Black Roses666: SORRY FOR THE EXTREMELY LATE UPDATE!!!! I just came back from a one-month vacation, AND THEN I had to update my Naruto story! PLEASE DON'T HATE ME!!! –Cry- but hey, better late than never, ne? Thank you for all the reviews! You're all so kind. Here are the replies, as always (Arranged from the first to review to the last):

The blackdash and ScarletMist: He didn't really "confess". He just said that he accepted her, not love her or anything like that XDD
Lil'rockgirl: Well, I'm not sure if there will be a sequel to this story, but I DO know that there will be around 40 or something chapters.
Celedeen Tachibana: Sorry. I just love leaving cliffhangers coz your reactions are so funny!
Kaze: Thank you, and as for the "…" it's because I love dramatic pauses. Better than closing and opening conversations again XDD Sorry if it annoys you.
MikoHatome: You just made me very, VERY hungry XDD
Arrowgirl23: I assure you, it's a happy ending.
Wolf of the Red Moon: I would really appreciate if you edited my story. Thank you!
Dreamingloser: Yes! Someone who doesn't complain about the cliffhangers!
FallenAngelYen: Thanks a lot for the review!
The Great Naxa: Thanks a lot!
Reiana: Thank you for the support.
Spazzed108: Sure. I'll e-mail you.
Lonewolfhiei: but…but…I like cliffhangers!!!
Thunder Ring: XDD sure thing…
Amphrodite: Thank you!
Kristin: She just did XD
Princess Kaira of Mirana: Sorry, I just get SO confused with Japanese.
Lost and Alone: Sure thing!
InokuHigarashi: Thank you! I'm glad you like it!

Disclaimer: I own nothing in Yu Yu Hakusho.

Note: Portions set in first person are set in Hiei's POV

-O-O-O-

Chapter 25: Thoughts – Hiei #2

-O-O-O-

After Dai left, things seemed to change so much in Genkai's temple. It's as if I grew accustomed to her presence during her stay here in Ningenkai. It is weird, though; I do not even know what has changed within the grounds when Dai left.

Everyone is still pretty much normal, as if they have never met the girl, and only occasionally mentioning her in conversations; I am still in the same grounds, overlooking the same panorama as I would look at before; the missions are still coming and are in great demand of manpower from us Spirit Detectives…in short, everything was back to the way it was.

What is so different here? Could it be the lack of a figure of whom I am so used to seeing every morning? Could it be the empty space at the table every time we eat?

Do I really miss that girl?

A week has already passed since Dai left this world and went back home to her family, back to her normal life without Desire complicating it; back to her little sister whom she has finally told to their real relationship as siblings.

Whatever the case, I'm bored.

-O-O-O-

Hiei let out a jaded sigh as he continued to stare out at the grand forest before him. No, nothing has changed since Dai had gone back to her normal life, away from the Spirit Detectives. It affected Hiei greatly; it was as if he had lost a toy he grew to love and trust to always be there for him no matter what.

It affected him more than he would ever know.

During the week that had gone by, Hiei found himself adjusting to the loss of one of his teammates. There were countless times when he would be an ant's size close to calling out for Dai to assist him on a mission, and even more times of him expecting to have her distract Kuwabara away from him.

Indeed, it was hard for him to forget about that girl.

-O-O-O-

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I'm going insane.

Ever since Dai left, her final words to me would ring endlessly in my mind. I try so hard to forget them, but the more I try, the louder it becomes. Word per word, line by line, her quote seems to be engraved in my head, never to be forgotten.

"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. I believe in you." (A/N: I scrunched it all up XD)

Why did she say those things? How could she believe in someone like me? It's as if she's going to die!

…is she?

Ugh, Hiei, you fool, she's immortal. Why, in the seven depths of hell, do I always forget that?

It's pointless now. The only memory I have of her now are those statements she meant for my ears and them alone.

Yet, what if those words actually had some sort of importance to my life? That thought bothered me to a great extent.

Is it even possible for me, a demon who has sinned more than Satan himself, to find the light? Yeah, right. I cannot even dream of finding someone who can light my way. Who, in their right mind, would even bother to be my light?

I am a thief, the forbidden child, and my reason of existence is to kill those who oppose me, and to protect the only family I have…that is the only reason why I am still alive. There is not even a spot of prospect for me to atone for all the peccadilloes I have done in the past.

What am I to her eyes?

Our eyes are identical. Both have seen the greed of humans, both have witnessed death, both have the same crimson color, unique in it's very own way; but at the same time, our eyes have so much difference. Hers are about half innocent, for she has the capability to atone for what she has done in the past.

Lucky bitch…

Eventually, I will forget about all the happened and everything will come back to normal…but then, it's as if I don't want to forget all that she has done while she is here.

She gave me the courage to free myself from Mukuro, she gave me the audacity to finally confess to my sister who I truly am, and she gave me a reason to wake up every morning and not think of the time when my life would end and I would be able to sleep at last, and never wake up…

Yeah…that kind of sleep; the class where you can finally feel the weight of guilt and distress be lifted away from you. That's the kind of sleep I wish for…

But then again, is that really what I want?

-O-O-O-

Another week passed, just as uneventful as the past one. Hiei began to feel some sort of melancholy over the loss of one of the people he grew to trust. The dark kitsune was more of an influence than he imagined. Yukina began to worry about him, seeing that during his free time, he would sit on the top step of the temple, staring out at the landscape before him, as if waiting for someone to come up and greet him with a smile.

Oftentimes, though, she would smile to herself as she watched him progressively change. Could it be that he's developing feelings for the girl he's seemingly waiting for to come back? Her dear older brother has been alone most of his life, and she knows that. He looked at everything that would weaken him with an ice-cold eye, seeing every being full of sin.

That's why Yukina wished that Dai was back as well; so that she could thank the dark kitsune for giving her brother a little nudge towards a brighter path…

The problem was, when she left, Hiei became alone so suddenly. Yukina can only do so much, but both knew that the only reason how Yukina knew Hiei was her brother was because of Dai, and she was just so positive about life, saying that if one is mortal, they can have more fun with their life. She was also an odd one, saying that it's even better to be an immortal so that she could enjoy every day for a much longer amount of time.

No day but today; that was her code

Yukina looked down at the small shadow ball in her hand. Now may not be the right time to disturb the fire demon, but what she held contained the voice of a girl he's supposedly waiting for. Maybe that's all he needs right now.

Besides, she's his sister; the advantages include that her life will not be in danger whatsoever no matter what she says to him.

"Onii-chan..." her voice called out, timid at first, as she approached the male Koorime. Hiei turned towards her, his eyes soft at the sight of his sister. He scooted over to the side to allow the female to it beside him. "we have a message from Dai. She sent this to Koenma and personally asked him for this to be delivered to us."

"Us?" Hiei inquired.

"...well, you, actually." Yukina corrected, handing over the glowing ball to the male. "I'm sure whatever she will say will comfort you."

"How did you know that I was annoyed about her?" Hiei asked, getting the ball from his sister's hands.

"Lucky guess." she lied, standing up and walking away.

Hiei stared curiously at the glowing ball and sighed. Might as well, ne?

He tossed the item to the wall, and watched the liquid-like shadow form the shape of the dark kitsune. She looked the same as before, obviously, but she wore a kimono-like outfit, sort of like Yoko Kurama, except for a female. As he remembered, the kimono symbolized their part as a kitsune. She had a smile on her face.

"Hello Hiei. Long time no see, ne?" yep, same old Dai, "well, I can't see you, but you can see me now, right? Don't I look awesome in this kimono?"

Hiei chuckled. She was so vain.

"So how's my favorite fire demon doing? Fine, I know, and I'm doing terrific. I told Kimiko that we were siblings, and she gave me a hug saying that she was waiting for me this whole time. I felt great, but that's probably what you felt as well when you told Yukina, right?

"Oh, by the way, do you know that you're a celebrity here? When I came back, I was horded with thanks for saving Kimiko, and my dad congratulated me and all. After the return party, my dad told me to ask permission to bring you here. He wishes to thank you personally for helping in the cave when we saved Kimiko, and to thank you for driving Desire away from me. It seems he owes you a lot.

"He even said that if you need a place to stay, we'll be glad to provide you with food and shelter here!

"Anyways, what I'm trying to say is, get your ass over here! We're all ready to throw a big party on your behalf, and besides, Kimiko wants to see her sister's closest friend from the Rekai Tantei. Well, I cannot go there and all. It's difficult, especially with the issue of fearful demons at the Ningenkai gates. Anyways, I hope you stay safe at all times.

"Oh! And one thing you should know. When you care about someone, you should really pay attention to the subtle hints they give you. It would really help!

"Hope to see you soon!"

And just like that, the figure of Dai disappeared.

-O-O-O-

That's it, it's official, I am going insane!

The note from Dai did comfort me a little bit. At least I know that I have someplace to go to when I get back to Makai. It's heartening to know that I would actually have a home to stay in, and have a companion there as well. I never knew that doing such a simple thing would be enough to win him a chance at life in Makai.

The only thing I'm complaining about now is the fact that a week after I got the letter, I started to hear this strange voice in my head. I searched and searched, hell, I even ran out of ki searching, but I couldn't find the person responsible for the annoying voice!

Now, now, Hiei-chan, don't be so rude! It's pointless to waste your life trying to find something that's inside of you.

Oh shut up! I never asked for you to enter my mind - - and did you just say that you are inside of me? Who the hell are you?

Yes, Hiei-chan, I am inside you. As for who I am, let's just say that I'm an old friend of Dai's, and I have come to help you with the problem you are currently facing.

I don't have a problem, I don't need your help, and I don't like you calling me Hiei-chan!

Hahahahaha, you are so amusing, Hiei-chan! No wonder Dai talks so highly of you!

But of course she - - she does?

My, you're slow today. Yes, she does. I hear her say "Hiei's one of the best fighters I know!" to the other girls in the clan, as well as other comments.

I can see why I'm a celebrity there...

But does it matter? Three weeks have passed. Aren't you even gonna attempt to go to Makai?

I'm still thinking about it!

That voice is getting on my nerves a bit TOO much. I considered going to Makai, but that means I'll have to leave my sister here, and no offense, but I don't think I can trust anyone to take care of her.

Oh, so the only reason why you won't visit Dai is because of your sister? You are aware that you could just bring her with you to the Makai grounds and protect her by yourself. Besides, not a soul can get into the dark kitsune's territory alive without knowing the password, which I hope you still remember.

Don't underestimate me. I still remember the password. The password is "Mitsuru Yuka" right?

Yes, you are correct.

And as for your suggestion of bringing Yukina to Makai, there is a problem because there are extremely powerful demons by the Ningenkai gate, willing to kill off anyone who tries to go to Ningenkai. We would have to pass that gate while going back, and I do not want to endanger the life of my own sister just for my selfish reasons.

You are such a hypocrite...

Oh shut up already!

Silence...

I can't believe you actually listened to me...

Hiei, you have to go to the shore, NOW.

-O-O-O-

Black Roses666: Gasp! Who could the voice in his head be? What did she mean by "the problem he is currently facing"? Why is she telling him to go to the shore?

Mwahahaha! I hope you like this chapter though!

Please review!

Stay Tuned for the next Installment!

Chapter 26: Demon to Human