The lights in your room dim, then flicker. At last, they shut off all at once. Weird, you think, I thought Mom just changed the light bulb yesterday. You shrug and turn back to your computer, eager to get back to reading fanfiction. What was it you were reading? Ah, yes, some story about being a part of the Reiki Tai with the YuYu Hakusho characters. It had caught your eye, especially the Title. You settle yourself a bit more comfortably on your chair and lean closer to the computer…
"What the-?" You stare around you, fighting the urge to scream. This is not your room. Unless you live on the edge of a forest. The trees seem to have a life of their own, and not a nice one at that. The gnarled branches scrape at the air, as though trying to snatch down the puffy, white clouds that drift lazily acrossed the sea of blue. The forest also seems to have life, you can almost sense a demonic aura at its tree line. Suppressing the urge to shudder, you turn from the woods, your gaze coming to rest on an ancient, dilapidated temple of some sort. The wind picks up, blowing your hair in your eyes, and you lift a hand to brush it away. The temple seems oddly familiar to you; it has a Japanese style to it, a slanting roof with curled edges. The sliding door on the side is open, faint sounds of laphter echoing within the temple. You cock your head to the side, unsure if it's a good idea or not to enter. Slowly, you lift your sneaker-clad foot, taking a step towards the laphter, silently praying that this is not one of your less intelligent decisions.
You speed your pace to a jog, so as not to change your mind halfway there. Your eyes never leave that door, so you are unaware of a presence behind you. The next thing you're aware of is the mingled taste of blood and dirt in your mouth, and a pulsing agony on the back of your neck. Grass is in your eyes, keeping you from seeing who it was who hit you. Whoever it is, you plan to knock their teeth out, even if it's some old lady. No one pushes you and gets away with it! You dig your palm into the dirt, flexing your biceps in effort of sitting up. As you pull yourself to your knees, your other hand brushes off your favorite Tshirt, the one you just got for Christmas a month or so ago. The twit who shoved you is gonna pay big time for this! You scrape mud that was caked on your jeans, also new, off with your fingernails. As you turn to see who it is that's going to die, you hear a voice, an oddly familiar one at that.
"Hiei, you bloody barbarian! What is it that you're trying to pull? Attacking some dumb kid?" It's a woman's voice, that of an elderly person. She sounds angry, and that's putting it lightly. "Didn't it even cross your mind that this may be the one Koenma wants? How on earth would you explain the fact that you killed him/her before he got to interview him/her?!"
"Get off my case, old hag." A second voice snarls. His tone is cold and nonchalant, as though attacking you was nothing at all.
At being called a kid, you bristle. Finally, you get the gumption to face the two speakers, despite the feeling welling up in your chest: this is way to familiar. Behind you two people stand, and when your blurred vision focuses properly, you let out a scream. You know these two, but not in real life. Both are short in stature. The old woman had bedraggled hair with a pinkish tint to it hanging to her shoulders, strands hanging over her wrinkled face. Her attire was not as it was when you last "saw" her, not at all. Her light pink Kimono had Japanese symbols stitched into the fabric, none of which you were familiar with. Hey, you had enough trouble with English, you needn't bother yourself with a second language! Her elderly face was pulled into the fiercest sort of scowl, rage deepening the lines in her face. Master Genkai.
The second figure had now folded his arms acrossed his muscular chest, and seemed to prepare for the lecture of his life. His robe was of the darkest black you could have ever fathomed, and the ruff around his neck was the purest white. His long, black spikes of hair that defies gravity, no gel/hairspray could do for your hair what his hair does. At another slight blow of wind, the length of his bandana that hung behind his head blew up, wrapping around his neck ever-so slightly. His red eyes glinted with a malicious light, as though he planned to utterly destroy the old woman who ranted at him. Hiei Jaganshi.
"You could have killed him, you moron! Do you realize the cost of killing a human?! Or hasn't that short term in Demon Jail affected you at all?! Do you understand that Koenma would have sentenced you to life, you stupid dimwit?!" Roared Genkai. She made your Mom's screaming sound like the gentle purr of a newborn kitten. "I should never have had you keep the first watch! Foolishness! Have you no sensitivity or care towards your own future?! Even the dimwit inside knows there is a consequence to every action we do, whether good or not, is up to the action."
"Hn," Hiei crooned under his breath. His head tilted to the side at the slightest fraction, so as to get a clear look at you. His eyes still held that murderous tone, and just the thought of what may be going through that demon's mind causes shivers to dance along your spine. It occurs to you that your mouth has been hanging open for a good deal of time, and you snap it shut. "The kid doesn't have an ounce of power in his/her whole body. Why would Koenma need such a pathetic nigen?" He asked Genkai in a tight tone of voice, his eyes never leaving your face. He's avoiding direct eye contact, but gazes at you as though expecting you to say something. So, you comply.
"Ireallylikeyourshow." Your words stumble over one another as if you were drunk. Where the heck did that come from? Clearing your throat, you continue, "What I mean to say is, um, you rule." Hiei's face does not alter in expression. You can feel your cheeks heat up as they flush scarlet. You rule? Why on earth would you say something so stupid?
The fire demon turns from you abruptly, facing Genkai he says, loud enough to arose your anger once more, "This kid's an idiot! The toddler's flipped his lid if he thinks he/she will be of any help."
Genkai shoots him a disapproving look, and she's clearly getting angrier with his antics. Folding her arms behind her back, she turns stiffly in your direction. "Hey dimwit, you going to sit there all day, or are you going to get off your butt and get over here so we can explain, as best we can with the minimal details Prince Koenma gave us, why you're here?" She seems a bit more irritated by she mentions Koenma. If she can get more irritated then she already is, that is to say.
"S-Sorry." You stumble to your feet with some difficulty, owing to the fact that, without you noticing, your left leg fell asleep. Once you steady yourself, wincing slightly at the dull, static pulsing in you leg, you stagger over to her, extending a hand so as to be polite. Genkai ignores it, however, and immediately divulges her story. You notice Hiei has a rather smirk-like look on his pale face as she speaks.
"Prince Koenma, of spirit world, informed us yesterday that we'd be receiving a visitor named _____, this is your name, I presume?" With a gulp, you nod your head like the nervous, jittery twit you are. "He told us little, but from what I perceived, he seems to think you are of demonic heritage, and may hold the key to a stronger form of a Kakai Barrier, or the wall that separates the demon, spirit, and living worlds. He wants to put you through a few tests to see if you hold the same sort of power as your ancestors."
Okay, now this has just gone from freaky to, well, more freaky. You, part demon? Ha! You're barely breaking a C in gym class, let alone have enough power to make a stronger barrier between worlds. This is like one of those fanfiction stories where you get added to the team. Whoa, hold up! You were just reading one of those, weren't you? So that's it, you just fell asleep at the computer while reading one, and so now you're just having one of those weird dreams you have. Heaving a sigh of relief, (wow, you had been holding your breath the whole time that woman spoke!) you lift a hand to your face to wipe away the sweat beading your forehead. You fingertips stray to your lip, and a sharp pain shoots through your nerves. You pull the hand from your face, and study it with pure disbelief. Slowly, your fingers close over your palm, hiding your scrapped hand. How could you have scratched your hand and split your lip open if this was a dream? You've felt "pain" in dreams before, but not like this. As you look up, you discover Hiei is watching you with an intent eye, his arms folded across his chest, a light scowl on his face. "Are you for real?" You ask at long last, unable to think of anything else to say.
"As real as the blood coursing through your veins, whether it be demon, or nigen." To your surprise, it was Hiei who spoke. He still won't meet your eye. "Though I'd put my yen on human."
Maybe you are demon. Who knows? You sure don't. After all, ten minutes ago, you thought YuYu Hakusho was just a television show, but look at who you're talking to? "When is it that I have to meet Koenma?" You're voice trembles with he fear rising up in your chest. Maybe you've finally cracked. You knew it would happen eventually. Just look at you- "talking" to Hiei Jaganshi and Master Genkai from your favorite Anime!
"Tomorrow at noon, in his highness's grand palace," Hiei answers, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Don't worry, you'll know soon enough if this is real, or if you're just insane." He adds, his mouth upturned in an evil smile. You feel as though some one is running an ice cube up and down you spine. His smirk deepens at your obvious discomfort.
"Hiei, you need to learn that your smiles frighten people." Genkai snaps, giving Hiei's leg a sharp whack with the back of her hand. You wonder why he doesn't react, or kill her. "I sopose you're a bit hungry, _____. I'm sure Yukina will have something left over from dinner. Yuskue couldn't possibly eat everything she cooked; and Kurama is as light as a sparrow. She cooks enough for a small army. She's a good girl." At the sound of the ice apparition's name, you desperately try to act normal, and slightly perplexed. Hiei does not need to know you are aware that they are siblings.
"My sister will be pleased to feed you. She takes joy in helping rejects and fools." Apparently your acting skills were not needed. Good thing, because you're acting is horrid. You glance at the demon before you, unsure as to whether it's a good idea to look or not. Hiei looks well enough, though he's back to scowling now. "Yes," He snarls with impatience, causing you to jump back in both fear and surprise. "Every one knows she's my sister now. Everyone, that is, but her. I swear right now, I don't care what the brat says, I'll kill you if you speak a word of it to her."
Now trembling in terror at the ferocity and seriousness to his words, you nod your head obediently, "…Yes sir." You can't help but add that rather snide comment, despite your better judgment. Your mouth has always gotten you into trouble, no matter how you tried to hold your tongue, not matter how often you get detention for insulting the teacher's incompetence. You think you're just so witty. Until now, that is to say. Now, you think you're a very, very stupid person. If looks could kill, Hiei would have murdered you a thousand times over, then shattered your very soul. Horror consumes your thoughts, and without your consent, your feet take several steps backward. You know you're eyes have to be the size of saucers, or at least the size of the little teacup.
"I'd watch how I spoke to Hiei, _____, if I were you. He has a very short temper, and an even smaller amount of sanity." Genkai warns, stifling a yawn with her weathered hands. She snagged the hem of Hiei's garments, stopping him short from decapitating you. After giving her the most sappy, heartfelt look of thanks you have ever given someone, you turn tail and bolt the rest of the way into the door. You need to work on your self control. One of these days, you're going to end up dead in an alley someplace; all because you told some dude from the Mafia he had a hideous mole on his face, and that ugly people shouldn't be allowed to smile so much. Hm, it seems you also need to learn to control you're imagination.
A/N: I hope you like it so far. Please review! Seriously! If you don't bother reviewing, I'll let Genkai release Hiei and have him chop your head off! If you do review, then you can rest assure, you are safe from Hiei----for now. Mwahahahaha! Ehem… Well, um… Yes, lets see, what else? Ah, I remember now! In the next few chapters, I'll be using the words: baka- stupid/idiot, henjin- freak.
"What the-?" You stare around you, fighting the urge to scream. This is not your room. Unless you live on the edge of a forest. The trees seem to have a life of their own, and not a nice one at that. The gnarled branches scrape at the air, as though trying to snatch down the puffy, white clouds that drift lazily acrossed the sea of blue. The forest also seems to have life, you can almost sense a demonic aura at its tree line. Suppressing the urge to shudder, you turn from the woods, your gaze coming to rest on an ancient, dilapidated temple of some sort. The wind picks up, blowing your hair in your eyes, and you lift a hand to brush it away. The temple seems oddly familiar to you; it has a Japanese style to it, a slanting roof with curled edges. The sliding door on the side is open, faint sounds of laphter echoing within the temple. You cock your head to the side, unsure if it's a good idea or not to enter. Slowly, you lift your sneaker-clad foot, taking a step towards the laphter, silently praying that this is not one of your less intelligent decisions.
You speed your pace to a jog, so as not to change your mind halfway there. Your eyes never leave that door, so you are unaware of a presence behind you. The next thing you're aware of is the mingled taste of blood and dirt in your mouth, and a pulsing agony on the back of your neck. Grass is in your eyes, keeping you from seeing who it was who hit you. Whoever it is, you plan to knock their teeth out, even if it's some old lady. No one pushes you and gets away with it! You dig your palm into the dirt, flexing your biceps in effort of sitting up. As you pull yourself to your knees, your other hand brushes off your favorite Tshirt, the one you just got for Christmas a month or so ago. The twit who shoved you is gonna pay big time for this! You scrape mud that was caked on your jeans, also new, off with your fingernails. As you turn to see who it is that's going to die, you hear a voice, an oddly familiar one at that.
"Hiei, you bloody barbarian! What is it that you're trying to pull? Attacking some dumb kid?" It's a woman's voice, that of an elderly person. She sounds angry, and that's putting it lightly. "Didn't it even cross your mind that this may be the one Koenma wants? How on earth would you explain the fact that you killed him/her before he got to interview him/her?!"
"Get off my case, old hag." A second voice snarls. His tone is cold and nonchalant, as though attacking you was nothing at all.
At being called a kid, you bristle. Finally, you get the gumption to face the two speakers, despite the feeling welling up in your chest: this is way to familiar. Behind you two people stand, and when your blurred vision focuses properly, you let out a scream. You know these two, but not in real life. Both are short in stature. The old woman had bedraggled hair with a pinkish tint to it hanging to her shoulders, strands hanging over her wrinkled face. Her attire was not as it was when you last "saw" her, not at all. Her light pink Kimono had Japanese symbols stitched into the fabric, none of which you were familiar with. Hey, you had enough trouble with English, you needn't bother yourself with a second language! Her elderly face was pulled into the fiercest sort of scowl, rage deepening the lines in her face. Master Genkai.
The second figure had now folded his arms acrossed his muscular chest, and seemed to prepare for the lecture of his life. His robe was of the darkest black you could have ever fathomed, and the ruff around his neck was the purest white. His long, black spikes of hair that defies gravity, no gel/hairspray could do for your hair what his hair does. At another slight blow of wind, the length of his bandana that hung behind his head blew up, wrapping around his neck ever-so slightly. His red eyes glinted with a malicious light, as though he planned to utterly destroy the old woman who ranted at him. Hiei Jaganshi.
"You could have killed him, you moron! Do you realize the cost of killing a human?! Or hasn't that short term in Demon Jail affected you at all?! Do you understand that Koenma would have sentenced you to life, you stupid dimwit?!" Roared Genkai. She made your Mom's screaming sound like the gentle purr of a newborn kitten. "I should never have had you keep the first watch! Foolishness! Have you no sensitivity or care towards your own future?! Even the dimwit inside knows there is a consequence to every action we do, whether good or not, is up to the action."
"Hn," Hiei crooned under his breath. His head tilted to the side at the slightest fraction, so as to get a clear look at you. His eyes still held that murderous tone, and just the thought of what may be going through that demon's mind causes shivers to dance along your spine. It occurs to you that your mouth has been hanging open for a good deal of time, and you snap it shut. "The kid doesn't have an ounce of power in his/her whole body. Why would Koenma need such a pathetic nigen?" He asked Genkai in a tight tone of voice, his eyes never leaving your face. He's avoiding direct eye contact, but gazes at you as though expecting you to say something. So, you comply.
"Ireallylikeyourshow." Your words stumble over one another as if you were drunk. Where the heck did that come from? Clearing your throat, you continue, "What I mean to say is, um, you rule." Hiei's face does not alter in expression. You can feel your cheeks heat up as they flush scarlet. You rule? Why on earth would you say something so stupid?
The fire demon turns from you abruptly, facing Genkai he says, loud enough to arose your anger once more, "This kid's an idiot! The toddler's flipped his lid if he thinks he/she will be of any help."
Genkai shoots him a disapproving look, and she's clearly getting angrier with his antics. Folding her arms behind her back, she turns stiffly in your direction. "Hey dimwit, you going to sit there all day, or are you going to get off your butt and get over here so we can explain, as best we can with the minimal details Prince Koenma gave us, why you're here?" She seems a bit more irritated by she mentions Koenma. If she can get more irritated then she already is, that is to say.
"S-Sorry." You stumble to your feet with some difficulty, owing to the fact that, without you noticing, your left leg fell asleep. Once you steady yourself, wincing slightly at the dull, static pulsing in you leg, you stagger over to her, extending a hand so as to be polite. Genkai ignores it, however, and immediately divulges her story. You notice Hiei has a rather smirk-like look on his pale face as she speaks.
"Prince Koenma, of spirit world, informed us yesterday that we'd be receiving a visitor named _____, this is your name, I presume?" With a gulp, you nod your head like the nervous, jittery twit you are. "He told us little, but from what I perceived, he seems to think you are of demonic heritage, and may hold the key to a stronger form of a Kakai Barrier, or the wall that separates the demon, spirit, and living worlds. He wants to put you through a few tests to see if you hold the same sort of power as your ancestors."
Okay, now this has just gone from freaky to, well, more freaky. You, part demon? Ha! You're barely breaking a C in gym class, let alone have enough power to make a stronger barrier between worlds. This is like one of those fanfiction stories where you get added to the team. Whoa, hold up! You were just reading one of those, weren't you? So that's it, you just fell asleep at the computer while reading one, and so now you're just having one of those weird dreams you have. Heaving a sigh of relief, (wow, you had been holding your breath the whole time that woman spoke!) you lift a hand to your face to wipe away the sweat beading your forehead. You fingertips stray to your lip, and a sharp pain shoots through your nerves. You pull the hand from your face, and study it with pure disbelief. Slowly, your fingers close over your palm, hiding your scrapped hand. How could you have scratched your hand and split your lip open if this was a dream? You've felt "pain" in dreams before, but not like this. As you look up, you discover Hiei is watching you with an intent eye, his arms folded across his chest, a light scowl on his face. "Are you for real?" You ask at long last, unable to think of anything else to say.
"As real as the blood coursing through your veins, whether it be demon, or nigen." To your surprise, it was Hiei who spoke. He still won't meet your eye. "Though I'd put my yen on human."
Maybe you are demon. Who knows? You sure don't. After all, ten minutes ago, you thought YuYu Hakusho was just a television show, but look at who you're talking to? "When is it that I have to meet Koenma?" You're voice trembles with he fear rising up in your chest. Maybe you've finally cracked. You knew it would happen eventually. Just look at you- "talking" to Hiei Jaganshi and Master Genkai from your favorite Anime!
"Tomorrow at noon, in his highness's grand palace," Hiei answers, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Don't worry, you'll know soon enough if this is real, or if you're just insane." He adds, his mouth upturned in an evil smile. You feel as though some one is running an ice cube up and down you spine. His smirk deepens at your obvious discomfort.
"Hiei, you need to learn that your smiles frighten people." Genkai snaps, giving Hiei's leg a sharp whack with the back of her hand. You wonder why he doesn't react, or kill her. "I sopose you're a bit hungry, _____. I'm sure Yukina will have something left over from dinner. Yuskue couldn't possibly eat everything she cooked; and Kurama is as light as a sparrow. She cooks enough for a small army. She's a good girl." At the sound of the ice apparition's name, you desperately try to act normal, and slightly perplexed. Hiei does not need to know you are aware that they are siblings.
"My sister will be pleased to feed you. She takes joy in helping rejects and fools." Apparently your acting skills were not needed. Good thing, because you're acting is horrid. You glance at the demon before you, unsure as to whether it's a good idea to look or not. Hiei looks well enough, though he's back to scowling now. "Yes," He snarls with impatience, causing you to jump back in both fear and surprise. "Every one knows she's my sister now. Everyone, that is, but her. I swear right now, I don't care what the brat says, I'll kill you if you speak a word of it to her."
Now trembling in terror at the ferocity and seriousness to his words, you nod your head obediently, "…Yes sir." You can't help but add that rather snide comment, despite your better judgment. Your mouth has always gotten you into trouble, no matter how you tried to hold your tongue, not matter how often you get detention for insulting the teacher's incompetence. You think you're just so witty. Until now, that is to say. Now, you think you're a very, very stupid person. If looks could kill, Hiei would have murdered you a thousand times over, then shattered your very soul. Horror consumes your thoughts, and without your consent, your feet take several steps backward. You know you're eyes have to be the size of saucers, or at least the size of the little teacup.
"I'd watch how I spoke to Hiei, _____, if I were you. He has a very short temper, and an even smaller amount of sanity." Genkai warns, stifling a yawn with her weathered hands. She snagged the hem of Hiei's garments, stopping him short from decapitating you. After giving her the most sappy, heartfelt look of thanks you have ever given someone, you turn tail and bolt the rest of the way into the door. You need to work on your self control. One of these days, you're going to end up dead in an alley someplace; all because you told some dude from the Mafia he had a hideous mole on his face, and that ugly people shouldn't be allowed to smile so much. Hm, it seems you also need to learn to control you're imagination.
A/N: I hope you like it so far. Please review! Seriously! If you don't bother reviewing, I'll let Genkai release Hiei and have him chop your head off! If you do review, then you can rest assure, you are safe from Hiei----for now. Mwahahahaha! Ehem… Well, um… Yes, lets see, what else? Ah, I remember now! In the next few chapters, I'll be using the words: baka- stupid/idiot, henjin- freak.