Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Dark Clan Aftermath ❯ Conversation in the Night ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4

Conversation in the Night

Mukuro narrowed her eyes. She was admiring the whole place, when she sensed someone approaching her location. It must be Kiri, since he was the only living person who knew about her old quarters. `I thought I told him not to come here unless I say so.' She gritted her teeth and sent a telepathic signal to the one she thought was Kiri telling not to bother her. To her surprise, the person ignored her. She smiled. Only one person would dare do that-her loyal visitor, Hiei… So, he found out after all, but how? He was at her door now. Mukuro smirked. She could use a little fun with him as well as teach him GOOD MANNERS, couldn't she? She then used a trick that'll surely piss Hiei's pants off-the knocking password-as she called it. Simply not open the door until he knocks. The guy was used to bulging in other people's space without their knowing or permission. Knocking was definitely not on his vocabulary. But if he wants to see her, he would be learning its art! She heard him curse after finding the door locked followed by the sharp sounds of contact of a sword and the door. She heard him curse again. After a few more moments, Mukuro heard a soft knock. That was too soon! She was expecting a lot more action from him, but here he was knocking already. She sighed, might as well let him enter and ask him what he wants. Besides, she could use a little chat. She sighed again and removed herself from the railings of her balcony. She walked inside her bedroom and proceeded towards the door leading to her living room-leading to her waiting guest. An enthralling sight met her eyes as she entered. There was Hiei, standing near a window, the silvery rays of the moon bathing him. The magnificent orb was like a halo wrapping this dark angel-showing all his innocence to an only witness… Mukuro overcome her state of awe and walked slowly towards her captivating guest… She didn't tear her gaze from the beholding sight and suddenly, she found herself voicing aloud her thought… "Beautiful isn't it?"-her eyes widened. `Did I just said that?!'. To her surprise-

"Hn. You call this beautiful?"

`What?' She stopped right beside him and followed his gaze. `Oh' So he was referring to the scenery outside. Mukuro smiled. `I didn't meant this sight, I meant you…' she thought. "Do you want to sit down?" she asked. He nodded and then they settled themselves on the nearby cushions. "How did you find this place?" she started. "Hmm, I'd get Kiri for this." She said while shaking her head.

"He told me nothing but I suggest a good beating."

Mukuro's brows rose questionably. "Why is that?"

"None of your concern."

"He's one of my men. It's my concern."

"Hn. IT does not concern YOU." he lied.

Mukuro sighed. She would not be getting anything from him if he doesn't want to. Might as well change the topic. "You two aren't getting along. (sigh) Oh well, so what can I do for you?" she looked straight at Hiei's eyes. She waited for his answer but… it did not come. "Hiei, if you don't want my presence, that's fine with me. Get some sleep, you can't stay here…" she stood up and walked towards her bedroom. She was about to enter when-

"I'm going to Ningenkai…"

Hiei's voice was barely audible, but she heard it loud and clear. She turned around and searched his eyes. He couldn't be leaving. Why now? Why not long ago when, when she hasn't grown so attached with him, yet… Then she saw it, he was serious although there's a bit of uncertainty attached. She didn't want him to go. That's for sure. She gathered herself. She should NOT be bothered by a mere youkai. "Really. Actually, you need not inform me of this. You're not under me, remember and besides, it's your life." -but her innerself thought differently-she would've felt hurt if he'd just leave without telling her.

"I came for your opinion." Hiei spoke.

That got Mukuro's attention. "What do you mean?"

"What do you think of it? My going to Ningenkai."

Mukuro's innerself battled again. She could still stop his foolish decision but what about him? When she looked at his eyes earlier, she saw so many things-he was looking forward on seeing again his friends, his colleagues, his sister, Yukina-he's looking forward for the things he missed during his stay in Makai-he's longing to everything Makai or she couldn't give or shoe him… She finally made her decision. "Don't go…" Hiei's gaze didn't falter. "… if your heart tells you not to… Go for it, if it tells you so." She waited for Hiei to react, but he didn't, so she continued, "It is nice to follow what your innermost feelings dictate, but it's not always…"

"Hn. Then I'm gonna go there."

Mukuro froze. He's leaving… "When?"

"Tomorrow," he said matter-of-factly. "I'll be coming with Kurama."

"Did you tell him already?"

"Not yet. I'll tell him tomorrow."

"Where will you be staying?"

"I haven't decided yet. It's either at Kurama's house or at Genkai's."

"I suggest you go to Genkai's place. Your sister lives with her, doesn't she?"

"Hn."

"Take good care of yourself, Hiei."

"Hn." With that, Hiei stood up and headed towards a nearby window. He leaned on it and gazed at the breathtaking sight outside. "You act like Kurama's mother…" he murmured.

Mukuro was shocked. She couldn't decide whether what he said should be considered a compliment or an insult. "A mother? Do I?"

"I… dunno…" Hiei was somewhat disturbed inside. Why was Mukuro acting like Kurama's mother, Shiori? *Take good care of yourself.*, she would always say to Kurama. Well, maybe he was just getting paranoid due to his exposure to Kurama's mom, maybe he's overreacting. Does Mukuro see him as a child? The mere thought disgusted him, no, not at Mukuro but with himself! NO. This could not be happening… He looked at Mukuro again, he could tell she's in deep thought-she'd probably be thinking of chaperones and etc for her poor baby Hiei-NO! "Mukuro, how do you see me? Am I just a kid to you?" He couldn't look at her. Suddenly, he felt her beside him.

"I guess…" was her reply. "Maybe… since you just said that I act like a mother around you…" then she leaned at the side opposite him.

Hiei gritted his teeth while mentally cursing himself. `Don't let her get the wrong idea…' he peeked at Mukuro. She was truly a sight to behold despite the scars on her body. The room accentuated her very being. She's amazing, beautiful, enchanting… Hiei blushed and immediately removed her gaze from her, secretly praying that Mukuro hadn't seen his unlikely actions. "I didn't mean that… Look, I don't want you to treat me as a child okay? I'm a man, Mukuro, a warrior. Treat me, see me as something else…"

Unfortunately for Hiei, his somewhat weird actions didn't go unnoticed by the woman beside him. A smile tugged at her lips. So there is still hope with him afterall. Judging by his actions, she'd say the little guy got a crush on her. The `mother-like' issue really disturbed her-a LOT! If Hiei sees him as a mere image of a mother then, there's no hope for them. Suddenly, it hit her-`I'm a man, Mukuro… treat me as something else…'-could that mean something too? It should! Cause it felt really good! She'd never felt this sensation, ever. She could not describe it-excited and nervous at the same time…

"Mukuro!"

"Huh?"-a pair of crimson eyes met her sight.

"You're sleepy. I'll just leave then.." Hiei was about to move when-

"I'm not sleepy. Why don'y you sit with me here?"

Hiei didn't make a sound of reply but he followed her anyway.

"Why do you wanna leave, Hiei?" Mukuro asked.

"Business…"

"What kind of business?"

"It's none of your concern."

"(sigh). You're right. It's not my business…" hurt etched with it…

`Not again.' Hiei mentally groaned. `Why is she getting so emotional on me so suddenly? Hn. Might as well tell her.' "I have to meet Yusuke, he requested my presence through Kurama."

"That explains why he's here."

"Hn. Whatever. He's up to something, and I want to know what that fool's got in mind now. He hadn't changed a bit. Besides, I wanna know whether he'll be competing or not… Happy now?"

"That's a little harsh, Hiei, but thank you anyway. Will you be visiting Makai again?" Mukuro nervously asked. Hiei faced her and looked at her oddly. "Just asking."

"I don't know what you mean by that."

"Well, I was just wondering if you'll ever come here again…"

"What are you talking about? I'll only be out for a few days."

`A few… days?!' Mukuro tried to piece it all together. `He's not leaving… me?' that was a great relief on her part. Without control of herself abynore, Mukuro burst out laughing out loud!

Hiei was totally confused. One moment she was asking some silly things and next she's laughing her lungs out! He'd never seen her like this before. He'd seen her smile but laugh? This is all too weird. He examined her closely. Tears were already coming out of her eyes. What? Is she crying? `Tears of joy…'-Kurama's words echoed in his mind. Well, so that's what it is, but what made her react this way? Only one way to find out, ask her. The woman in front of him caught his attention again. She kind of looked different at this state. Silly? But poised. Strange? Younger? Beautiful… He smiled. She's always beautiful… `Here we go again…' he bit his toungue. `Why am I acting like this?'

Finally, Mukuro was `able' to stop. She straightened herself. `That was so embarrassing but I feel relieved and … happy. Hiei, you're the only person who could bring out all this strange thing.' She shook her head. "Oh Hiei…" she whispered affectionately. "I thought, I thought-"

"I'd be leaving for good?" Hiei crossed his arms on his chest and faced Mukuro. He snmirked,. "Why? Would you miss me?"

Mukuro managed a calm exterior above her completely dismantled interior. She had never been caught off guard, be it on a fight or anything! She noticed Hiei's smirk widen. `Say something, you lousy woman!' she screamed at her mind. This was way too embarrassing. She looked away from his accusing gaze and tried to find something to say. Without even thinking-"YOU must be out of your mind. As a matter of fact, I'd be glad to get you off my property. My men would definitely agree on that. You've been quite a pain all these years…" `WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!' But before she could straighten up things-

"Do you mean that?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Oh."

Mukuro froze. `What the hell-` His tone was of a combination of deadly promise and of … hurt… She wanted to tell him she didn't mean it but-`I'm not bowing down to some youkai!'-Her pride got in the way. She didn't say anything and an overwhelming silence ensued. No one dared talk nor move… The 'air' around got warmer by every second. Tension was building. Then suddenly, Hiei removed himself from the window and walked towards the exit. It pained her to see him leave, what if he won't come return? What now? Part of her wanted to stop him but the other was consumed by pride and it managed to take over her completely. She just sat there and watched him walk away from her. Before he stepped out of the door, he bowed at here… then he disappeared from her view. She just stood there, her eyes nailed at the door. She felt bad about herself. She gazed at the moon outside and shook her head slowly-"What have I done…"

Hiei's head was down as he paced the corridor leading to his room. So she thinks he's just a useless pest on her place… he won't deny her words had touched something in him. Was she only bearing with him? Did she hate him? Hiei stopped walking and leaned on the wall. He turned his head towards the moon, which was now partly covered by clouds. His _expression hardened, and with a grunt-he continued walking. `Hn. Crap.' With that, he sped up and after a while, he stopped at a door and slashed it into half. The sleeping occupant of the room jumped and got into a fighting stance. Upon seeing Hiei, he calmed down.

"Do you want to give me a heart attack at a VERY young age? What are you doing here?"

"We're leaving…"

"Huh?" the red-head tried to analyze what he said, then it struck him. "You're coming? That's great but in case you haven't noticed, it's only one in the morning." He waited for a reply but it didn't come. "Oh-kay, so let's get back to sleep and leave tomorrow-"

"We're leaving-NOW…" Hiei firmly said.

Kurama turned serious. Something was definitely out of place-Hiei. He's in a really bad mood. "What's the rush, Hiei? What happened?"

`"Nothing happened." Hiei almost shouted. "So if I were you, I'd get my lazy ass out now before someone gets mad…"

Kurama didn't say nor do anything. "What's wrong?"

"Let's go…" Hiei commanded while turning away from Kurama.

"I'm not moving until you tell me what's bothering you."

"Suit yourself. I'm out of here." With that, Hiei walked away.

`Just great!'-Kurama followed Hiei. "Wait! We should inform Mukuro about this." But Hiei didn't stop. "HEY!"

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind it…" Hiei muttered under his breath then sped up.

"Wha--?" Kurama was beyond confused. He tried putting it all to make sense but his brain protested any levels of thinking. He's too tired and sleepy to even think! Sighing-he followed Hiei… "Why me?"

~~Ningenkai~~

A feeling that something is wrong awakened Yusuke. He bolted upright awakening his wife. He jumped out of bed and blasted out the door.

"Yusuke, what's wrong?!" Keiko cried.

Something was definitely out of place. He kicked his son's door open and to his horror, found his child's hanging by his foot in the limb of an unfamiliar-youkai! "Who the hell are you…" he hissed, suddenly Keiko was on his side.

"SHINJI!!!" keiko cried.

"It's gonna be alright, honey." Yusuke whispered soothingly at his wife. "Put my son down, now…" he hissed at the youkai in a deadly tone.

"Tsk. Tsk. You mean down here?" the Youkai moved the baby outside the window, which caused Keiko to scream.

Yusuke narrowed his eyes and unleashed his aura. "You wouldn't want me to get mad…" The youkai, he observed, was tall and big. It's covered with silver scales all over except for certain parts like the twenty or more eyes on the abdominal part of its body. Its mouth is filled with three layers of really yellow teeth and it sure looks very sharp!

"Temper, temper, ningen. I just want to play with the kid." With that, the youkai jumped out taking the child with him.

"Stay here." Yusuke commanded keiko and ran after his son's kidnapper. The bastard was really fast-probably a class! Demon. It was not a big deal to him, he could easily beat it but what about his son? He might hurt him. "Damn!" he quickened his pace. The youkai stopped at the woods. He touched down too. To his surprise, hundreds of demons came attacking him in every side! "What the-" he flared his battle aura and fought back. In less than a minute, all were down except for the one holding his son.

"Looking for this?" the demon said while pointing its sharp claws on the baby's neck. "Then come and get it!" then he threw the child in the air and blasted towards Yusuke.

"Rei"

"What?!"

"GUN!" The great ball of energy hurled towards the demon inceberating it completely upon contact. "Small fry…" Yusuke caught his son who was unbelievably still sleeping soundly despite all the commotions! He noticed a crystal ball placed on his son's tummy. He took it and examined it closely. "What could it be?"

"It's a message orb…"

Yusuke held his son protectively and turned to the direction of the voice. "Kurama!" his eyes widened as he saw who was with him. "HIEI?!" he ran towards the two of them while laughing aloud. "Hiei, is that really you?! Man oh WOW! This is way too cool!"

"Hn."

"Yeah! I even missed that stupid grunt of yours!" Yusuke exclaimed and patted Hiei on the back…not so gently, causing our `favorite' to move away.

"Don't do that again, you jerk!" Hiei shouted.

"Oops sorry… I'm just really glad to see you again. Man, how long has it been? Two years, three years? Hey! You even got taller!"

"Shut up or I'll cut your head off!" Hiei exclaimed.

"Hehe! You hadn't changed a bit. Still got attitude problems…" Yusuke chuckled. "Thanks for bringing him, Kurama."

"(yawn) Don't mention it…" Kurama groggily replied.

"Are you tired?" Yusuke asked.

"Nooo, just extremely sleepy since my LOAD just woke me up in the middle of the night and dragged me here!"

"That was not so bad. Is this true, Hiei?"

"Hn."

"I didn't know you were very excited to see me."

Hiei fumed. "As a matter of fact, I do not, you conceited fool!"

"What's with the frumpy attitude, anyway?"

"Hn."

"Fine. What do you call this thing again?"

"It's a message orb." Kurama answered. "It obviously comes from Makai." Kurama took the orb and threw it on a nearby tree.

"WHY DID YOU DO THAT?" Yusuke cried.

"Look…" Kurama pointed at the tree. A figure of a woman slowly formed.

"Wait a minute," Yusuke interrupted "I know her. I just can't put a finger-yeah! That's Natsume!"

*Good evening, descendant of Raizen. * the figure started in a ghostly voice * I believe you already know me… I deeply apologize for the trouble I gave you… I can tell you're still in shape. I know you do since you're able to get this message, but enough isle talk-The tournament in here is nearing and Maki would greatly appreciate the participation of such strong beings -like you and your companions. I expect your arrival here and oh-congratulations, you got one handsome kid for a son… SAYONARA… for now…* then her image disappeared into thin air.

Yusuke punched the tree causing it to break into half. "You sick bitch! You've done so much trouble just to tell me this?!"

"So what do you think?" Kurama asked in a serious tone.

"I…I don't know… I promised Keiko…"

"Hn. Wrapped around her fingers I see."

"That's enough, Hiei" Kurama interjected. "I don't know what's eating you but you've got to stop doing this."

"Hn." With that, Hiei left.

"What's with him, Kurama?"

"I have no idea either. He was like that all the while."

"Must be girl problems…"

"Do you think so?"

"Probably… Maybe Mukuro dumped him!" Both friends looked at each other and suddenly… they burst out laughing.

"Man! Do you think there's something happening between those two, I mean-" Yusuke asked in between giggles.

"I don't know… He kind of acts strangely around her." They burst out laughing again. "Um, Yusuke. Shinji's drooling…"

"Wha--? OH YUCK!!!"

++Ladies and Gentlemen, that was chapter 4, hope you liked it! Please review…++