Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Kawaridane ❯ Escape and Rescue! ( Chapter 21 )

AN: Yay! New Chapter! I don't beg for reviews but they are always great! They motivate me to write faster. This one is dedicated to KaosuMusouka on mediaminer . org . Your review gave me warm fuzzies! Thank you! I do not own…

 

Ayako stirred and winced as she turned her head. Her jaw felt like it was bruised. She wasn't surprised. What she saw when she looked around, however, was surprising.

She was back in Kurushimi's bedchambers, fully clothed, on his bed. `What the fuck?'

“You're surprised I saved you from your fate.” A deep voice came from the shadows. Kurushimi walked closer so she could see him in the dim light.

“Why…” it was all she could manage with her face being rearranged like it was.

“I've been asking myself that question for the last few hours.” He sighed.

She gave him a puzzled look.

He walked to the edge of the bed near her and sat down, facing mostly away from her. It seemed like he wanted to say something, so she waited.

“I think I'm remembering things. I think being with you has flipped some kind of switch inside me that was turned off since I was a child.” He shook his head. “I don't know how, or why, but I can speculate.”

“It may be because we are of the same race of demon, and genetically, you are the leader of the clan now. I'm only guessing, but I think Nikushimi made a mistake by allowing me to…do that… to you.” He hung his head. “A very large oversight on his part.”

“I want you to tell me what you know of me. I know you probably had that annoying ferry girl run back to spirit world and gather my life's history. I want to hear from your mouth what I have begun to suspect since…” He trailed off.

“You're right. I do know. But not from Botan. It was Ketsuji who told us of your sad childhood.” She spoke softly and slowly as to not jar her face too much.

“I do not know you're real name. I know you lived with your parents either within these walls or very close. If I were to guess, I would say you were one of my parents' servants' children. I know that everything was happy here until Nikushimi began to invade.” She sighed. “Ketsuji said he came across the country side inciting rebellion. Saying my parents were unjust leaders who were plotting terrible deeds after my mother gave birth. The young and the weak minded believed him. The night my sister and I were born true to the prophecy, he tried to kill us in our infancy. A maid of my mother saved Kagome and I. She ran for hours and hours towards the one thing she thought would allow us to escape.”

“What was that?” Kurushimi asked quietly.

“The Bone Eater's well.” She replied in a whisper.

She waited for his reaction.

His eyes widened. “That is miles from here! No one could make that trip running full out the entire time. It would take at least a day and a half walking. If the maid had no special spirit energy it would've killed her!”

“It did kill her. Or at least, she would've died eventually if Nikushimi's men hadn't found her first.” Ayako said evenly.

“Since last night, I am remembering things. Faces… I believe. My parents…” He whispered. “What was the maid's name?”

Ayako studied his face. “I was told she was fondly called Nezumi, or mouse. I am unsure if that is her real name.”

His expression softened noticeably. “Perhaps her good deeds can help wipe away my sins.” He paused, “I believe that was my mother.”

Ayako had sensed that was the case and she allowed him to adjust to this news.

“Nikushimi used that against me. Telling me when I was a child that your mother had killed mine.” He looked at her sadly. “She gave her life for you to live and I've spent most of my own life trying to kill the reason for her sacrifice.”

Ayako didn't know what to say.

“Will you do something for me?” He asked quietly.

She nodded slowly.

“Would you come up with a name for me? One that may have been mine at one point? Your friends draw near, and there is something I must get for you before they arrive.” He said quickly as he stood up.

She nodded again.

He smiled genuinely and hurried out of the room.

`Did he say my friends are close?... Oh Hiei…' She hung her head. She would tell him what had happened here and he would either forgive her or not. If he rejected her she wasn't sure if she'd survive… but she would try.

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Night was almost fully upon them as they settled on the outskirts of the main keep. Genkai looked around at her charges. Everyone was antsy. Hiei looked on the verge of explosion.

Genkai smiled. He would get his chance now.

“Does everyone remember the lay out and the points of entry?” Genkai spoke softly.

Nods were seen all around.

“Alright kids turn on your head sets and spread out. On my go, we go save my girl.”

There was a flash of movement and then only Yukina remained by her side. The small Koorime demon gave her a sly smile. She was getting to like this very much.

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Hiei huddled in his position beside the Spirit Detective and waited for the old woman to say the word. He felt like his limbs were on fire from restraining them for so long. It had been horribly difficult to keep such an easy pace today when he knew a faster one would get him here sooner.

This was killing him.

He had pondered the feeling in the time it had taken him to get out here. This intense worry and fear for Ayako's safety. She meant everything to him, and that scared the shit out of him.

He didn't know what he'd do if he truly lost her.

How had he ever let such a seemingly delicate thing like that wriggle her way into his heart and under his skin? There was no way to rid himself of her now and he certainly didn't want to.

He couldn't even remember when he'd started to see her as something other than Genkai's daughter. He thought back to when this all started and knew it was before then. He had been in denial then, and it had taken that smug fox flirting with her to make him understand his predicament. He remembered how his blood boiled when the fox had kissed the back of her hand.

Hiei stifled a chuckle. That bastard knew him better than he knew himself.

Even before that he had been chasing off all prospective boyfriends for the girl. He would see her when she was younger get upset when one she thought she liked in particular, never called her back. It had more to do with fear of the protective fire demon than her charms. The local human boys practically tripped over their own feet and drooled openly when she was only 15.

No, Hiei wasn't sure when he began to feel more than platonically for the miko. He knew that he'd been secretly protective of her for at least that long. Her warm genuine smiles and her lack of fear and disgust with him had earned her a place close to his heart.

Now she held it firmly in the palm of her hand.

If she were to die, his heart would die along with her. It terrified him.

Hiei looked over at Yusuke who seemed to also be deep in thought about Kami-knows-what. Yusuke caught the movement and turned towards him. He grinned that big arrogant smile he had before most fights. Hiei smirked in return. They both heard there radio's crackle and Genkai's voice signalling them to move out, and with a flash they were both gone.

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Tenmei. It meant God's will, or destiny. It also meant dawn and Ayako thought it was fitting. Kurushimi had had one hell of a spin with fate and a rebirth of sorts was in order for his new name.

It may not have been what his mother named him, but Ayako liked it. She was sitting on his bed in a freshly cleaned sparring outfit. It had black under-body with a green and white-trimmed over-part, cinched at the waist with a white obi.

She loved this style of clothing that Genkai and Kurama favoured so much. When she got home she had to go out and get more. She smiled.

She couldn't wait to kill that bastard Nikushimi and go home with Hiei. She really had no interest in ruling a whole region of the Makai. She'd have to figure out what to do later.

She heard movement in the hall and she leapt towards the darkness of the closet, just in case it wasn't Kurushimi and she had to kill the would-be assassin.

The door opened slowly and Ayako crouched low extending her claws, ready to spring into action.

Ayako relaxed as she saw who it was.

Kurushimi had a something under his arm. It looked long on and thin, but it was wrapped thickly in an old blanket.

Ayako felt the small green pendant around her neck warm. She had forgotten all about it. She grasped the small thing in her hand.

“Uta no Fuyu.” She whispered softly.

Kurushimi smiled and unwrapped the object in his arms. It was a katana. It was her katana. Her birthright.

“Hai, The Song of Winter for the first daughter. It has been down in the vaults under the keep for its mere presence makes Nimushimi…uneasy.” He said and held it out to her.

She approached him slowly and took the katana from his hands. The hilt felt warm in her grasp as she drew the sword and held it in front of her.

She closed her eyes as an invigorating sensation flooded her body from where her hand touched the hilt. The sword was… singing?

She opened her eyes and looked the question at Kurushimi.

He nodded, “I can hear it.”

She listened intently as the blade seemed to resonate happiness and fulfillment. They were finally together after so long a wait.

Ayako sheathed it and walked over to Kurushimi's desk. She found a long black sash and fastened both ends of it to both ends of the sheath. She then looped it over her shoulder and across her chest so the sword rested comfortably on her back, the hilt within reach of her right hand.

She turned and smiled at the demon standing behind her. He looked…antsy.

She turned her head to the side quizzically.

“Ano… Ayako-san, have you… I mean did you…think of a name…for me?” He said hesitantly and blushed.

Ayako almost giggled at the taller handsome demon whom, 48 hours ago, was her worst enemy next to Nikushimi.

She nodded, and he looked up expectantly.

“Tenmei.” She said softly.

He pondered the name, and its meaning. He smiled.

“It's perfect.” He said softly.

They stood in comfortable silence. The silence was broken by a particularly large explosion.

“Oh shit. Right. You have a crazy boyfriend that wants to kill me and frankly I don't blame him, but if he finds me before the situation is explained I'm afraid I may be a bloody paste of demon mess in no time.” Tenmei grinned sheepishly.

“You stole the katana; you went against the orders of Nikushimi to save me from his thugs. You can't stay here. I have a feeling my friends are only here for me. They would wait for the rebel army to launch a full-scale attack on the keep. Come with me. I'll keep them from killing you I promise.” She smiled.

He nodded. “I will get my revenge on Nikushimi… When the time comes.”

She nodded. He turned and ran for the door and she followed quickly.

`Hiei, I'll see you soon.'

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Impatience.

That's what caused Hiei to blow up that sentry station. He knew it wasn't very “stealth” of him but he felt like he was going to explode.

“Holy Shit Hiei! Give a guy some warning before pulling the walls down around my ears!” Yusuke shouted.

Hiei resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The Spirit Detective could be so dramatic.

“I've caught her scent Spirit Detective. It's mostly blood.” Hiei replied darkly.

Yusuke's face darkened in turn.

“Why the fuck didn't you say so in the first place?!” Yusuke shouted and turned his nose to the air. He wasn't full blooded demon so he had to work harder to catch it.

“Got it?” Hiei asked quickly.

Yusuke nodded and took off towards the opening in the wall Hiei had conveniently opened up. Hiei was on his heels as they flew through corridors. In no time they had arrived in what looked like a throne room.

Hiei growled when he followed the scent trail to a particularly strong spot where there appeared to be chains attached to the wall.

Yusuke scowled at the blots of blood that had dried on the floor around the spot. “Fucking bastards…” he spat vehemently.

Hiei turned as his sharp hearing picked up a number of pounding feet heading in their direction. He was about to speak when, “Seems like we're gonna have company…” Yusuke already knew.

Hiei smirked and drew his katana. He would enjoy tearing apart these scummy excuses for demon blood. By the look on Yusuke's face he would enjoy it just as much.

The demons flooded the chamber from two separate corridors; seemed to be around 30.

“Keh, too easy.” Yusuke said disdainfully and leapt into action, taking those that came from the right.

Hiei said nothing and cut through the first four demons as if they were nothing. His eyes clouded over until all he saw was red.

His sword swung quickly and efficiently. To an outside observer his movements were so quick and fluid they were hard to follow. On the other side of the room Yusuke was breaking necks like they were toothpicks. He hadn't even bothered to use much spirit power, not for these lowly dirtbags.

Too late the lowly Karyuudo realized there mistake and tried to escape. Hiei was in front of them in a flash and they were down just as quickly. Yusuke pegged off the last runners with a shot from his spirit gun.

The room became eerily quiet.

Hiei walked back over to the spot Ayako had obviously been restrained and beaten. He felt sick to his stomach as he sorted through the various scents until he found hers once again. He closed his eyes and allowed his Jagan eye to probe the walls around them.

He had found her. She was with that bastard Kurushimi. They were on the move. He was trying to escape with her. Hiei cursed.

Yusuke was looking at him expectantly.

Hiei jerked his head in the direction of the corridor directly in front of them and took off in a flash towards Ayako's presence.

Hiei became more and more confused as he got closer. Her aura seemed perfectly healthy. If Kurushimi was controlling her mind, her energies should be severely suppressed and her life force weaker from the abuse she'd taken.

Something wasn't right.

She was just ahead. Heading towards them. They rounded the next bend and came to a small courtyard. Hiei watched as Ayako ran out of the corridor across from them, followed closely by that bastard Kurushimi. Ayako was running towards him and Hiei was crouched low about to let loose the dragon on this bastards ass.

“Hiei don't!” Ayako shouted and wrapped her arms around him.

Hiei was so stunned he did stop. He could smell that bastard on her. He had raped her, within the last 48 hours. Hiei roughly pushed Ayako behind him. He had heard of rape victims protecting their attackers but this was Ayako…

“No Hiei! You don't understand! He's changed! Please listen to me!” Ayako pleaded with him.

Hiei restrained himself but he didn't face her. Yusuke spoke instead.

“What the fuck are you talking about Ayako?! This bastard raped you! I can smell it!” Yusuke shouted.

Ayako turned. “I know. Just please! Do you see this? This is my birthright. He stole it for me. He saved me from being gang raped by Nikushimi's lieutenants. I will explain everything! Please just trust me! We have to get out of here now!”

Hiei turned and looked from Kurushimi to Ayako.

It was true the tall bastard had lost that smug look from before. He looked…ashamed.

He growled. He still didn't like it.

Yusuke was staring at Ayako. He nodded slowly. And pressed the receiver on his neck for the head sets. He spoke quickly into it saying they'd found Ayako and were retreating to the rendezvous point. Yusuke got a confirmation from the rest.

Yusuke walked over to Kurushimi. “You go ahead so I can keep an eye on you.”

Kurushimi nodded passively and began walking where Yusuke prodded him too.

Hiei turned and faced Ayako. He wanted answers, but he knew he'd have to wait till they were out of enemy territory. He turned to follow Yusuke when Ayako grabbed his arm.

He didn't face her but he could smell the tears.

“Hiei… please understand…” Hiei didn't. He couldn't.

He sighed, kicking his pride momentarily. If he didn't give her some indication he still loved her he'd be doing exactly what he'd done back in December.

He turned and brushed the tears off her face gently. “Make me understand.”

Ayako's tear streaked face looked up into his. She nodded slowly.

“I will.” She said softly. “I'm so sorry.”

Hiei wasn't sure what exactly she was sorry for but he was afraid he wouldn't like it one bit.

He nodded and grabbed her hand, tugging it gently.

“Let's get back to everyone.” He said softly.

She dropped his hand and took off after Yusuke, into the darkness.

Hiei's heart was breaking and pounding with relief at the same time. What the hell happened?

 

 

AN: Oh and the garment Ayako is wearing is the one Kurama wears all the time when they are fighting. Genkai and Hiei wore them during the Dark Tournament as well. I don't know what they are called but I like them.