Botan dropped the heavy weight of old tome down on the table, waving away the cloud of dust that ascended with a cough.
Hiei - who was seated nearby with his legs propped up on an empty chair, arms folded over his chest and head slightly bowed - didn't react. Whether he was simply resting his eyes or actually sleeping, she couldn't exactly tell. Either way, it was nice simply having him around.
Botan tried to tell the fire-demon that they could meet up later, but he pulled up a chair and declared he would wait instead. There was no use in trying to talk him out of it - not when he'd made up his mind - so, she resolved to finish her work as quickly as possible. The next hour or so was spent scouring over the texts in search for a specific law and its tenets. Her eyes were straining by the time she finally spotted the elusive record and she grinned in triumph as she bookmarked the page. Making a mental note to dig into it tomorrow, when her mind was clearer, she turned to the fire-demon.
"Spirit World to Hiei," she whispered, poking his arm lightly.
The fire-demon stirred, red eyes peeling open slowly as they adjusted to the dim lighting. He glanced around the room to orient himself, gaze pausing on the open window and the view of the rapidly darkening sky.
"I got so absorbed in my work that I didn't notice the time," she confessed. "Do you need to head back?"
"If there was anything urgent that needed handling, I would've been summoned already."
"Good to know." She grabbed the tome and took a stand. "So, what are you feeling for tonight?"
Hiei joined her, hands pushed in his pockets as they exited the archive room. "You can choose."
"I've got the perfect place in mind," she announced, eyes twinkling with excitement as she grinned.
Hiei's gaze thinned with suspicion. "I don't like that look, woman."
"Don't you trust me?"
"Against my better judgment, yes."
"Then wait for me near the portal," she instructed, intending to drop the tome off and change. "I'll be there in a jiffy."
Hiei trudged away, leaving Botan to take the opposite path. She picked up the pace, sandals slapping against the path noisily. It was already nighttime and she was sure Hiei wasn't expecting to stay this long. They would probably only have time to eat before he had to leave. Rounding the corner hastily, she found herself bumping straight into a tall and firm wall.
A secure pair of arms reached out to steady her, followed by a gentle and unfamiliar voice. "Are you alright?"
Botan's lashes fluttered as she blinked up at the stranger. He was human, if his energy was anything to go by, but she hadn't seen him around before. Tall, handsome and mysterious, he looked as though he stepped right out of one of her romance novels. The man's dark blue hair was perfectly styled and parted to the right. His eyes - the same color as his hair - held a kind and gentle warmth to them. His mouth was slanted downwards in concern.
"Miss?" The smooth tenor of his voice pulled the ferry-girl from her stupor.
"I'm okay; just a little embarrassed," she replied sheepishly, clutching the old tome to her chest. "I'm sorry. I should've been watching where I was going."
"Think nothing of it." The smile he afforded her punched the air out of her lungs.. He released his hold on her and took a step back. "It appears you were headed somewhere important. Don't let me hold you up. I'm sure we'll see each other again."
Botan spared a moment to watch him leave with a mixture of bewilderment and interest jumpstarting the rhythm of her heart. The way the appendage began to pound wasn't normal by any means, but she shelved that away for another time.
.
.
.
When she met up with Hiei again, the fire-demon's brows furrowed.
"Are you sick?" he asked.
"No, silly! Why would you ask me something like that?"
"Because your face is feverish."
"Oh," she breathed out, bringing her fingertips up to confirm that her cheeks were indeed heated. "I-it's because I was rushing. That's all."
He appeared unconvinced, but mercifully let it go as he turned towards the portal. "Are you going to tell me where we're going or are you hoping to draw out the suspense?"
"You'll see," she answered ambiguously. "We'll be there soon enough."
The portal transported them close to their destination, which worked in Botan's favor. She was never particularly good at keeping secrets and Hiei was an expert at extracting them. If he really wanted to press the issue, she would have caved under the weight of his tenacious insistence. Fortunately, he merely followed her down the residential streets with a relaxed and casual gait. He didn't seem to be in a rush; content to follow her lead.
It was the very beginning of autumn, but the air was still warm with the remnants of summer's lingering heat. The trees were still full with verdant green leaves. And the days held onto the sun for as long as they could. She stared up at the last bit of twilight in the distance, enjoying the view before night fell completely.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Hiei asked. "Back in the archives."
"Fortunately!" Botan nodded. "I'm hoping to wrap up a couple of projects before I move onto my assistant duties."
Hiei quirked a curious brow.
"Oh, that's right, I never told you, did I?" she realized. "We're getting a brand new Spirit Detective team!"
"Hn. Knowing Koenma, he probably handpicked another ill-equipped and incompatible crew."
"Don't be like that. You four were a great match. And this next group isn't half bad, either," she defended. "Kaisei and Fubuki were the first members - they're the son and daughter of the detective who preceded Sensui. Next is a half human, half wolf-demon named Tenshi, born to a human father and demon mother. And I'm supposed to be meeting the last member sometime soon, but I heard he's a psychic."
"I suppose you've already taken up the mantle of team trainer," he surmised.
"That's right." She stood a little straighter, shoulders back, chest puffed and lips curled with pride. "Every team needs one."
"So you say."
"So I do."
Hiei rolled his eyes, but it was half-hearted at best. Underneath the lowlight of the emerging stars, his expression was nearly fond. Botan had to admit that she enjoyed these moments the most. When it was just the two of them and the fire-demon was relaxed enough to lower his guard, his usual countenance slipped away. The sharp edges of his mask softened just the slightest bit. The stonewall guarding his emotions vanished almost completely. And all that was left was simply Hiei.
They continued on in silence until they eventually approached a nondescript food cart nestled on the corner of the street block.
"Tada," she sang, motioning over to familiar figures housed inside. "Prepare to be awed and amazed."
"Welcome," Yusuke grinned donned in a casual white t-shirt and a chef's apron. His hair lay unstyled and untouched atop his head, giving off a carefree and youthful look. "You'll have to excuse the eyesore. I'm still getting things set up."
Botan slid into the stool, but Hiei remained standing, eyes pinned on Yukina. The ferry-girl watched the exchange with interest, still unused to the fact that there were no longer any false pretenses between them.
"What are you doing here?" Hiei asked.
Yukina appeared unphased by her brother's brusque manner. She set her knife down and moved closer to the front counter. "Yusuke was kind enough to offer me a job once things were underway."
"And this is something you truly want to do?" he tested, suspicion edged in his tone.
The ice-maiden nodded. "I like trying new things. And I've always enjoyed cooking, so this works out."
Hiei was silent for a moment, seeming to contemplate her words. "Don't let the ex-detective exploit you. If he's employing you, you should take him for all that he's worth."
"Ouch." Yusuke winced, hand over heart. "I'm not even in business yet and you're already killin' me."
A small but amused smile fell over the ice-maiden's lips as she resumed her work over the cutting board. Yusuke followed suit, making conversation with Yukina as the two fell into an easy rhythm.
A nearby street lamp flickered to life as the fire-demon finally claimed the seat beside her. Crimson eyes passed over every last detail of the cart, as if assessing its worthiness in relation to his sister.
Botan bit back her amusement. "It has promise, doesn't it?"
"Loathe as I am to admit it, the ex-detective's culinary skills are unrivaled."
"And you can't go wrong with Yukina on the scene," she added, before nudging him. "See? No harm done in trusting me, after all."
"Not yet, at least," he confirmed.
A pleasant warmth filled her chest at his begrudging agreement. Technically, nothing was like it was before. They had all changed with the passing of time and circumstance. But the heart of each interaction beat with the same tried and true notes of familiarity. At the core and crux of it all, they were still the same.
No matter how much time passed or distance spanned between them, when they were together, things instantly clicked into place.
And, suddenly, the three worlds felt right again.
Hiei treaded down the tall and wide Spirit World corridors, following the ferry-girl's stationery energy signal. She was supposed to be meeting him around lunchtime today and he'd been waiting in their usual spot for long enough.
It wasn't like Botan to be late. She was usually prompt, occasionally arriving ahead of time just for good measure. If she was running behind schedule, there had to be a reason. He expected to find her lost in piles of paperwork or caught up in the whirlwind of another Spirit World-esque dilemma, but the scene he came upon in the break room was far from urgent.
Botan was standing before an unfamiliar man with a feminine face much like Kurama's. The ferry-girl was sidled awfully close to the stranger, amethyst eyes aglow with interest as she hung onto his every work. The man wasn't any better - reveling in the attention with a pleased smile lifting his features.
There was something about the way that the two interacted that burned at the fire-demon's thinning patience. Everything from the man's prim and proper speech, to the attentive way he regarded Botan left Hiei indescribably unsettled. Rubbed him the wrong way, like sandpaper against his skin.
"Woman," he interrupted.
"Hiei?" she replied, blue brows lifting in surprise. "Oh poo, I must have completely lost track of time."
Hiei didn't respond, instead choosing to cross his arms over his chest and bite back his impending frown. The ferry-girl turned to regard the other man again.
"I'm so sorry, Yuuto. It seems I have to cut our discussion short."
"It's not a problem." He glanced over at Hiei in acknowledgement. "I apologize for holding you both up."
Hiei grunted dismissively.
The human regarded Botan genially. "I'll see you later?"
"Yes, that would be wonderful."
Hiei watched them part with an uneasy and ominous weight sinking in the pit of his stomach. The human chose to remain in the breakroom, moving over to the selection of teas, while the fire-demon and ferry-girl began the trek out of the building. Hiei didn't bother saying a word about his distrust towards the other man, choosing to bury his judgement under layers of indifference instead.
"That was Yuuto by the way," she informed once they were out of earshot.
"Who?"
"The final member of the team."
"I see."
Pushing his hands into the folds of his pockets, he stared up at the boundless pink sky. His gaze traced the outlines of golden clouds floating overhead. He concentrated on the flight path of a ferry-girl flying in the distance. Anything to push the image of Botan and the stranger out of the forefront of his mind. He didn't want to dwell on the human, much less have him be the topic of their current conversation, but Botan clearly had other plans.
"Koenma introduced us about two weeks ago and he's been such a big help." The ferry-girl avoided his gaze in a show of uncharacteristic hesitation. Her cheeks dyed pink. "I think I like him."
"You like everyone."
"No, I mean, I like him, like him…"
Confusion twisted the fire-demon's features. "What does saying the phrase twice have to do with anything?"
"I have a crush on him."
"You want to harm him?"
"No, you've got it all wrong, Hiei," she huffed in frustration. "I've taken an interest in him. You know, romantically?"
The fire-demon didn't know how to react to that, but apparently, he didn't have to, because Botan was in her own world.
"He's just so charming and courteous," she gushed, hands cupping her flushed face.
"…"
"He's a true gentleman."
"..."
"He cares a lot about the same causes I do."
"..."
"And he even–"
"I'm not interested in listening to you fawn over some simpleton," he cut in harshly. At Botan's surprised gasp, the fire-demon caught himself and reined his irritation in. Unclenching his fists and lowering his shoulders, he made the effort to temper the irritation leaking into his voice. "Surely one of the others is better suited to indulge these soppy sentimentalities."
The bluette tilted her head at him in an examining gesture. She didn't appear to be offended, just contemplative. "I suppose you're not exactly the audience for this sort of talk…"
"Far from it."
"Alright, you're spared for now, mister," she decided, looping her arm through his and smiling at him warmly. "Let's be on our way."
Hiei nodded wordlessly and allowed the woman to tug him onwards. As they made their way down the curving road, he willfully ignored the turbulent winds stirring like a storm in his chest and focused on Botan's grounding touch instead.
.
.
.
The days and weeks that followed were filled with routine outings with Botan. It was strangely easy to integrate her back into his life. She fit in as if she had never been gone; she hardly changed at all.
The woman still maintained her cheerful disposition and infamously short temper. She still afforded him far too many chances. And she still had a penchant for being troublesome and grating on his last nerve.
Today was no different. As he stood in a training room with four strangers, he realized that the ferry-girl invited him to the Spirit World with ulterior motives.
He scanned the room and instantly recognized the psychic from before. His dark slacks and crisp white shirt suggested that he'd either come from somewhere professional or he was simply the stuffy sort who chose to dress that way intentionally. The brown-haired teenagers were clearly related, if their twin smiles and matching blithe attitudes were anything to go by. The final stranger had black hair and a bored expression. He suppressed a long yawn before digging a hand through his jeans and pulling out a phone.
Hiei had no clue what he was doing here with this odd group. He pinned his sights back on the ferry-girl, who was accosting him with that pleading look in her eyes and a jutting pout of her lips.
"Whatever it is you want, I'm refusing in advance," he declared sternly.
"Won't you even hear me out?"
"Knowing you, it's something unpleasant."
"That's not true!"
His eyes narrowed.
Botan played with her fingers and avoided his piercing gaze. "I was only hoping you'd test the team's current skill level and let me know where they needed to improve..."
"Hard pass," he scoffed. "I have no interest in coddling the next set of detectives."
"Please?" she urged, hands clasped in front of her. "It's important to be prepared and there's no one stronger than you."
"Flattery might work on your charges, but I'm not that easy."
"How about bargaining then?"
"What?"
Botan inched closer to him with a wily smirk. "If you help me out now, I'll take you to that noodle bar you like afterwards."
Hiei's protest wavered in his throat.
"You know, the one you pretend isn't your favorite, but always perk up whenever I so much as mention it?" she tempted.
He was awfully hungry after skipping lunch to run drills earlier today.
"And you can get double portions of everything…"
He swallowed thickly.
"I'll even throw in the triple chocolate dessert you're always eyeing…"
"Fine woman," he acquiesced, removing his cloak in one fluid motion. "Just don't blame me if your precious team can't keep up."
"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" she chanted, pulling him into a quick and tight embrace. "Let me just talk to them first and then we can begin."
Hiei watched as she made her way to the other side of the room. She captured the foursome's attention almost immediately. Both the teens and the bored looking one appeared to be interested in the challenge. The blue-haired psychic simply nodded and promised to do his best. The way his gaze lingered on the ferry-girl caused her to blush.
Hiei frowned.
He'd forgotten all about the woman's inclination towards the other man. Watching the two interact was admittedly far more unpleasant than anything else Botan had asked him to do since reuniting with her.
"He's an S class, right?"
The young male voice pulled Hiei back to the present.
"Last I heard," Botan replied proudly. "And Hiei won't pull any punches, so be on your guard.
"He should be on his guard," the black-haired one said with a smirk. "We've got numbers on our side, after all."
"Yeah!" the girl cheered. "We've got this."
"We should heed our team trainer's advice," the insufferable psychic cautioned. "This will be a test of more than just strength. It would be a shame if we fumbled before we've even been put into commission."
Botan smiled at him. "Yuuto's right. This might just be a practice battle, but let's give it our all!"
Hiei tore his gaze away from the two and focused on the four-on-one fight that was about to be underway. He didn't have the time or the will to decipher why the harmless human bothered him so.
.
.
.
"Damn." Kaisei wheezed from the hardwood floor.
Fubuki panted from beside him. "That was intense."
"I think I may have bruised a rib," Tenshi commented with a wince. "But it was worth it. You don't get to experience bouts like that every day."
"Yes, it was a very worthy challenge," Yudo added. "I'll be rethinking my strategies from now on."
"Excellent idea, Yuuto," Botan praised. "You should all consider the pointers and tips Hiei gave you-"
"Tips? Don't you mean insults?" Kaisei corrected cheekily.
"That's just his way," Botan replied fondly. "But if you want to get stronger, you'll work on the weaknesses he exploited today."
The team nodded.
"Now, line up and I'll get you all patched up."
Hiei pulled his cloak on and turned his back to the display. After a ten minute bout, he managed to learn the four fighters' names, strengths, weaknesses and temperaments. The younger ones were far too cocksure and impatient with their moves. Tenshi tended to use his brawn and forget about technique entirely when he was enraged or taunted. And Yuro chose to rely on psychic abilities alone, leaving him useless when his abilities were rendered ineffective. Despite the obvious flaws - they each admittedly had potential. Perhaps with more training, they would even be a cohesive unit.
By the time Hiei tuned into what was going on within the training room, it was reduced to just himself, Botan and the psychic. Botan was making eyes at the other man, and he certainly didn't seem to be opposed to it. There was little space between them and the gnawing, burning feeling in his chest began to grow.
"Woman," he grunted out. "If you two are finished making eyes at each other, we have places to be."
"I apologize," Yugo began. "I was-"
"I didn't ask," Hiei interrupted, before clomping towards the exit with a heavy booted tread.
It wasn't long until he heard Botan's light footsteps trailing behind him.
"Hiei!" she called, her tone hushed but forceful. "That was extremely rude!"
He stopped and eyed her stoically. "You can traipse around with that fool on your own time. I don't have all day."
He stalked ahead.
Botan stalked right after him.
"What's gotten into you?"
"Nothing."
"Is it Yuuto?" she asked perceptively. "Do you not like him?"
Hiei ground his teeth to refrain from speaking.
"He happens to be a very nice man, you know," she tried. "I'm sure you'll warm up to him eventually!"
"Don't hold your breath."
"Hiei!"
"What do you even know about him, ferry-girl?" he deflected, glare icy and cold as he regarded her. "...You shouldn't be so quick to trust a complete and total stranger."
"I gave you a chance, didn't I?" she stated. "Why shouldn't the same courtesy be extended to him?"
For some reason, her words only served to ignite the fire-demon's anger. He was close to combusting and he didn't want to take it out on Botan.
"Do as you please, woman," he bit out harshly.
"Wait-" She grabbed his arm. "Please don't leave angry. At least tell me what's wrong first."
Hiei didn't know himself. He was fuming. Incensed. Agitated. It hummed beneath his skin. Simmering and building. He didn't know why his chest flared with a dark and possessive sentiment. Botan was free to do whatever she liked. To be with whomever she chose.
Perhaps he was just being selfish. Botan was his friend. He was used to claiming most of her attention. And now, it was being divvied up with another. He never considered himself to be such a stingy or jealous person, but there could be no other reason for this sudden, petulant ire building up like an inferno.
"It was just a bad day," he lied, tamping down his fiery wrath until nothing was left but soot and ashes. "I'm fine now."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"...No."
She looked him over slowly, before relenting with a crease in her brows. "Alright..."
The air between them was stifled and awkward as they stopped in front of a swirling portal. Botan shifted uncomfortably in the silence, eyes lowered as she bit her bottom lip. Hiei's hands balled into fists at his sides. Things weren't this tense and strained between them before, not even at the start of their friendship, all those years ago.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. It wasn't supposed to be like this at all.
"I'm heading back to Makai,," he decided. He didn't want to continue taking his bad mood out on Botan, so he came up with a flimsy excuse instead. "I'm on the border patrol today."
It wasn't for another few hours, but the ferry-girl didn't have to know that.
"Oh." Botan did little to mask her disappointment, but it was quickly overtaken by the growing hope that colored her eyes and lifted her expression. "Then we'll take a rain check. I still owe you for testing the team, after all."
"If you insist, woman."
"I do," she replied, offering him a smile in return. "So, I'll see you around?"
"You will," he promised.
As Hiei made his way back to the demon world, he couldn't help but regret his own unsightly weakness. He thought he had grown from the stunted and impulsive man he used to be. He thought he had a better handle on his emotions and reactions by now. But he supposed he was still a far way off from being well-adjusted. Behaving like a child with a tantrum over something as base as jealousy was as disgraceful as it was dishonorable.
One thing was certain: he needed to get a hold on his emotions quickly. The fire-demon resolved to be better the next time he saw Botan.
He refused to let this festering and odious envy take root within him and grow any further.
"Hello Yusuke," Botan sang as she slid into an unoccupied stool.
"Hey," he greeted, turning to face her. "Fancy seeing a gal like you in a place like this."
She giggled. "Well, I heard this was the best ramen shop around."
"You heard right." He beamed with pride. His business was only a few days old and he already gained a positive reception and steady stream of customers within the area. His cart had unlit lights strung around it, along with an eye-catching red banner that spelled out 'ramen' in bold white and black hiragana. It was a simple and traditional setup, but he didn't need much when his food spoke enough for itself.
"Where's Yukina?" she asked, glancing around for the ice-maiden.
"On break," he answered, folding his arms over his chest as he leaned against the back counter. "She usually heads to the park and talks to the birds like a Disney princess this time of day."
Botan wasn't quite sure what the reference meant, but she smiled all the same. The ice-maiden did have an affinity towards avian creatures.
"Hiei joining you?" Yusuke asked.
"Not today. I'm actually meeting two members of the new team here."
"Oh yeah. Pacifier breath did mention something like that. Kuroko's kids took up the mantle, right?"
Botan nodded.
Yusuke chuckled. "So, how are my two favorite little gremlins?"
"Kaisei and Fubuki are just fine," she replied pointedly. "The sweetest little angels."
"Hardly," he snorted. "I kinda feel bad for whoever's paired with them."
"Well, the remaining members are a bit older and more experienced. They're the ones meeting with me today."
"What are they like?"
"Tenshi's usually very level headed and calm, but once a fight is on the horizon, it's like a flip has switched and all he cares about is the thrill."
Yusuke nodded. "He's the half demon, right?"
"Bingo."
"Makes sense. When these mazoku genes first activated, it was hard to think of anything else other than fighting and testing my limits."
"And now?"
"I've got a handle on it. Your new charge will, too."
"I hope so!"
"What about the last one?" Yusuke asked. "What's his story?"
"Yuuto… he's… well…" Dashing, charming, perfect…
Yusuke cocked an inquisitive brow.
Botan shook her head and snapped out of her reverie. "He's a psychic. His foresight in and out of battle helps ground them all. And he's very mature and kind to boot."
"You seem to have it bad for this Yuuto guy."
"Why would you say that?"
"Because you're blushing and you've got that taken look in your eyes?"
"I-it's nothing of the sort!"
"Whatever you say," Yusuke laughed as he threw his apron on. "Just don't let the others know you're playing favorites."
"I'm not!" she insisted. "I can remain impartial and unbiased, even if I-"
"Have a big, fat crush on Yuuto?"
"Yusuke!"
"Lighten up. I'm just teasin'."
"Please don't say anything when he shows up. I'd die of embarrassment if he found out."
"Don't worry, reaper," he reassured as he turned back to his work and the steady cadence of chopping picked up. "I can keep a secret."
Botan took a deep breath and fanned her cheeks. She couldn't afford to get all flustered when the boys were due to arrive any minute now. She tightened her ponytail, fixed her posture and straightened out the wrinkles in her skirt in an attempt to at least appear presentable.
"Yo."
The ferry-girl looked up to see Tenshi settling into the seat to her right. Yuuto appeared shortly after, looking like a dream as always, as he took up residence to her left.
After introducing them to Yusuke and placing their orders, the three newly-minted coworkers fell into an easy and casual conversation. Botan couldn't ignore the flitting of her heart any time Yuuto so much as looked her way, much less smiled at her. Yuuto disarmed her defenses easily; made her feel nervous and unsure and excited all at once.
It was ridiculous how quickly she had taken to him - she knew that much - but she couldn't resist the pull of his gravity. There was something about the man's deep-sea gaze and polished smile that drew her in. She wouldn't mind drifting into his ocean and letting the tides wash over her completely.
It was the first time in her life that she ever experienced this type of out of control, over-the-moon affection. She was so far out of her depth that all she could do was allow them to flourish and bloom.
Hiei and Yukina sat on a bench under a canopy of leaves in the park. Dappled autumn sunlight streamed down from the yellow and green leaves. The wind carried a slight chill; a preview of what was to come. Yukina said she preferred it here because it was private enough for the birds to roam around freely, but not so secluded that she couldn't hear the voices of other passerbys nearby. He watched her gently pet the head of a sparrow. The creature was content to bask under the warmth of day as it perched on the ice-maiden's fingers.
"Do you want to try holding him?" she asked.
"No, and I'm sure you're little friend would like that even less."
Yukina giggled, watching as the bird bristled, beat his wings and flew away.
"I wish we had seasons like these back in Makai," she mused. "Summer's a bit too hot for my liking, but fall feels just right. Don't you think?"
Hiei never cared enough to form an actual option, but he gave Yukina the courtesy of at least ruminating on it. Winter reminded him far too much of the glacial village and its unforgiving conditions. Spring and summer brought too many humans crawling out of the woodwork. When he thought of it like that, fall was superior with its mild weather and quieter crowds.
"This one isn't bad," he supposed.
Yukina smiled. "And there are all sorts of interesting things to do, too. We're all thinking of attending one of the yearly festivals. Perhaps you'll be able to join us."
"There's nothing I detest more than droves of humans and frivolous activity."
"Botan will be going."
"What makes you think that will change my mind?"
"Because it usually does."
He narrowed his eyes at her disparagingly. "You talk as though the ferry-girl has me wrapped around her finger."
Yukina pressed her lips together in a show of muted agreement.
"Yukina-"
"I don't mean to tease you, brother. I think it's cute," she said. "It's nice to be that close to someone."
Hiei averted his gaze. His closeness to her was becoming a problem. He still hadn't learned how to overcome his latest hangups with the ferry-girl and her burgeoning feelings towards the psychic. He still had no idea how to push past the displeasure that grew at the mere thought of them.
"In any case, I should head back. The lunch rush will begin soon," Yukina announced.
Hiei stood up, deciding to escort the ice-maiden back to Yusuke's cart. As exited the offbeat path and rejoined the main walkway, he could sense Botan's energy in the distance. The closer he got to the ramen stand, the stronger the signal became. And by the time the cart came into view, Hiei was afforded the view of the ferry-girl flanked by Yubo and Tenshi.
As usual, Botan's eyes were glued to the psychic. That untameable fire roared from within, threatening to consume him whole. He couldn't place it, much less name it. But the more he watched, the more he burned.
He never had to share Botan before because she had always placed him first. Her time, her affection, her attention - they had always been his first and foremost. But all of that was slipping away into the hands of someone else. This loss; this absence was new. And unsettling. Hiei never needed companionship. He once considered it a weakness to be tethered to someone else. But with Botan it had always been different.
This was no mere case of paltry jealousy. It ran much deeper than that.
The affectionate way her eyes lit up, the deep curve of her smile, the ease with which she trusted the other man. Those were all things that Hiei was supposed to have had a monopoly on. They should have been reserved solely for him.
Hiei's eyes widened as the realization settled in.
He didn't want Botan to yearn for the unworthy human because he wanted her to yearn for him instead.
Somewhere along the way, between the trust and honesty, between the camaraderie and loyalty, he began to burn for her in all the ways a friend shouldn't. He never noticed the embers growing in the shadows of his consciousness. He couldn't sense the fires scorching beneath each and every interaction with the woman. But it had to reach a fever-pitch eventually and the demon was left reeling, close to combusting with the sudden revelation.
He wanted Botan beyond the realms of friendship.
Needed her more than he cared to admit.
"Hiei?" Yukina tried tentatively. "Are you okay?"
Hiei took a retreating step, unable to tear his gaze away from the sight of the ferry-girl and the psychic.
Perhaps the ice-maidens' prophecies about him were true in the end - he was destined to ruin everything he touched, to obliterate everything in a fiery inferno - because in one fell swoop, he'd effectively ruined everything they had.
A desire like this could only end in flames.
Oh boy, Hiei's really in it now.
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See you all in the next installment!