Black Roses666: I am SO sorry for not being able to update sooner! Exams came up and every subject had a project so I couldn't type any story whatsoever, so I hope you guys forgive me. Oh, and thanks to all those reviewers out there!

OnexLuckyxGirl: It's no problem. Everyone has to stop reading for a while to catch up with their lives, ne? Then they come back to catch up with reading XD. Thanks a bunch for all the support you're giving me!
Thunder Ring: I love the suspense. XD
MikoHatome: I'll move them the way I want to so there –sticks tongue out-
Celedeen Tachibana: yes, 6 year olds are the cutest and most annoying species on earth.
Icedragongurl16: Coz I like cliffhangers. They leave people in suspense.
Reiana: Well, looks like my hard work paid off.
Arrowgirl23: I'll make them do what I want. XD
Lonewolfhiei: You're the first person with the most neutral response.
Katslovetoplay: Thanks a bunch!
The blackdash and ScarletMist: Do you not care that she has a family? O.o

Disclaimer: I will never claim to have owned YYH even if my life depended on it.

Note: IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL READERS AFTER STORY!!! PLEASE READ!!!

-O-O-O-

Chapter 24: Goodbye Love

-O-O-O-

The silence was deafening, and even the simple sound of leaves rustling to the ground was blaring as it cut through the quiet.

"Tonight…"

Dai was going to leave, and not like one of those trips where she could just come back. As a contract to the demon world, once she goes back home, she may never have the chance to go back to Ningenkai, and not only that, but if she dares to defy any law by entering human world again, she would get into much more trouble.

Only if they need her assistance will they call her back, but with the army they currently have now, and the fact that there are much more powerful immortals in her clan, what chance is there that they would summon her to help them?

This is the final night she could stay in the human world.

And there's nothing anybody could do about it.

Hiei's facial expression did not change one bit; indicating that he was, indeed, the master of hiding his emotions, or, as Dai fears, he may not give a care whether or not she leaves the team. After all, she was merely there to atone for what she had done, and now that it has been finished, everything that happened between them, all the laughs and all the events are now a thing of the past.

Now, as Dai thought about it, what reason does she have of actually befriending the fire demon, whom she would have to let go? What was her reason for falling for him, knowing all this time that this day would come?

Maybe, she just didn't want to believe…

"Well…" she began, as Hiei put away his communicator, "I - -"

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to leave today?" he interrupted her, closing his eyes in an impassive manner.

Dai was at loss for words. Was that concern in his tone? Did he care about her leaving?

Then again, that may only be a fallacy in her head.

"I didn't feel like it." She said plainly, closing her similar crimson orbs so he may not notice the pain within them in case he opens his, "After all, we were so busy that I couldn't possibly remember such a small detail as telling you that I was leaving."

"Who said that it was a small detail?"

Once again, the cold tone, but with a sense of concern; was she daydreaming or was it real?

"What does it matter to you?" they both met their crimson eyes.

Indeed, why should he care? She was only extra baggage to the team, just a temporary member to the gang in order to repent for the sins she had selfishly done. It was simply a small change to the team. She only occasionally participated in missions, and besides, Hiei could've handled the missions by himself.

"I've heard it said…" he started, dowsing the flame, "that…"

"That what…?"

"…never mind." He stood and began to walk away. Dai immediately stood and ran to catch up to him, eventually going with him to the portal and entering the human world once again.

What he was about to say? Dai had no clue, but she had a feeling he would tell her soon.

-O-O-O-

The duo was greeted by loud cheering and vivacious music blaring in their ears. The party consisted of all the friends who have met Dai, and she was introduced to Kuwabara's sister, Shizuru, and Yusuke's wife-to-be, Keiko. Afterwards, the party began. Booze was passed around, the music grew louder, and cheers were tossed all around. There were supposedly some goodbye speeches, but they figured that no one would listen to that anyways.

Dai was never a fan of alcoholic drinks, so when Shizuru, who was already drunk, offered her some, she simply passed. The brunette then collapsed on the couch, tossing an arm around the immortal one.

"Y' know, Pie?"

"It's Dai…"

"Whate'er. My little bro's been t'lking 'bout ya lately and now I understand why…if I was a dude, I'd totally do ya!" she slurred, her breathe oozing with the horrid smell of vodka, tequila and beer. Dai wondered, how much can the girl drink?

The demon winced at the smell, and the sight, leading her to pinch the smallest bit of skin possible to lift away from her, as if she had some critical germ on her or something. Everyone was drinking, hell, even the almighty Prince Koenma was having a good time as well. Her crimson eyes scanned around until they finally fell on the one person she wanted to see all night, sitting on the windowsill: Hiei.

There wasn't a drink near him, too.

A smile spread on her face. At last, someone sane and doesn't have the smell of alcohol around them!

Sadly, her spirit awareness picked up the feeling of two demons approaching her just before she could trudge towards the fire demon. The signatures belonged to Yusuke and Kurama, and she felt no threat, until they suddenly hoisted her on top of both their shoulders. All she could manage out was a little squeak to get the attention of the fire demon.

Hiei made direct eye contact to her, and she felt her face heat up. Was her blush seen?

"C'mon Dai," Yusuke cheered, seemingly slightly drunk, "Why don't ya enjoy the party before ya go?"

"We all want to spend these last few moments with you, so at least have some fun." Kurama reasoned, predictably sober, but she couldn't help but sniff out a slight scent of alcohol from his mouth. It looks like not even the fox could resist.

She would really love to go back into the party, but what about Hiei? She never really had the chance to talk to him ever since they left the forest back in demon world, and there may be a chance that she wouldn't even be able to say goodbye to him, not to mention her feelings.

'Have fun, onna.' Hiei sent to her, 'this is going to be the final time you get to see them like this. The next time you see those two, they won't have the time to say even a simply "hi"'

She hated it when he gets cocky, but his eyes showed somewhat a challenge.

'Oh, and you think you have the time?' she sent back, a pout forming on her lips.

'Maybe.'

That was their final conversation before Dai was carried back into the jumble with everyone around. Loosening up wasn't so bad afterwards, but she never touched a single drink. Who knows what could happen if she ever gets drunk at a time like this?

She shuddered at the thought and presumed to have fun. After all, that's what Hiei wanted her to do, right?

In fact, that was the nicest thing he said the whole time.

-O-O-O-

At last, the party was forcedly brought to an end. Almost everyone was out cold.

Genkai, Keiko and Yukina had enough and decided to get some sleep; Kurama headed home just before he could get too drunk, saying something about his mother getting worried sick; everyone else passed out from too many drinks.

Dai was the only one sober and strong enough to stay awake, but she was faced with another problem. Amongst the haphazard display of bodies about her, she couldn't find that raven haired fire demon, Hiei. It worried her, for amongst everyone she had seen, he was the only person she hadn't said goodbye to.

Her heart felt heavy as she began thinking that he probably left.

Staggering through the mess, she found her way to the door, and found him sitting on the top step. Her heart leapt in rejoice, forcing her to restrain her soul down, otherwise face the consequence. She allowed a smile, though, for him to see that she was happy to set eyes on him again. Pushing her blood-like hair aside, she began her pace towards him, making sure she kept her usual poise and dignity.

"Don't you find it unfair?" his voice shot through the air, stopping her transversal.

A soft breeze blew past, only to be followed by such deafening silence that you could feel you can cut with a knife. The sound of her feet connecting with the ground afterwards seemed amplified, and the sound of her own voice made them wince.

"What's so unfair?"

Sharp, crimson eyes turned to her, giving her a signal that whatever he was to say was not to be repeated to anyone else, and shouldn't be known to any other living being. That look frightened her as much as it intrigued her, and yet, she hoped for him not to say it.

Hiei kept silent, and stood from his place, signaling her that whatever he was to say to her was definitely imperative. He knew that she would understand his ways as much as the fox would, and no words were exchanged as she approached his side.

"Isn't it so unfair…" he breathed out, hesitating, "that the minute you begin to trust someone, it's the time they have to leave you, and go far away…"

Dai couldn't hide her surprise. Did the Hiei Jaganshi confess (indirectly) that he trusted her? Did he just imply that he considered her as a friend, rather than a teammate? The possibilities were endless, and she had to look away in order to hide the blush growing rapidly on her features.

"Yes…I feel the same way…" she finally let out, followed by a smile, "it was an incredible experience…teaming up with you, Yusuke, Kurama and…the oaf…and I really feel bad about having to leave all of the sudden…"

"I didn't mean that way…" he swiftly added, looking up at the sky, "I mean…I trusted you to stay here for a longer period of time…it's…disappointing to have you leave…"

"Oh? Are you saying that you would rather have me stay?" she teased.

"No…I'm just saying that I need you around to drive Kuwabara out of my sight."

She felt frustrated. For once she thought that he trusted her, and that she could actually talk with him more honestly that all of her familiarities from staying in Ningenkai for such a period of time, but all in all, Hiei gave the least predictable answer ever.

Yet, isn't that what makes Hiei…Hiei?

She raised a hand, as if to slap him once again for being such a jerk. In spite of everything, that is what Dai would truly do, right?

Hiei was already in the position to allow himself to get slapped, then to recover in order to provoke her to fighting him, but what happened afterwards was a completely different story.

Dai hugged him.

She brought her arms quickly around his neck and hugged him.

Hiei was at loss for words and sustained his position for a moment, eyes wide at the abrupt event. He couldn't even push her away as she rested her head comfortably on his shoulder.

"Hiei, only you can control your destiny. Fate had it that you were made this way, and you are still alive. Live your life. Don't let anyone bring you down, fight for what you believe in.

"I know that you have a hard life, but you can still cope. Control the Fire well, and seek the Light within. No matter how dark times are and no matter how unexpected it may be…your Light will come to you one way or the other. I know that you will find that one person who would guide you out of this mess. (A/N: Please remember that fire is desire and light is love. Refer to the previous chapter.)

"I believe in you."

With that she let go of Hiei and took a few steps away, just in case he exploded on her for touching him most unexpectedly. Seeing no reaction, she took out a ball.

"Well, Hiei, I guess this means…goodbye."

"…goodbye."

She turned away, not wanting him to see her face full of regret as she tossed the ball to the tree. It broke like glass and the liquid formed a portal, going straight to demon world.

"Oh, and Hiei…what were you about to tell me in the forest, back in Makai?" she asked, looking behind her, but Hiei was long gone. He disappeared.

With sadness in her eyes, she entered the portal home, but as she walked into the hole of darkness, two words remained in the Ningenkai realm, carried off by the wind into the heavens wherein all unsaid words lay, waiting to return to its owner for the time of confession.

"Goodbye, Love…"

-O-O-O-

Black Roses666: And with that, the chapter ends. What was Hiei about to say to Dai? Will the two ever see each other again? Only I know the answer, so there! Ha! XD

Anyways, I'm quite disheartened at the fact that there are over 40 people who favored and alerted this, but only a handful of people actually care to review. I'm not being a review whore or anything, but I wish to be a writer someday, and I really need your opinions on this story.

So please, no invisible readers, kay? I even allowed anonymous reviews for all those too lazy to log in!

Please review, as I really need them to improve!