Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Friends ❯ The Ritual ( Chapter 4 )

Friends- Chapter 4

Me: Okay, this is me from inside the fort that Hiei is making me stay in.

Hiei: Must kill all fan guys…(glaring at fan guys).

Me: Oooo-kaaaay. Hiei, why don't you read the disclaimers and the summary for me.

Hiei: Yes, Kiru. (reading from a paper) Standard disclaimers apply. Except on Kiru who is MINE!!! MINE!!! ALL MINE!!!! HA HA HA! …Ahem. Last chapter Kiru, who is MINE, showed up and all my idiotic 'friends' tried to kill her, ending with everything being okay, except for the fact that I'm still dying. (sees fan guys approaching) Die!!! (Runs off with katana)

Me: Okay, enjoy.

--

Everyone is in a circle around Hiei, except for Kiru and Yukina, who are on opposite sides of Hiei's bedside. Kiru has given Yukina a handful of crushed dried herbs to put in a basin of water, along with an oddly powered towel, to be soaked in the mixture, that she keeps for herself.

She hesitates and looks up at Hiei's friends before removing her gloves. Everyone gasps at the sight of her hands and lower arms. On each of her hands there is half of a phoenix tattoo with tails trailing down her arms. But over those tails there are horrible scar lines that look like cauterized sword slashes at quarter-inch to half-inch intervals. She closes her eyes and says nothing about them as she takes the bowl from Yukina's loose grip.

'Oi,' Yusuke says, drawing attention away from Kiru's scars, 'why are we in a circle?' He looks around and sees his friends. Kurama is looking suspiciously at the water; Mukuro is glaring at Kiru's back and it looks like she is mumbling to herself. Kuwabara was talking softly to Yukina, who is now unwinding Hiei's bandages by order of Kiru.

Kiru turns around, mouthing a 'thank you' to Yusuke, wet towel in hand and says, 'It's part of the ritual.' She turns back to the basin. I hope I'm strong enough to do this. A frown clouds her delicate features as she worries the rag before moving it around in the water again.

Yukina senses her doubt and unease, and tries to ease her tension. 'So Kiru- san,' she asks, continuing to unwrap the bandages, 'what is this ritual about?' Part of her really wants to know, this would be a welcome addition to her growing collection of healing techniques. 'Where does it originate from?'

Kiru looks up and smiles, gratitude in her voice, 'It is a technique I picked up on a mission I took with Hiei years ago.' She squeezes out the excess water on the rag and places it on Hiei's now unwrapped wound. 'I hoped I would never have to use it.' She sighs. 'I don't know if I'm strong enough.'

Yukina smiles and says, 'I'm sure you are, Kiru-san.' She reaches for her hand and squeezes it. 'I'm sure Oniisan would say the same.'

'Since we're exploring this "ritual," ' Kurama says, 'what are those herbs?'

'They are herbs from my garden,' Kiru answers. She pulls a full leaf of the herb from the pouch and gives it to Kurama. 'You can investigate all you want. It's just a simple healing herb.'

He looks at it and smiles, 'Nice cross-breeding.' He pockets the herb for further investigation. 'Take care of him.'

Kiru smiles back, appreciating the support. She looks at Hiei's friends, 'Please join your hands and close your eyes.' They obey. 'Good, now make a circle of youki.' They look up questioningly, 'Just send your youki into those next to you.' They do and a glowing circle is formed around them.

'Yukina,' Kiru says to her, 'Take your hands and place them over Hiei's Jagan.' She does. 'Now release your healing powers into it.'

Yukina does so and feels the power drain from her. Hiei groans once.

Kiru watches as the energy changes colors and sees the Jagan open. She says, ' Stop!'

They immediately stop. They watch as Kiru unties her bandanna, 'Don't stop me, not for anything.' She throws it away and they see that she has a Jagan.

'You...' Kurama starts to say.

'Yes, I'm a Jaganshi,' she says, 'Now don't let anyone stop me.' She opens her Jagan, it is the same purple color and shape as Hiei's, just more feminine. 'I won't lie, this is his last hope.'

I won't fail you, Hiei. Just believe in me. She closes her eyes and enters his mind.

--

Kiru, I can feel you. Hiei thinks, more alert than before. Don't do this.

I don't have a choice, Hiei. Kiru answer floats back. We promised. At least this way…

Kiru, don't waste yourself on me! Hiei calls to her.

Hiei... You can yell at me later. Promise me you will. Onegai. Kiru mentally begs.

Kiru…I promise. Hiei sends to her.

Ai shiteru.

--

Back in the room, everyone has nervously gathered in a corner of the room as they watch Kiru and Hiei in their catatonic-like state.

'How long will this take?' Kuwabara asks.

'Who knows?' Yusuke answers, 'Hell if I do.'

'All we can do is wait.' Kurama says, looking at his friends. 'The question is, for how long.'

'Too long if you ask-.' Mukuro is cut off as she senses Kiru's youki tense.

'What…?' Kurama says, but before he can say anything else, a blood-curdling scream of pain from Kiru echoes throughout the room as Hiei jerks up to awareness on the bed.

--

Me: Cliffhanger anyone? Sorry I'm so evil, but too bad. Tune in on Sunday or Monday for the next chapter.

Hiei: (looking up from beating up a fan guy) Yeah! Kiru and I will-

Me: SHHHH! Do you want to give it away?

Hiei: Sorry. (He continues beating up fan guy.

Me: Thanks for your upcoming reviews. See you later!