Thanks to KittySand Katie, Anime Specialist, sweetcanines, Kage Kancho, Hikaru no guardian, Kitsune of Darkness, PRIESTESSOFBLACKRAIN amaya 19, and blueorange-hill.

Disclaminer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho!

Chapter 10: Home is Where My Friends Are

Botan's POV

It's now mid-May, and I've returned to being the overly-happy ferry girl again. Everyone is back to their normal selves; even Hiei's sarcasm is back. It feels like déjà vu with Yusuke and Kuwabara arguing, and Keiko giving Yusuke a beating. Kurama using his wits to out talk Hiei, which made the gang laugh thus making Hiei give everyone death glares, besides Yukina that is. I'm happy, but the fact that it's been nearly a month, yet Kuraki hasn't shown up and nothing odd is happening makes me nervous. Secretly, I've been trying to track him down, but I've failed miserably. It's like he disappeared from the face of all dimensions. 'Yeah, I wish, but he's out there somewhere.' He's after me, and I just don't want my friends to get involved. I know all too well that Kuraki will not hesitate to annihilate everyone around me. I just don't even want to imagine anyone getting hurt because of me, especially my friends, whom I've learned to care for and depend upon.

I sighed, and glanced at the clock on the wall, which read 10:00 AM. Today is May 15th, girl's day out for a shopping spree, but since it's long until school is out, I'd have to kill some time. 'Should I do some work for Koenma? Nah! Shizuru is at her part-time job, which leaves…ah, yes, Yukina.' I bet Yukina wouldn't mind the company. I ran to the closet and put on a simple baby blue T-shirt with a cute monkey in an astronaut suit with the words 'Give Me Some Space,' running below the monkey, and a pair of dark blue jeans with my hair in the usual pony tail.

I flew full speed toward Genkai's temple, feeling the rush of wind, and seeing the flashes of colors pass me by. 'What a nice day for a flight!' If flying on an oar was a sport, I'd be unbeatable. I started to slow down before Genkai's forest. The scenery is just too beautiful to pass by, I always feel at peace here. 'Just like home.' A sad smile crossed my lips. I floated below the canopy of trees, taking in the green, pine scent of the forest. It's refreshing, to listen to the birds, chirping underneath the morning sun, and feeling the warmth on my skin whenever a ray of light hits me. "Just like home." I had subconsciously whispered. I was glancing left and right, when I noticed a white star surrounded by a black shadow up near the tree top. 'Looks like I found some company.' I smiled mischievously.

I flew up toward the star to confirm my suspicion, but before I could open my mouth to surprise him, he beat me to it.

"What do you want, onna?" Hiei had said in a bored tone.

"Humph, you're no fun."

"If you think trying to surprise someone into falling out a 20 foot tree is fun, then I'd rather not be."

"Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today." I had crossed my arms and playfully stuck out my tongue at him. "I know you won't die by that, so your reasoning is illogical. Plus, couldn't you have just played along with me and not be so stiff all the time."

"Aiding your childish games will only insult my intelligence, and if you could think logically, then even I can greet you with a smile."

"Really, Hiei, you can….Hey! I'm not stupid, and I too can think logically." Hiei opened one of his eyes and glanced at me. "You remember the time when…well…how 'bout that time at…umm…oh, there was the time when we all….ahhh….I can't think of any."

"Why am I not surprise," Hiei said in a bored tone. 'I bet if it weren't for his emotionless facade, he'd be rolling his eyes right now.'

"Humph!" I was mad, but then I started giggling at how childish we sound. "You know, we sound like kids when we're arguing like that." 'Wow! Hiei is actually fun to talk to when he's not threatening to slice someone's head off. No wonder Kurama likes to tease him so much.'

"Leave! You're disturbing my peace."

"Oh, but I can't. I don't have much to do until Keiko gets out of school, so you have to talk to me."

"Your lack of entertainment is not my concern, but I was resting before I sensed your annoying presence. If you still want your head attached to your shoulders, then I suggest that you disappear from my sight."

"Humph, sooorrrry, mister I-hate-the-whole-world, but I just thought maybe you'd be bored pretending to sleep and all. So why don't we keep each other company?"

"Sure, I really enjoy having a babbling buffoon to keep me company, rather than resting peacefully on this tree branch."

"Than…hey! I'm not a babbling buffoon."

(Birds chirping in the background)

"Hey! Listen when I'm talking to you."

(Leaves rustling)

"Humph, fine! I'll sit here and ANNOY you with my presence." 'Ooh, the nerve of that guy! You try to be friendly and what does he do? He insults you, and ignores you. Humph...aww man...I can't stay mad though. Hiei is just Hiei.' I smiled knowingly, and sat back, enjoying the calm air around us.

Hiei's POV

'That baka ferry onna is playing with fire. If it wasn't for my confinement by that toddler, I wouldn't have hesitated to slice off her head. Whatever, as long as she stays quiet, and knows what's best for her.'

"It's nice." 'Why am I not surprised?' "I haven't felt so at home since my death. Sometimes I wonder how it would turn out if I never died by my nii-san's hands." 'Then I'd probably kill you myself.' "I might have lived happily, probably never have met Yusuke and everyone, so maybe it was all fate. Thus, a part of me was glad that things happen the way they did, but the other part fears what's going to happen next. 'Why am I even listening? Her concerns are not my problem.' "Do you know how it feels to have everything, and then lose it all within a blink of an eye? I know you understand, and that's probably the reason for you to distance yourself because you don't want to have to feel so abandoned again."

'I could feel her eyes on me, but I kept my eyes shut. Abandoned? No! Emotions are weaknesses, and relationships are chains that bind you. You can only depend upon yourself.'

"I understand the feeling of being abandoned way too well. Being hopeless and hating existence is such a familiar feeling." 'Hopelessness…' "But if we didn't have our past then we wouldn't have the present." 'The past…'

Flashback

All the voices echoing, "He's the forbidden child. He will destroy the village. Get out of here! Monster, be gone! Throw him off the cliff!"

A boy with crimson eyes is engulfed within darkness with voices ringing in his ears, "No one wants you, forbidden child. No one loves you. Everyone hates you. You are the forbidden child."

The boy said to himself, "I will kill everyone, and trust no one. I will only trust myself. I will walk alone. I am alone. I am abandoned…"

End of Flashback

"I was unfortunate to have a brother, who betrayed my trust, but Yukina is lucky to have someone she can depend on." 'Lucky? Could anyone accept such a brother?' "If I were Yukina, I'd love to have a brother, whom I can trust to protect and care about me. Regardless of what he's done in the past, I'd accept who he was, and get to know who he is now." 'Trust and protect? Only fools can trust a merciless demon.' "I wouldn't mind being protected by such a brother, and I don't believe Yukina would either." 'Protected by…'

Flashback

"Onna, you are trespassing in my territory."

"Hiei? Oh, sorry, I didn't realize you were here. I came here by accident, and I needed to think so I just landed and here I am."

"Whatever. Just don't bother me with your annoying voice."

The onna sat quietly for a while, and then grumbled underneath her breath, "I will never trust anyone again."

End of Flashback

"You don't have to pretend you're sleeping Hiei, well, thanks for listening to this 'babbling buffoon' for so long without getting angry. I had intended to visit Yukina before school's out so I better go now. Nice talking to you." 'Baka, placing your trust on someone who's no better than your bro…'

I suddenly understood her words. I looked up to see that she had already landed, but before she could move, I had appeared before her, causing her to step back. 'Grrr…the human world is making me soft.'

"Onna, when you are incapable of maintaining your pathetic life…" 'Why do I even care...' Instead of finishing my statement, I had lifted a finger, and pointed to the center of my forehead. 'about her?'

"Hiei…," I heard her whisper, before disappearing back to my tree. 'I will regret this.'

Botan's POV

"Hey Yukina"

"Hello Botan-san, would you like some tea?"

"Sure, thanks"

I took a sip of tea, but the silence is unnerving. "Ummm…Yukina…you have always wanted to find your brother, but what if he's not like what you've expected?"

"Honestly, I have never known what to expect of my brother. All I hope for is that he'd be someone who would always look after me." 'If only you knew that your wish has already came true, Yukina.' I was snapped out of my thoughts when Yukina asked, "Why do you ask, Botan-san?"

"Oh, just curious 'cause you know what happened with my nii-san and me, so I just thought that if he cares about you and loves you, would you be able to accept him regardless of his past?"

"Truthfully, if he loves me, then to me, he'd always be a great onii-san. Botan-san, do you think my brother would like me?"

"Don't be silly, of course he will. You're sweet, kind, and caring. Who wouldn't love you? Why would you think your brother would dislike you?"

"Well, I have been a burden to everyone. Yusuke-san, Kazuma-san, Kurama-san, Hiei-san, and even Botan-san saved me, and are looking after me. I'm always so weak and need others to protect me. I even have to depend on everyone to search for my onii-san."

"Yukina"

"Hai, Botan-san"

"Do you like all of us?"

"Hai"

"And we all like you as well, so it's okay for us to look after you until we find your brother. Plus, you're always the person that heals me when I get hurt; it seems more like I'm a burden to you."

"No Botan-san, everyone has been nice to me, so I'm just doing what I can to help, and I really care about everyone."

"I would hate to see anyone I care about get hurt because of me, so I try my best to protect them. It's the same with you; everyone wants to protect you because they care about you, so you're not a burden at all, Yukina."

"Thank you, Botan-san."

"No problem, oh, and look we should meet up with Keiko and Shizuru to go shopping now."

"Yes, it is time for our meeting with Keiko-san and Shizuru-san."

Scene Change

Shopping with the girls was fun. We bought Yukina a nice and simple aqua summer dress that matches her hair. Keiko had bought a white blouse with a blue knee length skirt. She also got a simple sleeveless light green dress. Shizuru got some T-shirts and a few blue jeans. I bought myself a few more T-shirt and blue jeans as well. My other clothes were all bloody from last time. We had left the mall, but throughout our shopping spree, I had the feeling that we were being followed. I didn't mention to the girl because I didn't want to scare them. What if it was just a false alarm? I might be overly paranoid, but when it was nearly dust, and the three of us were walking Yukina home, I felt that invisible presence again. I was lagging behind the girls now; it could be that the silent streets are getting to me. We passed an alleyway, and Keiko was talking to a giggling Yukina, while Shizuru was smoking without a care in the world. They don't seem to feel what I'm feeling, so maybe it's just me. I felt the pair of eyes behind my neck again, and I quickly turned around. I could have sworn that I saw a moving shadow. I ran up the Keiko and said, "Hey, Keiko could you and Shizuru take Yukina home, I just got ferry duty for Koenma."

"Sure Botan, see you tomorrow then."

"Thanks, and good night, girls." I kept on waving until the girls turned the corner. I walked back toward the alleyway, and shouted, "Come out! I know you're in there."

(No movement)

"Why were you following us?"

(No answer)

"Fine, have it your way." I summoned my bat and took a step toward the alleyway, but the trashcan suddenly crashed down with a bang, causing me to jump backwards. I saw movement in the shadows, and got ready to hit and run, but I was met with a pair of raven eyes, and a coat of tan fur.

"Kawaii! Hey little fella, don't scare me like that." I went to pick it up, and it gave a small bark. I leaned in closer to look at how beautifully dark its eyes were, but it wagged its tail and licked my nose.

"Haha…that tickles. Did you run away from home? Hmm…I don't see a collar on you though. So you are abandoned huh?"

It whined.

"Hey, don't give me those puppy eyes. Oh, okay, all right, you can come home with me."

"Ruff!"

"Hmm….what to name you? Cuddles? Nah, sounds like a cat's name. Kitsune? Oops, hehe…that's what Hiei calls Kurama."

"Ruff, ruff!"

"Shhh! Pets aren't allowed in my apartment, I'll let you stay the night but then I'll bring you to Yukina so she'd have company. Don't worry, you'd love her."

"Ruff!"

"Shhh! Huh? Ah, yes, how about Shu-chan. Shu-chan, that has a nice ring to it, now you have a name, just wait until Yukina sees you...scratch that...wait until everyone sees you, they'd love you.

Outside the window to Botan's apartment, the moonlit sky was blocked by a passing cloud. A smirking shadow lurks beyond the lone pine tree, "Smile while you still can, my dear imouto."

As the cloud past, revealing the powder-white moon, the shadowed figure had disappeared from the night.

Sorry it took so long. I had major brain dead syndrome. Here is a nice long chapter with a change of mood. I thought you all might be sick of all the gloominess, so here's a nicer, cool chapter. Enjoyed reading? Now more review please!

MiaHime