Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Kawaridane ❯ To War ( Chapter 16 )

AN: Sorry this took so long. I really should be doing homework today but my last to reviewers on ff . net inspired me to do this today. Homework will be forsaken for now. This is for Rikakit and Darkfire-Lady of Darkness. I don't own anything… sad.

 

Hiei watched her tilt her head back and let the cool rain run down her face. She still held his hand and his eyes settled onto the point where her small, yet still plenty dangerous, palm met his. He knew she wanted to speak, so he let her gather her thoughts.

She finally let her head drop down and began to speak. “I want to tell you some things…” she began “And I don't want you to interrupt me until I'm finished.”

He nodded, and waited for what he certainly deserved.

Ayako sighed and shook her head, keeping her gaze locked on the ground between them.

“You're a bastard.” She whispered vehemently, “If I had a choice in this I'd choose anyone but you.”

Hiei felt his insides clench. He deserved that.

“I was so naïve. I never once thought that someone you loved could hurt you so much. I know now it is only the ones you love that are capable of hurting you so much.” Her voice was still strong but Hiei could smell the tears even if the rain hid them.

She breathed deeply and looked away from him.

“I know you know this, but if I don't say it, we cannot start again.” She looked him in the eye. “I needed you. My life was thrown upside down. I was `sold off' to be another demon's bride and you ran away. You cover it up with your honour and your pride but you ran. Your so called honour meant more to you than I did and my world, now upside down, also fell apart.”

“It took me a month to come out of my room. When I did, my…hatred,” she shivered visibly with the word, “of you left me vulnerable to Kurushimi.” She shook her head. “Don't get me wrong. I don't blame you directly for what happened. I am my own person and I happily fell into his trap. He was the total opposite of you and I so wanted to rid my mind of you that I didn't see the signs. The others were so glad to see me out of my room that they didn't see it either.”

Hiei flinched. Was it possible to blame himself even more? She says she doesn't blame him but she doesn't need to. He is doing it just fine on his own.

“Through all of it, I just couldn't stop thoughts of you venturing into my mind. It hurt like a red hot knife through my heart each time your image came to mind. Every time I thought of the first time we made love my heart betrayed me.” Her voice had dropped to a whisper.

“It betrays me now.”

Hiei stopped breathing.

She no longer tried to hide her tears in the rain. Hiei tilted his head back. It was stopping.

“I cannot begin where we let off.” She knew he wouldn't apologize. At least not verbally. It just wasn't his way.

Hiei sensed he wouldn't be turned away and he apologized the only way he knew how. He closed the gap between them and gathered her small frame into his arms, and she clung to him like he was the air she needed to breathe.

He stroked her wet hair and waited.

“I need to trust you again.” A small voice came from within his arms. He rumbled his agreement deep in his chest. He grasped her arms and held her away from him so he could look into her eyes.

“I will show you, you can put your trust in me again…if you'll let me try…” he said gruffly. It took a lot to say just that.

Ayako searched his face and slowly nodded. She broke away from his grasp and headed towards her open bedroom door.

“Goodnight Hiei.”

She didn't wait for a reply. Her door shut out the cold night air.

Hiei stood in the same spot for a long time. The rain had stopped, and the air was fresh and cool. Finally a blur of black flashed and he was gone.

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Ayako blinked the sleep out of her eyes to receive a flash of bright morning sun right in the face.

“Aahh… ow” she grumbled as she rolled over. Ugh why was her pillow so wet? Oh right. Long dramatic talk in the rain will do that to a girl's hair. She scowled as she sat up. She was not a morning person today.

She stretched and flexed her muscles and was about to stand up when someone crashed through her door. Ayako was stunned to find Shizuru standing their grinning and breathless and very pregnant. Ayako frowned. Shizuru was not the crashing in at 6am type. Something was up.

“Ok now havin a pregnant lady burst in on someone is not an everyday appearance. Especially cuz it's you. What is going on?” Ayako asked irritably.

“Wow grumpy gus this morning I see…” she panted, “Oh you know just out for my morning jog.”

Ayako's eyebrow's rose incredulously. “You don't jog. You don't crash in and you never ever look this excited about something. What the hell is it tell me or so help me I will never babysit your hanyou child!” Ayako wasn't sure if that was a good threat but it was al she could think of. Give her a break it was 6am!

Shizuru laughed. “Ok ok… Botan is back and she has… news… which I considered to be great news that I'm sure you'll agree with me about.”

Ayako sighed. “You're not going to tell me are you?”

Shizuru shook her head and beckoned her to follow. “Get your ass outta bed and come hear for yourself!”

Ayako stood up, and grumbling the entire time about cryptic pregnant ladies, got semi dressed. PJ pants and a t-shirt. She just needed to find a bra… There! OK…

Ayako turned and Shizuru was already out her door waddling down the steps as fast as she could. Ayako couldn't help but laugh as she followed her friend into the main compound.

As they walked Ayako asked Shizuru about the baby.

“You are six months pregnant by now… how long do hanyou pregnancies last?” Ayako queried. Shizuru smiled as she ran a hand over her distended belly.

“Kurama isn't sure… the one thing he is sure about is that kitsune are one of the few species to mature quickly once born. It was a survival mechanism since they were constantly hunted. Being one of the trickster race is not always looked upon warmly in the Makai.” Shizuru smiled. “I guess when it happens I'll know.”

Ayako smiled back. “I can't wait to have a mini Kurama running around. So cute!”

Shizuru punched her friend in the arm. “Hey it's gonna be a mini Shizuru too you know. Whether it's a boy or a girl.”

Ayako mockingly bent her head in prayer, “Kami help us…” then laughed when Shizuru punched her again.

They were still laughing and talking when the emerged into Genkai's briefing room. Ayako ran across the room to hug Botan and almost knocked the ferry girl off her feet. Belatedly she noticed Koenma in his older form standing in the doorway and gave him a hug as well.

“Wow… we are in a good mood today now aren't we?” Koenma laughed.

“You could say things are looking up.” Ayako grinned. “Oh Botan! Shizuru said you had news.”

The ferry girl nodded, “Well actually we have news, but I'm afraid it's far from the good kind.” She said gravely.

Ayako looked over at Shizuru who rolled her eyes. They both knew how dramatic Botan could be.

Genkai stood up from the briefing table where she was arranging a map of the Makai. “Everyone, gather round. Botan and Koenma have information that will allow for us to plan on doing what we've been itching to do since last night's incident…”she paused for effect, “go after Nikushimi and the Karyuudo directly, and take back Kagome and Ayako's birthrights.”

Ayako started to shake with excitement. Shizuru was right… this was great news. She couldn't wait to pound that sorry piece of demon, Kurushimi, into the ground.

The increase in excitement and flexing of spirit energy in the room was palpable. Any normal humans would be cowering on the floor from the effects. There were no normal humans in this group, not even Keiko and Shizuru were normal.

Ayako walked up to the table along with everyone else. She looked around the table. It was quite a sight to take in some of the most powerful demons and humans in all three worlds gathered together like this. She took it for granted most of the time.

Kagome was next to her and held her hand tightly. This was what they had been waiting for.

“Alright. As you all know Ayako and Kagome are our own personal heiress's. They hold the exclusive rights to the Northern Makai and as such, the demon who rules there now would very much like to kill our girls.” Genkai began.

“I'd love to see him try…” Kuwabara said laughing and everyone joined in except Hiei. Although he did grin.

“OK calm down. Now Koenma and Botan have informed me that Nikushimi has grown lax in his monitoring of the gates to the Makai. With Kurushimi's recent success he feels he will be able to control Ayako upon first sensing her and take care of Kagome through her.”

“I have been looking through my books on how to counter-act the control, but my instincts about the matter tell me it may not be necessary.”

Hiei and Ayako's eyes met and she smiled. He smiled back. Things were going to be alright.

“Seems I was right. So anyway that problem is now less of one. Besides all of you here are among the most powerful demons and humans in the three worlds. We will not fail.”

Cheers were heard around the room. Everyone present was itching to end this and end it violently.

“Alright alright children… lets do this thing.”

Genkai continued talking asking for input every once in awhile. The plan was a simple one. All of them would enter through the same gate that Botan would open for them. Together they could plow through the enemy forces slowly but surely. Their goal was to bring Nikushimi down completely, which included liberating the lands of his forces.

Their ability to work together as a team would ensure they wouldn't encounter much resistance until they got closer, and by then the land and people they liberated would be behind them and watch their backs.

Hiei, Kurama, Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Inuyasha would lead the assault on any forces. Kagome and Ayako would be perched on high ground to take out the enemy with their spirit bows and would also heal any injuries sustained. Genkai and Yukina would scout and help when needed. The shy Koorime had developed skills of her own and she itched to prove to her brother and to Kuwabara she could fight also.

Shizuru objected vehemently to being left behind, along with Keiko. It took Kurama and Yusuke pleading with them to stay behind. Neither were as powerful as the rest, but they were part of the team. Keiko finally agreed that she needed to stay with Shizuru if the baby came while they all were gone. Shizuru was pulled aside from everyone by Kurama and she finally agreed to stay behind after threatening Kurama with otherworldly pain if he got himself killed.

Ayako made a mental note to tell Shizuru she'd be looking out for Kurama especially. It would not do for their baby to never meet his father.

“OK… anymore questions or … “Genkai looked at Shizuru with a sly grin, “threats to be made?”

Everyone laughed.

“Alright we will leave tomorrow morning. You all have the rest of the day to yourself; I suggest you spend it well. Because tomorrow it will be war.” Genkai's tone sobered everyone present.

Though they were all excited, what they were doing was dangerous, and they could die. Ayako watched as the couples filed out together. Undoubtedly to make this peaceful time together last as long as possible.

Ayako and Hiei were left standing together at the briefing table. Hiei held out his hand to her and she walked around the table and took it in her own. They walked outside and when they were standing in the middle of the sun drenched courtyard Hiei scooped her up and took off through the trees.

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Hiei finally stopped in a tree far from the compound. He settled himself against the trunk and positioned Ayako in front of him.

They sat in silence and he revelled in the feel of her in his arms again, and the scent of her and the love in his heart. It was unreal.

“Hiei, I think you should mark me again.” She said suddenly.

He was shocked. I thought she wanted to go slow.

“I don't mean I want to make love. It's too soon.” She sighed and snuggled back into his chest. “I want you to mark me. A courting mark, an intention of your claim, so our minds can be linked and if I begin to be taken again you can help me stay with you... with everyone.”

He sat silent for a minute. Then he grasped his hands around her waist and lifted her to turn her around in front of him. He looked into her eyes. She nodded slowly.

He leaned forward and kissed her softly. He felt like his heart would explode. How did she do this to him? He was so unhinged around her. He broke away from her lips and slowly kissed along her cheek, her jaw line, and down her neck to the point where her shoulder and neck joined. Her breathing had increased in pace, and he could feel the blood pounding in his ears.

Damn he wanted her. He wasn't sure if he could control himself if he marked her.

He hesitated. Her breathing hitched. He held his breath.

Thoughts of how she was blank-eyed under Kurushimi's control came to mind. He never wanted to see that look in her eyes ever again.

He bared his fangs and bit down, infusing the mark with some of his spirit energy. He felt her fangs come down on the same spot on his own neck. They broke apart and looked at one another, panting with frustration. They both felt the connection begin, first with the tingling in the mark and then the amplified emotion through it.

Hiei put his hand on the back of her neck and dragged her head forward until they sat with their foreheads touching, eyes closed, simply taking one another in.

Hiei smiled, and Ayako felt it. She smiled back.

“Tomorrow, they are going to wish they'd never been born.” Ayako said softly. Hiei growled with pleasure. His onna was powerful. What a turn on.