Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Hidden Intentions ❯ Seeds of Trouble ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer- I own Yu Yu Hakusho…..:angry lawyers begin moving towards DFA: eeep!…I mean I own Yu Yu Hakusho DVD's…*angry lawyers back off* Whew! That was a close one.

 

 

“Normal Speech

”

Thoughts

 

: Telepathic Speech:

 

 

 

Hidden Intentions

 

 

 

Recap from last chapter:

 

As she laid her head down she gazed at the dark haired demon whose crimson eyes were closed in sleep, she marveled at how beautiful he really was. Yep definitely attractive. With that final thought, she hoped that Hiei would be in a better mood than he was today and that they would reach the cave of the relic so that they could get back to the ningenkai as soon as possible.

 

Soon after the quite sounds of the two sleeping figures could be heard throughout the clearing. The blue haired girl slept peacefully, knowing all the while that her companion would keep them safe even though he appeared to be fast asleep.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Chapter 3- Seeds of Trouble

 

 

 

With a stretch and a yawn, Botan awoke to a beautiful morning. The red tinted Makai sky could be seen through the gaps in the trees. All in all, Botan thought that if she hadn't been in the Makai, it would be a perfect day. One that she would have loved to have off. She figured that if she had had the chance, she would have taken the time to go visit Shizuru, Keiko, and Yukina. Those girls were always fun to be around, and of course she wanted to catch up on gossip. Well, that and she kinda wanted to talk to Shizuru about her dream. Mind you, it was a delicious dream, but that didn't mean she understood it. Shizuru was always good for advice. Botan made a note to go talk to her when she got back to the ningenkai.

 

She glanced around the clearing, expecting to find Hiei glaring at her. She was surprised to find that he was still slumped over with his back to the tree, exactly where she had found him last night when she came back from her bath. That wasn't normal. She glanced at her watch; it was already 9:00. That really wasn't normal. Hiei wasn't one to sleep in, not like a certain lazy Spirit Detective that she knew. That one managed to sleep through a good part of the Dark Tournament. But when you took into account the fact that he had just survived Genkai's final test, it was acceptable she supposed.

 

Shaking the thoughts from her head she glanced back over at the still slumbering demon. His face seemed slightly flushed and his breathing didn't quite seem even. She knew she could be wrong about the breathing, but it's pretty hard to mistake the red tint that was creeping across the fire demons tanned cheeks. It almost seemed like….

 

He's blushing? No, that cant be. Hiei doesn't blush. Hiei doesn't do anything other than glare. He has got the totally emotionless mask thing perfected. Hmmm…Maybe he can give me tips on that sometime….Whoa! Time to get back on track now.

 

Ok.. think Botan. There has got to be some explanation. He was acting funny yesterday, but I just figured he had woken up on the wrong side of the tree. Maybe he is sick. Wait…Can fire demons get a cold? Hmmmm…Good Question...Maybe I should wake him up and ask him. Then again that might be hazardous to my health.

 

She thought for a few more minutes posed with her finger on her chin and her head cocked to one side. Her long blue hair trailing down a slim shoulder. Maybe I could find a long stick and poke him awake from a distance…Naw, I'll just do it the old fashioned way. Here it goes…

 

Botan stealthily crept up to Hiei's side. She paused a moment with her finger poised over his shoulder, a worried look on her face. His breathing did seem more labored.

 

Bad dream maybe?

 

She shook that thought loose and slowly inched her finger closer to his shoulder.

 

Poke…Poke…

 

Crimson eyes flew open. With hands waving wildly in front of him to block and unseen attack, Hiei threw his head back and it connected with the tree with a solid thump.

 

With her hand over her mouth, Botan tried, very unsuccessfully I might add, to stifle the giggles that were trying to escape. Finally she couldn't take it anymore and fell over laughing.

 

Recovering from his close encounter of the tree kind, Hiei turned his head in Botan's direction to deliver a glare that would have made most opponents run away in fear. He was practically boring a hole in her shoulder with his smoldering gaze.

 

Finally recovering from her bout of the giggles, she held up her hands to hopefully placate the peeved demon.

 

“Sorry Hiei. I didn't mean to startle you, but I just checked my watch and it said that it was already 9:00. We should really get going if we want to get to the cave tonight. It's not like you to oversleep Hiei. Is there something wrong?” she rattled off.

 

“Hn. What would make you think that there was something wrong?”

 

“Oh, I don't know. Maybe the fact that your face is about as red as Yusuke's when Keiko gives him one of her powerhouse slaps? Are you ill? Let me check.”

 

With that last statement she reached forward to lay her hand on his forehead to test his temperature, but before her hand could connect with his forehead he had already shot to his feet.

 

“Onna, I am not sick. It is probably your distasteful cooking that has caused this color on my face. Come, we don't have any time for your dawdling this morning.” he stated as he turned his back and began walking into the forest.

 

Well excuse me for being concerned you ungrateful pompous ass. Angrily thought Botan.

 

Without her morning coffee Botan was not a happy camper and dealing with Hiei's attitude wasn't about to prompt her to have `happy thoughts'.

 

:Onna……:

 

Crap.

 

 

+++++++

(At the Minnimono Residence)

 

 

Kurama had been up for hours. Since it was summer he didn't have to worry about going to school, but he was always an early riser. With his mother still asleep, but feeling much better than she had been, he really did not have anything pressing that needed to attended to. He decided it was time for relaxation. Once he had settled in a comfortable position in the armchair in his room, he picked up a book he had recently bought on plant life and began reading. This wasn't your ordinary book on plants; it was a book on Makai plants. Normally the tantei didn't have much call for missions in the demon world, but being the curious kitsune that he was, Kurama figured it wouldn't do any harm to read up on things anyway.

 

Suddenly the phone rang. He had no clue who would be calling him this early in the morning. Even though it wasn't that early, the only people who called him were Yusuke and Keiko, and he didn't figure they would be up at this time being as it was Yusuke's vacation. Also, if Yusuke had gotten things his way, they would have been to worn out from the night's activities to wake before noon. He thought with a smirk. With the question of the caller's identity in mind he picked up the phone.

 

“Hello, Minnimono residence, Suichi speaking.”

 

“Hey Kurama! How are you this morning?” replied a cheerful voice.

 

“Hello Keiko, what prompts you to call this morning?” said an equally cheerful Kurama.

 

“Nothing important Kurama. I was just wondering if you happened to know where Shizuru and Botan were this morning. Since it was such a nice day I thought we could stop by Genkai's and pick up Yukina so we could all go shopping together. I tried to get a hold of them, but I didn't reach anyone.”

 

“No, I'm sorry but I don't know where Shizuru would happen to be this morning.” replied the foxy redhead with a goofy smile on his lips as he mentioned the tall brunettes name.

 

“But, I happen to know that Botan is currently on a mission with Hiei to retrieve a mystical pendant of some sort.”

 

“A mission with Hiei. Are you sure that's safe? Those two almost kill each other when there are other people around. I can't imagine them being able to get along for more than five minutes when they are alone.” chuckled Keiko.

 

“I'm sure Botan will be perfectly safe. Hiei has become better about controlling the amount of death threats he issues these days. I am also sure he would never harm Botan intentionally, frighten and threaten yes, but harm no. I believe Botan said they would be back in a few days though.”

 

“Alright, thanks Kurama. If you see Shizuru, would you tell her to call me? That way I can tell her about our now postponed shopping trip.”

 

“Of course Keiko. I will give her your message if I happen to see her.” replied Kurama.

 

“Thanks. Ja ne!”

 

“Goodbye Keiko.”

 

As he hung up the phone, his thoughts immediately began to wander to the tall brown haired Kuwabara sibling. Even though she was a few years older than he was, he couldn't help being attracted to the quiet young woman. If he really thought about it, age shouldn't really be a difference. In reality, he was much older, well that is if you counted his 500 yr+ Youko half. With that thought, his Youko half decided to make his presence known to his human counterpart.

 

Why hello Suichi.

 

Hello Youko. What have you come to pester me about this time? He thought with a mental sigh.

 

I am insulted you think that I am up to some sort of nefarious action. I just have merely come to ask you how your day was going?

 

Can the trivialities Youko, I know you far better than that.

 

All right Suichi. I just thought I would see if you had any plans to make her yours yet. If you don't hurry things up, I will take matters into my own claws.

 

……

 

I honestly don't know what you are talking about Youko.

 

Don't lie to me Suichi, I know you have deep feelings for Shizuru. I have access to your dreams after all. Quite interesting dreams I might add. I never knew that you had such a dirty mind, I am impressed. Even I would never have thought of some of those things you want to do. It's enough to make me proud.

 

A mentally blushing Kurama attempted to reply but was cut off by the ever-horny spirit fox.

 

Really Suichi, if you don't put some plan into motion our mate may get claimed by someone else. Like by your friend Hiei perhaps?

 

What are you talking about? I know for a fact that Hiei has no feelings of any sort for Shizuru. He may have feelings for someone else, but I doubt that he would tell me if he did or not.

 

Whatever you say. But mark my words Suichi; if you don't claim her soon, I will be forced to take action.

 

With that last comment, Youko receded to the back of Kurama's mind, leaving the emerald-eyed detective with much to consider. Did Youko know if Hiei had feelings for someone? That was doubtful, but his comments regarding Shizuru were interesting. Obviously Youko had developed feelings for the girl at some point and was now considering her as mate material. Not that that was a bad idea, the thought had crossed his mind at some point. But how to seduce her was the question at hand. If Youko became involved, the task would get done. It might be in a very unorthodox manner, but it would get done nevertheless. He preferred a more tactful approach on the other hand.

 

That thought was still floating around in the back of his mind as he returned to his book. Just before he resumed his reading, he wondered how things were going in the Makai with Botan and Hiei.

 

 

+++++++

(In the Makai)

 

 

Three hours later and still tromping through the thick Makai forest following the obviously still annoyed crimson-eyed fire demon, Botan's mind was wandering. She was beginning to become a bit concerned about her companion. It wasn't normal for Hiei to remain annoyed for this long. It was hard to tell if the demon was actually grumpy or just behaving like normal, but this time it seemed like there was something really wrong. She knew she couldn't very well ask him what it was, but his mood almost put a damper on her normally exuberant personality. Well, it would have put a damper on it if the forest hadn't already managed to do that. She was just hoping that they would get to that infernal cave already. This forest was definitely giving her the creeps.

 

“Hiei. How much longer will it be till we get to the cave?” questioned the sweat soaked deity.

 

“Hn…I am not sure onna. It should not be much longer. If you had gotten off your ass earlier this morning we would have reached the cave by now.” grumbled the demon.

 

“If I had gotten off MY ass? You should really be looking in a mirror when you say that.” retorted Botan.

 

“Do not argue with me onna. If I did not have to drag you along on this mission, it would have been completed by now. I am not in the mood to listen to your meaningless chatter so shut your mouth or I will be forced to do it for you.”

 

Geez…Craaannnkkkyyy. Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the tree this morning. Thought Botan.

 

:Onna…Watch yourself or I shall deliver you a slow and painful death:

 

: Damnit Hiei! Keep out of my mind!:

 

 

 

 

As the pair drew closer and closer to the cave, a strange painless feeling crept through Hiei's veins. It went unnoticed by the demon, and there were no outward signs of its effect on his body. Except for at the junction of his neck and shoulder, where there had been but a small bump, there now was an odd shaped mark. It was almost bruise like appearance, but yet there was something different about it. A pinkish green color was spreading from its slightly raised center and was radiating outward. The glowing color throbbed, almost in time with the beat of the host body's heart. The host seemed unaffected by its presence, but the symptoms of its poison were becoming more and more prominent.

 

The increased sweat on the fire demons body could have been contributed to the Makai heat, but that was not the cause. The unusual flush, the exertion of his muscles. The ache radiating from his lower abdomen, a result of bad cooking. None of these were the cause. The true cause, unknown to the host. The ultimate effect, yet to be seen.

 

 

 

 

Lost in thought Botan wandered obliviously forward, completely unaware of Hiei's halt. He quickly turned around to check the surrounding area for danger, which caught Botan completely off guard and caused her to trip over a rock in her effort to get away from the movement at the edge of her vision.

 

“Hiei! You scared me half to death.” chided Botan.

 

“Hn…You should be more careful where you walk onna.” remarked the demon as he stepped past her into the cave.

 

“I take it this must be the cave of lost souls. Now we just have to find that pendant and then we can return to the Reikai.”

 

“It is not as easy as all that onna. I have heard the legends of this cave. It is said that if the wrong path is chosen in the absence of light, your soul shall be stolen before it is night. We must be careful in these depths. I do not wish to meet what lurks in these tunnels. Stay close, I wish not to waste time saving you. We have wasted enough time as it is.”

 

“All right Hiei.” she timidly replied.

 

She had thought the forest surrounding the cave had been creepy, but this cave had a strange aura of evil. She too did not want to waste any more time searching for the pendant than was necessary. Hiei's warning about taking the wrong path had scared her, and she was feverantly hoping that he knew were to go.

 

 

++++++

(In the passage)

 

 

Around the corner of the next bend in the tunnel waited a large gray figure. Most would never know that it was there, for it blended that well with its surroundings. Its enormous head barely enclosed the beast's sharp fangs. Its glowing pupil less eyes brightened at the sound of footsteps in the distance. Its prey was drawing nearer. The hunger for fresh souls had been building for some time now. It lifted its head to taste the air with its tongue. It rolled the smell around in its mouth, and a chilling grin passed over its face. One of its' prey had an unusual soul, so pure, so delicious. The beast could not wait to taste that one and rip the flesh from its bones in wild abandon. The other prey would be a challenge to subdue. But the beast wanted no part of consuming that one. That prey was tainted.

 

 

 

 

The past misdeeds of the prey were not what halted the beast's hunger. The beast did not fear the dangerous flame that lived in within his prey's body. It did not fear the blood that had been spilled by the prey's hands. No, those things would have made the prey's soul that much more tasty to consume and its body that much more challenging to subdue. There was something greater than those things that the beast feared. Something that if consumed, would destroy the beast. Just as it would destroy the prey. Something dark and wild, with a fire and an intention all of its own.

 

 

 

 

Botan and Hiei trudged warily along the passage. Both alert to the dangers that may be lurking in the shadowy depths. Crimson eyes scanned ahead, and his Jagan was active. Words were not necessary, nor was looking behind him to check on his companion. The Jagan knew where she was. The Jagan was aware of her every move. Its awareness of her presence was growing every minute at an alarming rate, albeit Hiei was not aware of it.

 

The beast attacked, knocking the blue haired girl to the floor and rendering her unconscious for a short time. The pair had passed by its waiting spot unaware if the creatures ghastly presence. As it prepared to rip into its prey's fleshy throat, it was knocked aside by a black robed figure.

 

The dim light glinted off the lightening like movement of the figures blade. The sharp edge of the steel cut through the flesh in the beasts arm, drawing a grunt of pain from the creature. The figure's eyes flashed crimson as it launched another attack at the beast.

 

Swiping claws ripped through the figures clothing, grazing the chest of the cloth's wearer. The pain and a dribble of blood down his chest went unnoticed by the swordsman. The focus of the battle was his only concern. The death of the creature was his goal.

 

As the beast's saliva drenched jaws clamped down on Hiei's arm, a cry of warning rang out from the amethyst-eyed girl on the ground. With a mental cry of silence to the girl, Hiei wrenched his arm free from the beast's maw. The razor sharp fangs of the creature ripped through the fleshy part of his upper arm right above the bandages and wards that concealed his greatest weapon. A weapon that he would be unable to use here for fear of harming Botan.

 

As he could not use his Dragon of the Darkness Flame technique, and his sword arm was damaged. Hiei summoned his Fists of the Mortal Flame. The creature was slow enough for it to not be able to dodge the attack. He charged forward and landed a solid blow to the beast's head. The force of the punch sent the beast flying backward into the rocky walls of the passage.

 

As the beast hit the wall with a force that would kill most, a crack ran up the wall and onto the ceiling. The gray skinned creature picked itself from the ground and charged towards the crimson eyes of his opponent. It knew it had the advantage.

 

It knew its opponent was weakened, and the beast could see far better in the dim light. But what the beast didn't know was the will of the fighter. It did not count on its opponents desire to protect the fallen girl behind him. An unknown desire to protect that was increasing more and more as time went by.

 

As the beast reached his opponent, it swung one of its monstrous arms at Hiei's head. Hiei's demonic speed allowed him to escape the killing blow, but not the aftershock of the creatures fist hitting the cave floor. The shock waves rippled through the stone and up the rocky walls and caused Hiei to become unsteady on his feet. The small crack that had resulted from the beasts previous encounter with the passage wall widened.

 

The beast whirled around to attack again, once more striking out with its gargantuan-clawed hands. Barely grazing his speedy opponent, the beast growled in annoyance. It wanted the fighter dead so it could feast upon the deliciously pure soul of the ferry girl. Such a meal was a rarity for the beast, and it was not about to let a pesky little fire demon dissuade it from its prize.

 

With snapping jaws wide open, the creature lunged at the half koorime again. But Hiei was ready for the attack. He knew how the beast would attack. It had moved in the same hunger driven pattern with every charge that it had launched at him.

 

Hn…It thinks it can beat me. What a fool. Since it is so hungry I shall give it a task of my steel.

 

With lightening fast movement Hiei launched himself into the air. His movement would only have appeared as a blur to humans. In less than a second, he had delivered 13 deadly swipes to the creature's body. The creature stumbled backward, blood running from its charred and lacerated body. It was not dead yet, but the bone cracking blow that was delivered next knocked it back into the cave wall and to its death.

 

The cave walls began to groan and crack as a fine tremor reverberated throughout the passageway. Debris began to rain down from the ceiling onto Botan and Hiei. The cave walls were beginning to give.

 

“Run onna!!” yelled Hiei over the cracking of the stone.

 

Dragging her up by the arm, Hiei sprinted down the passage way with Botan in tow. Seconds later the cave ceiling collapsed in on itself, filling the air with dust.

 

When the dust settled, Botan looked back behind her at the rock filled spot where she had been lying moments before. Turning back to Hiei, worry crossed her face.

 

“Hiei, we're trapped.”

 

 

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A/N- Dundunddun…Cliffy! Sorry bout that, but I thought this would be a good place to stop. I have a pretty good idea what I want to have in the next chapter, and I wanted it all to be together. I'm not a big fan of this chapter so far, but there were some things that I needed to add to the story for the plots sake. I wasn't positive how I wanted to word things, so I apologize for any suckiness that resulted.

 

Hmmm….What will happen to Hiei and Botan in the Cave of Lost Souls? Is there a way out? And what was the beast so afraid of? Stay tuned to the next chapter of Yu Yu Hakusho's Hidden Intentions!!!

 

Much thankies for the wonderful reviews…a big cookie to bookwormloverjen, Aine of Knockaine (I cant remember if I got you last time, and that Trigun story is in the works, but I might need your help getting it going…we shall see), and The Human Dictionary. As for the rest of you who didn't review, well poo on you. Also as for any questions in regards to why this is in the hentai category…there is an upcoming chapter that will explain that sufficiently. Besides I figure better safe than sorry. If the characters seem whiney…well id be whiney too if I was stuck in a bug infested demon filled forest on a mission that might lead to my imminent demise while having trouble coming to terms with my overactive imagination and hormones.

 

Please review. The pygmy rabbits of northern Minnesota need your help. Every review contributes to getting them Rogaine. The chilling winters are taking their toll on the hairless rabbits. Review and save the pygmy rabbits from cold and embarrassment! They need your help.

 

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