Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Fighting Darkness ❯ Makai ( Chapter 3 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

~~Author's Note: I want to honestly thank all of you who have taken the time to read and review my work. I read every one of them. Once again, if there are any questions feel free to ask. I welcome all comments, good or bad! Thanks, all!~~
************************************************************************
"Stay alert. I wouldn't be surprised if all of Makai were after us by now," Youko warned, stepping free of the gateway.
"Let them come," Hiei sneered, still furious over losing his sword.
Kurama smiled slightly, brushing stray crimson strands back with the back of his hand. He crossed his arms over his chest as he quietly looked over the surrounding darkness. This was Hiei's territory that had been well hidden from Koenma, which was probably why it hadn't been taken from him after his crimes. He glanced at Hiei. The fire demon seemed to not care that he was back on familiar ground. If he was like Kurama, he knew every inch of his territories like the back of his hand. His territories were the only places he felt completely safe.
"How long has it been since you were here, Hiei?" Kurama asked.
"A long time. I rarely came here. I had...other priorities," Hiei replied, glancing away.
"Whoa, Hiei's home?" Yusuke asked, glancing around.
Hiei scowled, turning away. He held out his hand and raised his yoki slightly. The darkness moved around them. Kuwabara let out a frightened shriek.
"Calm yourself, fool. These are my servants," Hiei said, and suddenly four small, fairy-like beings separated form the darkness.
"Master Hiei, you're back!" the one exclaimed, silver wings flapping excitedly.
"Yes, Thena. Has anyone taken over?" Hiei asked.
"No, Master Hiei. None have touched this ground since you left."
Hiei nodded, satisfied, and started forward. He didn't glance back, already knowing that the others were following him. The fairies floated around him, talking excitedly amongst themselves in hushed voices.
"Hiei, where did you find these creatures?" Youko asked, watching the lovely creatures giggle.
"It's a complicated story."
"Do tell," Youko persisted, a teasing grin spreading across his face.
Hiei sighed and said, "I was hunting for a demon that had crossed me in some dealings. They were to be his lunch, so I kindly killed him. For some reason they wouldn't stop following me afterwards. I had no choice but to put them somewhere, or else kill them myself."
"So this is their home?" Kurama asked, a sweet smile curving his lips.
Hiei blushed, ducking his head in a move Kurama had rarely seen. He was embarrassed! Kurama chuckled softly, his other half joining in.
"So Hiei cares about things just like everyone else?" Yusuke asked smugly.
"Shut up, idiot," Hiei growled, relieved as the mansion came in sight.
"And he even has a mansion!" Kuwabara exclaimed.
"I thought he lived under a rock..." the idiot was saying seconds before Hiei slammed his elbow back into the bigger boy's belly.
"I have never lived under a rock, Idiot!"
Kurama threw his arm around Hiei's shoulders and quickly drew him away before he could land another blow. Yusuke hit Kuwabara over the head and said, "Cool it. He's helping us. Show some respect unless you want him to beat the heck out of you!"
"Why am I in troubled? He hit me!"
"Quit provoking him," Yusuke growled, wondering why he was suddenly defending the fire demon. Maybe because he was seeing a new side of the usually cold demon? Hiei had made a home for the little fairy creatures. Nothing had made him do that. He had saved their lives.
"Fine!" Kuwabara agreed reluctantly.
The fairies moved ahead and opened the door for Hiei before stopping in front of him and grinning up at him. Hiei froze, looking down at the little creatures. They trusted him? One fairy drifted into the mansion and returned with something long and narrow wrapped in a red cloth.
"A present from us to welcome you back," they said together as the fairy held out the gift.
Hiei reluctantly accepted the gift and pushed aside he cloth. A shiny, metal sword gleamed up at him. He dropped the cloth, wrapping his hand around the golden hilt. He tested the sword, weighing it as he held it.
"Where did you get it, Leena?"
"Largaries never tell our secrets," the fairy replied.
Hiei nodded, understanding the need the little creatures had in hiding what kind of powers they possessed. Some demons would exploit them, and use their powers against their wills. Hiei reached out and gently ruffled each fairies lime green hair before stepping around them.
The fairies followed, beaming happily at one another. Yusuke raised an eyebrow in question. Had Hiei really just thanked the little creatures with a proud touch? Things juts kept getting stranger.
"Hiei was never evil, Yusuke," Kurama said, seeing the look on Yusuke's face.
"Lonely and bitter, but never evil," Youko agreed.
"He wanted to destroy the world when I met him," Yusuke said.
"Hiei has always been alone. He always felt the need to prove himself to the world. That's what happens when your own people try tom kill you at the time of your birth. He struck out at the world because it was always striking out at him. When I met him he was even more withdrawn than he appears now," Kurama said turning to meet Yusuke's gaze.
"He tried to kill me, but I tricked him and knocked him unconscious. He left after I healed his wounds, but only a few days later he returned to my bedroom. He is very young, and back then he was a very lonely boy. He stayed with me, at first never saying a word, but then he slowly opened up. Hiei was broken and angry. There was nothing I could say to ease his pain."
"So why did he change now?"
"Because he found his place," Youko replied softly.
"Just as I have. I was much like Hiei before I was born into the human world."
Kurama and Youko glanced at each other, nodding slightly. Yusuke looked back at Kuwabara who had fallen strangely quiet.
"Well?" Yusuke demanded impatiently.
Kuwabara shrugged and walked past Yusuke. They followed him into the house, stunned to find themselves surrounded by relatively bright colors. Not exactly what they had been expecting.
Hiei had slid the sword into his sheath by the time they found him inside the large living room.
"You will be safe here until I can find out exactly what's happening here in Makai," he said, and with his incredible speed melted into the darkness, leaving them alone.
The fairies danced around their guests, grinning.
"Master Hiei said to make you comfortable. Follow us," they beckoned.
"He shouldn't go off alone," Kurama muttered under his breath.
"No, but it's too late to stop him. We have no choice but to wait for his return," Youko said as they followed the fairies through the mansion.
Kurama frowned, not liking the truth in Youko's words. If something were to happen.... He shook himself. He couldn't think like that. Hiei would be back soon, probably within the next few hours.