Standard disclaimers, k? I don't have the money to pay, so don't sue. Just read-it's a good story. ^_^ And sorry this chapter took a little while.

Hiei took another sip of cocoa. He couldn't do much else, so Kurama had made him a mug of it. He smiled inwardly as the warm drink flowed down his throat. Kuwabara had been trying to make up for his mistake by waiting on Hiei. Baka ningen. The tall boy came near again and Hiei punched air. Kuwabara got the hint and retreated back to the kitchen.

Kurama came over and helped Hiei up. No one had said anything, and the silence was becoming smothering. "Come on, love, I've made some lunch." Hiei grumbled, but allowed himself to be led to the table. There was a knock at the door. "Thank Inari. Yuusuke, would you let Yukina in, please?"

Hiei sat in a chair and Kurama left his side. He could hear Yuusuke's confused voice in the other room. "Hello, can I help you?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I think I have the wrong apartment,"

"This is my home. Minamino Shuichi desu."

"Minamino . . .Shuichi . . .?"

Hiei frowned, there was something familiar about that voice.  "Gods, Kurama, get away from her!"

There was a small gasp and Hiei heard the sickening sound of a blade against flesh. He put his arms up in a futile attempt at a shield. "It's so good to see you again, brother." Hiei gasped as the girl tackled him to the ground in something resembling a hug. There was the sound of a sword being drawn and she stiffened on top of him. "Isn't that Hiei's blade?"

Kurama's voice shook as he spoke. ""Who are you, what do you want here?" His anger—and pain—was evident in every word. "Let him up. Now."

Neja made a playful 'hmm' noise and Hiei tried to push her off. He felt her weight shift, then it settled down hard, forcing the air out of his lungs. He coughed and heard Neja laugh. "No, I think I'll stay right here. It's too bad I don't have my poisons though, that cut is very deep, and with my brother trapped..."

She hurt my fox! How dare she do this, and in front of the stupid ningens no less! I'll kill her for this, blind or not. Hiei began to struggle again. He had nearly gotten up when something small was pressed against his ear. He heard a frightened voice and froze. "Yukina . . ."

Over the phone line, Hiei could hear his sister crying. "What do you want? Let me go, please . . . " There was cruel laughter and a yelp of pain.

Very suddenly Neja and the phone where gone. He could hear her voice from across the room. "Such a silly little ice princess. She's so eager to help you, and she doesn't even know you're her brother!"

"Where's Yukina!?" Kuwabara could be heard trying to bull rush the girl, but she was far too fast for him.

Hiei stood and held tightly on to the table. They had to get to her, she wasn't as strong as he was. If she were poisoned . . . "Where is she." It wasn't a question.

Neja's voice shook slightly as she replied—Hiei was scary when he got mad. "She's with us, obviously." Hiei lunged but only caught air. He felt her behind him and swung back. Neja caught his arm and forced him to the ground again. "I wouldn't try it, little demon boy. I'm much better than you right now. If you have the guts . . . catch us if you can!" She was gone.

Kuwabara was in shock. "Where's Yukina? What have they done with her?" He grabbed Hiei roughly by the shirt. "WHAT DID SHE CALL YOU?!"

"Baka." Kuwabara dropped the short demon. "Don't make me hurt you. In other words, stay out of my way. I'm going to get her back." There was the sound of a fist being caught. "Coward, going to punch me?"

Yuusuke let go of his friend's fist. "Calm down. Both of you! Neither of you are going to be able to help Yukina like this."

Kurama wrapped Hiei in a hug, obviously still in pain from his wound. "Koibito, she called you brother. What's going on?"

***

Kuwabara stood staring out the window. Why does Hiei have to be her brother? He hates me. He looked over at him again. Hiei looked so helpless. He was fighting with Kurama, trying to remove his bandages while the fox thief fought to keep them on. Damn. It should have been obvious, of course. The only person Hiei protected as much as Kurama was Yukina. He treated both of them like family.

But now Hiei couldn't even protect himself.  Kuwabara could see how much the little demon hurt because of it. Hiei had stopped struggling and was letting Kurama change his bandages. If Yukina couldn't come to heal him, it was vital that they heal him the mortal way. Kuwabara came over, wanting to see for himself how bad the injuries were. Surprisingly they weren't that bad. The worst was a nasty cut on his arm, and even that was nearly healed.

Kurama faltered and nearly dropped the bowl of water he was holding. Kuwabara caught it and took the rag from the fox. "Go take care of your own wound. We can't afford to lose another fighter right now. I'll take care of Hiei."

"Like hell I'm going to let you touch me!"

"Shut up and hold still baka! It's just your eyes left, let me clean them." Kuwabara reached out and undid the bandages. He pulled back and heard Yuusuke gasp at the scene underneath. Slowly Hiei raised a hand to his eyes, exploring his wounds for the first time. How could anyone do this to family? They're monsters. If they did anything like this to Yukina . . .Kuwabara would enjoy ripping their heads off. Kuwabara laughed slightly.

"What the hell is so funny, moron?"

He paused, shocked. "I, was just, thinking about Yukina."

There was a pause. "I don't want her to know."

"Huh? Know what?"

"You baka! Yukina! I don't want her to know!"

Kuwabara stared. Hiei didn't want Yukina to know he was her brother? That made no sense. He looked into Hiei's face. His eyes were covered in cuts, they looked like barbed wire had been dragged across them.

Kuwabara pushed the cloth forward, cleaning away the blood and dirt. He pressed firmly, trying not to hurt the boy but trying to help at the same time. He pressed against one of the scabs, scraping away the protective layer. Hiei tensed, but he didn't say a word. "I'm sorry." Kuwabara wiped away the resulting blood. "An old fighting trick is that if you get rid of the scab, the wound heals faster."

Yuusuke helped his friend rewrap the bandages. "It doesn't work this early though. Hiei, we're only trying to help."

"I don't want your help, ningen."

Kuwabara tied off the wrap and leaned back. "Fine. If you don't want my help that's fine. But I'm getting Yukina back. Luckily, I'm willing to let you help me." The fire demon scowled daggers at the orange-haired ningen. Damn. Kuwabara stood and went back to the window. He's always going to hate me. Why does he have to be Yukina's brother?

***

***

So now the idiot knows just who's sister he's dating. And everyone knows that poor Yukina's all kidnapped and stuff. And the bad guys are still crappy—I couldn't think of anyone better to pick on Hiei-honest. I'm sure I warned you in advance. Anyway, the story isn't about the bad guys. *Glomps Hiei* It's about this cutie!!! Thanks for the catch, Armada Rose. I know I mispelled it, but I don't do it again and I'm too lazy to correct it. R&R please. Enjoy peeps!