Sherkoni - Just got done watching Lord of the Rings III. Again! Wait, oh yeah.....story, right. Thanks for the reviews they are muchly appreciated. Please enjoy the chapter!

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-!- The language I used was Hebrew (Thank you Jar-chan for the marvelous translations!) but in this story it is the demon language used in Makai - HOWEVER, I won't translate everything they say (--;; Are you nuts, JARED is too lazy!) I will put them in brackets.

="Speech spoken in demon language"=

Chapter 2

Realization

Botan felt the floor spinning beneath her eyes and she felt a definite wave of nausea pass through her body. She blindly gripped the edge of the chair to ensure she didn't fall over unconscious.

Keiko gasped beside her. "Did I just hear right?"

"K-Keiko..." Botan gasped, trying to grasp the reality that not only was there a high chance she would have to commune with him - Hiei was in a fatal condition.

"Oh no, Hiei... I hope nothing serious has happened to him, we should go get Yukina."

Botan lost sense of it all as the colors of Keiko's kitchen swirled in front of her before she was lost in the dark abyss of her worries.

oOo

The fog that consumed the moist grass was almost unbearable and the frantic spirit detectives were finding it difficult to even keep moving in a straight direction - let alone find their friend.

They strained their senses but the more they searched, the more obvious it became that Hiei's spirit energy was very feeble, if any, which only caused them to search harder.

Suddenly a voice called out in the fog. "Who's there?"

Yusuke gave Kurama a questioning look, before calling out uncertainly, "Yusuke Urameshi, spirit detective - have you seen a...a wounded demon anywhere?"

"Yes! Over here, come quick!" the voice answered, clearly relieved and desperate.

The trio exchanged looks before sprinting towards the voice. It was only a matter of seconds before they reached the source of the caller. He was kneeling next to a small, crumpled body and three friends picked up their pace. Yusuke frantically ran over and dropped to the side of the body, gently turning the shoulder. "H-Hiei?"

"Is that his name?" the other demon asked quietly, his voice cracked and filled with sorrow. He gazed wistfully beneath a hood, striking pale blue eyes giving Yusuke a grateful look. Most of his hair was hidden beneath the hood, but the pieces that hung in his face were jet black and spiky and Yusuke could even see a little white at the top.

Yusuke narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Who are you?" he asked, wondering why this demon was obviously so concerned when he didn't even know Hiei's name.

The demon simply shook his head, bowing it slightly in reply. Kurama knelt by Yusuke and looked Hiei over. He raised an eyebrow as he noticed several bandages on Hiei's arms and chest, already stained scarlet with blood. "Did you do this?" he asked the demon.

The demon jumped slightly in surprise. "The bandages?" he questioned, before nodding to ensure them that he was the contributor.

Kurama smiled slightly. "It stopped the blood loss considerably. You probably saved his life."

"It's the least I could do," he answered, his blue eyes starting to fill with tears.

"Yeah, yeah," Yusuke interrupted with an appreciative smile. "No need to get all mushy."

The demon closed his eyes tightly for a moment before giving the spirit detective a smirk. "I've only cried one other time, for the same person too..."

Yusuke didn't say anything, mostly because he was confused at the demon's last comment, but partly because that smirk looked so familiar...

"Well all I know is that by the time we get done here, Hiei's going to be dead!" Kuwabara interrupted angrily. Kurama nodded solemnly and with Yusuke's help, hoisted the unconscious Hiei unto their shoulders. With a final thank you goodbye, they left the demon and hurried to get back to Ningenkai.

oOo

"Botan?"

Botan opened her eyes, a pair of concerned crimson eyes coming into her view. Her heart quickly caught in her throat until her vision cleared more and she realized it was Yukina.

"Yukina? What are you doing here?" Botan asked hazily.

Yukina smiled, relieved she was now awake. "Keiko came to get Genkai and I. She said my healing powers would be needed."

Botan almost passed out again when the memory of what had happened before came rushing back to her. She groaned and closed her eyes again.

Unfortunately, there was no time to contemplate the situation as the door was suddenly kicked open and Yusuke and Kurama walked in, a dark figure draped over their shoulders, closely followed by Kuwabara. Botan gasped as she realized who it had to be, but she couldn't stop the definite doubt seeping into her mind. This figure didn't hold a clear resemblance of the fire demon. This person had a large mass of hair that went clear to their waist and was seemingly taller than Hiei. But of course she couldn't tell from the ripped, bloody clothes and many injuries.

She soon realized she didn't have time to ponder the matter however, as Kurama and Yusuke rushed him upstairs into the guest bedroom. She turned and gave Yukina a confident nod and together they ran upstairs.

They almost crashed into Yusuke and Kurama on the stairs and Kurama gave Botan a grave look. "Don't let him die."

She could only nod in reply before rushing up with Yukina into the bedroom. As they entered the room, she paused in slight reluctancy, but quickly forced herself forward as she watched Yukina not wasting any time by removing the top layer of clothes.

"I'll work on the torso wounds, you work on the ones on his neck and face," she said firmly. Botan nodded, grateful Yukina had taken the most fatal wounds as she wasn't as skilled in the art as the ice demoness.

Botan set her hands gracefully on his neck and began healing the gash that went all the way down to his collar bone. Despite her concentration at healing, she couldn't help but glancing continuously at his face. She gave a silent prayer of thanks that his face was so cut she couldn't distinguish any of his fine features.

Vaguely noticing her own heart-provoked thought, she placed one of her hands on his cheek and left the other one healing. She flinched as she felt his burning temperature and only worried more when she heard his shallow breathing...

"Botan!"

She was quickly snapped from her daze and looked at the questioning Yukina. "That wound is healed, Botan," Yukina informed her lightly with a small smile, "Work on the face now."

Blushing in embarrassment, Botan concentrated on the task she was supposed to be doing. It was quick work as his face injuries were only small cuts and she felt a silly sense of pride as his skin returned to it's normal state. She suddenly stopped in mid process as she fully looked at his tanned face, which was now very distinguishable. Her breath caught in her throat as thousands of memories came plunging through her thoughts at the fire demon's familiar face.

She clenched her eyes shut tightly and clutched her pants, letting out a shaky breath. It's okay, just concentrate on saving him for now... she told herself firmly. With a final deep breath she opened her eyes again.

She felt all of her senses leave her as she found two crimson eyes staring at her intently. She stuttered, desperately trying to find her voice. As she took a stumbling step backwards the wide eyes softened slightly and she couldn't hold it anymore.

"You'll have to finish Yukina!" she whispered hoarsely, rushing from the room without a backward glance at the taunting eyes.

She sprinted downstairs, hardly even realizing her movements, her thoughts a blurring spin. Seconds later, she instantly regretted coming downstairs. Everyone was there, sitting worriedly at the table or sitting on the counters, each holding a solemn look.

"Well?" Shizuru asked, probably being the only one who could form words.

Botan tried to focus her mind as she quickly stuttered, "He'll live, Yukina's just finishing up, and I have to go..." Not waiting for any responses she rushed from the room out into the lawn. Not bothering to look for anyone that might see her, she hopped on her oar and flew off.

"What was her problem?" Kuwabara questioned after Botan ran from the room. If anyone knew the answer, they were too flushed to say anything because silence was his only answer.

Suddenly, Yukina entered the room, a very satisfied look on her face. "He's doing fine," she announced happily before a concerned look passed over her face. "Does anyone know what was wrong with Botan?"

"I'm sure she was just tired," Kurama replied softly, giving the girl a warm smile. Yukina seemed content with this answer and gave him a warm smile back.

"Is he just sleeping then?" Yusuke asked, hating the calm, revered aura that everyone was satisfied with.

Yukina nodded. "Hai, Yusuke, his injuries have all been healed and he's just sleeping it off. His youki energy should kick in and he'll be feeling like himself in no time!"

This statement brought on a whole new silence as the realization that they hadn't seen their friend in seven years came into prospective. Shizuru chuckled dryly. "Did you get a load of his hair?" She meekly attempted to bring humor to the situation. Nobody laughed, as was to be expected.

"Can we see him?" Kurama suddenly asked, his eyes hopeful.

Yukina blinked before shrugging. "I certainly don't see why not," she finally answered happily, motioning them towards the stairs.

Without another word, everyone stood up and rushed up the stairs, unknowingly pushing and shoving to get to Hiei's room. Yusuke got there first, but when his hand came to the doorknob, he paused.

"What's the hold up Urameshi!" Kuwabara yelled after a few moments.

Yusuke turned to look at his friends, his eyes softening. "It's just..."

"I know Yusuke, we all know," Genkai said, giving him a warm smile. "And you certainly don't have to see him if you don't want to."

"Since when did you become all sentimental?" Yusuke joked, tears lining his words.

"Oh for hell's sake," Shizuru interrupted. "Stop making a soap opera out of it - you wouldn't miss him anymore if he'd said goodbye and told you where he was going, it's not like he writes letters and makes daily phone calls anyway!"

Yusuke stared at her, the harsh reality of her words sinking in. "You're right," he finally admitted and pulled open the door. They all filed in and took numerous seats around the bed, gazing at the sleeping fire demon.

"How is it he always looks so different in his sleep?" Kurama questioned, more to himself than anyone else. Keiko giggled in agreement and reached over to brush a stray hair out of his face.

"Shizuru was right," she commented. "His hair is so..."

"Freakishly long," Kuwabara supplied. Keiko shot him a disgusted look and opened her mouth to say something, but she was interrupted by a quiet, hoarse chuckle.

Keiko gasped and glanced at Hiei's chest which was ever so slightly rising and falling. "H-Hiei?"

He lazily opened one eye and smirked at her. "Yukimura."

She gasped in delight and surprise. "You're awake!"

Kuwabara practically squashed the dark demon. "Hiei! Oh man, I can't believe it's you!" he shouted gleefully

"Kuwabara," he gave a brief, weak smile before smirking devilishly. "I saw an angel a while ago and I thought I was dead. Now I know I'm alive. You're still as stupid and ugly as ever."

"Stupid shorty," Kuwabara stuttered, smiling from ear to ear, tears brimming in his eyes. "As soon as you get up, I'm taking you down..." he paused, rising to his feet. "But for now, you'll have to excuse me..." he quickly ran out of the room as a sob escaped his throat.

Yusuke chuckled and looked at Hiei, "So how're ya feeling?"

Hiei grunted in reply. Kurama took this opportunity to question him. "How did this happen Hiei? Those were serious injuries, you're lucky you're alive."

Hiei shrugged, before chuckling dryly. "I can honestly say I considered just dying, but then I came to the conclusion that I would rather hold on and suffer with my pain then come face to face with the Grim Reaper."

Everyone glanced at each other wearily. This was the second time Hiei had talked and the second time he had made a humorous comment about this serious matter. That in itself was odd, but Hiei being humorous was even more odd.

Observing their bewildered expression, Hiei laughed again.

"Okay," Shizuru said. "Does anyone besides me think that he suffered head trauma?"

"It seems to be a very reasonable assumption..." Kurama murmured.

Hiei snorted. "I haven't suffered head trauma," he argued, lifting his head up to give them all a cocky smirk.

"Yep, still the same Hiei," Yusuke laughed. "I'd know that look..." he broke off, suddenly remembering why that demon from before's smirk looked so familiar, "ANYWHERE!"

"Calm down Yusuke," Kurama chuckled lightly. "I think we can all assure you that's not the first time Hiei has glared at something."

"That demon!" Yusuke yelled, standing abruptly to his feet.

Kurama stared at him. "Yusuke, what are yo-"

"The demon that saved Hiei's life!"

"What?" Kurama asked, getting more and more confused.

"What?!" Hiei mimicked angrily, sitting abruptly up in bed.

"Hiei!" Yukina scolded, placing a hand on his shoulder, attempting to push him back down. Hiei brushed her hand off, never taking his eyes off of Yusuke.

"Detective-" he began.

"Yusuke!" Kurama interrupted.

"What?!" Yusuke asked. "You didn't see it Kurama?!"

"He had a hood on!"

"What are you talking about?!" Hiei demanded again, searching from Kurama to Yusuke, getting more and more enraged.

"Botan!"

Hiei froze and whipped his head around to stare at the brunette, everyone else doing the same. As all eyes gazed at the young girl in surprise, she casually smoothed out her pants, slowly gazing up at them with a playful smirk. "I knew that would shut you all up," she said smoothly.

Hiei groaned and flopped back onto the bed with a soft thud. "NOT funny."

Everyone laughed and quickly forgot about the demon they were talking about. After everyone stopped laughing, Yukina turned to smile at Hiei. "What have you been doing all this time Hiei-kun?"

Hiei's face turned visibly darker and his face tightened as he struggled to give Yukina a small smile. "Nothing worth telling really..." he replied softly.

"Oh come now, there must be-"

"Yukina," Genkai interrupted, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Why don't we wait and have him tell us all about it tomorrow?"

"What's tomorr- oh! Hiei-kun, you can come to the dinner Genkai and I have planned, it's going to be great!" she quipped happily, turning to give him a smile, a pleading look in her eyes.

Hiei eyed her critically before shutting his eyes and sinking as far into the pillows as he could go. Letting out a slow breath, he opened his eyes again to look at his sister. "I wouldn't miss it."

Yukina's face lit up and she squealed in positive delight. "This will be so enjoyable now that you can come!"

Genkai smiled at her happiness before leading her to the door. "We're going to go," she said, "Hiei needs to rest."

Keiko stood up and took Yusuke's hand. "She's right, let's go," she agreed, leading Yusuke out the door, Shizuru and Kurama following closely behind them. As Kurama got to the door, he paused to turn at look at Hiei. The fire demon's face suddenly looked tired and sunken, hurt and pained - his breathing becoming shallow again as he tried to sleep. Kurama frowned. It had been an act.

oOo

Kurama awoke from his disturbed sleep and peered into the darkness of his room. He frowned, something wasn't right. But what- Hiei! Kurama sprung from his bed and raced down the hall before ripping open the guest bedroom door. "Hiei!"

As he suspected the bed was empty and the window was blown open. Frantically, he rushed to the window and stuck his head out, searching for any sign of Hiei. "Hiei!"

A begrudged moan suddenly filtered to Kurama's ears, coming from directly above him. "I thought I was supposed to be resting Kurama. That's rather hard to do when you're yelling my name in the middle of the night for no apparent reason."

Kurama let out a sigh of relief and looked up at the tall oak Hiei was slumped on. "I'm sorry. I just thought....nevermind."

Hiei shrugged it off and closed his eyes to go back to sleep again.

"Are you alright Hiei?"

His eyes snapped open. "What?"

"You aren't fooling me Hiei. Are you really as fine as you are saying to be?"

Hiei raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think I'm just "saying" to be fine."

"Well let's see," Kurama began sarcastically, counting off his fingers, "You were agreeable, you were pleasant, you were even rather humorous and light-toned on occasion. I mean - you even smiled. NOT like the Hiei qualities I remember."

Hiei frowned. "Maybe I changed."

"Or maybe your faking it for reasons unbeknownst to everyone else."

Hiei turned away from Kurama's critical stare and glared at the night air, his eyes dancing with complicated feelings.

"So are you alright?" Kurama asked again after a few minutes of tensed silence.

Hiei's face registered into an acid scowl and he broke the small branch he was holding onto in his hand. "No."

"Why-"

"Because everything isn't alright," Hiei snapped miserably. "This life is foreign to me now Kurama."

"A heart never forgets."

"Exactly."

Kurama sighed. "Why don't you talk to her Hiei?"

Hiei snapped his head down to glare at Kurama angrily. After a few moments of held tension, he whipped his head up again letting out a frustrated growl. "Look, Kurama, I hate to send myself on a pity trip because I honestly don't care, but let's face reality shall we? Love is an alien emotion to me. I don't feel it and it isn't wasted on me."

"What does that have to do with this situation?"

Hiei snorted. "Use whatever intelligence you still possess after living so long in this world - I think it's safe to say it isn't one of my gifts in life."

Kurama smirked. "I beg to differ."

Hiei's eyebrows flew up, partly in anger and partly in curiosity. "Excuse me?"

"Do the words "I love you Botan" have any consolation to you?"

Hiei's eyes blazed with fury as Kurama's words sunk in. "That was different!"

"Was?"

"Was!"

Kurama narrowed his eyes and pulled back into the window. "Fine, I'm not going to argue with you Hiei." Quietly, he left the room to gain a few more hours of sleep before daylight.

Hiei glared spitefully at the window for another good minute before turning over, falling into a very disturbed slumber.

Sherkoni - Next time Hiei and Botan "officially" meet. Muhahaha....

And obviously I didn't let Hiei die - mostly because DUH. They're not married yet and I love Hiei-kun. ;;; But partly because I don't want my family to suffer more then 7 years of cursed life. Oo (watches Hakusho009 suspiciously)

I'll be letting this run through for a couple of chapters, but - should I cut Hiei's hair back to normal? Or leave it long?