Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Trigger ❯ Feather ( Chapter 5 )

Pale cheek fitted at the stock while sharp violet eyes peeked through the telescopic sight of the semiautomatic rifle while Hagiri guaged his moving target. Short dark hair brushed along the smoothness of his forehead as the cool breeze at the rooftop caressed his form. He was about to pull the trigger when captivating doe eyes of the same hue as his suddenly appeared on the opposite end of the optic sight. Dark eyebrow rose as he straightened himself but not entirely giving up his firing stance, regarding the peculiar upside down form of the woman ahead of him with mild curiosity.

"He'ya stranger!" A melodic voice chirped, accompanied by the fluttering of pink kimono. The slit of the garment gave him a peek of the smooth and silken skin of her legs when she righted her position in her oar. "It's been a while, Sniper." She greeted amicably, floating closer to his hunched form.

Hagiri narrowed his eyes at her in suspicion but relented when he deemed the ferry girl harmless while she hopped off her oar and scooted closer, urging him to let her take a peek in the optic from his vantage point. After a second of doubt, he allowed the woman to do as she pleased, adjusting himself, enabling her to position her lithe form in his front while he steadied the gun by its bipod. Dainty fingers unconsciously brushed against the exposed appendages of his gloved hand as she experimentally held the gun. He could smell the faint scent of lavander and vanilla from their very close proximity.

"I don't plan to discontinue my work if that's the reason why you are here." He muttered while observing the enticing sway of cerulean vellus hairs in her nape.

"You are quite keen for a human, you know. No wonder you did not fully succumbed to the influence of the Black Chapter." She mumbled while adjusting the optic, pouting when only a concrete wall kept resurfacing in her view.

"And you are quite sentimental for an apparition. That part of my life has been buried years ago." He responded nonchalantly while his other hand guided hers to properly adjust the magnification, smirking when he perceived the hitch in her breath. His hand still held her smaller ones even after she muttered her thanks, clearly aware of the blush creeping on the back of her porcelain neck. Hagiri soon realized that no matter how indifferent he claims himself to be, he is not immune to the charms of a beautiful woman. He is just a human - and a man, after all.

"Which reminds me, that I do not hold any grudges to you. I mean, about the marble thingy in Yusukes' apartment. Just so you know." Botan blinked when she saw a middle-aged man came into view. From the looks of it, the sketchy guy is currently withholding an illegal dealing with a mafia. He's a mercenary against powerful and influential criminals. She smiled at her thought, biting her lip when she felt the subtle brush of his fingers on the knuckles of her hand holding the telescope.

"I am deeply moved." He sarcastically commented, displaying an unusual quirk of his lips when he heard her giggle. Hagiri briefly recalled the time when he purposely missed her slender form as she attempted to warn her comrades about Sensui's plan with Kuwabara. He was young and irresponsible back then, yet, he cannot disregard the innocence she radiated on that balcony. After Hiei expertly stabbed him and Kamiya delivering the significance of the wound, he became a tad bit grateful encountering her group. He no longer participated in devious activities after that. However, the thrill on using his talent led to his disappearance after senior high, just to act as a highly paid vigilante-for-hire against unscrupulous individuals that is yet or cannot be held accountable by unjust and biased human laws.

His actions does not incriminate him. He doesn't need to go to Reikai prison for killing bad guys, right? She thought as she reflected on the changes of the man behind her. The diety was no stranger to his hobby. It was part of her duty to keep tabs on the remaining members of the former Sensui Seven and she must say that this man had caught her attention more than she can let on. She just knew, behind that stoic and calm exterior, came a human that can be formidable enough to be on the league of Yusuke and the rest of the gang, if given the right opportunity.

Botan gradually released her hold on the armament, trying to ignore the disappointment when the warmth of his hand left hers in doing so. Just then, she abruptly pivoted around to face him when she was struck by a sudden thought. "I have an i - "