Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ A Cross of Flames ❯ A Cross of Flames ( Chapter 3 )

Yukina dropped her cup of tea and rushed to embrace her friend.

“You're alive!” She exclaimed.

“And well,” Shiori added.

“Does this mean my brother saved you? My, I'm so happy!”

Shiori smiled and shook her head.

“I owe him my life, but I can't bring myself to face him again,” she admitted.

“You'll come around. Who knows, the way he's been acting lately, he might not let you go.”

“What do you mean?”

Yukina laughed, “I mean that you two could be together some day.”

“I have to say that the ass has grown on me, but this is Hiei, I shouldn't become anymore attached then I am. I doubt he plans to see me ever again. Besides, I'm no longer a threat to him; I have no powers now,” she reminded.

“True, but even if you refuse to see him again, you'll still come to visit me, right?”

“Well, yeah of coarse. I'm not going to stop my friendship with you to avoid him. But on that note, I should probably go back to school. I haven't been there in a long, long time,” Shiori laughed nervously.

“You better get going then. You're coming for Christmas, right? Party and all?”

“I almost forgot about that, but yes I'm coming. You're the closest thing I have to family now. I'll see you in a few days,” she smiled and walked out the door.

Shiori showed up to school right at the end of her fifth period class and headed off to lunch. It was too cold to sit outside, not that anyone would let her out anyways, so she decided to sit on the upper floor and closest to the wide window.

The view wasn't bad. She could see her usual seat outside, and since she never really ate lunch it was new to be in the cafeteria at all.

She pulled out a booklet on algebraic equations when someone she recognized approached the table where she sat. The person stood there silently and without looking up she said, “I'm not moving if that's what you want.”

“Actually,” the boy started, “I came to ask you on a date.”

Shiori looked up at the boy in irritation.

“After saying “no” about a million times already, what makes you think this time will be any different, Sato?”

“Oh,” he purred, running a finger down her arm, “I think a little force could persuade you.”

Shiori slapped his hand away from her, stood up, and took in his appearance angrily. He was taller than she by at least two feet, which in her opinion meant nothing; however, his decently toned body was different story.

Dread filled her inner being until she looked at his hair again. It was slicked back like someone had just spit a hawker in it and was combed back. Any bad thoughts that had entered her mind vanished instantly. He was pathetic.

“Sorry, Sato, but I think I can handle myself,” she replied and walked past him.

The large boy gripped her shoulder painfully and spun her around.

“I don't think so, Shiori. I always get what I want,” he squeezed harder.

Shiori grimaced as thoughts swam through her mind. `Where is Hiei when I need him? -No, I can take this guy.'

Smiling sweetly she formed a fist at her side, ready to knock Sato out. Something outside caught her attention. Only for an instant did she look at him, his eyes vigilantly watching her as she clenched her fingers.

She broke eye contact with him and returned her attention back to Sato. Without warning, Shiori dropped to the ground, kicked Sato's feet out from underneath him, and then brought her foot down on his delicates before standing and leaving the cafeteria.

`Stupid boys.'

 

Christmas eve had arrived quickly and when Shiori showed up Yukina and Genkai were entertaining guests.

“Shiori!” Yukina greeted with a hug. “I'm happy to see you! I have great news!”

Shiori smiled brightly, knowing that it could have been one of two things, or maybe even both.

“What?”

Yukina laughed happily and finally couldn't hold the suspense.

“Kuwabara proposed, and,” she paused to breath, “I'm pregnant with twins!”

The two girls jumped up and down in excitement.

“Congratulations, Yukina! I'm so happy for the two of you.”

“Thanks. Let's go upstairs so I can tell you about their names,” the blue haired girl said, glancing around.

“I take it you don't want Kuwabara to know yet?” Shiori raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, he already knows about the kids, but I told him that I was the one going to pick the names. I don't want him to know those. The others are upstairs already. Come on!!”

Both girls laughed again and took off up the two flights of stairs.

Sitting with his friends, Hiei watched what had just transpired between his sister and her friend through a crowd of people. He had never seen her so happy before, either of them for that matter. `Did a proposal and carrying children really make women that happy?' He shook his head and decided not to think about it, and instead he eavesdropped on his friend and soon to be brother-in-law.

“Yeah, Yukina won't tell me what she plans to name the little rascals, but I figured I'd just get it out of Shizuru later,” Kuwabara had said.

“I could always pump it out of Keiko, if you know what I mean,” Yusuke grinned.

“It's not nice to say things like that, Yurameshi. If she hears you talking like that, she might not want to marry you.”

“Awe I was only kidding. We haven't done anything anyways. She wants to wait till after we're married. She knows I love her, and waiting for her is the least I can do for making her wait for me all of those years.”

“Yeah, the least,” Kuwabara mumbled under his breath.

“And speaking of women. Yo, Hiei, what happened to your stalking job?” Yusuke turned to him.

Acting as though he hadn't heard he continued to lean against the wall.

“She's here,” Koenma piped up.

Hiei glared at him.

“Who is she?” Kuwabara asked.

“She's Shiori,” Kurama said, appearing out of nowhere, smiling.

“Shiori?” Yusuke and Kuwabara asked in unison.

“I hate you two,” Hiei grumbled, directing his comment at Koenma and Kurama.

“She was the powerful human?” Yusuke questioned.

“Yep!” Koenma answered.

“You rascal,” Yusuke said, wrapping his arm around Hiei's neck and ruffling his hair. “You could have told us it was her. If she's powerful, maybe you two could hook up,” he teased.

“Don't make me hurt you, Yusuke,” he snarled and escaped his friends grasp.

“Go talk to her,” Koenma said, knowing full well that he wanted too.

Hiei glared death daggers at the pacifier boy and angrily replied, “I don't think so.”

“If I may make a suggestion,” Kurama offered, earning him a glare as well. “You could at least go let her know you're here. The girls can't fully enjoy themselves if she's on guard all night. And I say that on behalf of Shizuru, she deserves to have fun tonight.”

“Whatever,” Hiei retorted and made his way across the sea of people, starting up the stairs.

 

“So how about the name Shinta if it's a boy and Ayumi if it's a girl,” Botan suggested.

“Hmm… I do like both names, but I was thinking about Sanosuke and Hitari,” Yukina informed.

“Well, I think it's silly to think about names now, you have like, eight months to do it,” Shizuru said drunkenly.

“I think it's wonderful,” Keiko beamed.

“It truly is,” Yukina smiled. “But on a different topic, did you ever find out who that stalker of yours was, Shiori?”

“Shiori had a stalker?” Keiko and Shizuru asked in horror.

Shiori smiled sheepishly while Botan just smiled.

“Well, about that Uki…” Shiori trailed off.

“Yeah?” Her friend pressed.

“As it turns out, it was Hiei who was following me.”

“No way!” she exclaimed.

Shiori only shook her head.

“I can't believe it,” Yukina laughed.

“Go talk to him,” Botan insisted.

“He's here? Oh- no. I can't,” Shiori spoke softly.

“Sure you can girly. You're the prettiest girl I've seen since these three. That boy would have to be a fool not to think so,” Shizuru slurred.

A sweat drop rolled down the four mentioned girls and they looked at each other.

“Go,” Yukina urged. “We'll come with you.”

“Okay,” Shiori agreed and stood up. The others followed her, including Shizuru who needed support from Botan. They left Yukina's bedroom and entered the crowded hall.

“Who are all of these people?” Keiko shouted over the noise.

“Old friends of Genkai supposedly,” Yukina shouted back.

Shiori rounded a corner and began descending the stairs while in the middle of a conversation with Keiko.

“She certainly has enough, doesn't she?” she said, taking another step.

“Yeah,” Keiko agreed.

Shiori turned to pay attention too late when her foot landed on a round object and fell forward off the last step. Her body collided with someone else's in mid fall and she found herself barley standing at the base of one staircase and in Hiei's arms.

“I'm so-sorry…” she trailed off, caught in his gaze.

She cleared her throat and stood up straight, then apologized again. “I'm sorry.”

Hiei began to speak; “I―” and someone interrupted him.

“Mistletoe! Kiss her!”

Both Shiori and Hiei froze where they stood as the mostly drunk crowed chanted, “Kiss, kiss, kiss,” and looked up to see mistletoe mocking them from above.

They locked gazes again and started to lean towards each other. He could hear her heart beating rapidly and smirked before moving away slightly.

“I don't follow holiday traditions,” he declared, crossing his arms.

Shiori moved closer to him and lightly touched his cheek. She drew closer to his face and whispered into his ear.

“Guess what?” She smirked and pulled back far enough to hold his gaze one more time.

“What?” He asked huskily, mesmerized by her touch.

Her smirk grew into a full smile and she cupped his cheek in one hand. Using the other, she ran her index finger across his bottom lip and then kissed him softly before pulling back to finish her sentence.

“Neither do I.”

He stood there dumbfounded as the group of people cheered and as she walked past him.

“You okay?” Yukina stopped to ask, Keiko and the others joining the boys.

“She kissed me,” he stammered.

His sister smiled at him. “She loves you.”

“But, then-. Why does she keep running away?”

Yukina sighed heavily, “You haven't shown her how you feel.”

“I saved her, didn't I?” He defended.

“Hiei, there is a void in your heart that even I as your sister can not fill. You may be angry at the way your life has been, but by pushing people away from you, you force them to abandon you. Don't let it happen with Shiori, she needs to save you now.”

“Wh─”

“When your sister gives you advice and drops a hint that you should follow her, you should do as she says, you twit,” Genkai interrupted.

“Now get the hell out of my house and go get her,” she added before downing a bottle of sake.

A small but noticeable smiled played on his lips. `I've been the fool all along.' He kissed his sisters forehead, whispered a “Thank you” and left quickly.

Once outside he followed the footsteps down to the beach and played with a small box inside his pocket. The tingling feeling from the touch of her lips still remained on his, even now as he walked in the cold.

He trailed her footsteps at a slow pace up until the point he noticed blood, and then rushed after her. Eventually her screams became audible, as did the voice of a man. When he was close enough, the sight in front of him peaked his temper and sent him into fit of anger. Hiei pushed the yelling man away and examined her.

The shirt she was wearing was slightly torn, as were her jeans around her thighs. He observed her pull her knees to her chest and wrap one arm around them when he noticed forming bruises and the scars on her head dripping blood.

“Are you bleeding anywhere else?” He asked, shaking her shoulders slightly.

The man he pushed was coming back with a broken arrow in one hand and a knife in the other. It took a second to register just who the guy was.

He remembered back to the other day Shiori had left him nearly naked and…well, full of energy. It was the same day he followed her to school and witnessed her kick the guy where it hurts. Obviously this was the man's revenge.

The man came at Hiei with everything he had, but Hiei easily dodged and returned with a strike to neck; leaving the school boy unconscious.

Woundless, Hiei picked the fallen Shiori up bridal style and took a few steps before feeling something warm trickle down his arm. He set her back down and saw blood seeping out of a wound in her side. He touched it lightly and she flinched.

“Why didn't you say something?”

“Co-cold,” she stuttered.

“I'm taking you to Genkai's,” he announced, picking her up again.

“Hiei, no. You'll ruin the party and scare everyone,” she breathed.

“I don't care. You're injured.”

“Please, don't,” she begged.

“Then where do you suggest I take you?” He asked in frustration.

“Home. Your…house,” she said sleepily. “Take a cab. It'll be warmer,” she yawned.

“I'll have to remove your clothing again, you know,” he informed.

“I don-don't care.”

“Your body has me going crazy. I might not be able to resist taking advantage of you this time,” he tried to persuade her.

“I trust you,” she whispered clearly and fell unconscious.

He smiled down at her angelic form; bruised or not, she was still beautiful. Doing as she asked, he took a cab to his house on the mountainside and got her inside as quick as possible.

He lit a fire and quickly stripped her of the bloody and wet clothes to tend to her wounds. Her body was fully exposed to him and he found it difficult to keep his hands from roaming all over her.

The head of a small arrow was what he found lodged inside her skin and he tore it out with little patience. Using the ointment he had used the last time, he applied a thick layer and then proceeded to wrap a bandage all the way around her.

He draped a blanket over her to keep her warm, if not only to keep him from further temptation. Awkwardly enough he moved her body in front of his so she could lean against him as he lean against the wall.

Her hair looked black in the dark and he twisted a long strand between his fingers. Cradling her head with his shoulder, he brushed random strands and her bangs out of her face to reveal two bloody scrapes where her scars had once been.

`That bastard,' he thought.

He lowered his head to gently run his tongue across the abrasions and lapped up all the excess blood. A metallic, coppery flavor covered his taste buds, but he savored every second of it before drawing her closer to him and drifting off to sleep.

It was light out when he woke again, but this time Shiori was still in his grasp. She snuggled against his warmth when he moved, still asleep, and he set her back on the futon. He needed to think.

It would have been so easy to over power her as she slept, but it would have been just as effortless if she were awake. She wasn't powerful anymore, no longer a threat to him; he could kill her now, if he wanted.

He paced the outside deck.

She was still the same feisty girl he had been sent to track, besides the lack of powers now, wasn't she? That had been his fault anyways, technically, right? Why did it matter? Why did I rescue her at the cost of my own life? Was it because I pitied her, or did it have something to do with Yukina being her friend? No. Shiori was just like me, forced to fight the evils in her life by herself. Abandoned. That's why I did it. It is because we are the same in more ways than one, and yet so different. It is because she is the one who fills the void in my heart and ignites new fires, emotions I've never felt before. It is because… we are each other's flame.

The day drew to a close and he had just finished redressing her wounds. She had yet to wake and he found himself wishing she would.

He sat cross-legged in front of the fire as he entered a flashback from earlier that day.

The phone rang after his little inner battle. It had been Yukina calling to see if everything was all right since they never returned to the party, and to see if Shiori was there. Of course Hiei told her what had happened.

“Shiori was attacked yesterday.”

“Is she going to be okay?” Yukina's voice sounded stressed.

“She's safe now,” he told her, but thought, `At least from others.'

“How bad are her injuries?”

“Just a puncture in the side. I assure you she's fine,” he claimed.

“Please take care of her, Hiei.”

“Right.”

“I'll come by tomorrow to check on her,” Yukina said more to herself.

“I'll be expecting you.”

“Bye, Hiei, and Merry Christmas,” he remembered.

“Hiei.”

The sound of his name brought him back to reality and he turned to face the voices owner.

“You're awake,” he pointed out.

She only nodded and pulled the blanket tighter.

“Are you cold?” He asked, noticing. He moved to sit next to her.

“No,” she muttered as he sat down.

“Then what is it?”

“I,” she paused. “I'm embarrassed.”

Humor was evident in his eyes, “Why?”

Catching on, she glared at him. “Probably because some pervert has been looking at my body for who knows how long. And to top it off,” she lowered her voice, “you've saved me three times now. I should have been able to do it myself,” she turned away in shame.

“Don't be foolish,” he said and grabbed her chin to force her to look at him. “Some good has come from this.”

Shiori didn't understand and raised an eyebrow.

“Are you being a pervert again?”

He grinned but didn't say anything for a while.

“I have a gift for you,” he announced finally, reaching into his pocket.

“What is it?” She asked, taking it from him.

“Just open it,” he said uncomfortably.

She opened the small black box and nearly dropped what was inside.

“Hiei, I don't understand,” she stuttered.

He took the small ring and slipped it onto her left hand.

“I'm not very familiar with human traditions, but I believe they call this a marriage proposal. You can accept it or not. I don't care because either way you're not leaving this house again unless I give you permission.

“You want me to stay with you?” She asked, holding his hand with one of hers and caressed his cheek with the other.

His eyes nearly rolled into the back of his head when she touched him, it was torture. He forced himself to speak and it came out a gruffly whisper. “I want more than that. I want your entire being. I want you.”

He closed his eyes again as she stroked his neck and she could tell it was driving him crazy. She cupped his face and kissed him softly, like before, and pulled away.

His eyes were still closed and she smiled to herself before kissing his collarbone and taking his hand. She was in control. `But probably not for long,' she thought.

Hiei growled low in his throat and tilted his head back for better access.

She knew it was cruel, but as she planted kisses she lightly brushed the inner sides of his thighs and rested his hand on her side above the wound.

“Is this what you want,” she teased.

Hiei lowered his head again and slowly opened his eyes to expose the lust, want, and need, he had stored and he growled out, “My turn.”

He gently kissed her, lied her down, cautious of her injury, and pushed the blanket away.

Now completely flat on her back, Shiori grasped the back of his head and deepened the kiss. Hiei ran his hands up and down her body carefully and straddled her. Breaking the kiss he looked down at her in hunger.

“All those men who wanted you made me want you even more. If you don't want to go through with this tell me now or I─”

“Hiei, just shut up and enjoy yourself. I want twins like Yukina,” Shiori laughed up at him.

He smirked down at her and replied, “You've got it,” before kissing her again.

Shiori helped him shrug out of his shirt as they continued their battle of tongues and moved her hands down to his pants. She untied the knot that caged his manhood and gripped his throbbing member.

Hiei stopped momentarily to remove the lingering articles of clothing and repositioned himself on top of her.

He spoke hoarsely, “You can't be a virgin.”

“She gripped his member again and tugged gently before stroking him.

“Sorry to disappoint you,” she said sadly.

Hiei leaned forward and nipped at the pulse in her neck. “You're not,” he whispered.

He ran a finger down the fold of her innocence before tweaking her sensitive area ever so slightly and she arched her back out of reflex.

“Hiei…” She stammered.

The way she said his name spiked a new level of desire and he sank his fingers into her core. She bucked her hips at the action and ran the pad of her thumb over the head of his erection before squeezing him firmly. He thrust into her hand and removed his from inside of her.

“Revengeful, aren't you?” He purred.

“I'm trying to please you,” she cooed back.

“You're doing a fine job,” he smirked and licked his fingers.

She squeezed him again and he couldn't help the seeping liquid from coming out.

“Are you ready?” He asked, spreading her thighs and moving between them.

“Wait.” She sat up with him still sitting between her.

“What are you doing?” He watched her lean forward. Her hair fell around her face and shadowed himself from view. The feel of her hair draped around him made him squeeze his stomach muscles to try to prevent his release from occurring to early. She kissed his head lightly and used her lips lap up his essence before she sat up and grinned.

He growled and pushed her on her back and positioned himself at her entrance. He kissed her naval and brushed against her insides teasingly.

“Hiei… that's not fair,” she moaned.

“Well, what I'm about to do isn't going to be fair either,” he said, teasing her again.

“I know it hurts a little the first time,” she moaned, “but let's just get it over with.”

He kissed her belly button again and eased his way into her. Tears prick her eyes but she ignored the pain after he stopped and rocked her hips against him.

“Take the time to adjust,” he soothed.

“I think you're going to break me,” she muttered and rocked her hips again, completely ignoring him.

“You can't carry me children if that happens,” he moaned and pulled out.

“Like hell I won't,” she gasped and slammed against him.

He bit his lip at the agonizingly slow pace.

“Faster,” she said, raking her nails down his back.

He did as she wished and pulled out before slamming back into her again at a quickened paced. She picked up the rhythm of his thrusts and met him at every contact point.

“Hiei…” she moaned again.

“Almost there,” he grunted.

He slammed into her one more time as they reached their climaxes and her inner walls milked him for all he was worth.

Breathless, he kissed her roughly and retreated from her body to lie next to her. He grabbed a blanket, wrapped it around both of them, and Shiori wrapped an arm around his torso.

“If you don't get pregnant right away, I'm not going to complain,” he whispered and kissed her forehead.

“Do you really want to marry me? I mean do you really want a family?” She asked sadly.

He hugged her to him and decided to explain as best he could.

“Shiori, this is difficult for me to explain,” he warned.

“I know. It's okay if you don't…love me. If I'm just a partner for your needs, I can deal with that because I love you,” she admitted.

“Shiori, you're such a fool.”

“But, I'm weak now. I can't even save myself,” she whimpered.

“I've never felt this way before, but you're not just a pleasure partner. I want to start a family with you. You're not weak either. You've saved my life today by merely accepting me.”

“I don't understand.”

Hiei smiled down at her and planted kisses along her neck.

“We were both abandoned and left to face the world alone, but now that we've crossed paths we can start a new life. Together. Besides, I marked you when I freed you from that curse,” he informed, becoming aroused all over again.

“Really?” She toyed with him.

“Really,” he whispered hoarsely.

“With fire…”She trailed off.

“Yes,” he kissed her ear.

“A cross of flames,” she smiled.

“A cross of flames,” he repeated.