Yuu Yuu Hakusho: Book Two
chapter 16
by Angel Ishe
CHAPTER 16: THE SACRIFICE
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“Botan! Quick help me sit Hiei up!” I awoke suddenly to find Yusuke shaking me. I looked down on Hiei; he was still in my arms. “Could it all have been a dream? Did I just imagine it? “Botan!” Yusuke urged me again shaking me out of my thoughts. I quickly helped him with Hiei. Suprisingly, Hiei looked better. Kurama then raised a cup over Hiei’s lips forcing it down on his throat. When he had finished pouring its contents, Kurama motioned us to set him back again. As we did, Kurama said “Let him rest. In the morning, he’d be as good as new.” I let out a sigh of relief. I took one last look at Hiei. He was sleeping soundly now. I gently closed the door.
Kurama thought it was best that he stayed for the night just in case the poison made a comeback I quickly agreed to this. I stepped out unto the balcony and admired the view. Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t even here Kurama step beside me. “A penny for your thoughts.” Kurama said lightly. I turned a little bit surprised of his presence but I smiled. “Oh, nothing really.” I replied. “It’s just that I wish everyone had peace and love in their lives.” “Yes, it would be much nicer then.” Kurama said. He looked at her basking under the lush luminescence of the moonbeams, her eyes lighted with so much hope. “Can I ask you a question?” he asked. “Yeah, sure!” I nodded. “What is it that makes you so happy? Why do you always seem to be so cheerful even when the world around you seems to be crumbling?” he asked curiously. I consider this for a moment. I shrugged nonchalantly. “I guess it’s easier for me to be happy instead of being sad. I’ve seen so much hurt and pain in my line of job, I don’t want to end up like them. Bitter and lonely. That’s why I’m always wearing a smile on my face.” Kurama nodded his understanding. After that Kurama said no more and was content in enjoying the full moon with her.
Kuroi flung her goblet at the image of the Reikai Tantei after they defeated Kairi. They were all so joyous and triumphant. “They will pay dearly for their insolence! Kina tsu!” “Yes, my lady!” Kina tsu bowed before her. “I am getting impatient! Dispose of them now!” “Gladly, my queen!” Kina tsu grinned evilly.
DAY BREAK
Hiei got up. Where was he? He looked around. Wait these looks like Yusuke’s living room. He felt something stub his toe. Oomph! He tripped and fell on the floor. He looked down and saw blue hair. Botan, she had slept on the floor. He heard a loud snore, in an armchair he saw Yusuke asleep with saliva trickling down his chin. Gross. What he saw next surprised him the most, next to Yusuke also sleeping on a chair was Kuwabara! He felt someone stirring, he looked up and saw Kurama sleeping near Botan. They had all stayed. They didn’t leave him. His friends. He looked at her. *She* didn’t leave him. Just like she promised. Then he felt it. Oh no! Please god no! NO No no But he couldn’t stop himself. He felt his face tighten as he smiled at her.
Kurama slowly stirred. He slowly got up as he did he saw Hiei sitting beside Botan. And by the gods! Was he smiling? Hiei smiling? He quickly rubbed his eyes. But it was gone. Hiei was now looking at him with his fiery red eyes. “What?” he demanded. “Uh-nothing! Just glad to see your fine that’s all!” Kurama said happily. “Wha-what? Hiei’s alright?” I murmured as I quickly got up. I saw him in front of me looking very normal. “Hiei! You’re all right!” I cried happily as I threw my arms around him. Hiei was stunned. I held my breath as I hugged him and prepared for his insults or protests. But he merely said tersely, “Not so tight, woman!” I giggled as I hugged him even more.
Kuwabara and Yusuke awoke startled by loud laughter, Yusuke was stunned to see Botan hugging Hiei and more oddly Hiei permitting her! Kurama was off to the side looking on amused as he too laughed. “Hey, you’re all right Hiei!” Yusuke rejoiced as he joined in the fun and the laughter. Kuwabara added “Yeah! Look’s like the shrimp made it after all!” relief evident in his voice.
Hiei looked around him as he saw all the happy welcoming faces that were surrounding him. Botan, Kurama, Yusuke and even Kuwabara were all happy to see him here alive and well. Hmmm, Kuwabara maybe there’s hope for him yet! Maybe he’s not so bad after all. Another burst of happy laughter reached his ears. Hiei smiled. Kuwabara choked on his drink while Yusuke and Kurama stared at him as if he’d grown horns. He’s smile even grew wider as he looked at Botan because for the first time in his life he finally felt at home.
Kina tsu peered into the living room. What he saw sickened him. Everybody was laughing and smiling happily. “Idiots! Prepare to meet your doom!” Kina tsu grinned evilly.
Kiyo watched Kina tsu closely unseen from a tree branch. He better not hurt his Botan or I’ll…
“What a sickening sight!” A voice boomed into the room. We all stood up in alarm. Kina tsu appeared in a whirling column of smoke. “Who are you?” Kuwabara demanded. “Your executioner!” Kina tsu screamed as he lunged forward. Kuwabara quickly summoned his rei ken and slashed at him. “Insolent fool!” Kina tsu taunted as he summoned his comet rain. Kuwabara barely dodged it. “Okay gang! Let’s go!” Yusuke said encouragingly. “Are you well enough Hiei?” I asked him concernedly. He merely smirked and said “Of course I am, woman!” I smiled. That was enough for me! I thought as I readied to attack. Reigun!!! Yusuke screamed. It hit Kina tsu fairly in the chest. We waited with hope as the smoke cleared.
But Kina tsu was still standing and laughing his stupid laugh. “You idiot! Your stupid rei gun has no effect on me!” “Oh! Yeah? Well try this on for size!” Hiei leapt and thrust his katana forward. And it broke. Hiei’s eyes widened at the sound of shattering reached his ear. His katana broken by Kinatsu’s body? Impossible!!!! He turned around stunned. Kina tsu laughed shrilly. “It takes more than a mere sword to penetrate my body.” He said proudly. Kurama took the chance to summon his rose whip. But it merely fell on the ground unable to penetrate Kina tsu’s armor. Kurama gasped no one has ever been able to escape his whip’s deadly thorns! Kin tsu took that moment and lunged for Botan, “And now for my brother’s killer!” He summoned “Comet rain!” Huge chunks of rocks and asteroids appeared and hurled down towards Botan. I could only stare in shock unable to move.
Suddenly a force shoved her to the ground-- to safety. I turned quickly as I heard a low moan of pain. “HIEI!” I screamed horrified at the scene that unfolded before me. Hiei had pushed her away just in time before the deadly shower fell down on her but he on the other hand was crushed. I ran to the pile of ruble on the floor and dug furiously. “Hiei! Hiei please answer me”! Mocking laughter could be heard somewhere in the background but I didn’t care all I cared about was finding Hiei and making sure he was alright. A low moan reached my ears, I turned and saw him lying in a pile to my left. “Hiei!” I cried. I quickly rushed to his side and held him. “I’m so sorry Hiei! I’m so sorry!” I pleaded as I gently rocked him back and forth. Sobs racking through my whole body. “It’s all my fault! This is all my fault! If I weren’t such a coward!” I berated myself. “Hn! Botan no baka! What are you doing? Stop crying! I’m getting all wet!” Hiei said sternly. “And what’s wi th all that apologizin’! You ain’t done anything wrong!!” He shouted. But I could see through his mask he was in pain. The comets had hit him point blank. He was badly hurt. Perhaps even dying.
Hiei could feel death was near. He sadly chuckled at the thought. Heck, death was holding him now! He looked at her, her face was covered with tears. Pain, regret and panic shone in her eyes. His breath was shallow as he touched her face and wiped away her tears. “Give my love to Yukina, Botan. Tell her I’m sorry that I’ve lied to her all these years.” He said painfully. “You go tell her yourself, Hiei! Don’t talk like your not going to make it! I know you will! You just have to!” I cried desperately. Hiei gently shook his head and murmured “Thank you, Botan,” he said heavily struggling to talk. “For what Hiei? For getting you hurt by my stupidness? For being such a dumb coward.” Before she could say anymore-horrid things about herself, he silenced her by putting a finger on her lips. It took all the strength he had left to say his last words, “For bringing me home…”
The hand that was caressing her cheek fell limp.
Hiei slowly closed his eyes.
Yusuke could not believe the scene that unfolded before him. Kurama and Kuwabara were too stunned to react. Hiei, he was dying. How was that possible? He was the toughest among them! It can’t be true! It just can’t be!
I felt his body go limp as his hand slid from my cheek. No! This can’t be! Hiei! How can I lose him! I can’t lose him. I clutched his body tightly as I threw my head back in agony and screamed, HIEI BASAAN!!!!
Botan’s scream shook Yusuke free. Hiei basaan? Hiei was her master? So he was the one that had trained Botan in Makai! That explains why he was the first to sense Botan’s power. And her closeness to him. He was her master. And now he was gone. Just like Genkai. He looked at the sneering face before them, thoroughly enjoying their suffering. He would pay dearly. For Botan’s suffering, for their loss, for Hiei’s death. He would die.
Kina tsu watched intently as Botan screamed Hiei’s name over and over again. Aah! so that little runt had been her master. He grinned evilly as he took out a glowing red orb. His soul might come in handy.
Kurama watched in horror as Hiei slowly died. His best friend dead? He could only stare in shock. He cursed himself for not being able to do anything about it. Out of the corner of his wet eye, he saw Kina tsu pull out a glowing red orb, "NO!" he shouted.
Kina tsu felt Hiei’s soul being sucked into the orb. It’s prisoner forever. He laughed mockingly, "Now that I killed your little friend I get to keep his soul to!"
I could only gape at the horrible creature that had taken away Hiei’s life and now he’s soul? This was too much!
Yusuke stared on in horror as Hiei’s soul was sucked into the orb. He looked at Botan, who was gaping at Kina tsu tears wetting her face. Her mind was too shocked too handle anymore pain. Yusuke felt his blue aura ignite as he remembered how he had lost his own master. He didn’t wish for anyone to go through that especially Botan. And Hiei, he was gone. He summoned all his rei ki and pointed deftly at Kina tsu.
Kina tsu laughed to see this pitiful creature pointing at him. He said mockingly, "Don’t you know that it’s rude to point boy?"
Yusuke gritted his teeth and held his aim. Tears once again coursing his face. For Botan. and Hiei, he fired Rei-hadou!!! Yusuke smiled through his tears as Kina tsu noticed that his blast was different and as he saw pain and horror in his eyes. Kina tsu screamed as the wave hit his stomach. He clutched his stomach in pain. As he fell down, the orb rolled away from his pocket.
Seeing that Kina tsu had fallen. Kiyo quickly got into action and retrieved the orb his brother has stupidly lost. Hmmph! I just knew he was too stupid to do the job!
"NO! WAIT! STOP!" Kurama yelled at the black figure that had picked up the orb. But in a blink of an eye he was gone.
Kurama helplessly fell to his knees. His legs could no longer support him as shock, loss, sadness and pain rushed through his body. How could he have done nothing to prevent his best friend’s death? He wasn’t even able to save his soul! Kurama screamed in pain as he pounded the floor over and over again. Wanting the pain to go away.
