Disclaimer:

Kiyoshi: Firestorm1991 doesn't own YYH or the characters or the song "Perhaps Love."

Makoto: Wow, the disclaimer's done that quick? That's a first.

Kiyoshi: There are a lot of firsts in this chapter.

Makoto: *teasing* Yeah, especially when you and Hintai-

Kiyoshi: Sh! Don't give away the ending.

Makoto: Oops. *zips lips*

Kiyoshi: *sigh* Well, at least say spoiler alert next time -_-


"I'm sorry, can you repeat that?" Kurama asked Hiei.

"I think I was going to kiss Yoshezame," Hiei said averting his eyes from his best friend's gaze.

"How…I mean what…I mean, well that's a surprise."

"No one's more surprised than I am," Hiei stated. "I thought I hated her."

"There is a thin line between love and hate," Kurama replied. "Maybe you found a way to cross over that line."

"That has to be the stupidest thing you have ever said, fox."

"Maybe, but it is also the best explanation for what you're going through, especially after you asked Koenma to put her under our protection."

Hiei grew defensive. "If I hadn't, the ice maidens would have killed her."

"They still might try after the year is up," Kurama pointed out.

Hiei frowned knowing full well that the ice maidens would eventually come looking for Yoshezame which is why he took precautionary measures.

"I won't let them," Hiei responded.

"Why take it upon yourself?" Kurama pressed. "We could handle it without you. Why do you want to protect her?"

Hiei got up to leave and paused in the doorway. "It's personal," he answered before disappearing.


"Wow, this painting is amazing," Emiko marveled.

Makoto smiled at Emiko's innocence. She was just so excited about art. It made him happy to see her this way. He nervously took her hand and felt his heart flutter when she laced their fingers together.

"Thank you for bringing me here," she whispered. "I needed the distraction."

Makoto stopped walking and pulled Emiko into a hug causing the innocent, young girl to blush.

"I'm glad you accepted," he told her. "And I'm glad it's helping distract you. Don't worry, Emiko. I have a feeling everything is going to work out."

"I hope so," Emiko said hugging Makoto back.


"Good afternoon, Yoshezame," Dana said bowing to the ice maiden. Yoshezame bowed and then let Dana in. "Is Hiei home? Kenta wanted me to ask all of you over for dinner tonight."

Yoshezame blushed which didn't go unnoticed by Dana. "He's not here right now," she said hiding her red face behind her hair.

Dana sighed. "What happened?"

Yoshezame was taken aback and grew incredibly nervous. "N-n-n-nothing happened. We just talked."

"You like him, don't you?" Dana asked in a serious tone.

"He hates me," Yoshezame stated. "Why would it matter if I liked him? Nothing can happen between us."

"Well, that's a lie," Dana scoffed. "You don't know Hiei as well as we all do. He may say that he hates you, bit his actions are what tells his true feelings for someone. Come on, he's already talked to Koenma about putting you under our protection. Hiei wouldn't do that for someone he hates. As for nothing ever happening, I'd say something already did. It's only a matter of time. Let Hiei know about my invite, okay?"

Yoshezame nodded and watched the fire demon leave the apartment. She had one thought go through her head. What if she's right?


"I need advice," Hiei stated standing in the doorway of his father's dojo.

Pyrius could see the urgency reflected in his son's eyes and led him out back. "What's up?"

Hiei took a deep breath to calm himself before asking, "How did you know you were in love with my mother?"

Pyrius' eyes widened. He had never really been good at giving this type of advice. "I didn't know at first," he admitted. "I knew I was attracted to her, but as I got to know her, I just knew. I was protective of her and I never wanted to let her go. When she left to return to the glacial village, I was hurt and my heart longed for her. I would have sacrificed everything to keep her safe. Does that help at all?"

Hiei looked at his father without displaying his true emotions, but nodded and stood up to leave.

"If it helps," his father called out to him, "I would tell her how you feel. I never had the courage to say the words to Hina and you see what happened. Maybe if I had told her, she would have stayed; heh, but hindsight is only 20/20."

Hiei didn't even understand what he was feeling to even tell Yoshezame. What would he even say? Well, he had the run home to figure it out.


After Makoto had gone off with Emiko, Kiyoshi decided to go for a walk in the park by himself to clear his head. Something had happened between his dad and his mother. Kiyoshi wasn't exactly mad about it, but he was confused. What did that mean for their strange family? Would his mother be safe from the cruel world from which they all came from? What would happen once the year was up? It wasn't fair.

"Kiyoshi?"

Kiyoshi jumped at the sound of his name. He looked behind him to find Hintai staring at him.

"Hey, Hintai," he said in a whisper.

"Are you okay, Kiyoshi?" Hintai asked.

"I guess," Kiyoshi replied. "It's been a long day. Well, a long week."

"I know," Hintai responded. "Emi has been having trouble dealing with all of this."

Kiyoshi's eyes widened. "Really? She hasn't said anything to me or dad."

"Well, of course she won't," Hintai told him. "She needs to talk to girls about this stuff. What would you or your dad say if she broke down in tears?"

"Probably the same thing my dad did when I use…I mean when I had my own emotional breakdown," Kiyoshi remarked. "Dad's really good at keeping his cool."

"Yeah, but would he be able to give her advice about it?"

"Probably," Kiyoshi replied. "I just wish she told us. At least our dad should know."

"Knowing him, he probably does," Hintai said. Their eyes met and Kiyoshi realized that Hintai knew the truth.

"How long?" Kiyoshi asked.

Hintai sighed and looked away. "A few years. When Emi and I became best friends she ended up telling me and we both promised to keep it a secret that she told me. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Kiyoshi replied. "So, what do you think about it?"

"I don't care if you're a demon, if that's what you're asking," Hintai admitted. "I meant everything I said on the roof at school. You are a kind-heart person and I trust you. I…I…"

Kiyoshi had the feeling he knew what she was thinking and he didn't want her to feel pressured or embarrassed about it. He decided to cut her off with a kiss leaving both of them madly blushing. Both teens just had their first kiss.


A/N: Yay, another chapter done and done. Hope you all liked it. :3