Sherkoni - Hello! This will be last update for...(pauses for suspense)

n.n;; Not long, just a week. Campeth... Now then, this chapter is shorter than the previous ones, but...points at title of chapter it's still a good one.

Meep! I forgot, go to my bio page and click the link that leads to the HB fanart I did. It's a corny disneyland cartoon, but hey - it's still HieiBotan. (flashes peace sign) Please enjoy the chapter!

oO0Oo

Jared (Subway Saiyan) does my hebrew translations, which in this story is the demon language. Thank you! (Why the hell do I put this EVERY time?)

="Speech spoken in demon language"=

Chapter 6

Confessions of the Heart

Botan slipped in through the hospital doors, her brightened mood instantly weakening when she entered the dismal building. It didn't get much better when she got to the waiting room. Genkai was how she was when she had left. Kurama had returned and was peacefully reading a garden magazine, an amused glint passing through his eyes every few seconds. No doubt mocking the little knowledge humans possessed on plants and caring for them. Kuwabara was back as well, Yukina resting neatly on his shoulder. If his little Gameboy wasn't pleasing him, that certainly was. Not hard to decipher with the excited smiles he kept spurting while glancing at the ice maiden sleeping on him.

And of course, despite her mind's wishes, her eyes trained to the corner where she knew a certain koorime was seated. Her eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets when she saw Hiei holding a baby in his lap. He hadn't seemed to notice that she had entered the room at all. She tried to convince herself that the small feeling of hurt in the pit of her stomach was from the nauseating medicine smell that lingered in the hospital, not the fact that he always noticed her. She frowned to herself, the situation becoming more and more confusing. Hiei didn't even like humans! Let alone a needy one like a baby. He must really feel obligated to-- IS THAT HIEI'S BABY?!

Her eyes widened in shock at the mere thought. But the surprise was quickly replaced by a new feeling - anger. I can't believe he was leading me on like that! He could have at least been man enough to tell me that he had a kid! He's got some nerve, thinking he could've gotten away with such a thing! Well he's got another thing coming if he thinks I'm just going to let it slide by like I'm just some demon he couldn't care less to step on and around!

Her mind set, she marched right through the waiting room, stopping abruptly in front of Hiei. He whipped his head up, looking thoroughly surprised. In fact, he almost dropped the kid, earning him a nervous squeal. He continued to stare at her for a moment. He opened his mouth to say something, but Botan cut him off.

"Who is that?!" she demanded, her voice a dangerous whisper.

"Him?" Hiei glanced down at the baby. "He's..." He paused, his eyes dancing for an answer, warily watching Botan's tapping foot.

"Don't even think about trying to talk you way out of it!" Botan shrilled, taking his pause as reluctancy to tell her the truth.

"I'm not trying to talk my way out of it!" he replied in annoyance. "I really don't know his-"

Botan gasped, cutting him off. "You mean to tell me you don't know who the mother is?!"

Hiei looked completely confused. "That's not what I was going to say - I mean, no, I guess I don't.... but I don't go out of my way to know all of Keiko's family relations!"

Botan shot him a look of vile disgust. "That's just sick. Does Keiko know?" she demanded, her voice starting to shake. By now, everyone in the waiting room was staring at them.

"Know what?!" Hiei cried in exasperation. He couldn't understand why she was so upset. And she kept asking all these irrelevant questions - he was just so confused!

"Does she know that's your baby!" Botan yelled before covering her mouth with her hand, trying to hold in her tears.

The room fell completely silent. A woman stood up and gave Hiei a dirty look. "You heartless man!" she snapped before turning on her heel and marching out of the room. Hiei didn't acknowledge her, staring at Botan half in shock and half in relief. He slowly started to shake his head.

Botan glared at him, waiting for him to speak. Suddenly, the quiet was interrupted by a soft snicker. Botan turned to look at Kurama, who was trying not to laugh but visibly failing. She gave him an icy glare. "This isn't funny Kurama."

Suddenly Kuwabara started chuckling as well. "Yeah it is."

Yukina let a giggle slip through, but quickly covered her mouth, blushing slightly. Botan's glare softened. "W-What?" She turned to look at Hiei.

His mouth twitched upward, but other than that he held a straight face. "This isn't my baby Botan," he said, smirking in amusement.

Botan's shoulders drooped. "He's not?"

Hiei shook his head. Botan felt a wave of relief pass through her and she quickly plopped into a seat next to Hiei. "Oh." She glanced at the baby and blushed hotly. "Sorry..."

Kuwabara, Kurama and Yukina no longer concealed their gaiety and burst into friendly laughter. Botan blushed even more, glancing at Hiei. His shoulders quivered slightly and he was seemingly absorbed in the baby's actions, still smirking. Botan popped an eyebrow - he was trying not to laugh!

"Ha Ha, very funny," she said with a pout, tossing a magazine at Kurama's head. But she couldn't help but grin when he caught it, causing Yukina to laugh more.

Kuwabara wiped a tear from his eye. "Hiei with a kid - oh that's priceless..."

Hiei's lip curled. "I can't imagine you caring for a child without killing it either, human..."

Kuwabara blushed, stealing glances at Yukina. "Well, actually..."

Kurama and Botan winced, looking at Hiei, knowing his reaction wouldn't be a good one. He growled and reached for the baby's doll so he could throw it at Kuwabara's head. But the baby eluded him and knocked him right in the Jagan with it instead. "Ouch!" Hiei hissed. This time everyone started laughing - even Hiei managed a small smile towards the baby, who cooed at the attention.

Botan sighed contentedly, wishing she could spend all day laughing like this with her friends. With.....Hiei. She frowned, staring down at her hands. That wasn't how it was though. She wished, with every fiber of her being, that he would just tell her how he really felt. So she could on with her life, one way or the other.

Glancing at him as he tried to snatch the doll back again, she couldn't help wishing that it would be a path where he would loosen up - and move on with his life as well. Maybe with her in it...

Suddenly a boisterous couple came through the doors with happy gins on their faces. Botan recognized them as Keiko's parents. The woman squealed. "I can't believe I have a grandson!" she squealed, grabbing her husband's hand. "We'll go shopping for Keiko and then head back to their house to help with the baby, alright?" Her husband grimaced when she mentioned shopping.

The couple stopped in front of Genkai. Mrs. Yukimura gave the old teacher an odd look. "Where is my nephew?" she asked, with a hint of worry in her voice. Genkai pointed at Hiei.

Needless to say, she was a little shocked to see that her nephew was in the lap of a, shall we say, not very friendly, short man with a cave-man like hair. ((Grr...okay, that's it - I'm so chopping it off next chapter!))

Mrs. Yukimura gulped slightly and approached Hiei, silently stretching our her hands for the child. Hiei didn't say anything, simply lifting the baby up and placing him into her hands. She paused, giving him an odd look. "He doesn't cry for you," she remarked. As if on cue, the baby whined lightly and stretched his hands towards the fire demon, begging for him to take him back. "No, no, dear," she cooed softly, looking at Hiei as if she should make a new judgement of his character. "Thank you sir."

He merely nodded his compliance.

With a brief smile, she headed back towards her husband. Together, they quickly left the room. Kuwabara jumped to his feet. "Well what are we waiting for? Let's go see Urameshi's new kid!"

Yukina grinned at him and gladly followed him out of the door, everyone else trailing behind them. Once Kuwabara found the room, they somehow managed to get all seven of them into Keiko's room.

Keiko smiled happily when they entered, looking exhausted, but utterly pleased. She held a small bundle at her side, Yusuke keeping a steady hand her arm and the bundle. "Hey guys," he murmured, giving them a happy smile.

Yukina squealed. "Oh Keiko-chan, I'm so happy for you!"

Botan grinned as well. "So am I! Is it a boy?" she asked, already knowing the answer from Keiko's parents.

As expected, Keiko nodded excitedly. "We decided to name him Kiseki. Kiseki Yusuke Urameshi." Yusuke grinned with pride.

"Can we hold him?" Yukina asked hopefully.

Keiko nodded, but Yusuke narrowed his eyes. "Be careful - I'm not afraid to Spirit Gun any of ya."

Genkai chuckled. "You're going to make a great father dimwit."

Yukina gently picked up the baby from Keiko's arms, holding it close to her chest. She smiled with adoration. "He's beautiful."

Keiko swelled with pride and happiness. Yukina passed him on to Kurama, who offered the chance to hold him to Kuwabara, but he declined, saying he didn't trust himself. Kurama chuckled and promised to make sure he didn't drop him. Once the baby was in Kuwabara's arms, he cooed babyishly. "Aren't you just the cutest thing? Make sure to grow up big and strong!"

Yukina giggled. "And sweet!"

Kurama took Kiseki back from Kuwabara and handed him to Shizuru. "Big and strong won't help you if you aren't smart," he said, giving Kuwabara a quick glance.

Kuwabara frowned. "Don't think I didn't catch that fox boy!"

Shizuru rolled her eyes. "Truth hurts bro." She turned her attention to the baby. "But what you really want to do is grow up and be smooth with the ladies. No pervertedness like your dad, alright?"

"Hey!" Yusuke cried, before mock-glaring at the brunette. "You're poisoning my son's virgin ears."

Genkai snorted, taking the baby from Shizuru. "Living with you, it wouldn't have been long anyway." She observed the baby and gave an honest smile. "I say you should grow up and have the same spirit and heart as your dad - but the wisdom and caring of your mother."

Keiko and Yusuke exchanged glances and smiled together. Botan smiled. "That's beautiful Genkai," she said taking the baby from Genkai's arms. She glanced at the soft face and huge chocolate eyes and couldn't help but let a smile through. "He really is beautiful," she whispered. "I hope....that you find love in your life."

Keiko smiled, tears starting to form in her eyes. "I hope all of your wishes come true," she whispered. "We're so lucky to have such good friends."

Botan smiled and turned towards the one person who hadn't held the child. "Here, Hiei."

Hiei looked at her skeptically before softly shaking his head, silently declining the offer. Botan frowned. "You don't want to hold him?"

He shook his head again, quickly turning his head to look the other way. Yusuke smiled knowingly. "Hey it's okay man, I was just kidding. Besides, I trust you," he assured the fire demon.

"Please do," Keiko added softly, giving him a warm smile.

Hiei didn't look pleased at all, but after a moment of internal deciding, he slowly walked up to Botan. She gave him a soft smile and placed the baby into his hands. He inhaled sharply, feeling how small and delicate the infant was.

Botan watched Hiei's eyes widen at the feel of holding Yusuke and Keiko's new child. He quickly glanced up at her, and she felt her heart catch in her throat. It was the first time he had looked at her, completely unmasked - his eyes open with his emotion. Which at the time was a small surprise and joyful peace. She smiled at him, unable to stop herself.

It wasn't much, but she saw his eyes soften and the corners of his mouth curl slightly upward. As close to a real smile as she was going to get.

"Well shorty, you going make a good wish for the baby?" Kuwabara asked with a grin.

Hiei grimaced and glanced apprehensively at the couple on the bed. "All the good ones have been taken," he replied casually, a definite bite of sarcasm in his voice.

Keiko looked a little disappointed, as she was sure someone as serious as Hiei would have provided an interesting wish of well-being. Botan noticed and turned to Hiei, determined to at least try to get him to comply - for Keiko's sake. "Well if you don't want to wish the baby well, that's fine," she murmured, reaching for the baby.

He gave her a sharp glare. "It's not that-"

Botan raised an innocent eyebrow. "Then what, pray tell, is it?"

Kurama smiled in amusement, predicting the outcome with ease.

Hiei gave her an irritated look, before finally giving in and looking down at the baby. "Fine - offspring of my foe..."

Yusuke snickered. Hiei gazed at the baby for another moment, trying to choose his words. "Make sure," he began, his voice growing soft and serious. "To never take for granted the love of your father and mother. Never fail to cherish the fact that your father loves your mother and would never leave her. He wants only for your well being. And be glad that your youthful years will be spent under the careful wing of your mother, never dispose of her advice and concern - for you don't know how lucky you are to possess such a gift."

Botan felt a lump forming in her throat, remembering Hiei's own childhood. She could only watch as Hiei handed Kiseki back to Keiko who, oblivious to the cold truth of his words, thanked him breathlessly for his beautiful wish. As he turned to go, Yusuke stopped him with a hand on Hiei's shoulder, tears lining his own eyes. "Thanks, Hiei." He turned to the rest of the group. "Thanks, everyone. We really are lucky to have you guys as friends."

oOo

(At Kurama's House)

Hiei pushed the anxious knot in his stomach down once again, restlessly swallowing the bile taste in his mouth. He still needed to talk to Botan, and he was avoiding it. He had told her he needed time to think - and he had. He HAD resolved to tell her that there was nothing more than a possible friendship between them. Then the---

"Hiei? What are you doing out here?" a soft voice interrupted his thoughts. The ferry girl quickly turned away and blushed. "Sorry, I'll leave you alone."

Hiei grabbed her arm. She looked up to meet his gaze. He shook his head, at a lost for words. "Stay," he finally choked out. "For a minute."

She nodded and turned to face him fully, unable to stop the butterflies that were storming through her stomach.

"The letter..." he started cautiously, not meeting her gaze.

Botan took it out of her pocket and handed it to him. "Here."

He pushed it back into her hands. "Keep it." Seeing her surprised face, he added, "If you don't want it, just throw it away. I don't want it either."

Botan opened her mouth to argue, but Hiei continued, cutting her off. "Botan..."

She looked up at him, still not entirely used to hearing him use her name all the time.

He restlessly threw his head back, seemingly trying to find the right words. He let out a bitter laugh. "Stupid ningen babies are teaching me lessons I couldn't discover for myself."

Botan raised an eyebrow, growing more and more confused. "Hiei, I think I know what this conversation's about, but I don't really understand anything you're saying..."

He closed his weary eyes. His panic, his shame, all the furious attempts at denial that would blind him to the truth--these things had drifted away with the summer wind. There was little left now but to, well...he didn't know.

"You didn't leave," the deity interrupted softly, as if suddenly remembering. Hiei found himself unable to look away. She seemed to understand his silence, as she understood all that he did and all that he was. She continued to gaze at him, searching for something else - a confirmation, perhaps...

He tightened - if she was going to find out, it would be from him, not from her discovering it on her own.

"I still love you onna," he finally blurted. "That's all you have to let me do. At least... don't despise me for loving you."

Her eyes widened, their deer-in-headlights expression remaining the same. Hiei's heart sank, though he didn't show it. Why did she have to be afraid?
Suddenly, her arms were wrapped around his neck in a tight embrace. It took his mind a few seconds to register her actions completely, but before he could she pulled away, grinning at him through a tear-stained face. "You idiot," she murmured. "I never stopped loving you."

Hiei stared at the ferry girl, hardly able to comprehend her words. His throat had grown tight with surprise and adrenaline--and an abrupt, paralyzing joy. This torrent of emotion was far beyond anything he'd ever experienced, him of the cold, closed heart. It surged through his veins like liquid fire. One could easily get drunk on such feelings.
Botan buried her face into his cloak again, clutching him for all she was worth. "I swear, if you ever leave me again..."

Hiei slowly, as if touching her would break the embrace, wrapped his arms around her waist, relishing in her words. They were soft and resonant with ill-concealed emotion, yet he thought not of the weakness they betrayed, but of how strange it was that she could make the most ordinary sentence sound so beautiful. Not to mention how strange it was that he would be the one to think such a thing.

Botan suddenly pulled back, a condescending look on her face. Hiei searched her expression, nervously wondering if she had changed her mind. "We're cutting your hair," she announced curtly.

Hiei rolled his eyes. But of course.

Botan took a handful of it in her hands. "I mean look at it...did you even cut if once in Makai? It's like a jungle!"

"Onna," he began to protest that he didn't care, but she cut him off, placing a finger on his lips.

"But not now," she said softly. "Right now it is late. Right now we're going to rest."

Hiei raised an eyebrow. "We?"

Botan smirked mischievously. "Mm-hm." She pulled away from him and grabbed his hand, dragging him inside. "I'm not going to dream about you tonight, Hiei Jaganshi."

"Should I take that as a compliment, or an insult?"

Sherkoni - Are ya happy? They got back together! (bounces around) I am, lol. n.n;;

Botan - I am! (tackles Hiei)

Hiei - (suffocating) x.x

Sherkoni - Muhahaha! I'm cutting Hiei's hair next chapter - I'm afraid it's gotten a bit on my not so lovely side lately. But now I have another question - does anyone want a lemon? Or is it just...whatever-ish... ? Meh?