It was one thing after another today and Botan could hardly keep up.

The second round commenced under nefarious circumstances: the opposing team laid a trap for Hiei and Kurama, leaving Yusuke, Kuwabara and the masked fighter to carry on without them. Even worse, their opponents were mere humans, modified and manipulated by the despicable Dr. Ichigaki. A lot happened over the course of the match, but most notably was their enigmatic fifth fighter's unveiling. Beneath the mask was a beautiful young woman with powerful techniques to boot. She was able to break the doctor's mind control, while Hiei and Kurama (who had crashed into the stadium with a large robot in tow) managed to reunite the boys with their long lost master. It was a touching reunion, but Team Urameshi's victory wasn't without casualties. Kuwabara was badly beaten and the masked fighter's energy was nearly drained.

The tournament committee sent in a nurse to examine the team, but she was only interested in Hiei and the masked fighter's conditions. The moment they stepped underneath the tent, the two were trapped within a sparking blue barrier. Koto announced the commencement of round three and, with that awful enchantress trapping two-fifths of their combatants, Team Urameshi was left to face off against the powerful and formidable Team Masho shorthanded.

Kurama managed to dispose of the first two opponents, but was left unconscious and at the mercy of the third. Yusuke stepped in, consequences be damned, and defeated Baki. He technically defeated Jin as well, but the match was considered a draw based on the committee's convoluted and biased rules. It was down to the wire. Each team needed five wins to advance and, although they had four victories stacked under their belts, both Yusuke and Kurama were already eliminated. With no other options left, Kuwabara was forced to push past his injuries and step up to the plate.

The fight was well underway between Kuwabara and Risho when Keiko accosted Botan, leading her elsewhere for reasons the ferry-girl couldn't fathom.

"Keiko," Botan called out, exasperation leaking through her tone as they pushed through the throng of demons seeking entrance into the stadium. "Will you please tell me what's going on?"

"Shizuru just said to get you!" Keiko replied over the roar of the mob. "She said there's someone here you need to see…"

Confusion warped the ferry-girl's features. They were in the middle of the decisive match, she wondered who could possibly be more important than-

"Yukina?" she exclaimed in disbelief, approaching the ice-maiden and taking her hands into her own. "Is it really you?"

"Botan." Yukina smiled, ruby eyes lighting up warmly. "I hoped I would see you again."

"Likewise," she returned. "But what brings you all the way out here?"

"I wanted to support Yusuke and Kazuma," she said. "…And I also heard this tournament draws in all sorts of skilled fighters. I was hoping to find my brother."

"Y-your brother, you say?" Botan echoed, the shock causing her to release the ice-maiden's hands.

Yukina nodded in confirmation. "We were separated at birth, so I've been searching for him for some time now. I thought I might have a decent chance at finding him, but I didn't realize there would be so many people attending…"

"Maybe we can help you," Keiko offered. "What do you know about him? We could all keep our eyes peeled."

"Yeah," Shizuru agreed, a cigarette perched between her fingers and a fond smile curving her lips. "I know a lovesick baby brother of mine who'll be more than happy to help."

Botan shot a panicked glance over at Shizuru. She could have sworn the elder Kuwabara learned all about Hiei and Yukina; she'd seen the tape after all. The only ones who didn't know were Yukina, Keiko and Kuwabara. And while she felt horrible for maintaining the lie, especially after hearing that Yukina traveled all this way just to find her long lost brother, her hands were tied. She couldn't very well tell Yukina the truth, not without betraying Hiei's trust. But she also couldn't ignore the ice-maiden now that she was here. The ferry-girl bit her lip, eyes darting between the three women as she wondered how to best broach their current situation.

"Botan," Hiei cut in sharply. "Stop wasting time with pointless deliberation and send her back."

She let out an audible gasp of surprise, before turning away from the others and answering telepathically. "Would you please stop doing that? I've already told you how much it freaks me out!"

"That's besides the point, woman. This is no place for Yukina. You and I both know that."

"Well, since you were listening in, I'm sure you already know exactly why she's here in the first place," Botan countered. "She's so determined that I couldn't possibly turn her away. And it'd be much smarter to have her with us, rather than wandering around all alone, don't you think?"

"…"

"Don't give me the silent treatment. You know I'm right."

"…"

"Hiei!"

"Fine," he conceded, but he didn't sound in the slightest bit happy about it. She was sure that if they were face to face, he'd be scowling at her. "I'll leave Yukina to you."

"Aye aye, sir!"

The connection ended and her mind was her own again.

"Earth to Botan?" Keiko tried, waving a hand in front of her face.

"Yes dear?" the ferry-girl blinked, refocusing on the external world again.

"You spaced out for a while there," Keiko said. "Are you alright?"

Shizuru and Yukina were both looking at her with varied levels of concern as well.

"Oh, I'm fine, I was just lost in thought…" Botan explained through a nervous laugh. "Anyway, now that Yukina's here, she might as well stick with us."

Yukina blinked in surprise. "Oh, I didn't mean to impose…"

"Nonsense!" Botan replied, amethyst eyes drifting towards the others. "We've got plenty of room in our suite, don't we, girls?"

Keiko nodded. "The more the merrier."

"And it'll be nice to outnumber the guys," Shizuru added.

"So, what do you say?" Botan offered.

"I'd like that," Yukina accepted, bowing her head slightly. "Thank you very much."

"It's settled then!" Botan clapped her hands together excitedly. "Now let's head back inside. It's hardly safe out here by ourselves and we wouldn't want to miss the end of the match."


"Amazing…" Botan marveled as she poked and prodded at Hiei's right arm. "It's completely healed!"

The fire-demon endured the unnecessary attention and touching, waiting silently until the ferry-girl had her fill. Waves of demons were shuffling out of the stadium, some of them throwing dirty looks in Team Urameshi's direction. No one expected them to come out victorious after two consecutive rounds filled with tricks and pitfalls, but they prevailed in spite of it all. He regretted being sidelined for most of the action, but as he closed and opened his fist with ease, he supposed the events turned out in his favor.

"Yes," he replied belatedly. "An unexpected side effect of the enchantress' barrier."

"Serves her right for tricking us all like that," the ferry-girl huffed, folding her arms over chest tightly. "Now you only need to figure out a way to access the dragon without destroying yourself."

"Easier said than done."

"I know," she sighed deeply.

Hiei fixed his hard stare on the rest of their motley crew. Yukina was healing Kuwabara while the psychic gazed at her through intent and soft eyes. The oaf's blatant affections towards his sister were revolting. The only consolation was that the ice-maiden seemed entirely unaware of it, for the time being. Hiei would much rather nip such developments in the bud, but there was little he could do about it short of killing his own teammate. Perhaps when the tournament was over, he considered with a wry quirk of his lips as they all began to file out of the stadium.

Despite the violence and bloodshed perpetuated by its temporary inhabitants, Hanging Neck Island was a fairly scenic stretch of land. Large trees bordered the forest trail leading back to the hotel, while the cresting sun soaked the path in warm tones of bright gold. Birds sang from their perches on thick branches as woodland creatures scurried to and fro through blades of grass and wildflowers. The peace and quiet was nearly disorienting in the wake of the stadium's oppressive air.

Botan chose to hang back on the outskirts of the group with him. She had taken to doing that a lot lately; remaining by his side even when the others were around. He found he didn't mind it. In fact, he had come to expect it.

"Yukina fits right in, doesn't she," the bluette commented fondly from his side.

Hiei's focus shifted to the rest of the team, meandering ahead of them. Flanked by the Kuwabara siblings, Yukina appeared even smaller and slighter than she truly was. She was content to follow the conversation quietly, allowing the others to take the lead and only speaking when she was directly addressed. It was odd seeing his sister surrounded by the others. He had never once considered the possibility that the ghost of his memory would lead her so close to the heart of the truth.

"Hey." Botan's gentle voice pulled him from his thoughts. She stopped walking to observe him with a worried slant of her mouth. "Are you alright?"

Hiei halted as well, arching a dark brow at her. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"It's just… I know how adamant you are about keeping your distance," she commented, her voice low and careful. "That's not exactly possible now."

Hiei watched the group continue until they were out of sight. As loud as they had been, their voices were barely audible now. That was well and good. He didn't need anyone overhearing the conversation, least of all Yukina. Schooling his features into their stoic mask and feigning disinterest, he finally answered. "There's little I can do about that now."

"Maybe this doesn't have to be such a bad thing," she encouraged, in that optimistic and buoyant way of hers. Her gaze was lit with a hopeful light as she regarded him. "You have the opportunity to get to know Yukina on neutral ground now, without any pressure."

"It's not that simple."

"I'm sure it doesn't have to be that complicated, either," she tried. "Think about it, Hiei. This could be just the chance you both needed all along."

"You don't understand, woman. There are reasons why I maintain my secrecy."

"Then explain it to me," she requested. "I'd really like to understand where you're coming from."

Hiei hesitated, the dismissal on his tongue dying before he could force it out. There was something about the ferry-girl that made him hesitate; that made him linger. His habit of erecting barriers and walls between himself and the rest of the world was increasingly difficult to maintain within her presence. She had little to no guard whatsoever, and like a contagious, infectious disease, he found himself lowering his own around her.

There was truly no need to be wary when it came to Botan because her words and intent always lined up. It was futile to question her motives when she had only ever wanted to do right by him. Perhaps he ought to share his past with her, he considered on a whim. Maybe then she would give up the futile hope that he would one day tell Yukina the truth.

"Listen well, ferry-girl, because I won't be repeating myself ever again," he stated.

Botan perked up and nodded silently.

He tore his gaze away from her eager eyes and steeled himself as he began walking again. He had never spoken these words aloud before and he never planned to, so he activated the jagan and opened a telepathic connection. The ferry-girl's mind was far from impregnable; it was simple enough to slip past her natural mental defenses and enter her consciousness. "The glacial village had a name for males born to ice-maidens. They called us imikos."

Surprise flashed over Botan's features, but she recovered quickly enough and responded without missing a beat. "Imiko… that means forbidden child, right?"

"Yes, and I lived up to that moniker. Cast out of the island on the day of my birth, I was left to die in the unforgiving and harsh terrain of the demon world. I was taken in by a group of bandits and raised by them for a time. They kept me around for the chance to acquire my mother's stone, but when I eventually proved too bloodthirsty and volatile for them, they abandoned me."

Botan frowned, sympathy swimming in her eyes as she listened on.

"I spent my days seeking out strong opponents for the sake of shedding blood and testing my skills. It was a life without honor, but violence was the only way to feel alive," he recounted. "I was full of anger and resentment and wanted vengeance on those who cast me out. But when I returned to the glacial village, I realized that its inhabitants were already dead inside. Putting them out of their misery would be a mercy that I wasn't willing to extend."

"I see… and is that when you happened upon Yukina?"

"No," he said. "Rui, a friend of my mother and the one who threw me off that detestable island, stopped me before I departed. She told me of Yukina and the fact that she'd left on a journey to find her brother."

Botan nodded in interest.

"I had the jagan implanted with the sole purpose of locating her, but the surgeon's one stipulation was that I never reveal myself to Yukina as her brother."

The ferry-girl frowned, righteous indignation coloring her thoughts. "That's a terrible thing to ask of you. What sort of sick person would want that?"

"It didn't matter. As you know, I never had any plans of revealing myself to Yukina in the first place. Aside from all the crimes I've committed, I don't know the first thing about being the brother she needs. I would only be a disappointment, in the end."

"Do you really think Yukina's that naive?" Botan questioned. "I'm sure she understands the harsh realities you faced and the things you needed to do to survive in a world that's been nothing but unfair and cruel to you. She must know that her brother would've been hardened by life but even so, she still wants to find you."

"And that is a mistake on her part."

"Hiei…" she began sadly. "I'm glad to know you. The real you. Why do you think Yukina wouldn't?"

"Because she isn't as strange and bizarre as you," he answered aloud, signaling the end of their telepathic communication.

"Mean insults aside, I really do appreciate you telling me about your past," she replied honestly. "I might not fully agree with your stance, but at least I understand you a bit more…"

"Just be sure it stays between us."

"Of course!" she swore. "Cross my heart and hope to-"

"Don't bother making promises you can't keep," he interrupted. "You have a bad habit of running at the mouth."

"I don't know what you're talking about!" She feigned ignorance with an offended sniff. "Why, back home, I'm known as the keeper of secrets!"

Hiei wasn't convinced, but he refrained from saying anything contrary as they came upon the large and opulent face of the hotel. Far be it from him to shatter the ferry-girl's delusions. He stopped near the entrance, waiting for her to go inside.

"Aren't you coming?" Botan asked. "We're all going to have dinner together at one of the fancier restaurants and then help Yukina settle in."

He shook his head. "I need to train."

"But-"

"I still don't have full control over the dragon. I can't afford to sit around aimlessly."

He didn't know why she looked so disappointed. This wasn't a social trip. Surely she didn't expect him to go and spend time with everyone and ignore the fact that they were all ill equipped for the matches that lay ahead. Besides, the last thing he wanted to do was watch Kuwabara fawn over his sister while being subjected to another one of Yusuke and his harpy's melodramatic displays. Kurama would no doubt be insufferable throughout it all. And he still didn't know what to make of the masked fighter. A majority of the team and its supporters were worth avoiding for one reason or the other, but the ferry-girl wasn't so bad. He didn't mind the company if it was just her.

"Whoever succeeds tomorrow will be our opponent in the semi finals," he declared suddenly. "I intend on gaging the competition."

"Okay…" Botan replied, tilting her head in confusion.

"I'm saying you should come with me, woman. You are the team trainer, aren't you?"

"Oh!" she intoned, her expression brightening with the unfurling of her smile. "Well, I've got some Spirit World business with Koenma early in the morning, but I can meet you in the lobby right after."

He nodded his assent wordlessly.

"Great!" she beamed, her smile somehow even brighter than the sun currently peeking through the clouds. "See you then!"

.

.

.

The following day, Hiei leaned against the hotel wall, eyes closed as he centered his thoughts. His arm was completely healed, but it meant nothing if he would end up sacrificing it again to the dragon. What's more, he didn't think a simple arm would be enough to summon the kind of energy needed to defeat a member of Team Toguro. He had the answer in the dragon; he just wasn't sure how to unleash its full potential without destroying himself.

He considered that his current level of strength simply wasn't enough. But there was no surefire way of getting stronger. No immediate solution. No magic fix. All he could do was continue to push himself past his limits. But even that seemed to be futile.

"The team is headed to the stadium to view the matches." Kurama's voice interrupted his reflections. "Will you be joining us?"

Hiei opened his eyes to see the fox, dressed in one of his usual prim and proper outfits, not a single red lock out of place. It was hard to believe he was a bloodied, unconscious mess less than twenty-four hours ago. The fire-demon cast his gaze out into the path and shook his head. "I'll meet you there."

"Waiting on Botan, I assume?"

"There's no need to assume when you clearly know the answer."

Kurama's mouth stretched into a smile, emerald eyes fixed on him deliberately.

Hiei bristled at the attention. "What?"

"I'm simply happy to see this development. She's a good influence on you, just as you are on her."

Crimson eyes narrowed. "I don't like being treated like a child, least of all by you."

"I apologize. I didn't mean any harm," he stated, although he didn't look all that apologetic with that all-knowing glint in his green eyes. "In any case, I'll see you at the stadium."

Hiei watched Kurama walk away with a scowl, both hands balled into fists. One of these days he would get the upper hand against him. If they managed to make it off of this accursed island in one piece, that is. He leaned back against the wall and watched the leaves swaying in the breeze absentmindedly. He tapped a finger against his bicep impatiently as he stared up at the overcast sky. The ferry-girl was uncharacteristically late. It was wholly unlike her to make him wait. He had half a mind to track her with the jagan, when he finally felt her familiar energy signal approaching.

"Sorry for the delay!" Botan said, coming into view and looking far too pleased with herself. "Lord Koenma and I may have spent too long poking fun at Yusuke after his Spirit Beast hatched."

"His what?" Hiei kicked off the wall and met her halfway.

"It's a reflection of his soul. And do you know what it was?" she asked, barely containing her mirth. "The most precious and harmless little creature I've ever seen."

He scoffed. "I'm not surprised. Yusuke's always been soft."

"I bet yours would be just as cute and sweet, mister tough guy," she teased.

"And yours would prattle on incessantly, never knowing when to shut up."

"That was awfully rude!"

"Do you deny it?"

"No…" she admitted. "But it would definitely be the most endearing and cheerful spirit beast in the land."

"If you say so."

As they made their way through the forest, Hiei couldn't erase the prickling sense of being watched. The animals had made themselves scarce and the usual sense of tranquility that lined the path was overshadowed by a malevolent intent. The fire-demon was hardly concerned by the development - it wasn't as if any of the bystanders could pose much of a threat to him in the first place - but he kept a watchful eye out for the ferry-girl's sake. It wasn't long until their pursuers made themselves known, ambushing them just before they reached the stadium. As he predicted, they were nothing more than low-level cretins.

"If it isn't the traitor and one of the human groupies," a red-skinned demon spat. He was fringed by two other demons.

The horned demon on the left paused, beady eyes fixed on Botan. "This one's energy feels weird. She might be something else entirely."

The remaining demon grinned, his fangs on display. "Maybe we should have a little fun with her before we eat her."

"I'm only giving you one chance to retreat with all your limbs in tact," Hiei warned lowly, hand resting atop the hilt of his sword as he stepped in front of the ferry-girl.

The red-skinned ringleader barked out a harsh laugh. "You were a mere spectator in the last rounds. We'd be doing everyone a favor by eliminating you here and now, you traitorous scum."

"Hiei's no traitor!" Botan exclaimed hotly from behind him. "And you three should be ashamed of yourselves, threatening us for no good reason."

"Don't waste your breath, woman," Hiei cut in. "There's no talking sense into barbaric fools like them."

"I suppose you're right," Botan agreed, placing a hand on her hip and raising her voice for show. "You think they would've realized that challenging you is a losing battle, considering you can easily incinerate them with or without the dragon."

Hiei smirked. Bold as she was, she made a fair point. He didn't need to rely on the dragon or the darkness flame. He had many other options for disposing of trash like them.

The leader was incensed, his features twisting in rage. "Big talk for someone who hasn't pulled the dragon out since the start of the tournament." He cracked his knuckles. "I doubt he even can again. Come on boys, let's get him."

They charged forward, but Hiei was leagues faster. Twin flames encased both of his hands as he struck each opponent without mercy. Their bodies were incinerated almost instantly, leaving behind nothing but charred remains. Fists of the mortal flame never failed against loudmouthed and overzealous peons.

Botan turned away from the plumes of smoke, nose crinkled at the stench of the ashy corpses. "That was… very final."

"They had their eyes on you," he reminded her as he dismissed the flames. "There's no guarantee they wouldn't have targeted you."

"Oh…" she breathed out. "I didn't think that far ahead."

Hiei began walking again, hands tucked away in his pants pockets. "I know you didn't. Rumination isn't your strong suit, ferry-girl."

She let out an incensed huff as she trod after him. "You're awful, Hiei!"

"I'm well aware."

"The absolute worst!"

"I know."

"And after I went through all the trouble of defending your name to those three brutes, too!" she pouted.

"You shouldn't have. We both know I can take care of myself."

"I couldn't very well let them say such horrible things about you," she explained. "They just made me so angry!"

"You fly off the handle too quickly, woman."

"That's ironic, coming from you!"

"I have the power to back it up."

"Well, I simply couldn't let it stand. You're my friend and I'll always defend you," she proclaimed. "And while we're on the subject, I really should thank you for protecting me."

"There's no need for gratitude," he dismissed. "Not unless you doubted whether or not I would."

Botan shook her head. "Of course not. I know I'm safe around you."

It was his duty to protect an ally, and his will to protect a friend. He had no intention of allowing anyone to harm the ferry-girl while he was around. There was little point in denying those facts, but Hiei would be lying if he said he still wasn't affected by the woman's endless trust and belief in him. He swallowed thickly, turning his gaze away from the sincerity in her eyes and ignoring the stirring in his chest.

"The matches are starting soon," he muttered as they approached the stadium's main entrance. "Let's go."

"Right! I'm pretty sure Yusuke and the others will be there, too. We should look out for them..."


Botan hummed as she carried a couple of drinks over to the boys. The mood was at an all time low after their post-match stare off with Team Toguro from across the stands. It was hard to forget the sheer magnitude of their power. She could still feel it, like an oppressive veil hanging in the air and clinging to her skin. Suppressing a shiver, she carried on. As she made her way down the hall, she could hear the sounds of Yusuke and Kuwabara's laughter reverberating off the walls. She smiled, her expression brightening in turn. Her boys were so very resilient; always bouncing back and moving forward.

"Pride is for the weak, Yusuke," the masked fighter's voice cut in evenly, ending Yusuke's laughter abruptly.

"Leave me alone," he warned through gritted teeth.

Botan recognized that tone. It was far too terse, just on the edge of snapping. She picked up her pace, making it to the doorway just in time to see the detective explode.

"Stop looking at me like that, you masked freak!" he ordered, punching his fist through the wall.

Botan gasped, the drinks long forgotten as they clattered to the ground.

"Hey guys, calm down," Kuwabara urged, standing in between the two fighters.

"Kuwabara's right, can we please talk this through peacefully?" she pleaded.

Yusuke brushed them both off, narrowed eyes set on the masked fighter challengingly. "You've been on my case for the past few days," he pointed out. "If you've got something to say then just say it."

"It's quite simple, really," the masked fighter began calmly. "If the leader of Team Toguro is Toguro, then the leader of Team Urameshi should be Yusuke Urameshi. The question I'm posing is this: do you have what it takes to beat Toguro all by yourself?"

"You think you should lead this team instead of me?" Yusuke shouted defensively.

"If necessary," she replied, before turning on her heels and making her way out of the room. "Follow me."

"Yeah, let's take this outside!" Yusuke yelled, following suit. Puu had flown from his makeshift position atop of Yusuke's head and sought comfort within Botan's arms.

"Yusuke don't be stupid!" Botan admonished as she stepped into the hall, intent on following the two.

"Let them be," Hiei advised from his position on the windowsill. "They will have to settle this themselves."

"But Hiei-"

Kuwabara sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "I hate to agree with shorty, but he's right. Those two are so strong and so stubborn, they'll probably settle this all the way to the death."

"That's a terrible thing to assume," she chided.

"It's the truth," Hiei maintained. "And there's nothing any of us can say or do to change it."

"And even if there were, it's hardly our place to interfere in their affairs," Kurama noted with an air of finality.

Botan frowned, tightening her grip on Puu unconsciously. "How can you possibly say those things? Can't you see they could tear this team apart?" she questioned. When her words were met with stifling silence, her frown deepened into a glare. "And none of you even seem to be bothered enough to care!"

The ferry-girl stomped out of the room and out of the back entrance. It was eerily calm outside, not even a single breeze passing through. Botan's anxiety spiked as she glanced around for signs of the two teammates and spotted a clearing off in the distance. It was as good of a place as any to start with, so she headed off in that direction determinedly. She was nearly there when Hiei appeared directly in front of her. She came to an abrupt halt and Puu squealed in her grasp.

"If you intend to squeeze the little creature to death, you're doing a stellar job," he noted.

Botan released her hold on the spirit beast. Puu hovered in the air, his worried stare bouncing between the two of them.

"I'm very disappointed in you all," she announced. "I just can't believe how indifferent you're acting towards your teammates! Are you really okay with them killing each other over a petty dispute?"

"This has been a long time coming," Hiei replied sternly. "It isn't our place to interfere."

The unmistakable sound of a large blast quaking the ground on which they stood interrupted her rebuttal. The energy was familiar, but in a way she couldn't quite place. Botan glanced over at Hiei and even he appeared to be curious about it. They exchanged a single, weighted look before setting off in the direction of the clearing. Standing in the middle of mini-glade was Yusuke and—

"Genkai?" she balked, eyes nearly bugging out of her sockets as the realization sunk in.

"So that's the famed psychic," Hiei concluded.

"In the flesh…" Botan confirmed, blinking back her disbelief as she peered at the student and master from a distance. "I can't believe I didn't even realize it was her…"

"That technique of hers is far more intricate than we thought. Impressive."

Botan nodded. She leaned closer, straining to hear what words of wisdom Genkai was imparting to Yusuke.

"What are you doing?" Hiei asked.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm trying to hear what she's saying!"

"We aren't eavesdropping," he said, fingers closing around her wrist with more delicacy than she expected of him. He tugged her forward effortlessly, pulling her away from the scene. "Come on, ferry-girl."

"Oh, you're no fun, Hiei!" she complained, but she slunk behind him regardless. "And it was just getting good, too."

"Your curiosity will get you into trouble one day, woman," he warned. "Besides, I doubt what comes next is for our eyes, anyway."

She reluctantly admitted that he was right. Yusuke and Genkai had a very special relationship and no matter how eager she was to hear the reasoning behind the psychic's attendance, there were some things that needed to remain private. Hiei released her when they were far enough away and her expression softened.

"I'm sorry I flew off the handle like that…" she began. "I shouldn't have yelled at you all."

Piercing crimson eyes met her own, but they lacked the heat of anger. "You've always been a hothead," he replied dismissively. "It doesn't bother me."

She smiled in spite of the insult.

"Yusuke's in good hands with Genkai. At least I can rest easy over that," she said, stretching her arms over her head and basking in the pale sunlight that drifted through the gray clouds. "We just have to get through the semi finals, and then the finals, and then this nightmare will be over."

Hiei was silent, but the slight wrinkle in his brow spoke volumes. Botan took in the terse line of his mouth and the hard set of his shoulders. Stress radiated off of the fire-demon in waves.

"Will you stop by later?" she asked. "We're all going to do something tonight, just to unwind."

"This isn't a vacation."

"Yes, but it's important to rest both your body and your mind. There's no use in overdoing it…"

"We've had this conversation before. You know where I stand."

"I still hope you'll show. Even if it's just for a little bit."

"Botan-"

"Hey!" Kuwabara bellowed, waving over at them. Kurama was at his side, one hand in his pocket as the other hung at his side casually.

Hiei turned away from the scene. "Let those two see you back."

"Alright, but think about what I said!"

He grunted in response and then stalked away.

"Geez, what's the rush?" Kuwabara asked.

"Training," Botan replied with a sigh.

"Let's hope that's the only thing he stays focused on," Kuwabara grumbled under his breath.

Botan arched a slender blue brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Er, you're weirdly close with him, right?"

"Yes, but I don't understand what you're getting at?"

"The shorty," Kuwabara began and stopped. "He… has he…"

Botan glanced over at Kurama for some kind of clarity, but he merely shrugged in response. Kuwabara took a deep breath and released it, setting his sights on her resolutely.

"Has the shrimp ever mentioned anything to you about Yukina?" Kuwabara blurted out finally.

Botan blanched. "O-of course not! Why would you ask such a peculiar thing?"

The psychic's expression darkened with worry. "He acts really weird around her."

"Iit must be your imagination," the ferry-girl tried with a light wave of her hand. "Yes, that's really all it is…"

"No way! You should see the way he stares at her sometimes, Botan," Kuwabara revealed with a conspiratorial tone. "It's not normal."

"Jealousy isn't becoming of a Warrior of Love," Kurama spoke up.

"Jealous?" he parroted. "I'm not jealous of him!"

Botan bit back a giggle as Kuwabara stomped ahead, ranting and raving about all the reasons why he was better than Hiei. She rolled her eyes over at Kurama, a smile playing at her lips.

"That was naughty of you," she said.

He chuckled in response. "It was the most effective way of diverting the topic."

"You're a clever and quick-witted one. I see why Hiei has so much trouble with you!"

"And I see why he's taken such a liking to you."

Botan's amusement dipped into a speechless look of surprise, completely caught off guard by Kurama's words.

"I didn't mean to stun you," he continued. "It's just that Hiei's been alone for as long as I've known him. I'm glad to see him finally opening up, even if only a bit."

The ferry-girl smiled, warmth filling her heart. "Truth be told, so am I."


Later that night, Hiei trudged back up to his hotel room, shaking droplets of rain out of his hair. The storm broke out without much warning, leaving him with no other option but to cut his training short and seek shelter inside. The fire-demon came to a stop in front of his room, frowning when he heard and sensed the presence of far too many behind its door.

He remembered Botan inviting him to spend time with everyone, but she neglected to mention the meeting place was inside the team's suite. Hesitation caused him to linger in the dimly lit hallway as he frowned at the wooden grain of the door. It would be easy to turn away now, while they were all unaware of his presence. The ferry-girl wouldn't fault him for declining again and no one could blame him for choosing not to join the frivolous activities taking place within.

But then he heard his sister's soft voice. She was right on the other side. And wherever she was, Kuwabara was likely to follow. He refused to allow the clown to have his way with the naive and trusting ice-maiden. There was really no choice but to enter. He tightened his grip on his sword as he made his way inside, a frown etched firmly on his face.

All eyes turned to him and the fire-demon was unsurprised to find the place nearly trashed and filled to capacity. The oaf sat on one couch, flanked by the ferry-girl and Yukina. On the other couch sat Kurama, the detective's woman and the oaf's sister.

"You came!" Botan stood up and padded over to him.

"Blame the weather," he mumbled.

Botan grinned as she took his sword and set it aside. "You could have just skulked off to an isolated corner of the hotel, but you actually bothered showing up. I'm so proud of you!"

"I can still choose to leave," he threatened halfheartedly.

"There's really no need for that!" she discouraged, pulling him further inside and closing the door behind him. "Make yourself comfortable; we have lots of snacks and drinks."

True to her words, the table was lined with all sorts of vending machine drinks and snacks. Hiei grabbed the first unclaimed bottle he could find - green tea - and made himself comfortable on the windowsill.

Droplets of rain slid down the glass as he stared out at the darkened sky. It didn't appear as though the storm would let up anytime soon. He was stuck here indefinitely. Crimson eyes drifted towards the group. Yukina sat on the side of the couch that was closest to him, and he was afforded a clear and unobstructed view of the ice-maiden.

She was so small compared to Kuwabara's towering figure. She didn't belong here, on this island of ruthless simpletons, but at least he was able to find solace in the fact that she was with the others. Botan would look out for her when he couldn't and Kuwabara wouldn't miss the opportunity to valiantly step in, should trouble arise.

He spent the next few minutes tuning out the excited conversations voices and peals of laughter, but he should have known he wouldn't be left to his own devices for long.

"Come, join us, Hiei," Kurama urged. "We're practically a family."

"Kurama," he snarled. "Don't make me rip out your precious voice box."

"Oh, don't be like that, Hiei!" Botan pouted, patting the empty space next to her. "You can play with me if you like."

"Uh, this isn't a team game," Kuwabara pointed out.

"But Hiei and Yukina hardly know the rules," she countered. "They can shadow one of us until they feel comfortable enough on their own."

"I have no objections," Shizuru said.

"Neither do I," Keiko chimed in.

The ferry-girl's expression sharpened slyly as she regarded Kuwabara once more. "I'm sure you'd be more than willing to teach Yukina."

"Oh…" the psychic flushed, rubbing the back of his neck as that lovesick grin overtook his expression. "Y-yeah, I guess I can do that."

Yukina smiled gently. "Thank you, Kazuma."

Hiei glared icily at the ferry-girl, but she was immune to his intimidation tactics and simply smiled back innocently at him in return. He discarded his cloak and scarf on the windowsill and resentfully trudged over to join the others. The woman scooted closer to Kuwabara, allowing Hiei to wedge himself between her and the plush red arm of the couch. It was a tight fit with the four of them squeezed together; he couldn't even fold his arms over his chest without elbowing the ferry-girl, so he sat there with his hands balled into fists instead.

Botan was pressed against his side, completely unaffected by their proximity as she explained the rules of the trivial card game. Kurama provided additional hints and tips, while Kuwabara attempted and failed to contain his excitement over having Yukina's rapt attention for the duration of the game. Yusuke's spirit beast was making far too much noise across the way as Keiko pampered him with doling praises and pats. Shizuru sat with her arms folded over her chest and a hint of fondness coloring her expression as she watched her brother fumble and trip over his words in an attempt to impress Yukina.

A flash of lightning illuminated the room, but nobody seemed to notice. Here, within these walls, the storm's unending cadence of rain and thunder was reduced to nothing more than ambient noise. There wasn't a thread of worry or a single line of tension on any of their faces. There wasn't a single care shared between them. It was as if they all existed in another space and time, where the very real and imminent threat of death wasn't hanging over each of their heads. Botan smiled at him warmly and Hiei felt the turbulent winds in his chest settling into something calmer, more bearable, as well.

The fire-demon never cared for useless games or forced team bonding, but he supposed there were worse things he could waste his time on.

It wouldn't hurt to stay, he decided, just for a little while longer.


I hope you're enjoying HB's friendship as the story progresses. Please drop a review if you enjoyed. Catch ya in the next installment of Friends~