Disclaimer: I don't own YYH or the characters

So, here is one of the pieces that will be a direct continuation of Heart Races, so if someone hasn't read the story, don't be surprised that it jumps way, way ahead completely past the last two drabbles.

The apartment was quiet, too quiet since Hiei had gone off to Demon World. The tournament had long been over, yet the fire demon had yet to return to his mate. Botan's first college semester had been well underway, her new life in human world blossoming. Still, she didn't know what had been keeping Hiei. She had seen him at the tournament, and though he didn't win he managed to make it far in, taking out Yomi after he was weakened by Enki. Surprisingly, this year, Mukuro had been the victor, and she was keeping Enki's laws the same.

Part of Botan wondered if that had been the reason Hiei had been gone so long. Many demons were displeased with Mukuro's decisions. The former ferry girl knew Mukuro's reasoning. Hiei had told her that Mukuro actually enjoyed the peace. She still trained and fought to keep it, but she didn't want Demon World to be at war with Human and Spirit World again. Of course, he tried to deny that Mukuro made this call for him, too. She knew her former general had taken a ferry girl for a mate, and she knew they were expecting a child.

Thinking of the baby, Botan's hand moved to her protruding stomach. She was already five months along, and knew of the baby's gender. Hiei had wanted to go with her to her appointments, but he missed quite a few since he had been stuck in Demon World. They didn't even get to talk much, so Botan couldn't tell him the child's gender. She sighed. She really missed him.

A sound startled her causing her to stand up abruptly. Her attention shifted to the window where she heard the banging noise. Frightened features softening to a subtle smile, she went to unlock the window and found her very perturbed mate standing outside with his arms crossed.

"You know," she said lightly, her voice teasing and playful, "I gave you a key. You don't have to come in through the window. Besides, how would that look to the other students?"

"Like I care about the other students?" Hiei scoffed, his voice irritated and combative. Botan seemed a little put off by it before he sighed. "Hn. Don't look at me like that. It's been a bad week."

Botan stepped aside and let Hiei enter through their bedroom window before she closed it and locked it once again. As she turned around, she saw Hiei's eyes taking her in, even quickly stealing a glance at her abdomen. She saw something in his eyes, slightly amazed, but slightly guilty. Guilt was not something she wanted him to feel. If he hadn't returned for so long, there was a reason, so she refused to let him linger on those thoughts. Instead, she held out her hand expectantly, and Hiei eventually took it. He smirked at her before he swiftly moved to kiss her, taking her by surprise. Her startled yelp only served to amuse him. It didn't deter him. They had a lot of time they needed to make up for.

Later in the evening, after Botan had showered, she began cooking dinner while Hiei washed up. She felt relief in the fact that Hiei had been taking very good care of himself. He had sustained some injuries, indicative of the new scars that marred his body, but he was healthy and alive and Botan was so incredibly thankful.

He had explained to her, after their intimate moments, why he had been gone for so long. Apparently, because one of the three kings had been given the title of king, many demons were trying to re-forge the old rivalry. Yusuke had not allowed his territory to engage in battled, but he demanded they assist Mukuro if Yomi had decided to attack. Yomi had been preparing for attack, but so had Mukuro's followers and army. Hiei had made sure they were ready for battle. Of course, Yomi hadn't made a move on the kingdom right away. In fact, he attempted to make a deal with Mukuro first. He continued to speak of a unified Demon World, and when Mukuro asked if he meant to unify Demon World with the two other worlds, he didn't respond and Mukuro told him to leave.

After that, Yomi had sent strong troops claiming to all of Demon World that their current ruler had purposefully ignored his plea. In that month, Yusuke and Kurama had returned to Demon World, which surprised Botan since they hadn't mentioned it, and they enlisted Koto's help for the first public service announcement in Demon World where Mukuro listed everything Yomi had wanted.

Because the majority of Demon World had become accustomed to the peace and were integrating into the human realm, ire turned towards Yomi. Demons may have feared his strength, but it didn't mean they had to cater to him. Yomi had decided, in order to preserve what little favor he had, to back off and continue training for the next Demon World tournament. Now that things had quieted down, Hiei was able to return to Human World, and he didn't plan on leaving for a while.

She heard movement behind her and turned to see her shirtless mate drying his hair with a fluffy, white towel before tossing it to the pile of clothes he left on the floor. Botan couldn't help but giggle at his actions. He made his way into the kitchen watching her work over her shoulder. She did her best not to blush at their close quarters. He seemed to notice and pushed himself into her more while wearing his cocky smirk.

But when Botan spoke, his pleasure faded leaving him to glower at the woman.

It was a simple question, but to hear her say it drove him crazy. "What do you think of the name Emiko for a girl?"

When his demeanor shifted, Botan jumped and cast him a wary glance. He looked angry, hurt, and dejected, and she could tell it was directed at her, but for the life of her she couldn't figure out why. Hiei sensed her confusion and tried to center himself. She hadn't realized what she said, he assumed. But she knew the word that haunted him, so he had no idea why she couldn't say it. "Why would you even speak that word?"

"What word?" Botan asked before she started silently mouthing the word. Realization struck her and she gasped. "Oh, no, Hiei…you misunderstand."

"Then enlighten me. Why in all three worlds would you call out child that?"

"Emiko is a human name," Botan explained, "for a girl, and it means blessing. Yukina and I saw it together. Now I know why she pointed it out…I thought she liked the name…"

"It means…what?"

"Hiei," Botan sighed, trying again. "What they called you…imiko…that's completely different. Wow, the difference one letter makes. But if you don't like the name, it's okay. We don't have to name her that. I was just taken with the name's meaning. I swear. I would never ever think that of our child."

Hiei seemed to relax, but only because he caught what Botan had said. "Her?"

Botan smiled, her hand moving over her child. "Yeah. She's really strong. Quite the little kicker."

The look in the fire demon's eyes was indescribable. It was clear he hadn't been expecting them to be having a girl, but at the same time everything about him had diffused, his eyes holding a gentle tenderness that even his own mate had never seen. At that moment, their little girl decided to make herself known causing Botan to squeak slightly before chuckling. "Aw, and she's been so quiet today. I think she was waiting for you to come home."

"She," Hiei spoke softly before walking over to the woman. The way he spoke it sounded like he was still trying to tell himself that their child was, in fact, a girl. His hand found its way to Botan's, and the woman smoothed his hand out over his stomach. His eyes widened when he felt the strong, definitive kick.

"I think she's already ready for training with her dad," Botan hummed as Hiei continued to feel their daughter.

Hiei didn't look at Botan, nor did he let his surprise shine through, but he did ask, "You would allow me to train her?"

"Why wouldn't I? She's most likely going to have your fire abilities. She could hurt herself or others without it. Besides, I think it would be good bonding time for the both of you."

Hiei was struck speechless. This life, this picture Botan was painting for them, sounded too good to be true. Part of him didn't want to attach himself to the idea, but as the little one kicked once again, even harder, Hiei realized Botan was right. He caught the woman who nearly stumbled over from the force of the blow. Using his telepathy, he communicated to the unborn babe to settle down. Botan was not her human punching bag.

Botan returned to her cooking chore, but Hiei stood beside her the entire time just in case the little girl decided to act up again. Every so often, when Botan turned away from the stove, he'd embrace her from behind and rub her abdomen while placing kisses along her shoulders. Despite the fact that it made it a little harder to cook, Botan wasn't complaining. Eventually, she surrendered on the meal and offered to order some food to be delivered.

They had quite a bit of time to indulge in each other before the delivery man would arrive.