Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ The Guarding of Chaos ❯ Music and Mayhem ( Chapter 9 )

Chapter 9

 

Music and Mayhem

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

It was foggy, so foggy. But even with the air full of the thick, swirling, low hanging clouds, two figures could be seen. One knelt on the ground, the other stood, an air of authority about. They screamed, they yelled, the one on the ground sobbed brokenly. But no sounds could be heard. The one kneeling, a woman, stood and ran, skirts billowing around her. The second, a man, appeared to curse and gave chase, gaining on the woman constricted by her skirts.

 

They ran, avoiding trees and underbrush. Pain shot through the woman as she twisted her ankle on the uneven ground. She dropped to the ground, a branch catching, tearing, and cutting her shoulder on the way down. The man stopped a few feet from her. She turned to face him. She knew she was caught.

 

“Give it up, running will cause more pain.”

 

“Why should I give up? They didn't give up!”

 

“And thus they got what they deserved. They were dangerous.”

 

“Some were children!!”

 

“They would have ended up the same as their parents and elders.”

 

“You used them as scapegoats!”

 

“They got what they asked for doing what they did!” the man stopped, he seemed to struggle with his next words, “You will be stripped of your power, again, and chained. Those who've had contacted with you…will be killed.”

 

“First you kill a whole race from this mortal plane and now you will kill innocent people!?”

 

“…..Hai.”

 

“What….what if I go willingly?! Will you leave them alone then?”

 

“…I….like you…..You don't deserve this….alright, but if they are found, I cannot promise anything.” The woman nodded. The man gave her a half hearted smile.

 

“You're doing the right thing…” As a glow surrounded the woman, it became apparent she had other plans. She dipped her fingers in the blood that ran from her shoulder. Speaking undecipherable words, she drew complicated symbols with her cherry red blood. She smiled at the end, as the glow drew closer around her almost, obscuring her from view.

 

“They will be safe…no one shall kill off my hope.”

 

Hiei awoke with a start, bolting up right on the couch he'd spent the night on. A dark blanket pooled around his waist. Someone had taken the time to bother and cover him the night before. A blanket was folded on the other couch. Hiei looked out the window, the trees dimly lit by the newly rising sun, allowing his breathing to return to normal. That dream. He'd had it before. It had been years since the last time, but he could still feel the regret and unforgettable twang of loss and abandonment he had felt the first morning he had awoken to the final words “No one shall kill off my hope” and the woman's binding.

 

A shuffling sound reached his ears. He stood up slowly; his head throbbed from the night before - though he was not sure what had caused it - walking out of the room towards the sound. Heading down a flight of stairs and then down a hall to the farthest door, Hiei ended up at the kitchen. Hikari stood inside, auburn hair up, her faded blue pajamas giving her an odd look. She turned to him and grinned.

 

While her furry ears and tail were gone, her eyes were still two different colors and now fangs resided where her normal human canines once had. Has she even noticed?

 

“Ohayou gozaimasu, Hiei. Want something to eat?” she greeted, cocking her head to the side smiling further. He didn't answer, partly because he wouldn't have normally and also because his body, tired and battered thanks to Annai, was still catching up with his mind.

 

“I'll make you some anyways. Like French toast?” Hikari turned back to the stove top, not waiting for his answer.

 

“Uhhh, last night,” Hikari started, “Did I scare you and Annai? I think the craziness at school scrambled me and - heh get this - I thought I saw animal ears and tail on me! But then since you're not gaping and I could put up my hair, I must have been imaging things,” she laughed gently. Hiei just watched her. She mumbled to herself for a moment before turning to a cupboard, opening it, obscuring her from his vision.

 

When she shut it, she was balancing three plates, forks, and glasses. She turned grabbing syrup and walked through an archway, setting it all down on the table. She stopped suddenly and turned to him.

 

“Hey? Will you grab the orange juice and milk?” Hiei, after a brief hesitation looking for said drinks, grabbed them and walked into the next room. Hikari smiled taking them from him and setting them on the table.

 

“I haven't been in this room in six months,” Hikari suddenly confessed. Hiei looked to her, silently, unknowingly urging her to continue.

 

She looked down at the plates sadly.

 

“I….usually don't have anyone to eat with, so I ate anywhere. And you, well, you're hard to find, so I couldn't ask.” She conceded, turning back to the kitchen. He followed her, helping with the food without a word spoken.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Hikari smiled, watching Hiei eat quietly.

 

“Must be edible then?' she asked, smiling again as Hiei shrugged. She turned to her own food, popping a piece literally dripping in syrup into her mouth. I suppose it makes sense she can cook, she did live alone, Hiei thought, as suddenly Hikari put her fork down.

 

“Last night wasn't a dream, was it?” While the question was simple, the way she said it almost made it a statement. Hiei swallowed thickly. He looked away, focusing on anything other then the girl before him as he struggled to fight the sudden overwhelming desire to confess all from the night before…and more. The floor in the dining area was white tile, the walls a cream color he hadn't noticed before, but then again he hadn't even been in the room before either. Don't look at her, don't look…

 

“Please Hiei, tell me what is happening, Guardian,” she pleaded, touching his hand. His mouth almost instantly violated the order his mind had sent.

 

“Yesterday, with the plants, and before with the fire. Hikari that was you…” he blurted out.

 

“Me?”

 

“Hai. The ears, the tail. They were real too. Look in a mirror, check your eyes. Everything's not as it was before,” he confessed. Hikari stood shakily.

 

“Come with?” she pleaded. Hiei nodded silently. She took his hand and led him towards the bathroom. He didn't protest. Hiei studied her face as they moved at an almost snail like pace. Her young face was impassive, but her eyes couldn't hide her fear. Even her ki, unhidden and free, rolled with distress and anticipation.

 

“Hiei?” she whispered, stopping, “Will you still protect me or at least stay even….even if what you said is true?” He clamped his mouth shut, biting his cheek, grinding his teeth, fighting off the words “I'll always be here” that had come unbidden to him and threatened to escape his throat. She turned to him. She was afraid; she did nothing now to hide that very fact. Beautiful eyes…he thought, a faint blush heating his cheek bones, realizing who he thought of.

 

“It would take more to make me leave.” She smiled. Cute little fangs too…. His eyes widened as Hikari pulled him towards the bath door. He shook his head vigorously. Don't think that!! Why did I think that!? And was I thinking cute? He looked back to her. Hiei had to admit his words to her were nothing more then his original thought, changed in wording. At least in his mind.

 

She stopped. The wood door of the bath was in front of her, but no light came from where the door met the plush carpet. No one was inside to stop her.

 

“I'm afraid,” she confessed, “I'm strange enough as it is. I-,”

 

“I've met some strange people, Hikari,” If Yusuke and the Oaf count, “You are not strange.”

 

“Arigatou, Hiei,” she whispered, pushing the door open. Even if you don't actually mean it. She turned to the mirror, her eyes shut tightly. Another blush heated Hiei's cheeks; a rather new experience for him, as he realized Hikari now gripped his hand with both of her soft, warm ones. Slowly she opened her eyes.

 

“Oh God,” she murmured. One's exactly like before…but the other…why's it blue? How!? They were normal yesterday…

 

“This sucks,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes. Before Hiei could react to her statement, her face was buried in his chest, mumbling incoherently.

 

****switch*****

 

“What's her problem?” Annai mutter to Hiei. Hiei resisted the urge to knock him flat. So far Annai had yet to notice that his “niece” was upset over the change of one eye's color.

 

“Baka,” Hiei breathed.

 

“What was that!?” Hiei didn't deign to answer him. Annai growled. Hikari stuck her head out from the hall.

 

“Enough you two!” she hesitated, “Hiei, would you come here please?” Hiei blinked in surprise. The half Koorime shot Annai a glare as the man snickered. He walked out of the room, turned the corner, and stopped in his tracks. Hikari smiled sheepishly.

 

“I don't look strange, do I?” Hiei blinked. Oh please tell me she's kidding!! She's asking me for an opinion?! Hikari stood in the hall embarrassed as hell.

 

“N-n-no!” Hiei sputtered. She smiled. She wore a white dress, very much enjoying the fact that someone liked it on her. Or so she was telling herself. She wasn't sure what to make of her Guardian's sputtering.

 

“I'm not much to look at for a fourteen-year-old. But thanks, I needed the confidence. I've got to wear this for my band concert. And I'm in the front row. It's tomorrow.”

 

“At the school? Wasn't it still covered by plants?” Some did wither but can they really dig the building out?

 

“It was. Sometime last night though, all the plants withered. People are cleaning up. I was going to help, but Annai wouldn't let me go.”

 

“Really? He wouldn't?” Hiei whispered, looking inside to see Annai staring outside. Hikari smiled, swinging the skirts of the dress some.

 

“Yeah…They'll have it cleaned out in time for the concert and we'll be able to put on a show!!! It's the last concert I have before I march with the High School marching band this summer!!” she laughed. She's really excited about this.

 

“Thanks Hiei. After all you've seen of me, you still don't think I'm strange. It means a lot to me,” she whispered shyly. She rushed up and hugged him before rushing down the hall. Hiei turned to walk back into the room, but was stopped when Annai stood in the doorway.

 

“Appears she values your opinion,” Annai acknowledged. The black haired demon walked down the hall, leaving Hiei to question Annai all over again.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Hiei sat on a chair in Hikari's bedroom, a silent vigil he had begun shortly after her bout of amnesia. She was sleeping peacefully tonight. He rubbed his eyes furiously as they began to drift shut. Why am I so tired? I've stayed awake for days on end before, what the heck is so different now?

 

He sat there for a while, fighting the sleep that felt so freakishly appealing. The padding of footsteps. Hiei's head snapped up, banishing his half doze. What was that? The sound continued. A crash followed. Hiei jumped to his feet and Hikari jumped up in bed.

 

“What was that?” she asked, jumping to grab his hand.

 

“Don't worry, it's most likely nothing,” he assured her.

 

“Most likely!?” Bad choice of words.

 

“Don't worry. It is nothing.”

 

“What if it's one of those things? The one that attacked us a few days ago!?”

 

“That wouldn't fit in your doorway, Hikari,” Hiei pointed out.

 

“What if it's a smaller one? Don't leave!” I wasn't going too! Hiei thought anxiously as Hikari's hold got painful.

 

More padding footsteps echoed towards Hikari's bedroom door. She clung to him tighter, Hiei on guard for the potential threat. But the sounds stopped before the unknown entity was near enough to be seen. They waited for almost an hour, jumpy at any little sound, Hikari still holding onto Hiei forcefully.

 

“It's gone,” Hiei whispered for the tenth time. Hikari just didn't seem to believe him. Finally she nodded shakily.

 

“Hiei?” she asked shyly. Hiei turned to her. Even in the darkened room, Hiei could see the small blush that colored her face.

 

“Would you stay here? Please?” she requested.

 

“…Sure.”

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Hikari tried to sleep again that night but for the most part was unable. Hiei's presence in the room until dawn was the only reason she got the two hours she did after the mysterious footfalls. It made Hikari smile that he would stay for so long. Now Hikari sat in her first hour class, watching uninterested as her science teacher explained biomes and the newest project for her class. But Hikari wasn't really listening. Yes, her notebook was open and lay beside her hand, she should've been taking notes, but a single sheet of plain paper was next to it and that's where her focus lay. She smiled shyly as she realized whose face was slowly becoming clearer in the rough lines. Who would've thought that after only a few months I could do this from memory…? She smiled somewhat lovingly at the features of the face as the bell rang, cutting short the teacher's long drawl on the tundra and other things.

 

She stood up and grabbed her things, running out to her locker and throwing most of her junk inside. She kept her pencil and grabbed a different notebook and folder, tucking her newest sketch inside. She slammed it shut in haste and ran towards her art class.

 

There was nothing new about her class today; they were still trying to make things from clay to no avail. She'd already made three different, and okay in some respect, figures and now she was bored silly. The rest of the class talked and tried to sculpt and unfortunately, none of her few friends shared the class with her. Staring at a new blank sheet of paper, as she wasn't quite confident enough to finish her other one in the class, she suddenly called out to Hiei.

 

\\Hiei? Talk to me? \\

 

//Hai, Hikari? What is it? //

 

\\ Boredom! No one to talk to and a class of annoying peoples! \\

 

//Is that all? //

 

\\ I want to talk. We don't talk enough! \\

 

// We talk plenty//

 

\\ Demo, Hiei…\\ There was a long pause where Hiei didn't answer.

 

// ….Someone's trying to talk to you…// Hikari looked up, pulling herself from the argument.

 

A blonde haired, blue eyed girl stood in front of her. She was pretty and well…developed for her age. And if Hikari remembered right she was one of the three Brianna's in her grade.

 

“Who do you think you are?!”

 

“I'm sorry?” Hikari started. What does she mean?

 

“You should be! Who do you think you are turning this in for the art show?! And having the gall to insist it be placed by my wondrous work?!” she bellowed. The whole class had gone quiet and the teacher looked in from the hall where she had been in conference with the principal.

 

The blonde had slammed down a black and white sketch. Hikari paled looking at it. Everyone stared at it. Mrs. Brown said she wouldn't put my name next to it. How does Brianna know it's mine?

 

“What makes you think it's mine?” Hikari whispered.

 

“Half the school's seen you with him. Only you would draw such a thing.”

 

“He's a person!!” Hikari yelled before she could stop herself, jumping off the stool.

 

“Not according to your half done bunch of lines!” Hikari looked down at it. So maybe Brianna had a point on that one. She'd, crazily enough, had a dream about Hiei. And from that dream the sketch had been born. He sat on a tree branch. Dressed in black in the dream, a tank top and pants and many white belts. Oh so many belts. A cloak held in his hand swirled in the wind. The bandana that was so much a part of him glowed even in the pencil drawing. A black dragon curled around his arm, almost like a confidant. But most peculiar was the small, almost indistinguishable wings made of fire that hovered mere inches from his back.

 

“He's not...it's not…”

 

“Brianna!” Mrs. Brown commanded from the door. The blue eyed girl turned to their young art teacher.

 

“Go back to your table and do your work.”

 

“But!”

 

“No, Brianna. Go back to your table and do your work. All of you go back to your work.” Brianna stalked away angrily. The teacher turned apologetically to Hikari.

 

“I'm sorry, Hikari. I was going to put it up anonymously, but she must have seen it on my desk. By the way Hikari, I think it's wonderful. If you still want to put it up, put it on my desk by the end of class.” Hikari nodded, staring at the table. Hikari sat back down. At least she didn't notice my eyes. Indeed no one had yet. Not many paid attention to her and she hadn't seen Kim, the only one she expected to notice, yet today.

 

She looked at her picture, a sketch really. Her art teacher had caught her drawing it days before and had wanted to put it up at the art show during the music concert. She followed each line with her eyes and remembered how much she had to erase before she could recognize it. A sketch she could be proud of. Silently, she stood up and placed the sketch on the teacher's desk just as the bell rang. She had to agree with her teacher that that one picture of Hiei really was her best to date.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

By the time lunch rolled around, Hikari was standing alone in a corner of the hall, half sobbing.

 

“Hiei…” she murmured the first name that she could think of. Hiei found himself being pulled from the sanctuary he spent most of his days in and into the real world, landing softly beside Hikari.

 

“Hai, Hikari?” he whispered, unsure of where he was. She looked up, tears spilling from her saddened eyes. He blinked in confusion. She fell backwards so she sat, grabbing his arm and pulling him down with her.

 

“Hikari?” he whispered. He hadn't seen her like this before. She didn't answer, cuddling close to him instead.

 

“Just hold on to me please?” Hiei stared at her. After a few moments, he did as she asked.

 

“What happened?” A protective need was over whelming him as she refused to answer. He held her closer, tighter, and she answered.

 

“People. There's not much you can do, so just-,”

 

“Alright,” he answered before she could ask. He knew, just knew, what she wanted. She buried her face into his chest. Reveling in the safety she felt. At the same time though, she prayed the teacher's that had asked after her well being wouldn't round the corner and witness this “public display of affection”.

 

“Will you come tonight? To the concert?”

 

“If you really, really, want me to,” he answered in reluctance.

 

“I do.”

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Bored, Annai idly tapped his foot in the stands. He as well had been begged to go. I'll be damned if she's not persistent. Check off another reason she could be… Annai shook his head viciously. We have no proof. None of us can think that way yet. He looked up, the lights were dimming. Some people murmured in excitement. He shook his head again. Honestly, what's so exciting?

 

Hikari could hardly stand still in the hallway, waiting to enter the gymnasium. She straightened the white dress. Out of everyone, she was plain. But she was happy to not have to wear black pants/skirt with a white top like at every other concert. Having changed into it at the least second to keep it looking good, she was still a little nervous wearing it. But she took a deep breath as they were ushered in. Hiei watched from the entrance of the gym as the band filed in. He gulped when he saw something glowing. The front row was standing and the rest were coming in when people began to laugh. Hikari looked around when the laughter started. It wasn't just in the crowd; it came from the band members inside the gym. One of the band directors came out. She stood in front of the band. When she lifted her arms, the lights would come on. She surveyed her students, and stopped when she looked at Hikari. As normally as possible she slipped off the podium she stood on, going to stand in front of the auburn haired girl.

 

Hikari smiled. Her band director did not.

 

“Mrs. Rademaker? What is it?”

 

“Hikari, discretely look at the front of your dress.” Hikari was surprised. Slowly she looked down. The moment she did she saw the glow, her head snapping back up. By the time Renee Rademaker ushered her out, the whole gym knew what the glow said.

 

Hikari tried not to make a sound as she was left in the hall alone by her band director. After all, the band was a bunch of middle school students, who knew what they could do in her short absence. She sniffed pathetically as Hiei found her. She laughed a little before she spoke.

 

“God, you would think people would leave me alone. I'm just going into high school, not like I need to be fully developed yet.” She turned to him with a shaky smile, but her eyes betrayed her. She was torn up inside.

 

“Flat chested,” she muttered, “so I've got no chest to speak of. They decide to pick on that? What about the fact that my hair color's change? Or that I speak Japanese when no one else around does? Or my eyes? So I'm going into high school, I'm short and look like a child …..God! I can't think of one reason why anyone would like me!” She broke into sobs, sitting on the floor. Hiei watched. He tried to think of something to say, was compelled to! But all he could think of were the few sneering chuckles from the stage as the woman introduced the show. Anger - and sympathy - boiled in him and he couldn't understand why.

 

“People keep talking behind my back about my eyes. Staring murmuring, laughing…I want it to stop! None of this would've happened if I'd worn that black outfit…God, I wanna go home…” she trailed off.

 

Hiei blinked in surprise, now that he thought about it, he remembered seeing some black clothes in her room.

 

“Stay here,” he whispered. She looked up at him.

 

“Why?” But he was already gone. She looked up and down the hall. He left…

 

“Did you mean these?” She looked over. Hiei held out the black clothes she had considered wearing. She nodded dumbly. Finally she took them from him and rushed down the hall. Minutes later, just as the first song was winding down, Hikari returned and Hiei almost couldn't stop staring. Simple black pants and black three quarter length shirt made all the difference in Hikari's appearance. Finally Hiei gave her a sort of half smile; Hikari grinned back and ran back onto stage to a bit of applause. Annai walked down the hall towards him.

 

“You just made everything better y'know. It's annoying,” Annai muttered. Hiei glared at him for making a comment, any comment, on his gentle behavior with Hikari. Stuck in a glaring match, neither noticed right away when two girls started down the hall.

 

“She fell for it! Can't believe it!”

 

“Is she really trying to pass herself off for fourteen? Please there is no way she is.” Annai and Hiei looked back. Anger boiled in Hiei again, his body temperature beginning to rise. Annai's face took on an angry expression, but the rising body heat of the boy beside him did not go unnoticed. The girls were passing them as a growl escaped Hiei's lips. They turned to him, indignant looks on their pretty faces.

 

“What's your problem?” the taller of the two asked.

 

“You pulled that stunt?” Hiei whispered, unspoken threats in his voice neither girl picked up on. Annai looked at Hikari's Guardian, surprised at the anger from the boy. Seems I don't yet know the depths of his devotion to her.

 

“Yes, of course. Little snot changing eye color to fit in. Her body's pathetic, how does she expect to get noticed? And it was her fault letting us get to that dress an-,” she never finished her sentence. Both her and her shorter friend, who had been laughing during most of the conversation, fell to the ground unconscious.

 

Hiei blinked in surprise, Annai gapped.

 

“What the hell boy?!” Annai yelled. Hiei continued to stare, he'd punched both girls. In fact his arm was still out stretched.

 

“I-I-I-I Whaa…?”

 

“Don't just stand there! Move!! If Hikari sees this-,”

 

“Hiei?!” Hikari stood at the entrance to the stage. The whole band was filing off. Annai grabbed his wrist and pulled him down the hall and out of the building. Hikari followed.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Hiei stared at his hand. He's avoided Hikari the rest of the night and even the past few days, but now he took up his vigil at her bedside. The nights he'd been avoiding her he'd been in the hall. She slept, seemingly at peace as Hiei continued to be confused. He didn't know why he'd knocked those girls out; his anger had burned so hot he hadn't been able to think. Hikari…she's gotta be angry with me now. She hates when people fight…

 

He looked to the door. The foot steps were back.

 

“Hiei?” Hikari whispered. He looked to her. She took his hand and pulled him closer. He began to pull away.

 

“I don't like what you did, but you did it for me. Just explain later okay? Stay?” Hiei stayed put. The steps got closer and closer, the thing was running. Suddenly something tackled them to the bed. Hikari stared at it for a moment in shock before snuggling into it and Hiei still at her side. Hiei honestly couldn't move as Hikari began to fall asleep.

 

“It's a puppy…” she whispered as sleep claimed her. Hiei stared at the “puppy”. The “dog” was half the length of the full sized bed and half its width too. Two tails swished. Hiei stared into its pupil-less eye.

 

“If that's a dog, I'll let Kuwabara marry Yukina.”

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

I hope there aren't any mistakes, me and a friend tried to find them all. Sorry this took so long. But When I finally finished the ruff copy it took a while to type it up. The scene with the dress is a little stupid but I needed to something other then demon related. As you can tell that is not a dog. Hope you enjoyed. REVIEW!!