Botan watched Mukuro and her soldiers file out of the area, letting out a quiet sigh of relief as the echoes of their footsteps faded in the distance. The ferry-girl had no problem with them personally. In fact, she would have loved the opportunity to become closer with Mukuro, if given the chance. But without an introduction or explanation behind her presence, she had been reduced to being both an outsider and the center of attention within the stifling confines of the private room. Every so often, she could feel the unnerving stares of the soldiers; she caught wind of the whispered comments and questions surrounding her sudden appearance. Apparently, Hiei found nothing wrong with the awkward tensions running high in the air. He chose to refrain from any communication at all, outside of disparaging grunts and dismissive one-liners.
Now that they were alone, Botan thought the atmosphere would turn a little less frigid. They had years of acquaintance stacked up between them, after all, but as she stood and faced Hiei, she realized she was sorely mistaken. The fire-demon's mouth was pressed into an unyielding line and his expression conveyed nothing but stoic neutrality. He glanced at her for a moment, not a single trace of familiarity in his red-eyed gaze, before turning away. They desperately needed an icebreaker to dispel the frost that encased their every interaction. Something to make the rest of their time together more pleasant and less awkward.
And she knew just the thing.
"Say, Hiei, are you hungry?"
He blinked at her once, then twice, before answering. "No."
"Well, I'm absolutely starving! Do you want to join me for dinner?"
"Not particularly."
"But-"
"You asked and I answered. Don't pester me about it, ferry-girl."
He began walking ahead without another word, leaving Botan to huff and stomp after him. It was admittedly difficult in her clunky sandals and tightly wrapped floral kimono, so she made a mental note to dress a little more comfortably tomorrow. Setting her sights back on the tetchy fire-demon, she took a moment to observe him fully. She hadn't seen Hiei in so long and now, after a whirlwind of events that left her head spinning, she was more than eager to pause and take a beat.
The fire-demon shot up a couple of inches while maintaining his muscular physique. His hair remained as gravity defying as ever, but his bangs looked a bit longer, stopping just above his eyes. His aura - which used to be so off putting and unapproachable - morphed into something more settled and tame. He didn't strike fear into her heart the way he used to during the earlier days of his alliedship. The anger and intimidation that wrapped around him like a shield seemed to dissipate over the years.
But for all the small differences, there were some things that never changed: like his outstanding rudeness, his stubborn nature and his prickly disposition. As such, they returned to her hotel in stifled silence.
Amidst the sea of wealthy and affluent humans (most of which were well known in the black market), both the ferry-girl and fire-demon stood out like a sore thumb. The building itself was overdone with grandiose decorations and lavish fixings. Everything from its spotless floors to its glittering halls to its impeccably dressed waitstaff screamed of wealth and opulence. It admittedly took a little getting used to, but Botan was determined to enjoy the change of pace while she was afforded the opportunity. Stopping in the center of the lobby, her amethyst eyes darted back and forth between the left and right paths that lay ahead of her.
"What are you doing?" Hiei asked, after realizing that she was no longer trailing after him.
She pressed a finger to her chin in contemplation. "I can't seem to recall which way the restaurants were…"
"If you had any sense you would order room service."
Botan set her hands on her hips and regarded him with a challenging lift of her brow. "Why would I do that when I can have the ambiance of a nice, fancy restaurant?"
"Because the money hungry humans and demons inhabiting your hotel would stop at nothing to get their hands on a pair of hiruiseki," he said lowly, shifting his eyes away from a couple that passed by.
"Maybe you should have thought about that before you so carelessly left them with me," she replied.
"What?" he snapped sharply.
"Well, it's true…" she answered with far less confidence than she meant to, carefully avoiding his gaze.
Hiei gritted his teeth in annoyance. Thinly veiled notes of anger simmered beneath his measured tone as he spoke again, "Just go to your room, woman. I won't ask again."
"And I won't be forced into something else on your account," Botan argued back with a defiant frown.
Hiei opened his mouth to protest, but she wasn't finished.
"This is supposed to be a break for me and I refuse to stay holed up inside," she continued in a huff. "You can either join me, or go back to your own hotel, mister."
Botan didn't wait for him to respond, instead making her way down the left hallway and hoping that it was the right direction. It wasn't long until she heard Hiei's footsteps tracking behind her and the flimsy vestiges of her anger began to diminish. She really didn't really feel like eating alone and Hiei was better company than an empty table. Turning to view him with a triumphant smile, she teased him lightly for good measure, "What a pleasant surprise. I didn't think you'd actually join me."
His scowl deepend. "You hardly left me with much of a choice, ferry-girl."
"You always have a choice, Hiei."
That seemed to throw him off guard a bit, the fight draining from his features. He had only ever looked at her like that one other time: a few weeks back in the Spirit World when she told him about how she was taking good care of the stones. She didn't know what to make of his expression - it was caught somewhere between confused and conflicted all at once - but it was gone in the next instant. He returned to his stone-faced guard as he pushed his hands in his pockets and sighed. "Let's get this over with. I don't have all night."
Botan tried not to grin too widely as she forged ahead. It was rare that anyone won a standoff against Hiei and she was more than happy to bask in the small victory. Her strides were light and easy as they entered the restaurant and were led to a table for two. The eatery boasted high class cuisine from all three worlds, so there was sure to be something that they both enjoyed.
"I'm charging it all back to Lord Koenma's room, so feel free to get whatever you'd like," she encouraged once they were both settled into their seats and perusing the menus. "He probably won't even notice until the tournament ends."
Hiei glanced up at her from across the table and for the first time all day, it felt as though he was finally seeing her. He didn't immediately dismiss her or insult her, like he normally would have. Instead, those red eyes lingered on her like she was a riddle he couldn't quite figure out. Eventually, his eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion and he spoke once more: "I don't understand you."
"Huh?"
"I've given you no reason to be so… friendly," he bit out, like the word was a curse or a personal offense to his pride. "And yet you keep trying."
"It costs nothing to be civil, you know," she replied sagely, folding the red clothed napkin over her lap. She smoothed the wrinkles out and glanced back at him with honesty in her eyes. "And I really did mean it when I said I considered you a friend."
"..."
Hiei glanced away, shoulders squared as if he was uncomfortable by the mere thought of them being friends. She wondered why it unsettled him so much; surely he was used to building a camaraderie with Yusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama over the course of his time on the Spirit Detective team. Then again, he was away from all of them for a considerable amount of time. And the fact that the first thing he'd asked her to do upon his return to the human world was to denounce his relation to Yukina spoke volumes. She fought back a frown and fixed her attention back on the fire-demon. She didn't want their dinner to deteriorate into something unpleasant for either of them, so she cleared her throat and leaned right back into the conversation.
"Besides, it's been so long since we've last seen each other," she tried, fidgeting with the napkin she'd strewn over her lap. "I'd love to hear what you've been up to all this time."
"Still as nosy and interfering as ever," he grumbled.
"Hey-"
"But if you must know, I've been maintaining my post under Mukuro's command, along with regular shifts with the border patrol."
Botan blinked, surprised that he bothered answering in the first place. "Well, that's impressive! I bet working with Mukuro is never a bore."
Hiei leaned back in his chair, looking a little more relaxed as he shrugged. "It has its merits."
The ferry-girl nodded. She was glad he found a place where he belonged. He always seemed so out of sorts and unstable in the human world. Always tense and angry at everyone and everything. But here and now… he wasn't nearly as misplaced as he used to be.
A primly dressed waiter approached them, asking for their orders. Botan was wholly surprised to hear Hiei order a human world dish, but recovered quickly enough to do the same. Once the waiter was out of sight with their menus, she returned her attention to her taciturn company.
"What?" he asked.
"Just surprised you ordered something from the human world."
"Humans may be weak and foolish, but they do know a thing or two about the culinary arts."
Botan bit back a laugh. "I never thought I'd hear you praise humans for anything. I suppose there's a first time for everything, huh?"
"I suppose so."
"Although," she began carefully. "If you enjoy it so much, you should visit more often. I'm sure Yusuke would be more than happy to make something to your liking."
"I don't make it a habit of returning."
"So I've noticed…"
"..." His silence was loud and pointed over the classical music that flowed through the restaurant.
Botan knew that she shouldn't press, but her curiosity won out in the end. "Why don't you…?"
"Because I have no need to."
The ferry-girl tried not to let her disappointment show. Ultimately, it was Hiei's prerogative to do as he pleased, but she couldn't help but think of Yukina, who was still waiting patiently for him to come around. It couldn't have been easy for the ice-maiden at all. Botan chanced a look at Hiei, whose jaw was suddenly tight with unspoken words and whose posture had stiffened up again. Clearly this wasn't easy for him either. Botan supposed all she could do was be there for each sibling in whatever capacity they would allow. Pushing aside the melancholic feelings twisting around in her heart, she regarded Hiei with a renewed smile.
"Would you like to know what everyone's been up to in the meantime?" she asked instead.
"Not particularly."
"Well, I'll tell you anyway. Shizuru's working at a salon. She's got a steady stream of loyal clients, which makes sense, considering how good she is," Botan revealed. "Kuwabara and Keiko are finishing up their last years of university and then they'll take the world by storm."
"I didn't ask-"
"-And Yukina moved out of the temple."
"What?"
Botan pretended not to notice the way Hiei's frown deepened.
"She wanted to experience more of the human world, so she moved in with Shizuru and Kuwabara. Yusuke brings her to his cart sometimes and she'll help out there, too. She's acclimating really well."
Hiei didn't speak, but the downward slant of his lips said more than enough. He really had no idea about what his sister was up to after all this time.
"I figured you would have at least kept tabs on her with the jagan," she stated.
"Yukina is safe in the human world. There is little need for me to watch over her now," Hiei reasoned.
"Well, yes, but-"
"And you," he cut in.
"Huh?"
"You haven't said a word about yourself," he pointed out, swiftly and aggressively changing the topic.
"Oh, I didn't think you'd care."
"I didn't much care about the rest either; that didn't seem to stop you."
Botan let out an affronted gasp, but he only continued to stare at her impatiently.
"You really have a way with words, you know that?" she huffed, folding her arms over her chest.
"So I've been told."
"In any case, I've been busy training the new batch of Spirit Detectives."
"Don't tell me: it's another set of underqualified brats," he droned.
"Well, it's sort of their legacy, as the son and daughter of a former detective," Botan explained. Her expression melted into a fond smile as she thought of Fubuki and Kaisei. "Thankfully, it's been relatively peaceful. They've really only dealt with low level threats up until now."
"You care for them."
"Of course I do!"
"Of course you do," he echoed dryly. "You always did seem far too attached to your charges, Yusuke especially."
"Not just him, I cared about all of the team, including you," she admitted. "I still do."
Hiei seemed to hesitate at that. There was a flash of uncertainty in his eyes, softened by the warm lights of the restaurant. Eventually, he bit out a response, "...You're always saying strange things, woman."
He didn't sound the least bit insulting when he said that, so Botan let it roll off her shoulders. The waiter returned with their drinks and it wasn't long after that until their dinner was served. Their meals were consumed without much words exchanged, but unlike in Mukuro's booth, the silence that spanned between them now was less oppressive in nature. Botan didn't feel the need to fill it or overpower it. And even Hiei seemed to be more at ease, shoulders falling into a relaxed line and expression clear of any tension. All in all, she dubbed their outing a success.
Later that night, when Hiei had escorted her back to her room, Botan decided to voice the thoughts that were tentatively drifting around her mind.
"This was nice, wasn't it?"
Hiei shoved his hands in his pockets and averted his gaze. "Don't misconstrue it… I'm only doing this-"
"For the stones, I know," she inserted, placing a hand over them. "But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves while we're at it."
Hiei's lips drew into a telling line.
"I don't have any ulterior motives or anything like that," she reassured.
"I never said you did."
"Your shifty eyes are doing all the talking for you."
"Because, once again, you make no sense," he said.
"It's not that complicated, Hiei. You and I never spend this much time alone together. And it probably won't ever happen again, so why not make it a pleasant experience for the both of us?"
"..."
"Besides, if I didn't look on the brightside, then I'll be forced to remember that you saddled the stones on me with the awful task of lying to Yukina, and now you're treating me like an incompetent child by refusing to let me out of your sight."
"..."
"So, really, it's for the best that we forget about all of that and just start fresh."
He glanced away in favor of admitting that she actually had a point.
"I'll be back this way tomorrow morning," he said instead. "Don't think of leaving without me."
Botan really should have protested - if not for her own autonomy, then at least because it was expected of her - but her heart simply wasn't in it. It truly was nice to simply coexist with Hiei, so she nodded her agreement.
"I'll see you then."
"Good morning, Hiei!" Botan greeted brightly.
The woman was wearing human world clothes today, the long trail of her kimono replaced with a simple pair of jeans and white sneakers. The hiruiseki stones were concealed underneath the neckline of her pink blouse and her hair was tied up, as per usual. She was smiling at him like she would any of the others and it put Hiei on edge.
He grunted in acknowledgement, affording no words in exchange as he turned and made his way back down the hall.
"Do you want to stop for breakfast first?" she asked, arms swinging as she walked far too close to him.
"No."
"It isn't wise to fight on an empty stomach."
"Is it your goal to pester me?"
"I'm a licensed trainer, you know! I'm only looking out for you."
"I don't need you to."
"I wouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't."
Hiei fought the urge to scoff at the woman's thoughtless proclamations. He had no need for friends or companions. He still believed it to be a crutch for the weak; a relationship built out of one's own shortcomings, but she continued to believe otherwise.
"I don't see what the big deal is. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and we've got lots of time before the matches begin," she said as they entered the elevator.
When Hiei didn't acquiesce, she shook her head. "I swear, it's almost as if all of you enjoy neglecting yourselves. I usually have to talk Shizuru into taking breaks because she often forgets she needs food and rest to function. Kuwabara too. Yukina's much better at taking care of herself. You all could really learn a thing or two from her…"
Hiei tuned the ferry-girl out as she continued to chatter on endlessly, her voice echoing in the elevator's steely enclosure. He didn't want to know about the other's habits. He didn't want to hear about Yukina when he already decided to distance himself. He wasn't a part of her life; he wasn't privy to the smaller details, and yet, the ferry-girl continued to sprinkle them in here and there. She made him wonder about his sister and how she was faring. Made him reconsider if he'd made the right choice; if staying away was the right course of action.
Shaking his head, he dispelled those thoughts immediately.
"Enough," Hiei cut in. "If we stop for food, will you shut up?"
Botan nodded eagerly as the doors opened up. "There's this cute little cafe on the main floor…"
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and followed after her with a sigh. He should have just given the stones to Yukina himself. The ferry-girl was more trouble than she was worth.
.
.
.
Breakfast proceeded without much pomp or circumstance, but there was a distinct change in the ferry-girl when they re-entered Mukuro's viewing room. For starters, she wasn't nearly as nervous or quiet as she was before, her past reservations vanishing into thin air. She broke away from his side to introduce herself to the others, taking some time to indulge in small talk and the like. She had taken a special liking to Haru - the emotion reading bane of Hiei's existence - and only skipped back to the empty seat at Hiei's side once the first match began. He didn't think sharing two meals with the woman was enough to change her countenance around him so quickly, but then again, the ferry-girl was always pushing the boundaries of normalcy with her infinite cheer and endless offerings of friendship. And, now that she was more comfortable around Mukuro's camp, she had taken to expressing her emotions in the ways that Hiei remembered: gasping at brutal moves, clutching her hands tightly together in worry, biting at her bottom lip and tapping her foot against the ground irritatedly. Her eyes glittered with interest in one moment and darkened with dread just as quickly. Spectating was practically a sport with the way she participated.
It should have annoyed him. But as his eyes slid towards the necklace that held his stones, as he glanced at the Spirit World ring on her finger, and as he considered all the ways she tried to befriend and support him, the beginnings of his irritation melted into something less acerbic.
The ferry-girl was foolish in more ways than one, especially when it came to her indiscriminate concern. She cared about others far too greatly. Meddling in their affairs and making their problems her own. He never did well with her brand of personality, but strangely enough, this self-imposed concomitance hadn't been as torturous as he'd expected. Perhaps there was something odd in the food last night. Or in his drink. Maybe the woman drugged him. Whatever the case was, he never expected himself to be able to tolerate her in such large doses. They'd never been left alone before his return to Makai, and they rarely spoke after it. This was new, unprecedented and highly unexpected.
.
.
.
"Let's go to the lounge!"
It was the end of their third day of matches and it had been going as well as it could, considering neither of them had attempted to kill the other yet. Hiei was currently walking Botan back to her room after being coerced into another meal, when she stopped near the elevators with an air of excitement.
"What do you say?" Botan tempted, eyes glinting pink under the bright chandelier lights that hung above. "I'm sure a little night cap will do us both well!"
She slipped the question in while his guard was low and mood relatively amenable. Hiei was always a little more agreeable when his appetite was sated and he nearly agreed before he realized what it was she proposed. Crossing his arms over his chest, he fixed her with a hard stare.
"No."
"Please?" Botan pleaded. "It's way too early to turn in!"
"I already said no, woman."
"Fine. I suppose I could go all alone," she said, toying with the necklace attached to the stones poutily. "Completely unprotected and an easy target for anyone who wanted something valuable."
Crimson eyes narrowed. "Or I could manhandle you back to your room, tie you up and save us both the trouble-"
"Kinky..."
They both turned towards the direction of the familiar voice, only to find Yusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama staring at them with varied levels of amusement, or, in Kuwabara's case, horror. They were all dressed in Makai-inspired formal robes, but they still managed to look out of place.
"What are you three doing here?" Botan asked, joy lighting up her features. "I thought you all couldn't make it?"
"Kuwabara kept pestering me about it," Yusuke said, cocking a thumb in the psychic's direction. "We would've arrived yesterday, but the nerd had a test or something."
"Hey!" Kuwabara bellowed indignantly. "Some of us actually care about our futures, Urameshi!"
"There was a prior engagement that I had to see to as well," Kurama revealed, interrupting before a fight could break out. "I hope we didn't miss much."
"I'm sure there will be plenty more excitement to go around," Botan replied, before blinking at their formal robes. "Are you boys headed somewhere?"
"We're supposed to be joining Yoki for dinner," Kuwabara answered. He rubbed the back of his neck as he cast her a sheepish smile. "I'm kinda nervous. I hope I make a good impression."
"It's Yomi," Yusuke corrected. "And it's fine. This is all pretty much just an act of good will or something anyway."
"You're both welcome to join us," Kurama offered.
Hiei grunted dismissively. "I'd rather impale myself on my own sword than spend that much time in Yomi's presence."
A knowing smile reached Kurama's lips as he nodded in understanding. The fox might have enjoyed verbal matches of razor sharp wit and words wrapped in meaningless platitudes, but Hiei couldn't stand any of it. He much preferred it when people said what they meant and he didn't have to go digging for their intent.
"What about you, B?" Yusuke asked. "Up for some fancy wining and dining?"
Botan glanced between the fire-demon and the others and he wondered why she even bothered with pretending to deliberate. It was only natural that she'd choose to leave with the others once the option presented itself. He wasn't the sensitive sort. He wouldn't be offended. He wouldn't particularly care. In fact, it would be best if she did. That way he could retire to his room without being drawn into any further outings with the fanciful woman.
"I think I'll stick with Hiei tonight," she decided, taking a step closer to him. "He's supposed to be joining me at the lounge, after all."
"I won't be-"
"Alright," Yusuke agreed loudly, drowning out Hiei's protest. "We'll swing by later if you're still around."
"Have fun!" she said, waving as they walked away.
Hiei waited until they were out of earshot before turning to her.
"Why didn't you go with them?"
"Why didn't you?" she countered.
"Because I detest Yomi."
"Well, I don't have any strong feelings for or against him, but we've been having such a nice time lately. We should definitely keep this momentum going."
It was hard to hold her gaze when she looked at him with such open warmth and affection. He didn't know what to do with such softness, nor did he know how to combat the flood of unfamiliar sentiments that seared him through from the inside out.
"I think you simply enjoy torturing me, ferry-girl," he stated.
"Maybe just a little."
Botan traipsed ahead, not bothering to verify whether he was following after her or not. She must have known he had no choice. Not while she was wearing the stones.
The lounge Botan was so intent on wasting their time in was packed, dimly lit and filled with the buzzing chatter of patrons cutting over the low notes of music crooning from the speakers. The couches and standing tables scattered around the area were all occupied, forcing them to take the last two open spots at the bar.
"I've got a great idea," Botan sang, as the bartender placed their drinks down before them. She took an experimental sip of her fruity cocktail, before beaming at him. "Let's play a game!"
Hiei closed his hand around his glass of cinnamon whiskey. "Hn. I detest like trivial games."
"It's more of a conversation starter really - all we'll do is ask each other questions."
"It sounds intrusive and unnecessary."
"It's fun! And when will we really ever get this chance again?"
"Never, if I have a say in things."
"Exactly why we shouldn't let this opportunity pass us by!" she countered, sidling closer to him. "We can start off nice and easy. And I'll even let you go first, what do you say?"
"I say no."
"Oh, come now!"
"..."
"Please?"
"Do you ever shut up?" he snarked.
"Sometimes!" she answered, twirling her straw around in her drink. "I have to say, though, that was an awful waste of a first turn."
"It doesn't matter. I'm not playing this little game of yours."
"Oh, come on, Hiei. That's not fair."
"I don't care."
"One question?" she prodded. "It's only right, you know."
He glared at her warningly.
She only continued to stare back at him with her lips curved downwards. It was a pitiful attempt at chipping at his resolve, but he had a feeling the stubborn ferry-girl would keep this up all night until he lost what little sanity he had left.
Hiei threw back the rest of his drink and growled, "Fine, you infernal woman. Go."
Her amethyst eyes glittered excitedly under the lowlight. "Is there anything going on between you and Mukuro?"
"What?"
"You know, a clandestine relationship? Love in the air?"
"No, you fool."
"Really?"
"Really."
She deflated. "Huh, I always wondered-"
"What about you and your little prince?"
"Excuse me?"
"Answer the question, woman."
"No!" she spluttered, nose wrinkling in disgust. "The thought never even crossed my mind."
He smirked. "It isn't so fun anymore, is it?"
"On the contrary, I'm having a blast," she said huffily. "And since it's my turn again: why do you insist on being so difficult and mean all the time?"
"Perhaps it's a reaction to my current company."
"Hey, I've been nothing but kind and nice and-!"
"-And now it's my turn, ferry-girl," he interrupted. "Do you have any control at all over that mouth of yours, or are tact and sensitivity both a lost cause when it comes to you?"
"I'm getting better at it!"
"Hardly."
"Well, you aren't exactly the king of tact yourself…"
They continued to volley petty insults laced as questions for a few more rounds until the ferry-girl changed the atmosphere by asking questions with more substance and less vitriol. As time passed and their drink count increased, Hiei found himself supplied with more knowledge about Botan than he'd ever expected to possess. He now knew all sorts of trivial things about her, like the fact that her favorite time of day was sunrise and that sunsets always served to make her inexplicably sad. She enjoyed the loud Megallica music Kuwabara often played for her, but confessed to not understanding the meaning of the lyrics at all. She enjoyed romantic novels and movies, but couldn't stomach the gory horror films that Yukina seemed to enjoy. She could never settle on a favorite color. Or a favorite holiday. Or a favorite season (she'd given him a whole litany of reasons as to why each one held its own special charms). She thought rain storms were calming and full moons were romantic and the list went on and on.
Before he knew it, Yusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama arrived, along with a few of the others they'd met at the Dark Tournament. They drew more attention than Hiei would have liked, and suddenly, the group was growing larger and larger. He was never one for big crowds or loud affairs. The hiruiseki stone was more than safe with so many eyes on the ferry-girl and so, Hiei slipped away from the bar.
He cast one last look at the ferry-girl in the center of it all. It was better this way, he decided, as he tore his gaze away from the smiling woman and made his escape.
.
.
.
Hiei sat with his arms crossed, eyes narrowed and finger tapping uselessly against his bicep. He found it increasingly difficult to pay attention to the battle unfolding within the confines of the ring. It was dead silent without the ferry-girl at his side, commenting on every little thing. He'd made the decision to stay away from her now that Yusuke and the rest of the band of fools was here. The ferry-girl would be safe with them. And most importantly, the stones would be safe, too.
That was all that mattered in the end. It was the sole reason for their recent arrangement, after all.
He released a deep breath and attempted to refocus on the match. It was an interesting one; the two opponents had close to equal power classes and were facing off with everything they had. He should have remained intrigued at the very least, but he found his interest declining with each quiet second that passed by.
Suddenly, the door swung open with a long and unpleasant creak, only to reveal the ferry-girl standing in its threshold. There was an uncharacteristic frown tugging at her lips and furrowing her brows as she glowered at him.
"Forgetting someone, mister?" she asked tightly.
Hiei met her gaze with a look of stoic indifference, tamping down the surprise that lay beneath the surface. He expected her to be in Koenma's booth, flanked by Yusuke and either Kuwabara or Kurama, not standing here and staring him down. "What are you doing here?"
"Do you suddenly have amnesia, Hiei? You're the one who landed us in this little predicament of ours."
Mukuro and a few of her soldiers glanced between the two of them. Botan was causing a scene, but she didn't seem to care. He stood up and crossed over to her, intent on keeping their conversation private.
"Kurama and the others are here," Hiei replied lowly. "Surely you won't get into any trouble with them around."
"So you just ditched me like that? Without a word?"
"You're forgetting the reason you were in my care. It was for the stones."
"Unbelievable!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in defeat. "You are the worst!"
"What's the matter with you, woman?" Hiei snarled, anger flooding into his crimson eyes.
"You are!"
Botan stomped off in a huff and it only took Hiei two seconds of deliberation to follow after her. She didn't make it that far out of the hall before his hand gripped her arm and halted her in her tracks. As he spun her around to face him, her frown was still everpresent. The hallway was quiet and empty; the door to the booth was shut. It was just the two of them, which he was starting to find less and less troublesome, but he wasn't at all used to being on the receiving end of the ferry-girl's ire. Even during their petty squabbles and bouts of banter, he knew that her displeasure was more for show than anything else. But this was different.
"You're being irrational," Hiei said.
"I am not."
"You are."
"I'm really not!" she said. "I was waiting for you this whole time and you didn't even have the decency to let me know you weren't coming!"
His rebuttal died on his tongue when he realized what she'd said. "...You waited for me, ferry-girl?"
"Of course I did!"
"Surely you could have left with Yusuke."
"But I didn't want to, I wanted…" she cut herself off and shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself defensively.
"You wanted me," he realized flatly. Not Yusuke. Not Kurama. Not Kuwabara. Just him.
She nodded wordlessly.
And that was the heart of the matter. Despite all logic and rationale, the ferry-girl wanted to stay with him. He could hardly understand what was going through her bizarre mind, or what would lead her to such a decision.
"Is it such a crime?" she asked.
"No," he replied, his voice sounding distant even to his own ears. "You're allowed to make your own choices, even if they don't make any sense."
"It surprised me, too," she admitted, avoiding his gaze. "And it hurt… when you ditched me without a word."
"I didn't know, woman..." he explained. "That you wanted… this."
"Well, I'm telling you now, plainly and clearly," she asserted. "But if you don't want me around-"
"-I never said that."
"Are you saying…?"
"If I wanted you gone, you would know," he finished.
Her expression lit up as she understood the truth hidden between his words. She smiled a little. "Alright, I guess I'll join you, then!"
"Fine, woman."
"Botan."
Hiei raised a brow.
"Don't look at me like that, it's only common courtesy to address your friends by name, you know."
"I thought we already established that I lack your required level of etiquette," he said as they both turned back towards the viewing room.
She nudged him playfully. "Well, it's the least you could do after abandoning me the first chance you got."
He had a feeling she was going to hold this over his head for a long time to come. He rolled his eyes as he regarded her. "You're a menace, Botan."
The smile that unfurled over her features was as bright as the midday sun and for once, he didn't feel the need to look away. Truth be told, he'd much rather have her beaming at him like this than angry and pouting, like moments before.
Botan never once doubted if Hiei would come for her again; he picked her up like clockwork each morning.
After all this time, he still remained a man of his word.
Currently, she sat in Mukuro's booth, nails digging crescents into her palm as she bit on her bottom lip. Hiei was in the arena, facing off against Yomi. While the fire-demon's power was always fearsomely impressive, Yomi was clearly on another level. Still, Hiei pushed on, pulling out attack after attack, throwing himself fearlessly into the fray. Some might have called it reckless, and it was, but Botan chose to see his determination and resolve instead. She was rooting for him, even though it appeared to be a fruitless endeavor.
The battle ended in a powerful flash that shook the stands, and she was dismayed to see Hie's prone and unconscious body on the floor. The ferry-girl held her breath as the announcer began counting, each second ticking on painfully slowly. She was torn between cheering him on and wishing the fight was over; he was injured enough as is, and carrying on wouldn't bode well for the fire-demon. In the end, he regained his bearings on the eighth count, but ultimately failed to stand in time to remain in the fight. Yomi was declared the victor and they both exited on opposite sides of the ring.
Botan rushed to meet him outside of Mukuro's private booth. He was limping, although he tried to hide it, and his body was bruised with a series of injuries. He looked even worse up close and she couldn't help the concern that blanketed her features.
"Hiei-"
"Save your condolences," he cut in roughly, before she could get another word in.
Botan tilted her head at him. "I wasn't going to offer anything of the sort, silly. But you really could do with a bit of healing."
He eyed her silently, but she wasn't unnerved under the piercing gaze of those crimson eyes. In fact, she was growing quite used to Hiei's critical stares and loaded silences. She smiled in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"So, what do you say? Care for a bit of handy, dandy white-magic? I'm quite good at it, you know."
"..." Red eyes darted left, then right, taking in the empty hallway. "Fine. But make it quick."
"Yes, please Botan, I would greatly appreciate your assistance," she intoned in a horrible attempt at mimicking Hiei's voice. Then she sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly, would it kill you to be a little polite about it?"
The fire-demon's lips edged upwards the slightest bit as he regarded her. "Hn, it just might."
Botan rolled her eyes knowingly as she stepped closer to him. She gave him a quick look-over, cataloguing the worst of his injuries and tending to those first. As her energy crackled and flowed out from the palms of her hands and into Hiei's injuries, she remembered the first time she used her white magic around him. They were both on opposite sides of the battle and she was trying to save Keiko from the effects of the Sword of Darkness. She remembered how antagonistic and cruel he was back then; how formidable and daunting he was as a foe. They had come such a long way since then. The villain turned ally turned friend. Her expression softened as she considered just how much he changed and how much she had come to respect his strength and tenacity.
"You were pretty impressive out there, you know," she mentioned casually.
"What did I just say about not wanting pity?"
"I was only stating my opinion!" she maintained. "And, even though it seemed foolish at first, I do admire the way you kept on fighting right up until the end."
"..."
"You've always been like that, though. Exhausting every option until the end."
"I don't surrender easily."
"I've noticed."
They slipped into a quiet and comfortable silence as she continued to work. Her endurance was much better when she first started out. Expending this much energy would have had her feeling dizzy and lightheaded in the past, but it was hardly a problem now that she learned to master the art of reserving and controlling her energy. It didn't take long until the last of Hiei's injuries were tender to.
"Alright, we're just about through here," she said with a pleased smile. "How do you feel?"
"Healed," he answered brusquely.
"Well, I suppose I should have expected I wouldn't get a thanks out of you," she teased. She began to turn away, intent on returning to the booth, when Hiei's hand shot out and closed over the bare skin of her wrist. His grip wasn't tight enough to hurt, but it wasn't loose enough for her to pull out of, either. She blinked up to meet his gaze through wide, surprised eyes.
"Start thinking of what you want to do tonight," he said. "I won't object this time, no matter how ridiculous."
"Really?"
"As payment for what you've just done, yes," Hiei said.
"An honest thanks would have sufficed just as well, you know."
"I don't like owing anybody," he muttered, releasing her in favor of crossing his arms over his chest and glancing away stubbornly.
He was awfully cute when he avoided her gaze with that small frown slated on his lips and Botan couldn't help but smile in turn. She could still feel the imprint of his warm hand wrapped around the tender skin of her wrist. She was surprised that his touch could be so gentle and her cheeks flared. Clearing her throat, she clapped her hands together in a lame attempt to dispel those odd thoughts.
"Kurama mentioned something about a traveling market," she revealed. "He said it was nearby?"
Hiei nodded. "I know of it."
"Great! I'd love to pick up some souvenirs for the girls," she said. Amethyst eyes narrowed slightly as they scrutinized the fire-demon. There were tears in his clothing and dirt marks over the exposed bits of his skin. "But before that, you should really wash up and change first. I may have healed you, but you still look awfully worse for wear."
"I'll find you in the lobby after the matches are over."
"Perfect!"
.
.
.
Botan's eyes widened when she spotted Hiei making his way over to her. He was dressed in casual clothing and, while it wasn't all that different from the standard fighting attire he often wore, she would be lying if she said she didn't commit the sight to memory. He wore a white long-sleeved shirt, which was tucked into one of his signature black pants. There was a single belt tied to his waist, one hand in his pocket as he trudged towards her in flat shoes. The jagan was concealed behind his usual white bandana and his expression was neutral as he led her out of the hotel and towards the market.
It was still light out, the red sun burning brightly in the horizon. There were a couple of clouds in the distance, along with the rumbling sounds of a storm, but she long since learned that that was the norm in Makai. As she walked side by side with Hiei, she realized that their time together was soon crawling to its end.
It was a sobering thought, returning to reality where they lived in two separate worlds and hardly interacted outside of the anomaly that was the tournament. She wanted to spend more time with him; see more and more sides that he often kept hidden away. She wanted to experience more of those softer smirks he afforded when he thought she wouldn't notice. She wanted to hear him narrate the battles as they unfolded, giving his own critique about stances and forms. She wanted to argue with him over lighthearted and inconsequential things. She wanted to soak in the tranquil silences when words weren't needed at all. She wanted more - more time and more moments with the fire-demon.
"Stay close," he ordered, his voice cutting through the ferry-girl's wistful thoughts.
Botan stood at full attention. "Don't worry I'll keep the stones safe."
He looked like he wanted to say something in objection, but shook his head and let it go. The area was so lively, lined with stalls as the owners pandered to anyone that passed by. Botan was hoping to find some memorable gifts for her friends, and with the stipend Koenma gave her, she would be able to splurge on some higher end items.
They had browsed around for about ten minutes, when a young cat demon barreled into Hiei with a sheepish apology. Before he could make his getaway, the fire-demon snatched him up by the back of his shirt and lifted him off the ground.
"Hiei!" Botan admonished, watching the scene with a frown, ready to intervene, if necessary. Surely Hiei wouldn't bully a child for bumping into him. The demon boy struggled for a few moments, kicking his legs out frantically, before realizing he was out of luck.
"I'm sorry!" he exclaimed, head bowed as he held his hand out to return the money he'd apparently swiped. His blue eyes began to fill with tears as he panicked. "I-I was hungry, and-"
"Hn." Hiei released the boy without a word and shoved a hand inside his pants pocket. When he pulled it out, he deposited a few more gold coins into the child's hands. "Don't bother pickpocketing if you can't do it right."
The boy blinked, emotion overcoming his mystified expression as he stared down at the handful of coins and then back up at the fire-demon. He opened his mouth to reply, but Hiei already turned away.
Botan wasted no time in handing her coin purse off to the boy as well, regarding him with a warm smile. "I hope it helps."
His face lit up as his smile widened. "Thank you, miss."
She nodded, watching him scamper off excitedly. When he was out of sight, lost in the throng of bodies, Botan set her sights back on Hiei.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked gruffly.
She shook her head, but it wasn't enough to push away the warmth her heart was succumbing to. "You're just… really kind is all…"
"Kind is the last word I'd use."
"I mean it! I think I've discovered some cracks in that stone heart of yours!"
"Don't be dramatic."
"I'm not! In fact, I can hear it beating like any other kind hearted, warm-blooded person's would!"
"Stop that, woman."
But his voice wasn't nearly as acerbic and irritated as it ought to be. When his eyes met hers again, his gaze had softened just the slightest bit. Botan found her pulse picking up its pace, although she wasn't sure why. Fond affection flooded her heart and filled her chest. She didn't want to look away.
"Let's get this over with," Hiei said, breaking the moment. "I detest crowds like these."
"Oh, well, you see… I sort of can't buy anything anymore," she said, pressing the pads of her fingers together nervously.
"And why is that, ferry-girl?"
"I gave all of my money to that boy after you turned away."
"Of course you did," he realized, not at all surprised by her actions.
Botan fought back a pout as she eyed the beautiful trinkets on display in the stall before her. While she didn't regret her decision, she doubted Koenma would give her more cash; he was always so stingy with funds.
"We'll come back tomorrow," Hiei decided.
"Really?" she perked up instantly.
"I can get more money. And I'd rather not have you sulking for the rest of the tournament."
The way her mood lifted over such a small thing was hardly normal, but Botan pushed that worry aside in lieu of following after the fire-demon.
The rest of the tournament flashed by in a series of interactions with the ferry-girl and before Hiei knew it, it was over.
Somewhere along the way, he'd forgotten that the whole point of this was to protect the stones. It became second-nature to meet Botan each morning and escort her back each night. It was natural to waste his time on her whims; to partake in the sort of silly indulgences he once thought were below him.
And now their unusual coexistence was reaching its end.
Hiei watched as Botan bid Yusuke and the others farewell.
The last three years of his life were characterized by fierce battles and bouts of isolation. He threw himself into his work and duties under Mukuro, finding purpose and value in the work he did there. He kept himself from anything and anyone that didn't have to do with his responsibilities at the fortress. It was empty and hollow, but he'd long since grown used to it. But now, that familiar void was being filled with things he never once thought to allow. Gentle touches. Warm laughter. Kind words. Bright smiles. He found himself gravitating to the woman's softness like a fool.
This was all so unlike him. Even so, he stepped out of the shadows, allowing her to spot him now that she was alone.
"Hiei!" she said warmly. "I was looking all over for you! I was afraid we wouldn't get to say goodbye…"
"So sentimental, ferry-girl."
"Well, knowing you, the next time I'd see you was another three years…"
He glanced away, not entirely innocent on that front.
"Hey," she said softly, drawing his attention back to warm eyes and a sincere smile. "I meant what I said before; I'll hold onto the stones until you're ready to take them back. But that doesn't mean you have to stay away until that day…"
Hiei didn't know why words were failing him at that moment; it felt as though his throat was constricting and rendering words useless. Luckily, the ferry-girl was a master at filling silences.
"I know you said there's nothing left for you outside of Makai, but we're all still here," she tried. "Even if you aren't ready to reveal yourself to Yukina, you can still be in her life. And ours, too. There's really no need for you to be a stranger."
If it were a few days earlier, he would have lashed out with sharp words and a defensive attitude. He would have told the ferry-girl to stay out of his affairs. And he would have stormed away. But things were different now. Her words didn't feel like a judgement or a trap. He could see them as what they were: an invitation. So, he nodded, even now, still baffled by just how much she cared. Thrown by the fact that she actually wanted to see him, of all people. Botan took a step closer and he was certain she was about to do something overly friendly and sentimental, like embrace him, so he willed himself not to tense up. It was just a friendly gesture. She'd done it with the others and if they could withstand it, then so could he. The fire-demon was ready for it. Willing to indulge in it, even.
But then Botan stopped, hesitation lingering in her mauve eyes as she took a retreating step back. The distance between them felt greater than it was.
"Well, you know how to find me!" she continued, a blush on her cheeks as she smiled at him. "I hope to see you around."
Hiei could only watch her walk away, regret and disappointment swirling around like twin storms in his chest.
Thank you all so much for the lovely reviews on Chapter 1! I wasn't expecting such a sweet reception at all and was blown away.
I hope you enjoyed the second installment. Please let me know your thoughts, if you did. :)
Chapter 3 will wrap up this tale. See you next time!