Hiei's Harem - Pt. 3 - Returning

Scene 10 ----------- The Mouth Of The Ravine


* Sarista arrives and keeps her energy masked as she settles onto the wide branch she's landed on. She stays where she is to observe Hiei. She watches curiously as he pauses then moves through the plant barrier. As soon as he steps out away from the carnivorous, living barrier the plants close behind him. From her perch Sarista can see over the bushes easily, but keeps her mind blank when she senses another presence. Hiei stops to face the large Tiger demon that steps out of the woods from his hiding place. The Tiger examines the strange, shorter demon as he moves cautiously closer. When they are only a few feet apart the intruder finally gives a short roar of laughter that turns into a snarl.


Tiger- The Alpha of this ravine dares to insult me by sending out one of his younglings?!


* The Tiger's snarl then fades into a grin as he stalks a little closer.


Tiger- Or has he sent you out here to placate me..? Perhaps he feels that my power will shred those plants.


* Hiei settles into an alert stance with a snarl of his own.


Hiei- Idiot.. I am the Alpha.


* The Tiger demon stops a couple feet away and narrows his eyes. It's obvious that he hasn't got a clue who he's facing.


Tiger- If this is true.. then it is my lucky day, it seems.


* The challenging male raises his huge paws with a roar as he releases his energy. Sarista swallows when she feels the rogue's power. But Hiei doesn't even budge. He just reaches down to swish his cloak aside and remove his katana. But then he just stands still, refusing to rush forward and meet the challenge. It puzzles Sarista when Hiei instead masks his own energy. Her brain wants her to telepathically chastise Hiei, but her maternal instincts are stronger. They guide her to keep herself hid as the two males finally clash in battle. Sarista glances toward Troiyoku and a strange male when they land on the branch beside her.


Troiyoku- Mother,..?


* She motions him to be silent and looks back toward the battle where sword and claws are clashing furiously. Their conversation continues telepathically.


(#) Troiyoku- Should we go help..?

(#) Sarista- No.. This is his fight, Troi.. He has come to a time of decision once more..

(#) Troiyoku- He's not using his full strength, Mother..

(#) Minoro- Yeah.. D---, he could take that Tiger rogue easily with just a thought.


* Sarista glances toward the strange male. Minoro dips his head briefly toward her.


(#) Minoro- Minoro, Mistress.. I'm D'Tara's son.

(#) Sarista- Whatever. I want both of you to return to the main cave.. Hold your defenses there.. If Hiei falls I'll return and help you.

(#) Troiyoku- I'll keep my senses open.


* Troiyoku looks at her worriedly.


(#) Troiyoku- Mother,..

(#) Sarista- Not now.. We'll make that decision if he decides to lose this battle.. Go.


* Troi and Minoro leap off the branch to return the way they came. Sarista touches her swollen middle as she looks back toward the battle. Hiei continues sword parrying with the Tiger's lengthened claws. This battle was just what he'd been needing to really vent his growing frustrations. All the angst that had been building up inside him since his return from Human World. He slowly becomes distracted by the memory of how harshly his sister had 'rejected' him. He's quickly brought back to the present, though, when he suddenly finds himself disarmed. In the next instant he is pinned to the ground by one of the Tiger demon's large paws. The Tiger's lips curl into a grin as he stares down at Hiei, slowly digging his claws into him. At first, Hiei lays stunned as he grimaces and stares up at the large rogue hovering over him.


Tiger- Hmm.. Easy enough.. Now, what shall I do..? F--- you or eat you?


* The Tiger licks his whiskers.


Tiger- Or maybe.. both..?


* Suddenly thoughts of who he was fighting to protect, present and future, flash into Hiei's mind. But what stirs him even more than these is the knowledge of who has sent them to him. And how close she is. Hiei raises his head to smirk at the Tiger.


Hiei- What? You think you've won?

Tiger- Of course I..


* Finally Hiei releases his full energy. Just the shockwave of his black aura alone throws the startled Tiger demon off of him. By the time Hiei gets back up on his feet the pain he was experiencing has dulled enough to no longer be an issue. He barely takes notice that his wounds continue to bleed as he sets his glare on the challenging demon. Regaining his confidence, the Tiger chuckles and begins to stalk around the wounded Koorime. Slowly Hiei's breathing gets more difficult, giving him a new revelation.


Hiei- Hn.. P-Poison..


* Hiei also deduces that one of his lungs has been punctured by the Tiger's long claws. The larger demon raises one of his paws to show Hiei his extended claws.


Tiger- You're an S Class, surprisingly enough.. But now it makes little difference.. All I have to do is just wait.


* Hiei scowls. He feels his instincts niggling him. He has to finish this and do it quickly. He fights not to stagger as he continuously turns to keep facing the circling challenger.


Hiei- I was going.. to be.. merciful.. and give you the.. ch-choice of ad-mitting your.. defeat..

Tiger- Big talk, little boy.. Keep wasting your air.


* Hiei calms himself, raises up to his full height as best he can, and looks toward his sword that's laying several feet away. As he'd hoped, the Tiger notices and decides to go claim it.


Tiger- I think I'll keep that as a souvenir.


* The distraction is long enough for Hiei to pull the ward off his head. The jagan opens immediately. When the rogue turns to look toward Hiei again he looks directly into the glowing third eye. Hiei quickly projects paralyzing fear into the larger demon. Without any further delay he raises his right fist and calls up his attack.


Hiei- Fist.. of the.. mor-tal.. flame!


* Hiei feels how sluggish he's become when he charges toward the Tiger. As soon as his flaming fist plunges into the larger demon's gut the impact caues his complete obliteration. As the Tiger disintegrates with a wail Hiei's katana falls to the hard ground with a clang. Not long after Hiei's body follows. The last things he comprehends is willing his jagan to close and extinguish the black flames. Then the familiar presence that races to him.


Hiei- 'Ris-ta,..


* He loses consciousness as he feels himself being gathered up into an embrace.