Disclaimer: I still don't own anything yet! I only own the freebies, like my OCs and the plot.

Iris's POV

For once since I've become part of the Spirit Detective Team officially, I was by myself. Since we haven't had any missions for a while, they're been coming over to my house a lot. Now, I was all by myself in what felt like a too big house just for me when it was usually populated by at least other people. Botan was usually busy on Koenma's errands and couldn't come and Hiei was just plain anti-social. I have long accepted that thought though and felt glad when he stopped by because that meant sarcastic remarks at Yusuke and Kuwabara that were incredibly entertaining to bystanders like me.

Today, however, Yusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama went to Spirit World for a reason they didn't mention. Yusuke said that they will be back within a few hours. With such a short visit in mind, I wondered on the purpose. Confront Koenma about the lack of criminals roaming around, maybe? Yusuke had expressed his "worry" on the matter more than once.

That wasn't what worried me though. Not at all. What was on my mind was that although they said they would be back within a few hours – along with a smile of assurance from Kurama – two days have passed and they still weren't back. Even Yusuke, as irresponsible as he was, he would've gave a notice ahead if the visit would have to be prolonged.

This made me think that something happened and interfered with their original plans, forcing them to stay longer in Spirit World.

It was the evening of the second day after they've been gone and I was with my eyes stuck to the computer screen in a pitch black room. With one knee folded to my chest, my head resting on my kneecap and my finger clicking constantly as I went through dozens of web pages but absorbed nothing. I didn't even remember how long I've been sitting here, too bored to do anything better with my time. All I recalled was that when I first got on the computer today, it was still light out. Beside that, I recalled shifting countless times because I somehow got uncomfortable or numb in the position I had.

I sighed irritably when a pop-up appeared on my screen. That seemed to have done it, because I closed everything I had opened and turned the computer off.

I yawned and thought it was time to go to bed, although it could've been anytime between 10 and 4 in the morning for all I knew. I went to my room and slipped in my pajamas without actually looking to see what I put on. I was thinking of the team too much to fit anything else in my mind. I wasn't the worried kind too much, I knew they could take care of themselves, but I knew that something was definitely off with them being late, and I couldn't shake off that feeling.

After I did that, I automatically went to the kitchen and get my habitual glass of water before bedtime. I looked only briefly at the clock on the wall and saw that it was 2:14 A.M. Lovely.

I slipped by the rose that Kurama gave me what seemed like an eternity ago. Although at the beginning I was prepared for it to wither away, as the weeks went by, the rose didn't seem to give any inclination of doing so. I remember asking Kurama about it and he said that because the rose was created by him, it was connected to him and his Demon Energy, constantly draining him of drops or energy bit by bit to stay alive and healthy.

I smiled at the memory as I leaned against the counter and took a sip of water. I looked at the rose lovingly, but my expression soon changed to shock.

Although I distinctly remembered it being in perfect condition a few hours ago, now I saw two blood red stains on my marble counter-top: two petals that fell.

I studied it closer and took it gingerly by the stem out by of its vase. Just as I did, a third one fell and I watched it until it hit the tiled ground with a mixture of confusion and sadness. I picked up all three petals that fell and I pressed one of them to my lips. Then, instead of throwing them away, I put them back in the vase and placed the rose on top.

I watched the petals floating on top of the water around the rose while I pondered, frowning. Why did it start withering now after so long? It's been… I searched my memory for some sort of a time frame I could relate to. Two years and a half? Almost three? I wasn't sure. It didn't make any sense to me.

I stayed there, watching the rose for an immeasurable amount of time, and as I did, my feeling of worry deepened. I sighed again, thinking that I wasn't going to be able to sleep at all if I didn't at least check it out.

Taking my glass with me, I went back to my room and took the little device that Botan gave me in case of emergency. I didn't ever use it before and I definitely didn't use it the past few days because I didn't want to be laughed at and said that I worry too much when I would find out that it was nothing. I tried to convince myself that this was different when I knew very well it wasn't.

I took the little device that somehow looked more like an old calculator than a communication device and pressed what I hoped was the "On" button. Very much like a modern-day phone, a list of names appeared on the screen, all of which I knew. I selected Botan's name out of the list and waited.

Sooner than I expected, a distressed looking Botan appeared on the screen. I frowned, almost forgetting my question.

I forget even the courtesy to say 'hello.' "Botan, are you all right?"

"No, I am not all right!" she said, as if she has been asked that question at least a dozen times already.

Her attitude sent signals of alarm but I tried to keep focused. "What happened? Where is everybody?"

Botan's usual happy-looking pink eyes looked pained. "In the infirmary."

"Infirmary?" I almost shouted at her in shock.

She nodded solemnly. "I don't have time to explain right now. I'm coming there right now to pick you up. I'll explain everything on the way."

I nodded and then the screen went blank. I threw the device on my bed and without a second thought I undressed of my pajamas and threw on some casual clothes. After then, I went outside, locked the door and waited for Botan on my front yard.

I ignored any of the picturesque scenery that I normally would've gazed at dreamily and focused only on the familiar figure of my Grim Reaper friend. Soon enough, far away as if coming from the moon itself, I could distinguish a figure and as it got closed, I saw Botan's familiar pink kimono. She landed not two feet away from me.

Without any further ado, she said, "Hop in." And then we went straight to Spirit World.

***

"Ok, Botan, what's going on?" I asked her, getting more anxious by the minute.

She didn't look at me as she answered. "Few days ago, Yusuke and the others literally barged in Koenma's office, demanding how come they haven't had a mission in so long," she said and I shook my head, knowing it must've been all Yusuke's idea. Botan continued. "Coincidentally, not very long beforehand, Koenma got a report about some murders in Spirit World and the team went to investigate. It was all too to-the-last-minute to even contact you about it, not to mention that it was supposed to be an easy mission," she said and she sounded apologetic.

"Sooner than we thought possible, which was only a few hours ago, they tracked down the one responsible for the murders. We just got the report, let alone know the identity of the demon, otherwise we would've warned them," she paused and I wondered how bad this was going to turn out.

I ran my fingers through my hair tiredly, thinking how irritating the breeze was at the moment, not at all comforting. "What happened?" I urged her on.

"It was a woman, and a beautiful one at that. And you know how the boys are, Yusuke and Kuwabara that is," she said, and although I couldn't see her face, I knew she was scowling. "Besides that, one of her powers was to seduce men with her hypnotic eyes. Yusuke and Kuwabara were out the first time she looked at them, but Kurama somehow managed to resist for a while and fought her. Yusuke's mind was still clear, despite the charm spell, so he could give me some side details. He said that the demon went berserk because Kurama resisted her, and—" she paused and my stomach churned painfully, waiting for the worst.

"Kurama is seriously injured," she said, very quickly, "he's in the infirmary right now and some healers are treating his wounds."

I swallowed painfully, but didn't say anything. Kurama was hurt. I suspected that was why the rose petals fell, since it was connected directly to him and his energy.

"Take me straight to the infirmary, Botan," I told her firmly and I saw her ponytail move in a motion unlike one caused by the wind. She nodded.

We were close to Spirit World now.

***

It was just me and him in the infirmary room. I stared at Kurama in what was a mixture of horror and anger. He lay on the bed on his back, with his eyes closed and his arms lying limply at his sides, giving off the impression that he was sleeping.

That is, if it wasn't for the many bandages that covered the entire upper-half of his body that was visible. His torso was almost completely wrapped up in bandages, and I could see how blood soaked through the many layers and to the surface. His right hand was bandaged, as well as both arms' biceps. There was bandage around his neck, as well as many other band-aids such as on his left cheek and forehead.

His red hair was sprayed across the pillow and his body was completely still except for his chest that was rising and falling as he was breathing. I have never before seen him in a state such as this and I felt a deep pang of hatred for the woman responsible.

I stepped closer to the bed and gently, barely touching his skin, I brushed his long bangs aside, yearning for his eyes to open. I took his limp hand in both of mine, feeling utterly useless.

The rest of the team came not long afterward. I asked them how long it would be until he wakes up and Kuwabara answered that they didn't know. The healers estimated at least a week. I looked at each of my friends in turn. They were all frowning, but their eyes showed me different emotions. Kuwabara was somewhat shocked, Yusuke was angry and Botan was sad. I nodded at Kuwabara's statement and turned my eyes back to Kurama.

I heard movement behind me followed by shoes clicking on the floor and then the door opening and closing. I sighed, thinking they left, but I was surprised to feel a soft grip on my shoulder.

"Iris," Botan said my name and her voice was close to a whisper. I turned around only half-way, enough to meet her worried pink eyes. "You should get some sleep, you mist be tired."

I frowned; the last of my worries now was that it was late. I didn't want to be baby-sat by anybody now when Kurama was injured. "I'm fine, I'm not tired," I lied and looked away.

She let go of my shoulder and walked to my side so that I couldn't ignore her presence. "He's going to be all right, he's been through worse before," she said, in an attempt to make me feel better but her words only made me finch. Worse than this?

"I should've been there," I said, "I should've gone with them. I could've helped, especially that her charms probably wouldn't have worked on me." I frowned and tightened my grip on his hand unconsciously. "I could've fought her, maybe even distract her from almost killing him. I—" I couldn't continue. I but my tongue against a sob and a yawn of tiredness. I was holding back tears that I didn't want to spill.

Botan watched me with the same worried eyes, but when I faced them the feelings behind them were somehow intensified. "You love him, don't you?" she asked me and I almost gasped at her straight-forward question.

I gulped back the tears that were getting harder to control and after the longest silence, I finally gave in and nodded once.

"For how long?" Her voice sounded weird in my ears, so unlike her own. It was quiet, thoughtful.

I didn't know how to answer that so I just shrugged. As far as I am concerned, you never know these things.

"Don't you think it's time to let him know?"

Her question once again left me without words. When I didn't answer, Botan quietly slipped by me and left the room as I was stuck with her open question. I sighed and decided I shouldn't think about it. Instead, I released Kurama's hand, but only briefly, enough so I could bring a chair to sit by his bed. I took his hand again and I gazed at his face.

Iris, Luna spoke to me for the first time today, I will send Sasha to help his healing process.

Thank you, I said, though it was hardly enough.

The last thing I remember was thinking was how odd it felt now that the tables were turned – with him on the bed unconscious and me sitting by it, waiting his awakening – and the feel of Sasha's comforting presence as she started healing Kurama. Then, quite suddenly and without any premeditation what so ever, I fell asleep.

***

"Iris," I heard the voice I've been longing to hear on the third day he's been unconscious. The voice came through in my mind, but it sounded distant, as if he was speaking from a dream. I only shifted slightly, but didn't open my eyes, not wanting the dream to end just yet. Then I felt a light squeeze of my hand and that gave me enough distraction for the dream to slip away from my eyes. I frowned and moaned despite myself.

I sighed and opened my eyes, thinking it was time to wake up. I rubbed my eyes and ran my fingers through my hair since it completely obscured my vision and looked at Kurama to see how he was doing.

I froze automatically when I met his green eyes. It wasn't a dream, I realized, he was awake and well. I recovered quickly and leaned in.

"How do you feel?" I asked anxiously.

"Sore, but exceptionally well rested." He attempted to smile but it looked weak. I smiled widely at him in return, thankful that he was all right.

Thank you, I told Luna again and, in return, to Sasha.

Anytime, Luna's serene voice replied and it felt like a spring breeze after all these days of anxiety and worry.

I instinctively reached out to him, but then I hesitated for the slightest moment. I shoved away the hesitation and leaned in to brush his bangs away from his eyes again. Just when I was about to retreat my hand, he took a hold of my wrist, brought to his mouth and kissed it lightly. Then, not letting go of my gaze, he started pulling me towards him. I leaned in, willingly, but when I saw where he was going, I flushed before our lips met.

While our kiss was still in progress, I had a flicker of the image of Yusuke bursting through the door last time when we had a private moment. I made my hand gripping his let go and I pointed it at the door. With a flick of my finger, I distinctly heard the door lock and I smiled against his lips in satisfaction. No interruptions this time.

We broke off the kiss soon after. He didn't let go of my wrist though.

"How are your wounds?" I asked him, thinking that maybe he needs some more quality time with Sasha.

"Mostly healed, although I find it surprising in such a short period of time," he frowned slightly.

"You can thank Sasha for that," I smiled.

Kurama was just about to reply when I heard shuffling behind the door, followed by the sound of somebody trying to get in and a "damn it!" It was Yusuke.

"Who locked the door?" he bellowed angrily.

"I did," I said and smirked, "maybe that will teach you a lesson to knock first."

"Hey," his voice turned to that caught-you-in-the-act tone, "what are you two doing in there?"

"If you knock you'll see," I said, but shook my head at him.

I heard three loud, impatient-sounding knocks and I did the same motion with my finger to order the door to unlock. Yusuke burst in, but looked disappointed. "Yeah, well, of course you could look normal now," he huffed but then grinned abruptly, old subject already forgotten.

"How you doing, Kurama?"

"Better," he smiled at his concerned friend.

"It's amazing how quickly you healed, isn't it?" he said and walked up to the bed. "The healers estimated at least a week."

"Yes," Kurama said, sounding thoughtful. The corner of his lips curled up slightly and met my eyes the shortest moment as if we shared a private joke. "Amazing."

A/N: I finally got to post a new YYH fanfic! And it didn't turn out too bad, either. I hope you guys liked reading it as much as i liked writing it.