Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Angel of Death ❯ A Prelude to the Forecoming and Past Events.. ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

This is something started writing sometime November 99 and finished May last year. This is the first ever fic I've started and is the first multi-chaptered fic I completed. Here goes nothing…

Chapter1
A Prelude to the Forecoming and Past Events...

Hiei cautiously opened the door. He entered casually, flopped down on a sofa, raised his still booted feet and brought it down on the table with a thud. Mukuro, who was napping earlier, was roused with the racket he created. She straightened up when she saw him, as usual. As usual is correct. It seems as if this has been their daily routine for eternity.
"Well, how was it?" Mukuro inquired.
"How was what?" countered Hiei.
"The patrolling. What else?"
"Junk."
"You say that everyday. If you really hate it that much, then I suggest you go back to Ningenkai."
Hiei grinned imperceptibly. "I told you that'll depend on me."
Mukuro stood up and walked towards a doorway. "Come. I'll fix up your supper."
Hiei followed her to the dinning room. He sat down on the intricately embroidered chair at the head of the table. Mukuro entered the adjoining room, apparently the kitchen. She reappeared later carrying a huge tray. On it are great streaming hot plates, one for each of them. However, there was only one tall glass of the ice-cold shake.
Mukuro placed a hot plate on Hiei's place. Hiei was disappointed and rather surprised when she took the frozen fruit drink and placed it in front of her own place. Both started eating soon after.
After a few minutes of quiet munching, during which Mukuro failed not notice Hiei's persistent glances on her glass, he said, "I'm thirsty."
Mukuro coolly poured him a glass of water from a pitcher, courtesy of the tray. And so reigned another few moments of silence. Hiei looked around him taking in each detail of the splendidly designed dinning room.
"So I see you cleaned like a fiend again," he murmured.
"Again? It's only proper to tidy up a house everyday," she answered.
"Hn. I notice you get more exhausted in managing a household than in commanding an army."
"Not so. But I tell you, it isn't easy. Why don't you try it for a change and make your own shake?"
"Hn." Hiei scowled ferociously. "You didn't have to send the slaves away. And we didn't have to move, either."
"I'm not exactly in power, Hiei. And never will be again, probably. Besides, the Dark clan palace is huge. Imagine maintaining that place."
"Hn. At least, you had the sense of keeping your wheels."
"Well, you made it quite clear you needed it."
"Hn."
Silence filled the great hall. Sounds of occasional crunching can be heard as Mukuro chewed on the bits of ice arousing even more Hiei's envy. He only stuffed himself all the more to control his temper. Come to think of it, he thought. These stuff tastes a whole lot better than those prepared by her former servants. Even though Hiei knew more about chopping up bodies than onions, despite his limited knowledge of housekeeping, he got the feeling that Mukuro's way of managing things around the house is more than satisfactory.
Can you imagine? Picture a callous, bloodthirsty, power lusting warmonger as a typical, if not ideal housekeeper. NOT!
This was quite a shock for the very limited number of people who knows of their present condition. After all, Mukuro's social behavior is basically still the same. Both she and Hiei generally don't show themselves a lot to other people. In fact, not many know about their marriage. Not Mukuro's former followers nor Hiei's closest friends. One things for sure, the greatest generals of the armies of Makai will surely faint if they see their former overlord serving a little, puny man in black (Ok, so he isn't that puny.).
"In the first place," he muttered. " Why didn't you make me one?"
Mukuro feigned surprise. "I thought you didn't like cold and ice. You're a fire demon, remember? That's why they threw you out of Koorime."
"Hn."
"You know if you want it that badly, then make one yourself."
"That's not my job."
" Fine, fine."
"Bring it to me."
Mukuro raised her visible eyebrow. "Am I not supposed to be your master?"
"Hn." Hiei disappeared. Mukuro proceeded in clearing the table.

A moment later, Hiei was sitting on a thick branch in one of the numerous trees concealing the mansion-like house. He was leaning against the large trunk of the giant and had his eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Actually, he was just reflecting, the way he usually does when he is sitting in a tree. Or any dark and quiet corner for that matter.
His day wasn't really as boring as it appeared. Hiei is in one of Makai's patrol groups assigned by their ruler Enki to maintain peace between that world and the adjacent one, Ningenkai. The demons tend to bully the Ningens and, being much stronger, often succeed. But by no means are humans less hostile. They can be much more trouble, usually because of greed.
A whole lot of individuals were required for that massive an operation. Many were volunteers in that peacekeeping force. Hiei, however, like some others, who are more powerful and presumably more responsible, was obligated by Enki (?), their ruler.
These people were the semi-finalists of the Makai tournament. This was the tournament formed by Urameshi Yusuke, direct descendant of Raizen, to determine the rightful ruler of Makai. Well, it succeeded in unifying that world under one government. Yusuke lost so he just went back to Ningenkai, his home, planning to come back and compete on the next tournament, which is approaching fast, having only less than a year from this day.
How did this Ningen get into the picture? Yusuke is part youkou having been descended from Raizen, one of the triad powers of Makai then. The youkai genes of his remained recessive in the earlier generations but became dominant in him. This is probably due to the fact he died twice. Koenma Daiou, the Reikai prince, raised him up on the first time, his death being unexpected and unplanned. But on the second time around, his youkai blood made him live again. Reikai wasn't too happy with that and ordered his extermination. Koenma defied his father, Enma, and even assisted in the reincarnation of Yusuke. At least, it gave Enma an impression that Koenma is growing up.
After his first death, Yusuke was compelled to become a Reikai Tantei. His mother Atsuko, very grateful of his second chance to live, was pretty cool about it. Perhaps, it was because she won't be too harassed worrying herself to death about Yusuke's predicaments, she being drowned in the (un)sober world of alcohol. Yukimura Keiko, his childhood sweetheart, wasn't that lucky. Aside from the emotional pressure, she got tangled up in a few messes. The enemy always thinks of her as his Achilles' Heel but she's actually la primera insperacion.
Hiei himself used her to lure Yusuke into his trap. That was how he met up with Yusuke and Kazuma Kuwabara. Or as he would call it, "the beginning of all my troubles."
Botan, ironically the Deity of Death, was the cheerful, blue haired messenger of Koenma who brought to Yusuke his missions. The first mission was the retrieval of the three treasures of Reikai: the mirror, sword and jewel <I think it's the parallelism to Japan's legendary mirror, sword, jewel belonging to first emperor Jemmu Tenno's grandfather Ninigi-no-Mikoto who got them from his grandmother the sun goddess Amaterasu. Whew! > stolen by Hiei, Kurama and Gouki. Apparently, it was Kurama, a youkou kitsune in a human's body, who had the bright idea of robbing the three artifacts. He immediately took the wish granting mirror and left the other two quite ignorant of what to do. Gouki was using the jewel to collect children's souls and then eating them. Hiei wielded the sword that transforms any human into a youkai.
Unfortunately, they didn't see the true intentions of Kurama. He wanted to save his mother, Minamino Shiori, who was terminally ill. He was willing to give his life in exchange but Yusuke offered his life instead, having remembered his own mother's grief when he died. The mirror granted the wish without further ado but took none in return for it was overwhelmed by their generosity. Yusuke had earlier defeated Gouki, but Kurama helped in apprehending Hiei as a sign of his gratitude.
For punishment, Hiei and Kurama were forced to become Reikai Tantei, too. And after all the stuff that happened; Yusuke's earning of Genkai's Reik-kou-hadou-ken, the Shiseijuu business, Yukina's rescue, Ankoku Bujutsukai, the Sensui madness; the four men's friendship grew. The strong bonds of comradeship had been forged in the heat of battle.
It was with the fight against Sensui where Yusuke died the second time in front of the helpless others. They chased Sensui off to Makai but the fight was as one sided as ever. Even though they had improved very much since the day they met, the Tantei was unable to match the totally human Sensui, who had the power of an S-class warrior. Kuwabara slashed the barrier open, which was what they had been trying to prevent all along, to chase Sensui but no monster dared to venture near the opening for fear of the powerful warriors fighting nearby.
Koenma, who failed in the heroic minute to stop Sensui, quite succeeded in stopping the Reikai SWAT team from weeding out Yusuke. They were afraid of his S-level powers and were really shaken up when he suddenly rose and scared them out of their wits by pretending to want to eat them. Actually, Yusuke's alter-ego Puu, now a phoenix, was the one who saved him, shielding him from the powers of the SWAT. The sight of the giant bird didn't exactly ease their nervousness and tension and they were probably reasonably glad when it carried off Yusuke and Koenma to Makai.
Yusuke had a gruelling fight with Sensui. It was S-level energy against S-level. You could well imagine the havoc it caused so the others remained a respectful distance. Yusuke defeats Sensui but claims of having been possessed by a powerful creature who was capable of controlling his powers, unlike him. He swears to face this creature and to make him pay for his dues. In the mean time, they all return to Ningenkai, tagging along with them a sacked out Hiei, and resumed a more or less normal yet boring life.
It won't remain boring for so long. Three messengers came to fetch Yusuke. Raizen, their leader, was dying of starvation and Yusuke, his "son" was needed to take his place as king. Yusuke figured he was indeed the being who took control of his consciousness during his fight with Sensui. So, he left home, leaving a promise to Keiko that he'll return after three years.
Kurama was also summoned by an old friend named Yomi. This chap was a subordinate in Kurama's guild of thieves hundreds of years ago when he was still in his kitsune form. Apparently, Kurama designed a plan to knock some sense into the foolish Yomi and so the latter, though he survived, was blinded after fighting with this youkou. Now, Yomi has risen to power and was one of the triad powers controlling the eastern domains of Makai. Kurama was naturally terrified of his S- class old acquaintance but he went anyway.
And of course, Hiei. He was called forth to render his services, too. This message was from the third triad member. He decided to meet this masked person and to try-out to become one of his generals. He went to Makai, despite Kurama's protests and warnings of the evil that lurks behind the mask. Maybe he got the wind that the person wasn't really evil, just indifferent (like him!) but he made the impression he was just after the opportunity of training and increasing his power and skills.
Triad members? It's like these. Makai was crazy enough to begin with. But long ago (in our terms) each person had a place in the society. Basically, no one interfered with any others' business and so each lives his own life.
Then, there came a day when three supremely powerful beings got it into their heads to dominate the whole of Makai. They had a power struggle and their world was divided among them. No one was satisfied, of course, and there were many skirmishes between the three kingdoms. The powers were kept at bay, however, since there were only three of them. Balance among the triad powers was kept for 500 years or so. If one of them disappears or something, chaos will break out and it will be fight to the death from then on.
That almost happened. One of the chief differences of the three rulers was their idea of food ration. Raizen was completely dead set against eating humans. Yomi immediately disagreed with him. The third one held his peace and knew better than to arouse Raizen's wrath. Anyway, Raizen's digestive tract was unaccustomed to any other food than humans but he opted to starve. What did you expect, he died. But not before Yusuke reluctantly accepted the burden of protecting that kingdom. He was trained by Raizen's best men so that he will be able to fight the pouring armies of the other two lands which will surely hold a siege against them the moment he dies.
Hiei did, as well, after defeating Shigure, the witch doctor who installed <parang telepono 'no?> his Jagan. The third person's army's method of recruition was sort of like the in Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (don't bother finding out who they are.). Kurama, too, had to accept Yomi's wishes. His mother's life was at stake. He also increased the powers of some old enemy-turned-to friends from the Ankoku Bujutsukai by training them under Genkai and got them to become soldiers of Yomi. All the same, he was so sick about the idea of fighting his friends that he neglected his studies. <DUH>
So the most powerful being in Makai died. Tension was everywhere while earth itself seems to be holding its breath. Once war breaks out, not only Raizen's camp will be in hot water. There is a great possibility that Yusuke's faction won't be able to hold out. Then the two other armies will fight it all out endlessly until one of them is blotted out of this universe. No one will succumb to anyone. Indeed, these soldiers are far worse than the Myrmidon warriors of Achilles. In the end, all will be a swirling vat of blood, violence, and hate. Everything under the sun might have to face annihilation.
The solution, as you know, didn't just pop out the ground like daisies. Yusuke had to be coaxed into leaving Ningenkai. But anyway, he proposed a simple solution to the problem: a tournament that will decide on the next ruler of the whole of Makai. To prevent the pouring of innocent blood so rashly, he proposed to have this tournament which will be held every three years where in any one interested to have control of Makai is welcome with out care of influence or rank whatsoever. Everyone should go back to their old selves and forget positions, etc. No more sovereign lords, armies, cavalry forces, generals, just plain warriors eager to show off and increase their abilities and powers.
Yomi was hesitant at first, but then he had no choice except to accept for he was outnumbered. When Yusuke dropped by Yomi's stronghold yelling for tea, the latter ordered Kurama and his special team to be on guard. So, when Yusuke announced the tournament, they all popped out of nowhere shouting their agreement and allegiance to Yusuke. Kurama himself declared that if worse comes to worst, then he's sorry but he'll side with his more recent and righteous friend.
Hiei and his overlord were somewhere around the premises, too. They probably wanted to get some new news but got more than they expected. Hiei's master immediately announced his abdication to his subjects. From then on, he was just an ordinary warrior.
The last blow came when some of Raizen's old friends joined the ranks of Yusuke. They heard of his death and were very sorry, some even regretting being unable to defeat him in battle before he died. Anyway, they just decided to fight in the contest as well and fight, instead, Raizen's son. Yomi finally figured that his army would be no match to their strength, so he agreed.
The tournament went on without a hitch. Hiei himself was defeated by his own master. Yusuke, as mentioned earlier, lost against Yomi. In fact, each person in his circle of friends lost their fights, except for Kurama. He forfeited after his match with the medicine man Shigure, his body being badly battered.
In the end, one of Raizen's old chums, Enki, won against Hiei's master. That explains why that guy is a "anthro-phile" <HUH?>. He was a good enough leader and brought radical changes to the land. And his reformations did go for the best.
As for the past two years, while he Hiei was busy chasing off Ningens back to where they belong, Makai was slowly pulling itself together. It wasn't exactly an ideal one-nation-world, but it was steadily making progress.
Changes, changes... Yusuke's sudden, spur-of-the-moment decision has indeed set off a wild chain reaction of changes. The once tense relationship of the three worlds; Makai, Reikai, Ningenkai; has eased up a good deal even to the point of the abolishment of the barriers. Now, you can easily shift from one realm to another as long as you had the means and are pure in intentions.
It has brought much change in him also. His lust for blood seemed to have vanished now. True, he still enjoys the sounds of metal clashing against each other and the wild rush of adrenaline in his bloodstream in a fight or flight situation. Nonetheless, he no longer longs for the familiar metallic stench of spurting blood from ripped flesh. Nor does he take pleasure in hearing the tortured cries of his fallen enemies. Indeed, it was a radical improvement. Not even his involvement with Yusuke and his gang eradicated those strange desires, though their companionship did soften him a good deal. Oddly enough, the most unexpected person succeeded in something even his beloved sister failed to do. Odd because the person himself was like him in many aspects and, perhaps, Hiei himself changed the other's life, as well.
Hiei opened his eyes in memory of the said person. His gaze landed on the lighted window somewhere below his seclusion. Mukuro was in the kitchen, possibly preparing the much-disputed shake or else doing the dishes. He couldn't see from where he was sitting and didn't bother to find out with his Jagan. Mukuro is a private person.
By her position, Hiei can only catch a glimpse of Mukuro's flawless half, while her cyborg part was rather invisible. The yellowish light of the kitchen made her shoulder length hair even ruddier. He liked the way reflections of all sorts rippled in her hair caused by the play of light. Yeah, it's in a much better state now. Her hair is rather healthy and no longer looks like she cropped it with her eyes shut. Maybe its prior to the fact that it's no longer damaged by extreme heat and other stuff. For the first time, he realized that he had indeed taken fancy of that hair despite the fact that it's shade reminded him very much of that imbecile Kuwabara.
Mukuro, it was she, she who changed Hiei's life at one snap of two fingers. It was she, his former overlord, whom everyone, even Kurama, who had an uncanny way of knowing people, saw as a vicious, bloodthirsty, merciless monster. They might have been right. But it was all past now. He himself was actually worse than her and she had a more valid reason for her violent campaign. Well, those were the rules in Makai. The survival of the fittest. Fight or die.
All this changed because of a pearl. Not really the organic gem one gets from oysters but a tear gem. A tear gem shed by a mother and given to her child. The pearl helped them find one another. They were able to help each other to accept themselves as they are. Their true selves have long been hidden in the great billowing clouds of rage and remorse.
"Yes," Hiei murmured. " She is important to me." He finally admitted to himself a fact he had known all along. Mukuro was so important to him he dare not whisper to himself exactly how much she means.
Hiei grinned to himself. Ironic. He had known Yusuke and the others for a relatively longer period than Mukuro. However, he and she knows each other deeper. Even deeper than Kurama had known him, who undeniably is his best friend. Maybe because they explored each other emotionally and spiritually <NOT physically, thank you.>. Perhaps it's because they were linked with much more than strong bonds of friendship and comradeship?
No, you idiot, he thought to himself fiercely. You only married because of mutual profit. Because you needed something from each other. Because we had something in common and we understood each other. I'll have nothing to do with those stupid romantic Ningen tales.
Oh really? You mean it' s just a business agreement? a voice inside him spoke. You need not marry Kurama when you established a partnership.
He's a man, dumbo.
The point is you didn't have to marry her. Besides, she gave you your freedom years ago when Yusuke proposed the tournament. Remember?
Hiei said 'hn' out loud.
Admit it, moron, the voice in his head said. You just can't swallow the idea of yourself having a romantic escapade.
With that, Hiei turned bright ripe tomato red.
"What is the matter with you?" asked someone. "First you smile to yourself, next you're a blushing fool."
Hiei jumped guiltily. "Hn," he said. "It's just you."
Mukuro handed him the tall glass. Her white hands were visible in the darkness. He noticed the chains were gone. He himself removed it during the tournament. It was her legacy of her harsh past. As she was free from that bondage mentally and emotionally, might as well totally free her physically. Her bare wrists was a sign of her acceptance of the past. Mukuro was now free from the ghastly memories of pain and sufferings.
"Shouldn't have bothered," he said. Hiei glanced at the Mukuro who was sitting silently in the shadows of an adjacent branch. Only parts of her were visible, specifically the lens covering her right eye, which glinted as it reflected the faint moonlight.
Hiei munched on the crunchy ice. After a while he edged nearer to where Mukuro was. He peered closely at her face. His had gotten used to the stingy light so he saw her quite well. He looked into the blue, deep-set eyes of hers; into that ocean-deep swirling mass of unsaid things that spoke so much louder than words. She was quiet tonight. But it was different from her usual lack of chatter. It was as if something shocking, or at least extraordinary, was coming. Might as well have it now, thought Hiei.
"Come on, " he said out of the blue. "Spill it."
"Huh?" Mukuro sat up in mock surprise. She knew that Hiei knew she wanted to talk to him seriously.
Hiei scowled. "Talk." With that he started attacking the still half-filled glass. Only the crunching of the ice bits as they broke on Hiei's teeth broke the silent night. As if the world quieted down to hear what she has to say, the rustling of the leaves, the whispers of the night air and bubbling of the stream were barely perceptible.
Mukuro suddenly turned away from the soft white fingers of the moon reaching out to stroke her face and from the still intent gaze of Hiei. After a moment of silence, as if bracing herself, Mukuro said quite suddenly, "What will you do if we had kids?"
Rustling of leaves followed this then a soft thud was heard. Mukuro arched her head sideways and notices Hiei's absence from his previous position.
"Uh, Hiei?" she called. She raised her fine eyebrows and then disappeared herself.
Mukuro alighted in the small clearing just below the massive tree on which they were perched a while ago. She slowly walked to where Hiei landed on his butt. His hands were musing around his head searching for bruises. His face still registered shock. He returned Mukuro's inquisitive look with a wild eyed one. Clearly, he was shaken to his foundations.
Hiei, however, was unable to reply to the questioning gaze of Mukuro. Another surprise was coming and it was much more shocking. <Good thing he didn't die of cardiac arrest. I would have killed him, you know.>

3rd Editing: actually, I just check the grammar and spelling. I don't change the story at all.
031101 15:26:52