Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Feigned Innocence ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

A/N: Okay, since my italics aren't working, this: *** signals the beginning or end of a dream. Heh... I hate macs. *sigh* Also, the parts of this chapter that are Kurama's memories of things that happened during the series are either done from the dub, or are changed a tiny bit, mostly just things that people say. I used the dub only because the DVDs that I have in the original Japanese are fan-subbed, meaning that the subtitles are HORRIBLE.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. ...Leave me alone.

~Kurama's POV~

"Hiei, if you bite me, I swear you'll regret it."

Hiei abruptly closed his mouth, scowling at my purposely calm and unthreatened expression.

"Hn."

I chuckled slightly, never taking my eyes off of my work as I diligently dressed a nasty wound on the upper part of Hiei's leg. The fire demon's pants had been rolled up nearly to the point of embarrassment for normal people, but he showed no sign that he had even noticed.

"You should be thanking me," I began in a falsely superior tone that I knew would anger him. Hiei was just so fun to pick on.

"Thanking you?" Hiei demanded, shifting position on the bed so that it was harder for me to reach him from my spot, kneeling on the floor. "That stuff you're putting on me burns like hell, fox. What should I be thanking you for?"

"You're the one that showed up at my window and woke me up. I was having a very nice dream, for your information. And this isn't just stuff. It's a healing herb, and it will help your wound heal faster."

Hiei ignored me, and I paused in my work, looking up to give him a warning. "This is probably going to sting."

"Just do it, already," Hiei said, clutching tightly at my sheets, despite his bravado.

I looked back down at the wound, and carefully began rubbing the herb on it. Hiei made no outward reaction, but I felt a brief flare in his youki, and I knew it hurt.

"Here," I said, leaning down slightly to blow gently on the pained area. I felt Hiei's muscles relax, then bunch up again, and realized that my hair was tickling his legs. I held in a laugh as I leaned back up, grinning at him. "Did that help?"

"Hn. Don't waste your breath."

I slipped my makeshift first aid kit back under the bed, taking no offense at Hiei's words. That was as close to a thank you as I was going to get from the little fire demon. "All done. Now that wasn't so bad, was it?"

Hiei snorted. "Compared to what?"

I ignored him and climbed back into my bed, watching in amusement as Hiei hastily climbed out of it.

"After all this time, you still don't trust me, Hiei?" I asked, a gleam in my eye.

"I trust you as a partner. Nothing else. You're a youko, and youkos are known for…"

"For what, Hiei?"

Hiei growled at my innocent tone and took a seat in a corner of my room, seemingly trying to get as far away from me as possible. He leaned his back against the wall and closed his eyes, effectively ending the conversation.

"I assume you're staying the night?" I asked as I leaned over to turn off my lamp.

"I'm still here, aren't I?"

"So you are." I curled up under the covers, getting comfortable as I asked, "So who did you pick a fight with this time, Hiei?"

I saw a brief flash of red in the darkness as he cracked open one eye and said, "That's none of your business. And they started it."

Trying not to laugh at Hiei's unintentionally childlike statement, I rolled over, then sat up and sniffed the air tentatively. "I think you got blood on my bed. I can smell it."

Two crimson eyes glared at me from across the dark bedroom. "I'm trying to sleep, kitsune, I suggest you do the same."

Sniffing disdainfully at Hiei's sharp tone, I lay back down, worries flooding my mind as I wondered how I was going to explain yet another bloodstain to my mother.

I rolled over again, and was surprised to hear even, rhythmic breathing coming from the corner that Hiei occupied. Was he already asleep?

Squinting my eyes, I peered through the darkness to find Hiei leaning against the wall, eyes closed and chest rising and falling gently.

I smiled softly at his unconscious show of trust. After years of living in the Makai, Hiei, like most demons, was very careful about when and where he slept. During sleep was when a youkai was most vulnerable, and sleeping in the wrong place, or in the wrong company, could very easily prove deadly. The simple fact that Hiei was willing to drop his guard enough to rest in my presence proved that he trusted me more than he let on, for which I was grateful. Trust was something that I had rarely received in my previous life, and was, therefore, very precious to me in this one.

That was mostly why, despite occasional flirting, I had no intention of violating Hiei's trust. Despite the fact that I was, by nature, a very sensual creature, I did have enough control to resist my more basic youko urges.

Besides, I wasn't sure if Hiei would know how to react to a proposition, and I valued our friendship too much to risk making him uncomfortable around me. Hiei seemed more relaxed in my company, and that was uncommon for him. Of course, after the way his life had been, I couldn't blame him.

More than anything, Hiei needed a friend, and I would be that for him.

I awoke the next morning to an empty bedroom. Hiei was long gone, the only sign of his passing being the open window next to my desk. His absence was expected, though. While he often stayed the night when the weather was less than favorable, he never stayed long enough for my mother to find him.

School that day was even more tedious than usual, mostly due to the fact that I was unable to focus on any of my classes. I kept getting distracted by Hiei's familiar youki, waiting for me outside. It was a comforting presence in the back of my mind, though it made me very anxious for the school day to end.

After my last class was over, I hurried to my locker, knowing Hiei was probably getting impatient. He would often wait for me after school, but always had some complaint when we met up, making it seem less like he had waited for me all day simply out of boredom, and more like I had been late for an important meeting, and had wasted his time. It was actually sort of cute.

I stuffed my books into my locker, my haste causing me to abandon my usual neat organization. Just as I was almost done I grimaced, sensing someone standing directly behind me. Probably another girl about to ask me out. I didn't have time for this!

Showing no sign that I'd noticed this new annoyance, I calmly finished what I was doing before turning around, the metallic sound of my locker shutting still ringing through the halls.

Upon turning, I was surprised to find myself looking at not a hormone driven teenage girl, but a young man. I vaguely recognized him from a few of my classes, but couldn't remember having ever spoken to him before. He usually sat in the back of the classroom, drawing intently.

He was taller than me by about an inch, with short, silky black hair. His eyes were an icy blue, and looked colder than those of most humans.

"Hello, Suuichi," the boy said, his voice casual, as if speaking to a friend instead of someone he probably knew only by reputation.

That friendly tone prompted me to search my memory again, but I still didn't remember having ever spoken with this boy, much less associated with him on a regular basis, as his tone suggested.

"Hello…" I said hesitantly. "I'm sorry, but do I know you?"

The boy's eyes seemed to harden a bit at that, but his voice was as calm as before as he said, "My name's Nekura."

I nodded and forced a smile, but Nekura didn't offer any more information, instead simply standing there, staring at me in a way that made me distinctly uncomfortable.

After a few moments of silence, I said, "Well, it's nice to meet you, Nekura, but I've really got to go. Tons of homework."

I didn't wait for a response, and set off down the hallway. Unfortunately, Nekura followed.

"I was wondering," he said as he walked beside me. "If you had any plans this Friday night?"

I stopped walking, only a precious few feet from the doors that led outside. I could only imagine the shocked expression on my face as I contemplated his words.

Was he asking me out? On a date? During my time in the Ningenkai, I had been showered with the affections of many females, but no males had ever dared to actually express an interest in me. Humans were very different from demons when it came to same sex relationships, I knew, and often considered them to be wrong. I really had no opinion in the matter. Youkai barely differentiated between genders, much less expressed a preference for one or the other. I knew where I stood in the matter, so ningens could do what they wanted, as far as I was concerned.

I pulled myself from my thoughts as I realized that Nekura was still watching me, patiently waiting for an answer. "I'm… sorry," I said slowly. "I'm busy that night. Maybe some other time."

Though my words were polite, my tone was final. I was, in as kind a way as possible, making it obvious that I was not interested. I had decided long ago that I would not get involved romantically with any humans, and I planned to stick to that decision.

Nekura's eyes hardened yet again, but he seemed to force a smile, and nodded. "Sure," he said, before turning and walking off down the hall, back in the direction from which we had come. I was left with the uncomfortable impression of having just made an enemy.

Sighing, I pushed open the school doors, my worries instantly leaving as I felt fresh air on my face. It was easier to sense Hiei's youki once I was outside, and I jogged across the schoolyard to the tree he was occupying.

"What took you so long?" Hiei demanded as I peered up into the tree's thick branches, trying to make out his dark form.

I shrugged. "Nothing important."

Hiei hopped down from the tree in a move too fast for most humans to see, and I smiled down at him.

"More of those ningen girls, then?" he asked, trying to hide his amusement behind a scowl. He always made it quite obvious that he found my fan club amusing, if only because they annoyed me.

I began walking, and Hiei easily kept pace. "Actually, no," I said, absently running my hands through my hair as the wind tossed it about my face and shoulders. "It was a guy."

Hiei didn't answer, obviously not thinking anything strange about that. Of course, he was used to the way things worked in the Makai, and wasn't familiar with the social rules of humans, as I was. I let the subject drop.

We walked toward my house in our usual companionable silence, until Hiei said, his tone light, "We're being followed, you know."

I nodded, easily keeping my expression calm and casual. "Yes, I noticed. Ever since we left the school, in fact."

"Nothing to worry about," Hiei said after a moment, kicking at a rock at his feet. "Whoever it is possesses no youki that I can sense, or even reiki. Most likely one of your pathetic admirers."

I would have responded to the subtle insult, but Hiei was probably right, so there was really no point. I could still feel a pair of eyes trained on my back, but, as Hiei had said, there was no youki nearby, besides mine and Hiei's, which left only one possibility. Whoever was following us was human.

Goodie. I had a stalker.

That night, as I did my homework, I still harbored the uncomfortable sensation of being watched. I knew that was impossible, my bedroom was on the second floor of our house. I assumed that I was sensing Hiei in the tree outside of my window, tough I couldn't sense his youki, which should have meant that he was several miles away. Maybe he was shielding it.

After several uncomfortable minutes, I gave up on my homework and went to bed.

***

The hallway was dark and deserted. I walked swiftly, uncomfortable in the eerie quiet, and my mind somewhere else entirely. And then they were there.

I should have been able to sense them, at least a little bit, even if they were shielding their youki. Unless they were incredibly powerful. Which, of course, they were.

Two members of Team Toguro. I recognized them both, but only knew the name of one. Karasu. I was more familiar with him because he was the one that worried me most, besides the Toguro Brothers themselves. His fighting skills were beyond mine, and in a fight with him, I knew I had no chance.

They stood in front of me, blocking the rest of the hallway. I stepped back into a fighting stance, sure that they intended to battle, to rid themselves of one of their opponents before the match even started. I knew I had no hope of winning, especially against both of them at once, but I wouldn't go down without a fight.

I was surprised, though, when neither youkai attacked. Instead, Karasu began speaking to me, in almost a leisurely and friendly way, except, of course, for the parts about my friends and I dying.

Still, I held my position, poised and ready to fight should the need arise. And yet, when it did, it happened too fast, and I was too shocked to react.

The other youkai accompanying Karasu suddenly slammed his fist into the wall, and I turned my startled gaze on him. What was the point in hitting the wall? But when my eyes returned to regard Karasu again, he was gone.

Oh. That was the point in hitting the wall.

Damn it! A distraction! And now I had no idea where Karasu was. My gaze slid from left to right, then back again, and I carefully scanned the area with my youki. I couldn't sense him, which was no surprise, but I didn't understand why I couldn't find him. He couldn't have just disappeared.

Then I froze as I felt slender hands barely brushing against my neck from behind. My entire body stiffened, and I couldn't move. Karasu was behind me. That would have been bad enough, but with his explosive, touch related abilities, the situation was becoming critical. His hands were barely touching my neck, feathery light touches that caused me to cringe, despite their gentle nature. Having him touch me was disgusting enough, but every brush of his fingers could mean my death.

And then he was running his hands through my hair, letting it slide through his fingers, and still I was unable to move. Anything could set him off, and I would not survive an explosion from this close. But why was he touching me like this?

"Your hair is a bit damaged, Kurama. Human bodies are so frail."

His voice sent shivers up my spine, and I was disgusted by the sensation of his warm breath puffing against my ear. His words had a hidden meaning, I knew. I had a human body. I was weak. He was teasing me. The very thought caused me to fill with rage. The damned crow was teasing me!

"I know that you fear what my touch could do to you, and yet… maybe you also want to know it."

What?

I suddenly realized exactly what he was doing. He wasn't just trying to frighten me. He was…

I felt my stomach churn with even more rage and disgust, and I spun around, my hand out, aiming for his stomach, his chest, anything to get him away from me.

He jumped and easily avoided the blow, seeming to float over me before landing back beside his companion.

I turned and glared at him, making my emotions very clear. I did not, in any way, want to "know his touch." I slipped back into my defensive stand, ready to fight for all I was worth, though inside, I was consumed with fear. If he decided to make a move, I would not be strong enough to stop him. I would fight with all I had, but I would lose. And when I did, I would be left vulnerable, and I could tell by his actions so far that rape was not something he frowned on.

Personally, I would rather die. Oh please, Inari, don't make me suffer through that. My youko pride would not survive it.

I felt sick.

I was helpless, completely helpless, and that unfamiliar feeling haunted me. I felt more fear flooding my body as Karasu spoke, his cold eyes roaming over my body mercilessly.

And in that tortured moment of complete and utter fear, I was vaguely aware of one thought running through my tortured mind.

I wish Hiei was here.

***

I woke from my nightmare, gasping for breath and covered in sweat. As my heart rate slowed down to a normal level, I took a deep, calming breath, and shut my eyes tightly, sitting up and holding my head in my hands.

Never, in either one of my lives, had I ever felt so violated. Karasu had never done any more to me than brief touches, besides trying to kill me, and still, I had feared him more than anything else. It was that helpless feeling that he gave me. That he could do whatever he wanted to me, and I would be unable to stop him. I had always been a strong creature, feared by many. Helplessness was not something that I was used to.

I'd had many stalkers and the like back in the Makai. Admirers had followed me relentlessly, until I either gave in to their advances, or killed them out of annoyance. Things were much the same for me in the Ningenkai, though in a less aggressive way.

But Karasu had been different from all the others. He had been completely obsessed with me, and he'd had a twisted desire for my death, while that was the last thing any of my other admirers wanted. I had feared Karasu like I had never feared any other creature.

For months after the tournament, I'd had nightmares about him. Some were memories, as that one had been, and others were horrific dreams, images that still haunted me.

But eventually the nightmares had stopped, and my nights had returned to normal. So why was I dreaming about Karasu again?