Wow, I did a long one.*sigh* I've been biting my lip over this paticular
chapter for awhile.darn it's hard to do something serious between Kuwabara
and Hiei when they never act that way towards one another.:P
Oh, and since it won't let me do italics, when you see this: ~Word word word~ , that my friends, is a flashback.;)
Enjoy! ---------------------------------------------------------------
"Shrimp? Yo, Shrimp?!"
"Good afternoon, Kazuma!"
"Yukina! I didn't know you were still here!"
"What were you yelling at?" Yukina tilted her head as she peered up at Kuwabara.
"I was looking for your bro-I mean Hiei!" Kuwabara said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously, hoping she hadn't caught his mistake. Yeah, Kuwabara could tell Yukina about Hiei himself, but if the little guy hadn't said anything, Kuwabara figured there must be a pretty good reason behind his not doing so.
"I haven't seen him since this morning," Yukina answered, oblivious to his slip of the tongue. "Why were you yelling 'Shrimp' if you're looking for Hiei?"
"You see, um...it's just a little game we play," Kuwabara answered awkwardly, not wanting Yukina to think him mean for calling someone an offensive name.
"Oh. Well it might help if you use his name." Yukina shrugged offhandedly, though her eyes betrayed she knew Kuwabara had been lying and she was correcting him. "I could help you look if you wanted."
"Really?!" The thought of his darling being by his side as they worked brightened the human's mood considerably. Yukina nodded and smiled, blushing slightly as Kuwabara offered his hand to help lead her through the woods.
They didn't get very far, though. Yukina only needed to shout Hiei's name once and with a slight rustling to signify his forthcoming (the noise being given to keep from scaring his sister), the little demon stood before the pair. Kuwabara frowned at the interruption, already having completely forgotten his purpose for coming to the temple. Love does that to most people.
"Is he bothering you?" Hiei asked, shifting his gaze between his sister and her guardian.
"No," she said, a slight laugh tickling the word. "Kazuma was having trouble finding you. I was helping."
Hiei raised his eyebrow, attention now fully on said human.
"What do you want?"
Kuwabara blinked, lost for a moment before the rush of thoughts came tumbling back. He panicked for a brief moment, looking between Yukina and Hiei, not knowing exactly what to do.
"Um...it's boy stuff." Hiei's eyebrows nearly flew off his forehead at that. Yukina proceeded to look greatly confused while Kuwabara mentally berated himself. Just because it had worked before didn't mean it would work again. "I'm sorry Yukina. Can I walk you back to the temple?"
"That's alright Kazuma," she said, letting go of his hand much to his distress. "It seems important. I'll be fine. Take care!" she called, waving to Hiei and Kuwabara as she jogged back up towards the lodgings.
Kuwabara watched her go, imagining little pink bubbles floating around his beloved like he had so often read in comic books. When her form vanished behind a sakura tree (its petals having created the bubbles in Kuwabara's mind), he turned back to Hiei. It was less than a second, and had he not been aware of their relationship, Kuwabara might have missed it, but the little guy quickly averted his eyes from where Yukina had disappeared to Kuwabara as soon as the human had turned around.
They stared at each other for a moment, Kuwabara judging the shorter of them, trying to read his emotions; Hiei waiting and wondering if anything that would be said here could possibly be worth his time.
"Well, what is it human?" he finally asked, patience eaten away by his obvious annoyance for the one standing before him.
"Why haven't you told Yukina you're her brother?"
Hiei's eyes went wide with shock, and he quickly tried to hide the emotion by turning his head to the side. This was the first time Kuwabara had caught him off guard, and he was forced to play the defense. He was, to say the least, unpleased.
"Who told you?" he growled. Anger was his favorite emotion to hide behind.
"Don't you think I'm smart enough to figure these things out?" Kuwabara asked, crossing his arms over his chest in disdain at being thought so little of.
"It couldn't have been Yuusuke; he doesn't care enough," Hiei thought out loud, ignoring Kuwabara completely. "Botan's too afraid, and Koenma doesn't respect you..." The apparition's eyes narrowed. "Kurama," he hissed.
"Look Shorty, he just told me I was right," Kuwabara said, defending their teammate. "I figured it out first, so don't go getting mad at him."
"I'm not mad. I'm much more than mad."
"You still haven't answered my question," Kuwabara said, trying to get the conversation back on track and steered away from Kurama. He felt the fox's untimely death drawing near with the flare of energy from Hiei's anger.
"It's not any of your business, so don't worry about it." Hiei drew his blade, the metal gleaming fire with the setting sun. "You only have to worry about how much pain you will be in if you decide to be the one to tell Yukina."
"You can cut me all you want, Runt," Kuwabara said, closing his eyes as if he wasn't afraid.
"You're tempting me," Hiei purred, running his finger lightly over the edge of his blade, being extremely careful. He kept his sword in good condition; one could split a Makai silver thread, which was thinner than a human's hair, with it.
"Hmph," Kuwabara snorted. "Well I'd rather go through the pain of your sword rather than live another day having to see the pain on Yukina's face because she can't find her brother!"
Hiei winced as he pressed too hard on his sword, the blade making a perfect, straight, and deep slice on his finger. He sheathed the weapon and held his finger out, watching in fascination as blood welled up from the cut. The bright red against his white skin made an interesting contrast.
Kuwabara watched as Hiei cut himself in surprise of the words he had spoken. He began to chew nervously on his bottom lip as the runt failed to respond, just watching as blood began to run down his finger.
"You should take care of that," Kuwabara stated, not knowing what else to say. It broke Hiei out of his trace, though. Much to the human's disgust, he licked the blood off of his hand and finger, pressing the wound closed where it sealed in a second.
"What do you see when you look at me, Fool?" Hiei asked, looking back up at Kuwabara. For once he didn't look ready to kill, maim, or insult the human. He seemed actually curious to know what the other thought of him.
"Well..." Kuwabara took a moment to think. "A short, mean little runt. Who eats his own blood." He shivered.
"Would you trust me with your life?" Hiei asked. The other just laughed, apparently finding the question humorous. Hiei's eyes narrowed slightly, but he continued. "I thought not. And would you want me as your brother?"
"Hell no!" Kuwabara said, looking mortified at the mere thought.
"Well if I'm not good enough to be your brother, then what good am I to Yukina?" Hiei asked him. "You say she feels pain not being able to find her sibling. I believe you because I know what that pain is like." The demon closed his eyes. "But I would rather Yukina live life with her dreams of a perfect family than to face reality where her twin is a convicted criminal and assassin. Do you understand now?"
"You know what Hiei? I actually used to have some respect for you." Hiei opened his eyes in alarm to find Kuwabara hauling him up by the collar of his shirt.
"Let me go," he snarled. Kuwabara was unrelenting.
"But now you're just the annoying little mouse that I thought you were from the start. Hiding in the shadows, that's all you do!" The human pressed his face close to Hiei's so that the fire child had to look him in the eyes. "Is that your excuse for not telling Yukina? She's won't think your good enough? Bullshit! You're the only one that thinks that you idiot! You're just scared of what she'll think of you!"
"I've never been afraid!" Hiei yelled back, punching Kuwabara in the face. He was released as the other fell back from the force of the hit, landing hard on his butt. Hiei stared as the human glared at him, rubbing his sore cheek.
"Wimp. You just proved me right," Kuwabara said, standing up. Hiei shook in rage, black flames suddenly dancing around his closed fist.
"I don't need anyone to tell me what to do! I've lived long enough by my own instincts," he hissed.
"You're instincts suck when it comes to other people," Kuwabara replied. "You're such a loner that you don't even know how to talk to others anymore. How the hell can you tell their feelings? You automatically assume Yukina hates you, but she never stops talking about you," he admitted gruffly.
"She...she what?"
"You heard me!" Kuwabara said. "She's always asking questions about you, wondering where you came from and why you fight and where you learned all your techniques. When I was jealous I was always trying to put you down. I'd say you were just an annoying brat and that you hated people and stuff like that. Yukina would always defend you, saying there had to be more to you. She trusts people and always looks for the good in them. If you got closer to her, you would have known that."
Hiei backed out of his fighting stance, staring at the ground before him as he listened to Kuwabara talk. His eyes were distant and slightly glazed over, proving his wasn't really looking at the soft green grass before him, but at a different picture altogether.
"Her faith is misplaced. Not everyone has a good side," he whispered.
"You're right about that. We've faced a lot of bad guys who weren't good at all," Kuwabara said, nodding. "But you're not one of them."
"You think you know me?" Hiei asked, sounding too much like a whining teenager for Kuwabara's liking.
"Well, I don't think anyone can know you," he said, scratching his head. "But that's the problem. You're the only one that knows you, and you treat yourself like crap."
They were silent for a few minutes. Silence is often said to be golden, but apparently Kuwabara never learned that proverb.
"So you're going to tell her right?" he asked. Hiei remained silent. "Look, Runt, after all that talking, I figured I got through to you. You know I don't talk like this to everyone! Maybe your skull is just too thick..." he began, cracking his knuckles as he advanced on Hiei.
"Does she really hurt that bad?" Kuwabara stopped at the other's wavering voice. Hiei never sounded this lost. It scared the teen.
"Well yeah! You calling me a liar?" he asked, trying to provoke his teammate into the demon's normal bravo.
"No. You wouldn't lie about something concerning her." Hiei put out his flame. "You know the only reason I keep you alive is because of her."
"Yeah, I figured that!" Kuwabara rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'll kill you if you ever hurt her," the fire child said, voice once again unbreakable ice. "I'll kill anyone who ever hurts her."
"That sounds a lot like suicide," Kuwabara joked, laughing a little.
"Perhaps I meant it that way," Hiei said, eyes glinting dangerously.
"That's not funny!" Kuwabara said, actually scared for the little guy. The fact that he had been entranced earlier by his own blood didn't help ease the orange-hair boy's fears. He was about to shake some sense into the demon when Hiei flitted off. "Hey! Where'd you go you?!"
"Kazuma!" Kuwabara turned at the sound of Yukina's voice. "Kazuma, I'm sorry, but I heard yelling before and then everything got really quiet, and I was so concerned..."
"Naw, I can take care of myself." He puffed out like a rooster. "I am the mighty Kuwabara Kazuma after all!"
"Silly me for worrying," Yukina giggled. "What happened to Hiei? Did you guys get into another fight?"
"He ran off somewhere," Kuwabara sighed.
"Oh, I wanted to invite him for some tea. He never talks to me," she said sadly.
"I like tea," Kuwabara mentioned enthusiastically.
"Oh of course! I have your cup set out already!" Yukina brightened, realizing she was ignoring the person who was actually giving her attention. "Hiei can show up later if he wants."
"He better," Kuwabara muttered, falling into step at Yukina's side as they walked back up to Genkai's temple.
--------------------------------
Hiei stared at the stars through the leaves on his tree. He burrowed deeper into the nook between the branches, the tree's own warmth and near- silky bark providing him with more comfort than he could have asked for.
Sleep was, of course, elusive. That fool should have just shut up. Hiei should have killed him before their conversation had taken a turn for the worst. Damn Koenma and his threats...taking that stupid fox to jail with him would have also been a plus, though.
Sighing, he turned once again and closed his eyes, trying to let the blissful dark of sleep sweep away his troubles so he wouldn't have to deal with them.
~ Hiding in the shadows, that's all you do!~
Hiei's eyes snapped open as he sat up with a start. He ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. Frowning as he felt his hair swaying (for no breeze had ever penetrated the tree's branches if he did not wish it), the demon pulled his hand away. It was shaking horribly. He stared at the traitorous appendage, willing it to stop. It didn't.
"I'm not afraid," he stated firmly to his hand. "I'm just protecting her. I'm don't care what she thinks about me. I'm just protecting her."
~Yukina giggled as she whispered secrets to the birds she was feeding, unknowing her brother was watching. "I'll find him someday," she told them wistfully.~
"I'm not afraid."
~She deserves to know she has a brother./She deserves to be happy./I thought the two were the same.~
"I'm protecting her."
~Yukina giggled as she whispered secrets to the birds she was feeding, unknowing her brother was watching. "I'll find him someday," she told them wistfully.~
"I'm not afraid."
~I'd rather go through the pain of your sword rather than live another day having to see the pain on Yukina's face when she wakes up and her brother isn't there!~
"I'm helping her!"
~Hiei bent down as something glittered in the morning light. He plucked the precious tear gem from the blades of the grass, looking up as he saw Yukina, back turned towards him, crying. "It seems so hopeless," she sobbed, words slightly muffled by her hands. Hiei clenched his fist, wondering what was hurting her so much but not daring to get close enough to ask.~
"I'm...afraid," he whispered, pulling the trembling hand to his chest as he let his memories guide him instead of pushing them away.
"I'm hurting her."
Oh, and since it won't let me do italics, when you see this: ~Word word word~ , that my friends, is a flashback.;)
Enjoy! ---------------------------------------------------------------
"Shrimp? Yo, Shrimp?!"
"Good afternoon, Kazuma!"
"Yukina! I didn't know you were still here!"
"What were you yelling at?" Yukina tilted her head as she peered up at Kuwabara.
"I was looking for your bro-I mean Hiei!" Kuwabara said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously, hoping she hadn't caught his mistake. Yeah, Kuwabara could tell Yukina about Hiei himself, but if the little guy hadn't said anything, Kuwabara figured there must be a pretty good reason behind his not doing so.
"I haven't seen him since this morning," Yukina answered, oblivious to his slip of the tongue. "Why were you yelling 'Shrimp' if you're looking for Hiei?"
"You see, um...it's just a little game we play," Kuwabara answered awkwardly, not wanting Yukina to think him mean for calling someone an offensive name.
"Oh. Well it might help if you use his name." Yukina shrugged offhandedly, though her eyes betrayed she knew Kuwabara had been lying and she was correcting him. "I could help you look if you wanted."
"Really?!" The thought of his darling being by his side as they worked brightened the human's mood considerably. Yukina nodded and smiled, blushing slightly as Kuwabara offered his hand to help lead her through the woods.
They didn't get very far, though. Yukina only needed to shout Hiei's name once and with a slight rustling to signify his forthcoming (the noise being given to keep from scaring his sister), the little demon stood before the pair. Kuwabara frowned at the interruption, already having completely forgotten his purpose for coming to the temple. Love does that to most people.
"Is he bothering you?" Hiei asked, shifting his gaze between his sister and her guardian.
"No," she said, a slight laugh tickling the word. "Kazuma was having trouble finding you. I was helping."
Hiei raised his eyebrow, attention now fully on said human.
"What do you want?"
Kuwabara blinked, lost for a moment before the rush of thoughts came tumbling back. He panicked for a brief moment, looking between Yukina and Hiei, not knowing exactly what to do.
"Um...it's boy stuff." Hiei's eyebrows nearly flew off his forehead at that. Yukina proceeded to look greatly confused while Kuwabara mentally berated himself. Just because it had worked before didn't mean it would work again. "I'm sorry Yukina. Can I walk you back to the temple?"
"That's alright Kazuma," she said, letting go of his hand much to his distress. "It seems important. I'll be fine. Take care!" she called, waving to Hiei and Kuwabara as she jogged back up towards the lodgings.
Kuwabara watched her go, imagining little pink bubbles floating around his beloved like he had so often read in comic books. When her form vanished behind a sakura tree (its petals having created the bubbles in Kuwabara's mind), he turned back to Hiei. It was less than a second, and had he not been aware of their relationship, Kuwabara might have missed it, but the little guy quickly averted his eyes from where Yukina had disappeared to Kuwabara as soon as the human had turned around.
They stared at each other for a moment, Kuwabara judging the shorter of them, trying to read his emotions; Hiei waiting and wondering if anything that would be said here could possibly be worth his time.
"Well, what is it human?" he finally asked, patience eaten away by his obvious annoyance for the one standing before him.
"Why haven't you told Yukina you're her brother?"
Hiei's eyes went wide with shock, and he quickly tried to hide the emotion by turning his head to the side. This was the first time Kuwabara had caught him off guard, and he was forced to play the defense. He was, to say the least, unpleased.
"Who told you?" he growled. Anger was his favorite emotion to hide behind.
"Don't you think I'm smart enough to figure these things out?" Kuwabara asked, crossing his arms over his chest in disdain at being thought so little of.
"It couldn't have been Yuusuke; he doesn't care enough," Hiei thought out loud, ignoring Kuwabara completely. "Botan's too afraid, and Koenma doesn't respect you..." The apparition's eyes narrowed. "Kurama," he hissed.
"Look Shorty, he just told me I was right," Kuwabara said, defending their teammate. "I figured it out first, so don't go getting mad at him."
"I'm not mad. I'm much more than mad."
"You still haven't answered my question," Kuwabara said, trying to get the conversation back on track and steered away from Kurama. He felt the fox's untimely death drawing near with the flare of energy from Hiei's anger.
"It's not any of your business, so don't worry about it." Hiei drew his blade, the metal gleaming fire with the setting sun. "You only have to worry about how much pain you will be in if you decide to be the one to tell Yukina."
"You can cut me all you want, Runt," Kuwabara said, closing his eyes as if he wasn't afraid.
"You're tempting me," Hiei purred, running his finger lightly over the edge of his blade, being extremely careful. He kept his sword in good condition; one could split a Makai silver thread, which was thinner than a human's hair, with it.
"Hmph," Kuwabara snorted. "Well I'd rather go through the pain of your sword rather than live another day having to see the pain on Yukina's face because she can't find her brother!"
Hiei winced as he pressed too hard on his sword, the blade making a perfect, straight, and deep slice on his finger. He sheathed the weapon and held his finger out, watching in fascination as blood welled up from the cut. The bright red against his white skin made an interesting contrast.
Kuwabara watched as Hiei cut himself in surprise of the words he had spoken. He began to chew nervously on his bottom lip as the runt failed to respond, just watching as blood began to run down his finger.
"You should take care of that," Kuwabara stated, not knowing what else to say. It broke Hiei out of his trace, though. Much to the human's disgust, he licked the blood off of his hand and finger, pressing the wound closed where it sealed in a second.
"What do you see when you look at me, Fool?" Hiei asked, looking back up at Kuwabara. For once he didn't look ready to kill, maim, or insult the human. He seemed actually curious to know what the other thought of him.
"Well..." Kuwabara took a moment to think. "A short, mean little runt. Who eats his own blood." He shivered.
"Would you trust me with your life?" Hiei asked. The other just laughed, apparently finding the question humorous. Hiei's eyes narrowed slightly, but he continued. "I thought not. And would you want me as your brother?"
"Hell no!" Kuwabara said, looking mortified at the mere thought.
"Well if I'm not good enough to be your brother, then what good am I to Yukina?" Hiei asked him. "You say she feels pain not being able to find her sibling. I believe you because I know what that pain is like." The demon closed his eyes. "But I would rather Yukina live life with her dreams of a perfect family than to face reality where her twin is a convicted criminal and assassin. Do you understand now?"
"You know what Hiei? I actually used to have some respect for you." Hiei opened his eyes in alarm to find Kuwabara hauling him up by the collar of his shirt.
"Let me go," he snarled. Kuwabara was unrelenting.
"But now you're just the annoying little mouse that I thought you were from the start. Hiding in the shadows, that's all you do!" The human pressed his face close to Hiei's so that the fire child had to look him in the eyes. "Is that your excuse for not telling Yukina? She's won't think your good enough? Bullshit! You're the only one that thinks that you idiot! You're just scared of what she'll think of you!"
"I've never been afraid!" Hiei yelled back, punching Kuwabara in the face. He was released as the other fell back from the force of the hit, landing hard on his butt. Hiei stared as the human glared at him, rubbing his sore cheek.
"Wimp. You just proved me right," Kuwabara said, standing up. Hiei shook in rage, black flames suddenly dancing around his closed fist.
"I don't need anyone to tell me what to do! I've lived long enough by my own instincts," he hissed.
"You're instincts suck when it comes to other people," Kuwabara replied. "You're such a loner that you don't even know how to talk to others anymore. How the hell can you tell their feelings? You automatically assume Yukina hates you, but she never stops talking about you," he admitted gruffly.
"She...she what?"
"You heard me!" Kuwabara said. "She's always asking questions about you, wondering where you came from and why you fight and where you learned all your techniques. When I was jealous I was always trying to put you down. I'd say you were just an annoying brat and that you hated people and stuff like that. Yukina would always defend you, saying there had to be more to you. She trusts people and always looks for the good in them. If you got closer to her, you would have known that."
Hiei backed out of his fighting stance, staring at the ground before him as he listened to Kuwabara talk. His eyes were distant and slightly glazed over, proving his wasn't really looking at the soft green grass before him, but at a different picture altogether.
"Her faith is misplaced. Not everyone has a good side," he whispered.
"You're right about that. We've faced a lot of bad guys who weren't good at all," Kuwabara said, nodding. "But you're not one of them."
"You think you know me?" Hiei asked, sounding too much like a whining teenager for Kuwabara's liking.
"Well, I don't think anyone can know you," he said, scratching his head. "But that's the problem. You're the only one that knows you, and you treat yourself like crap."
They were silent for a few minutes. Silence is often said to be golden, but apparently Kuwabara never learned that proverb.
"So you're going to tell her right?" he asked. Hiei remained silent. "Look, Runt, after all that talking, I figured I got through to you. You know I don't talk like this to everyone! Maybe your skull is just too thick..." he began, cracking his knuckles as he advanced on Hiei.
"Does she really hurt that bad?" Kuwabara stopped at the other's wavering voice. Hiei never sounded this lost. It scared the teen.
"Well yeah! You calling me a liar?" he asked, trying to provoke his teammate into the demon's normal bravo.
"No. You wouldn't lie about something concerning her." Hiei put out his flame. "You know the only reason I keep you alive is because of her."
"Yeah, I figured that!" Kuwabara rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'll kill you if you ever hurt her," the fire child said, voice once again unbreakable ice. "I'll kill anyone who ever hurts her."
"That sounds a lot like suicide," Kuwabara joked, laughing a little.
"Perhaps I meant it that way," Hiei said, eyes glinting dangerously.
"That's not funny!" Kuwabara said, actually scared for the little guy. The fact that he had been entranced earlier by his own blood didn't help ease the orange-hair boy's fears. He was about to shake some sense into the demon when Hiei flitted off. "Hey! Where'd you go you?!"
"Kazuma!" Kuwabara turned at the sound of Yukina's voice. "Kazuma, I'm sorry, but I heard yelling before and then everything got really quiet, and I was so concerned..."
"Naw, I can take care of myself." He puffed out like a rooster. "I am the mighty Kuwabara Kazuma after all!"
"Silly me for worrying," Yukina giggled. "What happened to Hiei? Did you guys get into another fight?"
"He ran off somewhere," Kuwabara sighed.
"Oh, I wanted to invite him for some tea. He never talks to me," she said sadly.
"I like tea," Kuwabara mentioned enthusiastically.
"Oh of course! I have your cup set out already!" Yukina brightened, realizing she was ignoring the person who was actually giving her attention. "Hiei can show up later if he wants."
"He better," Kuwabara muttered, falling into step at Yukina's side as they walked back up to Genkai's temple.
--------------------------------
Hiei stared at the stars through the leaves on his tree. He burrowed deeper into the nook between the branches, the tree's own warmth and near- silky bark providing him with more comfort than he could have asked for.
Sleep was, of course, elusive. That fool should have just shut up. Hiei should have killed him before their conversation had taken a turn for the worst. Damn Koenma and his threats...taking that stupid fox to jail with him would have also been a plus, though.
Sighing, he turned once again and closed his eyes, trying to let the blissful dark of sleep sweep away his troubles so he wouldn't have to deal with them.
~ Hiding in the shadows, that's all you do!~
Hiei's eyes snapped open as he sat up with a start. He ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. Frowning as he felt his hair swaying (for no breeze had ever penetrated the tree's branches if he did not wish it), the demon pulled his hand away. It was shaking horribly. He stared at the traitorous appendage, willing it to stop. It didn't.
"I'm not afraid," he stated firmly to his hand. "I'm just protecting her. I'm don't care what she thinks about me. I'm just protecting her."
~Yukina giggled as she whispered secrets to the birds she was feeding, unknowing her brother was watching. "I'll find him someday," she told them wistfully.~
"I'm not afraid."
~She deserves to know she has a brother./She deserves to be happy./I thought the two were the same.~
"I'm protecting her."
~Yukina giggled as she whispered secrets to the birds she was feeding, unknowing her brother was watching. "I'll find him someday," she told them wistfully.~
"I'm not afraid."
~I'd rather go through the pain of your sword rather than live another day having to see the pain on Yukina's face when she wakes up and her brother isn't there!~
"I'm helping her!"
~Hiei bent down as something glittered in the morning light. He plucked the precious tear gem from the blades of the grass, looking up as he saw Yukina, back turned towards him, crying. "It seems so hopeless," she sobbed, words slightly muffled by her hands. Hiei clenched his fist, wondering what was hurting her so much but not daring to get close enough to ask.~
"I'm...afraid," he whispered, pulling the trembling hand to his chest as he let his memories guide him instead of pushing them away.
"I'm hurting her."