Guys, I can't believe we're already here at Chapter 7!

The story's winding down to its conclusion and - like its prequel - will be ending at Chapter 9. Please bear with our oblivious lunkheads for just a bit longer. They'll get it together eventually. :)


Botan hummed to herself as she curled the ends of her hair.

She could hardly believe that she would soon be on a date with Hiei. Even if said date was purely for purely practical purposes, the ferry-girl was more than grateful for the chance to have him in such a quasi-romantic capacity.

The bluette applied a small dusting of blush on her cheeks and gave herself a quick look over in the mirror. She opted for a pair of dark wash jeans and pink blouse. Her hair was fashioned in a half up and half down style. And she spritzed a light, flowery fragrance to complete the entire ensemble.

Satisfied with the final outcome, she headed out with light and buoyant steps. She planned to meet Hiei near the snaking road and lead him to their very first date spot. Rather than trying to romance him, she found a place that she was sure he would appreciate and enjoy. And that was really all that mattered to her in the end.

"Someone's in a good mood," Hinageshi noted with a grin. The redhead was juggling a tower of paperwork precariously as she fell in line with Botan. "What's more, you look very nice today."

"I-"

Hinageshi leaned in closer to her mentor and sniffed experimentally. "You smell real good, too. I wonder who you're meeting up with?"

"It's just Hiei," Botan replied, doing her best to remain calm and collected, despite the butterflies flitting around in her stomach. "Like always…"

"Just Hiei, huh?" the younger ferry-girl parrotted, a mischievous sparkle lighting up her navy blue eyes.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Botan deflected as they came upon a fork in the road. "That stack of paperwork certainly isn't going to stamp itself…"

"Oh, right." Hinageshi's expression dropped into a frown. "Lord Koenma's waiting on these."

"Then you'd best be on your way, missy."

"Fine, but don't think for a second that this is over!" Hinageshi teased, veering left and causing the pile to teeter dangerously. "I'll be waiting to hear all about your time with your loverboy!"

Botan hurried onwards abruptly, hoping to prevent her charge from seeing the fierce blush that dusted over her expression. She managed to calm herself down by the time she approached their agreed upon meeting spot. As planned, she arrived a few minutes ahead of schedule, affording her the opportunity to quash her nerves and let her excitement reign instead. There was on need to be nervous or anxious; not when she was with Hiei.

When her date finally stepped through the portal, Botan found her jaw going slack. The fire-demon was wearing a pair of his usual dark pants with clean and unscuffed boots. A long-sleeved white shirt was tucked inside the waist of his pants, along with three white belts. He wore his hiruiseki on display, the stone a stark light against the white fabric of his shirt.

"Well, don't you clean up nicely?" she commented, upon finding her voice again.

"You're not so bad yourself, woman."

Botan hoped she suppressed her blush as she took a step closer. Tentatively, she took his hand in hers. All for the sake of their arrangement, of course. Not because she secretly thrilled at the way his calloused hand wrapped around hers, so securely and warmly. She hoped he couldn't hear the way her heart was pounding against her ribcage as she led him to one of the less traveled routes in the Spirit World.

The sky was a calm and clear pink with golden clouds floating above them. The barest hint of stars began to speckle the horizon.

"You haven't said a word about where you're taking me," Hiei noted.

"That's because it's a surprise."

It wasn't long until they reached the old building tucked away in the Spirit World's southern outreaches. She pushed the door open and motioned for the fire-demon to enter first. Hiei eyed her with suspicion, but stepped forward regardless.

"Tada," she sang. "Welcome to our weapon's vault."

Hiei moved forward slowly, eyes passing over the rows of relics hanging on the walls. It was more of a showroom than a vault, truth be told. All manner of famous and ancient weapons were displayed carefully from their perches. Hiei's expression was unreadable as he glanced around the dimly lit room.

"So, what do you think?" Botan hedged hesitantly. "If it's not up to par, we can always go somewhere else–"

"No," Hiei cut in. "This is fine."

"I hoped you might like it," she revealed, walking alongside him. "We've got some of the most well-known pieces of all time in here."

"And you were given permission to bring a demon and a former criminal here?"

"Well, no, not exactly," she confessed, pointing the pads of her index fingers together. "But as long as we don't get caught, we'll be fine!"

"Rebellious," he mocked through a charming smirk that slanted his mouth and revealed a flash of a sharp canine.

A warm rush of relief passed over the ferry-girl as she spotted the obvious signs of Hiei's amusement. She grinned in response, shoulders held higher as she mentally patted herself on the back.

"Some of these are from Makai," he observed, coming to a halt before a trio of axes. The fire-demon's reflection was visible in the glass encasing the weapons and he seemed almost transfixed, as if he didn't believe in what he was seeing. "I recognize them from the old tales."

"You do? I never pegged you as the type who cared about myths and legends…"

"The bandits I grew up with used to tell the stories."

"Did you enjoy them?"

He nodded. "The more violent, the better."

Botan frowned in concern. "That's awfully morbid."

"I was bloodthirsty and vicious in my youth. Brutality and battle were the only things that soothed me."

"What changed that?"

"Time," he stated simply as they continued walking. "Eventually I came to realize that the thrill of battle wasn't enough to fill the emptiness inside. Losing the stone and learning of Yukina redirected my perspective and my purpose."

"I see…"

They continued strolling through the room at a leisurely pace until Hiei stopped in front of a large metal shield.

"Another famous legend?" she asked.

Hiei nodded.

"Will you tell me about it?"

"This shield was said to be wielded by a bear demon," he informed. "The Forest of Eigon was named after him after he defeated a legion of enemies with it."

"Wow."

"Supposedly, the reason that nothing else grows in that region is due to the spilled blood of his enemies cursing the soil."

"How riveting," she commented. "I'd love to see the battle site one day."

"It's not far from the fortress. I can show it to you."

A smile spread over her face as she nodded. "I'll look forward to it."

The evening bled into night as they continued exchanging stories from their respective words and little tidbits about themselves along the way. Botan never would have guessed that Hiei was so well-versed in the histories of old-time heroes and the like. It made her realize there was still so much that she didn't know about him. There was still so much about him that he kept hidden inside. Moments like these, when he was actually willing to open up and share even the smallest details, were few and far between.

Tonight was new in a way she never even thought to imagine before.

The sky was dark and dotted with stars by the time they left the building. Their night was drawing to a close, but it wasn't exactly over yet. Botan still had one last trick up her sleeve - literally.

"I've got something for you," she announced.

Hiei raised a brow.

"Tada," she said, presenting him with an intricate and ornate dagger.

Hiei accepted the gift on autopilot, unsheathing the dagger with a transfixed gaze. The double-edged blade was forged from black steel and fixed on a hilt of dark onyx. Its grip was composed of garnet crystals, nearly identical to the shade of Hiei's eyes. Ancient runes were carved into the blade near the spine, but Botan was unable to read or decipher them.

"This is the dagger of draxa," he realized slowly.

"Bingo!"

"I can't accept this-"

"Sure you can!" Botan insisted, pushing it back towards him. "I found this baby in a discarded box without a single record to its name. It must have been a clerical error or oversight on someone's end. Kurama helped me identify it in the end. And when I heard the history behind it, it made me think of you."

"Botan…"

The tale spoke of a noble warrior who suffered many great tragedies, but never gave up. He continued to get stronger and made a name for himself. He put honor above fame. He fought on his own terms and lived by his own rules. The strength of his will and resolve, the resilience of his heart - they reminded her so much of the fire-demon.

"I'd really like you to have it," she confessed. "And a relic like this belongs in Makai, not here in the Spirit World."

"You're sure."

"Positive."

"Then I'll accept," he agreed, closing his fist around the dagger's hilt.

Botan grinned victoriously as they continued down the winding road. "I hope you enjoyed our first date."

"It was bearable," he admitted, glancing away.

"Good," she beamed. "You're up next. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us."

"Don't hold your breath, ferry-girl. I don't know the first thing about dating."

"Neither do I," she told him. "But I'm sure whatever you choose will be perfect."

They eventually stopped in front of her door. If this was real and Hiei was actually interested in her, then this would be the moment he stole her breath with a kiss. Reality came crashing down on her when she realized that wouldn't come to pass. This was nothing more than a ruse and Hiei didn't consider her to be anything more than a friend. Even so, they needed to keep up the spirit of their arrangement. So, instead, she leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. His skin was warm and smoother than she expected. The way her lips tingled from the small gesture surely couldn't be typical.

"Was that okay?" she asked.

"It's fine," Hiei grumbled lowly, a dash of color tinting his cheeks.

Botan's smile split into a grin. Completely and wholly satisfied with the results of their first date, she lifted her smiling eyes to meet the fire-demon's gaze. "See you next time?"

"You will."


Hiei spent the next few days wracking his brain for the appropriate activity. He knew next to nothing about dating and even less about romance. But Botan put in the effort for him and he owed it to her to reciprocate with something she would fully enjoy.

There was really only one person within the fortress of hardened and crude soldiers who could assist him.

Unfortunately for Hiei, the demon in question was currently disappointed in his current life choices.

Hiei waded through the crowded mess hall until he found Haru seated at the corner of a packed table. A couple of soldiers scooted down to make room for their general, allowing Hiei to drop his tray down directly across from Haru wordlessly. The other demon didn't acknowledge him at all, picking at his food as if it held the secrets to one of life's greatest mysteries. Hiei wasn't phased, fully aware that Haru was incapable of icing him out for much longer. Sitting down, he crossed his arms over his chest and fixed his sharp eyes on the emotion-reader across the table.

"Where would you take a woman for a…" Hiei's expression twisted into a grimace, forcing the last word out as if it were a bitter poison. "…date."

"I'm not helping you," Haru replied, shoveling a slab of meat in his mouth and chewing determinedly. He washed it down with a swig of his ale, before setting his mug down with an air of finality. "For the record, I think what you two are doing is insane and I don't approve."

Hiei frowned.

"But if I was supporting it…" Haru backpedaled, unable to help himself from offering advice. "I'd tell you to take her to the Valley of Solitude. At night, of course."

"Noted."

"And bring food."

Crimson eyes dropped down to his tray. He considered repackaging his current meal and calling it a day, but Haru made a sound of instant disapproval.

"Don't even think about it, Hiei," he chastised, pointing his fork at Hiei threateningly. "Botan's not even remotely familiar with Makai cuisine."

"I'm not exactly a cook."

Haru shrugged. "I'm sure you'll figure something out. Your super cool love guru is finished doling out genius advice for the day."

Hiei scoffed at the title, but slid his tray over to Haru by way of thanks.

"Hey, you managed to nab the last of the kuchen!" he lit up instantly. "Thanks!"

Hiei grunted dismissively as Haru began eating, soon getting lost in his own thoughts. As much as he loathed to admit it, the emotion-reader was right: Makai fare was too harsh for those unused to it. Human world's dishes were the most logical course of action, especially considering he already knew what Botan preferred and where exactly to get it from.

There was just one problem with that: Botan would undoubtedly question where and how he purchased the food. She was far too morally upright and meddlesome for her own good and if she found out he used the jagan for less than legal purposes, she would surely be displeased.

The fire-demon strummed his fingers in a show of impatience until a new thought finally occurred to him.

There was another option.

He took a stand.

"Where are you off to?" Haru asked, cheeks rounded and packed full with the dessert he was enjoying.

"Yukina."

And that's how he ended up inside the Kuwabara residence. He could hear the oaf blasting that awful music of his while he studied upstairs. Shizuru was nowhere to be found. And their father was snoring away in the living room in front of a melodrama playing on the television. The kitchen was closed off, affording him some semblance of privacy as he spoke to his sister.

"So, you're looking for simple and portable meals for your outing with Botan tonight," Yukina recounted.

"Yes."

"Hm… we could make some onigiri and side dishes," she suggested, a finger pressed to her chin thoughtfully. "How does that sound?"

Hiei nodded his agreement.

Yukina smiled, ruby eyes alight in a way that Hiei didn't fully trust. "Alright, then just wash your hands at the sink and come join me."

"Why?"

"Because you're going to help me."

"…I don't cook, Yukina."

"There's a first time for everything, brother," she countered as she tied a yellow apron around her waist. "And I'm certain Botan will appreciate the effort, too."

Hiei thought back to their first date and the way she went out of her way to make it something worthwhile and memorable for his sake. Duty tugged at his will. Unwavering affection pushed him the rest of the way. Sighing, the fire-demon rolled his sleeves up to his forearms and bustled over to the sink.

.

.

.

The moment Hiei stepped through the portal to Makai with Botan, he reached his free hand out for hers. He committed to their faux relationship and he wasn't the type to do anything half heartedly. Botan blushed, clearly surprised by Hiei taking the initiative, but she recovered quickly enough. When she placed her hand in his, he couldn't ignore the spread of warmth that traveled across his palm.

"So, where are we headed?" Botan asked.

"The Valley of Solitude."

"Sounds awfully lonely."

Hiei's grip on her hand faltered as he wondered if he'd made the right choice, but Botan held on reassuringly.

"I suppose it's a good thing I'm not going alone, isn't it?" she amended, her voice lowered into a gentle tone that was wasted on a man like him.

Hiei only secured his grip around her hand as they continued towards the valley in comfortable silence.

Makai nights were still warm; much warmer than the human world's this time of year. The waning moon rested high in the dark night sky. When they reached the valley, the ferry-girl let out a gasp. This far into Mukuro's territory remained largely untouched by the population. Without the issue of light pollution, the cluster of stars in the sky shone brighter. Botan's attention was caught between the luminous shine of the cosmos lining the grassy path and the constellations winking up from above. Amidst the glow of the flowers and the light that shined down from the stars, the woman was washed in an almost ethereal glow. It was a disgustingly flowery thought, but there was no harm in letting it take root in places no one would ever discover.

"This place is absolutely gorgeous!" she marveled, before nudging him playfully. "And you said you didn't know anything about dating…"

"It was Haru's idea."

"Well, it was a very good one."

They took up seated positions on the grass and Hiei set the basket down in front of them.

"What do we have here?" she asked with interest sparkling in her eyes. They appeared more purple than pink under the filter of night.

"Dinner," he revealed, motioning to the bentos nestled inside.

"Hey, I recognize these," she said, eyes trailing over the sakura patterned boxes. "Yukina?"

He nodded.

The ferry-girl clapped her hands together in excitement. "Oh, I love her cooking!"

"I'm well aware."

"You're setting the bar very high," she complimented as she opened up the bento closest to her.

When Hiei saw its contents, he immediately snatched it out of her grip. "Don't bother with this one. The other is yours."

Botan blinked in confusion, blue brows crinkling as she pouted. "What's the difference?"

"…I made this one."

"You did?"

"Yukina insisted I help," he admitted begrudgingly.

Botan held her arm out, palm upwards. "In that case, I'd like it back please."

Hiei's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You know I have no experience with cooking."

"So? You made the effort and that's what matters most."

"Don't be sentimental, woman. The taste is what matters."

"Intent is important, too! And I'd rather have the food my date made for me."

"…You're sure," he tested.

"Positive!" she said, hand still outstretched. She wiggled her fingers impatiently. "Now will you please pass it here?"

Hiei did as he was told, glancing up from under his bangs to see Botan taking a fearless bite of one of the misshapen rice balls. A pleasantly surprised smile burst over her expression.

"It's delicious!"

"Don't patronize me, woman."

"I mean it!" she insisted. "They may not be triangular, but your set of onigiri prove that appearances aren't everything."

He watched her take another bite without any outwardly signs of disgust or hesitation leaking through her features. She was being sincere; that much was obvious. And if she was content to eat his deformed onigiri, then he had no intentions of stopping her. So he grabbed one of Yukina's picture perfect rice balls and took a bite.

"How'd you find this place?" she piped up.

"Through my routes with the border patrol," he answered upon swallowing. "Since then, I've found myself coming here to think."

"It's very serene and peaceful. I can definitely see why it's your go to spot."

"Hn."

Botan smiled at him in that warm and undeserving way she did sometimes. He couldn't make sense of it, but he could tell that there was more that she wanted to say.

"What is it, ferry-girl?"

"I was just thinking… I like learning more about you under the guise of dates. It feels so new and thrilling."

"We already knew nearly everything about each other."

"Sure we know each other in and out on a friendship level, but I don't know the juicy details," she reasoned. "I don't even know what your type is."

"My type?" he echoed, grabbing another onigiri.

"You know, the set of preferences that makes someone desirable in your eyes?"

"I don't have anything like that."

"Have you ever even thought about it?"

"Not once."

"Well, give it a try!"

The fire-demon didn't even know where to begin. He never bothered to consider what his type may be before because, prior to Botan, there was no one he wanted in this way. The physical, he could deal with. Brief exchanges to fulfill carnal desires with no strings attached were the norm in Makai, after all. But this unfaltering attachment that was muddled with all manner of feelings and sentiments was entirely out of his wheelhouse.

"I can go first, if it makes it easier," Botan offered.

"That's not necessary," he dismissed. "I already know your type."

"Got me all figured out, huh?" she returned with an amused grin. "Let's hear it then."

"You prefer pacifist's with gentle words and polite demeanors," he replied. "Someone as idealistic and obsessed with romance as you. Someone who says the right works at the right time and gives you sweeping gestures and flowery declarations."

In other words, the complete and total opposite of the fire-demon.

"Goes to show how much you know, Hiei," she teased. "I actually prefer the noble and loyal sort. Someone who's dependable, thoughtful and a good listener, too."

"Sounds like an archetype right out of those novels you're always reading."

"It's not! My preferences are very firmly grounded in reality, thank you very much."

"If you say so."

"I do!" she maintained. "And I bet I'll have better luck guessing your type."

"Then try me, woman."

"Let's see… you probably go for the strong type. The sort who can keep up with you in battle," she guessed. "Someone who has decent control over their emotions and is level headed. Well-spoken, intelligent and commanding. You know, the total package."

It was ironic how far she was from the truth. When it came down to it, he was attracted to over-emotional, overly-optimistic and slightly oblivious ferry-girls.

"Well?" she asked, inching closer to him curiously. "Did I hit the nail on the head?"

"Not even close, woman."

"Hey!" She eyed him scrutinizingly. "I thought you said you didn't have type to begin with?"

"If I did, that wouldn't be it."

"Can't you give me something? I told you mine."

"You really want to know?"

She nodded eagerly, leaning in closer.

"It's you."

"W-what?" she breathed out, cheeks flushing.

The woman looked so shocked she might faint. If he wasn't sure before, he knew now that friendship was the only thing she would want from him. And that was enough. Hiei tore his gaze away from the floundering ferry-girl and decided to put her out of her misery.

"That is the appropriate response if you and I are dating, is it not?" he rationalized.

"Oh, right. I suppose that's true," she realized. "That was pretty smooth, Hiei."

He shoved another riceball in his mouth to avoid the need to respond.

"My heart's racing and everything," she continued. "You're a regular charmer!"

"You're charmed by everything."

"No, just by you, apparently," she corrected with a wink.

Hiei averted his gaze stubbornly, ignoring the useless warmth that settled in his chest. He knew she was only teasing for the sake of retribution, but he couldn't help the selfish need to hold onto those words. When he fixed his eyes up on the sky, Botan shuffled closer and began to point out the constellations and stars that formed them. He listened, if only because it was something she was clearly interested in. She put stock into all sorts of things - astrology, chiromancy, tea leaf readings, and more. He could barely keep up with her hobbies and interests, but if they mattered to her, he resolved to at least pay attention.

The moon had reached its zenith before he knew it. Neither he nor Botan made any move to leave.

"Hey," she beckoned softly.

Hiei looked over at her and raised a brow.

"Do you want to cuddle?" she suggested. "It just seems like something a couple might do underneath the stars…"

He hesitated, wondering if this is the sort of thing that human fool Yugo would initiate with her if they were alone. The psychic probably knew how to lure women in with his fanciful words and soft demeanor. But Hiei was most suited towards violence. He wasn't used to the gentler side of things. He wasn't sure if he could–

"We don't have to if you're not comfortable," Botan amended placatingly. "Just being with you like this is very nice, too."

"I'm not uncomfortable, woman." He steeled himself stubbornly. "I can do it."

"If you're sure…"

"I am."

"Okay." She used his discarded cloak and scarf to create a makeshift pillow and patted the top of it invitingly. "Lay down on your back and make yourself comfortable."

He laid back on the grass, staring up at the sky as he forced his breathing to remain even. Botan joined him, resting her head on his shoulder and curling her body towards his. He stiffened at first, unused to the contact and all that it entailed.

"How's this?" she asked, breath tickling the shell of his ear.

Hiei resisted the urge to shiver at the unexpected sensation. This close, the woman's natural scent of fresh meadows was all he could register. The warm outline of her body against his was welcome. The steady pulse of her heartbeat lulled him into a more relaxed state. He could only nod in response, not trusting his voice in that moment.

"You can put your arm around me if you like," she offered.

He followed suit, getting used to the feeling of being this close for the sake of intimacy. Botan rested a hand over his chest, right above his heart, as she settled closer still. It was a good thing she didn't know about the infrequency of demon heartbeats, because the steady thrum of his was far too revealing.

"This is pretty nice," she murmured with a contented sigh.

He closed his eyes and silently agreed.

Even if it was false - here, in this moment, he had everything he needed.


Botan sat cross-legged on her bed, hair tied in a braid and draped over the shoulder of her star-patterned pajamas. In her palm rested the open communication mirror.

It rang a total of three times before Hiei appeared on the screen. He was laying down in his room, hair slightly damp and hanging a bit lower than normal. Judging by his lack of shirt and state of undress, he was very clearly just out of the shower.

She quickly lifted her gaze to his eyes and didn't let it wander elsewhere.

"Good evening, Hiei."

"Botan."

"So, how did it go?" she questioned eagerly. She had made suggestions about improving the border patrol process by integrating existing Spirit World technology with Makai's. After pitching her idea to Koenma and getting the green light, Hiei was supposed to have done the same on his end. "Was Mukuro receptive to it?"

"She found it worth looking into."

Botan brightened victoriously. She knew she had come up with a stellar idea. By linking the portals with devices that detected human, demon and spirit energy patterns and quantifying them using the already existing D to S class rankings, those at the border patrol could determine whether those who passed through needed assistance or not. Rather than patrol the routes blindly, they could save time and manpower by knowing who had crossed over the instant it happened.

"The bespectacled tech wants to meet with you to discuss it."

"He has a name, you know."

The fire-demon only stared at her blankly in return.

"It's Rintarou, Hiei!"

"Why do you know that?"

"Because unlike you, I pay attention to the people around me."

"Hn."

"Let's see…" Botan paused as she wracked her brain. "My schedule is pretty packed for the next couple of days, but I should be able to make the trip to speak with Rintarou before the week's end."

"I'll relay the message."

"Maybe afterwards you and I can go on a date, too!"

Hiei nodded.

"Perfect! Since we'll already be in Makai, should we shoot for the tavern this time?"

"It's nothing special."

"But it's still someplace new."

"Fine. If you insist, ferry-girl."

Although part of their agreement was to attempt to stay connected and communicate with each other, it never felt like a chore or obligation. Checking in with Hiei every once again felt natural; it felt right. In moments like this, it was all too easy to forget that none of it was real.

"Botan."

"Hm?"

"You were zoning out."

"I was just thinking. This is really nice, isn't it?"

"…"

"I mean, if the others knew, they'd probably think we were crazy."

"Haru already does."

"My point exactly!" Botan replied. "But in spite of that, our arrangement works. I suppose we're the only ones who can truly understand it in the end."

"We're the only ones that need to."

Hiei's voice was as unwavering as his gaze. His expression held no trace of hesitation or doubts, washing all of her qualms away. Every once and a while, something heavier and unspoken seemed to reside between. Sometimes the way that Hiei stared at her took her breath away, leaving her lungs empty and heart racing. Much like right now, she was tempted to tell him just how real each and every interaction with him was to her. But that would ruin everything they've built up so far. And Botan couldn't bear to lose it all.

"Well, it's getting pretty late," she announced, locking her affections away tightly and throwing away the key. This was enough, she decided, as her expression softened into a fond and gentle smile. "Good night, Hiei."

Hiei held her gaze for a moment or two before nodding. "Sleep well, woman."