Disclaimer: I don't own YYH or the characters
This is my next submission for Hiei X Botan Week (2018) on Tumblr. I hope this turned out well. I didn't have as much time to work on it as I wanted yesterday, so, you know, two entries today XD The other one will come not in the middle of the night XD
Day Three Prompt: Family
It had been an absolutely long week in Spirit World, so much so that Botan collapsed in her bed at the end of her day. She was completely drained from flying around the realms, and a bit downtrodden with all of the cases she faced. Her mind, body, and soul needed a breather from the intensity and darkness of her ferrying position. It was weeks such as these that made Botan so physically and emotionally exhausted.
She was fading fast when she heard her compact go off. With a groan, she slipped off her bed to answer it. A sleepy smile graced her features when she saw Yusuke on the screen. "Hello, detective," she teased. "What's going on?"
Yusuke laughed boisterously. "Oh jeez, cut the crap Botan," he joked. "What are you up to tonight?"
Botan's eyes drifted to her bed, but Yusuke didn't know. "Nothing really. I just got off, though, so I'm beat. Why?"
"I finally did it."
Purple eyes shot open as her mouth gaped before she grinned with unbridled joy. "That's wonderful!" she exclaimed. "You and Keiko must be so happy."
A chuckle escaped the former detective as he gently flicked the underside of his nose. "Yeah, yeah… I kept her waiting long enough. I know. In any case, we're all meeting at the restaurant and I wanted you there. Everyone's coming. We're still having trouble locating Hiei, though."
Botan blushed lightly. Honestly, she didn't know where Hiei was. Tensions had been high between them lately, but she was hopeful he'd be back eventually. Come to think of it, maybe that was the reason she had completely overworked herself, to busy herself while she let the dust settle between them. "I see," she replied. "Well, I just need a few minutes and then I'll be on my way."
"Cool," Yusuke said fondly. "See you soon, reaper!"
The ferry girl disconnected and laughed at the old nickname Yusuke gave her. She was honestly so happy for him and Keiko. They had been put through the ringer, survived every test and trial that could have ended their relationship. Now, Yusuke finally, truly proposed. Her best friends were engaged!
"I didn't take you for the lazy type," a heatless voice declared.
Botan shot up; her eyes shifted to her window. She relaxed when she saw Hiei standing above her. Her tired smile didn't fade. "Hey," she greeted airily. "I…didn't expect to see you." Hiei answered with a shrug and jumped down from her sill. "What are you doing here?"
Well, if that wasn't a loaded question. It had been weeks—nearly a month—since he and Botan watched the sunset together and shared that impromptu kiss. Although Hiei had wanted to kiss the woman in that moment, the aftershocks left him feeling beyond overwhelmed. He was no stranger to the opposite sex, but everything that he thought he knew was different with the ferry girl. He did not like different.
However, he had some time to process his bizarre infatuation with the ferry girl, chalked it up to thankfulness, if nothing else. He dared not, at this point, think it could be anything more than a fleeting moment. He was certain the woman had her head in the clouds given the obnoxious song that flared in her mind after the incident.
Wait, why did he come again?
Botan stared at Hiei with tired eyes and started to drift off again. A peace overcame her when Hiei appeared in her room; the wave of relief drowned her. For a moment she forgot Yusuke's call, and she pulled the fire demon out of his dissonant thoughts. "We need to go!" she exclaimed, alarmed.
Hiei's brow furrowed as he eyed the drained woman. When she materialized her oar in the middle of her room, the fire demon knew she was crazy. She boarded her flying stick and then looked to Hiei expectantly. He remained frozen in place. "Come on, now," she pleaded. "I don't want to be late."
"Woman," Hiei growled, "you're a fool to believe I'd get on that contraption of yours when you can hardly stay awake."
A giggle grated on his eardrums. "Oh, don't worry," Botan attempted to assure him. "I've been tired all week and it's been okay. I promise I'll fly safe."
Hiei's expression grew flat. "That doesn't help your case."
"Pretty please?" the woman tried, looking at him with those soft, purple eyes again.
With a sigh of reluctance, Hiei got on and the two were on their way to Human World.
Botan kept true to her word and got them to the Yukimura restaurant in one piece. Unfortunately, it drained Botan of even more energy, and she nearly stumbled. Hiei noticed and felt a glimmer of concern for the woman. How was she still standing?
"Hey, you made it!" Yusuke greeted, not noticing Botan's predicament. Actually, brown eyes were on Hiei and wide. "And you brought Hiei! Where'd you find him?"
A yawn escaped Botan before she said, "He was just there."
A cryptic enough answer for Hiei to avoid questioning. For that, the fire demon was thankful. He was also impressed she could think of something that quickly while completely spent. How the ferry girl was able to eat dinner, talk with everyone in the group, and gush over Keiko's engagement ring Hiei would never know.
Once everyone settled in, and after the excitement had passed, Hiei found himself seated beside Botan. He watched the group as if on the outside. Botan had been observing everyone and let the joy lull her to a peaceful sleep. She hadn't realized that she had drifted off almost completely.
Hiei's body froze at sudden contact. His gaze snapped to his shoulder where the ferry girl's head hit. It seemed she reached her limit, and therefore they'd both be stuck there, but strangely enough that didn't bother Hiei. He shook his head to rid himself of that dangerous thought. Then, out of nowhere, the woman murmured something in her sleep.
"Hm," Botan sighed in contentment as she eyed the others from her spot on the fire demon's shoulder. The sound of her breath earned his attention. "Our family."
Hiei blinked a few times, unable to remove his eyes from the sleeping woman, his expression soft. The woman leaning on his shoulder really was a sentimental fool.
A/N: And now it is time for me to sleep too. I'll be back with prompt four later! Night!
