The Hearts of Two


It had been almost four years since the fate of Makai had been decided in the tournament amongst the Youkai. Yuuske Urameshi, having returned to Ningenkai from the Makai had gone on to marry Keiko Yukimora, his long time sweetheart. Together the two had gone on to establish a noodle shop as they had once wanted to, Keiko having finsihed school. Kuwabara was still studying through University as diligently as he could, having done suprisingly well in placement exams. Although he was most popular with the ladies, he kept his heart set on his one true love Yukina, and merely shrugged off the others who tried to get his attention. Kurama, also known as Minamnio Shuichi, also was going to the same University as Kuwabara. He also drew attention from the bachelorettes, but he most often kept to himself, and only kept company with Kuwabara, having always been the shy type despite his good looks. However there was one amongst this group of friends that was not present in the Ningenkai. Hiei.

In the Makai world.

Hiei, the brother of Yukina, and Fire Youkai sat quietly against a tree, his back propped up against it, his sword across his lap. It was a peaceful day and he was taking the time to relax, something he rarely got to do at times. His job of protecting the boarder between Makai and Ningenkai always seemed very hectic. Time and time again, Youkai had tried to get past him and go into Ningenkai, and time and time again he had stopped them. He found it pathetic that the weak and dumb youkai would constantly try and get past him. The thought of it made him wanted to laugh. They were bakas, all of them.

Looking up at the sky, Hiei let out a small "hn" as his thoughts began to shift. He found his thoughts wandering to his friends back in Ningenkai.

Shaking his head he scowled, "No time to be sentemental you baka" he yelled at himself, "They're fine, right now you have nothing to worry about so take this time and quit acting like one of those sentimental Ningens. If you're not careful you'll end up just like Urameshi!"

Hiei couldn't help but let out a small chuckle as his thoughts went to Urameshi. The half Youkai half Ningen had let married life get the best of him. Not only did Keiko kept him under his thumb and prohibited him from fighting. Hiei shook his head, a powerful half Youkai like Urameshi shouldn't have let that happen to him. He was of course referring to love.

"Love of all emotions is futile," he had recently said to Kurama on one of their many talks, "It binds you down, makes you weak..."

Kurama had sighed and shook his head, "Hiei," he had replied calmly, "maybe you are saying that because it have yet to experience it..."

Hiei had scowled but hesitated in his reply. He always hated when Kurama was right in his usual logical way. "You should be one to talk Kurama..." he finally had retorted, "countless numbers of Ningen women swoon over you daily, and you brush them all aside..if anyone you should be practicing what you preach."

The fox had laughed lightly and shook his head, "love doesn't have to be romantic love. I have experienced it because I have known the love of growing up with a loving mother, even I, who was once cold hearted and merciless have learned love through love."

"Well you weren't thrown off a cliff and left to die..." he had muttered back.

"True, but I think you're purposely trying to close yourself off Hiei, so what is it you're trying to hide? If anything you should let it go, otherwise eventually it will consume you.."

Those words still haunted him because he knew Kurama was referring to Mukuro. Was he really trying to hide emotions away? Ever since he had fought against her in the tournament he questioned himself. Why had he acted the way he had? Why had he helped her? She had beaten him, yes, but then he had taught her to let go of the past and go on. And now, they were working together, side by side. The biggest of question of all that raged in his head was when he was recovering from his battle with Shigure, why had she shown herself fully to him? Was there something she had wanted him to see in her?

Hiei scowled a bit as he was brought back to reality by one of his fellow boarder guards. "Hiei, you alright? You seemed a bit out of it."

"I'm fine you fool!" He snapped, "can't you see I was resting!"

The Youkai winced, "sorry, but just letting you know, Mukuro has been looking for you."

Hiei stood and brushed off his long black cloak, then shot a rather harsh galnce at his fellow Youkai, "thank you for letting me know Misukaru."

The other Youkai nodded, "right, seeyou back at HQ.." With that he dissapered in a blur.

Hiei watched him go and sighed as he put his sword scabbard into his belt.

Looking around he muttered, "the peace was good while it lasted, back to work then..."

With a blur, he dissapered, and headed to where the transport would take him back home.