I hope everyone is staying healthy and safe! I don't own any YYH characters or concepts.

After a brief discussion, they decided to convene in Kuwabara's undamaged room. Kurama, as the most diplomatic, had been voluntold to go deal with the angry inn owners that confronted them as they tried to get to Kuwabara's room at the other end of the building.

The girl had finally removed herself from one called Yukina's shoulder, murmuring an apology for getting her kimono dirty with tears and snot. Yukina just brushed her off with a gentle smile.

The girl couldn't walk on her own, her ankle clearly broken, so Hiei lifted her into his arms to carry her, ignoring her protests that just a shoulder to lean on would do. Kuwabara tried to do the same for Yukina, but the ice maiden politely assured him that she was not too injured to walk. Kuwabara followed after her, looking crestfallen. Hiei left it up to the Shinobi to dispose of the corpse of their prisoner after Kurama had looked it over.

Jin watched the group with light amusement. Honestly, he was still quite in shock.

What power the lass had! Jin got goosebumps just remembering the pure force of the white flames that erupted from the young woman. Was that why the Jaganshi was so attached to her? Did he seek to gain the power himself? Probably, it sounded like something the prickly fire demon would do. He didn't know Hiei well, but watching him during the Dark Tournament gave the wind-master an inkling of what the fierce fighter was like.

Still, though, Jin wondered if there was more to it- The way Hiei held the girl against him was almost tender, the look in his eyes as she cried almost kind… But then again, this was Hiei Jaganshi they were talking about! No way he would ever be interested in a woman, let alone a human one.

Jin, however, found himself very interested, even more so after witnessing such an incredible display of power.

Her crying didn't bother him none- in fact, he found it endearing that the lass was so honest in her feelings and reactions. T'was quite the refresher after the secrecy of the shinobi world.

As he had flown her about on the way to the inn, the scent of blood around her had disappeared, being replaced with a damn most pleasant air. Jin could usually tell a lot about a person by the feel of their wind, and the girl had a kind he liked. Feck it with her humanity. He could live with it.

He wanted to learn more about her.

Several of them settled in the lounge area of Kuwabara's room, waiting for Kurama, Yukina, Kuwabara, and Toya. Hiei figured that punishing Yusuke could wait for now. As it was, the Detective looked rightfully ashamed.

Shizuru was making tea, aided by Keiko. Atsuko had decided to make herself scarce, as she was quote "wigged out by the dude with the horn." Hmph. The human might not have had minimum spirit power, but she undoubtedly had sensed the tension among the men.

Shizuru had sent a text to Botan, and the annoying spirit guide had claimed to be on her way back. Yukina was searching for first aid supplies to supplement Kurama's purchases around the inn. Kuwabara had followed to keep an eye out. Still, Hiei's Jagan was trained on his sister. Despite Yukina healing the worst of it, the buffoon was still quite injured, and Hiei was ready to intervene if another strike came.

An awkward and heavy silence filled the room. Jin and Toya hadn't taken a seat, electing instead to lean against the wall on either side of the glass door. Yusuke sat in the loveseat, trying to make himself as small as possible. That left the couch for Hiei and the girl, who sniffled occasionally.

The girl was shivering still, her ruined clothes damp from rolling around in the snow. Hiei watched her for a moment, contemplating. He then flashed to Kuwabara's bedroom and back, bringing with him Kuwabara's comforter. He dropped it on the girl, who made no move to remove it from over her head.

After waiting for a minute for her to make any sort of acknowledgment over the fact she was in a blanket tent, he grabbed it and pulled It, so it at least wasn't covering her face. It caused her hair to fuzz up, leaving several strands over her face and some sticking up straight with static.

Hiei resisted the urge to smooth the strands back into place.

Jin stifled a giggle. Hiei glared at him. The imp seemed too interested in the girl for his liking. He had tried to read the minds of the Shinobi, but they had clearly been taught how to create mental guards of their own. Hiei couldn't penetrate their thoughts presently.

Hiei, however, could hear Kuwabara's annoying voice from outside, as he Yukina had found some supplies. The two entered the room a moment later, Kuwabara carrying a metal box with a red cross in one hand and a wrinkled shopping bag in his other. Hiei relaxed his Jagan for the moment.

"Hikari?" Yukina said gently, coming around to stand next to the girl. She looked worn out.

The girl looked up with eyes that were just as exhausted. Yukina leaned closer to whisper to her. "We should probably treat your wounds in the bedroom so we can also get you cleaned up and changed. And I AM healing that ankle."

Hikari looked guilty, a sweat drop on her head. Yukina had probably noticed the injury while comforting her. Hikari nodded at Yukina and attempted to stand, trying to ignore her ankle. She stumbled, and Hiei scooped her up, blanket and all. Rolling his eyes, he again ignored her protests. Jin's eyes narrowed as he watched him carry Hikari to Kuwabara's room, Yukina and Kuwabara trailing behind.

The imp made a move as if to follow, but Yusuke caught his eye and shook his head. The wind master returned to leaning against the wall, seeming to be pouting. Hiei felt a strange sense of smugness as he turned the corner to the hallway, and Jin disappeared from view.

Hiei gently set the girl down on the bed. She winced a little as her broken ankle brushed against the edge. Oops, he'd have to be more careful.

Yukina started pulling things out of the box Kuwabara brought into the room.

"Hiei, can you get started on Hikari with the disinfectant while I bring Yusuke some bandages and check his ankle?" Yukina asked him.

Hiei's eyes narrowed in anger. The damn Detective didn't deserve treatment. If anything, he ought to be bandaging up everyone else in atonement for his mistake.

Yukina seemed to misunderstand his anger, as she told him never mind, she could take care of the girl if Hiei wouldn't mind bringing the bandages and some ointment out to Yusuke. Kuwabara began yelling at him for being rude. As always, Hiei just ignored his outbursts.

Sighing in irritation, Hiei instead grabbed the bottle of disinfectant and an applicator, settling himself on the bed next to the girl. He gave her a once over. There were some bad claw marks on one of her arms and on her legs. He ground his teeth in vexation.

Yukina seemed flustered, but Kuwabara gently grabbed the materials for Yusuke from her hands and began to stride out of the room. He paused to flip Hiei off, but Hiei paid no mind. Kuwabara was apparently so irritated at being ignored that he wasn't paying attention to the location of the door and walked right into the wall.

Hiei couldn't help his smirk. Idiot.

"The disinfectant will burn a little, but it also has a special treatment to prevent many kinds of poisoning," Yukina informed the girl, who nodded in acknowledgment. Yukina kneeled by her injured leg.

"I have enough energy to at least heal this break, but I don't think I'll be able to take away all the soreness and swelling at this point."

"I can let it heal on its own, it's not a problem!" The girl pulled her leg away, but Yukina just took it gently in her hands and began using her healing techniques.

"No, No," Yukina said as she worked, "From what I can feel, it's a bad break, and we need to get the healing started, or worse damage might occur."

The girl looked at Yukina with worried eyes, as did Hiei when she wasn't looking. The young ice apparition was pushing herself to the limit.

Still, the girl relaxed a little as the pain ebbed. Hiei wondered if it was better to start jabbing at her with the disinfectant after Yukina had finished healing the break. Yeah, probably better wait. The kid might kick out in pain and hit Yukina.

He twirled the applicator around his hands, taking a moment to breathe himself. His energy was still not up to par, but it was getting there. He faintly heard what sounded like Yusuke arguing with Kuwabara. Figures.

After another few minutes, Yukina finished healing the break.

The girl wiggled her toes in appreciation. Her ankle was still quite swollen, but it looked like she had regained movement.

"Thank you so much, Yukina. Now, do me a favor and rest, kay?" Hikari looked at Yukina with wide and sweet eyes. Yukina smiled and nodded. Hiei was glad that she would finally be able to regain her strength.

Yukina picked up the bag that Kuwabara had brought, presumably with clothes for Hikari.

"If you'd like, I can help you change after we disinfect and treat your wounds." The girl was smiling faintly at Yukina's sweet offer, but she shook her head in polite refusal.

"I can get dressed on my own, I just need to clean myself up a little."

"Are you sure?"

"I've got this. And Hiei can help me disinfect. Now please, go and take a nap. I'm sure Kuwabara would be happy to let you use him as a pillow."

Hiei's eye twitched.

"If you're sure…" Yukina, oblivious as ever, smiled and floated out of the room. "I'll send one of the other girls to check on you in a little bit."

The girl nodded, and Yukina closed the door.

Hikari sighed, clearly exhausted.

He grabbed her arm, being careful not to touch the claw marks, and tore off the sleeve of her knitted sweater.

"Hey!" The girl jerked her arm back. "What the hell, man?"

Hiei rolled his eyes.

"It's ruined anyway, what does it matter if it's ripped more? Besides, it's getting in the way."

"Oh, right…" The girl looked down and herself and sighed again, this time sadly. Tch, was she really so upset over some ruined clothes? Humans could be so materialistic.

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes again, Hiei dabbed the soaked applicator on the noticeable claw marks on her arm.

She yelped and tried to jerk her arm back again, but Hiei held her fast. It hurt, but it would prevent more problems later on. He continued to work as she hissed from the pain. The medicine bubbled on the wounds, indicating that it was doing its job.

He began to examine the rest of her arm, and his sharp eyes noticed small glass shards still caught in her skin. He pulled a pair of tweezers from the first aid kit and got to work.

He worked in silence for a minute, with the occasional grunt of pain from Hikari. Once he was satisfied that she had no more glass in her arm, he tore off her other sleeve and started checking for shards on that side. This arm didn't have injuries as severe, but the palm of her hand was sliced open pretty deep. He quickly removed all traces of glass. He once again had to hold her tight while she flinched away from the pain as he applied more disinfectant.

After her arms had been thoroughly disinfected, he flitted to the bathroom, returning with a damp cloth. As he passed the hall entrance, he saw Jin with Yusuke in a headlock. The imp looked irritated. Perhaps he too wanted to punish the Detective for his rookie mistake.

He handed the damp cloth to Hikari, who carefully cleaned the drying blood off her arms, wincing the entire time. Hiei quickly wrapped her arms in bandages to prevent the clean blood from running down. He took special care of the gashes on her forearm and palm, as they were the most severe injuries on her upper body he could see.

The wounds on her calves were pretty bad too… Had the clawed woman gotten ahold of her legs? Hiei got off the bed and knelt down in front of her. Sighing, Hiei tore her ruined leggings halfway up her thighs. She looked like she wanted to protest his destruction, but a glare from him shut her up.

He had her stand up so he could remove all the glass from her lower limbs. She picked up a second applicator and began to apply disinfectant to one leg while he did the same to the other. She wiped off the now dried blood as Hiei bandaged up after her. She sat back down on the edge of the bed.

He noticed some fresh blood leaking from a wound on her knee that he hadn't yet disinfected. He licked his thumb and used it to wipe away the blood before putting the disinfectant on it. Hikari groaned as it bubbled. She seemed thoughtful.

"Hey, Hiei, can I ask you something?"

"You just did." He answered gruffly.

She scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"You know what I mean."

Hiei smirked.

"You can ask, I might not answer."

The girl sighed. "Fine…"

Another second passed in silence, and Hiei wondered what she was going to ask. He contemplated reading her mind.

"Why did you save me?" She blurted out suddenly. "The night we met, why did you bring me here?"

Hiei placed a bandage on her knee, internally debating whether to answer.

"Your power intrigued me. I wanted to know more about it." He finally decided to answer, although he left out the part about gaining it for himself.

"Do you want this power?"

Seriously, how did she do that?

Hiei remained silent, which was answer enough. The girl huffed.

"I thought so. If I had a way to give it to you, I would- I hate it."

Hiei found himself incredulous. He knew she wasn't lying. In his world, power was everything. She was forever surprising him, but he had a feeling that she was not one to fight, based on the protective rather than offensive instincts she had displayed. Too bad, her power was incredibly efficient for making a kill.

Then again, when she regained her memories there was still the slight possibility that she was actually a monster. Perhaps in truth she would be just as vengeful as himself.

Probably not, but it was possible.

Hiei began running his hands over her thighs, searching for more wounds absentmindedly as he pondered her declaration. She squirmed under his touch, her face reddening. Was she embarrassed? Heh. How adorable…

And annoying. Hiei frowned as he felt the sharp edge of a rather large piece of glass under the thin black fabric. Damn, he hoped it hadn't gone in too deep. It was buried in the side of her plump thigh, just below her hip. It was located away from the femoral, but the less she bled, the better. He hooked a thumb at her waistband and began to pull down what remained of her leggings.

She gasped suddenly at his actions. Hiei looked up just in time for her to kick him in the face.