Sherkoni - Check out my speedier-than-normal update! I'm getting better and (cough) maybe I don't want to get smited. O.o;;

Cameo Appearance: Kagome Higurashi (Me no own Inuyasha!)

oO0Oo

Jared (Subway Saiyan) does my hebrew translations, which in this story is the demon language. Thank you! (Right, well I just felt like putting something here...)

="Speech spoken in demon language"=

Chapter 5

Advice from the Unlikely

Botan sighed again and shoved the letter into her pocket. This was unexpected. All this time I thought Hiei had forgotten all about me or just plain didn't care. But...if this letter is true - his feelings are almost identical to mine.

I have to talk to him. Now.

She rose from her seat and hurried out of the room. She arrived at the waiting room again, after almost trampling two nurses. She looked towards the left-side corner. Hiei had awoken, no doubt from his nightmare, and was now staring off into space, his crimson eyes glazed and unfocused. However as soon she entered the room, his eyes became sharp and focused, his muscles tensing uneasily.

He looked at her, but she quickly averted her gaze to watch Genkai instead. She chewed on her tongue for a moment before finally conquering the trembling in her legs enough to walk. She approached him slowly, still not meeting his gaze.

When she stood in front of him, she paused, both of them tensed in awkward silence. "Do you have a minute, Hiei?" she whispered. She looked up at his face. He looked almost as nervous as she felt. He nodded slowly.

She turned to go and Hiei wordlessly followed behind her. Botan could feel every eye in the room on her and Hiei's exit and it made the situation all the worse. She sensed that Hiei felt the same thing because he quickened his pace behind her.

Her feet felt like lead as she walked through the corridors, aiming for the same empty room she had been in before. The trip seemed a lot longer now that she wasn't hurrying.

"Where are we going?" Hiei suddenly asked, his low voice monotone and emotionless.

She didn't answer and continued walking. Hiei grunted in annoyance behind her, but didn't say anything else. Finally they came to the same room Botan had read the letter. She paused and motioned him in. He gave her a questioning look before stepping into the room. She followed and shut the door firmly behind her.

Hiei eyed the closed door nervously for a second, as if her closing it symbolized there was no turning back. He sat on the bed with a light bounce, watching Botan as she fiddled nervously with her hands.

"Hiei," she began slowly. "Um, I just....wanted to talk about..." She trailed off and gulped to herself, not meeting his bewildered gaze.

Hiei watched her patiently, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling that had settled in the pit of his stomach. Suddenly, his eyes caught a glimpse of paper sticking out of her front pocket. Normally, he wouldn't have cared, but the texture of the paper, the many folds and rips...

His hand flew instinctively to his coat pocket. He started to panic when he felt nothing there. "Hiei," Botan's voice suddenly interrupted, sounding as if she were on the verge of tears. She reached down and took the papers out of her pocket. His letter. "This is what I wanted to talk to you about..."

Hiei froze. His eyes grew wide in sheer horror.

"Hiei--"

"Shut up!" the Koorime snarled. "If you say anything, I swear--"

"Hiei." Botan repeated helplessly, shivering at the heat in his voice, at how long she had wanted to know for sure if he missed her. He was staring past her, at the closed hospital door. Botan saw it and ran, blocking it with her body, before he could begin gathering himself to bolt. "Listen to me. This--this doesn't have to be so hard."

Hiei had grown pale. His breath came in short, shallow gasps, like that of a hunted animal. Botan's eyes softened, it hurt to see him search so desperately for escape.

"I won't hold you to anything," she said, in the gentlest tone she could muster.

After a moment that felt like an eternity, Hiei glanced back at her. He didn't quite meet her eye, but it was more than enough for Botan. "Go," the fire demon finally said, raising a hand to point at the door. His voice had lost much of its usual arrogance; it sounded dull, defeated.

"But-"

"Go help Keiko or something," he growled. "I need to think." Botan didn't budge. He sighed, resigned. "What does it take to get rid of you, onna?"

His face was well-defined in the glimmering lamplight. She struggled not to reach out and unintentionally destroy the strange, fleeting turmoil written on those familiar features."When did you write that letter?" she choked out.

Hiei tightened at her incompliance to leave. "It's been rewritten many-"

"The first time."

Hiei decided he would never learn how she could shatter his conceit with a single look, but he knew now what he must do, for the sake of--love. Love would not let her wonder if she'd lost him. Love would not allow something so right to simply slip away. "A week after I left."

Yet this had happened so quickly. His head was still reeling. He needed to unwind, to relax and view the situation through clear eyes. It would be unfair to Botan if he chose to face her with his youki still in such fierce turmoil. Even a few minutes might be enough time to regain some control. He swallowed, steeling himself, and met her gaze, now brimming with tears. "Go," he repeated firmly.

She swallowed. "Promise me you won't leave," her voice sounding irrationally calm.

I can't leave you now, or perhaps even ever, Botan.
Hiei's voice failed him, and he only gestured towards the door. She hesitated, but then left, leaving Hiei alone with his thoughts.
- - - - - - -

(Botan's POV)

I walked quickly through the halls, not aware of my surroundings. The steel blue colors of the hospital seemed part of another world to me right now. Suddenly feeling very crowded in my kimono alone, I decided to take my power walk outside.

I didn't remember the trip from the hallway to the hospital doors, but the next thing I knew, I was outside. Finally, I paused to take a long breath, trying to clear my mind. What was Hiei doing to me? I was on the brink of my first mental break-down and it was entirely his fault.

Feeling restless and nerved again, I sped off down the sidewalk. 'I need to think.' What does that mean?! Maybe I should have used the one question I got to ask him when the last time he rewrote the letter was. What if he's trying to think of a way to gently tell me that he got over me six years ago?! I shuddered at the thought.

Sighing, I placed my hands behind my head and looked up at the sky, trying, for what seemed like the millionth time, to understand a certain fire demon.

I was so caught in my thoughts and the sky, I was taken completely off guard when I slammed into somebody. As I soundly hit the sidewalk, I winced as pain riveted up my back-side. I looked up to see who the unfortunate soul I crashed into was.

A young raven-haired girl, probably only 16, was sitting on the sidewalk as well, rubbing her elbows. Feeling my gaze, she looked up at me, blushing profusely. "I'm sorry! I wasn't paying attention at all! I was in my own little world..."

I smiled knowingly. "I was about to say the same thing," I said, standing to my feet before offering a hand to the girl.

She smiled and gratefully took it. As I hoisted her up, she glanced at me with a careful smile. "What had you so distracted?"

I blushed. "Oh, nothing really...just some guy problems..."

The girl grinned unexpectedly. "Me too!"

"Really?" I asked in surprise.

She nodded shyly.

I smiled. "I'm Botan," I said, extending a hand.

She took it happily. "I'm Kagome." She paused, examining me for a moment. "Hey, uh...if you're not doing anything - do you want to take a walk?"

I paused. I hardly knew this girl. Yet...she seemed to be suffering the same sort of thing I was, and with her bright smile...I just felt drawn to her. "I'd love to."

Together we walked down the sidewalk, both enjoying the quiet for a few moments. Finally, she spoke. "So what's your boyfriend like?"

I shifted uneasily. "Well, it's hard to explain. You see, he's not really my boyfriend. But we still..."

She stopped me with a raise of her hand. She gave me a very weird look, her head tilted to the side in puzzlement. "Weirdly...I know exactly what you mean. My guy isn't really my boyfriend either. But it's more so because he isn't custom to the term boyfriend. We're just sort of...an undecided pair."

I gasped. "That's exactly how we are!" I blushed lowering my head. "Were, I mean."

Kagome looked at me sorrowfully. "I'm sorry, did you break up?"

"Sort of," I tried to explain with a sigh. "He left awhile back saying it was for my safety. Nobody knew where he was, he just vanished."

Kagome gasped quietly. "What was the last thing he said to you?"

Suddenly, I felt a lump growing in my throat. I subconsciously reached to my neck to stroke the black tear gem. "I love you, onna," I finally whispered.

I was surprised when Kagome's eyes started filling with tears as well. "Oh, that's beautiful," she whispered. I felt a slow warmth glowing inside of me, realizing that it was rather romantic. "What was the last thing you said to him?"

I glanced back into the memory that was so clearly burned into my mind, but had been concealed by a wall I had so carefully placed there. "Please don't leave me," I answered finally.

Kagome flew a hand up to her mouth. "You poor thing! That's so sad! Did you ever see him again?"

I nodded grimly. "Two days ago."

Her eyebrows flew up. "No!"

"Yes," I said dryly, keeping my eyes glued on the side walk. "And the first words I heard him say were..." I paused upon remembering and let a chuckle slip. "..oh shit."

Kagome gave me a blank stare before bursting into her own fit of giggles. "Men!" she finally said.

I giggled as well. "I hear ya." After our laughter had died down, I turned to her. "I've been blabbing on and on this whole time...what about you?"

"Oh," Kagome waved her dismissively. "It's nothing as lovely as yours. I sort of visit his uh...town a lot and we do things together with friends. But today he made me really angry and I left. It happens a lot. The last thing I said to him was, "Sit boy! And don't bother getting up Inuyasha, I won't be there - I'm going back to my tim-er, I'm going back home!"

I popped a confused eyebrow. "Sit boy?"

Her eyes widened and she blushed hotly. "Oh it's just something I say to him, sometimes, it's just - oh, never mind..." She sighed in defeat.

I smiled. "Think nothing of it. I've seen some pretty weird relationships. And I could understand how you would use that phrase..."

She suddenly started laughing.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing, it's just. Inuyasha can be a real...dog sometimes."

I grinned. "I know what you mean. Hiei's as bad as a demon when he wants."

We both laughed, thinking we were both laughing at our own little inside jokes. Unbeknownst to us, it was practically the same one.

We talked for a little longer and she told me more about Inuyasha and her friends and I told her a little more about Hiei and my friends. Finally, after an hour, we departed.

"Bye Botan, maybe we'll see each other again someday." She reached out and gave me a tight hug.

I returned the embrace. "You too Kagome, and I hope it's soon."

She pulled away and giggled. "Maybe someday I'll meet Hiei too."

"Maybe I'll meet Inuyasha too. And Miroku, Sango, Shippo and all your friends..."

Her face fell into a sarcastic frown. "You do NOT want to meet Miroku. But if you do - feel free to give him a good slap at anytime."

I was confused by her comment, but I smiled anyway. "Will do!"

With a final wave I said good-bye to my new friend and headed back towards the hospital, my mind cleared. I actually was in a good mood now. Glancing at the sky, I couldn't help but thinking that not even a certain fire demon could spoil my mood.

- - - - - - - - -

(Hiei's POV)

I have always prided myself on being a realist. But this time, reality had simply gone too far. That was why I sat still poised on the bare mattress of that hospital room. I needed to talk with her so badly, it was almost maddening. I needed to destroy this insidious thing between us.

Botan's scent still clung, though barely, to the stiff air, flooding me with memories. I froze, transfixed, at the rush of unwanted recollections--The dance, the few minutes we spent that one day in the rain, Tiluka, the day I left . . . All of a sudden, I found it incredibly hard to breathe. I left the room in a burst of speed, struggling to suppress the strange panic rising in my chest.

How can I face her with this fear dogging my every step--and why, why am I so afraid?

Swearing, I sank to the floor, right in the middle of the hall. There was no peace to be had, not anywhere. Even now, her words rose unbidden to my mind: "Please don't leave me..."

I closed my eyes to savor the silence. This was how Hiei Jaganshi lived--pragmatically, logically, with no room for sentiment or regret. I could forget capricious emotions. I could--no, I would tell Botan that there must be nothing between us. I had the strength and the will to go through with it, and to endure my pain alone . . . as I always had.

I can wait for her to return. But I won't sit here looking like a fool.

So decided, I set my jaw and started off down the hall towards the waiting room.

The waiting room was as I left it, only now - Yusuke was no longer pacing the room. Yukina sensed me come in and seemed to read my unspoken question. "Keiko's contractions became less than three seconds apart so Yusuke went in with her. It'll be no more than an hour now if all goes well."

I nodded my compliance and headed in to the room. I was nearly knocked over as a boisterous, middle-aged couple burst into the room, carrying a baby on their hips that was howling loudly. I grimaced at the insistent cries and tried to ignore when the woman stepped on my foot.

"Where is Keiko?!" the woman cried.

Genkai approached her. "Calm yourself woman, she's just having a damn baby, not going in for an emergency surgery procedure."

The woman ruffled, clearly offended. "Well, it IS my daughter."

"She just started to deliver, you can go in if you want."

The woman looked like she would like that very much, but the baby continued to cry and squirm in her arms. "I can't leave him out here," she said, looking down at the baby. "He's the fussiest child alive, he only doesn't cry for his mother and he doesn't take to strangers at all. He still grimaces at me and I'm his aunt." She paused. "He's Keiko's cousin..."

"Leave him here with Yukina and me," Genkai replied calmly. "If he's crying with you, if he's crying with us, it doesn't make much difference. Go see your daughter."

Mrs. Yukimura nodded gratefully and handed the baby over. "Don't worry, it's not you. He doesn't like anyone. But here..." She handed Genkai a small bag of toys. "This MIGHT keep him occupied." With a final gratitude smile, she took hold of her husband's arm and they ran to the pregnancy hall.

"Here Yukina," Genkai said, promptly handing the child to my sister.

"Oh the poor thing," Yukina cooed. She flinched as the baby screamed in her ear in reply.

I groaned. "Can't you shut the damn thing up!"

Yukina gave me a disapproving look and I decided to keep to myself. Suddenly, Kurama and Kuwabara entered with bags of...was it food? I don't know. It smelled like grease covered meat. I crinkled my nose in disgust.

"Ah, Hiei," Kurama greeted. "Glad to see you're up." He looked at the crying baby and tried to smile, but I saw the displeasure in his eyes.

Kuwabara on the other hand, didn't even bother to try to hide it. "Oh, man! Somebody get the kid out of here!"

Yukina sighed. "He's a fussy baby, there's nothing we can do - Keiko's parents are supposed to be watching him, and it's only fair to relieve them of their duties so they can see Keiko."

Kurama walked over. "Maybe he just needs a good lullaby.."

Yukina's face suddenly brightened. "Why don't you see if he likes you Kurama-kun? You're so gentle and you smell good!" She didn't notice when Kurama blushed hotly, oblivious to the implications of her words.

After a moment, Kurama smiled and stretched out his arms to take the baby. Yukina gladly handed the child over. The baby stopped crying and looked at him for a moment. Thank Inari, I thought to myself. Then the baby's face scrunched unpleasantly before he let out a loud howl. Kurama winced, no doubt mourning his previous hearing abilities. Kuwabara walked over and tried to "baby-talk" him into silence. The baby only howled louder. Kuwabara backed off, looking at the stern glares from Yukina and Kurama.

Placing my hands on my ears, I walked by them, aiming for my previous corner chair. It would be hard to ignore that thing for an hour, but if all else failed I could always knock it unconscious....

Unfortunately, before I could get there, Kurama placed an arm on my hand. "Hold him for a second Hiei..."

"What?" I glared angrily. "No! I'm not holding that disgusting, loud, pitiful excuse of a human!"

Kurama groaned. "Just for a second Hiei, Yukina and I have to grab his toys and food. He already profoundly hates Kuwabara..."

I couldn't blame the baby in that aspect. "Fine," I snapped, holding out my hands. Kurama placed the baby into my hands. I scowled in disgust, holding as far as possible from me. I was impatiently waiting for Kurama to take him back when I realized I could hear the fountain purring again. I snapped my gaze to the baby. He stared at me quietly, making little spit bubbles with his mouth.

"Hiei.." Kurama whispered as if I were some type of God.

"Oh my..." Yukina added.

I didn't respond to them, I was too busy glaring at the baby. "Stop it!" I snapped irritably. "That's disgusting."

He stopped and gave a small hiccup. Momentarily satisfied, I turned to the others. But, (surprise, surprise) they had all found a chair to sit on and were casually avoiding my stare. "Well take it back already!" I fumed.

"Please keep him, Hiei-san," Yukina pleaded. "He doesn't cry with you..."

But for Yukina's pleading eyes, I complied. "Fine," I grumbled before turning back to the baby who was still staring at me quietly. "What? You think this is funny?" He answered me with a happy giggle.

The others, even Genkai, chuckled. I glared at the baby. "It's not funny. And I despise you so don't get comfortable." He blew me a raspberry. Cute.

I walked over to my chair, still holding the baby out as if he were poisonous. I sat down and set him on my lap, not bothering to be gentle. I was hoping he'd start crying again so I wouldn't have to take care of him. Suddenly, a doll was placed in his hands.

Yukina smiled. "There, something for him to play with."

After she left, I gave the baby a mocking smirk. "You play with dolls? That's for the weaker babies."

He hugged the blonde-haired doll tightly as if to defy me. I raised an eyebrow. "You can't be serious," I taunted mercilessly. "You love her, don't you? Does it bother you if I hurt your dolly?" I proceed to tug softly on the doll's hair. The baby seemed to glare at me and promptly spit all over my hand. I drew back in disgust. "Disgusting little brat!" Narrowing my eyes at the baby, who had continued coddling the doll, I tried again - this time hoping to rip one of it's arms off.

The baby squealed and hugged the doll tighter. In a final effort, he threw the doll under the chair, temporarily out of my reach. I withdrew my hand. "I get it," I murmured. "You can't play with your doll anymore, but at least I can't hurt her. That's very noble." Suddenly, I froze. This scenario - childish though it was, seemed very familiar. He looked at me boredly, proceeding to slobber all over himself. Sneering at him in repulsion, I turned away with my own thoughts, having been visually reminded of my own situation.

After some time had passed, the baby started to lean over, desperately reaching for his doll. I noticed with an amused smirk. Finally, I decided to put the kid out of his distress and bent down, grabbing the doll.

He reached for it with both hands, a pleading look in his eyes.

I kept it out of his reach. "You miss her, don't you?" I stared at his unwavering expression. "Well that's too bad. She doesn't love you anymore, you were a fool." The baby gave me a blank look. "If you really loved her you would have stayed and simply protected her. She loved you then." I turned to look at the doll bitterly. "Now she doesn't and even though you'd give the world to have things how they were, it's not going to happen. Suck it up and live out the rest of your life how you were meant to - alone." I stopped, realizing my voice was rising to a audible volume.

The baby simply looked at me, stretching out his hands again, pleading for the doll.

"Still going to try anyway?" I asked. "It has the possibility of vastly trampling your hard earned pride."

He lowered his hands with a pout. He clumsily grabbed his blue striped shirt and brought it over his nose, making him resemble a lost puppy. How very humble, I thought bitterly.

"Mm-ar boo...." he mumbled, reaching a hand for the doll again, this time shyly, giving me a nervous look.

"Shut up," I snapped harshly, tossing the doll at him. He pounced on it, hugging it for all he was worth. "Maybe she does love you..." I muttered, leaning my head on my hand to watch him care for his toy.

Sherkoni - The baby is AU, I don't know if Keiko really has a cousin. n.n;; Thanks again to our guest star, Kagome Higurashi!

Kagome - (waves and smiles) Of course. I enjoyed finally getting a chance to work with the Yu Yu Hakusho cast. So I guess I did get to meet Hiei after all, eh? (winks at Hiei)

Botan - (growls and gets out oar)

Inuyasha - (sharpens claws at Hiei)

Hiei - Eep. O.o;; (hides behind Botan)

Botan - (sticks stamp on Hiei's head that says: BOTAN'S PROPERTY) Mine.

Inuyasha - (drags Kagome away) Grr...

Kagome - (sweatdrop) I was just kidding Inuyasha! Stop pulling so fast! Grr...SIT BOY!

Inuyasha - xx