Sherkoni - TT And it begins. Darn it, and I was doing so good without long updates...vv Anyways... I appreciate the reviews from you guys, especially the long ones...n.n;;; Except Hiei refuses to read any more reviews, lol. (flashes peace sign)

oO0Oo

Jared (Subway Saiyan) does my hebrew translations, which in this story is the demon language. Thank you! (Muhahaha, didn't change it, you were satisfied...)

="Speech spoken in demon language"=

Chapter 4

The Letter

="Do you think we should go look for him?"= Jin asked nervously.

="I don't know where to look!"= Tibi replied in exasperation. ="We already searched every inch of the northern territory!"=

="Well alls I know is Mukuro is going to FLIP when she-"=

="Where is Hiei?!"=

All three demons flinched as a harsh feminine voice came in through the doors of the building.

="Mukuro, how nice to see you,"= Touya greeted calmly.

Mukuro rolled her eyes. ="Save it. Where's Hiei? I'm here for my monthly inspection."= It was clear she was growing more and more irritable.

Touya shifted uncomfortably, looking to Jin and Tibi for support. ="Well you see,"= he started.

="It's a complicated, involved matter..."= Tibi drawled, slowly fingering his glass.

Mukuro glared at them, her face contorting with impatient anger.

="The involvement includes..."= Touya spoke slowly and carefully.

="We bloody can't find him."=

Touya smacked his forehead. Leave it to Jin. Tibi looked as if he could have fed Jin to a hungry pack of rats, clenching his fists.

="You WHAT?!=" Mukuro screeched.

="He's just...vanished,"= Tibi grumbled.

="Well then you sure as hell better find him!"=

Touya narrowed his eyes, getting more than a little angry.= "It is not the Shinobi's job to care for him Mukuro-sama. You should know our code actually says we leave behind those that get lost..."=

Mukuro growled, but she didn't argue. He spoke the truth. ="Fine! I'll find him myself! But YOU'RE ALL going to help me!"= She growled. ="If he's off killing random demons somewhere, I'll frickin' kill him."=

oOo

Hiei slashed through yet another demon, gracefully landing on the coarse grass. All of the weakest were about diminished, but three more high classed demons remained in the cover of the trees, Hiei could sense them. He smirked. It wasn't like it mattered, they would be dead one way or the other.

Suddenly, he felt a distinct stinging on his arm as one of the weaker minions lashed a claw out at him. He cursed and promptly sliced the demon in half, angrily scolding himself. I can't believe myself. I go seven god damn years without having to look back and one glance at her for five seconds and I can't get her out of my mind! The wound in his arm gave another biting sting. Hiei fumed. Distraction! That's all she is, an unwanted, biting, beautiful dist- Dammit!

He was about to curse their untimely meeting in the hall once again, but a foot collided harshly with his unsuspecting stomach. He flew to the ground with a strained gasp. A lethal distraction.

The offending demon, one of the three that had been hiding, scowled angrily at Hiei. "You have killed off our minions you pitiful fool, but now you shall have to face us!" Without giving Hiei time to collect himself, he charged, claws flailing, towards the fire demon.

Despite his definite lack of oxygen, Hiei hoisted himself upright. Ignoring the fact that the images in front of him were spinning, he reached for his sword, wincing as he realized the demon was mere feet in front of him. The inevitable blow never came though. The demon suddenly froze, clutching his head in agony, reeling backwards with painful screams. "Aah! It hurts, my head! Make it stop!"

Hiei's eyes widened in slight surprise as he watched the ongoing display for a few moments. "A mind attack," he finally concluded to himself. "Beautifully executed."

"Thank you," a feminine voice answered behind him. "I've been practicing it for about a year now."

Hiei whipped his head around to gape at the young ferry girl who had stopped the demon. He didn't even bother to hide his shock as his jaw dropped. He closed it after a few moments and narrowed his eyes in bewilderment. "But you're..."

"Fighting?" she inquired curtly. She raised her chin and looked to the side. "Yes. Quite well I might add." She continued to avoid his gaze, which remained hot and focused on her, no matter how hard she tried to deny that she could sense the presence.

Suddenly though, the crimson eyes flickered to the left. Hiei barely had time to open his mouth when a spear came whizzing straight towards Botan. It connected harshly with her left arm, followed by her pained shriek.

"Botan!" four voices suddenly shouted. Yusuke, Kurama and Kuwabara had just arrived - barely in time to witness the assault of their friend. Hiei, however, had already jumped to her aid, standing squarely between her and the demon, sword raised protectively.

"How sweet!" the demon spat venomously. "You shall die nobly for sweet maiden!"

Hiei merely growled, as if daring the demon to try such a plan. Botan shifted behind him with a groan, forcing herself to rise to her feet. "Leave Hiei, I can handle this myself."

Hiei snorted in front of her. "How? By squirting him in the eye with the blood flowing from your-"

"I don't need your help Hiei!" she snapped bitterly.

Hiei stiffened this time and turned his head so he could look at her. His eyes softened mournfully at the harsh glare he was receiving. "But..."

"I don't want your help," she repeated dangerously. "I can do this by myself - without you."

Hiei's gaze hardened once again and his jaw tightened angrily. Gripping his sword more firmly, he turned to face Botan fully. "Fin-"

"Die!" interrupted a hungry shriek. Hiei whipped around just in time to block the demon's ax with his sword. They held this taut position for a few moments, the weapons vibrating with strain, until the demon broke away and launched another attack. Hiei stepped to the side, barely dodging the assault.

Hiei would have laughed at the pitiful attempts on his life if he hadn't been so distracted by Botan's harsh words. Given, that's why the demon wasn't already in many pieces.

Suddenly, a rock connected with the demon's back. "Over here you disgusting snake!" Botan yelled mockingly, giving away her position as the one who had thrown it. "All three of you, surely you can take a human girl right?"

"Botan - what are you doing?!" Kuwabara cried. Botan gave a wink in response. Hiei froze as the demon next to him glared at Botan.

He had time for nothing else as all three of their opponents suddenly whirled around, charging at top speed. Botan somersaulted through the air to avoid their blows, slightly held back from the wound on her arm. Their movements were too fast for her eyes to track however, and she was forced to throw herself to the ground as they hurled punches at her from either side. Grimacing, she staggered back to her feet. These apparitions would have been little more than a nuisance if they had attacked one at a time, but working together, they were more worrisome enemies.

"Watch out, Botan!!" Yusuke yelled. Botan saw a flash of movement in the corner of her eye and reached for anything that could protect herself, but knew instinctively that she would be too late. Closing her eyes, she prepared for the blow--and then gasped, abruptly winded, as Hiei's body slammed into hers, sending them both flying.

"Baka!" the fire demon hissed. His voice was shaking with fury. "You were an open target, dammit." Hiei opened his mouth, about to say more, but stopped, grabbing her roughly around the waist. Before Botan could think or even breath, he hurled her across the clearing. Right into Kuwabara's lap, as a matter of fact.

Botan watched, slightly dazed, as Hiei's sword sliced the apparitions to shreds. Dark blood splattered across his face. In less than a second, the battle was over. Kurama, panting, helped Botan to her feet. She smiled apologetically at Kuwabara, who was still groaning from the sudden impact. Hiei stood apart from the four, wiping the blade of his sword clean.

Sighing with relief that no one was hurt, Botan stole a glance at him, biting her lip. Setting her face in a determined manner, she limped over to him, ripping off the excess cloth of her white tunic. He glowered at her, but stood passively while she wiped the blood from his face and neck.
"You're such an idiot."

"You're one to talk." She lowered her hand, taking a deep breath. She couldn't shake the feeling that everything they said to each other was just a mask of what they were feeling. Words that could get them by on subdued communication....yet, they weren't really communicating. I'm just going to ask him, just flat out - no beating around the bush, I'll-

"Are you injured?" Kurama put a hand on Botan's shoulder, turning her around. "It looked like you got hurt pretty badly earlier."
She shook her head, slightly dazed. "No--"
"Don't listen to a word she says," Hiei snapped, glaring at them. "Those were no mere flesh wounds . . ." He trailed off as Botan sagged back against a surprised Kurama. She managed a weak smile before promptly blacking out.
Suddenly a smothered beeping noise was heard amidst the silence. The foursome glanced at each other suspiciously. "Uh, I thought we agreed to turn off our cell phones during missions," Yusuke said slowly, eyeing each member in turn.

Hiei tilted his head back, rolling his eyes as he turned away from the group in a huff. "Humans."

"I don't have my phone," Kuwabara said.

"Me either," Kurama added softly.

The beeping noise was heard again, this time the source was quite evident. Botan.

"It's probably her communication device." Yusuke gulped. "I suppose we should, answer it..."

"Where does she stash it?" Kuwabara voiced the question on everyone's mind.

Hiei glared at him. "Well you aren't about to go looking for it."

Kurama cocked his head, acceding his senses. "It's in her front pocket."

Everyone stared at him. "Well get it then," Yusuke finally said.

Kurama blushed hotly. "Why me?!"

"Well because....um, YOU know exactly where it is," Yusuke stuttered, searching for a plausible excuse. "It'll be quicker."

"I told you it's in her pocket!"

"Ah, but it is at the bottom? The side?"

"Yusuke!"

"I say Hiei has to get it," Kuwabara said. "I mean hello - the guy's kissed her, I don't think he'll mind searching in her pants."

Kurama groaned. "Oh, gross, Kuwabara..."

"That is so wrong on so many levels," Yusuke agreed, crinkling his nose in disgust at Kuwabara.

Hiei reddened. Whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to say. "What?!"

"I didn't mean it like that!" Kuwabara exclaimed in irritation. "Besides, there is no saying that he hasn't alre-"

Hiei's face, if possible, got even redder. "What gives you the idea that I've even kissed the woman?!"

"You haven't?" Kurama asked innocently, raising an eyebrow.

"W-Well....I, um..."

"Ooooh!" Yusuke and Kuwabara interrupted with sly grins. Hiei glared at them angrily, gritting his teeth.

BEEP BEEP BEEP.

"Oh for hell's sake," Hiei hissed and with a barely visible motion, removed the communicator. He quickly yanked it open. "What!"

Koenma's digital face flinched. "Hiei, oh um, hi, what a surprise. You know, seeing you with...Botan's, um, communicator. Um....am I interrupting anything?"

Hiei growled loudly, baring his teeth in irritation.

Koenma laughed nervously. "Right, my mistake. Well, I just called to say that um, Keiko's having her baby, she's at the hospital right now."

"Which hospital?"

"Memorial," Koenma replied. He waited, but Hiei just peered at him boredly. "Well - tell Yusuke already!"he snapped impatiently.

Hiei raised his head to peer over his shoulder. After a few seconds he looked back down at Koenma. "Given the rate he was going, I'd say he's already at the hospital."

Koenma blushed. "Oh. Right well, see you all there, I guess. Hey - where is Botan?"

Hiei snapped the small disc shut. He tossed it to Kurama, giving Botan a downward glance. Kuwabara looked at each of them. "Soooo...."

oOo

"Botan? Are you up yet?"
Botan slowly opened her eyes, blinking until her vision cleared. Kurama's face swam into view.
"Hey there," he said, grinning at her. She tried to sit up, then stopped, surprised. This wasn't her bed, it wasn't even anyone's bed she recognized. She was on a hospital bed! Her arm was bandaged carefully and if not for the dull throbbing, she wouldn't have even remembered her wound.
"How did I get here?"
Kurama's smile faded slightly, but Kuwabara answered for him. "Hiei carried you. But then he took off. Dunno where he's got to now." The tall human suddenly clapped a hand over his mouth, looking positively mortified. "Oh, shit! I wasn't supposed to tell you that!"
"What?" Botan quirked an eyebrow at him, not entirely sure she understood.
"Hiei didn't want you to know that he carried you all the way back from that clearing," Kurama clarified. Botan's eyebrows raised.

Kuwabara reddened. "Yeah... he made me swear not to say anything, on the pain of death."
Botan couldn't help laughing. "Don't worry, I won't let Hiei kill you."
Kuwabara grinned. "Ah, how kind."

Botan suddenly gasped. "Where's Yusuke? Is he hurt?! What about the demons?!"

Kurama chuckled. "Calm down, Hiei killed the demons and Yusuke is pacing around in the waiting room last I checked..."

Botan raised an eyebrow. "He should know I'm fine. Or at least, wouldn't he at least come in and see me?"

Kurama and Kuwabara laughed. Kuwabara grinned teasingly. "A bit cocky aren't we?" he asked, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Maybe he isn't there for you."

Botan sat up, glaring at the snickering pair. "This isn't funny! Who's hurt? Guys!"

The two men laughed for a few more seconds before Kurama took pity and turned to her. "Nothing fatal to be sure..."

"What happened?!" she shrieked, her voice shrill.

"Keiko," Kuwabara began before snorting.

"Is having her baby," Kurama finished with a happy smile.

Botan stared at them for a good minute before the information finally sunk in. She let out a happy squeal. "Oh my gosh!" She flew off her bed and sprinted towards the door. Suddenly, she froze. Turning slowly, she faced Kuwabara and Kurama, walking slowly up to them. In one smooth motion, she hit both of them soundly on the head. "That's for keeping me in suspense." Leaving a stunned Kuwabara and Kurama, she raced from the room.

She walked into the waiting room and had to pause, smiling to herself. Yusuke was pacing the entire room, looking more worried then she'd ever seen him, Yukina and Shizuru were chatting quietly, giggling softly to themselves, Genkai was leaning against the wall, eyes closed as if she were in meditation. But the sight that made her violet eyes soften was the dark figure draped on one of the chairs.

Hiei was hunched over, both of his arms hanging over the sides of the arm rests, his chin resting peacefully on his chest. He had on a overlarge trench coat with the collar pulled up around his face and pieces of midnight shot hair lined his face. She had to suppress a giggle as he wiggled his nose when a hair brushed over his tan flesh. And then, there were his slightly parted lips....

Botan blushed hotly, ripping herself from her thoughts. But despite her embarrassment, she still felt drawn to him. Keeping her eyes trained on his sleeping form, she walked slowly through the waiting room.

Yusuke of course didn't notice her, and she doubted Yukina or Shizuru did either. She had the feeling that Genkai knew she had been there from the beginning, but wasn't saying anything. Deciding she didn't care, she made her way to Hiei. Once in front of him, she crouched down so she could see his face better. She sighed, knowing she had said some harsh things before. But sincere, she added in her mind. And he deserves it. And I don't particularly care if he doesn't love me anymore. I mean like me! Like me! She groaned.

Exhaling irritably, she looked at him again. A glimpse of white caught her attention. Peering closer, she saw it was old papers sticking out of his coat pocket. Curiosity aroused, she slowly stretched her hand towards the paper. When her hand was inches from the paper, Hiei shifted, mumbling in his sleep. She froze in terror. Please don't wake up! He didn't wake up, but continued to shift around in the chair, his eyebrows furrowing in frustration while beads of sweat started to form on his face.

"He's having a nightmare," she whispered. Brushing a piece of hair off his dampened forehead, she considered sparing him of the torture, but that meant she wouldn't get to see what those papers were...

Biting her lip, she made a decision. She quickly snatched the papers and stood up, leaving the room as fast as possible. She walked briskly through the halls, her hand slightly trembling as it clutched the papers. Suddenly she passed an open door. Peering in cautiously, she found that the room was devoid of life or inhabitants. Smiling at her fortune she made her way inside.

Sitting on the bare mattress, she looked quizzically at the papers. It was in fact two yellowed papers folded together, it looked like, many different times and in many different forms. Casually, she turned the papers over. She gasped, almost dropping them. There, scrawled in a messy, but bold script was her name.

With trembling hands she opened the folded paper. Taking a shaky breath, she began to read.

Botan,

Suppose. . . . suppose I sent you a letter. Suppose I sent you a letter and told you that I loved you and suppose I said I want to come back home. Suppose I cried and said I think I've finally learned my lesson and I'm tired of spending all my time alone. If I told you that I realize you're all I ever wanted and it's killing me to be so far away. . . . would you tell me that you love me too and would we cry together? Or would you simply laugh at me and say, 'I told you so. I told you someday you'd come crawling back and asking me to take you in. But you had to go - and now I've found somebody new and you will never break my heart in half again.'

Botan sniffed to herself. Never, Hiei, never.

If I got down on my knees and told you I was yours forever, would you get down on yours too and take my hand? Would we get that old feeling? Would it be like it used to. . . you reminding me when I was being an arrogant bastard and me thinking you were just a pain in the ass. . .

Botan giggled through her tears.

Would you tell me that you've missed me too and that you've been lonely and waiting for the day that I return? And we should live and love forever and that I'm your one and only. . .

Or would you say the tables have finally turned? Like they no doubt have.

Maybe I'm jus

That last part of the letter was never finished and stopped abruptly. Folding the letter again, Botan used her bandaged hand to wipe her wet cheeks. She glanced at the letter and started cryingall over again, the barrier she had so carefully placed around her soul crumbling.

Sherkoni - (anime tears)

Yusuke - (hands her a tissue) Here ya go.

Sherkoni - (blows) Thanks. Now then, my inspiration for the letter came from a really old country song called 'I Told You So'. (thinks) Um...I can't remember the artist, but I can remember bits of the chorus, and that was my inspiration. (bows)