This is a gift fic for yoshiiRamen, who wanted to see Hiei give Botan his stone. It's split up into 3 parts because I hit a roadblock and my fragile writer's heart needs validation to overcome the hurdle. :')

After three years of service in Mukuro's territory, Hiei found himself back in the human world. Hiruiseki stones clenched tightly within his fist, he stood on the edge of the forest nearest to the beach. He could see the others gathered by the shoreline, their forms dyed in rich hues of gold and orange as the sun burned towards the horizon line. Their laughter carried on the salty seabreeze, carefree and lackadaisical as always. Yusuke's return had them all in high spirits, but it was of no consequence to Hiei.

Truth be told, the fire-demon was here for a very specific purpose - one that he should have fulfilled by now. Instead, all he could do was stare at the others numbly, feet heavy as stones and rooted to the grassy floor upon which he stood. He shouldn't have lingered for so long. This hesitation was unlike him.

"Fancy seeing you here, Hiei!"

The bubbly voice drew him out of his thoughts and he was soon greeted with the sight of twinkling pink eyes and curved pink lips. It was the ferry-girl, although, dressed as she was, she looked like every other blithe and witless human.

Hiei mentally cursed his luck. He didn't want the others knowing he was here, but word of his presence would certainly spread like wildfire now that the loudmouthed bluette was on his trail.

"This is a pleasant surprise," she continued, undeterred by his silence. She smiled at him with more warmth and kindness than their reunion called for, and he could feel his defenses kicking in. He never did well with extroverted types, even less so when they hailed from the very world and institution he detested. The woman didn't seem to notice his aversion, taking an eager step closer as she clasped her hands together. "I'm sure the others will be thrilled to see you. It's been so long, after all!"

"I have no intentions of joining in on this foolish affair."

Botan tilted her head in that curious and teasing way of hers. "Then why are you skulking around at the edge of the forest?"

The truth remained stuck somewhere between his chest and throat as his gaze wandered past the nosy woman and towards his sister. It was clear that he wouldn't get a moment alone with Yukina, and he didn't exactly have time to loiter and wait around. Red eyes shifted back to meet amethyst, his decision made.

"Give me your hand, ferry-girl."

"Huh?"

"Just do it."

She finally obeyed, extending her open palm towards him with far more trust than he deserved. He pushed aside the last of his reservations and deposited the pair of hiruiseki stones into her hand.

"Return these to Yukina and advise her to abandon her fruitless search," he instructed evenly. "Tell her that the phantom brother she's been waiting for is long gone and dead."

"Hiei..." The ferry-girl's thin brows wrinkled as she stared down at the stones in her hand. They were bound together by nothing more than a worn and frazzled piece of leather and the ferry-girl closed her hand around them loosely. There was a conflicted look in her eyes as she met his gaze. "I don't understand…"

"I don't expect you to."

She shook her head. "This will break her heart… You know that, don't you?"

"Yukina isn't as emotional as you appear to be. She will get over it."

"She won't," the woman insisted with a frown. "And I refuse to perpetuate this cruel lie."

Hiei was a little taken aback by the fierce defiance in the ferry-girl's eyes, but he masked it under a look of indifference.

"Take the stones back, Hiei," she continued, pushing her hand towards him. "I don't want any part in this."

Hiei glanced down at the hiruiseki stones as they glinted a haunting blue under the fading rays of the sun. Yukina's remained as perfect and whole as the day of their birth, while his was worse for wear, abraded and tarnished. A heavy weight rested in his chest as his gaze lingered on the twin orbs. The longer he kept them, the more he toyed with the idea of possibly revealing himself to Yukina one day. The weaker his resolve grew. And the more foolish he became.

But there was too much blood on his hands, too many enemies at his back and too many walls up in his heart. He refused to drag Yukina down into his dark and murky world. She was happy here. Settled. Safe. There was nothing more she needed, least of all from a soul as damaged and cynical as his own. His eyes were hard as he fixed them on the bluette impassively. "Do what you will with the stones. They are no longer my concern."

And then he vanished before she could get another opposing word in.

Botan stood in Koenma's office, watching the old team with a fond smile curving her lips.

A faction of radicals had staged a coup d'etat in the Spirit World and the boys were immediately on the case. They managed to round up and apprehend the threats after some stealthy maneuvering and displays of force. As the dust settled and business carried on like usual, Botan couldn't help but appreciate the rare sight of all four teammates underneath the same roof. It had been years since their very first mission, but she was happy to see that neither time nor distance could erode the bonds that tied them all together.

Yusuke's arm was hooked firmly around Kuwabara's neck, keeping the latter in a headlock while ruffling his hair teasingly. Kurama watched the scene through amused eyes, his posture relaxed and at ease as he exchanged a knowing look with Koenma. And Hiei stood off to the side, arms crossed tightly over his chest and features pulled into an unimpressed scowl. As he turned away from the scene, those sharp and piercing crimson eyes stopped on her. They narrowed imperceptibly under dark furrowed brows and Botan found herself nervous under that fiery gaze. Perhaps he was still angry at her over their last exchange. Or maybe it was something else entirely. Before Botan could even try to break the ice, the fire-demon had flashed to her side, grabbed a hold of her arm and began leading her out of the office.

"Hey!" she protested as they traversed through the sliding doors. Hiei didn't let up his grueling pace or his ironclad grip, forcing her to pick up the pace in an attempt to at least maintain some semblance of autonomy. The fire-demon didn't say a word as he guided them into a tight and unoccupied corridor and released her. Botan could feel his rising energy as it surrounded them in the small space. It was agitated and angry, like a snake ready to bite, leaving phantom pin pricks all over her exposed skin. She doubted he was even aware of his actions, too strung up to control himself, but the ferry-girl wasn't afraid or intimidated in the least. She rubbed her sore arm and frowned at him discouragingly. "Didn't anyone ever tell you that it's rude to manhandle a lady?"

Hiei ignored her question in favor of asking his own. "What do you think you're doing?"

Botan's ire faded, features dropping into a look of confusion and offense. "I should be asking you that, mister!"

Rather than wasting time with words, he reached his hand out towards her. The bluette stiffened in shock and surprise as his hand dipped beneath the neck of her kimono and his fingertips brushed against the sensitive skin of her neck. Her breath hitched at the unexpected sensation, but Hiei didn't seem to notice or care as he pulled the silver necklace into view. Dangling at the vertex of its curve was a pair of gleaming hiruiseki stones.

"I'll ask you one more time," he began, his tone icy and accusatory. "What do you think you're doing?"

Botan set her hands on her hips. "I'm safeguarding the stones until you return to your senses, of course!"

Hiei released the gems with an almost disgusted air, so completely and utterly detached from his birthright. The hiruiseki rested against her chest now, out in the open for all to see.

"I already told you where I stand on this subject," he stated firmly.

But there was something conflicted hidden in the lines of his scowl, something stubborn and hesitant and unsure. Botan couldn't let it go; she couldn't pretend she didn't see it. "Well, I believe there's still the small chance that you might change your mind."

The fire-demon's frown twisted condescendingly. "It's that type of idealistic reasoning that got you and your prince in trouble today."

"Huh?"

"Foolishly clinging to quixotic notions and refusing to see what is in front of your eyes is a weakness that will only hinder you in the end."

"I'm choosing to believe in my friend," she replied evenly. "If that makes me weak, then so be it."

"You and I were never friends, woman."

"It's Botan," she corrected through a pout. "And even if you refuse to acknowledge or remember me, I still consider you a friend. Both you and Yukina."

"..."

"That's why I haven't given her that awful message of yours," she continued, resting her hand over the stones. "And that's why I'm holding onto these for the time being. Just until you're ready to take them back."

"...You aren't listening," he ground out.

"I hear you loud and clear," she replied. "I simply don't believe you."

"So you're delusional, then."

"No, I'm simply more perceptive than you give me credit for."

Hiei didn't bother replying with one of his snide remarks, but his eyes rested on the stones once more. Botan always had difficulty deciphering his silences and stoic expressions and this time was no different. She couldn't tell what that guarded look in his crimson eyes meant, but something about it made her heart ache.

"I've been taking good care of the stones," she reassured, although her voice came out smaller than she meant it to be. "They're in good hands."

"If that was true, you wouldn't be flaunting them around like this."

"I'm not flaunting them!" Botan argued, slipping the necklace beneath her kimono. "It just didn't feel right leaving them unaccounted for."

"And why is that?" he probed.

"Yukina told me all about their importance," she revealed. "I feel much better knowing they're safe with me, which is why I took the liberty of reinforcing them on this nifty little necklace."

The fire-demon broke eye-contact first, brows furrowed under the weight of his unyielding frown. Botan wondered if she'd said something wrong; if she'd overstepped her bounds, like she often tended to do. Her expression fell a little as she took in the tense and uncomfortable line of his shoulders. His hands were balled into fists and jaw clenched tight with words unspoken. It didn't take a genius to realize that the origins of the stones and the subject of his family were both sore spots for the fire-demon. But he was the one who dragged her into this mess in the first place. And as much as she liked juicy gossip and secrets, this was definitely one that she would rather not be a part of. Clearing her throat, she forced a smile on her face and attempted to lighten the mood.

"Anyway, I just thought you might like to know that they're in good hands for now. I'll keep them safe until you're ready to take them back. Scout's honor."

Hiei eyed her critically and Botan forced herself to maintain her hopeful smile, even as his features slid into a look of derision.

"You really are ridiculous, woman," he said, before turning away.

"It's Botan!" she called out, voice echoing in the empty hall as he disappeared from her sight.

- x -

Hiei trudged towards Mukuro's booth, ignoring the greetings and cheers he received from various spectators as he passed them by. Although he was a little worse for wear, it did nothing to diminish the high that came from a satisfying match with a victorious ending. The adrenaline was still coursing through his veins as his heart pounded pleasantly in his chest. He never felt more alive than when he was facing a challenging opponent and he couldn't help the smirk that edged its way onto his lips. This year's Demon World Tournament was proving to be worth his time after all.

He entered the private booth and froze when he spotted Koenma and his entourage speaking with Mukuro. Schooling his darkened features into a neutral look, he made his way towards the opposite corner of the room. He was in a halfway decent mood and he refused to let anything ruin that.

The ferry-girl had other plans, apparently.

"Hello Hiei!" she greeted.

He grunted dismissively, intent on ignoring her entirely, when he caught sight of the silver chain that was barely concealed beneath her collar.

"You really have no sense of self preservation, do you?" he sneered.

"That's awfully ironic, coming from you!" she said, motioning to the bandages wrapped tightly around his left arm. A memento from his last battle.

He ignored her remark with a stubborn scowl.

"I can fix that for you, you know," she offered, her tone softening slightly.

"That's besides the point," he replied, eyes narrowing as he took a step closer. He lowered his voice, not wanting Mukuro, Koenma or any of the others to hear their conversation. "You know how valuable hiruiseki are, especially in this world. Parading them around in the demon world is akin to putting a giant target on your back."

"Give me some credit, will you?" she countered easily. She had the decency to speak in a hushed tone as she continued, "The stones are hidden and with this handy dandy trinket, any energy that they might've emitted is reduced to nothing at all!"

Hiei blinked through unimpressed eyes as she showed off the unassuming silver ring around her index finger. Another Spirit World gadget, he presumed. And her claims were true; he couldn't sense the distinct energy the gems gave off at all. There wasn't a single trace of their presence other than the fact that he knew they lay hidden beneath her kimono.

"So, you see, I've been very careful," Botan grinned proudly. "Nobody's even realized that I have them-"

"-Yet," Hiei countered, folding his arms over his chest as he relaxed a bit. "But a fool's luck will only carry you so far."

"Hey now, there's no need to be insulting!"

"It seems fitting, considering how senseless you're being."

Her cheeks bloomed red with anger, but it faded just as quickly as she forced her features into an almost smug look. She played with the silver necklace, a note of teasing ringing clearly in the lilt of her voice as she replied, "If you're so concerned about the stones, then you can always take them back…"

Hiei gritted his teeth in annoyance. She knew he couldn't accept them, not when he'd previously been so adamant on abandoning them. His pride was on the line and there was only one way of ensuring both it and the stones remained intact.

"Watch the matches with me," he ordered.

Her proud expression quickly faded into one of shock, doe eyes growing wider. "Huh?"

"I'm not taking the stones back, but I'll be damned if any of the cretin here gets their hands on them. If you stay within my sights, I can at least guarantee their safety for the time being."

The ferry-girl was at a loss for words, blinking back at him with uncertainty in her gaze and unspoken words lost between her parted lips.

"Botan!" Koenma's voice cut into the air. "We're heading out now."

"Oh, uh…" she hesitated, amethyst eyes dithering back and forth between the fire-demon and the prince.

"Your ferry-girl will be watching the remainder of the matches here," Hiei declared.

Koenma raised a brow, mouth slightly ajar while still managing to retain its hold on the mafukan. "...She what?"

"Uh, yes," Botan cut in sheepishly. "Hiei so graciously extended the invitation and I thought it might be fun!"

"Fun?" Koenma's wide eyes darted back and forth between the duo. "With Hiei? Are you sure?"

"Positive!" she affirmed with a smile so bright that Hiei almost believed her. She fished through her sleeves until she pulled out a purple compact. "I'll keep in touch via the communication mirrors so we can meet up afterwards."

Koenma sucked on his mafukan for a few moments, an involuntary action he resorted to when in deep thought. Eventually, the creases in his brow smoothed out as he nodded his assent.

"Well, I suppose there's no harm in it…" he decided, throwing his scarf over his shoulder. "Don't forget to call me when you're finished."

"Will do!"

And then he was gone, leaving his blue ogre attendant to scramble behind him dutifully. Hiei found himself on the receiving end of several confused looks from a couple of his fellow soldiers, along with an expression he didn't want to begin to translate from Mukuro. The leader rolled her eyes and waved dismissively at him, prompting Hiei to move towards the seats.

"Thank you for having me!" Botan said, bowing to the group. She then followed Hiei, taking up the seat directly beside him with a deep sigh. "Well, that was awkward."

Awkward was a gross understatement.

The ferry-girl cleared her throat and glanced over at him.

"Do you know who's up next?" she asked. "I hope it's a good match up!"

Hiei turned to stare at her blankly.

"...What?" she asked, staring back at him self-consciously.

"Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Chatter on pointlessly to fill the silence."

"I wasn't! I genuinely want to know!"

"Then wait and see like everyone else," he instructed, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. "And be quiet while you're at it. I'd rather not be distracted while watching the matches."

Pink lips turned down into a pout. "You're a real buzz-kill, you know that?"

"I'm well aware."

He fixed his gaze towards the ring, intent on observing the remaining contenders, but as time went on, he found his attention drifting back to the woman at his side. She sat up straight, the rigid line of her posture saying more than words ever could. She was clearly uncomfortable with the turn of events and he supposed he couldn't blame her. A few of Mukuro's soldiers had taken to eying her with blatant curiosity, confusion or a mixture of the two. And while Mukuro herself kept her gaze on the matches, Hiei knew from experience how imposing of a figure she could be. It was quiet within the confines of the booth, which only served to perpetuate the strained tensions between all of them.

"Um, Hiei?"

He regarded the woman with a single raise of his brow. She was playing with her fingers and pointedly avoiding his gaze as she continued.

"Is this just a one-time thing, or are you going to insist we watch the rest of the tournament's matches together, too?"

"As long as you have those stones in this stadium, I'm not letting you out of my sight."

"Great…" she mumbled under breath, sinking low in her chair.

This would undoubtedly be a mistake he would come to regret, but his pride and ego held him steadfastly in place. There was no way he would give the ferry-girl the satisfaction of seeing him take the stones back. Not after all of her posturing earlier.

Besides, he made a decision where Yukina was concerned and he needed to stick with it. Forcing down the beginnings of something akin to guilt, he fixed his gaze on the match down below.

There was no turning back now.

As stated in the first author's note, there will be two more parts to this little three parter. Hope you all enjoyed the opening :)