Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Life... with a twist. ❯ Walls Built and Broken ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho. I only own Raine Urameshi and Niko Takashi.

 

“Text” = normal dialogue

`text' = thoughts

~text~ = telepathic communication

 

Chapter 3: Walls Built and Broken

 

Raine raced through the trees faster than she ever had, trying to leave the memories behind her. She had run from them her whole life, yet in her mind she knew everyone of them was true. `Why would I tell them that? They had no right to know any of it- no. Yusuke had a right to know. Since I'll be living here for a while they all had the right to know...' Raine thought s she continued to run.

 

Raine jumped from the top of a tree into a small clearing bathed in moonlight. In the middle of the clearing was a small pond. She walked over to it, kneeled down and gazed at her reflection. Using a little energy she transformed into her hanyou form to reveal blood red wolf ears and tail tipped with black. Her finger nails grew into claws and she grew fangs as well. She only transformed when she was in need of some serious training because this form always reminded her why everyone she ever loved or will ever love... had to die. But when she looked at her reflection in the water she didn't see an abomination, just a very lost soul.

 

Her sharp hearing picked up the sound of someone landing in the tree directly across the pond from her, on a branch that reached out over the water. She knew it was Hiei by his scent of burning wood, too bad for him the wind had changed. Raine stood and thought to change back but it was too late any way, he had to have seen her.

 

“You can come out now, Hiei.” Raine said.

 

“Hn.” He huffed coming to stand next to her. “I'm not generally the type to give advice, but when a youkai and a ningen mate they have to choose to have a child. You were wanted.”

 

“I know. Mother told me after father was murdered. I still felt like it was my fault, and I still do. I know it's stupid to feel this way about something I can't change but I can't help it.” Raine said turning to face him.

 

“Stupid ningen emotions.” Hiei snorted.

 

“Watch it three eyes.” Raine warned, brandishing her claws.

 

“Or what? You'll attack me with those pathetic claws?” Hiei taunted, “Pups shouldn't pick fights.”

 

“This pup has some moves and some major energy to vent so watch it.” Raine said taking the bait. “And don't try to read my mind, it'll only make me fight harder.”

 

“If it's a fight you want come and get me.” Hiei said.

 

Raine lunged at Hiei, but he dodged her attack and jumped behind her. She whirled around to block his kick. Neither of them ever landed a hit. They just traded punches and kicks for about and hour before collapsing on the ground exhausted.

 

“That was relaxing.” Raine said breathing heavy. “I think I'll take a swim to cool off. Care to join me?”

 

Raine stood and walked to the pond taking off her boots and socks. Hiei shrugged and followed suit. After she had her boots off she stripped her shirt, revealing black under armor. Hiei removed his shirt to reveal a well muscled torso. Raine glanced over and blushed a deep red.

 

Hiei turned to see Raine standing just at the waters edge. He knew she was small but not that small. Her baggy clothes had obscured her petite figure. Hiei just stood there staring at her bathed in the moonlight shining from above and the light glinting off the water, making her look... ethereal. How the light seemed to shine around her hair and ears.

 

She turned to face him and noticed he was staring at her. Becoming self conscious she hugged her chest with her arms, blushing, making her look even more exotic to Hiei. She transformed back into her human form but still Hiei was entranced. Something was missing though...

 

Hiei closed the distance between them and pulled her hair away from her face to reveal the cut across her eye that had now scared completely.

 

“You shouldn't hide it. Wear it with pride.” He said in a whisper.

 

She stared at his face at a loss for words. “How `bout that swim?” She said snapping out of her daze.

 

Hiei got a mischievous glint in his eye and stepped toward her again. “Yes. How about that swim.” Hiei picked her up and turned to the water.

 

“Hiei? What-!? DON'T YOU DARE!! HIEI! YOU ARE SO DEAD!!!!” Raine screamed as Hiei threw her into the water. When she surfaced she glared fiercely at Hiei. “Oh I'll get you.”

 

She ducked under the water and disappeared from sight, masking her ki as well. Hiei peered into the water trying to find where she was. Raine suddenly burst from the water grabbing Hiei around the neck and pulling him in after her. They surfaced together with Raine grinning her head off. Hiei proceeded to tackle her, and they started a wrestling match in the water.

 

Raine eventually launched herself out of the water and into an overhanging tree branch, Hiei hot on her heels. They played a game of tag until Hiei finally pinned her to the ground in the clearing. Raine's slight figure shaking with silent giggles.

 

“You give?” Hiei asked.

 

“You wish.” Raine retorted rolling over to pin Hiei. “You give?”

 

“Not likely.” Hiei rolled and once again had Raine pinned but this time she had no way of getting out. “Give?”

 

“Fine! I give.” Raine said after some futile stuggling.

 

Hiei released her and lay down on the ground next to her gazing at the stars.

 

“When you were explaining to Kuwabara about hanyou, what did you mean when you said `what kind?'” Raine asked innocently.

 

Hiei was silent for a minute, contemplating if he was going to tell her. “I'm called the Forbidden Child because of my heritage. My mother being a koorime and my father being a fire demon. The mating of these two has always been forbidden. When I was born my mother threw me off a cliff to fend for myself. Therefore I have no kind.”

 

Raine let his words sink in then she sat up and looked him in the eyes. Her eyes weren't filled with pity as he thought they would but understanding.

 

“By casting you out, they just proved that they don't deserve to have someone like you.” She said in a matter-of-fact tone. Then lay back down to once again gaze at the stars.

 

Hiei thought about her words and the look in her eyes. No one had ever shown him anything but pity or hate. This creature was a puzzle, a puzzle that intrigued him to know end.

 

 

 

Two hours had passed and Raine still hadn't come back so Niko upheld her promise and went to go and find her. As she entered the trees the wind blew Raine's familiar yet odd scent of coconut and lavender to her nose. Another scent was also present. `Interesting...' Niko thought as she recognized the scent to be Hiei's. Niko dashed through the underbrush silently following the scents to a small clearing.

 

She arrived to see Raine and Hiei wrestling on the ground. Pinning each other then Hiei rolled off Raine and they lay side by side talking. Niko smiled to herself and turned to leave smacking right into Kurama.

 

“Looking for Hiei?” She questioned in a whisper.

 

“Yes. Looking for Raine?” He replied.

 

“None other. I think we should leave them to talk. They look like they need this.” Niko said.

 

“I agree completely.”

Together they left the clearing and returned to Genkai's temple to retire for the night.

 

 

 

As Hiei and Raine continued to talk, Raine kept drifting in and out of sleep.

 

“Raine?”

 

“Mmmnh?”

 

“You need to sleep.”

 

“No I'm *yawn* fine.”

 

“Pup, go to sleep.”

 

“Don't... call... me... pup...” Raine said, finally falling asleep.

 

Hiei stood, pulling on his shirt and cloak then his boots before grabbing Raine's boots and shirt. He stooped to pick up Raine and noticed she was shivering so he pulled her shirt back over her head. He picked her up bridle style with ease. `She hardly weighs anything. Her boots seem to weigh more than she does.' Hiei though as he made his way to Raine's open window after he had reached the temple. Along the way Raine had curled her fingers into his cloak to be closer to the warmth of his body so he had to remove her hands before he could settle her into her pallet and leave. A small smile graced his lips as he looked at her small form sleeping soundly.

 

“`Night pup.” He said before swinging himself out her window and into the trees.

 

 

 

::Dream::

 

Raine sat up in bed looking around, `This isn't Genkai's temple, where... oh kami!' Raine thought as realization hit her.

 

She was back in her foster fathers house.

 

Panic rose in her throat like bile. The only lucid thought running through her mind was...

 

`Where's Niko!?'

 

Raine sprang from her bed to see she was already dressed, boots and all. `Weird.' She thought as she raced to the door. Of course, it was locked.

“Kuso!” She cursed, running to the window to see it was still barred. She yanked and pulled on the bars with all her might. “God damned demon proof bars!” She shrieked.

 

A muffled scream echoed fun below.

 

“NO! NIKO! I'M COMING!! HOLD ON!” Raine screamed pounding on the door. She knew she would be next but it didn't matter as long as Niko didn't have to suffer because of her. She screamed Niko's name over and over, as well as any other obscenities that would take his attention off Niko and onto herself. (A.N. Raine could make a sailor proud when it comes to curses! Well that's what my best friend always says about me anyway! ^_^*) But the screaming continued. Raine slid down the door still screaming her best friends name as she cried. She didn't remember the last time she cried. She didn't think she remembered how to cry. The sound of pounding feet on the stairs caught her ears and she backed away from the door as it burst open. The silhouette of her foster father filled the door, his shadow crossing her tear stained face. She wouldn't go down without a fight! She launched herself from the ground at the man that had caused her so much pain and suffering, the one that had killed the her best friend, her sister.

 

`This is for Niko! I'll never let you go! DIE!' Raine screamed in her mind as she launched herself at her foster father. Right onto his already bloody knife...

 

::End Dream::

 

“Raine! Raine! Wake up!” Yusuke shouted shaking Raine by the shoulders.

 

Raine's eyes snapped open and as soon as her gaze fell on her cousin's worried face she leapt into his arms, shaking.

 

“Hey, it's OK. It was only a dream, everything in fine.” Yusuke soothed, showing his rarely seen soft side.

 

“I couldn't save her! He killed her and I couldn't do anything!” Raine whispered into his chest in an eerily calm voice.

 

“What are- oh Raine. Don't worry, she's right down the hall sleeping peacefully. Safe and sound. No one is ever going to hurt either of you again. I promise.” Yusuke said.

 

“Yu-kun! Thank-you.” Raine said pulling back to look him in the eye.

 

Yusuke saw the fear, sadness, and guilt in her eyes. “Try to get some rest. You're going to need it for Genkai's training.” Yusuke said with a shudder.

 

`Yeah like I'm going to be able to sleep again tonight...' Raine thought but said out loud, “I'll try.”

 

Yusuke gave her a last hug and left the room.

 

Raine stood, grabbing another shirt and throwing it over her head before making her way to the windowsill. `The moon is so beautiful here.' She thought taking a seat on the windowsill and making herself comfortable. She just gazed at the surrounding forest and the stars the rest of the night with a far-away look in her eyes. As the sun began to touch the horizon she seemed to snap out of her reverie and left the window to change her clothes and stretch for the day ahead.

 

 

 

Hiei watched from his perch in a tree outside Raine room as she thrashed in her sleep. He entered her mind to try to ease her pain by hiding the memory but he was enthralled by what he saw. He never imagined that what she went through had been that bad. Barred windows and doors. She must have almost gone crazy. In some ways he knew the pain she felt, being a hanyou was not an easy life.

 

Soon after she started to scream and cry for help. Hiei was ready to jump down himself but Yusuke beat him to it. He watched as Yusuke tried to wake her up and then comfort her as she was brought back into the waking world. He heard Yusuke promise no one would ever hurt her or Niko again. He too made a promise.

 

`As long as I live I will never let another soul hurt my pup ever again. Anyone who tries, forfeits their life.' Hiei promised silently.

 

Hiei gazed on Raine's now moon bathed face as she gazed up at the stars.

 

`Pain doesn't befit a face like that.' Hiei thought when he saw the pain of lose and guilt reflected in her eyes.

 

He watched her until the sun hit the horizon and she left her perch to start her day. Hiei too left his perch to start his own early morning training.

 

 

 

Everyone was present at breakfast, except Hiei, of course.

 

“When your all dome meet me in the courtyard. Don't take your time.” Genkai said clearing her plate and exiting the room.

 

Raine quickly finished but before she could leave Yusuke spoke up.

 

“Raine, when did you get that scar?” He asked.

 

“On our way through the forest. I didn't want you to worry about it. My eye is fine.” Replied Raine.

 

Yusuke nodded and Raine left the room. She went to the courtyard to wait for the rest with Genkai.

 

“I want you to train in your hanyou form.” Genkai said when she came into view.

 

“OK.”

 

“Good. It will benefit you in your training.”

 

Hiei jumped down from the trees to stand next to Riane.

 

“Well look who decided to grace us with his presence.” Genkai said, glancing at the newly arrived fire apparition.

 

“Hn.”

 

“Well since the two of you are here I can see if you've improved Hiei. And I can see where you stand amoung the others, Raine.” Genkai remarked. “Hand-to-hand. No weapons except your ki. Don't hold back.”

 

Raine and Hiei exchanged and glance and jumped to either side of the courtyard and prepared themselves. They bowed to each other and took their stances.

 

“Ready…” a nod from both “FIGHT!”

 

Both fighters blurred from sight, but to the trained eye of Genkai she saw them quite clearly. “She's fast. It seems Hiei has increased his speed with the mastering of the Dragon. I'm amazed she can keep up. Some demons are just made for speed. Her technique is quite original.' Genkai observed as she watched the two throw punches and kicks and watched each block and counter.

 

Hiei and Raine were almost evenly matched. Hiei being much more experienced, and a little stronger and faster should have given him the advantage, but Raine was crafty. Her mind was harder to read when she fought and she revealed nothing with her stance or facial expressions.

 

`I just need to wait for the right moment otherwise he'll get suspicious.' She thought as she dodged and blocked a new flurry of kicks. `There…'

 

Raine purposely left herself open to Hiei's kick after dodging a punch and just as his foot made contact with her stomach she moved to the side and pulled him towards her. Off balance, he left himself wide open and Raine punched him square in the jaw, sending him flying across the courtyard.

 

`That looked like something Yusuke would do. Maybe she's not going to be so much different from him at all. Please don't let her be an idiot too.' Genkai thought and stepped into the clearing.

 

“Enough. Grab your katana's. I want to see how much you know.”

 

Hiei drew his sword, glaring at Raine she simply looked back at him with mild interest irritating him further.

 

“Begin.”

 

They didn't waste any time and flew at each other. It was immediately clear that Hiei was the better swordsman. He kept Raine on the defensive, never giving her a chance to counter his relentless attacks.

 

`Solid defense, though not quick enough, or at least not familiar enough with a sword to counter. Hiei will have to train her in this. She probably just hasn't held a sword for more than ten years, if even that long.'

 

Hiei had her on the run, Raine tripped and faltered. Hiei took his chance and swept her legs out from under her and put him katana to her throat.

 

“Enough. Next you may fight with any weapons you want. Same rules apply.” Genkai instructed.

 

Hiei removed his sword from Raine's neck and allowed her to stand. Once on her feet she sheathed her blade and threw it to the side. Hiei's blade remained out and ready.

 

“You're going to fight my katana with fists?” Hiei sneered.

 

“Nope. Daggers.” Raine replied simply. Shifting her arms slightly two daggers appeared in her hands and with another slight shifting they disappeared.

 

“Fight!” Genkai comanded.

 

Hiei charged at Raine thinking this would be the same as the last fight. Raine had her daggers in her hands in the blink of an eye and blocked Hiei's attack and countered all in one smooth motion, taking Hiei by surprise.

 

`Interesting. She's more confident with her daggers and even though his sword has the longer reach Hiei might not have the advantage.' Genkai mused as she watched the two hanyou trade blow for blow.

 

They struggled against each other, neither holding the upper hand for more than a few attacks before they went on the defensive. It was dead even.

 

“That's enough for now, you have gathered an audience.” Genkai said. “Glad you could join us.”

 

“You said to come when we finished breakfast! So hear we are!” Yusuke grinned.

 

His hair hung in his eyes, not gelled back for once, mostly because he forgot his gel.

 

“Slacker. Well let's get started. Kurama and Niko, you're up.” Genkai barked, “Hand to hand combat. No weapons. Begin!”

 

Kurama and Niko were given the same drills as Hiei and Raine were, and then Yusuke and Kuwabara went next.

 

Raine watched Niko and Kurama with little enthusiasm. She knew how Niko fought but when Yusuke and Kuwabara fought she was raptly attentive. After the first fight, though, she turned away because she saw how much Kuwabara lacked against Yusuke's speed and attacks. It was embarrassing to watch. She moved away from the group to stretch her tightening muscles.

 

Hiei noticed her move and figured this was as good a time as any to ask her about the night before.

 

~What were you screaming about last night?~ He asked in her head.

 

~That, Hiei, would be none of your business~ Raine replied cooly. She didn't like having someone barge into her head.

 

~I could find out easily on my own. I just figured I would ask.~

 

Raine thought that over. Sighing, ~If I tell you will you tell me why you call me pup?~

 

~You are just a child in age compared to me.~ Hiei answered readily. It wasn't really a lie. Just a half truth.

 

~I dreamt that I had lost Niko. That I couldn't do anything to help save her. I hate feeling useless and I hate the feeling that I failed her, even if it was only a dream. We made a pact that we would protect each other to the death and to feel as if I have broken that pact... it nearly killed me.~ Raine answered. Her emotions confused and scattered in her words.

 

Hiei felt a little guilty about making her tell him. Coming to his senses he pushed the foreign emotions away.

 

~I don't know if I will ever understand ningen emotions but I do know about pacts. Kurama and I made a pact when we stole from Rekai and we kept it. I think of him as a brother, just as Niko is like your sister. I don't know what words can do to console but I understand a little of what you are feeling.~ Hiei had no idea why he had just said what he did, but he knew it was the right thing to say.

 

~Arigatou, Hiei.~

 

~Hn.~

 

Yusuke and Kuwabara were done fighting. Kuwabara had a few new bruises but was otherwise unharmed. Yusuke had barely a scratch on him.

 

“Koenma hasn't gotten back to me with any pressing information so I will train you as I had planned. Niko, Raine, I want to see how you fair against each other.” Genkai announced.

 

Niko and Raine stepped up. Smirking at each other like old rivals.

 

“Been a long time since we sparred.” Raine mused.

 

“Yeah, but we've seen each other fight a million times since then.” Niko replied.

 

“Should be fun.” Raine smiled a very wolfish smile.

 

“She takes after you too much for her own good Urameshi.” Kuwabara muttered.

 

“Whadda ya mean?” Yusuke asked looking at his cousin with an assessing glance.

 

“She's smirking and she likes to fight! Girls aren't supposed to fight! It's not right for girls to fight! They could get hurt.” He exclaimed.

 

Niko and Raine looked over at Kuwabara like he was crazy. Especially for saying that while they were hearing range.

 

`He's got to be the stupidest ningen I have ever met and I've been in Ningenkai my whole life!' Niko thought to herself. Glancing at Raine and catching her eye she knew that she was thinking the same thing. A flicker of mischief flashed in Raine's eyes and her smile grew more devilish. A small fire appeared in her hand as she crept towards Kuwabara as he and Yusuke continued their conversation.

 

“She liked to fight even when we were little. Always tackling me and wrestling. She was born to fight!” Yusuke said with pride. “Besides if anything it was America that influenced her into fighting more than I did. She was only here for six years then she was there for ten.”

 

“Whatever. Girls still shouldn't fight.” Kuwabara mumbled.

 

“Really? You don't seen to have a problem with Genkai fighting. So why us?” Raine asked from behind Kuwabara.

 

“Gah! When did you get back there?” He squawked.

 

“Answer the question dear Kuwa-chan. Mayhap if you answer right I won't burn you to a crisp!” A large fireball appeared in Raine's hand as she menacingly stalked towards poor Kuwabara.

 

“EEK! Urameshi help!” Kuwabara screamed like a three year old girl and ran into the temple.

Raine extinguished the fireball and fell over laughing. Everyone laughed, Hiei smirked.

 

`I could definitely get used to this onna…' he thought.

 

“Why didn't you throw it at him?” Yusuke asked once he got himself back under control.

 

“Can't. I've never been able to keep the flame alive after its left my body. Same with my other powers. But punching someone with an ice or flame covered fist works just as effectively.” Raine explained.

 

“As much fun as that was we have training to do. Raine, Niko, fight with whatever weapons you feel are necessary. Ready… begin!” Genkai barked.

 

The girls stood stock still. Niko shifted her wrist so slightly you could barely tell she moved it at all but Raine noticed and came charging at her. Niko barely blocked in time but that was all she could do. Niko was outmatched in hand to hand combat because of Raine's small size she was able to get under most of Niko's attacks and the ones she couldn't she used her speed to block.

 

`They have similar styles so they must have trained each other, but their techniques differ slightly when attacking. Raine likes to go head on and Niko attacks from the sides. Interesting.' Genkai mused as she watched them.

 

“Their quite good aren't they?” Kurama commented, “Raine takes after you so much in her fighting style.”

 

“Of course!” Yusuke beamed, “She's related to me isn't she?”

 

“If you hadn't told me you were related I would have never thought about it.” Genkai said.

 

“And why is that?”

 

“Because she has brains in that skull of hers and she uses them.” Genkai commented.

 

Kuwabara started cracking up, Kurama covered his mouth with his hand, Hiei smirked and returned his attention to the fight in front of him, leaving the detective and the idiot to bicker.

 

“They'll be hard to beat after this training.” Kurama said, joining him.

 

“Hn.”

 

Kurama just waited patiently for Hiei to continue.

 

“Raine's sword work is sloppy on the offensive but her defense is almost impenetrable.” Hiei continued.

 

“Her style is quite unique. I believe her and Niko made their own moves to fit their needs.” Kurama said.

 

Hiei nodded in agreement, “It looks like it was made for two people to execute together.”

 

“That's what I was thinking.”

 

Niko drew her short sword and started to attack Raine with a new vigor. Raine only had out one dagger and held it against her arm, using it a s a shield to block Niko's sword. She didn't draw her other dagger to attack but continued to use her fists and feet.

 

`I'm not getting anywhere with physical attacks… lets try some spirit energy.' Niko jumped back from Raine and sheathed her sword. Her hand started to glow green as she raised it and pointed it at Raine.

 

“Spirit Claw!” Niko yelled. Five darts of energy shot from her fingers.

 

`Not good…' Raine thought as she hurriedly tried to defend herself. She caught each blast with a different appendage, one in each arm, shoulder and then one in her abdomen. The force of the attack sending her sailing into a tree on the other side of the clearing.

 

“Shadow wolf!”

 

A huge blood colored wolf with black and blue flames licking its body charged from the settling dust.

 

“Kuso!” Niko cursed trying to dodge the attack, but it followed her every move.

 

Raine watched as her wolf chased Niko around the clearing. Her eyes grew wide and glazed over as images flashed in her mind.

 

::Flashback::

 

“Look what you did!!” Father screamed at Raine. “You killed her! Your own sister! It's all your fault!”

 

Raine looked to her right and there lay Niko's bloodstained body, unmoving, dead. Raine fell to her knee's, wanting to cry but no tears coming, none ever came, she could no longer cry because she could no longer feel anything but a distant and constant sadness.

 

“No…I-I didn't…I couldn't.” Raine stammered, still staring at Niko's lifeless form.

 

“You did!! She's dead! And it's all your fault!” Father continued to scream at her.

 

“NO!!” Raine screamed.

 

::End Flashback::

 

“STOP!!” Raine shrieked. Her wolf stopped it chase and turned to her, bowing its head it disappeared.

 

Niko looked at her sister in concern. Raine looked at Niko with a terrified expression, clutching her head in pain.

 

“Raine? You OK?” Yusuke asked walking closer to her.

 

She didn't even acknowledge that he was breathing not ten paces from her, just stared at Niko.

 

“Gomen nasai.” She whispered before blurring from sight into the forest.

 

“Hiei go after her. I want to know what the hell that was all about.” Genkai barked.

 

“Hn.” Hiei grunted before following after Raine.

 

“You two stay right here.” Genkai barked at Niko and Yusuke who were just sneaking off to go help find Raine.

 

“But Hiei might need out help.” Niko reasoned.

 

“I want to find her and find out what the hell just happened.” Yusuke screamed.

 

“Dimwit. That's why I sent Hiei. He's the only one fast enough to catch her at a dead run.”

 

“I just hope Hiei leaves her conscious.” Kurama said.

 

“Tch. I just hope Raine leaves Hiei conscious.” Niko muttered under her breath.

 

“Why do you say that?” Genkai asked turning to Niko.

 

“Raine's tough as nails but her mind is as fragile as thousand year old glass. Everything that ever happened to us was always her fault. Everything. No matter how many times I told her she couldn't control what happened she always blamed herself. She used to lie to me and tell me that she knew it wasn't her fault but eventually the lies stopped and she just bottled everything up. She never talked about anything even remotely connected to negative things. It would just make her remember how much pain she caused. I blame my father for everything and I always told her it was his fault but she wouldn't listen. A friend from school got hit by a drunk driver and was killed and she blamed herself. She visited his grave everyday for two years before… we came here. My father told her everything bad that happened to the people around her was her fault. She still believes that.” Niko said quietly, hugging herself. “It always got worse when I got hurt though. If I got hit she would jump in and get twice the beatings for trying to help me. But she would never listen when I told her to stay away. She never wanted to see me hurt. I don't think she can handle another person she cares for to get hurt. Especially when she can do something to stop it.”

 

“That's probably why she stopped her attack and ran. Even if you had been hit with it you would have only sustained minor injuries.” Kurama said.

 

“Has she done this before?” Genkai asked.

 

“No. Never like this. Did she sleep last night?” Niko asked.

 

“Yeah, but she woke up screaming and babbling something but I couldn't understand it.” Yusuke answered.

 

“Well that answers the question of if she's still having those dreams.” Kurama added.

 

“Hey guys! I'm getting some really weird feelings.” Kuwabara announced.

 

“What kind of feelings?” Yusuke asked.

 

“Like when Raine called on that wolf thing.”

 

“That can't be good.” Yusuke remarked.

 

`Raine. What's wrong? Please don't run from us.' Niko thought desperately, looking in the direction Raine and Hiei went.

 

 

 

`Her mind is in turmoil. I can't sift through her thoughts. What is hurting her, scaring her so much that she would run from us?' Hiei thought as he ran after Raine. `I've got to watch out. I've met wolves before and when they feel threatened they hold nothing back.'

 

He stopped seeing her standing in the same clearing from the night before. She had her back to him.

 

“Go away, Hiei. I want to be alone.” Raine said not turning around.

 

“Why do you smell of fresh blood? And don't say its from the neko's attacks because its fresher than that.” Hiei asked.

 

“I just… I need to be alone. I… I almost… I didn't…” Raine stuttered.

 

“If you won't tell me, pup, I'll just take a look myself.” Hiei said. His Jagan began to glow green under his bandana.

 

“NO! Stay out of my head!” Raine screamed turning to face him her shadow wolf leaping into existence.

 

Hiei was ready for her attack and summoned his own.

 

“Fist of the Mortal Flame!” Hiei called, punching the wolf square in the face as it jumped at him. Both attacks disappeared.

 

Raine stared at him in disbelief thinking that he would run. She turned to run again but Hiei was faster and caught her arm.

 

“You're not going anywhere.” Hiei said. The smell of blood, her blood, flooded his nose. He looked at his hand, it was smeared with blood. “What did you do to yourself, pup?”

 

“It's nothing. It doesn't matter.” Raine said, trying to free her arm from his grip, looking at the forest floor.

 

Before she could protest, Hiei had ripped the sleeves off her outer shirt and under armor. Cuts and bruises covered her arm. Most of the larger cuts that should have been stitched back together had reopened and were bleeding freely.

 

“What are these from?” Hiei's eyes glared holes into her skull. “Don't lie to me, pup?”

 

“My… my foster father. I was protecting Niko… or trying to. She was hurt really bad. I guess I just didn't give these enough time to heal.” Raine said still staring at the ground, “They open when I run for too long or too fast. I don't even notice the pain anymore.”

 

Hiei squeezed her arm where there was a particularly nasty cut and she didn't even flinch. She turned to face him, her eyes were completely empty.

 

“We'll have to change that, pup.” Hiei said pulling her closer.

 

“How? All I've ever known is pain. All I can remember is pain.”

 

“Like this.” Hiei pulled the tiny girl into a hug.

 

Raine's eyes went wide and her whole body tensed. After a few moments she relaxed and returned the embrace, snuggling into the warmth of his chest.

 

`He's so warm. How can anyone be this warm? But why is he being so nice? I just attacked him. Shouldn't he be mad?' Raine thought.

 

“Hiei?” She started to squirm in his embrace trying to break free but his hold only tightened, “Hiei? Why?”

 

“For someone to feel pain they must know other feelings as well.” He said simply.

“Thank you.”

 

They stayed that way for what seemed like hours, Raine slipping in and out of sleep in Hiei's strong arms.

 

“Hiei?”

 

“Hn.”

 

“Why are you so warm?”

 

“I'm part fire apparition.”

 

“I like it.” She whispered before going completely limp in his arms, transforming back into her human state.

 

Hiei took off his cloak and wrapped it around her, covering her exposed arm. She would tell them herself. He walked back to the temple carrying Raine bridle style in his arms.

 

“And here I was hoping that both of you would coming back awake. What happened?” Yusuke asked when he came into view.

 

“She fell asleep.” Hiei answered.

 

“Why?”

 

“Hn. Baka.” Hiei replied no answering his question.

 

“Training is done for the day. Go wash and get ready for dinner. Oh, Yukina will be coming to stay here again tomorrow.” Genkai announced, heading off an argument and a headache.

 

“YUKINA MY LOVE WILL BE HERE!?” Kuwabara cried.

 

“Be quiet baka. You'll wake my pup.” Hiei remarked before walking off to Raine's room.

 

“'My pup?'” Yusuke said confused. “WHAT!? I'M GOING TO KILL THE LITTLE PYRO FOR—“

 

“Will you shut up!” Genkai shouted at Yusuke smacking him in the head.

 

Niko and Kurama smiled at each other knowing full well what Hiei meant.

 

`They need this.' They thought.

 

 

 

Hiei reached Raine's room and went to lay her on her pallet but she wouldn't relinquish her hold on him.

 

“Stay… onegai.” She whispered in her sleep, curling her fingers deeper into his shirt.

 

Hiei didn't want risk waking her so he sat against the wall under the window with Raine sitting in his lap, her head resting on his chest.

 

“Sleep well, pup.” He whispered before slipping into a contented sleep.

 

 

 

Thanks for being so patient with me!  Thanks to all my reviewers!  And thanks to any one who offered in a character but my best friend (who is portrayed as Niko) stole my notebook with my chapter layouts and made her own characters.  Sorry to anyone who wanted their character in this story but I might make a sequel when I get this one finished (if enough people want one) and if you want I could use them then.  Now I'll answer any questions:

Donamarine: Kajihenge means fire apparition in Japanese.  Or really its just taking the word for fire and apparition and putting them together.  I have no idea if its an actual word.  Thanks for the characters and sorry for not being able to use them.

Ummm... that's it.  Thanks and sorry again to anyone who submitted a character.  I hope to have the next chapter out by the end of next week/beginning of the week after cause I'm going to visit a college but I don't know when or when I'll be coming home.  But here's a teaser for you.

Ch. 4. Training Ends
Everyone survives training.  Raine and Niko go one their first mission.  And they start school, along with a seriously pissed fire demon. 

Don't forget to review!  Ja-ne!