Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Angel of Death ❯ Just Plain Gossip ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter 6

Just Plain Gossip

Hiei was sitting again in a tree. But he wasn't alone this time nor was he with Mukuro. He wasn't inside his yard either. And he wasn't simply contemplating the day. He was with Kurama in Ningenkai talking about the past events and the queer girl who told the outrageous story.

"Hiei," asked Kurama presently. "Are you sure you don't want to knock like a normal person instead of waiting out here till the sky fell?"

"Hn," he answered. "I'm tired. The fact that this here is her house is just plain coincidental."

"So it's pure coincident that Mukuro was sent to accompany the princess?" Kurama was smiling with sweet innocence.

"I didn't have anything to do with it. Enki chose her because of her abilities." Hiei scowled.

"Really? So you picked this place instead of Mushiyori city."

"That girl Ebony picked that place. Had no other choice." Hiei hid his slightly crimson face.

"You know that girl Ebony was a classmate of mine. Smart girl. She frequently cuts class though otherwise she would have surpassed both Kayto and me."

"So?"

"Considering she knows me better, she would have chosen to work with me."

"If I only knew you were falling for the girl the I would have intervened."

Kurama ignored Hiei's statement. "But she seemed so intrigued with Mukuro. Anyway, does Mukuro know about Yukina?"

"Look, Kurama. What are you driving at? Are you thinking Mukuro would tell Yukina about our blood relations?" Hiei became even more furious.

"Uh-yeah, I guess."

"Well, she won't talk. Besides, it's none of her business."

"None?" returned Kurama with a sugary smile.

"Hn."

"Don't worry, that girl really needs a body guard. She is a favorite among the bullies. That's the cause I considered of her frequent absences then in high school. I didn't think she has a life like Yusuke's. I never felt any spiritual strength from her. Nor from her brother, Adrian. He's the one studying in Yusuke's school and he's a major heartthrob."

"At first, I thought she is a joke too like Koenma. But something about her warns that she is one hell of a force to reckon with."

"You know she's one of Keiko's chums. They study in the same school. In fact, she drags Ebony occasionally to Master Genkai's house for a visit."

" So that's how she became Yusuke's tutor."

"Uh-huh. Ebony does study in the same school Keiko did but took the same course as Yusuke. They have to study in the same place though when it comes to the criminology part. Anyway, ever since Keiko brought Ebony to Genkai's place she visited the place quite oftenly."

"Even then before Genkai's death?"

"Yeah. And the odd thing is she and Ebony seemed like old friends. I mean, according to Keiko, they chatted about the strangest things."

"And was she there on Genkai's last moments?"

"Yes. Were you?"

"I didn't see the girl there."

"You didn't even show yourself to your sister."

"Hn. Speaking of Yukina, she lives alone out here?"

"Botan stays with her."

So that's why we're the ones sent to hunt down Yusuke, thought Hiei. Koenma had asked them to bring the tape to Yusuke saying Botan was busy. Ebony was quite infuriated when she found out Koenma recorded her on video without her knowledge. She nearly smacked him straight in the noggin but at least she won't have to repeat any of her instructions.

Speaking of instructions, Enki ordered some of his troops to scout Ningenkai as well. Of course, he, Hiei, was sent here. Kurama also came because he lives here. And Mukuro guarded the Princess Ebony.

Ebony said there are several places in Ningenkai vulnerable to attacks. She showed them the places. Two of them that are assigned to her are Master Genkai's temple and Mushiyori city. She chose the latter because she lives there. Hiei chose the former because... because...

"Kurama," said Hiei. "Just pound it into that skull of yours that I didn't come here because of her."

"Don't worry, you have an alibi right here," Kurama held up the tape. "We came here for Yusuke, right? He accompanied Keiko here."

"Didn't you notice Koenma blushed when you asked him about Botan?"

"Why, Hiei! Mukuro was right in saying you're interested in gossips."

"Hn." Hiei frowned at the laughing Kurama.

"Of course, I did. Maybe there'd be a third pair to get engaged."

"Don't remind me of that. Soon enough you'd be the only bachelor left."

"The others wouldn't know. You didn't tell them about your marriage. Are you planning to have kids?"

Hiei's face turned redder than his companion's locks. He didn't have a chance to react though. Somebody came out of the old fashioned house. In fact, the whole gang was herding out the door. Botan, Keiko, Yusuke, Kuwabara and oh yes... Yukina.

Botan is chattering cheerfully. Yukina's angelic smile shone. Kuwabara is wearing that idiotic look of satisfaction. Keiko is scolding Yusuke. Yusuke was being plain disagreeable...

Just like old times. That was the first thing that entered Hiei's mind. A smile crept on his face inspite of himself. He didn't quite notice it when they sat underneath the very same tree he and Kurama were sitting on. By now, they can hear the lively conversation of the company.

"Well, well!" exclaimed Yusuke. "You finally proposed to her, hmmm? I knew you had it in you, buddy-boy."

"When will the wedding be?" asked Keiko.

"Not any time soon, that's for sure." answered Kuwabara.

"We would like to wait for news about my brother from Hiei." said Yukina.

At this point, Hiei stiffened. Kurama particularly noticed it and flashed him a meaningful grin. This only increased the other's frustration.

"Wasn't Kurama going to Makai?" asked Keiko. "Perhaps, he'll meet up with him."

"I heard Hiei ran off with some dame and got married," said Yusuke, grinning mischievously.

Hiei glared at Kurama who smiled sheepishly.

Botan laughed like a loon. "Boy, would I love to see the day! But that's just gossip, right?"

Kuwabara looked thoughtful. "So if that's true and I'll get married and Yusuke and Keiko will too then Kurama will be the only bachelor left among us."

Hiei smirked at Kurama.

"You forgot about Koenma." Yukina reminded him.

"Yeah, but he's too busy for a lovelife."

"Well, so is Kurama. He rejects every girl that becomes infatuated with him." said Yusuke.

"You know, some of my school fellows managed to find out my being acquainted with him," said Keiko. "In fact, I've lots of letters and stuff with me. I do hope he comes home soon enough cause those girls are driving me nuts."

"Poor guy," commented Yusuke. "Or should I say lucky guy? Anyways, I'm still curious about Koenma."

"Eh, Botan?" called Kuwabara to light haired girl who had wandered off staring at mushrooms. "Any news about Koenma tying the knot soon? We need info about his love life."

Botan suddenly lost her happy-go-lucky mood. She seemed to have become very self-conscious and her round pink eyes darted everywhere as if in desperation.

"Well, Botan?" Yukina followed up the question.

"Uh...ah.. M-m-master Koenma?" she stuttered.

"Uh-huh." assented Keiko.

"Oh, he's fine. He isn't dating anyone, I think. Never had. Though if he has some sweetheart or something he'd probably keep it a secret, right?"

"I guess so." Yusuke finally agreed.

Botan sighed in relief. Up in the branches, Hiei and Kurama exchanged glances. The others, however, seemed to have sunk to an awkward moment of silence.

Botan herself was first to snap out of their reverie. "Hey!" she said suddenly. "I have a superb idea."

Yusuke and Kuwabara looked at her warily. Sometimes, Botan's ideas are way beyond the boundaries of reality.

"Why don't you guys-," he pointed at Yusuke and Keiko then to Kuwabara and Yukina. "--have a double wedding."

Silence. Nothing. Then...

"HAHAHAHHAHA!!!!!!" Everybody laughed like crazy.

Botan was indignant. "What's so funny about that?" she demanded.

Yusuke tried to reply but was overcome by fits of laughter. Kuwabara managed to blurt out, "I thought you were going to plan some kind of web of deception for Kurama. You know...matchmaking."<?????>

The gang laughed all the more merrily. Finally, their giggles ebbed. Soon enough, a relaxed quiet happiness washed over them until even the growth of the trees can be heard. Then, Yukina spoke solemnly. "But that is a good idea. Don't you agree?"

The others nodded in assent.

Silence ensued again.

Then out of the blue Botan burst out, "Hey! How many kids do you plan on having?"

Nobody knew to whom was the question directed. But it didn't matter because...

CRASH!!!!

A black unidentified object fell from the sky. With it came down a shower of twigs, leaves and various bits and pieces. It fell straight at them.

"Kuwabara, lookout!" Yusuke's voice was sharp. He pushed the three girls away. Kuwabara, however, too disturbed, embarrassed or pleased by Botan's question reacted too slowly. So the black mass did fall...right on top him!

The others tried to gather their wits about them. Kuwabara managed to escape from underneath the black thing. The others were by know around him and the object. But then, everybody knew that the mass was none other than...

"Hiei!" they exclaimed in unison.

Hiei coolly stood up from where he had fallen. Kuwabara charged up to him at once and demanded, "What's the idea of jumping on me? You really have some hidden anger towards me, 'no? Come on, be a man! Fight me face to face."

The little guy only shot him his poisonous look and shouldered (Should I say waisted?!?) past Kuwabara. "Get off my face. I didn't come here for you. And for your information, Kurama pushed me."

"I did not." denied Kurama. He leapt down from the tree landing in front of Yusuke. "Hiei came here for you."

Yusuke's face flooded with seriousness. He nodded. "We'll talk inside."

"Hey!" hollered Kuwabara. "What's going on here?!?!"

"Get lost moron. This is serious business." said Hiei.

"I dare you to say that again!'

"Stupid, idiot, imbecile, moron." (familiar?)

Everybody was sitted in front of the television set. Even Keiko and Yukina was there. Well, Keiko demanded to be allowed to see the video, too. Yusuke argued she wouldn't be able to see anything. But nooo, she was adamant. Oh well!

Yusuke was wrong. The moment the tape was popped in and played, Keiko at once recognized the person talking on the screen.

"Hey!" she exclaimed. "That's Ebony Drynwyn. That's in Makai, right? What is she doing out there?"

"I knew it. There is something wrong with that girl," said Yusuke crossing his arms across his chest. "She knows my answers are wrong even before I hand them over to her. I always thought she was fooling me."

"So it's true, huh?" said Keiko severely. "You do get mad when she tells you your answers are wrong. No wonder she gets so exasperated with you! If only I knew whatever you're learning about, I 'd teach you myself."

"That could be some hideous monster for all we know," retorted Yusuke. "That's probably why Koenma sent us this video. You've known me since childhood and you side with her. How long have you known her anyway?"

"I met her about five years ago when you left. She was a member of a club or something like that. Anyway, we became chums. She's a lonely girl. Apparently, her friends went off gallivanting just like mine. She cuts classes quite oftenly but she manages to keep her grades up. Unlike you."

"How come I've only known her lately?" Yusuke was suspicious.

"She disappeared just about the time you came back. Aunt Kore, her guardian, told us she went home. Home probably meant her native country which she never told us about honestly. She reappeared just a few days before you yourself met her."

"Maybe she's some hostage in Makai or something. But why me? I was fired, right?"

Botan shrugged. But it was Kurama who spoke up. "Let's just watch it, alright? Then your questions will be answered."

Everybody settled down and watched the film. But Hiei's attention wasn't on the black haired dame on TV His thoughts drifted on the past things he heard.

Hiei was slumped in one corner feeling a little dazed. He found Botan's statement a little too much. Imagine, Yukina and Kuwabara having children! He felt like he just rode a rollercoaster with all that changing feelings. Embarrassment, annoyance, happiness, amusement, shock, and, yes, guilt.

Hiei was feeling guilty, very guilty. Yukina is still waiting for her brother. A brother who probably won't come. Perhaps she was dying to ask him about it. She probably hesitated when she sensed the urgency of the situation.

He remembered what Kurama asked him earlier. Was he indeed afraid Mukuro might blurt out his secrets? Come on, he can't give her death threats like he did with the others. She's even more powerful than him. No, she wouldn't. She's not the type who goes around telling other people's secret. But then again, she seemed particularly insistent that Hiei tell Yukina. Alright, so he is worried about what Mukuro might say to Yukina.

Speaking of Mukuro, where is she anyway?