Hey, Suraki here! This is my third fic up at and I like how it's going so far. It's sad, like all my stories. I'll be updating the two unfinished ones (this one included) as much as possible. However, my laptop is broken so I have to write everything in note books and then transfer them to the family computer. I don't want people finding my stories so I have a real problem. Until my laptop is fixed, the updates won't be regular. I might update three chapters at once then not another one for two weeks but I'll try to avoid that.

Enjoy!

The Meaning of Hope

Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho, unfortunately, does not belong to me. Those happy rights belong with Yoshiro Togashi (aka god), Studio Perriot, Funimation, and are affiliated with Shonen Jump.

Chapter One: Hiei

Their eyes bore down on me, judging me without hearing my side of the story first. They wouldn't listen. I knew coming into the tribunal that I was to be found guilty and punished to the fullest extent of Makai law.

I felt very small.

I was sitting at a table in the center of a room. In front of me were twelve demons in varying sizes and races and they were all looking at me the same way; like I was a criminal.

I suppose I deserved it.

"Hiei, master of the Jagan, Second in Command to the Militant Supervisor, Mukuro, you have been formally charged with the murder of a human female and her unborn child," said the judge. "You have been tried by a jury of your peers and have been found guilty. The punishment for which is sterilization and banishment."

"No!" Mukuro screamed from somewhere behind me. We all turned to look at her. "You can't! He's suffered enough at the hands of his own people, don't take his power away."

"Be silent!" the judge yelled.

Mukuro started to cry and collapsed in the corner.

"Hiei," she cried. "I love you."

I said nothing.

The armed guards came and picked me up roughly by my arms. Escorted me to a treatment room and strapped me to the table.

I didn't resist, I just lay there while I was given shots in my arms. To their credit, they didn't kill me when they removed my jagan. It merely felt that way. But I didn't scream. I wouldn't give them that satisfaction.

When it was all over, I could no longer feel my inner flame. I was reduced to the power of a human.

I was very small.

Review please!