Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Love in the Rain ❯ Cold Feet and Flashback ( Chapter 3 )

Love in the Rain

Kalika Higurashi

Chapter Three

A/N: Hey everyone! Long time no see! Thanks for being patient. It's been a rough time but I think I've managed to do excellent. Oh and guess what? I got a 98 on my chemistry exam, pulling it up to a 'B'. I'm really happy about that.

But I just hadn't had the time to type the chapters up, though I'd get 'em written (on paper). I really need to save some money for a laptop. ;;

New A/N: Sorry guys, been really busy. Had so many trips I constantly think I'm still at a hotel somewhere.

Now for Review Responses:

DC- Thanks. I'm glad to hear it. I've been working my butt off trying to get it the way I wanted it. A lot of paper ends up in the trash. ;

VASH THE STAMPEDE - I'm sorry about the fact that I don't update often enough to satisfy all of my readers. But I'm glad to have some loyal readers for my first fic.

Hiei's black dragon princess- I am glad to know you like it. Hope you like this chappie.

On with the show!

Don't own them, so there's no use in suing me.

We've continued moving all of my stuff. Strangely, he insisted that I take all of my stuff. I guess he, Yukina-chan, and Genkai-san must have agreed to make sure that I feel right at home at the temple. I'm grateful for that.

I've packed and sent everything that I was sure that my mother would not miss. Finally, it had come down to things, such as posters and pictures that cover my walls. My mother asked of course, but having thought this over for a few nights, I managed to come up with a lie that she will take no questions asked, "I thought that my fiancé would be moving into our house, and therefore sleeping in my room with me. I doubt that he will like all the posters and pictures featuring boys."

You gotta love my imagination: she believed me, no questions asked.

Finally I got my stereo system packed and sent over. All that I have left are the clothes that I am wearing and this journal.

Today. My new life will begin today. I just know it.

I close my journal. I sigh. The rank smell of cigarettes fills my lungs from the customers of the bar. I finger the pendant, wondering when Hiei is coming by. He always made a point to show up during my shifts.

"Thea...Table 12's orders are ready!"

"Kay!"

I put my journal in the pocket of my mini-apron along with the pen, then fold my shirt over it to conceal it without looking too sloppy. I get up from my spot at the bar and hurry to grab the tray from Becky, a co-worker. She hands me a stand too.

I head over to the table, a booth with mirrors on the wall to make the place look larger that it really is. About six people look at me expectantly, three girls, three boys. From the looks of it, it kinda looked like a triple date. If there ever was such a thing.

I serve them, and once I finish serving them, I catch sight of something reflecting in the mirror. It is someone standing in the doorway.

Hiei!

I turn around. His crimson eyes widen, then he disappears in a flash.

Hiei!

I leave the tray and stand where they are. I run out of the bar with Becky calling my name.

Quickly I run from the bar, but then I realize that I have no idea where Hiei went.

Damn it! Where could he have gone? Okay...Time to hunt for him. Good thing he let me get a 'feel' of his aura, so I know what to look for.

I close my eyes.

Show me where you are Hiei. Why did you get cold feet now?

Slowly I feel a power being unmasked.

Thought you where going to hide, hm? Not this time, I'm going to get a straight answer about this out of you.

It starts to rain.

Great. But I gotta focus on him. Okay. Lets see were you are, Hiei.

Since the power has stabilized, feeling the power from both his Jagan and the Darkness Dragon (The dragon on his arm, calling that short for: Dragon of the Darkness Flame), a map formulates in my mind.

Hmmm...Looks like you're on Strawberry Road... Good...it's not far from here. With Mother having the only fricking car, I'd rather not pass out on the side of the road.

Strawberry Road is only a mile away from here. I think he's about a mile down the road. But why he's there, eludes me. Oh well, I'll ask him when I get there. I start to jog down the old highway. As I jog, I think.

Maybe my assumption was correct, but every night he's asked me if I'm sure about my decision. I explained to him that despite the fact that he is a member of the Reikai Tantei, that I still want to leave with him.

It rains harder, as I reach Strawberry Road, "Brrrr...Cold!"

I think I have fallen in love with the fire demon. No... I don't think, I know... I've fallen in love. My father was right.

Glad I let my shirt hang out, over the apron, to at least protect my journal, I jog down the street. Trees pass by. After about 3/4 of a mile, I see someone in black sitting on the side of the hardly used road.

Hiei!

I begin a full-out run, "Hiei!"

He looks behind him over his shoulder, "Thea?"

He stands and catches me when I run into his arms. He lets out a grunt of surprise, "Thea...What are you doing here?"

"You're a chicken, you know that! Why did you get cold feet?"

"I wanted you to be safe and happy, in a way. I may not like Greg or your mother but they're a hell of a lot safer than the damn monsters that come after me. I didn't want to be the cause of your pain, " He wraps me in his cloak with him. His body warms up to keep the coldness away from me.

Fire demon, that's right baka, you keep forgetting.

"Baka! If you had left, you would have been the cause! I love you, you idiot!"

He leans back and looks at me curiously. His crimson eyes search my emerald ones. Then he smiles an actual smile and nuzzles my cheek with his.

I finally pulled down those damn defenses that he used to keep around him.

I feel fingertips grabbing the back of my shirt, by the collar. They yank me away from the warmth provided by Hiei. The front of my shirt jumps up to choke me. I am pushed to the ground, unfortunately the ground is asphalt.

It feels like my outer thigh, hip and arm on my right side feel like they are being ripped apart, as if dozens of knives are determined to gouge out chunks of flesh.

"Damn you, bitch! You were supposed to be mine, but don't worry, baby, I'll kill this punk, and you won't have to worry about him controlling you anymore."

"Nani? Him, controlling me? Everything I've done and said are of my own accord, Greg."

Hiei smirks at my defense of him, then scowls at Greg, "And do you think you can kill me, puny human? I won't let you hurt Thea anymore."

Greg scowls, looking hideous, almost like on of the youkai that Hiei told me about, "Thea is not your woman!"

"She's not yours either..."

"She will be mine, once I get rid of you!"

"Really now?" Hiei is smirking again.

"You think this is funny, do you!"

Greg pulls out a pistol, silver and sleek. He points it at Hiei, who looks like he's about ready to let loose an evil laugh with the way his shoulders are shaking. I sit up, wincing at the pain, given so freely by the road. Using my left hand, I pull my right arm into my lap.

"Hmmmm...You don't seem to mind that I have this gun pointed at you but for some reason you seem to care about that broad lying on the road. I wonder if I should test my theory, " Greg 'thoughtfully' aims the gun at me.

I jerk, pulling at my wounds, making them bleed more. I hiss in pain. A car door opens, "Greg! Don't you dare kill her! We need her!"

Need...me? For what?

"Do you think I don't know that?"

Father... Does this have something to do with what you wanted to tell me?

A memory flashes...

The pale yellow walls. The stank smell of medicine and disinfectant. The bareness of the room. And the feeling of dread, worry, and anticipation fill the room. They all signify that it's a hospital room.

There is a man lying in the hospital bed. The crisp, white sheets cling to his body, showing his bony frame. I sit in one of the plastic chairs next to the bed, "Papa."

His normally tan skin has faded considerably. His sandy blonde hair is almost gone. Tubes hang everywhere. A heart monitor pulses steadily but weakly. Instead of looking like a healthy 35- year old, he looks like he should be in the late 90's. My mother is nowhere to be found.

"Papa…Please…Hang on…"

"There is no time for that, daughter. You must know now. You will find true love a couple years from now. Just like I thought I did- "

Shocked, I reply, "Thought you did…If my relationship with a man is going to become false, I'd rather die- !"

"Daughter! Your love will be true. Do not fear about that. However, your mother married me for money. The only way she will be able to get it though is through a husband that she chooses. If you die, she will get none of it. But I want you to live."

He coughs, a hacking sound that makes me feel sick.

"Papa!"

"You must not worry about me. Think of your future. Thea, don't let go of it by believing her. She will only feed you lies."

I nod solemnly. She never was around for me or father. She had gone back on promises. It suddenly seem to make sense.

My father coughs again, brining me out of my thoughts, "Papa! Please…! Hang on!"

"It is my time. Don't…don't let me down… Live on in my memory, daughter…"

My father closes his eyes, never to wake again. The heart monitor shows a flat line, a steady, continuous beep fills the room.

"Papa? Papa! Papa!" I begin to cry, my head on the bed, near his hand. I pray that his hand will pat my head, like he did when I was frightened as a child.

It never moves.

A/N: I could be mean and stop here, but I think I'll press on.

A crack whips through the air, bringing me out of my reverie. Something hits my chest, breaking a rib. It continues through my body, exiting just beside my right shoulder blade. With my good hand, I clutch my chest where the bullet entered my body.

Thea!

"Bastard!"

"Hahahaha! I highly doubt that you will find help in time before she dies! There aren't any hospitals around near here, and you can't move fast enough by walking. The damn whore will die, meeting her idiotic father in the afterlife."

A flash of metal and a scream pierces the air. A hand flies through the air, still holding the gun. It lands not far from me. The bone glistens red with menace. It blurs.

Oh, no! I'm beginning to lose too much blood!

"Thea! Are you okay?"

"Hiei?"

"Yes. It's me."

"I'm losing too much blood. My vision has started to become blurry."

Hiei appears out of nowhere. He picks me up gently bridal style, "I'm here, Thea. Damn. I didn't think that they would do this."

"You will not take her anywhere young man!"

Hiei looks at my mother, "Your daughter is dying, do you not care about that?"

My mother backs down after the look from Hiei.

"M- mother…"

"Thea, don't waste your breath." Hiei looks at me.

I smile weakly, looking into his eyes, "Not gonna try. Envelope…far right pocket...apron…for mama."

"You heard her. Get the envelope and nothing else."

Strangely my mother obeys. Now knowing that my mother has the envelope, I close my eyes. Hiei takes off, heading to Genkai's temple, "Don't die Thea."

Okay! R+R peoples. And sorry again about taking so long!