Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Kawaridane ❯ Death... An Enlightening Experience ( Chapter 8 )

AN: A bit shorter of a chapter, sorry. The way things came out in this one, I feel I need more revision to the next bit, but I wanted to put one out today. So here it is. I don't own IY or YYH.

 

Ayako looked around her. She seemed to be standing in an unfamiliar forest. She could feel the tree she was leaning against but the air was so thick with fog she could hardly see the snow covered ground under her feet.

`It's very quiet here…peaceful. For some reason I feel like I'm… home.' Ayako shook her head. `No this isn't the compound. That's ridiculous.' But despite that she couldn't shake the feeling. Then she heard, footsteps, crunching the snow. She crouched to prepare to defend herself if she needed.

Finally two people came into view. A man. He looked to be in his early thirties, but Ayako knew if he was a demon he'd be much older. Why did she feel as if she knew this man? He stood around 5'11”, about as tall as Yusuke, but he had light brown, curly hair, and sweet chocolate brown eyes. He wore what appeared to be ancient Monk robes of black and emerald green. His face was kind and warm, and she couldn't help but smile a bit back into that welcoming face.

“Hello Ayako, it's been a very long time.” He said in a smooth deep voice that shot through her.

She didn't reply. She couldn't exactly speak at the moment. She was too much in awe of the beautiful woman that was standing next to him. She was petite. About Kagome's height, around 5'1”; still taller than Ayako herself. Her hair was brilliant silver like Inuyasha's but, somehow, it shone whiter and more pure. She had brilliant green eyes that seemed to glow with cunning intelligence. A small full mouth, set under a perfect nose, was curled in a small smile. Ayako could see fangs peeking out between her lips, and then glanced down at the woman's hands and found her fingers were tipped with short claws.

“You don't have anything to say to your dead parents Ayako?” The woman asked with a smirk.

Ayako let those words fully sink as she slid down the tree to sit down on the forest floor, hard.

The woman laughed good naturedly and the man turned towards his wife scolding. “Did you have to put it so bluntly Koshima? She's likely to have a small heart attack since she has no clue she's a hanyou.”

“Oh relax Ayakougi-chan! She needs to find out sooner rather than later anyway. I was just having a bit of fun.” The woman managed to smile and pout at the same time.

Ayako watched their exchange silently, still trying to swallow this load of new information. `I'm a Hanyou? Like Inuyasha? No way…”

“How about we focus on the fact that the only reason why one of our precious daughters is here and can see us is because she's dead!” The man said smirking to his wife.

“Oh right! Ayako, darling you have to go back. It's not your time yet.” Her `mother' said with a gentle smile.

“No way! Go back! I'm dead?!? You're my parents?! Holy shit I can't handle that kind of information in 30 seconds!” Ayako began to hyperventilate (which is a strange phenomenon when you are a physical illusion of your own consciousness).

Her `father' chuckled heartily. “Yes dear we're your parents. We've been watching you and your twin sister Kagome grow up. You will have all the explanation you need when you go back… now please... you must turn around. There is a certain man that I'm sure will be extremely upset if you cannot go back to him.”

“I like him. He may be a bit fiery and pig-headed but that seems to be the way my girls pick `em.” Her mother smiled. “That boy of Kagome's sure is a handful.” She winked at Ayako.

“I think we can discuss the topic of our daughters' choice in men later, dearest.” Her father grinned like a teenager.

“But… I have so many questions…” Ayako could feel herself slipping back to the world of the living.

“It's alright Ayako. Your dear friends and guardian have the answers. We will visit you again. Remember this, we both love you dearly and regret having to leave you so early in your life…” Her mother waved. Ayako could see tears staining her cheeks and her father had his arm around her. This last image of her parents remained until… what was that god awful noise?

 

“What do you mean she's DEAD?!?” Ayako knew that voice. Sounded like Hiei was pissed.

“I'm so sorry Hiei. I healed her as best I could! Her heart has stopped. You know I'd still be trying if there was anything I could do!” Botan was sobbing and her voice was muffled through her hands.

Ayako peeled her eyes open in time to see Hiei get up and stomp away. She heard rather than saw the demise of a near by tree, presumably from Hiei's fists. She managed to lift her right arm slowly. Pain shot through her shoulder to her neck. `Well I think I broke my collar bone. Don't remember that happening.'

Ayako giggled softly to herself as she managed to rest her arm on Botan's leg.

Ayako heard a shocked gasp, which for some reason made her laugh harder.

“Oh… Kami help me.” Botan stared at her battered friend who was supposed to be dead, but was instead giggling like a school girl who'd heard a dirty joke.

Ayako managed to calm down enough to speak, through intermittent giggles.

“Botan. What are you doing here? *giggle*I think I was dead. *giggle* I met my dead parents! *hahaha* they told me I'm actually a hanyou, and Kagome is my twin sister!” She snorted.

“And then I open my eyes. I think Hiei just punched a tree and I feel like I've been hit by a bus and dragged through glass and tossed off a cliff.” She hiccupped and grimaced when it jerked her collarbone.

Botan stared at her through tear filled eyes listening to her `used to be dead' friend babble away.

“Ayako. You're ALIVE!” Botan practically fell on top of her and was squeezing her in a desperate hug that crushed Ayako's lungs flat once again.

“B..Botan… air.” Ayako wheezed.

“Oh sorry…”Botan still looked worried, like Ayako would go and die again if she didn't watch her.

Ayako laid back on the forest floor, and turned her head to look at Hiei. His face was unreadable as he stared at her. She knew he would've heard her when she first started to giggle yet he stood there still as a statue.

“Gomen Hiei. I was too weak from the shunpo to hold my own…” She looked away from him. “…gomen.”

**********

Hiei heard Ayako's heart beat again just after his ears stopped ringing from taking out his frustration on the near by tree. The sound was music to his ears.

He stood there impassively as she began to giggle, then all out laugh hysterically. `She's laughing?!? She fucking DIED! How can that be funny?'

Hiei was pissed. Beyond pissed. He almost lost her, and that scared the shit out of him. He felt like someone had ripped out his heart when he watched Botan start to cry saying Ayako's heart had stopped.

A thousand thoughts raced through his head as he let the words sink in. He came to the harsh realization that, he loved her, and it was too late to say it. He was filled with such self-loathing for not being able to protect her.

He watched her turn her head towards him. “Gomen Hiei. I was too weak from the shunpo to hold my own…” She looked away from him. “…gomen.”

Hiei's fists clenched painfully. Stupid, beautiful, strong, prideful onna! What the hell was she doing apologizing to HIM? The one who couldn't protect her, couldn't keep that low life demon from touching her, from breaking her bones and bruising her small body.

“You have nothing to apologize for…” Hiei said slowly through clenched teeth.

Hiei looked at Botan pointedly. “Botan I think she'll be fine now. Don't you think you should get on to Kagome as well? Let her know the news you told me?”

The ferry girl got to her feet quickly. She looked at Ayako then back at Hiei, knowing he must want to speak to her alone. She nodded. “Ayako, I'll see you back at the compound.” And with that she was on her oar and off again.

Ayako was still staring at the dark sky as Hiei walked towards her. He fell to his knees beside her and gently gathered her into his arms.

He buried his nose in her hair and inhaled deeply. She smelled so good. Like sweat and trees and a slight hint of lemon from her shampoo. She also smelled of that filthy demon that almost killed her.

He would fix that.

He took off his long black cloak and wrapped it around her body. Her skin was still cold but with the bleeding stopped she was getting some colour back in her face. Or was that a blush?

Hiei chuckled. Of course it was a blush. He had just realized how much this onna meant to him, but he hadn't told her yet.

“I thought I told you if you died I'd get Koenma back so I could kill you myself?” Hiei smiled at her.

She seemed unable to form a sentence, so Hiei waited.

“Well get on with it then. It'll be better then feeling like my body has been drug through a meat grinder.” She laughed softly.

He watched as she became more comfortable lying in his arms. He thought he could stay with her forever like this if he could. Keeping her safe and all to himself.

“What did Botan mean when she said she knew what I was talking about?” She finally managed to ask. “I thought I was just delirious. What am I?”

Hiei sighed. He really didn't want to tell her. He didn't want to think about it either. Not that he wasn't a small bit happy she was part demon, and noble at that, but the whole transformation bit and how she is actually one of the `daughter's of fate' that are being hunted by an entire ancient society of demons. That part scared him.

He looked into her eyes and began to tell her everything Botan had told him as she worked on saving Ayako.

**********

Ayako listened silently as everything began to fall into place. She now knew why Kagome and her had developed such a close friendship since Kagome's arrival a month ago. She knew who Rui was, and why she remembered such strange things about a miko's temple.

Her father was a powerful monk. Ayakougi. She was named after him. Her mother was a great snow leopard youkai. Lady of the North in the Makai. The combination of holy power and demon power in her heritage fulfilled the prophecy. She was the Kawaridane, well at least one of them. The unique hybrid that was written will do anything to claim her birthright; which happened to be the sword forged from her mother's fang. The Eika no Fuyu.

She watched as Hiei's mouth changed as he began to tell her of the transformation that would occur on her 21st birthday, or more correctly her 171st birthday. `Wow I'm old.' She giggled quietly. Hiei gave her a bug-eyed look before continuing.

“This isn't funny Ayako. In the state you're in right now this transformation could kill you!” His voice was heated and she watched as a new emotion crept over his face.

`He's worried about me.' She felt her heart leap from her chest.

“Hiei.” She wove her hand through the cloak he had wrapped her in and slipped her hand into his larger one.

He looked shocked. Then he relaxed. He gave her cold hand a small squeeze.

“I'll be ok Hiei. I'm tougher then I look right about now.” She smirked, trying to sound confident when really the thought of more pain in her condition scared her too.

She watched as he grinned back at her, giving her his most condescending look. “A tough girl wouldn't have worn herself out because she was too prideful to accept a ride.” He teased gently.

She scowled. “Had to bring that up again…” She tried to sit up a bit more and she winced.

“Don't try to get up baka. You'll start bleeding again and I know nothing of medical techniques.” His words made her smile. There was no real scolding behind them. Just amusement.

She looked into his eyes and grinned. “Well then boss. Maybe we should head back to the compound. I'm definitely looking forward to a warm fire right about now.”

He continued to stare at her. She watched awestruck as he began leaning in. Her heart started to pound. He was going to kiss her. She remembered the last time he'd done this she was left hardly being able to stand up. `Good thing he's holding me up then..' She stifled a giggle.

His lips brushed over hers gently. She felt the warmth spread from her lips to the tips of her fingers and toes. He broke away and she pulled him back, not wanting something so gentle and sweet to end. She licked his lips, letting him know just what she wanted. He let her into his mouth as his warm breath mingled with her own. She moaned into the kiss, feeling the want begin pulling at her insides.

They broke the kiss and Hiei pressed his forehead to hers. They were both panting softly.

“I don't know how you do this to me onna, but I don't want it to stop.” He whispered huskily.

“Maybe once I'm all healed up I can show you how much I don't want you to stop…” She whispered back. Astonished at her own bravery.

He leaned back enough to look down at her; his eyes wide as saucers. He stood up slowly.

“You can't say stuff like that. I have half a mind to keep that promise right here in this clearing…” She watched his face grimace with restraint and laughed at him.

“Sorry. Picture Kuwabara naked.” She watched his face twist with disgust and laughed harder.

“You have an interesting way to kill the mood.” He chuckled down at her as he leapt into the trees.

She smiled as she leaned into his chest. His heart beat lulling her to sleep as he ran back to the compound. She thought as her mind drifted to sleep, `Well I guess dying is one way to get a guy to open up.'