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I emerged from the bedroom in just a minute, having gotten dressed as quickly as I could. I didn't want to keep the others waiting for me. Hiei had also found another shirt, it seemed. I tried to stop my face flushing as I remembered how defined his muscles had been.

Distracting myself, I offered to help Kurama carry the bag with the fresh bandages that would no doubt be used on me, Yusuke, and Kuwabara after soaking in the springs. He politely refused, instead pointedly handing all the supplies to Yusuke to carry.

"Oh wait, are we going to be allowed to go in the springs with all these injuries? Isn't that unsanitary?" I asked, concerned.

"Things work a little differently in Spirit World- these springs are purified, and will purify foreign substances."

"Oh, ok?" I was still a little confused about how that was possible, but heck, after what I had seen the others do and the white fire emerging from my own body, maybe I shouldn't be so shocked.

The springs were luckily on the undamaged part of the inn, beyond a second, smaller inner garden.

How beautiful…

The snow was untouched here and looked like something out of a fairy tale as it glistened on the willow trees. Small sprigs of grass grew from the white mounds, crystallized white.

The sides of the bath were divided into genders, but there was a small intersex section in the middle. Yusuke and Kuwabara were very disappointed when their suggestion to use the intersex bath was immediately shot down- harshly.

Idiots.

The other girls and I promptly entered the woman's side while Yusuke and Kuwabara nursed the slap marks on their faces. The others stripped while I tried to remove all the bandages as quickly as possible. Yukina noticed me struggling after wrapping herself in a towel and quickly came to help me. She then helped me rinse, and I returned the favor.

The sweet apparition still had heavy bags under her eyes. I felt awful for making her use so much of her energy. I really was nothing but trouble for these guys.

I realized I hadn't even thanked them all properly for saving me- twice now, it seemed. It was amazing to me that they would do so much for a total stranger. They could have died today! But they protected me. I had to choke back a sob.

Even worse, I had caused them pain.

"Hikari?" Yukina asked, startling me from my thoughts. "Is everything ok?"

I nodded, clearing my throat. I tried to muster up a small smile. Yukina didn't look convinced. Damn.

"We should get in the water, don't they close in like an hour and a half?" I murmured, turning, and wiping my eyes discreetly. The other girls echoed their agreements, and I tried to ignore Yukina's stares.

HOLY SHIT IT'S COLD!

The cold breeze cut right through the thin towel I had wrapped myself in. I immediately began shivering as I walked to the stairs that led into the spring. Steam rose from the waters, swirling intricately above the surface. It smelled like lavender, with a hint of something I couldn't quite identify. Keeping my towel on at first, I waded in and instantly relaxed.

Oh wow…

The healing powers of the spring were immediate. My pain was lessening, and I watched with amazement as some of the smaller cuts healed before my eyes. I sank in below my hairline, enjoying the warm embrace of the springs.

Then I remembered that I needed to breathe and resurfaced with a gasp.

The girls were laughing at me at the edge of the pool, shivering so hard their laughter sounded strange. Yukina was the only one unbothered by the cold. They all quickly followed me into the water and relaxed as well.

"Oh, wow..." Botan echoed my earlier sentiment, her face one of bliss. "I see now why you almost drowned yourself, Hikari!"

I laughed in response. Feeling suddenly energetic, I splashed Botan in retaliation. She gave a small scream of enjoyment, and soon the others were joining in on our childish game. I hadn't known them long, but I honestly already thought of them as friends. Though my heart ached, I silently made a decision.

They had been so kind to me. I hoped I was leaving them with at least one good memory of my time with them.

Kurama smiled as he heard splashing and laughter from the women's bath. The springs were designed in a circle, it seemed, as he could clearly hear the women's side beyond one of the walls. It sounded like they were having fun.

He sunk a little deeper into the water, letting his hair fan out. He had been the first one to finish rinsing, and he was not a fan of the cold, so he had quickly entered the waters.

Hiei had settled himself, fully clothed, on one of the rocks that ringed the pool.

"Hiei," Kurama said, catching the fire apparition's attention, "You should come into the water. Yukina healed the injury to your head, but your body is still recovering from the virus."

Hiei just scoffed. Sigh, he could be so stubborn.

"Cripes, it's cold out here!" Yusuke's voice drew their gaze. Yusuke and Kuwabara ran to the pool and cannonballed in, splashing Kurama. Hiei had flitted out the way of the drenching water.

And then we have these two…

"Come on, Hiei, you need to heal up too!" Hiei also ignored the Detective. Well, at least it wasn't just Kurama.

"Och now, make sum room!" Jin floated gently into the pool, followed by Toya, who simply walked in. Pretty soon, they all enjoyed the bliss of the warm waters. Hiei seemed determined to stand guard.

The girls had quieted down, but the occasional laugh still floated over the diving wall.

Kuwabara and Yusuke looked at the wall wistfully, as did Jin.

"Don't even think about it." Hiei glared at the three, who bristled guiltily.

"What do you even care?" Kuwabara said with pursed lips, sweat drop on his head. Yusuke looked torn. Kuwabara was still the only one of their group that didn't know of Hiei's relation to Yukina. Well, Jin and Toya probably didn't know either.

Hiei only scowled. Kurama had to stifle a chuckle. It was adorable when Hiei acted so protective of Yukina, and as of late, the mysterious Hikari. Kurama had not missed the tension between his friend and the Windmaster, who didn't even attempt to hide his admiration of the young girl. Kurama wondered if there really was more to Hiei's fascination than her power. He knew logically it was unlikely, but then he had never seen Hiei so… attached to another person. Even with Yukina, whom he cared about so deeply, he maintained his distance.

But then, just over the last two days, Kurama had seen him act in many ways he hadn't. Perhaps that was why he was so intrigued by the enigmatic girl- Hikari was sweet but unpredictable, and for a telepath like Hiei, it must be frustrating.

"Well, yer nu, Oi cud jist float up an' take a peek- ter make sure they are safe, t'be sure."

Toya blushed with irritation and outrage at Jin's suggestion.

"Jin, that's-"

"Aw, that's no fair, why does Jin get to peek?" Yusuke complained, cutting Toya off. "You know, to make sure that they are all ok?"

The three idiots- Yusuke, Jin, and Kuwabara began squabbling over who should "check" on the girls. Toya watched them with blue lines down his face in distaste, a dark cloud over his head.

"Ahem… Yusuke, Kuwabara?" The two turned to Kurama, Kuwabara pinching Yusuke's cheek while Yusuke's hand was gripping Kuwabara's hair. Damn children.

"Did you forget that your mother and sister are also in that bath?"

Blue miasma descended on the two as they realized, their mouths grimacing to express their disgust.

Jin giggled at their discomfort. He stood and waded over to the edge of the pool.

"Hehehe, dat sucks ter be yer guys. Guess Oi'll 'av ter be de wan ter sneak a peek~."

Jin stopped cold as Hiei's sword pressed against his throat.

"…or not." The wind master slowly backed away, smile frozen in place as sweat drops cascaded down his head. Probably the best choice.

We all stayed until the hot spring was about to close. Unfortunately, it took a while to rebandage me and put bandages on the more severe cuts on my back, so the guys were kept waiting for a while. Yukina had gained some of her energy back. She insisted on healing the deep wound on my leg caused by the clawed woman.

"Sorry, sorry!" I hopped out of the women's side. Everyone seemed huddled close to Hiei, for some strange reason? He looked even more pissed than usual, which was what made their proximity all the more unexpected. I had noticed most people usually gave Hiei a wide berth. I, on the other hand, had intentionally invaded his bubble on more than one occasion to tease him.

Whoa, did it just get warmer? I noticed a definite rise in temperature as I got closer to the group.

Kurama smiled and led the way back to what remained of the rooms.

Pretty much the only room completely untouched was Kuwabara's, so after quick discussion during dinner, everyone gathered their things and any undamaged or fresh blankets to bring to the room. Aside from their clothing luggage, Atsuko was lugging a backpack filled with alcohol, Botan and Keiko had shopping bags, and Kurama had a bag for medical supplies.

The women were going to take the bedroom, it seemed, as they all put their stuff in there. The guys piled their bags into the tiny linen closet to keep them out the way. Jin and Toya seemed to be traveling light, as they each only had one small pack.

Once everyone was settled, we all gathered in the lounge. Atsuko broke out the alcohol with a cackle. She somehow managed to find enough cups, and poured enough drinks for everyone, even though I was pretty sure that me, Yusuke, Keiko, and Kuwabara were underage. I wasn't sure if the same drinking age applied to demons.

Keiko aptly refused and yelled at Atsuko for offering the drink to minors. Atsuko just waved her off. Clearly, Atsuko was a "chill mother." She handed Yusuke a cup without a touch of hesitation.

"Relax, Keiko, live a little!" Yusuke grinned at the girl. I had a feeling that Keiko wasn't usually one to break the rules, but I could totally see Yusuke as a delinquent. Kuwabara gleefully took an offered glass, but paused, and gulped as he looked at Shizuru. She just shrugged.

"I didn't tell mom and dad about that time during the Dark Tournament, I'm not going to tell them about this either. Besides, you got your ass beat pretty bad today, you probably deserve a drink." Shizuru took a drink for herself.

Kuwabara pouted for just a minute at the insult, but then quickly grinned and downed his cup. He then politely offered some to Yukina, who gently accepted. Botan was glad to take a cup, and after some gentle prodding from Yusuke, Atsuko, and Botan, Keiko also hesitantly accepted a cup. Jin cheerily poured himself a glass with a wink at Atsuko, who seemed to have gotten over her aversion to his horn. Toya politely declined, as did Kurama.

Atsuko offered me a cup, which I took out of curiosity. Had I ever had alcohol before? I took a sip.

Ew.

I stuck my tongue out at the nasty burn that touched my tongue. Seeing my face, Atsuko got up and held up a finger with a smile. She disappeared into the kitchen, appearing a moment later with a bottle of juice. She poured a hearty amount in my cup and encouraged me to try again.

I did, and it was definitely better, but still gross. How did Atsuko and other adults regularly drink this stuff?

Atsuko picked up the poured drink she had offered to Toya and then Kurama, and offered it to Hiei. Hiei only glared at her silently until she slowly placed the cup on the ground in front of him, and robot shuffled backward. I suppressed a giggle. He could be so antisocial.

"How do you all plan to ward off an attack if you're drunk?" He demanded of Yusuke and Kuwabara. The two just waved their hands dismissively.

"They'd have to be total morons to attack us when we are all together like this," Yusuke said as he poured himself another glass.

"Besides," Kuwabara said as he rummaged around in his bag, "We kicked their butts pretty good today. They probably need to at least regroup before attacking again."

"Plus, it's the last night we have of our so-called vacation." Yusuke pouted. "We ought to enjoy it."

Kurama sighed. "I have set up some precautions. Unfortunately, I agree with Yusuke and Kuwabara- they are unlikely to attack us tonight, inebriated or not. Also, I'll abstain so that we have at least one vigilant guard."

Yusuke and Kuwabara cheered. Hiei huffed but didn't say anything else.

I took another sip of my drink.

Still nasty.