Hello everybody! Genki? ^-^ Sorry if this chapter took so long. I've 
been juggling three homepages, plus five fics. Silly me, I know. ^-^o
Before I forget, I changed Kuukirime to Kuukime, and [WARNING: This 
chapter contains language that might be offensive to the reader.]. But 
aside from that, enjoy and happy reading! C&C's still welcome... always 
welcome (hint hint). ^_*

***
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Autumn�s Promise
Chapter 5
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	Everyone listened intently to the tale Miko told. Numerous revelations 
took place, and so many unanswered questions finally elucidated. Kurama 
rested his head on his arms, which were placed on the back rest of the 
chair he sat on. He was deep in thought, as Miko stopped to catch her 
breath. 
	�So what happened next?� Yusuke persisted.
	�I don�t understand. Why didn�t you want to tell Hiei that you were 
Koorime yourself?� Kuwabara asked, walking into the room. Everyone 
looked at him as if he did not have any clothes on; like he was totally 
naked. �Sorry I took so long. Couldn�t find the bathroom.�
	�You idiot,� Yusuke replied. �She didn�t want to make matters more 
complicated. Hiei can get very protective, and very vengeful.�
	Kuwabara raised an eyebrow. �Protective? That little son of a--?� He 
quickly shut up when he realized Miko looked disapprovingly at him for 
what he was going to say. He quickly changed the subject. �Come to think 
of it, Yukina-san is also Koorime...�
	�By the way,� Yusuke whispered in Miko�s ear. �Kuwabara doesn�t know 
about Yukina being Hiei�s sister. Only he, Yukina, and Keiko don�t know 
about it.�
	�What?!� Miko whispered back. �You mean Hiei hasn�t told her?�
	�So tell us what happened next,� Botan said. Koenma nodded in 
agreement.
	�Well,� Miko drew an imaginary heart on the bed covers with her finger, 
and continued her story.

	She awoke from her peaceful slumber, surprised to see a pair of  vivid 
red eyes   staring down at her. Eisila had almost forgotten that she 
fell asleep on Hiei�s chest. She blushed a light shade of pink when she 
recalled last night�s incident, and moved nervously away from the 
Koorime boy. After what he had done, it was now difficult to read his 
mind and his moves. He was very unpredictable... enigmatic, even. Thus, 
the name �flying shadow� suited him entirely.   
	The sun peeked through the small opening on the prison cell�s wall. It 
slightly comforted Eisila. It was telling her that there was hope. She 
kept her eyes there for quite a long while before she summoned a dash of 
courage to speak.
	�Did you sleep well?� She asked Hiei, but did not turn away from the 
wall.
	�Hn. And what if I did?� He asked  gruffly.
	She gave him a  gentle-eyed look, which made him want to take back his 
words.
	�Fine,� He said, turning his face away. �I slept well.�
	She lifted her knees to her chin, and leaned on the wall. �Once this is 
over, what are you going to do?�
	�Remember that I said I was in search of my sister?� He replied. �I 
sense she was taken to the Human World.�
	�You�re going to the Human World then?�
	Hiei eyed her in such a way that made Eisila�s heart beat faster. She 
could not figure out what he was thinking.  
	�You�re very nosy,� He said. �Is that why you know so much about me?�
	She thought for a while, then beamed at him. �Maybe.�
	Hiei neared her, and reached out to pull her hair, so that her face was 
only inches away from his. His voice was low, menacing, and... 
seductive. �I despise people who talk in riddles. Tell me now, or else.� 
He gave her a sly smile.
	Eisile held her breath, and did not make a move or a sound. She looked 
directly into his eyes, and asked, �How did they threaten you?�
	Hiei straightened abruptly, and let her go. He opened his mouth, but no 
words came out. He turned away from her, and sat in the corner. He 
looked at his hands, and cursed silently. �If only I knew how to control 
the fire of darkness,� He said a few minutes later. �Then I would be 
invincible.�

	�Wait a minute,� Kuwabara cut in, interrupting Miko�s interesting 
story. �I didn�t know Hiei had a sister. Did I miss anything here? I 
remember I left to go the bathroom at the part when Miko... err, 
Eisila... seated herself beside Hiei under a tree.�
	�Kuwabara!!� 
	That shut him up.

	They stilled when they heard footsteps coming down the hall. The door 
to their dungeon creaked opened. There stood Akuna and Kuanja, looking 
disgustingly satisfied and triumphant.
	�All right, Forbidden Child,� Akuna said, motioning for Hiei to step 
out of the dark cell. �Time to get down to business.� Hiei stood up from 
his dark corner, and stepped outside; his own sword poised at his neck. 
He felt the coldness of the hard metal on his bare skin, boiling his 
blood. He eyed them with scorn, but his face remained a blank 
expression. Eisila got to her feet, and glared at the two demon 
criminals who held them captive.
	�How did you threaten him?� Eisila demanded.
	�Threaten?� Kuanja said in disbelief, and chuckled, mocking her.
	�We didn�t �threaten� him, my dear,� Akuna stated simply. �We merely 
made a deal.�
	�Like what you did to me,� Eisila said softly; then in a louder voice, 
�I won�t let you do that to Hiei!� Her saber of whirling wind appeared 
in her hand, once again, and she charged towards Akuna and Kuanja.
	Hiei�s eyes widened. �You idiot!�
	Eisila ran towards Kuanja first, ready to strike with her sword, 
positive that her motive would not be in vain. She gave a yell, and 
leaped into the air, her sword coming down on the demon man with great 
rapidity. Kuanja was too shocked to utter anything. Without warning, he 
pushed Hiei forward to act as his shield. Eisila gasped, and swerved her 
sword elsewhere. She landed daintily on her toes, tightly grasping her 
sword. That was too close...
	Akuna laughed. �What�s wrong, Kuukime? Can�t hurt the little Koorime 
boy?�
	�You...!� Eisila was fuming; her temper kindled at the sight of the 
devil woman. She clenched her sword tighter, making her hand tremble 
involuntarily.
	�Now let�s see you fight, Kuukime!� Akuna raised her voice, and ran 
towards Eisila with Hiei�s sword shining a deadly gleam. �Pity if you 
die to this... a fellow Koorime�s sword!�
	Hiei froze. �Fellow...?�
	�Oh, didn�t you know, you little bastard?� Kuanja said in an annoying 
pitch, that made Hiei want to sock him in the jaw, however Kuanja kept a 
firm hold on him. �Your friend here is part of your tribe; she is half 
Koorime. What�s wrong? I thought you knew? Didn�t you consult your third 
eye about it?� Kuanja laughed. Hiei did not know what to say. He focused 
his attention on Eisila who was busy swaying and dodging Akuna�s 
attacks.
	After countless of swings and evasions, Hiei heard Eisila gasp. Eisila 
lay on the floor, as Akuna held her at sword point. Hiei called her 
name; his voice filled with alarm.
	�You have a powerful weapon,� Akuna commented. �Perhaps you wouldn�t 
mind if I took it.�
	�Ha-ha!� Eisila snorted. She raised her free hand at Akuna, and a 
strong, cyclone-like wind pushed Akuna back on the cold stone wall. 
Akuna gave a shrill cry, as she let go of Hiei�s sword, and it fell to 
the ground with a clamorous clang. Eisila picked the sword up, and 
beamed at Hiei. Hiei nodded, and elbowed Kuanja in the gut, setting 
himself free. The air demon threw the sword at Hiei, and soon the two 
were ready for battle.
	Akuna got to her knees, as blood welled on her lower lip. �You cheat! 
You little bitch!�
	Back to back, the Koorime boy and the Kuukime girl stood their ground, 
and waited, ready for a meaningful battle. Eisila smiled again at Hiei, 
knowing this was the only way to stop the tyrannical demons: to join 
sides, to be a team. For a brief moment, Eisila could have sworn she saw 
Hiei return the smile. With a slight nod, the two separated, and took 
flight, heading towards Kuanja and Akuna.
	Kuanja, who still had his hand to his stomach, raised his head, and saw 
Hiei coming his way with  exceptional quickness. With his eyes widening 
with appallment, Kuanja gave a cry, and made a run for it. Hiei pursued, 
his sword craving his captor�s blood.
	The petite air demon and Akuna exchanged confident smiles for a while, 
which turned into savage looks of contempt. Before Akuna could bring 
forth her bow and arrows, Eisila vanished, and reappeared in front of 
Akuna, at the blink of an eye; her sword splayed skillfully and 
gracefully on Akuna�s throat. Akuna had no time to react. The iciness of 
the blade on her bare skin sent a chill through her, but she did not 
gasp or cower. Instead, she cursed spitefully at the air demon who had 
turned the tables on her. It was now the brat�s turn to hold her at 
sword point.
	�Do it! Kill me, you little bitch!� Akuna spat out, her black hair 
going in disarray from the constant movement of her head.
	Eisila glared fiercely at her, but put down the sword. She swept her 
snow-blue hair from  from her eyes, but kept her brows lowered. This 
demon woman was getting on her nerves! �I cannot kill you, Akuna,� 
Eisila said, but it was obvious that she regretted not doing so. �I was 
given strict orders not to.�
	Eisila frowned, when Akuna laughed. �How unfortunate for you.� Akuna 
scoffed. Eisila�s sky-blue eyes narrowed. Before Eisila could protect 
herself, Akuna raised a hand at her, and struck her with talon-like 
nails! A cry escaped Eisila�s lips, as she let go of her sword, and 
clutched her bleeding wrist, where claw marks were carved, her creamy 
skin torn. Eisila heard Hiei�s voice yelling her name through the 
blurrying ache she felt.
	�You should have killed me,� Akuna taunted. �Too bad.� She cupped 
Eisila�s face in her hand, the nails digging painfully into Eisila�s 
cheeks. Eisila held her voice back, but couldn�t stand it. She gave a 
soft cry, as the pain wracked through her.
	�That�s enough!� Hiei, who had stopped running after Kuanja, shouted. 
His third eye glowed a furious shade of red. �I have had enough!� A 
strange and powerful energy surrounded him, as his clothes tore and 
ripped, showing several slits all over his body!
	�It-it�s his true form!� Eisila exclaimed under her breath. The 
dizzying pain weakened her. Akuna let her go, and Eisila fell limply 
onto the stone floor.
	�Don�t underestimate the power of my Jagan!� Everything that took place 
infuriated Hiei, angered him. They dared to cut off his freedom, to make 
him their slave! They dared to... he paused... hurt Eisila? He didn�t 
understand why he should care about that. Anyway, those two demon scums 
were going to pay dearly!
	Eisila winced at the scratches on her cheeks, and the cut on her wrist. 
Hiei, what are you going to do? She thought. Giving a pained expression, 
she fought the aches, and got to her knees. She managed to lift one leg, 
but the other knee remained rooted to the floor. She glanced at her 
wrist, thanking the Spirit World it wasn�t her right wrist that had been 
injured. She would still be able to use her whirling wind saber.
	The slits on Hiei�s skin tore open, revealing numerous purple-gray 
eyes. Eisila held her breath, amazed at how different Hiei looked now. 
She sensed the raging power within him, as the strands of hair on his 
forehead stood up, to make his Jagan more apparent.
	With ebony tresses swaying wildly from the strong force, Akuna took a 
few stpes back, wary of the unknown power causing friction between her 
senses and being. Hiei raised an arm at torso-level, his hand opening 
wide. It started to quiver , as an aura of dark fire encircled him.
	�Oh no,� Eisila said. �Hiei, no! Don�t use that technique!�
	He ignored her, of course, and continued his summoning of the extremely 
powerful attack. The floor started to move, as Eisila heard a rumble 
within the earth. Everything started to shake violently. Some of the 
walls collapsed onto the ground, pounded into rubble, crushed into 
pebble fragments.
	�Hiei!� Eisila called again, but still, Hiei did not heed her.
	There was a momentary darkness that fell upon the lair, making Eisila 
gasp, and Kuanja cower in fright. Akuna stood as quiet as a mouse, but 
fear shined in her coal-black eyes. Hiei�s face grew monstrous, evil, as 
a flame of black fire appeared in his palm. Eisila didn�t know what 
other way to describe the feeling; she was scared, both for herself and 
for Hiei. The fire of darkness technique was an intensely powerful 
attack. Without Hiei mastering it could cost him his life!
	�Hiei!!� Eisila gave another desperate cry, hoping he wouldn�t go 
through with it. She couldn�t stop a tear or two. Forgetting the pain, 
she rushed towards him...
	Concentrating all his strength into his hand, the black flame grew 
fuller and hotter. Hiei smiled contently, and smiled viciously at Akuna 
and Kuanja. �Say goodbye,� He said to them, and raised his arm forward 
to bring forth the Black Dragon... until he heard a clatter, and felt a 
pair of feminine arms encircling him.
	�Eisila!� He looked angry. Heck, even his voice had an incensed tone. 
�What are you doing?�
	She hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest. �Please,� She 
whispered. �Please don�t.�
	Hiei could have just slapped her or pushed her away, but he held back. 
Something about her made him... calm down. She had the same effect on 
him as his sister had. His green skin turned flesh once again, and his 
evil eyes began to disappear one by one. She continued to hug him, and 
had no intention of letting go just yet.
	�Why? Why, Eisila?� He asked in a demanding timbre. He looked radically 
irritated at the move she made. He thought it to be unreasonable and 
foolish. She raised her head from his chest, and gave him a bitter 
expression.
	�Because I care,� She countered softly, which made quite an impact on 
him. Then loudly, she said, �Because I care, dammit!� Her azure eyes 
glistened. Hiei stared in astonishment at the girl before him. In her 
imploring gaze, he saw disappointment and concern. He eyed her in a way 
that made her feel uneasy, as if she was speaking in a strange tongue. 
He took a deep breath, and resigned himself, dropping his arm. The flame 
disintegrated, and the wisps of his bangs fell to his forehead in unruly 
locks of jet, white, and blue. Eisila let him go, thankful and relieved 
that he was safe.
	
	�But did you  stop him because you really cared, or because of your 
mission?� Kuwabara asked, opening a bag of potato chips, no matter how 
many times Botan had protested.
	Miko shrugged, looking down at the folds on the sheets of the bed. 
�Maybe both.�
	Yusuke grinned. �That�s good. You�re a great spirit detective.� He 
tried grabbing the bag of chips from Kuwabara but to no avail. �Shit! 
Give it here!�
	�So what happened after you stopped him from mustering his Black Dragon 
technique?� Kurama asked, a serious expression carved on his pleasant 
features.
	Miko put an index finger to her lips. �Well, Kuanja and Akuna 
recaptured us, unluckily, however Hiei never did show them the way to 
the treasures of the Spirit World.� She took a breath, and smiled. �He 
always would fight back, or stall for time. They said he was very 
stubborn, so they threatened to kill me if he didn�t lead them to the 
treasures. Hiei agreed, but they slashed my shoulder nonetheless.� She 
pulled down the garment on her right shoulder, and revealed the scar. 
They peered at it in wonder.
	�Funny how the past still sticks by you in the future no matter what 
you do,� Yusuke remarked, giving up on grabbing the bag of potato chips 
from Kuwabara.
	�Yeah,� Kuwabara agreed, nodding, while placing a chip into his mouth. 
�I still don�t believe that... sucker... Hiei could be such a softy. No 
offense, Miko-chan,� He munched and swallowed, then delved his hand into 
the bag again to take another chip.
	Yusuke attempted to take it away again, knocking his chair over. 
�Demons do have a different way of thinking, Kuwabara! Don�t be such an 
idiot!�
	Kuwabara kept the bag away from Yusuke�s reach. �Urameshi, you moron, 
who do you think you are?? As if you�re a demon--... Oh right, you are a 
demon! An S-class, even.�
	Miko brightened. �An S-class? Yusuke-kun is S-class?� When Yusuke 
nodded, she said happily, �That means we can defeat them! We have a 
chance!�
	The red-haired lad stood up, dragging his chair in the process. �We 
might as well get going.,� Kurama stated coolly. �There�s no time to 
waste.�
	Everyone nodded to Kurama�s suggestion.
	�I shall lead you to the treasures,� Koenma added. �I�m sure you 
remember them well, Yusuke. Botan, would you like to do the honors?�
	Botan nodded. �The Ruffian�s sphere, the Mirror of Utterdark, and the 
Ghost Slayer sword. Rumor has it that they�re after the golden seal of 
Emma Daioh as well.�
	�But I thought they were damaged ages ago,� Yusuke said.
	�Apparently they were repaired by King Emma Daioh himself,� Botan 
replied.
	�The Mirror of Utterdark... How are Kuanja and Akuna going to use it if 
it asks for someone�s life in return for granting their wish?� Kurama 
asked, then raised his head in alarm. Everybody took on the same 
expression.
	�Hiei!!!�
	Soon, all six of them were out of Yusuke�s apartment, and were headed 
towards Koenma�s palace in the Spirit World.
	
					    *~*~*

	He was still shaky from the severe pain on his head. That asshole 
Kuanja! Hiei did not have to follow every order they gave him. It was 
easy to resist. Eisila was safe anyway. His third sight told him so.
	Eisila. She was alive. After so many years... more or less ten or 
twelve centuries on the Human World, and only twelve years in the Demon 
World... she�s finally come back. He knew there had been a certain 
queerness within Kazehito Mikomi. He had felt it in his bones. The way 
she looked at him in the eye without the slightest trace of fear. The 
way she knew of his presence when no mere mortal could know of it. The 
way her hazel eyes turned a glimmering shade of sky whenever he gazed 
into them... Her spirit had traveled to the Human World, knowing that he 
would be there to search for Yukina. She wanted to fulfill the promise 
they made. The promise to watch over and be there for each other. 
Partners...
	
	She tenderly wrapped the piece of cloth around his forehead with gentle 
and able hands. She gave him a sad smile, and said, �This band serves a 
double purpose.�
	He eyed her quizzically, and flinched inside when his gaze dropped to 
her shoulder. �Which is?�
	�Don�t worry about this,� She said, indicating to the knife-cut on her 
right shoulder. �I�m Koorime too. My healing powers aren�t that great, 
but they help to relieve the pain.� She tied the two ends of the cloth 
together into a knot. �The first purpose is, because of the slash on 
your temple. The second is, to hide your Jagan when you go down to the 
Human World, since it works as an amplifier for your powers.�
	�There�s a third purpose,� Hiei provided. Eisila looked bemused, but 
waited to hear what he had in mind. �It also looks good on me.�
	Eisila giggled. Hiei making jokes like that was absolutely out of the 
ordinary. Hiei raised an eyebrow. He was supposed to be dead serious! 
The next topic tensed up Eisila. �Are we going to break free from here?� 
Hiei whispered. �Come to the Human World with me. There is a gateway 
near the bamboo forest.�
	�But... but that has a very dangerous trail,� Eisila replied in a 
hushed tone. �Full of marshland, and...�
	�It�s the only way,� Hiei interjected. �If you stay here, you�re sure 
to meet your end, however if we escape together, we could accomplish our 
missions. Your odd mission to watch over me, and mine to find my 
kidnapped sister.�
	The mission... If they escaped together, then her assignment would be 
successful, and she would be able to earn Koenma�s respect. But she felt 
something else aside from spirit detective duty; something warm and 
unusually light.
	She swallowed, and reluctantly agreed after a moment. �Very well. Then 
maybe I can help you find Yukina.�
	They closed the deal by locking their arms together; his right arm with 
hers. She didn�t know what she was getting herself into. She inhaled 
deeply, and prayed silently for their welfare. She hoped everything 
would be all right.
	�We start moving before the sun rises,� Hiei clarified. Then softly, he 
said, �Understood, partner?�
	She smiled at him, but could not stop the sadness that dwelled in her 
eyes. She was doing this for him; only him, and no one else.

	He cursed silently, as he closed his eyes, and thought back. It was 
probably his fault that she died in the first place. She was alive now, 
and this time, there was no way he was letting her go.
	His eyes turned to the dark, desolate place that surrounded him. It was 
quiet... too quiet for comfort... until Akuna and Kuanja showed up, and 
shoved him into the blaring light outside. Hiei struggled, their grips 
tightening; he didn�t have to put up with this kind of treatment. He 
didn�t have to evince where the treasures lay kept and hidden. However, 
Akuna placed a hand on Hiei�s forehead, and that was the last thing he 
recalled.
	�Fuck you--!� Hiei hissed, before he collapsed onto the ground, 
obscurity invading his vision.
	�Hu hu...! Thank you for your third sight, Forbidden boy. Now we can 
find the treasures of the Spirit World!�

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To be continued...?
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