Ryuusei No Solitude

Chapter XXXVII



Hiei sat on the branch as he looked out over the forest. It had been near a month since he left Kurama and his friends. With the help of the Jagan he was able to make a portal to Ningenkai but it drained most of Hiei's energy to do it. Hiei had to spend a few days recovering before he could explore and investigate, spending a few days learning the ways of the humans before walking among them.



Hiei didn't like the feel of humans. They were weak and ambiguous, following the course of their lives without a thought or care. He half wished same kind of disaster would happen just for some chaos.



He was looking for a map in a bookshop a few days in weeks in Ningenkai when a girl approached him.



"Do you need help," she asked. Hiei looked at the girl. She was young, probably five or six in human years.



"I don't need any help," said Hiei turning back to the map.



"The town you're looking for is on page sixty-eight," said the girl. At that moment the girl's mother called him. "Coming," she said before turning back to Hiei. "I hope you find her."



Hiei watched as the girl left, and then turned to page sixty-eight. It was a complete map of Bone Ulcer Village and the surrounding area. Hiei looked up after the girl.



Spiritual power. It was the only way to explain it. So, he had just met a future Reikai Tantei. He'd like to see how she would turn out in a couple of years. Using his Jagan he quickly memorized every page on the map and set it back on the shelf.



Bone Ulcer Village was a half day away from Tokyo. It would take less time for Hiei, but it would still be a couple of hours. Hiei walked out of the bookstore and into an alley, where he jumped to roof top to roof top out of the city. Once in the country he read road maps to find the village he needed to find.



He stood on the roof of a small grocery store and looked down at the village. Now that he was here he didn't know where to start. The village was small, but the forest around it was large. And he didn't know where the human who held Yukina lived so he couldn't find and address.



'Please, Yukina, help me,' he thought. Tell me where you are.'



He felt the tingle again and let the Jagan pull him into the vision.



Yukina was struggling against her captures as a fat pug faced human neared her. Yukina looked on the edge of crying.



"No, don't cry. Yukina," yelled Hiei. "Don't make any tears!" he reached out to stop her but he knew he wasn't really there so he couldn't stop what happened.



"Please, don't Mr. Tarukane, stop!" cried Yukina.



"I hear you Koorime demons cry at the slightest touch of these sutras," said the fat man, holding up a ward. Hiei recognized the symbols to expel evil spirits.



"No, please, don't!" cried Yukina as the ward come near her arm.



"Don't you touch her!" yelled Hiei.



Paying no heed to the cry of the twins Tarukane touched Yukina's pale arm and she screamed.



"Yukina!"



Hiei pulled himself out of the vision with a yell and shook his head to clear it. He pressed a hand to his head to stop the throb caused by the vision.



"Tarukane," he growled clutching his other hand in a fist. "I'll destroy you!"



"Are you all right, young man," asked a voice and Hiei looked up angrily at the old woman. He didn't like to be called young, since he wasn't, and especially by a human.



"I'm fine," said Hiei standing up and shoving his hands in his pockets. "Hey, where does Tarukane live?"



The old woman looked at him in surprise. "Tarukane? Do you mean Gonzo Tarukane?"



"Obviously since I'm asking about him."



The old woman seemed hesitant to answer, but she did. "He lives up near the mountain, just follow the path, but you don't want to go there."



Hiei looked at her suspiciously. "Why not?"



"Anyone who goes up there never comes back. They say Tarukane has monsters up there, hideous deformed things from your nightmares. If it's Tarukane you're looking for, I suggest you head in the opposite direction."



Hiei smirked. "'Hideous deformed things from your nightmares,' eh? Just the thing I'm looking for." And he walked away. He didn't rush toward the mountains as he would like to. Instead he patiently walked out of the village and through the woods, walking along the path the old woman described.



He wanted to be found.



He hadn't walked far into the forest when he was intercepted by a guard.



"I don't have business with you," he said. "Move aside."



"You've made business with me when you set foot in these woods," said the guard. "A human like you should have been more careful."



Hiei smirked. "You must really be weak if you made that statement," he said. "What are you? A D? D-minor?"



"I shall destroy you for that insult," yelled the guard and it turned into an octopus-like monster. Hiei smirked.



"D-minor then," he said and unsheathed his sword. The demon was dead before he fell to the ground in pieces. Hiei looked up and spotted the security camera. So the were watching him, eh? Let them.



He had met several more demons on his way to the mansion. Each of them weak and hardly a challenge. It was only when he met four humans at the mansion's entrance that he didn't unsheathe his sword.



"Mr. Tarukane want to know what you business is here," asked one of the guards.



"My business is with your boss," said Hiei one had on his sword. The four guards pointed their guns at him. "You know how fast I am. If you don't want to die, I suggest you go to Tarukane and tell him I wish to see him."



The leader's head nodded to one of the other guards and that one ran inside to find Tarukane. A few minutes later he returned and nodded to the leader.



"Mr. Tarukane will see you."



The four guards lead Hiei in, two in front of him and two behind, and lead him to the fat pug faced man Hiei saw in his vision, sitting at a desk.



"Please, tell me why you decided to barge into my property," asked Tarukane.



"I heard you needed some new guards," said Hiei sitting in a chair and propping his feet on the desk. Tarukane glared at the opposing black boots on his pristine desk to the owner of said boots.



"I didn't know I need some new guards," said Tarukane.



Hiei smirked. "I guess I beat the rumor mill then," he said.



Tarukane still glared at Hiei. "Seeing as how you made mince meat out of the ones I had," he said. "But I don't need demons who pick a fight at every opportunity."



Hiei chuckled at in an amused manner. "Fight? You think that's what I did to those goons out there? No, that was just putting out the trash. I only truly fight a person worthy of my skill, and I have yet to find one."



"What about loyalty?" asked Tarukane. "Will you remain loyal to me if I give you whatever you want?"



"I'm only loyal to those who deserve it."



Tarukane looked at Hiei fiercely, as if trying to find a lie in the fire-demon's eyes, but Hiei looked back at him unfazed."



"I guess I could use one more guard," said Tarukane. "After defeating those minor third rates I say I need a person of your caliber around. Do you know what I do here?"



Hiei shrugged. "Only that it involves demons and a lot of money," he said.



"Yes," said Tarukane. "But first I have to know how you feel about maintaining the capture of a demon?"



Hiei looked at him intently. "Do I get paid?" he asked.



Tarukane looked at Hiei in surprise before laughing. "That's what I love about demons," he said. "They don't care what kind of job you give them as long as they get paid."



"But if you stop paying a demon, they will turn on you," said Hiei.



Tarukane smirked. "That is true, but I have more then enough money to keep my employees happy. What's your name?"



"Yoshi."



"Well then, come with me, Yoshi."



Tarukane stood up and lead Hiei out of the room. Hiei followed. Tarukane lead Hiei down the hall, up a flight of stairs and stopped at a pair of large double doors. Hung next to the door on a rack was a set of heave winter coats, scarves and gloves.



"You better take one," said Tarukane, putting a winter coat on. "She may not be able to fight, but she sure makes it damn cold."



"I'll be fine," said Hiei staring at the door. As Tarukane opened the door a sudden draft of immensely cold air drifted from it.



"Spirited girl," said Tarukane and with s gloved hand opened the door. There, sitting on the chair by the window, was Yukina, still as a statue and seemingly ignorant of the men in the room.



"A Koorime," said Hiei as if interested.



"Yes, a very profitable investment, I'll say," said Tarukane. "You heard of the mysterious powers?" Hiei said nothing. "For demons, they're not very strong."



"Don't judge a book by its cover, as you humans would say. What's her name?"



"Yukina," said Tarukane. "'Snow Flower', a pretty name for a pretty demon."



"Yukina," said Hiei, as if testing the name, but he said it as he had all his life, with the affection of one sibling to another. Tarukane was oblivious to it, but Yukina heard it and looked up at him in surprise. Even in his male form she immediately recognized him. Using his Jagan he opened his mind to her.



'Don't react, Yukina. Don't be surprised. I'll get out soon.'



Yukina seemed to have gotten the message and glared at Hiei. She set a blast of ice cold air at him and he easily dispersed it by raising his ki slightly. Hiei couldn't help but smirked. Impressive imprecision skills. She didn't have that six years ago.



"A reaction," said Tarukane. "I haven't' seen that in months."



"Don't judge a book by its cover," said Hiei walking out. Tarukane followed. As soon as they closed the door Hiei could no longer sense Yukina. "So what's my job now?"



"I will need someone to watch Yukina. She tried to escape once. It was only by pure chance that I know about it before hand. I prevented her from leaving, and killed her rescuer."



"So you want to prevent her from escaping again," said Hiei, as if thinking it over.



"If it's not too much trouble to you," said Tarukane. "And I will need someone to watch the house while I'm away."



"Do you often leave the house," asked Hiei slightly interested. If Tarukane can leave the house for more then a day…."



"Once a month or so for business, and while I'm away I'm afraid she'll run away again."



"So you want me to baby-sit her," asked Hiei, sounding slightly irritated.



"I realized it's insignificant for a demon of your talents but I would greatly appreciate it."



"And what's in it for me?"



"I'll pay you twice what I was paying the demons you killed."



Hiei looked at him, seemingly in thought. He knew there wasn't a lot a human could give him, and he needed to stay close to Yukina if he was to try and get her out.



"Very well," said Hiei. "You have my services, for the time being."



Tarukane's grin when so wide it reminded Hiei of a human story he heard once. Something about a looking glass and a Cheshire cat.



Over the next few days Hiei was set into a routine, patrol the border, check on Yukina, and rest the of the time do whatever he wanted while keeping an eye around the property. When he visited Yukina he was silent, except for his mind. The conversations were brief, and both didn't say much except on their health, but it was more then Hiei had hoped him.



Finally, Tarukane left for a business meeting in Tokyo. Word was Tarukane would be gone overnight, which was a perfect opportunity for Hiei to escape with Yukina.



It was near midnight when Hiei walked into Yukina's room. Yukina, Thinking Tarukane's men had come for a round of trying to make her cry, had lowered the temperature to almost sub-zero.



"Yukina, it's me!" said Hiei walking through. The temperature returned to normal.



"Hiei," cried Yukina standing up. "You shouldn't be here. There are security camera's and radio transmitters everywhere."



"Don't worry. I deactivated them." Hiei stepped in and smiled at Yukina. "Imouto…."



"Oneesan," cried Yukina and ran to Hiei. Both embraced each in a crushing hug. "You found me."



"I'll always find you," said Hiei.



"But you're a man," said Hiei looking at Hiei's form.



"I'll explain later, but right now we have to go." And taking Yukina's hand he led her out of the room. Hiei kept and open mind to all the guards and lead Yukina through the mansion. They had just exited the man door when both heard the sound of gun hammers being pulled back.



"I think I remember you saying once that if you don't pay a demon they would turn on you," said Tarukane walking up to them. "But another demon told me to never trust a demon; they can lie without skipping a beat. I didn't trust you from the start."



"Let her leave," said Hiei, keeping Yukina behind him. "I'll do anything you want, just let Yukina go."



"Hiei," whispered Yukina clutching his cloak. "Don't."



"What can you do that Yukina cannot," asked Tarukane.



Hiei blinked, thinking of all the hard times he had, and the death of his mother. A tear slid down his cheek, crystallized and he caught it before it hit the ground. He handed it to Tarukane.



"Hiei, no," gasped Yukina is surprise. She had never known her sibling to cry.



"What is it," asked Tarukane taking the gem.



"What does it look like," growled Hiei. "It's a tear gem."



"It's tainted. I can't use this."



"It's a Forbidden Child's tear gem, dumbass," said Hiei. "It's rare. Only one person can create them, and that's me. You let Yukina go and I'll make as many as you want."



Tarukane looked at the tear gem for a moment before pocketing it. "Take them both," he said. The guards walked toward them and stopped when Hiei unsheathed his sword and pointed at them in one fluid motion.



"Take another step and all of you will be dead in seconds," he said. He looked at Tarukane. "Why?"



"Why would I want just one Koorime when two can get make a lot more," said Tarukane. Hiei glared at Tarukane and would have se him on fire if not for the wards around the house. The only power he had was through the Jagan and that was limited.



'Guess it's plan B,' he thought and opened his mind to Yukina. She gasped as in a span of a few seconds Hiei gave her directions and information. With the images were people to watch out for and who to go to for help. At the end of the image he gave her a simple image.



Hiei smiled at Tarukane. "I'm afraid you'll have to make do with one," he said, and as fast as he drew his sword Hiei reached into his pocket and shoved an object in Yukina's hands. "Ikei!"



"Hi…" yelled Yukina before the Teleportation spell activated. Hiei turned to Tarukane and threw his sword down.



"Stupid move," said Tarukane.



XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



The group laid around the campfire, afraid to move in case Hiei came back. Kurama told everyone the truth about Hiei, he didn't want to, but he knew he had to. Everyone was surprised that Hiei was a Forbidden Child of the Koorime, but it didn't change their perception of them, and more of them were surprised Hiei left to find his sister. They knew the feeling of want to find someone they care about.



"Keiko, remember when we first met Hiei," asked Yusuke. "She was such a spit fire."



"But she kept those sisters calm," said Keiko.



Yusuke smirked. "Yeah," he said. "What were their names again?"



"Leta and Takai."



Kuwabara smirked. "When we first met Hiei he had Kuronue …."He started and suddenly stopped and looked at Kurama.



"It's all right, Kuwabara," said Kurama. "I don't mind so much. In fact, it would be dishonorable to not remember him." He looked out of the cave. "I met Yukina once."



"You did," asked Kuwabara. Kurama nodded.



"I was seriously injured and she treated me. It took her a while, but she healed my wounds. I never really caught her name at first. She's a nice sweet girl. Too innocent for Makai."



No wonder Hiei wants to protect her," said Shizuru. Everyone was silent, deep in thought of their missing friend. It was only when Kuwabara hissed that everyone snapped to reality.



"Someone's coming," he said and everyone immediately ran to the mouth of the cave. "It's close."



"I sense it too," said Shizuru and everyone nodded, now sensing the spike of energy. They prepared to fight. The energy flashed and they saw a whirl of color.



"….ie!" yelled the new arrival and she materialized in front of them. She looked in surprise at the group then looked around. "Where am I? Where's Hiei-oneesan?"



"Yukina," said Kurama in surprise. He went over to her. "How did yo get here?"



Yukina looked at him in confusion before the information Hiei gave her told her, and her own memories. "You're Youko Kurama. You're a friend of Hiei-oneesan. I met you before!"



Kurama nodded. "Yes, a while ago."



Yukina looked around at the surprised group. "You're all friends of Hiei-oneesan," she said.



"Yukina, how did you get here?" asked Kurama again. It was then Yukina remembered she was clutching something and opened her hands. In her hands she held a crystal fox.



"This was Hiei's," said Kurama, picking it up. He had seen the fire-Koorime finger the figurine when she thought no one was looking.



"I gave it to her," said Yukina. "The day we had to leave. She kept it all this time?"



Kurama looked over the crystal, inspecting with both eyes and sixth sense.



"The figurine has the traces of a teleportation spell," said Kurama.



"Yes, that's how I got here," said Yukina. "She shoved it in my hands, shouted a word, and I was here." She paused for a moment as she remembered the information Hiei gave her. "He also wanted me to give you a message, Kurama-san. He said, "I'm sorry. I hope you understand."



Kurama clutched the figurine till he was close to breaking it. he did understand, but he wouldn't allow it to continue.



"Back up," he ordered the others. "We're leaving."



The others immediately went to work.



TBC