sibling rivalry

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu hakusho, but the assassination team is mine!

Sibling Rivalry

Yusuke Urameshi was frantic. He had misplaced the most important thing in the world. The one thing that he should never have lost; Keiko’s engagement ring. He was just about to use his spirit gun to blast the mess in his room out of the window when he heard the doorbell go. Cursing and swearing like a sailor he yanked the door open, Kuwabara looked at him in confusion before noticing the mess behind him.
“Uh, Urameshi? Why does your apartment look as though a bomb hit it?”
Yusuke grabbed the moron by his collar and dragged him indoors; he was just about to close the door when he saw Kurama standing behind Kuwabara. Next to him stood Hiei with his customary expression of indifference on his face. Yusuke’s annoyed expression turned to one of curiosity as he ushered everyone indoors.
“What’s going on? It’s been almost five years since I last saw you two.” He nodded at the youkai.
“Koenma came to us with disturbing news. Perhaps you should also hear it?” Kurama told him calmly.
“Go on.”
“Botan is missing. Apparently she was on mission to help three friends of hers but she never reported back in afterwards. That was four days ago.”
Yusuke sat down…hard.
“Missing?”
“As in gone, detective.” Hiei sighed from the windowsill.
Yusuke gave him the finger,
“I know what he means Shorty.”
“Hn.”
“Where was she last?”
Kurama nodded and got to his feet.
“In the hills north to this city, she was staying with her friends but the castle is also empty. There were signs of a struggle; broken objects…blood on the floor.”
The other three looked at the kitsune sharply having only been told the bare minimum by Koenma.
“Blood?” Kuwabara’s face drained of colour.
Hiei’s eyes narrowed,
“Who are the friends mentioned, fox?”
Kurama looked at his friend with a heavy heart.
“Isabel Takahashi, a C-class wind demon, Soraya Lenz, a C-class neko youkai, and Fin Mokeb, a C-class thunder demon. All three are members of an assassination group based in both Ningenkai and the Makai. Botan used to be a secretary of sorts for them when she was still alive.”
Yusuke suddenly banged his head against the wall as he remembered.
“I gave it to Botan!”
The three visitors stared at him in confusion, Yusuke shook his head.
“Let’s just say that I need to get to Botan quick.”
Kurama nodded and led the group from the apartment, hoping that they wouldn’t be too late.

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Botan felt her eyes drooping as the blood continued to ebb from her wounds; she shook her head to rid herself of the fatigue knowing that her friends were worse off. Soraya was clutching at a dislocated shoulder, Fin was having problems with a cracked skull, and Isabel was applying pressure to an ugly wound stretching across her thigh. They had been ambushed at home, one minute they had been watching TV and the next they had found themselves fighting for their lives. And now they were stuck in a cave trying to heal themselves as best they could with only water and ripped clothing. They couldn’t go back to the small castle, the Ningenkai police were trying to find Isabel, if they did then the people who attacked them in the first place would find them easily. Isabel was a prominent figure in both Ningenkai and the Makai along with Soraya; they were the sole remaining survivors of their clans, clans who had been almost annihilated by the Toguro brothers some decades beforehand. And now the police wanted Isabel for the apparent murder of the mobster Tarukane, the girls knew that it wasn’t her but the police were hardly going to believe a girl with a tail and another who owned an extensive armoury. They would have to wait until someone found them, be it friend or foe.

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Hiei pointed out the cave before Kurama could even sense the weak energy signals coming from it. As they sped there the kitsune could feel the desperation coming from the occupants of the cave, they were close to giving up. As the rekai tentai stopped outside the cave a volley of shuriken flew past their heads. Kurama stepped forward,
“Botan?”
There was a rustle of clothing as a shadow in the cave moved; the blue haired deity slowly emerged from the cave. Her hair was a tangled mess, her much shortened kimono now red with blood. She let out a sigh of relief before throwing herself at Kurama.
“I hoped you guys would come. We need help.” She told them as she let go of the fox and hugged Yusuke and Kuwabara.
Fin came out of the cave, her short blond hair held out of her face by the dirty bandage made of strips of Botan’s kimono wrapped around her head. She smiled warily at the newcomers,
“Friend or foe, Botan?”
Death smiled and dragged her friend towards her,
“These are the guys I was telling you about; Kurama, Yusuke, Hiei and Kuwabara.” Pointing each of them out in turn, “This is Fin.”
Kurama smiled back at her.
“I’ve seen that face before, no doubt a failed assassination?”
Fin chuckled softly.
“We don’t fail. But we have tailed you before, Kurama. We didn’t accept the contracts out on you four as you are friends of Botan’s.”
“Although the money was tempting…” A voice echoed from the cave as its owner stepped into the light.
Soraya grinned at the team as she supported Isabel with her arm that wasn’t in a sling.
Botan walked over to help Isabel sit on the ground as the raven haired Soraya walked forward to stand next to Fin.
“I’m Soraya, and the brunette on the floor there is Isabel. Sorry about the shuriken.”
Isabel looked up at her name and frowned a little at the sight of so many strangers; her hands worked to tie her bandages tight around her thigh, her denim shorts purple with spilt blood.
“Who are you?” She asked, her voice dripping with suspicion, distrust and pain.
The team looked at the angry girl sitting on the rock with interest, she seemed like the one in charge. Hiei frowned in return and walked forward a few steps so he would be noticed even though he had shot up in height since the team had last assembled.
“You are Siren, are you not? The temptress who can use music as a weapon?”
Isabel looked at him with narrowed eyes,
“How do you know my code name?”
“Hn, you have a flute instead of a sword belted at your waist.”
Isabel smirked and nodded,
“Well noticed, I’ll let you off this time. I’m Siren (Greek ancient, half woman, half bird who lures sailors to death on the rocks by her haunting singing voice). Fin is Serendipity (destiny/fate) and Soraya is Loki (Norse god of mischief and angel of death). We make up the Makai assassination squad.”
The two ningen in the group just looked puzzled, Kurama smiled softly.
“That would explain why someone would want to attack you. Did you recognise them at all?”
“Genni; she used to be sword mistress for Mokuro before she found Shigure.” Isabel growled and got to her feet shakily.
Soraya frowned and helped her friend up as Fin looked pleadingly at the team.
“Usually we don’t ask for help but…do you know of anyone with medical training? Botan’s completely drained and Isabel’s wound is poisoned.” The blond caught Kurama’s gaze as his best friend nodded.
“Yukina. We’ll take you there.” Hiei told them curtly.
Fin smiled weakly and slid behind Botan on her oar as they launched from the ground. Soraya and Isabel ran after the rekai tentai, matching them for speed. However, it wasn’t long before they noticed Isabel slowly lagging behind, she glared at them and shook her head.
“Just go, I can sense your trail on the wind. I’ll find you.”
Soraya nodded and raced off after Kurama, Hiei frowned as they left the girl behind but realised that he knew nothing of her powers so he wouldn’t know her capabilities.
‘I don’t care either.’ He thought to himself as they ran out of sight.
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Isabel watched as they sped ahead, the sweat on her forehead running down her face as the poison raced through her body. She knew that they had a chance to protect her friends but she didn’t stand a chance. She was a criminal in the eyes of the world and the fact that she was slowly succumbing to the poison left her no choice. She would deal with the bitch herself before she lost the little strength she had remaining. Gritting her teeth against the current stab of pain radiating from her thigh she got to her feet and ran back in the direction of the castle.

Soraya was worried, she knew that Isabel was stubborn and she would never admit to anyone if she needed help but even the moronic ningen who was running with them had commented on her pain filled expression. Suddenly it hit her; she was going after Genni. It was the only reason why she would have stopped, the Isabel she knew would have continued, too proud to let the others know she was having difficulties. Soraya’s eyes narrowed as she skidded around and started to run back again, she ran past the kitsune and the koorime without a second glance. She felt a sudden brush against her subconscious.
“Onna, where do you think you are going?”
“Hiei? I’m going back for Izzy.”
“What?! Fox, go after her.”
Soraya felt Kurama’s presence beside her once again, his gaze was troubled as he looked at her.
“Botan is going ahead with the others, now, why are we going back for Isabel? She said she would follow in due course.”
“She lied, she’s going after Genni. Trust me, I’m her best friend, I know her. She didn’t want us to become involved with her problems so she left us behind.”
“What problems Onna?”
Soraya looked at Hiei who had appeared on her other side in shock. Kurama smiled knowingly,
“Curious Hiei?”
“Shut up Fox. Well? What problems?”
“Genni is Izzy’s sister. She’s been trying to kill Izzy for decades but she’s recently shot up in power. Izzy’s chances of survival are seriously decreased by her current condition.”
She felt the two demons beside her tense at the revelation. Hiei’s eyes narrowed as he picked up speed.
“If she was Mokuro’s warrior then Isabel will die in minutes.”
“Don’t underestimate Izzy, Hiei. She may be the younger sister but she isn’t known as the best female assassin for nothing. If she can hold her own until we get there then we may have a chance.”
“It was Genni who killed Tarukane, wasn’t it Soraya.”
Soraya nodded to Kurama as they came to a stop in the trees next to the castle, Hiei frowned as he sensed Isabel’s energy slowly fading.
“Let’s go.”
He jumped from their position and ran in through the front doors with the other two in tow. As they cut through various lesser demons Hiei could feel Isabel collapse in his subconscious.
“Onna, wake up now!”
Isabel looked around the dream world that she found herself in, frowning at the bodiless voice.
“Who is that?”
“Who the hell do you think it is?!”
“Hiei?”
“Hn, wake up baka onna.”
Isabel felt the anger running through her veins, she cursed up a storm towards the koorime as she fought through layers of sleep.
“Heh.”
‘He’s laughing at me! Oh he is so dead when I get out of this!’
Isabel wrenched her eyes open to see a sword aimed for her neck come slicing down towards her. She rolled to the side just in time for the blade to spark against the floor. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Soraya burst into the room, flanked by the two youkai; Genni looked over at the sudden movement and smiled as she placed her sword against her sister’s throat.
“Come any closer and she dies.”
Soraya froze along with Kurama; Hiei continued to walk forward, his eyebrows raised in amusement.
“You actually want her to die? Do you care for her or something Halfling?” Genni asked him as he came closer.
“I don’t care. However, killing a defenceless woman is something I can’t allow.” He drew his katana as he closed the distance between them.
Isabel saw her chance as Hiei distracted her sister; she took a deep breath and blew out an energy-endowed whistle so sharp and loud that Genni dropped the sword. With lightening quick speed she grabbed the blade and got shakily to her feet, the blade now at Genni’s throat. Isabel was breathing heavily now, her knees threatening to give out as she held the blade with trembling hands.
“What do you want from me Genni?” She whispered, too exhausted to raise her voice further.
“I want you to die.”
Isabel rolled her eyes and sighed.
“Obviously, why?”
“So I have the access to the clan archives. Mother gave the key to you when I should have got it! I’m the elder daughter!”
Isabel felt her eyes growing heavy but fought the sleep.
“She gave it to me because she knew you would use them for the wrong purpose. Live with it.”
Genni smiled sadistically and lunged forward so that she was centimetres from Isabel’s face; she gripped her sister’s face with her nails, causing blood to drip down her cheeks.
“I’ll come back. When you don’t have your bodyguards here, just wait Izzy.”
There was a sudden blast of wind that knocked everyone off their feet, Genni disappeared through a smashed window as Isabel was slammed into a wall. Soraya ran forward and rolled her friend onto her back, she was out cold. Pressing her fingers to her neck she found her pulse to be faint and she could hear that her breathing was laboured. Soraya looked up at the men with glistening eyes,
“She’s going to die unless she gets healed fast.”
“Hiei, take her to Genkai’s. You’re faster than I am.” Kurama told the fire demon.
Hiei nodded and scooped her up in his arms; he disappeared from in front of them. Kurama took Soraya’s hand and ran with her from the castle.

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Hiei ran as fast as he knew how to, he didn’t even know why he was doing it, he didn’t care if the woman died.
“Baka onna, you knew you couldn’t win.” He muttered to the unconscious girl in his arms.
Isabel frowned in her sleep as she heard his faint words, Hiei looked down at her, amused that she seemed to have actually heard him. Activating his Jagan he used its abilities to look into her dreams.
He was in a living room of some sorts, the four girls were draped over various seats watching the ningen contraption in the corner. Isabel looked up at him in surprise but none of the others noticed him. She got up and walked over to the windowsill where he was sitting, the girls fading from view.
“Why are you here? Get out of my head.” She hissed.
Hiei smirked and looked at her in amusement.
“I’m currently getting you to safety and yet you tell me to go away?”
She frowned, her eyes narrowing at the koorime.
“Why would you care? You of all people know that connections with others will only get you killed faster.”
“Hn, baka onna. I’m helping because the toddler will shorten my sentence if I do. It has nothing to do with your well-being.”
Isabel came closer to him, Hiei raised an eyebrow at her actions.
“Sentence? You’re a criminal?”
Hiei sighed.
“I bore of this conversation.”
He faded from view as Isabel felt his presence leave her mind, she sighed in annoyance.
“Baka.”

Kurama and Soraya got to Genkai’s to find a distraught Fin pummelling Yusuke.
“You said they would be okay! You lying little bastard!”
“Hey! It was them that said that! Not me! Quit it!”
Soraya sighed and shook her head, a door opened and a beautiful young woman emerged. She had turquoise hair and big red eyes, her face was pale with fatigue.
“She’s okay now but she should stay in bed for at least a day. Is there somewhere she could stay?”
Botan frowned,
“Can’t she stay here Yukina?”
Genkai shook her head,
“The forest surrounding this complex is full of demons who would be more than happy to kill her. Genni already has a reward out for her death. No, she must stay with one of you as must the others, the contract includes them.”
The team looked at each other with raised eyebrows, to everyone’s surprise it was Kuwabara who spoke up.
“My sister’s staying with me at the moment and we have a spare room. Someone can stay there?”
Fin raised her hand in the air,
“I will, I’m the least of your problems. Soraya needs to be somewhere that no one can see her neko features and Isabel needs to be completely out of both ningen and youkai view.”
Kurama smiled and got to his feet before walking over to Hiei.
“Well? The only one of us who has a secluded home is you. Would you take Isabel? She may have more of a chance with you than she would with any of the rest of us.”
Hiei turned to glare at him,
“The baka? Are you doing this to add extra torture to my prison Fox?”
“Hiei, you can protect her against Genni. And she won’t be that much trouble, if anything happens then I’m only across town.”
“Hn, fine.”
Kurama walked back over to the group and held his hand out to Soraya.
“You are to stay with me, Hiei is going to protect Isabel.”
Yusuke turned to Hiei and grinned.
“All alone with a temptress Hiei?”
“Detective, one more word and I will render your head separate from your body.” Hiei snarled before walking through the door that Yukina had come out of and closing it behind him.
Isabel was sleeping fitfully, a frown creasing her forehead. Hiei looked at her a moment before scooping her up again and leaving through the window into the night.

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Soraya looked around the apartment in curiosity, her tail flicking around her. Kurama simply stood in the doorway of the kitchen and watched with a soft smile on his gentle features. Soraya turned to face him, a grin turning her mouth up at the corners.
“It’s wonderful! I like it!”
Kurama laughed a little and beckoned for her to join him on the couch.
“I’m glad you like it, you shall have the bedroom and I shall sleep here on the sofa. Okay?”
Soraya frowned a little.
“That’s hardly fair, why should I turf you out of your own bed? I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
Kurama shook his head,
“No, I wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing that you were sleeping on the couch. You will sleep in the bed.”
Soraya looked at him curiously before smiling and nodding.
“Okay then, but I did offer! Don’t forget!”
Kurama laughed again and looked at her, Soraya blushed as his emerald gaze held her golden one.
“I won’t.”

Meanwhile, Hiei was having his own problems…Isabel. She had found herself in a strange room when she had woken up, one she didn’t recognise. Upon looking around she found it to be devoid of almost anything personal except a sheathed katana leaning against one of the beige walls; the large window was covered by a pair of heavy black curtains that matched the bed covers. Isabel swung herself out of the bed and stood up, as she did so she realised that she wasn’t wearing what she had fallen asleep in, a pair of blood red three quarter lengths and a matching camisole top. She frowned and picked up the katana, leaving the sheath on the bed before pulling the door open. There was a spark and a clang as the blades crashed against each other, a pair of sapphire eyes met ruby. Hiei flicked the sword from her hand and caught it in his other, his eyes flashed in annoyance.
“Onna, get back in bed.”
Isabel stood glued to the floor, shocked at the fact that she had just lost her weapon. But she soon felt herself move as she drew her hand back and slapped him across the face. Hiei’s eyes widened in shock at her actions as did hers. She broke the silence that had been stretching between them.
“Don’t ever do that again! You scared the crap out of me!” She yelled.
Suddenly she felt her feet leave the floor as he picked her up. Walking into the room Hiei threw her down on the bed and re-sheathed the katana before placing it back in it’s original position.
“Stay in bed.” He ordered and began to walk out of the room again.
“Says who?!” She demanded, her feet already swung over the side again.
“Me.” Hiei turned back to her and pushed her back onto the bed.
Isabel’s eyes narrowed as she sat up again, her hair tousled from being thrown on the bed, Hiei glared back at her.
‘Why do I get the difficult one?’ He yelled in his head as he continued his staring contest with the assassin, ‘She’s so damn annoying!’
Isabel felt the anger surging through her body again as she frowned at the koorime.
‘Just let me out of the goddamn bed already!’ She screamed in her head.
Hiei’s glare softened as he began to smirk at her.
“No.”
“Yes!” She let one foot touch the floor.
“Onna, you are beginning to try my patience.” He pushed her back on the bed, “Do I have to restrain you?”
Isabel’s expression took a dramatic change as her eyes fluttered half shut and a small smirk played on her lips, she looked at him.
“Onna, what do you think you’re doing?”
Hiei felt himself step back a little in surprise as she continued to look at him with that seductive gaze, her hand brushed against his briefly.
“Please?” She whispered, her dark eyes smouldering as she sat up.
Hiei’s eyes narrowed again as he shook his head,
“No, and stop giving me that look, it won’t work.” He told her, ‘Although that shade of red really makes her look…what am I thinking?!’
Isabel laughed softly and tilted her head to the side slightly.
“Are you sure Hiei? I couldn’t persuade you?”
His head filled with lustful ideas, her voice and those eyes making him want to rip off her clothes and have her right there. Hiei’s eyes flashed as he pressed her back down against the pillows and threw the covers over her.
“Stay. I don’t waste my time with women like you.” As soon as the words left his lips he knew that it had been the wrong thing to say.
Isabel’s eyes suddenly flashed with anger and her expression became one of poison,
“Women like me?” She hissed.
Hiei sighed and moved towards the window.
“Don’t walk away from me! What do you think I am? Huh? Some kind of harlot who tricks men into sleeping with her and then cuts their throats while they’re sleeping?!” She yelled as she threw back the covers and stormed over to him.
“Onna, quit your screaming.”
“What kind of fucked up answer is that?! For your information I have never done anything of that nature with anyone I intended to kill! Business is limited to kisses, no more. You…you bloody conceited wanker!”
Hiei turned to face her, his own eyes narrowed in anger.
“What did you call me?” He walked towards her.
“You heard me!” She shouted but backed up a step.
He picked her up and threw her on the bed again but this time he kept her pinned down. She struggled against his iron grip as she hissed at him, her fangs showing. Hiei leant closer until they were inches from each other, his own fangs showing in retaliation.
“While you’re in my home you follow my rules. The first one being that Yukina said you had to stay in bed for the whole day, so you are going to do just that. Am I understood onna?”
Isabel’s eyes widened at his statement,
“I’m in your home?” Her voice was considerably quieter.
Hiei sighed and let go of her arms as he pulled himself up.
“Yes, now stay in bed, you’re still getting over the poison.”
Isabel frowned,
“I feel fine.”
Hiei noticed the barest flicker of a smirk flit across her mouth, he pressed the back of his hand against her forehead.
“If that’s the case why are you burning up? Get under the sheets and sleep, onna. Don’t make me tell you again.” With that he left the room leaving a fed up wind demon to mutter in the dark.

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Soraya had woken up around noon, her tail curled tightly around her despite her body feeling as though it were on fire. She patted around her for the blankets, her eyes still shut tightly as she heard a knock on the door.
“Come in!” She said, her eyes opening as she dragged the covers around her.
Kurama entered the room with a small tray laden with steaming food and a hot mug of tea. He placed it across her lap as she stared at it in amazement. He smiled and turned to walk out of the room again but Soraya grabbed his hand.
“There’s too much here for just me…”
Kurama smiled,
“Is that an invitation to lunch Miss Lenz?”
She blushed and nodded, scooting over a little to let him sit down next to her. He smiled warmly at her and offered her first choice, he suddenly moved to stand up but Soraya grabbed his hand again.
“Where are you going?”
“There is only one mug of tea, you have it, I shall go and make another for myself.”
“Don’t be silly, I can share. That’s if you want to.” She blushed.
Kurama smiled and took her hand in his, he raised it to his lips and softly kissed it.
“Anything for you.”
Soraya’s eyebrow rose in question,
“Are you flirting with me Kurama?”
“Oh dear, you found me out.”
Soraya giggled and kissed his hand in return. Kurama laughed softly at her actions but his smile soon disappeared as he noticed the slight beads of sweat on her forehead.
“Are you feeling okay? You’re very warm.” He pressed his hand against her cheek and was shocked when he realised that her skin was far too warm.
Soraya shook her head but blushed darker as she looked away from him.
“Don’t trouble yourself with me.”
Kurama slid a finger underneath her chin to make her look back at him.
“You are no trouble to me.”
Soraya felt her body shiver with the intensity of his gaze, he leant forward a little to close the distance between them. She felt her eyes close as his lips brushed against hers, all too soon the touch was gone and she opened her eyes again. He was looking away from her; his face tinged a slight red in embarrassment as he tried to restrain himself from kissing her senseless. She blushed before turning to the food.
“So…uh…what do you want to eat? The rice or the noodles?”

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Isabel was bored, she had been staring at the ceiling for the past day and was sick of the soft pillows. Her fever had died down a little but it was still high enough for Hiei to order her back to bed. She sat up against the headboard and took a small set of panpipes from under the pillow. Closing her eyes she began to play a haunting little tune that set the hairs on the back of her neck on edge, the door was flung open a minute later causing her to open her eyes again. The room was filled with a thick mist but she could feel Hiei’s eyes glaring at her.
“Onna! What have you done?!”
Isabel laughed softly and began to play more causing the mist to thicken even further. She heard him trip over her bag on the floor and hit the ground with a bang. She put the pipes down, shocked that she had made him fall over. Swinging herself out of bed she ran across the room to where she had heard the bang, promptly falling over the koorime.
“Ow!”
“Onna, I am going to kill you when I can see again!”
Isabel backed against the wall and giggled.
“Why don’t you just use your Jagan?”
Hiei growled as he moved on the direction of her laughter.
“I won’t waste its abilities on your stupid prank! Where are you?”
Isabel laughed again and crawled away from his voice, accidentally banging her head against the doorframe.
“Ouch!” She yelped and suddenly screamed as she felt a hand on her ankle.
Hiei dragged her to him and held her thrashing arms to her sides. Isabel sat up quickly and bashed her head against his making him let go and her fall down again.
“What did you do that for?!” He roared as he pinned her to the floor again.
“It’s not like I intended to smack my head off you!” She shouted back and wriggled underneath him.
Hiei growled as he felt her wriggling, it was making him think things he shouldn’t be thinking! He tried to concentrate on being angry at her but all he could think of was how easily he could take her as his own. He let her go and stormed from the room again.
“I need to talk to that damn fox.”

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Kurama looked at Hiei with a raised eyebrow as his friend haltingly retold what had been happening. The fox nodded and sighed as they sat on the branch of Hiei’s old tree.
“I’ve felt it too, I kissed Soraya this morning although it was completely out of line. I believe it may be -”
“If you say mating season then I’ll rip your tongue out.”
Kurama laughed softly,
“Well I don’t have to say it seeing as you just did the honours.”
Hiei growled in anger,
“If I can control my instincts like I have for the past seasons then I can ignore the baka onna.”
Kurama looked at his friend and shook his head.
“If you’ve been thinking thoughts like these then your instinct has already chosen for you. You won’t be able to ignore it this time. And you should tell her.”
Hiei glared at the kitsune.
“Shut up.”
“I mean it Hiei. Especially as she is living with you, I know your code and I know you don’t want to violate it.”
“Fine! I’m going!”
And with that he left, leaving his friend with a lot to think about.

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Isabel was making a cup of tea when Hiei came back, his sudden presence startling her so much that she dropped the cup at her feet, the scalding liquid splashing her partially bare legs.
“Ow! Why did you do that?! Ouch!” She yelled at the demon behind her.
Without thinking Hiei picked her up and carried her through to the living room before fetching a damp cloth. As she sat there silently he carefully wiped away the tea, tensing a little at the sight of her reddened legs.
“I’m sorry.”
Isabel looked up in surprise,
“W-what?”
Hiei sighed in an aggravated fashion,
“You won’t get to hear it again so listen next time baka.”
Isabel nodded slowly as he placed the cloth down again.
“Thank you.” She whispered, looking away from him.
Hiei looked at her, her cheeks were stained with a slight blush and her eyes downcast. Her waist-length chocolate hair curling in slight ringlets down her shoulders across the red pyjamas. He grabbed her chin almost roughly and made her look at him. She stared back in shock before she felt his lips crash with hers, her eyes widening as he bit her lower lip a little, demanding entrance. She let him, knowing that if she didn’t he would find a way to make her, moaning involuntarily as his tongue wound around hers. Hiei pushed her back on the sofa, slowly moving on top of her, his other hand going around the back of her head to pull her closer to him. Isabel felt her eyes drop shut as her traitorous body arched against his, her mouth working to kiss him back just as hard. He suddenly pulled away again and got off her, running his hands through his hair in anger. He turned to face her again, a slight blush on his cheeks.
“I’m sorry Onna, I shouldn’t have done that.”
Isabel sat up, her mind very confused.
“Sorry for what? I kissed you back.”
Hiei shook his head,
“Baka, do you know what season it is?”
Isabel thought for a moment before it suddenly hit her along with a heated blush.
“That would explain the fever.” She whispered, “I’m in heat, shit.”
Hiei nodded and sat back down beside her.
“For some reason my instinct has chosen you, you know what this means?”
Isabel looked at him with wide eyes and nodded slowly.
“I understand.”
“My instinct is going to get stronger until I can’t control it. I don’t want to force myself upon you…Isabel.”
Isabel smiled as he used her name for the first time; she brushed her hand across his. Her hand shook nervously and she took a deep breath.
“You don’t have to force yourself on me Hiei, I…I agree to it.”
She dropped her gaze again, trying to hide her blush from him. He smirked and made her look at him again.
“You have no idea how glad I am to hear you say that.”
Isabel felt her face heat up even more, partly due to her fever and part because of her blush.
“Is that why you disappeared earlier?”
Hiei nodded and dragged her into his lap.
“I went to see Kurama for confirmation, his instincts have also chosen someone…the cat.”
“Soraya! I’m happy for her, he seems nice and she deserves the best.”
Hiei said nothing but held her close, still surprised at the sudden change of events. Isabel shyly wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes as she leant against his chest, falling asleep to the sound of his irregular youkai heartbeat.

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Soraya sat on the bed looking at Kurama as thought he had grown two heads.
“Sorry, repeat that?”
With a red face the fox did as he was told only to be cut off halfway through as Soraya locked lips with him. She broke away a moment later,
“I get it, and I agree with it. Kurama I fell in love with you the moment you joined me to go back for Izzy.”
He looked shocked for a moment before smiling and kissing her softly.
“As did I.” He murmured against her lips before pushing her down gently against the pillows and deepening the kiss.
Her arms curled around his neck as she closed her eyes and lost herself in his kiss. She felt his arms circle her waist as he pulled her closer to him, her fingers winding in his red hair. He broke the kiss for air only to place butterfly kisses down her jaw line towards her neck where he nipped gently at her skin. Soraya moaned a little in anticipation and held him tight to her. Kurama felt his demon energy surge to elongate his fangs and bit her neck, sucking and licking away the blood that welled from the wound. He kissed his way back up her neck to her mouth and kissed her as softly as he could. Soraya broke the kiss and nodded at him before biting his neck in return, copying his actions. Kurama looked at her and smiled seductively, knowing that she was now his. Soraya blushed but stared back defiantly, her shaking hands already unbuttoning his shirt. He removed her hands and pulled the offending garment over his head in one swift movement, tossing it to the side before pulling hers off as well. Soraya pulled him back down to her into a searing kiss as she felt her bra coming off, her hands already unbuttoning his pants. Kurama smiled against the kiss and threw the underwear over to the side as well before deepening the kiss, knowing that they couldn’t stop now.

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Hiei opened the bedroom door to check on Isabel, it took everything he had to stop himself from going over and taking her right then when he saw how she was lying. Her curls spread over the white pillow like chocolate shavings, her fevered cheeks were rosy giving her a look of innocence that one could not conceive possible. But this look was destroyed by the way she was lying on her side, basking in the moonlight that was pouring through the drawn window. Her arms were wrapped around her, just under the bust line causing her breasts to strain against the cherry red cotton; her legs curled up as she shivered noticeably in the cool night air as she had kicked the blankets off. Hiei took a deep breath and squashed his instincts as he walked over to her. He leant down so that he could feel her breath on his face, his nerves tingling at being so close to her. Hesitatingly he laid a gentle kiss on her hot cheek and pulled the blankets up to her chin, watching with a softened gaze as she stopped shivering almost instantly. Isabel’s eyes fluttered open at his tender touch, saying nothing as she caught his eyes with hers but reaching out a hand to him. Hiei was silent as he sat down on the bed with her hand in his, his other hand brushing a few strands of hair from her flushed face. He was concerned with the fever but knew that it was unavoidable. Where the male demon got irrepressible urges that if ignored could lead to him raping his female, the female got a serious fever that would kill her if she ignored it for too long. Isabel saw his anxiety flicker briefly across his face before he put his emotionless mask back on; she touched his face tenderly for a split second.
“I’m okay Hiei.” She didn’t crack the silence as she projected her thought, hoping he heard her.
“Hn, you are a bad liar.”
Isabel smiled softly and tapped the bed with her hand, indicating for him to lie down. He pulled back the blankets and slipped underneath them, his arms snaking around her waist to pull her to him.
“Thank you.”
“What are you thanking me for onna?”
“For keeping an eye on me. I’m onna again am I?”
Hiei smirked and pulled her flush against his bare chest.
“My onna.”
“Hn.” Isabel replied, knowing that it would annoy him.
Hiei growled at her answer and rolled over so that he was lying on top of her.
“Mine, and no one else’s.”
Isabel looked up at him in shock at his sudden movements, her lips parted in surprise. Hiei took the chance given to him and crushed his lips against hers, his tongue darting in to massage hers. Isabel moaned slightly, her hands slipping around his back to drag him closer. Hiei smirked as he heard her moan, his hands sliding underneath her top to grab her waist. He broke away and looked down on her for a moment.
“What is it?” Isabel asked him even though she already knew the answer.
“Are you sure about this?”
She nodded and pulled her hair away from her neck.
“Hai…mark me Hiei.”
Hiei leant down and kissed her passionately before moving his lips to her bare neck. Isabel closed her eyes and held his hands tightly as he pinned her arms down. He bit down into her creamy skin, growling softly as the sweet taste of her blood filled his mouth. Isabel whimpered a little at the sudden pain, her hands clenching his as he sucked on her skin. He let go of her neck and licked her skin clean again, smirking at the sound of her heavy breathing. Isabel opened her eyes slowly, her sapphire orbs glazed with pain and lust. She quickly rolled them over so that she was straddling him and flicked her hair out of her way over her shoulder. Hiei continued to smirk as her mouth turned up in a similar fashion before she leant down and sunk her fangs into his neck. He closed his eyes, pain and pleasure washing over him as she continued to suck the blood away until it stopped flowing. Isabel licked the wound clean just like he had and rolled off him to lie down with closed eyes, panting a little from the intensity of the action, too tired with the fever to do anything else. Hiei opened his lust-filled eyes to look at the drowsy girl lying beside him.
“Isabel.”
She opened her heavy eyes to meet his decadent one.
“Hmm?”
He pulled her to him, his arms wrapping around her possessively.
“You realise that you’re mine now?”
She smiled and snuggled against his warm embrace.
“Like I want anyone else.”
Hiei smirked and pulled the blankets over them, watching Isabel as she drifted off.
“All mine.”

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Soraya woke up to the sun shining on her face; she grimaced at the feeling and kept her eyes tightly shut. Or she would have done if not for a quiet chuckle close to her ear, her eyes flew open to meet an emerald gaze. Kurama smiled when he saw her eyes open and tightened his hold on her.
“Good morning.”
Soraya’s eyes widened as she recalled the events that led her to be lying naked in his arms, a blush raced across her cheeks.
“Morning.” She whispered shyly.
Kurama laughed softly again and gently traced his finger across the bite mark on her neck. Soraya closed her eyes at the lustful sensation that raced through her veins and purred quietly. His finger moved up to trace along her jaw line, his lips lightly kissing her ear. Her ear twitched in its sensitivity and she blushed even darker.
“Kurama…” She whispered.
“Shh…” He silenced her, brushing his lips across hers tenderly.
Soraya sighed in contentment against his lips, her eyes falling shut again. Kurama broke away and looked down on her with a loving gaze.
“Your fever has gone.”
Soraya blushed and smiled, her eyes still shut as she felt herself drifting off to sleep again.
“Uhuh now shut up Kurama. I’m tired.”
“You just woke up.” He chuckled but pulled the blankets tighter around them.
“But I didn’t get much sleep. I’ll let you figure out why.” She yawned and fell asleep again while the fox laughed softly at her outburst.

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Hiei had left the apartment, he had muttered something about seeing the team and told her to stay inside. Isabel had taken liberty of the fact that she was alone in the flat to take a cold shower in an attempt to cool her fever and raid Hiei’s collection of clothing for something clean to wear. She was now clad in one of his sky blue sleeveless tunics, the red sash tied under her bust line and across her waist like a bodice so that she wouldn’t show anything, and a clean set of black underwear that she had found in her small bag. Her damp hair curled gently down her back as she tried to clasp a pendant around her neck. She jumped as the window suddenly shattered, Isabel promptly dropped the necklace and it rolled under the sofa out of sight. The green skinned demon that had burst into the flat grabbed her and jumped back out of the window. Isabel’s screams rang through the air as they disappeared in a burst of smoke.

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Genni looked down upon the prone form of her sister for a moment before stabbing the messenger demon through the head. She smirked as she saw her sister slowly come around, Isabel quickly threw herself away from Genni.
“What the hell do you want?”
“I told you last time, now give me the key!”
Isabel got to her feet, conscious that she was standing on shards of broken glass that were cutting into her bare skin.
“What key?”
Genni laughed maniacally.
“Don’t give me that crap, you know what key I’m talking about. The one which Mother gave you.”
Isabel smirked and shrugged her shoulders.
“I lost it.”
“WHAT!” Genni screamed.
Isabel’s smirk grew into a grin as she used her wind powers to lift her off the ground a few inches, her cut feet dripping blood onto the floor underneath her.
“Yeah, actually it was lost in a pawnshop. I was low on cash a few years ago and it just seemed right! I got a few thousand for it.”
Genni’s face turned purple in frustration.
“A few thousand? It was priceless! You stupid bitch!”
Isabel dodged to the side as her sister’s katana shot past her face and twisted to kick her sister in the back of her head. Genni fell to the floor…hard. When she looked back up at Isabel her face was contorted into a sadistic grin.
“Finally, you fight back.” She laughed as she launched herself at the younger sibling again.
Isabel growled in anger as her sister grabbed her around the neck and scratched against her still tender mating mark. Genni’s expression turned to one of amazed shock and amusement.
“You’re mated?”
Isabel bit her arm, causing her to let go as she jumped back a few feet.
“What is it to you?” She said a little too quickly.
Genni’s evil smile came back as she laughed softly,
“It means that killing you will be all the more worthwhile…”

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Hiei’s head suddenly snapped up halfway through Yusuke’s declaration of his engagement to Keiko, he could feel the hidden mark on his neck burning. Someone had touched Isabel’s, he ripped off his bandana as he started to search for her. Yusuke and Kuwabara stared at him in confusion while Kurama’s eyes narrowed.
“What’s wrong with the shrimp?” Kuwabara asked Kurama who was watching Hiei rub his neck as his eyes narrowed with anger.
“Someone has touched Hiei’s mate’s mark, he can feel it.”
The ningens stared at the fox in disbelief,
“Since when did Hiei have a mate?!” Yusuke asked in a shocked tone.
“That is none of your business, Detective.” The koorime growled from the windowsill, still searching for Isabel. “She isn’t in the apartment, Genni must have her.” He turned to look at Kurama as he said this, anger burning in his eyes.
“Isabel?! You did Isabel?!” Yusuke half shouted, he soon found himself at the end of an enraged fire demon’s sword.
“Don’t dare disrespect my mate, Detective. Next time you will die.”
Kurama sighed and turned to face Yusuke and Kuwabara again.
“Hiei could feel Genni touching Isabel because his own mark burned, which is why we have to go.”
“Mark?” Kuwabara asked, clearly confused.
Kurama nodded and pulled his collar down a little so that they could see his bite mark. The men stared at him now.
“Kurama, why have you got one? Have you got a mate?!” They yelled.
He nodded and laughed softly,
“Soraya agreed to become my mate. Now, we are going to help Hiei find his mate before anything happens to her, come.”

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Isabel narrowed her eyes at her sister’s remark, her winds gradually building a shield of sorts around her. Her hand brushed against her mark absentmindedly, sending her current emotions to Hiei unconsciously. She tensed as she saw Genni’s grin grow even more, her sister came nearer.
“Don’t tell me…!”
Isabel’s eyes narrowed even more as a frown creased her flawless features.
“Don’t tell you what…?”
Genni’s face creased up in hysterical laughter.
“Oh this is too good! You’re marked but not mated yet!”
Isabel growled as her winds began to spin around her in a tornado.
“How the hell did you come to that conclusion?”
“Your face is still hot and flushed, you still have the fever! I took you away from him before you could tie the deal!”
Isabel threw the now complete tornado at Genni, the collision causing them both to be thrown away from each other and hit opposite walls just as the rekai tentai entered the room. Hiei growled in anger at seeing Isabel on the floor and quickly teleported to her side; his anger growing as he saw the bruises on her neck left by Genni’s fingers. Isabel looked up in shock as his warm fingers brushed against the bruises, his eyes filled with rage.
“Are you hurt elsewhere?” His voice shook with anger.
Isabel shook her head and scrambled to her feet,
“It’s not important at the moment, I have to finish what she started. Cover your ears and tell the others to do the same.” She ran towards her sister, her bloody feet slipping slightly over the glass, Genni getting shakily to her feet.
Isabel smirked and drew her flute from the sash around her waist. She continued to dart around her sister in circles as she began to play a sharp, discordant chant on the recorder. Genni’s eyes widened as she felt her chest grow tight and her ears begin to bleed, she tried to block out the noise but it was too late. Isabel levitated in the air, several feet above her sister, trying to ignore her demon energy rapidly slipping away down the pipe. Genni screamed in agony as her eardrums burst and her blood started to race around her body at double the normal speed. Isabel felt the tears running down her face as she continued to play the tune that was killing her sister. Genni dropped to her knees on the glass-strewn floor as her heart pulsated wildly; Isabel felt her body start to shake as her energy was sapped away. Genni screamed one last time before her heart burst inside her and she collapsed face first on the floor. Isabel’s body gave out on her as she dropped the flute and fell towards the ground unconscious. Hiei darted forward and caught her before she hit the ground, catching the flute in one hand. The others slowly uncovered their ears and looked at the scene before them in shock. Kurama sighed in relief before smiling at Hiei who was cradling Isabel.
“Let’s go home.”

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Isabel groaned against the thumping headache that was running through her, her eyes flickered open to be met with more darkness. She tried to sit up but was forced back down by a pair of strong arms. She blinked to try and see better, relaxing noticeably when she recognised a pair of red eyes.
“Hiei?” She murmured, “Let me up, my head’s killing me.”
She could almost feel his smirk as he lay down beside her.
“Exactly why I’m not going to let you up, we’ve had this argument before. You do as I tell you.” He removed his bandana and activated his Jagan, using it to ease away her headache.
Isabel closed her eyes again and sighed in relief as the pain slowly ebbed away.
“Thank you.”
“Hn, there is nothing to thank me for. I didn’t protect you as I should have done.”
Isabel turned to face him, her mouth smiling softly.
“Don’t beat yourself up about it, it wasn’t your battle to fight. You still came for me and that’s what matters.”
“Fine.” His arms slithered around her waist, she was suddenly conscious of the fact that the tunic and sash had been removed.
“Umm…Hiei?”
“What?”
“Where the hell are my clothes?” Her mind voice tinged with annoyance.
Hiei smirked and dragged her tighter to him as he nipped at her earlobe.
“They were filthy so I had to take them off you.”
“Any excuse to get my clothes off…”
“I don’t need excuses, you’re my mate and I can do what I want.”
“Really?” Isabel struggled against him, maddened by his smug tone.
Hiei moved to pin her down underneath him, his nips moving down her neck. Isabel heard herself moan, she cursed herself for being so vulnerable to his touch. Hiei’s smirk grew at the sound of her moan, one of his hands sliding over her abdomen and up to run over her bra while the other caressed her bite mark. Isabel felt lustful waves wash over her as he touched her mark, heating her blood.
“Yes, and I have unfinished business with you.”
His lips met hers, his tongue forcing its way past her lips to gently war with hers. Isabel moved her hands to his belts and yanked the buckles, she tossed them to the floor beside the cloak he had taken off before he had joined her under the sheets. Hiei moved his hand from her mark to behind her back where he unclipped her bra and threw it next to his cloak. Isabel moaned audibly as he massaged her breasts, rolling her nipples between his fingers. She arched her back to press her chest against him, the koorime broke the kiss to latch onto one of her nipples, his fingers still pinching the other. Isabel had never felt anything like it before in her life, her eyes glazing over in desire as he sucked on her, his tongue flicking over the small bud. She moved her hand lower, slipping under his waistband to stroke his arousal, he groaned as she began a gentle rhythm. Hiei’s hand left her breast to travel down her abdomen, slipping underneath her panties to find her clit. Isabel felt her eyes almost roll back in her head as he rubbed the sensitive bundle of nerves while his mouth moved to her other nipple. Her grip on him tightened and she began to stroke him faster, his groans intensified. He slipped two fingers inside her and then out again, meeting her rhythm with his own, Isabel almost lost control, as did he at the feeling. Hiei slipped his fingers out of her again and took the scrap of lace off her as he also removed his pants and boxers. He took her hands in his as he positioned himself above her again, his lips crushing hers in a passionate kiss. Isabel moaned into his mouth at the pain she felt as he entered her,
“Oh God!” The tears ran down her hot cheeks.
Hiei gasped at the ecstasy that swept over him as he pushed the entirety of his large member into her tight core, her moans just making him desire her more. He broke the kiss to look down on her pained face and gently kissed away her tears.
“Shh, it will only hurt for a moment.”
Isabel nodded and gave him a weak smile, Hiei smiled back at her before kissing her as softly as he could.
“Do you want me to go on?” Isabel held him close as she nodded again.
He slowly pulled partway out of her again before gently driving himself in once more. Isabel felt the pain ebb away to be replaced by a wave of pleasure so intense that she heard herself gasp. Once he recognised that she was giving into the satisfaction he picked up his pace a little, her hips moving in time with him. Isabel buried her face against his neck as the rapture rushed through her body, the muscles of her virgin cavern clenching firmly around him. His thrusts grew quicker and harder as he pounded inside her, his mind clouding over with his instinct and lust. She gasped as she felt herself nearing the edge.
“Dear Enma! Hiei!”
He felt her walls tighten around him, driving him over the edge as he spilled his seed into her.
“Isabel!”
He collapsed on top of her as they tried to get their breath back before he slowly pulled out of her and rolled over to lie next to his mate. Isabel felt her body cool down as the fever fled, her breathing slowly going back to normal. Hiei dragged her against him, one hand curled around her waist as the other ran through her hair. She opened her eyes and caught his gaze, watching his mouth form in a smirk as she felt him grow hard against her. Her eyes widened as she understood.
“Hiei! I…I…”
“Onna, you’re so articulate.” He leant down to capture her lips again, it was going to be a long night.

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the end


a/n: hope you like it, its my first lemon! please review! -x-