That Hiei declined my card, bounced my check, and returned my mail. He packed my bags and left them on the goddamn sidewalk.

What. The. Fuck.

I pace around my apartment in a wild fury. The moment replaying in my mind too many times to make me settle down. I embrace the feeling. I know if I do decide to settle down, the humiliation will come rolling in and I don't want to deal with it. The embarrassment has already taken up residence in my throat, preventing me from forming even the most basic explanation for my feverish behavior.

"Princess," Banriyu attempts to reason with me as I do a little spring cleaning in the fall. "Princess, please, wait a moment."

I don't. I don't even give him a second as I start throwing out random spices I never use and 'save for later' food items. I see the dessert I'd planned to give Hiei in its little box, resting comfortably in the fridge. Vanilla sponge cake. It was his favorite.

I slammed the fridge closed and made for the hall closet. I vacuum my floor every day, it was spotless. Still, I pulled out the little red-engine that could and plugged it up. Floors could never be too clean.

"Leave her alone, Banriyu." Nike told him. "Let her do this. She'll run out of things to clean eventually."

Oh, yeah? We'll see.

And we did too. The next day, I went to school, threw myself into my studies. Pop quiz? I aced the hell out of that bitch. Group project? You want to run this thing? Yeah, no, I'm in charge.

Kurama made the occasional comment about how well I seemed to be doing, but I barely heard him. During our lunch period, a time we now chose to keep for ourselves, I led the conversations away from my training to the point where he seemed to notice and decided to drop it.

I thank all of Demon, Spirit, and Living Worlds for his perceptiveness.

When I finally got home though, after studying with Kurama in the library, I walked home to a spotless house. I had no homework. Nothing to occupy my mind.

That's when I felt it side swipe me like a gentleman late for work. It played before my eyes in slow motion. And my thoughts began to tear into me.

How could I be so stupid? This is fucking Hiei. Darkness. Mr. I don't do that shit. Mr. I won't even tell my own sister we're related. What the fuck I thought was going to happen?

I didn't expect him to blitz the fuck outta there. Like, damn, he took off like a bat out of hell. He ran like his rent was due that very second.

I sunk down to my floor, anger practically living in my limbs, shaking too. I'd never been so humiliated in my entire goddamn life. Nike and Banriyu gave each other secret nods before making their way over to me.

They didn't speak, but I was sick of holding it in anyway. I looked at the orange plastic cup sitting on the edge of my coffee table like it was an intruder. It just smiled at me—like it actually had a smiling face on it.

I smacked it into the wall so hard I was glad it was plastic and not glass, otherwise it would have shattered. "I would have preferred it if he would have said something, anything. He didn't even speak, just left. Got the fuck out of there like the world was ending. And he just left me standing there like a moron!"

"Princess…" Banriyu began. "Do you mean Hiei? What happened?"

"I…" I dig my nails into my palms as the humiliation burrowed deeper. What the hell am I going to say when I see him? 'Hey?' No. "I kissed him."

Banriyu nodded his head, eyes flashing briefly with anger, the same anger that Nike mirrored, but he measured himself before he spoke to me. "Why did you…take this action?"

"Because," I practically breathe the word, as I dig the heels of my feet into the carpet. "I wanted to. I thought he wanted to. I thought he wanted me the same way I…"

My eyes burned at that, I clenched my jaw. "I don't know."

Banriyu placed his hands on my shoulders, making me lift my head to stare at his warm gaze. "You know I think no one could deserve you, right?"

Despite, this sour pain in my stomach, I managed a smile. "I know."

Nike settled herself in my lap, nodding for Banriyu to continue.

He did, surprising me with his words, "But…Princess, did you stop and consider what he wanted? Did you consider his character at all? Did you consider that perhaps, despite your closeness, intimacy is the one thing he fears most?"

Did I? Hell no. I cover my face with my hands. "Fuck me."

True, Hiei ditched my ass like I was a clingy girlfriend. But not only did I not give a damn about how he felt, I just assumed he felt the same. It was no wonder I would, with everyone telling me he did, but I didn't even ask! I just went for it. I put myself in this stupid position. I set myself up for this. "I am a conceited, jerk."

"No, don't say that." Nike told me, "You're not a jerk, and you should be conceited. You're beautiful." Got to love Nike, "And, in your defense, his actions could have easily been misconstrued. His friends—your friends didn't help matters."

I nodded, but it didn't quite make things better. I'd still have to see him. I'll have to remember the warm feel of his lips against mine. I know they'll haunt me for a while. They were surprisingly soft. His hair was a little coarse, but you could look and tell that. It had to be to stand up straight like that. It was the shape of fire.

I dropped my head back against the couch seat. Cursing myself for even finding the shape of his hair appealing. Banriyu floated around to levitate above the couch and started to pull my hair from my face. His fingers weaved through the strands, combing them into a long, loose ponytail.

"I had to know this was coming," I mumbled lowly, but I'm sure they heard. "It's my karma. Besides, even if we did manage to get together, we wouldn't last long. We were made to break."

It's true. We're what happens when a tornado meets a volcano. Chaos.

"Oh, Princess," Banriyu left my hair alone and decided to rest his head against mine. I know he'd start to cry eventually. Good, that meant I didn't have to.

"It's true." I gesture with one hand, even as the disappointment started to make itself at home. "How many times have I ran like a bat out of hell? Isn't it my motto? Run like hell, bail, and you'll never fail."

Banriyu sounded disappointed in me, "That's not funny, Princess."

Nike gave my hand a pinch, and reassuringly said. "It is a little funny."

I appreciate that. In fact, it revealed something very important to me. I lived in complete fear of rejection. I have for a long time. Where did that fear come from? Who knows? My whole life I've lived like a princess, getting everything I've ever wanted, being protected by every soul in my family. It's not like it's something I've been exposed to, but I feared it anyway. It wasn't commitment I feared, it was loss—rejection.

Something about that thought makes my breathing ease.

After everything, after the anger and irritation, I felt…better. If you can believe it, all the pressure, everything just…fell away. I felt lighter, more assured. Yes, I was embarrassed, humiliated, but…all that would pass in time. Not this though, I don't think this new freedom of mine was going anywhere. I knew the truth now. There was no need to run away, to avoid. All things end. So is life. Rejection hurts, but it doesn't kill you. I didn't die.

I laughed suddenly, scaring Nike and Banriyu who were huddled beside me.

Banriyu sniffled, sad for me. "Are you alright, Princess?"

Nike's fingers flew to my cheeks, cool against their heat.

"Yes, actually. I've never felt better." And that was the truth. But, I could do with some girl time…with Kuwabara, of course. I called Keiko, "Hey, you want to do some karaoke? Yeah, call Shizuru and Kuwabara. Let's have some fun."

()()()

Irresponsible. Irrational. These were only two of many words Hiei could use to describe Aurora.

Impulsive. Liability. There was another two that fit perfectly. She invited danger just by running around and not taking in her surroundings. She fluttered around with her spirits on her shoulders like she was the only being in the world who could see them, even knowing that was untrue. Hiei knew there were no amount of words in the world to make her choose caution over impulse. And for her, impulse always won out.

That's what landed him here, as far away from her as he could possibly get, because she acted on impulse. Hiei closed his eyes with a groan, his fingers biting into his palms as he remembered the heat from her eyes, the smile on her lips before she destroyed his peace by kissing him. It was brief, feather light, but it was enough and no amount of hunting down and killing weaklings could erase the memory from his mind or his mouth. He knew, he'd tried for hours.

"Shuichi, Dear?" Kurama's human mother stuck her head in the door, "Would your friend be spending the night? If so, I'll prepare the guest room for him."

Kurama crossed to the door with a smile, "That's alright, Mother. You enjoy the rest of your evening; I'll prepare the room."

She reached out to him and stroked his cheek, "You take such good care of me, Shuichi. Thank you."

"Not at all. I love you, Mother. Good-night." He kissed her on the forehead and ushered her out.

"Good-night, Dear." She threw her voice over to Hiei. "Thank you for joining us for dinner, it's good to see you again, Hiei."

Out of respect for Kurama, Hiei managed to pull himself from his thoughts to respond, "Hm."

Her too bright smile seemed like an unbalanced reaction to his mumbled reply, but Hiei quickly came to understand that that was just in her character.

Kurama shut the door behind her, waited for her footsteps to disappear, before locking his bedroom door and waltzing over to his desk. "Aurora finished her training, I assume? She managed to hit you?"

At the mention of her name, Hiei's jaw clenched. It was only a slight movement, but Hiei was certain that the fox caught it. "She did."

"That's incredible." Kurama crossed one leg over the other, reclining, "It hasn't been very long since your training began. I doubt you were moving your fastest, but the fact that she could land a hit on you is notable. I feel better about her coming along now, although her fighting is simply out of the question. I know you agree."

Hiei's eyes snapped over to Kurama irritably. The fox was wearing his signature amused expression, one that Hiei had found to be more and more repulsive as of late.

"Am I wrong, Hiei?" Kurama asked inquisitively. "Judging by your reaction to Yusuke using his spirit gun on her barrier, I assume you'd be more than a little opposed to putting her in harm's way. I can't say I disagree, of course."

Hiei's first impulse is to remind him that he doesn't care, that he couldn't care less. However…

Hiei took in Kurama's smug expression.

He knew that would be futile. There's no point in trying it. He'd just make himself look ridiculous.

"Yes, I think our best course of action would be to allow her to come along with the strict condition that she never leave her barrier." Kurama continued on, his voice lilting with amusement. "Apparently, she can maintain it for hours. I don't foresee our assault lasting more than that. Once we have Hydra, she can enclose him in her pendant to make our leaving easier. Her coming would definitely prove more of a help than a hindrance in that case."

Hiei refused to be pulled into Kurama's musings. There was a trap here, somewhere, he was not in the mood to spring it.

Kurama watched him a moment, eyes searching before he continued, "So, what brings you here again? Yesterday was a welcome surprise, but two days in a row is simply unheard of."

There was nothing more infuriating than talking to Kurama when he thought he could pull every thought from your mind without even really trying. And, for the most part, it was true. Hiei knew he had tells, no matter how hard he tried to stifle them. That pestering fox did his best to sniff them out.

"How is Aurora, by the way?"

"How should I know?" Hiei's response was much too quick and angry to be ignored. He cursed himself. He'd fallen into the trap.

Kurama looked ever so pleased, and was probably going to tell Hiei exactly how he felt until Hiei was saved by a strange buzzing sound.

Kurama's brow furrowed as he reached into his pant pocket and pulled out a cell phone. Kurama's eyes lifted with pure glee, "Speak of the devil."

Hiei's whole body stilled.

"Hello, Aurora. What do I owe this pleasant surprise?"

Her pleased giggle sent strange waves through Hiei's chest. "Hey, Kurama. What are you doing?"

"Nothing of note," Kurama's eyes flickered over to Hiei. The fire demon wanted nothing more than to roast him alive. "I can tell you if you wish?"

"Urgh, no thanks. No one wants to hear about your boring ass day." She responded, the smile obvious in her voice.

"Now, I may be mistaken, but didn't you just ask a moment ago?"

Pause, "…no?"

Kurama chuckled, "Forgetful as always. What can I do for you?"

Aurora scoffed, "Why do always assume I want something, damn, Kurama maybe I just want to talk to you. Jesus."

Kurama paused, smiling, "Of course, I could see how that would offend you. So, I assume you don't want anything then?"

"Don't be a jerk, Kurama." She said, "you're lucky I love you or I wouldn't put up with your sassiness."

"I agree. I am the most fortunate."

"Are you smiling? Because if you're smiling right now, I'm going to come to your house and kick your ass…you're smiling, aren't you? Urgh! I can hear it in your damn voice!"

Kurama threw his head back with a laugh, watching Hiei squirm near the window. His energy was sizzling beneath his skin.

"And don't laugh, either. It's unbecoming. Be sad." Aurora demanded, causing Kurama's laughter to only increase much to Hiei's irritation. He'd only just noticed it, but Aurora has always had a particular way she spoke to Kurama. It was similar to how they responded to each other, only it was more amicable and less tense and angry. Hiei was suddenly overcome with the urge to knock the phone out of Kurama's hand.

"Didn't you once tell me that talking to you should bring me joy?"

Pause, "I mean…Hey! Don't turn this around. I need your big brain, and you know how I am when I'm distracted."

"Yes, please forgive me, Aurora. What do you need?"

Pause, "Yeah, well, small problem. Do you happen to know where Hiei is? I can't find him and I've been shouting and thinking loudly, but he just won't show."

Kurama eyed Hiei with clear suspicion. "I see. It's funny you should ask, he's actually here with me."

All of the previous joy was immediately erased from her voice. Hiei was annoyingly aware that he was the cause. "In the room?"

"Yes."

"Do you have me on speaker?"

"No," Kurama admitted, "But demons have excellent hearing, and so I'm certain he can hear every word."

"Well, this is awkward." Aurora mumbled on the other end of the phone. Hiei imagined what her face looked like. Her face screwed up like she had just eaten something sour, her fingers pulling at the bracelet on her right arm. "Put me on speaker anyway. It's just you two, right? No one else?"

Hiei's eyes widened as his stared at the device in Kurama's hand. He knew what was coming, but he couldn't bring himself to throw himself from Kurama's window. The humiliation of avoiding a harmless, reckless girl like her once this week, was already too much to bear, adding another would only further add to it.

No, for the sake of his pride, he'd have to suffer through this.

With an almost comically curious expression, Kurama did as he was told. "No. It's just the two of us. Why do you ask?"

"I've got to make an embarrassing apology and I won't stand for anyone hearing about it." Aurora sighed deeply, "Look, Hiei. I'm sorry, okay? That was weird and freakish and came out of nowhere…so I get why you freaked out. There was no warning and I wasn't thinking. You literally didn't have to run, but I understand. I won't do it again, so you can stop avoiding me. Let's just pretend it never happened, yeah? Can we go back to being cool? I can't have this on my conscience."

Hiei could do nothing, but stare at that retched device in Kurama's hand. An odd mix of feelings warred within him, and it would be a while before a victor emerged. One thing was certain. He'd gotten what he wanted, that's true, but the venomous feeling that accompanied that success was a monstrous beast. He hated this feeling to his core, and knew the only way to bleed it away was to make something or someone else bleed. He would have no peace, until he did just that.

"You there?" Aurora called out. "I'm not leaving until you say we're cool."

Kurama's face told Hiei everything he needed to know. He could see the dots connecting to paint a picture for the fox demon, and Hiei was quite surprised he didn't smile this time.

Hiei needed to remove himself from this situation and so he managed to grumble, "I have no idea what you're referring to."

The sigh of relief was a dagger to Hiei's palm. An unexpected wound she twisted further. "Whew! Me neither, Buddy. Me neither. Anyway, you guys enjoy your day. I'm going to chill with Keiko and the gang. Peace out."

She quickly ended the call, leaving Hiei and Kurama in silence.

Before Hiei could threaten the fox-demon into silence, Kurama managed to speak in a strangely detached tone of voice. "She was purposely unspecific."

Aurora could be reasonable it appeared, Hiei mused. He was grateful for it, but with Kurama around nothing could be hidden.

"Whether it was for your sake or hers, it's hard to tell…" Kurama inclined his head, "But, judging by your expression, it's clear something happened between the two of you. Not to mention, you're here instead of at her apartment, which, of course, due to its absence of humans, you prefer over mine…"

Hiei just stared at the wall.

"She kissed you," Kurama said tersely, and then in an oddly light tone of voice, "And you ran away from her."

Hiei spun to face him, "I do not run away from anything or anyone!"

"Forgive me, I misspoke. You simply put as much space between the two of you as possible and has since discontinued all contact with her. Is that better?" Kurama asked with a naïve sort of lightness, that made Hiei grind his teeth together.

Hiei hated the implication…but…admittedly, that didn't make it any less true. "Hn."

Kurama sighed, "You do realize that you will have to see her at Genkai's, don't you? As well as be in her presence as we travel to Demon World?"

"I am not an idiot, Kurama." Hiei snapped, anger being his best defense, "Don't speak to me as if you are explaining things to a child."

"Of course." Kurama said placatingly, "My apologies. I'm just curious. If you're so opposed to intimacy between the two of you, why do you go to such lengths to help and be around her? Was I wrong to assume your interest in her? Perhaps she misunderstood as well?"

"What people assume about me is their business." Hiei responded hotly, "That has nothing to do with me. I can't control what they think, and I won't try to. It's pointless."

Kurama nodded his head, the disbelief was so clear on his face Hiei couldn't bring himself to keep looking. "Honestly, Hiei, Aurora can be more reasonable than you give her credit. I think she proved that today. If you do not wish to further your relationship with her, tell her, and she will be more than willing to give you the distance you require. Only, you should be certain that is something you want. I'd hate for you to have any regrets about this whole thing."

Hiei's eyes narrowed, glaring at nothing.

"Hiei?"

"Do you recall that retched ability of Eris'?" Hiei asked sharply, his eyes shooting over to Kurama's. "The one where she could influence others?"

Kurama's eyes narrowed at his words. "The one where she could convince you that you have feelings for her—that you loved her in a romantic sense? Yes." Kurama released a sigh of exasperation, "Hiei…don't tell me you think that Aurora—"

"And what if I do?" Hiei snapped, eyes flashing. "There's no way to know for certain. Most of her powers are blocked, she has no idea what she's capable of. For all we know, she could have every power known to the retched woman."

Kurama shook his head, an almost angry gleam in his eyes. "Instead of assuming the worst, you should have come to me and I would have told you that particular power does not affect demons of the A-Class and higher. Moreover, Aurora does not possess it. It's an old ability the Ancients employed to subjugate other demons—a human cannot use it."

Hiei looked away from Kurama. "Still, it changes nothing."

Kurama sighed again, but Hiei refused to look at him. "I thought you would say that, Hiei."

()()()

The day came when we would all gather at Genkai's to travel to Demon World. I was anxious, but excited. A lot was going to happen in a few short hours, but I was prepared. I knew what needed to be done and nothing, not even any weirdness with Hiei could change my mind. But, I was hoping things could just go back to normal. There would be some changes, I won't be pushing his boundaries, saying certain things, or trying to make him be places.

I realized too late that that was all bordering on relationship type stuff. Time for a change.

Kurama came to get me at seven in the morning. It was good it was just him. I know I gave this big speech about trying to keep this cool, but I couldn't be bothered to see Hiei just yet. I needed time to get my game face on. We'd have an ample of amount of time since he'd be driving.

His car was cute, not too flashy, but brand new and black, a gift from his step-father apparently.

As we started down the road, he shot a look over in my direction, his brows raised in question, "You're in an unbelievably good mood."

"Am I?" I think about it, rolling my shoulders a bit. "Shoot. I guess I am."

"What brought this on?" Kurama asked and then quickly added, "Not that your good moods aren't welcome it's just that…."

I gave him a knowing smirk, and saved him from answering. "Yeah. No I get it. The Hiei thing, right? Oh, I was pissed at first, but I realized that he was doing what I would have done. It would be hypocritical to hold a grudge. And, you know what? I've actually never felt better. Weird. I should get rejected more often." I turn to him seriously, and he manages to steal his gaze away from the road to look at me. "In fact, I think that's why I feel so good. My fear is gone. It's happened. I'm alive and I've feel better than I've felt since I lost Hydra. To be fair, the fact that we're going to get him is helping too, but…I almost want to thank him—Hiei I mean."

Kurama surprised me by chuckling. "I'm not particularly happy about Hiei's behavior, but…I cannot put into words how happy I am that you're happy. I want nothing more than that, Aurora."

Kurama and his crazy words. I give Kurama a little push with my hand, "Thank you, Kurama. I appreciate that."

He looks at me once more with those evergreen eyes of his and I know everything will work out for the best.

()()()

We're the last to arrive at Genkai's, everyone else is milling about. We drop our bags of in our rooms before returning to the group.

"There's the troublemaker," Yusuke leaps to his feet before crossing his hands behind his head and walking over to us. "I thought you guys would be here earlier."

Kurama shot me a conspiratorial wink, "We took the scenic route. It was very… enlightening."

Actually, I had just made him stop at this antique shop and I waltzed around for ten minutes, checking everything out. I nodded along, "Bright as hell too."

Kurama chuckled, joining Yusuke as he laughed. "Damn, you are just on it today. What's with you? Hell, even your spirit energy feels stronger somehow. I just saw you the other day!"

Huh. I feel my energy like a solid orb at my core, beating with its own heart. He's right. It feels stronger and somehow even lighter than before.

Judging by what I know about my energy, and how it reacts to my moods and state of mind. I know why it's stronger. I've mentally climbed over a hurtle—gotten over my fear, but…I don't really want to go into detail about that just yet.

Kuwabara marched over too, looking impressed, "You and Hiei do some Genkai style training or something?"

"Nope." I admit, not sure how I was going to explain, "we stopped a few days ago."

Kuwabara's brow furrowed in question, and he crossed his arms, "Then why—"

Kurama placed a hand on Kuwabara's shoulder, "I'm sorry to interrupt you, Kuwabara, but I have a few a questions for Yusuke."

I smile at the ground, and then steal a look at his profile, not once drawing attention to me. Thanks, Kurama.

Kuwabara nodded, as if remembering. "That's right, Hiei just got here so we should go over the plan."

"Agreed." Kurama placed his hand on the small of my back and gently nudged me forward. "I sense Hiei's in the sitting area near the terrace. He's waiting for us, undoubtedly."

Yusuke affirmed this with a nod, and then clapped his hands, "Alright team. War meeting. And then, we kick some ass."

We find Hiei in the room, balanced on the railing, we gather in a semi-circle around him because he seemed reluctant to move from his spot.

"Yusuke, you mentioned before that you found backup?" Kurama began, standing on my right. I stood beside him, Nike and Banriyu hanging over my shoulders.

"Yeah," Yusuke rubbed a finger beneath his nose, clearly giving himself a pat on the back, "I reached out to a couple of old friends and asked if they wanted in on the action. The bastards are more excited than I am."

I laugh, "You're excited?"

"Hell yeah, I am! I've been waiting for weeks for this shit." Yusuke's smile could light up the whole world if he let it.

I let it fill me up, "You're insane."

"I'm a badass. This is what I do."

I threw my head back with a laugh, and Kurama chuckled as well. Kuwabara shook his head, confident as well.

"So, what are we going to do about Aurora?" Kuwabara asked, "If we have backup, she doesn't need to fight."

"Indeed. That was never the intention to begin with." Kurama supplied, "Her barrier should provide her with sufficient protection, but she'll stay with you and I while Hiei and Yusuke take care of the S-Class demons."

Yusuke cracked his knuckles and I just shook my head at him. I loved his confidence, it was invigorating. I felt so secure, so safe. I couldn't help, but smile at him.

I felt someone staring at me, eyes burning into my face. He didn't exactly speak to me when I came in, or look at me, for that matter. It was a little annoying, but I couldn't judge people on how they cope with things…especially considering how I cope. That would make the biggest hypocrite in the world.

Not to say that I wasn't, because I was definitely up there.

"How many demons are there?" I tapped Kurama on the arm. "BecauseI am bringing Nike with me."

Hiei scoffed, finally deciding to speak. Too bad he decided to be an asshole. "I doubt we'll need your assistance." It wasn't what he said, but how he said it which was annoying. He sounded irritated, which was strange seeing as we agreed to pretend the whole thing never happened.

Be mature, be mature, be mature.

"No, I agree." I looked over at him and he saved me the trouble of meeting his eyes because he immediately averted his gaze.

I was trying very hard to be mature, but he was really asking for an explosion. It wasn't normal Hiei teasing, either. And he wasn't trying to hurt me. It was just…weird. "I know you guys got this, but I'd like to know anyway."

Hiei made no response.

I waited a moment and then asked again, "Kurama? How many demons are there?"

Kurama pinched the bridge of his nose, frustrated for some reason. I had an inkling that perhaps he and Hiei were engaged in some kind of mental warfare, but that was pure speculation on my part. I know I didn't make him look like that. My question was called for…I think anyway. "Ten in all, not counting Hydra. There are two S-Class demons and the rest are A-Class. I'd much prefer it, if you stayed out of harm's way."

"Okay, you're in charge, Buddy." I say with a nod. I turn to Kuwabara, "Do you know these friends of Yusuke's?"

"Oh yeah," Yusuke cut in, walking forward with his hands resting behind his head. "You'll get a kick out of this Kuwabara."

Kuwabara frowned, rubbing his chin in thought, then, he laughed, "You talking about the guys from the Dark Tournament?"

"Shh," Yusuke admonished playfully, "don't ruin the surprise."

I wave my hands around, "Who exactly is this surprise for?"

Yusuke paused, "Huh, didn't think of that. It's still a damn good surprise though. Besides, you love demons, don't you? Well, you'll get to meet some more today."

"Nice save," I deadpanned. "Also, I don't love demons. I just don't distinguish between humans and demons. You're all the same to me…in the best way, of course."

"Same." Yusuke agreed, "We're all people."

I put my hand over my heart, "You're such a sweetie, Yusuke."

"I try, but anyway, they're all cool. Just watch Chu. He'll flirt with anything that walks." Yusuke warned with a smirk.

I nod, "And because I can walk, I'll be on the lookout for sure."

Yusuke clapped his hand, "Alright, good team meeting. Imma go and take a nap."

"Wait, before we leave I have a question." Kuwabara said with an oddly serious tone, and then looked over at me. "What's with this weird energy? Did something happen?"

Yusuke paused, mid step and seemed to ask the same question with his eyes. Kurama kept his opinion to himself, seeming to wait for Kuwabara to draw his own conclusion first. Foxy had a pattern man.

Hiei, of course, declined answering.

I just laughed, "There's no weird energy. In fact, I'm in an insanely good mood right now." And I am!

Kuwabara narrowed his gaze and shot a look over to Darkness, "Not from you, from Hiei. It's obvious he's mad about something."

Again, I don't get it, but…I decide not to let it bother me.

I shrug, leaning forward to slip from the room, "What can you do? I'm sure he'll figure it out. I'm going to go meditate, you can come, if you're nice."

I swing out of there, heading straight for the open grass out beyond the terrace.

Once I'm settled, I even out my breathing, and I am at peace. I feel my energy building. It's starts at my core, and with a few sweet words, I manage to push out from the center.

I open my eyes and I am enclosed in gold. I hover at its center and then stretch my legs, allowing my sphere of energy to rise to tree level. I hold my hands out from my sides and lean back until I flip through the air with a laugh.

"That's some power ya got there."

Damn.

I start like a frightened child, but my barrier stays put. Jesus.

I focus on the floating figure before me. He's dressed in some odd ninja getup with bright red hair and happy indigo eyes. Also, he's a demon. Finally, I can make the distinction with ease, not that it wasn't obvious. My eyes fly to the horn in the center of his forehead before flying over to his flapping ears. "Um, can I help you?"

He threw his head back with a laugh, flipping through the air, his hands on his hips, "Hoho! Can I help you, she says! What are you doin' out here, you an apprentice of Genkai's?"

He didn't really sound like that, but my head automatically did the translations for me.

I shake my head, still eyeing him suspiciously, but I don't feel threatened, not just because I have my barrier up. His energy is…easy. I smile. "I guess you are?"

"Somethin' like that. Came 'ere to lend a hand to ol' Urameshi. You know him? Funny guy with dark hair, real powerful and what not?"

"Yes. I do. You must be the friend he mentioned, well, one of them anyway. You're early." I gestured toward him and then finally noticed, he was in the air just like me. "But I guess that's because you can fly."

"Right-O. You got me, real sharp." This flying ninja told me with another laugh.

"Nope. You're just…flying…right in front of me." I say with a laugh. And I start forward, before I remember: Aurora…down girl. "What's your name?"

He grins like a little kid, "I'm Jin. What's yours?"

"Aurora."

"Aurora." He paused, thoughtful, "It fits a pretty girl like you. Sure does."

Ah, flattery and pretty face, my kryptonite. "You know, if you're trying to make me like you, it's worked."

He brushed a finger against his nose with a grin, "I like your style, a real straight shooter, no point in keeping your thoughts to yourself I always say."

"That's a lot easier said than done." I admit and then ask, "Jin, you think you can show me how to do that, fly I mean? I've been trying to fly with my barrier but it's harder to maintain when I'm going fast."

"I'd be glad to do it! The trick is learning to trust your power. If you hesitate you hold yourself back. Let me show ya."

I allowed him to do just that.

Jin's wind wrapped around me like a force, managing to hold me like he was touching me himself. It was exhilarating. I'd never been this high up without either Hydra or Nike to help me. It was both frightening and freeing being away from all that. "Jin, you are a lucky duck!"

He barked with laughter, pushing his hands out to push me higher in the air and began twirling the both us like we were on a carousel. "Do you get it now?"

"I do!" I got it, really I did. Trust. I just had to trust myself and forget all the bullshit. It must be nice, always living like that. I should try it more often. And, you know, I think I would. Starting now.

He spun us faster until I was giggling like a school girl and he joined me. This crazy guy acted like I'd known him for more than a few minutes with the way he laughed. It was enticing. I wanted it for myself.

I was going to say that until I felt burning energy flare up beneath us.

Jin stopped spinning, and grabbed me by the waist so I wouldn't fall. "What's—Ah! It's Urameshi! Let's go down. I'll show ya more later."

I nodded. I did feel Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama but also Hiei and his energy was murderous.

As we got closer to the ground, I looked down to find both Kurama and Yusuke standing in front of the fire demon, seeming to try to calm him. We landed not far from them, and the moment we touched down, Hiei's energy quieted down, losing its anger.

Yusuke pulled his hand through his gelled hair, "See. It's just Jin, he wouldn't hurt a fly."

"I recall he had no problem hurting you during your match," Hiei said with a bit of edge in his voice.

"Yeah, and I won that fight, didn't I?" Yusuke said smugly, "Jesus, Hiei—"

He stopped suddenly, looked at me. I pulled myself from Jin's hold, took a step forward, and rushed Yusuke and shoved him hard in the chest. "Oh, my god, you said it! You said my thing!"

He took the hit with a cheesy grin, even patted himself on the back, "Well, hell. I guess you've rubbed off on me, Miss America."

My smile actually hurt a little, "I guess I have. "

It was nice, knowing how close we'd actually come. Yusuke and I saw the least of each other, but, no interaction with the guy ever left me feeling like I could have done or said more. But, I had a feeling I wasn't the only one who felt that way. This whole time I thought maybe Yusuke had lucked out to get Keiko, but maybe they both lucked out. They were both amazing. Not everyone could be so lucky.

Jin burst out laughing behind us and I spun around, forgetting him as quickly as I met him, "Hohoho! She yours, Urameshi? I thought for sure you were with that brown haired one."

"Nah, Jin, it's not like that." Yusuke said good naturedly, walking toward him. I followed behind, joined by Kuwabara who shot me a weird look. "You did scare the hell out of us though. What were you doing taking her up in the air like that? With everything that's been going on with this one—"

I glared at him for that 'this one' comment. I'd just decided to love you too, and you betray me.

I'm going to tell him just that when Hiei appears beside me. He finally forces himself to meet my gaze, his voice emotionless. "We should talk."

I glance over to Kurama, who looks like he's about to say something, but holds his tongue instead, giving me a little nod.

I smile at him, maybe we could get back to being friends. "Sure. Lead the way."

Hiei leads me into a thicker part of the forest, away from prying eyes and listening ears. He stands with his arms crossed. Even though the weather has turned cooler, he wasn't wearing his cloak, just a black shirt tucked into his black pants and red sash. His arms were wrapped in bandages.

"So, what's up?" I ask, keeping my voice light. In all honesty, I do feel pretty good, but still. I know that a piece of me still likes him. That sort of stuff burns away only with time. For once in a while, I was in no huge rush either. I'd let it take its course and burn away naturally instead of resorting to unnatural methods…like using another boy to do it for me. That would only end badly.

"I think you know," He says finally, stiffly. This isn't something he's used to.

I do him a favor, "I'll start off by saying, sorry again. Obviously, I misread things between us and then put you in a weird situation. I probably should have asked first, instead of assuming you felt the same. And, I wasn't lying when I said we could forget this and just go back to being friends. We can and I want to."

Hiei said nothing as I continued, his eyes narrowing as I talked.

"Is that okay with you?" I gesture toward him with a hand, and take a step forward—until I remember that's a bad idea. Damnit. My parents are right, I have a boy problem. But, at least it's not as life threatening as I made it seem. I just need to not let it make me crazy.

"Why would you do that?" Hiei was talking about the kiss, of course. He looked like he was struggling. Not going to lie, the question hurt a little. Because when he said it, it sounded like, 'Why would you think I wanted you to do that?'

I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and let it out, every definition I knew I threw it at him. "Because I liked you. Like-liked you. I wanted you…for myself. I was interested in you in a romantic sense."

"You're using past-tense."

"Because if you don't reciprocate the feeling, I'm not going to hunt you down and make you?" I said unbelievably. What more could I say? "And I'm not going to hold on to it until you decide you like me back. As you know, I'm a little too full of myself and too childish for that." But is that childish? Or does it show maturity? I'm assuming that whatever I used to do is the opposite of mature, so moving on immediately would then be immature. But…was it?

Who knows?

"Besides, even if by some miracle you decide you want me today—this second," I look at the trees above us, trying to get the right words together without sounding hypocritical and childish. "It wouldn't…mean anything to me. If you get what I'm saying?"

His silence I took to meant, "Continue."

"Although I think your rejection helped me grow and realize rejection isn't the end of the world—I've lived in fear of that by the way—I'm not quite to the point where I can be humble enough to risk being rejected by the same person twice or even decide to continue to like that person after facing rejection. I'm not there yet." I laughed a little self-deprecatingly, even though my stomach was clawing out my insides, trying to crawl into my chest. "In fact, I don't think I ever will be. I'm pretty egotistical like that. Once by the same person is enough."

I nod my head and then look back at him at his expressionless face. He seemed to have stepped closer, but I can't be sure.

"So," I raise my hands over my head and wave them. "You don't have to worry about me trying that again, okay? You're safe. Okay, Darkness?"

He doesn't nod or anything, just looks at me. It's slightly unnerving. It's like he's watching a pitiful zoo animal in shoe box habitat.

I stare back at him until the silence makes me feel awkward and I just look from side to side. "Are you listening or…?"

"I heard you." Hiei finally said in monotone. His red eyes reveal nothing to me.

I breathed a sigh of relief, and wiped a hand across my forehead, "Oh good, because that took a lot for me to say." I fan my face, it's really warm and tight. "It was a lot easier telling Kurama."

His voice cut at me with its sharpness, "You told Kurama?"

"Well, yeah." I say eyeing him a little, a weird thing to be angry about. "He knows anyway, though, right?"

He blinked, seeming to remember. "Right."

"Cool, cool." I clap my hands together to get some noise into the strange silence between us. "Anyway, I just want you to know that your friendship is super important to me, and I don't want to lose it over something like this. So, stop avoiding me and stop being mad." I smile widely at that, "Even though I know it's hard for you to do, I need you to trust that I won't do that to you again. Okay?"

Hiei nods stiffly and walks toward me. No, he walks past me, returning back the way we'd come. I'm dismissed.

I'm glad he's not looking at me anymore, because by the time we reach the temple my throat is shot with burning heat and I can't swallow a sliver of air without it hurting.

In truth, I'm not sure why he made me spell all that out to him like that. I thought it would be good for me, but it just twisted the blade as he looked at me like a complete stranger. He was so cold too, like we had never even been friends.

When we enter he disappears in a flash, heading to god knows where. I don't look at anyone as I head back to the rooms. The temple is a fuzzy world around me and every voice that calls my name only increases the pain.

I don't feel Hiei's presence at all when I open Kurama's door and find him reading a book on his bed.

I slide the door behind me with a snap, trying to keep my voice from shaking, but the more I try to speak, the more it hurts to breathe. I can't even see him begin to approach me. "K-Kurama…w-we're best friends, right?"

"Of course," he says softly, tentatively.

"Okay, good." I say and let the tears fall finally, not trying to stop the random hiccups or anything as I bury my face in his chest, my fingers digging into his clothes. "Can I stay here?"

He didn't say anything, just pulled me from the door, back to the bed and allowed me to cry into his chest.

After what felt like forever, I managed to stop, just long enough to say, "I should have known my first rejection went a little too easily."

His voice was soothing as he spoke, his fingers combing through my hair. I was thankful for the scent of roses for once. It was the constant that kept me from bawling all over again. "Your energy is still rising, Aurora. Despite your pain, it has not suffered, it's thriving."

I snorted bitterly, "I know. The universe is a funny place."

"Yes…." Kurama admitted, leaning down to kiss my forehead like Banriyu would have. "It is."