_-_-_-_-_After the abrupt dismissal, Hiei and Yukina spent a quiet night at the

Inn and set out at first light. Before they left, Yukina had divided their belongings

into two piles, with everything that they shared her pile. Hiei took her pile while

she wasn't looking and left his, which was next to nothing.

_-_-_-_-_"There's no need for you to carry anything," Yukina said, "I was the

one who asked you for help, so I should be making it as easy for you as I can."

_-_-_-_-_"..."

_-_-_-_-_ "Thank you." They walked in silence for a few hours, both of them

wishing for the other to say something. Both of them had been raised in mostly

silence, but being around their friends, especially Yusuke and Kuwabara,

although even Kurama had played music when he was alone, and that had

made them accustomed to noise, even though they usually just watched the

conversations.

_-_-_-_-_ So they just walked on awkwardly, hoping that the other would

speak. The Makai was a dangerous place for idle conversation, but they had

confidence in Hiei's ability to defeat any youkai they met.

_-_-_-_-_ "Why did you suddenly decide to do this?'' Hiei said out of nowhere.

Yukina blinked at Hiei.

_-_-_-_-_ "It wasn't sudden," she said, as if he should have known, " I was just

waiting until I'd reached a higher level in my training. If you hadn't found him

by then.'' Hiei shifted uncomfortably, but nodded. He should have known.

Koorime were very strict about the whole not leaving the island thing. Anyone

who left without permission would be considered dead, and if they returned

alive, as an one brave enough to risk that and leave their home

wouldn't be content to just sit around before they'd reached their goal.

_-_-_-_-_"What level?'' Hiei asked, a bit unclearly. Luckily Yukina understood.

_-_-_-_-_ "I could probably hold Kuwabara off, although I'm not sure I could

beat him.'' Hiei was impressed. Whatever he thought about the carrot-top's

intelligence, he was strong. Suddenly something else occurred to him.

_-_-_-_-_ "How much do you know? About your brother?''

_-_-_-_-_ Yukina blinked, that was one of the longest phrases she'd heard Hiei

say, that didn't have an insult in it. "Not too much. I know he's a swordfighter, like

you, and that he's strong. A lot of people are scared of him. He moves around a

lot, but has never visited our father. That's about it. Everything else I hear is the

same, or obviously wrong." She sighed. Something stuck out at Hiei.

_-_-_-_-_ "Your father is alive?''

_-_-_-_-_ "Yes, said Yukina coldly. Hiei glanced at her, surprised. He'd never heard

her use that tone of voice. She noticed his look and explained. "If he had taken

responsibility and brought Mom with him when he left, or if he'd told the truth, none

of this would've happened. But he told her to wait for him, and she did. Otherwise she

could left with us and we could've been raised together. So I encased him in a block

of ice. (This part was said with a sweet voice that made Hiei shiver. Hiei.) Every few

years I go back and reinforce the ice, although I put it in a cold place so it wouldn't

melt. I'll have to go there soon...''

_-_-_-_-_''How will you recognize him when you meet him?'' She hadn't yet, but he

wanted to be sure.

_-_-_-_-_ " The teargems. When they're near each other they'll glow. Mine will heat up,

and his will freeze.'' Hiei swallowed. Luckily, when he'd chickened out of telling Yukina,

he'd found a spell in Makuro's castle. It made the gem unnoticeable, as long as he kept

it out of sight, no magic would be able to track it. Apparently, it also blocked whatever

Yukina was talking about too. So long as he kept it under his shirt, everything would be

fine.

_-_-_-_-_They lapsed back into silence for a few hours, until they were attacked by

a low-level demon who couldn't even sense power levels.

_-_-_-_-_ "I am the great Tor! Kneel before me and hand over your valuables! And

the pretty girl. Hehehe." He leered at Yukina. The twins looked up at him and Hiei

motioned for Yukina to keep walking.

_-_-_-_-_ "Where do you think you're going?!'' Tor shouted, reaching for Yukina. His arm

hit the ground and he stared at the stump in confusion. He dropped, wailing.

_-_-_-_-_ "Get lost, you're not worth my time." Hiei wouldn't kill anything in front of

Yukina that he didn't have to. Yukina realized this, and smiled. She didn't like watching

anyone die, even evil people. She knew it would've been just as easy for Hiei to kill

that demon, but that he'd held back for her. She felt happy, even though normally she

would've been disgusted by the gory scene.


Later that night.

_-_-_-_-_There was something wrong. Hiei could sense someone's presence, but not

their Ki. He dropped the pack he'd been holding and stood in front of Yukina.

_-_-_-_-_" What is it?'' Yukina whispered. Hiei's eyes darted back and forth, but he

didn't answer. Yukina nodded, and her face grew determined. Her eyes glowed

white, and frost covered the ground and the nearby trees. Crisscrossing bars of ice

around the two, ready for an attack from any direction.

_-_-_-_-_The trees moved, shaking off the ice, and a voice said, " Sorry. I knew you'd

gotten powerful under Genkai, but I was curious.'' Hiei and Yukina relaxed.

_-_-_-_-_ "Stupid fox."