Disclaimer: I don't own YYH or the characters. If I did, HB would be canon ;)

Time for more of the biweekly challenge!

Prompt: Touch

The apartment was small and practically barren. Hiei didn't come with much, just some necessary furniture, some clothes, and a small safe box. It suited him just fine; he was used to the isolated feeling associated with being on the move. In his line of work, staying in one place too long was dangerous, especially if he made enemies along the way.

His phone buzzed, and he frowned. He took it out so he could read the message from his 'superior'.

Zeru: Boss wants you to on the docks tonight. New shipment.

Hiei sneered. He despised Zeru, and he hated their 'boss' even more. To be honest, the only reason Hiei was involved with them in the first place was because of his background. He grew up on the streets; thievery and crime were all he knew. Still, the shipment Zeru spoke of was the reason Hiei fell in the organization of Gonzo Tarukane.

Gonzo Tarukane was an alleged drug lord and human trafficker, the scourge of the city, and the bastard who, in part, caused Hiei's life to go in the horrific direction it did. Of course, Tarukane had no idea who Hiei was, didn't know that his actions contributed to the one single thought on Hiei's mind.

Tarukane's downfall.

The secret of his identity allowed Hiei to infiltrate Tarukane's ranks. Having lived on the streets in his younger days, Hiei possessed a set of skills that were highly sought after and quite the reputation in the seedy underbelly of organized crime. Hiei made a name for himself in the underground, so he used that to his advantage. He needed to get closer to the demon, but he only just involved himself with Tarukane's business as an underling. For now, Hiei needed to answer to Zeru. The two butt heads often, but only because Zeru had little respect for Hiei, and Hiei refused to bow to his 'supervisor'. In about a month, Hiei predicted he'd be answering to Tarukane directly, as long as he played his cards right. Then, he'd bring him down.

A knock on the door snapped Hiei out of his dark musings. His eyes narrowed, and his first instinct was to grab his gun. No one knew he lived there, not to his knowledge, but it was best to play it safe. He moved to the door. When he looked out the peephole, he saw a blue-haired woman standing on the other side of the door. She wore a smile on her face and bright clothing, and in her hands she held several foil-wrapped trays. Hiei's brows furrowed.

Hiei put his gun away in a hidden holster at his back and then opened the door. He probably should have pretended not to be home, but the woman looked harmless enough. She beamed at him, her eyes sparkling with kindness. His expression still remained skeptical and irritated.

"Well, hello there, neighbor," the woman chimed. "Welcome to the building. I figured you might be hungry after moving in."

Hiei's eyes shifted to the trays before he returned his eyes to her gaze. He sneered at the woman and was prepared to slam the door in her face. Before he could, she spoke again, "My name is Botan, by the way. I live right next door. What's your name?"

"None of your business," Hiei spat harshly. Botan seemed surprised by Hiei's demeanor, but he had to acknowledge she stood her ground well. Most people stumbled back or became fearful of him. His neighbor just looked perplexed and curious.

Instead of being upset by the rude treatment, Botan smiled and said, "Well now I know you're in need of a good meal." She shoved the trays at him. Surprised by the sudden intrusion, Hiei subconsciously held out his arms and unwillingly took the trays. He was about to snap at the woman when she added, "Hopefully that will help with that grumpy attitude. And now that we've broken the ice, I can help you un…pack."

Hiei was about to tell this woman where she could go when she took him by surprise and brazenly strode into his apartment as if she were invited in. Of course, her words died in her throat as she noticed how bare that place was. She looked around skeptically. Hiei felt his hair raise and his muscles clench tightly in rage. His lip curled in disgust as he went into the kitchen and slammed the trays down on the table. Then, he hurried to Botan and grabbed her wrist.

Botan's attention snapped to her neighbor, her eyes wide and lips bit nervously. The raven-haired man was taken aback by the blatant vulnerability in her uncertain gaze. Although his grip on her wrist remained, it loosened considerably.

"Do you normally enter the homes of strangers uninvited?" Hiei growled darkly. "Especially those of unfamiliar men?"

Botan pouted but averted her eyes and stared at the wooden floor. "Well, no. But I just thought you might—"

Hiei released her as he remarked, "Then you shouldn't make a habit of it now."

Botan frowned and then nervously tapped her index fingers together. "It's just…I didn't get to know my last neighbors before they moved, so I promised myself that things would be different this time."

Hiei walked away from the intrusive woman, back to the kitchen. He rested his hands on the table's smooth surface and leaned his weight forward as he looked at the offending food trays. Meanwhile, Botan watched the man from a distance and studied him. She wondered why his home was so empty, why he had no photos or personal items lying around. Botan wanted to ask, but he was clearly upset.

So, feeling like she overstayed her welcome, she walked over to Hiei and placed a hand on his clenched fist on the table. "I'm sorry if I bothered you. I just wanted to offer my help and welcome you to the building. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm just one door away, after all."

Botan removed her hand and then left the apartment. Hiei remained rooted in place. He glared at the trays of food, his expression full of displeasure and teeth gritted. He couldn't believe his nosy neighbor's audacity. He had no need for her Good Samaritan routine or friendly gestures. Hiei was a criminal, dark, and dangerous, and he had no need or desire to interact with anyone let alone some meddling yet kindly woman who just so happened to live next to him. The ghostly remnants of her warm touch lingered on his fist. Hiei clenched his fist and glared at it as if it had affronted him somehow.

With a derisive scoff, he thought, If she knows what's good for her, she'll stay away from me.

Review Responses

Crystal Koneko: Ah, we'll see, my friend, we'll see ;)