just walked in from the cold, let in by Yukina. “It's a rather rare tea, Ranma must have gone through a lot of trouble to obtain it.” Botan averted her eyes from the fox demon and instead stared at the ornate rug in front of the fireplace. “Did you know the name means `Floating Over the Clouds?'”

 

“That's lovely!” Keiko's eyes glittered brightly, she turned towards Yusuke “Isn't it, Yusuke?”

 

“Sure.” The brooding man replied “Keiko, we need to speak to Botan alone, so take a hike for a bit.”

 

“Excuse me?!” she shouted vehemently “I think you can ask me to leave in a polite way! I AM carrying your FOURTH child, Yusuke Urameshi.”

 

“Would you just do as I say, for once?” Yusuke snarled, forcing her to succumb to his a glare. She huffed angrily and she stomped out of the living room, Yukina let out a nervous chuckle before following her. The former spirit detective shifted his chocolate gaze to Botan's soft face “There are a lot of things we need to talk about. We've been waiting for you to get stronger.”

 

“I had a feeling this discussion was coming on.” The woman smiled sheepishly “Where do you want to begin?”

 

“Well, I know it's hard to talk about…” Yusuke started in a gruff voice “but let's start with when you left…You know…when Hiei-” Kurama's emerald eyes narrowed, Yusuke didn't miss the expression but continued to anyway.

 

Botan swallowed the lump in her throat before beginning “Ah,” her fists clenched in her lap “I was still settling into my first house…it was raining…around ten o'clock at night.” A shudder ran down her spine as she recalled the night “He showed up in my bedroom…soaking wet and freezing. He was like…he was like ice. And his eyes…they were…they weren't the right color. They were grey and cloudy and he didn't say a word. He didn't even make a sound…it was as though he was somebody completely different. It was so-” she clamped a hand over mouth as a choked sob escaped.

 

The room was silent, Kurama's expression turned dark, his green eyes roamed over his former love. Her entire stature spoke of pain and anguish, her shoulders shook with each sob, Yusuke rested a comforting hand on her knee. The fox felt a pang of jealousy at the move but he remained standing near the window. “Botan,” Kuwabara said softly “If you don't want to talk anymore, you don't have to. We understand.” The blue haired woman shook her head.

 

“No,” she gasped slightly “I left without saying anything to you guys…I owe this to you.” The men exchanged silent words “I must have passed out at some point because I when I woke it was morning, and the house was empty. I didn't know what to do…I was so scared. I cleaned myself up and threw away my clothes and the sheets, trying to make sense of everything but I was completely lost. I didn't want to talk to anybody…I just distanced myself from everyone.” She glanced at Kurama.

 

“After a week or so I started experiencing excruciating pain in my stomach,” she furrowed her brow “it was so bad I couldn't even get out of bed half the time. I thought I was dying. One day it was so bad, I couldn't even see or move to reach the phone to call for help. All I could do was scream…then Son Goku and Sha Gojyo showed up. They took me to the Demon world and I stayed in the demon village that Master Yu lived in at the time.

 

“It was there that they told me I was pregnant. That just broke my heart. I couldn't believe I was going to have Hiei's child…I wanted to kill myself, then I thought `How selfish. It's not this baby's fault.' I was told I would be in pain all through my pregnancy because the baby was sapping all of my spirit energy and health to grow strong. The reason, they said, was due to the child's future strength. `He'll be the strongest demon the Universe will ever see' they told me.”

 

She pressed a hand to her abdomen “I was told to hide in the village until after the baby was born. Oh,” a tear ran down cheek “the pregnancy was so difficult…all nine months I was in pain. But Chiyo, the midwife, was there every step of the way, helping me fight through the pain. She-”

 

“Wait.” Kurama cut her off “Chiyo, I know that name. She was an old demon of the Aoi tribe? Right?” Botan nodded and Kurama slammed a fist against the wall “I was there. I passed through that village when I was looking for you. It was maybe…six months after you'd disappeared.” Botan cast her guilty stare to the floor “Did you know I was there?”

 

She didn't reply immediately, after a moment's pause she answered “Yes, I knew.” Kurama covered his face with his hand “But I wasn't allowed to see you during the pregnancy. Nobody was supposed to know I was there…to keep the baby safe. I wanted to tell you, I really did. I wasn't allowed, though, because Goku-”

 

“I'M SICK OF HEARING ABOUT GOKU!” Kurama snarled, advancing towards Botan.

 

“Calm down, Kurama!” Yusuke shouted as he and Kuwabara jumped in his way “What did you expect her to do? They were the first ones to show up!”

 

“They wouldn't have been the first if she had just told me! Had she not been so selfish…you should have tried to get help from us, we would have-”

 

“What could we have done, Kurama?” Yusuke bellowed “None of us are gods. I barely knew what to do with Keiko when she had the twins, I can't imagine how much we would've freaked out seeing Botan in pain all the time. I'm sure even Koenma wouldn't have known what to do in that situation. She might have died, because none of us would've been any help.”

 

“We would've just made things worse. You don't have kids, Kurama. You don't know how scary it is to watch your wife go through a pregnancy normally.” Kuwabara added in glumly “I can't imagine what it would have been like to watch her suffer through a it. Although, I'm pretty sure we all would've been too scared to, well, to do anything.”

 

“Those gods would have shown up sooner or later, anyway.” Yusuke sighed and put a hand on Kurama's shoulder “You need to understand that.” Kurama shoved his friend's hand away before settling back into his place near the window “Go on, Botan.”

 

She hesitated before continuing “The birth was probably the hardest thing to go through, I was in labor for 18 hours. But…I'll spare you the details.”

 

“Thank you.” Kuwabara and Yusuke replied in unison.

 

“After Ranma was born, Master Yu, Goku, Sanzo, Gojyo, and Hakkai all offered to help me raise him,” she went on “And I knew that meant living in the Demon world for a while. I realized I had the choice of going back home and telling everyone what happened. I could have turn them down and I would have been able to see everyone again, and I had every intention doing just that. I even went back to the house, prepared to ask Kurama to help me raise my child…but…” she closed her lavender eyes again and gave a small smile “I looked into that sweet face of Ranma's…and I saw Hiei in him. It made me think: `What if Kurama won't help me? What if he can't accept Ranma and me because of what's happened? What will happen to Hiei?' It also made me question if there would be anybody other than the gods and Master Yu strong enough to help me control this power.

 

“And with all the enemies the former Spirit Detectives made, someone was bound to try and take him away from me and use his power for their own advantage. I wouldn't allow that!” she stared fiercely at Kurama “So I made a decision to live in the Demon world, where I knew the two of us were protected. And when Ranma turned four, I decided to move back here, but every week we returned to the Demon world for his training. He was growing up so well! He was even making friends with both his teammates and his human classmates, and he was winning demon tournaments and doing brilliantly in school!

 

“I couldn't have been happier for my baby! And along with the treasures from the Demon world I also made a living writing books to support us! We were more than set for life!” Botan gave a small laugh “We were both so happy! He's smart and strong and kind and I couldn't be prouder of my son.” She stood up defiantly and pointed a finger at Kurama “So don't you dare accuse me of being selfish!” Kurama was taken aback momentarily.

 

“Well, look where it has us today, Botan!” Kurama retorted “Yusuke's son is a prisoner of war. And your own son was taken, too. Don't think you're a martyr.”

 

“I know for a fact that I'm not, Kurama!” she shouted back heatedly. “I know I've made dire mistakes, but I'm atoning for my sins! I denied my love for you a second time, even! And it breaks my heart to hurt you, but I will get my son back! You're only thinking of yourself, admit it! All you can think about is how I hurt you! Yes, I know leaving was painful for you guys, it was painful for me, too! But I had to make a choice for the well being of my baby.”

 

“And you think it was the right one? Leaving us all here to agonize and worry about you for over sixteen years?!”

 

“YES, I DO.” Botan shouted, startling everyone with the intensity of her voice. The room was filled with quiet. Unsettling and never ending, the answer Botan had given was painful, yet true. Everyone in the room, including Kurama, agreed that she had done what was best for Ranma, what was best for her, and even what was best for them. Had she told them in the beginning, how different would things have turned out? Would she still be alive? Would her son still be alive? Would Hiei? Would any of them?

 

After several long, painstaking moments Botan spoke again, her voice steady and calm “I know that you are all planning to sneak into Heaven. I also know that trying to stop you is futile. I don't want to lose any of you again, so I will give you a map of Goku's castle, that way you can find your way back to the exit swiftly and safely.” She sat back down “But I'm telling you right now, you'll be leaving that place empty handed. If I know Jessy…she is already well aware of your plan…and if she knows then there is almost no doubt that Goku will know soon.”

 

“What makes you think the little girl knows already?” Kuwabara asked.

 

“She's wise beyond her years, being small is what throws others off.” Botan gave a small smile as the room's atmosphere lightened “I'm sure she's known about the hidden portal. She won't tell her father immediately. She'll try and think of a plan to avoid confrontation…”

 

“We better hurry, then.” Yusuke smirked “Botan, if you can draw that map for us.”

 

Three hours later, Yusuke and the others were preparing to leave. Throughout the night Botan noted Kurama's lingering stares, the “accidental” bumps of his hand, and the way his features begged for some one-on-one time, to talk most likely. Yet she had ignored every one of his indirect advances. He was the last to leave the house, purposely taking his time to put on his coat and shoes.

 

Standing in the doorway he caught her eye, they gazed at one another for several long moments. It was his last attempt to invoke a conversation before departing. They were about to embark on a dangerous mission to rescue Yuji, who knew when he would see her again? It took al his courage to finally speak, “Botan,” his eyes betrayed the even tone of his voice “I can't tell you how sorry I am.” The former deity raised an eyebrow “I realize I've hurt you…I've been selfish and cowardly admittedly. I think part of myself is jealous of Ranma and the undivided attention you give him. But I can overcome that. We can over come this. After this is done…I want you to be with me. If it means I have to beg the gods to give me another chance with you…then I will do so. I love you, Botan.”

 

She stared at him silently “I will always love you. You're…” he fought for the words. “You're all I have. I'll marry you and I will care for Ranma as if he were my own. If you'll have me.” She said nothing “Botan?”

 

“Goodbye, Kurama.” She replied curtly “I'll see you when you return.” Green met lavender for a split second before she turned around “Please close the door when you leave.” Kurama's face fell, he fought the urge to run after her and beg her to take him back. To love him again. Silently, he prayed for her to turn around. His prayers went unheard.

 

He waited a few minutes more, relying on the small chance of hope she would change her mind. But to no avail. She knew he was still standing there, she could still feel his energy, hurt by her words, or lack there of, waiting for her to turn back. But she had made a decision.

 

Had she been too cruel? Botan could not stop the tears running down her face, and her heart ached and tore at her chest as she imagined the look that must have passed over his face. There was nothing she could do to make the pain subside, for either of them. Her guilt and remorse would be something she would have to suffer through for the rest of her life. But the fact was that it wasn't due exclusively to Goku's orders. No, it had developed into much, much more than just an order. It was a matter of love, or the lack there of.

 

Somewhere, along the past sixteen years and the recent events, the former deity had realized she no longer loved the fox demon the way she had before. It had died and the love for the man who had given her the child took its place. There was no denying she had always veiled her desires for the troubled koorime anymore.

 

She had stifled those feelings long ago, when Kurama confessed his love for her. It wasn't that she deliberately led Kurama on, she had indeed loved him, and she quite intent on marrying him. But it was only because of Hiei that she had not done so. Would she not have given birth to Ranma, she would be a wife to Kurama and a mother to his children. It was almost as if a thank you was in order for Hiei having opened her eyes to the truth.

 

Botan had to wonder if the gods had known all along that she was subconsciously in love with Hiei, and if that was the reason they let him go unpunished. Because perhaps he would one day atone for his sin and they could be together and raise Ranma as a couple.

 

“What?” She asked herself mentally “Is that what I truly want? Is for Hiei and I to…” She shook her head, pushing the thought to the back of her mind. She refused to give in to her selfish desires, she needed to focus on becoming a better person. Her focal priority was her son, and it would forever remain so.

 

Returns no more…I will not watch the ocean.

 

Hiei sat in the now blood spotted snow, just outside Botan's house, waiting for everyone to leave so he could talk to her. His breathing was becoming shallower as the temperature quickly began to drop. It was becoming difficult to mask his energy, and it took all his concentration not to pass out from the loss of blood. He had tried his best to avoid any other enemies on his way back to the Human world. He had been ambushed twice so, needles to say, he'd failed miserably due to his already weakened state. “Gah,” he spit blood onto the snow with a groan, and stared up towards the sky, the winter stars twinkled brightly.

 

“YES I DO.” Hiei jumped violently at the sound of Botan's voice, mildly surprised that she could reach that volume. The battered koorime admired her new found strength. She had changed, greatly. No longer was she the ditzy ferry girl that had first attracted Hiei and Kurama, she had grown into a mature and strong woman so protective of her child that she would abandon her own happiness for his sake.

 

“Ah,” Hiei groaned in pain again, his vision was starting to blur. The throbbing of his cuts was becoming unbearable, it was as though there was a fire within him that refused to extinguish. He didn't quite know how to react to his son's strength, whether he should be shocked or if he should have expected it. The anger and hate were definitely something to be expected. The demon shifted in the snow, his lower body was becoming cold and if he didn't get warmth soon he would likely pass out and die. “Fuck…” he struggled to stand, leaning heavily against a small tree as he made his way to the window, to peak inside. He didn't have enough energy to use his Jagan.

 

What he saw were Botan and Kurama, staring at one another in the doorway, neither saying a word for a few moments. Hiei couldn't help but sigh in disgust at Kurama's actions and words. They were things a man should never say aloud…or even feel. A pang of guilt ran through the bleeding man. The only person in the world who could unravel Kurama like that was Botan. And there she stood, denying him. Denying herself. If Hiei hadn't lost his self control, his friends wouldn't be in such pain. They would be together, happy. Another grunt of disdain escaped him, this one directed at himself.

 

Botan turned away from Kurama, hiding the tears that ran down her cheeks. Yet she still stood strong up until the point Kurama closed the door behind him. As soon as the door clicked shut, a choked gasp ran through her and she dropped to her knees. Her shoulders shook with each sob, she placed her forehead on the floor “Oh, God…” she moaned “I'm sorry Kurama…I'm sorry.” Hiei closed his eyes, the remorse that ran through his veins was piercing. His head began to spin and he realized in a last moment of panic that he was slipping into unconsciousness.

 

“B…Botan!” He groaned as he began to fall to the ground, he hit the window as hard and as loud as he could to get her attention. But he passed out before he even saw her running towards him.

 

“My lover's gone…”

 

Hiei awoke to the sound of a fire crackling merrily. His eyes remained closed, yet a frown was unmistakably etched across his face. “I'm surrounded by soft…soft what?” He shot up, eyes opened wide with an audible gasp. Staring around the indiscernible room wildly, he felt lost. “AGH!” he screamed in pain and gripped his head. It was in that moment he remembered the previous day's occurrences. Glancing around the room again through one squinted eye, he recognized where he was.

 

A soft knock on the door made his head pound “Hiei,” came a gentle voice from the other side “I'm coming in.” Botan opened the door slowly, a tray in hand. “I'm glad to see you're finally awake. You had me worried.” Hiei remained silent, eyeing her carefully as she sat on the edge of the bed. While setting the tray down.

 

“I made breakfast.” She informed while handing him a plate of bacon, eggs and toast. “Please, eat.” Hiei stared at the offered plate wordlessly, Botan rolled her eyes “Either you eat, or I can shove it down your throat. Don't pretend you aren't famished.” Hiei's eyes widened slightly but, rather begrudgingly, took the food. The first sniff had him hooked, the food's aroma swept through his nostrils and down his throat, making him salivate. With his taste buds fully alert, he began to shovel eggs into his mouth like a ravenous animal.

 

Botan gave a small giggle “I knew it.” She reached for the bowl on the tray, Hiei stopped momentarily to sniff at it only to contort his face in repugnance. “Ha!” Botan laughed at his reaction “This isn't food, Hiei.” She informed “They're herbs to help heal those wounds. They speed up the healing process, like a demon's saliva. Only much quicker and less disgusting.” She reached for the covers, but Hiei pulled back, ogling her suspiciously.

 

“Don't be childish,” she scolded “we need to take care of those injuries. Now, move the blanket.” She grabbed the blanket once more, only to be stopped by Hiei's firm grasp on her wrist. Her amethyst eyes met the red orbs of Hiei's.

 

“Not yet,” he said gruffly “let me finish this, first.” Botan blinked and fought back her laughter, she nodded and set the leaves back in the bowl. She watched Hiei finish off the plate in amusement, a smile plastered onto her lovely face. He handed her the plate with a slightly dismayed look at the empty porcelain.

 

“After we dress the injuries, I'll fix you another plate. We can go downstairs and eat together.” Botan pulled the covers back.

 

“WOMAN!” Hiei snarled, snatching the covers back “Where. Are. My. Clothes?” Botan giggled again.

 

“Don't be shy, Hiei.” She chortled “They're in the wash…I had to clean you up, last night! You didn't expect me to do so with your clothes on?”

 

“Or you could have let me be.” Hiei grunted angrily, receiving another smile.

 

“Oh, please.” The woman retorted “I had to change Ranma's diapers, potty train him, and wipe his little rear for the first few years of his life, and when it came to the `morning wood' part of his life, I had to explain that too. So I've seen my share of penis. This is nothing new to me. Relax.”

 

“How, the hell is that supposed to help me relax, exactly?” Hiei growled through gritted teeth.

 

“Fine.” Botan answered smartly, cocking an eyebrow “I only wanted to put these on your legs, but you can do it yourself. Turn over so I can put this on your back.” Hiei reluctantly conceded, turning onto his stomach without moving the covers. In an instant, however, Botan had removed the blanket and was holding him down. In his weakened state he wasn't much of a fight, something the former deity took full advantage of. “Just hold still for a minute!”

 

Hiei growled angrily and gave in, settling his face into the pillow. Wallowing in his defeat as Botan began to gently place the cool leaves on his cuts. He turned his head to the side, a calm hush filled the room. Neither of the two seemed to mind. It was odd, Hiei had thought their confrontation would be painful and difficult. He figured there would be tears and elevated voices, and perhaps things would be thrown at him. Yet, there they were. In a comfortable silence as she treated his injuries, just as she had in their younger years.

 

His eyes traveled over the walls, the morning light shining through the windows illuminated the room. Filtered through the wooden blinds, it cast slight shadows over furniture and photographs. There were many pictures in the room, he noticed. Some on the walls, some on the mantelpiece, and even some on her night stand. All pictures of she and Ranma. There was one particular photograph that caught Hiei's eye, resting on the night stand. It was Ranma as a child, sitting at park table, a clear frown on his young face.

 

Hiei's brow furrowed, he couldn't tell how old the boy was in the photo. “Botan,” he murmured “How old is Ranma in this-AH” he cringed.

 

“Oh, Sorry!” Botan grimaced, she had pulled together a large gash in Hiei's right thigh “I know that hurt.”

 

Hiei replied with his all-too familiar grunt “Hn.”

 

“What were you saying a moment ago, Hiei?” Botan asked, as she closed another laceration.

 

“I was asking how old Ranma was in this…?” He held up the picture, Botan looked away from his leg momentarily to glance at the photo.

 

“He was seven, there.” She laughed “I love that picture!”

 

“Why?” Hiei asked befuddled “He looks pissed off.”

 

“Oh, he was.” Botan chortled “He didn't want to be there, it was the annual school picnic. He just couldn't seem to get along with anyone in that particular class. Just after I took that picture he shoved a boy to the ground and told him he'd make him eat dirt if he didn't shut his mouth.” Hiei smirked.

 

“Funny.”

 

“I know!” she snickered “You know, it reminded me of you.” Hiei stiffened at her words “Hiei?”

 

“Hn.” He set the picture down and reached for another “Tell me about this one.” He ordered, changing the subject. It was a picture of Botan and Ranma, dressed in elegant clothing.

 

“We were going to the ballet with Kenichi, in that one.”

 

“Who?” Hiei grunted, a slight twinge of rage swept through him for the fact his child and the mother of his child had spent time with another man.

 

“My editor.” Botan replied casually, as she moved up to Hiei's lower back “He's also my ex boyfriend. Ranma hates him.”

 

“So do I.” Hiei thought as he set the picture back down “I know what the ballet is…” he said suddenly “Why the hell would you make him see something so mind-numbingly ridiculous?”

 

“It was my birthday.” She sighed “Kenichi randomly bought tickets for all of us to go, I couldn't say no.”

 

“That's a lie.” Hiei snorted “And those horrible clothes…why would you put my kid in that ridiculous-” he cut himself short when he realized what he had said, Botan sat tranquil, her hand just above his shoulder blade. Silence filled the room again, neither of them knew how to react. “I…” Hiei's eyes went wide as he felt gentle arms wrap his back lightly.

 

“Hiei,” Botan whispered against his bare flesh “hearing you say those words…makes me so happy.” Tears burned her eyes “You have no idea how much I wanted to tell you about him.” Hiei closed his own eyes, fighting the stinging sensation. “I've been having this crazy idea recently that maybe, just maybe, we could have raised him together. That maybe you would have been the one taking these pictures…maybe you could have been there to help me instill good virtues and strength in him.”

 

Hiei snaked a hand over her arm that was wrapped so tenderly around him “I would have.” He whispered “I should have…” he sat up and stared into the violet pools of her eyes “How…how can you even look at me? How can you just sit there and casually discuss Ranma's life as though what I did never happened?” Botan bit her bottom lip, drawing blood, he ran a thumb over the droplet of red. Pulling her closely he whispered “How can you stand me? After what I did to you? You could kill me right now, Botan…I wouldn't stop you.”

 

Botan sniffled and shook her head “I could never…” she whispered back “Hiei… you gave me a gift. Ranma is the light of my life…how could I hate the man who gave me that light?” Hiei lowered his face towards Botan's.

 

“I can only say I'm sorry.” He murmured, a hair's length away from her lips.

 

The woman in front of him wrapped her arms around his neck, urging him closer “And I can only love you.” Their lips met, gently, unsure, and slightly afraid. But Hiei closed his eyes and puller her onto his lap, his wounds screamed in protest, but it didn't matter. The feeling of the beautiful woman he had so longed for holding him gently, her breasts against his chest made him forget his pain. He moved a hand up to her cheek, holding it softly before deepening the kiss. She moaned into his mouth, as his tongue took the opportunity to slip into the cavern of her mouth. Their tongues intertwined, she ran her small hands through his hair. His left hand traveled downward from her waist, only to snake back upwards under her shirt.

 

Another moan, muffled by his fervent lips, escaped her at the feel of his cool hand on her skin. “Botan,” he huffed as she pulled back to remove her shirt, hastily throwing it to the floor. Passion flooded through the koorime's body, heat pooled in his groin. Leaning back against the soft bed, she followed him, never leaving his mouth. She traveled down his jaw line to the crook of his neck, leaving trails of kisses along the way. He was getting excited….maybe a little too excited.

 

“Wait.” He groaned, she stopped immediately.

 

“What's wrong?” Though her eyes were hazy with lust, her voice was full of concern “Oh my God, I forgot about your wounds! I'm sorry-“

 

“No,” Hiei placed his hands fully on her waist, stilling her “It's not that.” She gave him a puzzled look “Do you really want this? What about the gods? I know about your promise…Don't break your word for me.” Botan sighed and rested her head against his shoulder.

 

“Hiei,” she said softly “I did make a promise. They told me to sort out my life…for what is best for Ranma. And recently, I've been piecing things together.” Hiei gulped slightly “I think they want us to be together for Ranma…because why didn't they get you when it first happened? Why haven't they spoken to you about it?”

 

“You're right.” Hiei replied in realization.

 

“There's something much, much bigger here.” she continued “We just haven't figured it out yet.” Hiei closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her “To answer your question…yes. I want this, Hiei. I need this.” She stared into his eyes.

 

“So do I.” he said softly, their lips met again for another kiss before he rolled her onto her back. Leaning over her he placed his hands on either side of her head. “I love you.”

 

“Hiei,” she cried “I do too…!” Clasping her hands around his neck, she pulled him towards her “I love you so, so much…”

 

No more words were spoken as he kissed down the side of her neck to the crook, where he sunk his teeth down sharply. A gasp escaped her, she arched into the feel of it “Uhn!” she moaned when he continued downwards, tracing his tongue along her collarbone to the valley between her breasts. With his left hand teasing her right nipple and the other teat firmly between his teeth, his hand traveled downward even further. Her hands were tangled in his hair, she couldn't help but tug tightly when his fingers unbuttoned her pants and reached inside to the jewel hidden beneath her panties.

 

“The rest of these clothes need to come off,” Hiei murmured seductively “you're wet here.” Botan's cheeks went pink.

 

“But look at yourself,” she grinned back, firmly grasping his hard length, eliciting a low growl from the koorime. Pushing him back slightly, she took the member into her mouth, he bucked slightly at the feel of her warm mouth. He was no virgin, but he had never before taken to bed a woman he loved. He was experiencing pleasure on the levels of both the emotional and the physical nature. Botan's mouth was bliss over his manhood, forcing Hiei to moan loudly.

 

She flicked her tongue at his tip, he bucked again. Hiei pulled her back with a grunt “I can't wait anymore.” He whispered hoarsely before pulling her pants and underwear off and tossing them to the floor. She covered her red face with her hands as he spread her legs and he positioned himself in front of her dripping entrance “No,” he moved her hands “I want to see you, Botan.” The woman nodded.

 

He moved in slowly, drawing out a moan from Botan. The heat that enveloped around his cock was unbelievably tight and delicious. It took all his strength to refrain from bucking into her wildly “Botan,” he groaned “are you okay?” He noticed her pained expression in horror.

 

“It's been a long time…” she replied “I'm fine, though.” She wrapped her legs around him, urging him forward until he was ball-deep. He buried his head in the crook of her neck, licking the blood that had gathered from his bite. He pulled out slowly before slamming back in, hard. She arched again and screamed her pleasure as he repeated the action. Again and again, he pulled out, pushed in, pulled out and pushed in. She was writhing in his arms in bliss.

 

“Hiei!” he moved faster at the sound of her voice, twisting her slightly sideways for a deeper angle. He brushed over the bunch of nerves that had her gasping for air “THERE!” she moaned, he walls clamped down and him and he grunted, slamming harder into her warmth, her juices providing the much needed lubrication. He felt his balls tighten slightly.

 

“Fuck,” he growled as her walls clamped down hard. She cried out once more as her orgasm crashed into her in violent waves of passion, Hiei was still moving in and out, reaching his own pinnacle, he came into her with a low groan. He rode out the rest of his orgasm before collapsing on top of her, leaving them both gasping desperately for air.

 

Hiei rolled next to her and pulled her close, she tucked her head under his chin with a sigh and closed her eyes. They lay in silence, words weren't needed to express their emotions. Only the sound of their soft breathing and the crackling of the fire filled the room. But there were still things that needed to be discussed. What was going to happen from there? How were they going to explain things to Yusuke, Kurama and the others? What would the gods say? What would Ranma say?

 

The thought of Ranma made Hiei close his eyes in memory of how angry he had been. “Botan,” he said softly after a moment “we need to talk about something.”

 

“Hm?” she mumbled quietly “What is it?”

 

“I met Ranma in Demon world.” He blurted, in order to avoid beating around the bush. He stiffened, waiting for his love's reactions.

 

“Oh, I figured as much.” She sat up, Hiei's bewildered stare made her sigh softly. “I can recognize the inflictions of my own son's anger. I've seen it many time's before.” She glanced at the wounds on Hiei's cheeks “Although it seems you got away before he could do any real damage.”

 

“This isn't `real damage'?” Hiei breathed.

 

“No,” she replied “This isn't even the beginning of his rage. I assume you told him what happened between us?” Hiei nodded, receiving another sad sigh “This is going to be difficult to explain to him. I'll have to wait until the summer to speak to him again…I don't know how he'll react.”

 

“You don't think the gods will let you see him now?”

 

“No,” Botan stood up and reached for a silk robe hanging on the back of her vanity chair “they won't let me speak to him until the tournament this summer.” Hiei grunted and put a hand over his shamed face.

 

“His master told me to be there.” He sat up and watched as she tied the robe together “That old man is the only reason I'm alive. He took Ranma away before he could kill me, but told me to meet them at the tournament in June. I'll have to join and fight.”

 

Botan stiffened and stared at him in shock “You can't!” She gasped “Hiei, if you join and fight Yu's team…if you fight Ranma-” she bit her tongue “Hiei…you just can't. Ranma won't wait for you to explain if you're both in the ring.”

 

“I realize that.” Hiei murmured, folding his hands together and tucking them underneath his chin “And if he chooses to kill me, I will accept it. That will be the atonement for my sin: my life.” Botan's face fell, she knew there was no dissuading Hiei from his decision, she turned towards the bathroom “But you know I love you.” She turned around and stared into his eyes, filled with sadness and love “that's what matters to me. And I want him to know I love him as well.” Botan fought back tears and nodded, she couldn't speak, too afraid her voice would betray her.

 

As she walked to the bathroom, she stopped suddenly. A wave of chills ran down her spine, her eyes widened. “What's wrong?” Hiei made a move to stand but she held up a hand to stop him. “What is it?”

 

“It's Yusuke and the others…” she choked out “They've breached Heaven...but something's wrong. I can feel it…” she turned frightened eyes towards the koorime “I think Jessy is trying to talk to me…”

 

“No Earthly ships will ever bring…him home…again.”

 

AN: Dun, dun, dun! Cliffhanger, yes, yes I know. Bad, Jessy, bad! Hee “I'm so naughty I should be spanked!” a lovely little quote from the Yu-Gi-Oh! Abridged Series by Little Kuriboh (who is on hiatus until after May 16th) I very much look forward to his return. He's been updating his new youtube account, which everyone should check out! Nyaha. Anyway, the new chapter will be up soon. I promise. I hope you all enjoyed it!

 

Remember, Reviews are love!

 

Kthanksbye!