I am completely prepared to just run at Hiei as fast as I can…until Yusuke and the gang show up and ruin all my precious momentum.

Yusuke wore a regular pair of jeans and a t-shirt, and Kuwabara was much the same. Kurama, of course, wore jeans as well. However, the guy had no problem looking liked he'd just stepped off the runway with his silk button-up shirt and tan suede jacket. The sight was absolutely appalling. I just shook my head at him.

"Is something wrong, Aurora?" Kurama asked stepping up to me with a pleasant smile. You evil little—

I gestured toward him like I was presenting him as a prize, like I was Vanna White from the Price is Right. "You. You're what's wrong with the world."

Kurama just blinked innocently.

Yusuke scratched his hair, a weird smirk on his lips, "We starting this early, Aurora? Sheesh."

Kuwabara seemed to have my back. "I get what you mean. The rest of us look pretty crappy next to this guy."

Kurama blinked rapidly at that, pretending like he didn't know.

Yusuke paused, took a look at Red, and then silently agreed. "Yeah, but we're used to it by now."

"I don't remember saying it was time for a break." Hiei said snidely as he strode towards us, arms crossed all leisurely. "If you have time for words, you have time to try to hit me."

"Okay, warden. Chill." I turn my head back to the guys, "Just a warning, he's in a shitty mood today so watch your back." I didn't miss the burning hate Hiei sent in my direction.

"Tch. He's always in a bad mood." Kuwabara commented, glaring at the fire demon, who spare no expense in returning the look. "What else is new?"

"It's especially sour today." I say, watching as Hiei's eyes narrowed on me with so much venom, I immediately look toward a more pleasant face. "You guys talked to him yesterday. A warning would have been nice."

Yusuke shrugged like he had all day, "Nah. He was good yesterday. A little more sassy, but not sour. Not to me, but he likes me a little better than you anyway."

I nodded in agreement once I saw Yusuke's wicked grin. "Touché. I can definitely see that."

"I say it goes like this," Yusuke cracked his knuckles, and started making levels with his hands. "Kurama's waayyy up here…I'm a few steps down—like eight—I'll say you're about three or four down from me, Aurora, that's pretty high for a newbie like yourself, and…" Yusuke dropped down to the ground, pressing his palm against the grass. "Kuwabara's about right here next to Botan and everyone else."

Kurama was the only one who didn't laugh obnoxiously at Yusuke's demonstration. He sort of chuckled, but I could tell by the crinkle of his eyes he was just as messed up about it as the rest of us.

Hiei bristled, his hair practically standing up straighter. "I should kill you all. Besides, I told you to come at noon."

"It's actually past noon," Kurama told him politely, the quickest to recover. "We stopped along the way for breakfast and it took a bit longer than usual because—"

"All the pretty waitresses kept hitting on Kurama." Yusuke rubbed a finger against his nose, "I'm glad I'm secure, otherwise I may been a little offended being completely ignored like that."

Kuwabara had no complaints, "At least the food was free."

I snorted and raised my eyebrow at the model boy. "Poor Kurama, too pretty for his own good. Well, I hope you used those powers of persuasion to get me some food."

"Naturally," Kurama drawled, indicating to the paper bag in his hand. "Although, it's mostly fruit and water."

"Perfect." I say and then put my brightest smile on Hiei who legitimately looked like he was considering murder. Don't know why it's a surprise. "Do you mind if I have a break?"

He stepped toward me, irritation written in his features despite my warm smile, which flickers a little. "Yes. But I've obviously been overruled. I'll be over here while the rest of you waste my time." With that he turned on his heel and walked away.

Part of me wanted to chase him down and ask what had lodged itself in his rectum, but I wasn't going to keep being nice to him if he kept acting like I was the damn enemy. We'd only argue, and I wouldn't do it with an audience. Just us though? I'd blow up his whole spot. I turned back to Kurama. "What's up with him?"

Kurama was quiet a moment, his face a mask of politeness. "I'm sure this mood won't last long."

Translation: I know something, you don't know.

I dig my shoe into the ground, "I thought we agreed to be straight with each other, Kurama."

A flicker of something passes across his eyes before it disappears abruptly, "Aurora, I assure you, whatever issue he may have will be resolved. Don't let it worry you, furthermore…it isn't exactly my place to tell."

Fuck. I slap my hand against my face, uh, Duh, Aurora. "Sorry, my bad. That was thoughtless of me."

The warmth in Kurama's gaze returned, and he smiled down at me. "No harm done, but you should eat."

And I do, agreeing to drop the subject wordlessly. I don't like that I made him look like that, conflicted, or that I stupidly put him in that position. I have to keep reminding myself that these people exist beyond me, that they have loyalties and friendships I could never touch. Being spoiled had its advantages, but one of the largest disadvantages is remembering that the people around you don't cease to exist once you leave. They move and live and breathe. They laugh. They smile.

Honestly though, I never really had this issue before I met him, Kurama, I mean. What is it about him that makes me think I don't have to share him? I guess, like Banriyu, he has taken to spoiling me. Part of me thinks it's because he blames himself for my current situation—it is his fault—but I don't really want him caring for me out of guilt. And, I don't really want to be the jerk exploiting that fact either. Maybe once my world was complete again, I could get back to the person I used to me. I know I've changed a great deal, and not many of those changes were good.

"Aurora?" Kurama's voice startles me from my thoughts, and the strawberry on the end of my fork drops back down into my plate.

"Hmph?" I swallow whatever's in my mouth without tasting it. "sorry?"

Kurama's concerned gaze pushes my point home and I don't really want to look at him anymore. "Are you alright?"

My shoulders sink, and I force a smile on my face. "Yes, Kurama. Why are you always acting like such a parent? I'm fine."

"You think my concern is parental?" Kurama has this quality to his voice that I can't name. It's not edgy, but it lets me know right away that there was definitely a very wrong answer to this question.

If he notices the slight panic in my gaze, he either doesn't see it or chooses to ignore it. But it was definitely there, you could probably hear it in my voice as I scrambled for words. "I…uh…"

Kurama showed no visible reaction, only waited for my response. I was just pissing people off left and right today, wasn't I?

"It is a little, Kurama." Yusuke said, and then put his hand on his shoulder, "But it's not a bad thing. She just doesn't want you stressing yourself out with worry, am I right?"

I nodded in a hurry, silently promising to buy Yusuke dinner someday. That could have turned bad. I could fight with Hiei all night and day, but I didn't like fighting with Kurama. "Right. I'm okay. Really, Kurama."

But it was parental. In fact, besides being able to turn predator, he reminded me a lot of my dad. The patience and concern were one of the few things. The fact that he had a 'kill switch' was another.

"She does have a point, Kurama." Kuwabara added on, seeming to notice my distress as well. "You've always been the mature one out of the group. But, it's no wonder, you're older than all of us combined."

"Is that right?" Kurama says rather icily, choosing to fall into silence.

I snuck a few looks at his profile. Straight up steel.

Sue me, I didn't want him mad at me too. I put my plate to the side and sandwich his face between my hands. He doesn't quite crack a smile, but his smooth skin between my fingers doesn't yank away so I think I'm good. "I can't take you being mad at me. Just because you're a boring old man, doesn't mean you aren't super exciting to poke fun at and to marvel at because of your immense old man beauty."

Kurama chuckles, the smile creeping into his eyes and I know we're good. "I always look forward to your compliments."

"Hey, I'm the compliment Queen." I say, sliding back into my seat to eat that last strawberry. "I'm all done eating, so let's get to it."

Hiei chooses to ignore us from the far end of the clearing. I hate that my mind keeps wandering over to him, even though he'd been treating me horribly all morning and being an all-around dick. Even irritated, there was something undeniably exciting about being around him. It was both draining and energizing, a combination that just barely managed to keep my sanity afloat.

I float at the center of my barrier, feeling like a goddess…or Jean Gray from X-Men.

"Nice hamster ball," Yusuke comments and I shoot him a look. He had to ruin everything. "Kurama said Kuwabara's sword could cut through it…what does that mean exactly? Her barrier is like a different dimension?"

Kurama eyed it, as I floated only a foot off the ground, "Not exactly. But I do believe that, with the exception of Kuwabara's Dimension Sword, nothing else should be able to pierce it. I've never encountered energy quite like hers, so I can't be certain. However, I believe that it has the potential to operate of its own accord, with very little influence from her end."

I threw my head back when I heard that. "Really?"

Did that mean it was…alive? Wait. He'd said something like that before, didn't he? Called it a 'living force,' I believe. He had this crazy theory the whole time?

I'll be damned. If I was impressed by his brilliance before, I am in awe now.

Kurama nodded, eyes assessing the barrier once more. "The only way to test this would be to attack without you activating your barrier, of course, there would be much risk associated with that."

I jumped in, "Plus, Hiei has been kicking my ass for a while now, and my energy has yet to step in."

Yusuke crossed his arms, "Yeah, that's right—and wait, remember when I shot my spirit gun at her? No barrier then."

That soured my mood enough to glower at Yusuke. He gave me a shaky, apologetic smile. After learning the truth, I apologized to Hiei, who had proceeded to ignore me, of course. But, every time someone mentions it…

"I think those two instances can be easily explained away," Kurama continued, once again reminding us all how mature he was. "When you shot your spirit gun, not only were you not trying to kill, but you also had intended the blast for Hydra. In Hiei's case, it's quite obvious he means you no harm, and your trust in him only enforces that. This, of course, brings me to my next point. The barrier would probably only activate if it sensed you were mortal danger. And that is something we will not, under any circumstances, test." Kurama's voice invited no arguments, not that I had in me to try. I didn't exactly want to be in mortal danger.

"Okay, so what now?" Kuwabara asked.

"Now, we see how her barrier stands up to Yusuke's spirit gun." Kurama said, and then turned to me, "I would rest easier knowing the extent of your barrier's power before we bring you into danger."

"Okay, cool. I trust your judgement, Kurama." I reply, and I earn myself a world turning smile from him. Shoot, it's like getting a gold star in Kindergarten.

Kurama turns to Yusuke, and whispers something in his ear. Yusuke only nods and shoots me a grin.

Suddenly…I'm nervous, but I have faith in these jerks. Kurama gives me a final look before he commands, "Increase it's size. Kuwabara and I will take cover in case the blast rebounds."

I do what I'm told until my barrier is five feet off the ground. Yusuke paces away from me, until he turns and makes a gun sign with his right hand, cupping it with his left like he legitimately held a gun in his hands. He wasn't far off; it was a weapon of mass destruction.

I wasn't too worried though. Hey, energy, you got me, don't you? Don't screw me on this.

Taking a deep breath, I found my inner peace and watched as Yusuke's energy began to rise around him. His eyes narrowed in fierce concentration, and he blinked. Energy built at the tip of his finger and increased gradually in size until he decided to let it go, and it hurtled right for me.

()()()

Hiei needed to separate himself from the group of fools. Aurora was already an overwhelming irritation on her own. Add in the detective, clown, and fox, she was completely unbearable. It was as if she existed solely to grate on his nerves. That seemed to take very little effort on her part. She acted so wounded about his behavior, as if she had expected more from him. The anger in her eyes as he jeered at her, was enough to settle this idea. She'd come to expect certain things as if, as if they were—

Hiei refused to bring more to the thought of it, he left it in darkness. At least, that was his intention, until Mukuro's words floated back to him:

"Be wary of that girl, I believe she possesses the same extortive power that Eris wields, only I doubt she does it consciously. Judging from what you've told me about her, she has a natural inclination to want things and respond irrationally when they are denied. I have no doubt this trait of hers fuels that power."

It sickened Hiei to his core that Mukuro thought he foolish enough to be influenced by such a power, but the smallest part of him appreciated it. Hiei preferred the truth over a lie, and the hypocrisy of that preference was not lost on him. Still, admittedly, he often underestimated the girl, and it was no denying that he felt this strange pull to her. He'd questioned it himself millions of times, often as she set beside him, laughing as some remark he'd made with wild abandon.

He found her attractive, there was no denying that. He had eyes, not that his eyes mattered at all when the detective seized every moment alone with him to bring that fact to his attention. It was almost as if he thought Hiei held some diabolical affection for her that went beyond their alliance. It was as if he hoped for it, even, for Hiei's sake.

Hiei ground his teeth together. Could it be? Could he have let himself be influenced by her power? Was that the source of this…pull? Didn't he, at some point, even think this himself?

He couldn't know for sure, and acting irrationally would only rouse her suspicions—not that he was hiding from her. He just…he needed time to collect his thoughts on the matter. That was all. Separation from her was the ideal scenario until—

The sudden flare of Yusuke's energy caused Hiei to open his eyes. Some distance away, Aurora levitated in her barrier facing the detective.

Hiei has little time to process what lay before his eyes as the shock wears off and he brings himself to his feet. He jumps from the branch of his favorite sleeping tree, and lands on the balls of his feet. It was too late. He'd decided to pay attention too late and it was over.

Yusuke's power blasted from his hand and met Aurora in an explosion that showered the entire clearing in a large shockwave.

His eyes were wide, his fingers dug into his palm and Hiei sprinted toward them without a second thought.

The next moments pass before him like he was trapped in a trance. Hiei raises his energy to knock all of the dust away. Aurora's face blurs before him as he approaches her and grabs her by the arms, his hands slipping over her to find even a drop of blood, a speck to rationalize the chaos in his mind. His eyes sear into her bright jewel like eyes which were large with surprise. "Hiei—I'm fine. Yusuke didn't hurt me. I just dropped my barrier when the smoke appeared—"

You're fine. Still, he lets go of her to turn his gaze on Yusuke, his energy becoming palpably murderous as the sight of him. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Both Kuwabara and Kurama are speaking to him, but he can't hear them. Hiei is in the detective's face before he can process his thoughts, "Did you even consider what could have happened, you thoughtless fool?"

Yusuke actually looks deeply offended at the accusation but doesn't meet Hiei's tone with anger of his own. His words are more subdued, "Look, Hiei, that blast wasn't my full power, plus you know I wouldn't hurt her on purpose. I care about her too, Man. You know that."

The rage flickers like a flame in Hiei's entire being, he's seething. Hiei had seen the power of Yusuke's spirit gun at close range. He understood its devastating power. Aurora could have been completely wiped from existence. It would have snuffed out her light entirely. She would have been decimated. Gone.

He couldn't look at the detective anymore, despite the pure reason in his words. The anger was too great, followed closely by this strange feeling—something akin to fear. Hiei preferred the anger, embraced it.

"You risk your own life," He sneered through his teeth. "Don't play with hers."

Hiei brushed past him, his energy thundering around him in waves of heat.

Yusuke made go follow him, "Look, man, I didn't know you—"

Kurama spoke up, "I think we best leave him be for the moment. I'll explain that it was all my idea once he has had a chance to calm down."

()()()

I'd seen Hiei angry, furious at me, but never like this. His energy was unlike anything I had ever felt. As it spiked, mine felt insignificant in comparison. It felt timid and quiet. His, as I've always thought, was beastly: a true dragon.

Still, as he searched my eyes and combed my body for any sign of harm, I could see the deep worry in his eyes. Beyond his anger, that was scariest, because it made me feel like…like….

"Guys," I say, breaking between Yusuke and Kurama. "Give me a second, okay?"

Yusuke set his melancholic eyes on me, about to apologize, but I wasn't having it, "Yusuke." I say and then tap his shoulder, "You're my boy, aren't you? We're good. Don't worry about that. I guess he's not used to seeing someone attack me, even if it is practice." Which is weird, because he didn't seem to bat an eye when Yusuke shot both Hydra and I down before. "I'll talk to him."

He nodded, running a hand through his gelled hair. "I'm not mad at him for reacting the way he did. I get it. If someone did that to Keiko…I'd lose it too."

I walked away before I could allow my thoughts to go there. Comparing Hiei and I to him and Keiko was very dangerous thinking. There was nothing remotely similar to the situations, but…

Why was my pulse acting like a psychopath then? I don't know, but it scares the hell out of me. But I need to talk to Hiei, for some reason, I know I'm the only person who can calm him down.

That realization is abruptly pushed into the back of my mind and stomped on. I jump on it, trying to get all the life out of it, but it springs back like a sponge. I give up and focus on my fire demon—I mean, the fire demon.

He's still lit like a candlestick, taking stiff strides away, but I don't approach with caution. For a reason I hate, I know I don't have to.

Dear God, save me. I get that urge to flee again. Just think, minutes before I wanted to smack him in the head for being an ass.

It was a never-ending cycle with us. Happy. Mad. Sad. Happy. Mad. Sad. Happy. Mad. Sad. Happy. Mad. Sad—

"Hiei," I manage to get near enough to touch him, place my cool fingers on his right shoulder. "You look like you have a headache."

He turns to face me. That anger falls to the grass at his feet, and I want to run away. His conflicted gaze steadies as it searches my expression and then narrows in question. He looks a little lost, a little too young to be making me want him the way I do.

And I do. I want him. I want his anger. I want his smiles. I want his melancholy. I want it.

It was what I was used to, afterall. This was the cycle I always chose.

"Come with me," I say, allowing my hand to slip from his shoulder and down the length of his arm. I watch as his lips part slightly, before ignoring his face all together and wrapping my fingers across his wrist. "I am a wiz with headaches."

()()()

Hiei, for some odd reason, allows himself to led away and pulled along by this strange girl. Slowly, his anger began to ebb, all the red he was seeing fell away only to be replaced with gold.

The color of her energy had always fascinated him. It was the direct embodiment of light, and changed depending on her mood. Whenever she fought, it waved and fanned like fire. Walking in front of him now, her energy weaved around her like a veil shifting in the wind, but spoke to him like a beacon.

Often, he'd referred to it as obnoxious, and it was. But, just because it was obnoxious didn't mean he hated it. On the contrary, he found the presence of her energy deeply soothing. He could say the same for the gentle pressure around his wrist. He could say the same about many of her touches.

It was so comfortable, so easy, it felt wrong, but Hiei felt a little too dazed by his anger to question or to care. It was another thought for another time.

Aurora brought him to a large tree, and finally let his wrist fall away. A piece of him started to reach out and grab her hand back, to capture that strange easiness, but he wasn't too dazed to kill that piece of him. He had too much self-control to lose it now. She sat down in the shade and looked back at him expectantly.

His eyes immediately devoured her face, the shape of her lips up to the vibrant glow of her eyes. He knew it from memory. It was no wonder, when he considered all the times she forced her face into his. Her inability to respect his boundaries never ceased to plague him. But, it's not like he didn't enjoy the way her eyes would light up in fury as she charged at him or the way she'd throw her head back with a laugh when he'd give her a throwaway remark. Despite being this bright, energetic girl, she found his dark humor hilarious. He found her endlessly amusing, and looked forward to her reactions. Hell, he'd often find himself by her window, seeing if she'd start looking for him, only for him to appear at the other and scare her. She'd shout at first, but then she'd quickly smile, remembering that she had wanted to see him in the first place and proceed to tell him just that.

"I was starting to miss you, you know?" She'd say like it was the easiest thing in the world to admit. Heh, it would be a cold day in hell, before Hiei ever said such a thing. True or false, he wouldn't even mumble such a cursed thing on the brink of death. Meanwhile, Aurora threw the phrases at him with ease. And he supposed it was for her. Her life had been nearly perfect. She had no reason to be hesitant or cagey. It made interpreting her words rather difficult, despite being so open. When Hiei considered her, you'd think that she'd demand the same from him. She didn't and if she did, she did it jokingly, knowing she'd never truly get a response. He appreciated that. If he squinted at the two them, he could even say they worked well together, so well he couldn't imagine not working well with her.

That thought brought him back to Yusuke and his damnable spirit gun. He could feel it building.

Damn. He was angry again.

He didn't speak, only watched as her lips turned itself into a smile.

"Put your head in my lap," She patted down on her golden brown legs, "and close your eyes."

He was sure he shouldn't especially knowing what Mukuro had told him. None of this is real.

"Come on," She then grabbed this mischievous smirk and shook it at him, "Unless you're afraid, that is."

"I have nothing to fear." Hiei narrowed his eyes at her, knowing full well what she was trying to do. His words were more a reminder to himself than a challenge to her. And he loathed that. "My power far eclipses yours."

"Uh-huh. Sure." Aurora's eyes shamed him into moving forward, but he grumbled along the way, feeling clumsy and awkward as he descended into her shadowy grasp. "Now, relax, okay? I've got you."

He hated that he did just that, all tension falling from his shoulders before she even touched him. Her lap was warm, comfortable. If he dared open his eyes, he knew he would be met with…something.

Her fingers lightly circled his temples, moving counter-clockwise. He had no headache, but he'd be damned if he told her that, having already agreed to this. I should go. This isn't real. I'm only aiding this retched illusion.

"You know," she started, her voice low, "I'm not made out of glass."

You may as well be, Hiei thought. To him she always would be. Glass and falsehoods. "I didn't say you were."

"I know." Aurora's voice trailed off. "You don't have to."

There, she said it again. Why was a single, inconsequential phrase enough to make him fill with tension? He knew, but he asked anyway. The way she said it was absolutely infuriating. It was as if they had some form of understanding, something others would never understand. She assumed so much and he let her because, in a way, she was correct. That's possibly why he had felt so comfortable with her. He didn't need to do anything. She just knew, had a sense for it. But she wasn't always this way, but she was when he needed her to be.

But, that was all part of the power wasn't it? Perhaps, perhaps not. After this Hydra business, he'd have to look further into this matter, so he wouldn't come out looking like a fool. Not that he didn't at this very moment.

Hiei groaned.

"Is that all you have to say?" Hiei finally asked, sick to death of her strange silence.

"I'm sorry you freaked out. I thought you knew what he was going to do." She said, obviously referring to what transpired moments before. Obviously not really apologizing. "I didn't think you'd react like that, so next time I'll let you know when I'm going to do something you think is stupid."

Hiei finally opened his eyes only to be greeted by her bright smile. He scoffed, "Hn. I did not freak out. I don't freak out." Especially over things like that. Not over you.

"You did something," she said with a wicked roll of her eyes. "I legitimately thought you were going to take Yusuke's head off."

"It's not like you moved to stop me."

She paused, tugging on her lip with her teeth. "I mean…what could I have done? I couldn't choose between you two. What kind of friend would that make me?"

"Hn." What were they to each other? It was simple, but a good question none the less. One that, if answered, could change so much between them, perhaps too much. He wasn't completely sure he wanted that. Also, he couldn't be sure it was actually him that wanted anything at all.

()()()

Wednesday was here, giving me only a few days more to show Hiei I wouldn't be a liability. After Hiei's anger explosion, we continued the training for a bit and Kurama explained that it was his idea.

Hiei apologized in his own way, "I guess I was mistaken. Kurama is the true fool. I won't make that judgement again unless you deserve it, Yusuke."

Yusuke only laughed, "No harm done. I get it."

Hiei clenched his jaw, "Get what?"

Yusuke rubbed his nose, "Just that since Aurora's your favorite girl—"

Hiei drew his sword on him and the proceeded to spar like morons.

Kurama and Kuwabara continued my training without their help. My mind kept wandering to his reaction, how it felt to hold him in my lap like—

Anyway, that didn't stop Hiei from announcing this morning that I was weak and weakness was not allowed in his home world. Asshole.

Whatever. I wouldn't let something like this stand between Hydra and I. I wasn't quite sure how I would even respond when I saw him. Not that it mattered. I'd get him. I don't care what happens afterward.

I rush toward Hiei, filling my limbs with my energy. His eyes flash, at my approach, and excitement bubbles up inside of me at the sight of his smirk. I remember his reaction to thinking I was injured, and the excitement flourishes. I think that maybe, just maybe, liking him wouldn't be so horrible.

He stands completely still as I near him. Whatever. I lead with my right fist, which he dodges by moving to left, and walking right into my next strike with my left hand. He brushes that fist to the side and I spin with a leap and attempt a round house kick with my right leg. His hand clamps down on my ankle and he tosses me over his shoulder with ease. I jerk through the air and manage to flip around, land on the balls of my feet before charging again.

"Where is your plan?" Hiei mocks as I rush him with a flurry of punches, most of them he swats away like insects. "You're just mindlessly attacking."

I'm sure it seemed that way, but I did have a goal. I was going to force him to grab me again, in fact, I was going to make him do that twice, maybe three times. Once he was so conceitedly confident, I would activate my barrier, and take him by surprise.

Hiei's speed eclipsed mine a thousand times over, I knew that. I also knew that he wasn't going nearly as fast as he could. There was no need. I was far below his level. He was toying with me. It would be disgraceful to him, if he put in more effort. That's where my advantage lay.

I came at his right, this time and led with a left fist. He glided to the side and slapped his hand down on my wrist like a cuff. I grabbed that wrist, a move he didn't expect—at least, that's what I tried to do, but he zipped away from me.

"Damnit," I cursed. I was going to use him as an anchor and kick his midsection.

"Better, you seem to be thinking finally." Hiei said like the snarky little bastard he was. "Pity, you're not fast enough."

I feel it finally, that familiar spark of energy that filled me with renewed conviction. It swam against my shoulders, slipped down my legs, and curled in my chest.

"Are you coming?" Hiei asked, "Or are you going to just stand there with that ridiculous expression on your face?"

I ran toward him faster this time, pushing my legs to close the distance. I don't allow myself to be pleased by his expression as I near him. But, note to self, the fire in his eyes almost makes me forget we're supposed to be sparring. Damn boy.

I lead with my right fist and follow it quickly with my left. He brushes these expected attacks aside with ease…I expect that of course. Spinning, I attempt a right kick. He catches it, and I fall to the ground, catch myself on my hands and attempt to kick his hand away with my left leg.

"Better." Hiei says through his teeth, "But still pitiful."

He drops my leg, giving me space to roll and sweep my legs around in a circle to trip him. He leaps to his feet as I spring to mine. I charge at him as he's in the air. Pushing off on my right leg, I thrust my right fist forward. He maintains his falling speed, confident he'd be able to either dodge or catch that fist of mine. He's right, of course, but I wasn't trying to hit him. With a smug smirk, he lulls his head to the left.

I activate my barrier and it bursts out from my skin, smashing against him, and repelling him away from me with golden aggression.

Hiei flips through the air, and lands lightly on his feet, his crimson eyes bright with pure disbelief. My barrier rejects the ground beneath my feet as well, and I float at the center. I cross my legs as I observe Hiei with a smirk of my own, lounging in nothing. Here, gravity doesn't exist for me. It's almost it's own world, one of the reasons Kuwabara could cut through it like butter.

"Surprised?" I ask with a childish grin, my sphere floats toward him, bobbing against the grass, like magnetic equals. "You've never seen me activate my barrier fast, have you? I prefer to take it slow, usually, but as long as I think it—it'll pop right off my skin, faster than a bullet."

He finally manages to blink, and I love the look he's giving me. It's fiery. His eyes showing me just how proud of me he is. I chew on my lip as Hiei speaks. "You used that to your advantage—you used it as a weapon."

I peer at the clouds, narrowing my eyes in question, "Is that what happened?"

"Heh." Hiei starts toward me with purpose, pushing his every step. As I diffuse my barrier and my feet hits the ground, I start forward with purpose of my own. My energy is bursting out of me, the look in his eyes, popping battery after battery into my brain. I have an over excess of energy.

He stops and crosses his arms, allowing me to close the space between us. Very little occupies my mind. The look in his eyes is everything I need. "I'm impressed. You've earned your spot."

"Cool," I say as I blindly wrap my arms around his neck, and give him a hug. He stiffens at the contact, but doesn't shove me away immediately. His warmth is absolutely intoxicating, the feeling of his skin against mine is enough to make me lose my mind. The furious excitement in me feels like it's capable of destroying me unless it's given a suitable release.

I pull back from the embrace, leaning back to get one last look at him. My thoughts come at me all at once, most of them indistinguishable from the rest. They all have the same message. They all have this need that I must ignore—this exquisite want that is the epitome of all that is good. "Jesus."

The smirk on his face is—fuck it. I lean forward and press my lips against his before the thought even fully forms. My eyes closed for the brief moment my lips met his, and when they open, I only register his wide eyes for half a second before he snatches away from me and disappears from my grasp.

I blink hard, repeatedly, like I've been shut up in some dream world. I look around, peering into the trees, the surrounding area. My arms I finally decide to let fall to my sides. "Hiei?"

My glorious high shatters and scatters to the wind, as I recognize Hiei's energy sprinting away from me as fast as he could possibly travel. He left his cloak in the grass, not bothering to even pick it up.

I slump down to the grass as it dawns on me. I put all of my feelings on the line, pushed it all into one swift, deciding action. I kissed him; made it known what I wanted from him. And he…he told me no. Return to sender. He rejected me.

Author's Note: Hey Guys!

Finally, Comeuppance! I'd been building to this for a while and knew I couldn't rest until it happened. Now it has. Feel free to review and let me know what you think.