For the third time in ten minutes, Airi's body contorted and contracted, veins bulging from her skin. Akira had been out cold for hours. For some reason, Airi continued to fight against the excruciating pain of the poison as it made its way through her body. Up to her knee, now, it was progressing far more rapidly than Kurama guessed. Hiei focused on keeping his expression blank, and as her muscles began to relax, and the death grip she had on his hand loosened, he wiped the sweat from her forehead with a cloth Minato had given him.
"It will be over soon," he said, brushing away a piece of hair that was plastered to her cheek.
Her head drooped to the side, and just as he wondered if she had finally subsided into unconsciousness, she muttered something, intelligible only to him.
"I'm scared."
Hearing it was a knife to his gut. She was always able to put on a brave face, especially around him.
"You're going to be fine, Airi."
His words were too little, too late, and another tremor took her. This time, a cry accompanied it, making the room spin dangerously around him. Yusuke joined him on her other side, taking her hand in his. Hiei observed him tenaciously, but when their eyes met, he lowered his guard.
Hoping this signified the end of their squabbles, he nodded slightly. He would not hold a grudge over someone living by their own code of ethics. It was the strength of his honor that kept Hiei fighting by his side, though he would never admit it.
When she came to, as the spasm died down, she noticed Yusuke. The tenderness in her eyes had a lump forming in his throat, necessitating an aversion of his gaze. Unluckily, it landed right on Kurama, whose pleased expression set him further on edge. A year ago, he would have seen the look she gave Yusuke and been sick to his stomach, sure that no one would ever look at him that way. So much had changed, and so quickly, he hadn't taken the proper time to come to terms with it.
"There is a way to make it grow faster," Kurama said, watching them. "Though it is not to be taken lightly."
"What is it?" they asked, in unison. Hiei grunted, unhappy to exist in a world where he and Yusuke would ever have the same thing to say.
"Your life force. A small donation would speed things up tremendously."
"Easy."
"Done."
"Wait a minute, guys! What if another monster comes?! I know I got this fancy new sword and everything, but you can't leave me hangin' like that!"
"We will be stronger with them."
"Hiei's right," Kurama said. "And hopefully Airi will be able to heal Yusuke's hand, and myself."
They settled down on the ground next to his flowering arm, Yusuke offering his energy up first. As Hiei waited, he caught Koenma, creeping out of the shadows.
"Where were you, coward?"
"I will not be spoken to like that!" he yelled, his high-pitched drone making the sentiment more comical. "I had business to attend to. It's fine, now."
"Hn."
When Kurama cut the flow emanating from Yusuke, the boy swayed. He'd given too much. It appeared worthwhile, however, as one of the herbs had grown to full strength, its tip blossoming into a bright pink flower. A second had begun to develop, and the third had not been affected. Hiei placed his hand on Kurama's forearm, allowing the smaller plants to absorb what he sent. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Koenma slip back out of the room.
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Ikigai (Hiei x OC)
FanfictionThis YYH based epic opens with Airi, a sweet girl who possesses an incredible darkness, breaking free from six years of captivity and torture. Entering on the day of Yusuke's wake, she finds herself indebted to Hiei. His distaste for her eases when...