Authors Comment:

You reviewers really made my day. I just can't believe your fighting over that flamer. It's so nice to know that you take yourself into ranting over her just because of me. I'm not going to put much tirade on it since you made it yourself, thank you very much.

To LaLaLa, I really don't mind your childishness, I myself maybe ranting if I'm still five (mock) years old girl not knowing what's the meaning of fiction. Hai, I absolutely adore Y/K , nonetheless I wanted to see myself what'll look like if Keiko be paired in another guy. It's just that I'm getting tired of Yusuke and Keiko being together for almost all angle. And look, don't you envy Botan being paired with almost all the man in the YYH? I think Keiko needs some too. Are you suggesting that it's okay that Yusuke be paired with Botan-chan? There were lots of those out there, and it seems no one is ranting about that. I know what you feel demo, please be open minded. I'm on your side if you say Keiko should go with Yusuke - reality check! But in fiction, explore some of your imagination, okay? Don't be mad, I hope you take this lightly as much I right it in a more polite manner.

To Lady BlackDragonFire, I know I've got misspelled words on my first two chapter, even a little grammatical error on the next. But I'll try my best to improve it, after all I'm just an amateur one.

To queerMissy, thank you so much for the reply. This update is for you, as you requested it.

CHAPTER 8: FORBIDDEN FRUIT

He hurriedly jump from tree tree, carrying the shivering girl at his arms. The brown haired girl was drenching, her skin almost the shade of blue. He don't know how badly her injury is, but the paled appearance somehow made a tremor on his inner body.

Upon arrival at Genkai's Temple, he called upon the residence. Yukina opened the front door, an apron at her waist.

"What happened?" she asked worriedly, taking a step toward him looking at Keiko's sleeping figure.

"Where's Genkai?" he asked.

"He's out, Koenma-sama called for him." She explained while leading the way in a certain room.

She opened a deserted room and hastily fix a cot for the girl to lay down. Hiei quickly put her down in a laying position.

" I need to change her wet clothing before giving her a remedial. What happened anyhow?"

"Accident" he answered timidly. He stand up and left them.

*** After half an hour, Yukina verge out of the room, without her apron.

"She's fine now, she just need a little rest." She informed the lone man, waiting outside.

"Where are you going?" he asked her casually.

"At the accident site. Keiko seems to be in trouble with the children in the bus, so I assured her I would check them myself."

"At this weather?"

Yukina smiled sweetly, "I hope you haven't forgotten yet that blizzards are my friend."

The man shrugged, letting the ice maiden do her way.

***

After a couple more minute, when his light hearted sister was nowhere to be seen, he went inside, peering at the girl in deep catnap. He went inside, fixing his gaze at her face. He sat down next at the arrange position of the resting human.

Despite the tension that gripping him, Hiei's lips curved slightly as he contemplated the impossibly unorthodox beauty he's looking at; a young woman who would put others life before herself.

A lady that inspired in him a curious combination of protectiveness and attraction, spawning a physical and mental challenge too provocative to resist. And that was just a part of it. Coupled with how drawn to her he was, how intrigued by her quick mind and impossible beauty, was the amazing realization that he simply LIKED her. Liked being with her. Their hours on that certain night in London had flown by, punctuated by her mirth, innuendos and banter.

Not that he hadn't wanted to have her to himself. He had. Badly. TOO badly. He couldn't let himself forget who and what she was: a mere helpless girl - and a human.

He had to tread carefully, keep himself in check. This relationship could only go so far. He could indulge it - to a point. After that. well, there could be no after that.

He simply wouldn't let the physical pull between them, however heated, get out of hand.

The truth was, he probably should stay away from her altogether. No matter how he sliced it, Keiko Yukimura was indisputably forbidden fruit.

On the other hand, he never was one to resist a challenge, forbidden or not. And pursuing Keiko, spending time with her without crossing the fine line of propriety would be one hell of a challenge.

A challenge he would hardly wait to take on. Especially given the vast gray area that loomed between avoidance and intimacy.

Turning away from her, Hiei rubbed the back of his neck, tucking away the enticing thoughts of Keiko for later.

With some surprise, he noted at some point the lazy spray of snow flurries bandied about by the wind before they broke free, drifting slowly to the ground.

He made his way out of the room, closing the door ever so silent. ***

Authors Note: I plunge into Hiei's thought here, I hope you don't mind that. Next chapter will be up soon. Again, thank you for all the review!

Disclaimer: I don't own any character here, though I hope I can. It's lawfully own by Mr. Yoshihiro Togashi.