Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Love and Hardships ❯ Cleansing ( Chapter 7 )

A/N- I still can't believe I actually wrote the last chapter. For those who may have skipped it here's what happened. Ghalib paralyzed Hala and raped her, she told him to stop but he did it twice. She slowly regained the use of her body and kicked him in the balls. She is now standing about ready to run and Ghalib is glaring at her. A glare that promises more rape followed by death.

Disclaimer- I don't own YYH or the characters. If I did, Hiei would be ruling the three worlds and Kuwabara would be dead.

Warning- Ending of a rape scene (no real rape in this chapter), references to rape, and some language.

Chapter Seven

Cleansing

Hala ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Ghalib ran after her, screaming insults at her but she couldn't hear them over the pounding of her heart. Fear aided her flight and she easily outran him. He soon lost sight of her and in her vision the city loomed ahead of her. She wouldn't stop running, even though the pain between her legs commanded her to halt. If Hala stopped she was sure she would be unable to move anymore and Ghalib would catch her. If he caught her... Hala shook her head as she ran. She shouldn't think of that. She had reached the city now and ran straight. She soon found herself entering the City Park.

She continued running untill she reached the spot Hiei had taken her on their first date, she felt safe here. She bent over and threw up all the contents of her dinner with Ghalib. She continued this, even after her body had rid itself of the offensive meal. Stomach acid burned in her esophagus. After all that was gone she continued to dry heave for what seemed like an eternity.

Finally Hala collapsed on the ground, tears pouring from her eyes. She wanted nothing more than to be home right now, asleep on her bed. She couldn't go home, not like this. Her parents would ask so many questions and Hala had no desire to relive the night's events. Besides, nobody would believe the story. Ghalib's father worked for the police and had influence there. They would claim she was lying. She sobbed louder as she remembered everything. Ghalib above her, Ghalib inside her.

Hala tried to pick herself up but cried out in pain. She felt his assault taking full effect on her body. While she had been paralyzed the pain had been nothing like this. Now that the chemical had fully worn off, she felt like she should be dead. It was impossible to feel this much pain and still be alive.

Hala heard someone approaching, slowly. She was sure it was Ghalib. He followed her and came to finish the job. Hala had been raped and now the sick bastard would murder her. Hala didn't look up. Instead she curled into a somewhat fetal position to relieve the pain and closed her eyes. She jumped when gentle but rough hands clasped her shoulders. Hala slowly opened her eyes and they met Hiei's.

Hiei walked around the park once more, searching for the distressed presence he sensed. He saw a small figure on the ground, shaking violently. He walked up cautiously, not wanting to frighten the poor person. Then he recognized the clothes, and the shape of the body. How had he not known before? He should have recognized Hala a mile away. Here she was, on the ground, sobbing. She curled up, holding her knees to her chest. Hiei squatted on the ground before her and attempted to hold her shoulders still. When Hala's eyes met his, he felt ready to kill whoever had caused her so much pain.

He was squatting on the ground and in his eyes Hala could see the concern, worry, pain, and love that he held for her. She started to sob all over again.

Hiei was surprised as Hala sobbed before him. To keep her from collapsing he held her up. Finding this position uncomfortable for the both of them Hiei sat and leaned her head against his chest. He rubbed her back gently, smelling the semen on her shirt. Gently he pushed her head back and made her look him in the eyes. "Tell me what happened Hala." Instead of a response he got heavier sobs. Whatever had happened to her Hala couldn't talk about it. He leaned her against his chest again. She wasn't looking at him and was sobbing so hard she didn't notice what he was doing. Hiei reached up and untied his bandanna, revealing his Jagan. It glowed and Hiei went inside her mind, gently, so as not to frighten her even more.

Hiei only found a jumble of thoughts that made no sense. Then he found what he was looking for.

He saw glasses of cider, food, and Ghalib. Ghalib had taken her on a picnic. Hiei understood that. Then he saw Ghalib lift her skirt, and pull away her panties. He didn't want to watch this, but he had to find out what had happened to Hala to make her fall apart like this. He distinctly heard Hala say 'No' and 'Stop Ghalib' in her memories. However, Ghalib ignored her. Hiei saw blood, and lots of it. Ghalib had brutally raped Hala.

Unwilling to watch anymore, Hiei snapped from Hala's mind. He ran one hand through her hair and said softly, "The bastard raped you didn't he Hala." Hiei knew it was true but it was important to ningen laws that she says it to someone. Hala nodded against his chest. That was good enough. Hiei rocked back and forth, trying to calm her. Soon her sobs subsided and Hiei quickly replaced his bandanna. He did it just in time too. Hala looked into his eyes and said two simple words, "I'm sorry."

Hiei smiled at her. "What for Hala? You didn't ask for this to happen to you."

She looked away. "If I had taken you back when you asked, any of the times you asked, or not told you to stop following Ghalib and me on out dates, this never would have happened. It's all my fault."

Hiei angrily grasped her arms and slightly shook her. "You listen to me Hala. It is not your fault. Ghalib is a sick pervert who took advantage of you. He is a coward and he will pay, dearly. Stop blaming yourself for his wrongdoing. I never had to listen to you Hala. I almost didn't. If I could take this away I would. I love you Hala." Hiei was surprised at his comment but didn't care. It was true. Hiei loved her and would give anything to take away what had happened. "Let's go Hala." He said standing. He reached to help her up but when she tried to stand she screamed in pain.

The scream wrenched Hiei's heart. He picked her up and carried her in his arms. He couldn't take her home, her parents would either freak out and blame him, or make her feel worthless and disgusting. Hiei only knew one safe place to take Hala like this. Kurama's. Kurama and Hala were somewhat friends and Hiei knew Kurama would not dare to stand against Hiei. Only Hiei couldn't go through the window, not with Hala in his arms. He could only pray that Kurama's ningen mother was not home tonight.

Five minutes later Hiei knocked on Kurama's door. Kurama opened it and smiled when he saw Hiei. The smile turned to shock when he saw a crying, bleeding, sticky Hala in Hiei's arms. Kurama stood aside and when Hiei entered shut and locked the door. "Where is your kaasan?"

Kurama sighed, "Thankfully she worked tonight. Covering for a friend."

Hiei nodded. "The bathroom kitsune." Kurama nodded and motioned for Hiei to follow him. Hiei followed Kurama up the stairs and into the bathroom. Kurama handed Hiei some towels and a first aid kit. "Leave us," Hiei commanded.

Kurama bit his lip, "Hiei I know ningen medicine a little better than you."

"I said leave us fox," Hiei barked, glaring at his friend. Kurama nodded and left the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Hiei sat Hala on the edge of the tub. He too sat, but with one leg in the tub and the other out. He reached for her shirt and peeled it off. Her body tensed at his touch, but she soon relaxed. Hiei whispered to her, "It's going to hurt, but you have to stand." Tears clouded Hala's vision but she nodded. Hiei noticed her eyes looked far away. Ghalib had a lot to answer for.

Hiei helped Hala stand and she screamed in pain but Hiei stopped her from sitting again. She was standing, her weight mostly on Hiei. Still being extra gentle, Hiei pulled her skirt to the ground. Hiei then let her sit on the edge of the tub again and turned on the water. Hiei looked her body up and down. There were bruises, dried blood and semen all over her. Not how he wanted to first see her naked. Ghalib had taken what was meant to be Hiei's. The tub was soon full. Hiei took off his clothes as well and Hala whimpered. "Shhh," he said. "I'm not going to hurt you Hala. This is just so I can stay in the tub and help wash you off." She nodded. Hiei picked her up in his arms again and slowly lowered them both into the water.

Hala felt very safe in Hiei's embrace. She leaned back and let him take complete control. Hiei lathered and rinsed her body, washing away the blood and semen. He was very gentle as he washed her lower regions, in fact, he never even hurt her. He wet her hair and worked some of Kurama's rose shampoo into her hair. He rinsed it out and then stood. She was still in the tub. Hiei wrapped one towel around his waist and then helped Hala stand. It hurt to stand but not as badly as before. He wrapped a towel around her and lifted her from the tub. As it drained she sat on the edge and Hiei dried her. He picked up the first aid kit and carried Hala into the guest bedroom.

Kurama had set a robe on the bed for Hala. Hiei put her in it and had her lean back against the pillows. She did as asked. Hiei spread Hala's legs and winced at the damage he saw. Hala shuddered, remembering how Ghalib had spread her legs too. But this was Hiei. Hiei would protect and take care of her, not rape her. Hiei got to work, he read labels and used antiseptic to clean the wounds. Hala tensed and moaned in pain slightly as it stung. Hiei, thinking he had really hurt her apologized and she smiled. "It's supposed to sting." Hiei nodded. He did as much as he could and was glad that she had at last stopped bleeding.

He got behind Hala and hugged her to him. "I will always be here for you Hala," he said. He then sat up and turned to leave. Hala grasped his wrist and he turned back. "Hala?"

She was shaking and stared at him pleadingly. "Don't leave Hiei." Hiei nodded and got back in the bed with her, pulling the covers up and over their shoulders. He wrapped an arm around her and held her close, wishing he was holding her for other reasons. Hala rolled to face him and said, "Thank you for being there Hiei. Thank you for taking care of me."

Hiei smiled, "I love you Hala. I will always take care of you." She snuggled against him and gently pressed her lips to his. Hiei couldn't respond to that. When she pulled away she smiled and closed her eyes, drifting to sleep. Hiei hadn't responded because he didn't want her like this. She was overwhelmed and vulnerable. After a few weeks he would resume his pursuit of her, but for now, he was just a really good friend.

The sun rose and Hala woke to find the bed empty except for herself. She looked around and knew it hadn't been a nightmare, she was still in the robe Hiei had helped her get in. There was a knock on the door and Hala called out, "Come in."

Hiei walked in the room, followed by Kurama. Hiei carried a tray of food and Kurama had a notepad and a pen. Hala stared at the food and her stomach grumbled. She had rejected all the food she had eaten earlier and her stomach was completely empty. Hiei sat on the edge of the bed and smirked as she began to shove bit after bit into her mouth. "Thank you," she finally said when she paused to take a breath. Hiei nodded and said, "Kurama made it though, I just brought it up."

She looked at Kurama, "Thanks."

Kurama nodded grimly and sat at the foot of the bed. "Hala I need to ask you some questions so we can tell the police everything that happened."

Hala shook her head violently, "I'm not going to the police, they will never believe me."

Hiei covered her hand with his, "If you don't tell them then Ghalib will stay free. He might try it again either to you or another girl."

Again Hala shook her head, "I can't. They'll think I'm lying and then Ghalib really will try to kill me. He won't try it again, not if I'm surrounded by people. I'm never going anywhere alone with him, I'm not that stupid."

Hiei closed his eyes. If Hala told the police and they ignored it, Ghalib would be angry and attempt to kill Hala. Hiei would then kill Ghalib and then Hiei would be banished from the Ningenkai forever, unable to see Hala again. On the other hand, Ghalib might try it again and then Hiei would kill him and be banished, unable to see Hala again. This was not a situation that Hiei liked. He would just have to make it clear to Ghalib that he knew and if Hiei got wind of anymore foul play, Ghalib would die. Of course, Ghalib would get beaten up sufficiently but the warning might make him more cautious. "All right Hala. We won't go to the police but if he tries it again to you or another girl then that's it."

Hala nodded and Hiei hugged her. He hated the fact that anyone had caused her to fear for her life. It was all Hiei could do to restrain himself for hunting the motherfucker down and killing him this instant. All Hiei knew was that if Ghalib so much as thought about Hala, in any way again, Hiei would kill him.

A/N- I feel a little better. Do you understand the importance of the rape now? Had Hala not been raped she probably would have stayed with Ghalib till the end of the story and then you people would hate me more than you did while I made Ghalib rape Hala. So there.

Eirwen Lai