Chapter Two-Understanding Hiei

"Spectra!" Yusuke shouted, "Isn't that like the plural for Spectrum? As in rainbows?"

"Scientifically speaking, yes," Hiei muttered.

"Oh great, now you go out with a hippie!"

"Spectra is not a freakin' hippie!"

"Why on earth would her parents name her something like Spectra!"

"This is pointless," Hiei muttered then started back in the direction of the apartment.

"Am I missing something here?" Yusuke shouted again. "Suddenly the most aggressive person I know is falling for a teenager with a hippie name! Is that even legal? How can you watch yourself sink so low!"

"Will you cut it? Why I am dating her is absolutely none of your business. At least I'm not you who keeps hiding his feelings for a girl everyone knows he's crazy over."

"Oh please! Kayko? She's—"

"Just a friend? Well then so is Spectra," Hiei said with a smirk and started up the apartment staircase. Yusuke stayed outside the building for a while, dumbfounded.

Hiei looked from his sister to Kurama to Spectra then back to his sister once he entered Yusuke's apartment.

Then he frowned.

"What's the problem? Why can't you heal her, Yukina?"

"I-I…tried."

"And?"

"I can't," Yukina said sadly.

"It seem Hiei that your friend's injuries are beyond Yukina's healing powers. At this point it is up to her to make her own recovery," Kurama said.

Hiei glanced once again at Yukina who had her head down, then looked to Spectra and nodded for her to follow him. They both left the apartment.

The others stared at them curiously.

I wonder…could it be? Oh my…thought Botan.

Spectra quietly followed Hiei walking a step behind him. They walked and walked. Neither one of them said anything. Until they were about four miles away from Yusuke's apartment at a quiet abandoned subway station.

Swell, Spectra thought as Hiei finally came to a halt. The perfect place to be given the odds.

"I'm waiting," Hiei said.

"For what?"

"An explanation."

"Oh…right…I had a nasty fall."

"Don't even try that shit with me!"

"Well, what can I try?"

"Would you be serious for a second? I'm concerned here!" Hiei shouted but knowing fully well he wouldn't be heard for miles: the purpose why he had chosen this place.

"That makes two of us!" Spectra shouted back. "Look, I'm sorry I was late, alright? I had complications."

"No, not alright. You're always having complications you're always late and you're always lying! Would it kill you to let me in on what's actually going on! Maybe I would actually have a shot at protecting you then!"

"As a matter of fact, it will. Every time I sneak out I put my life on the line! It just so happens that this is one of the days that I really got my ass beaten for wanting to be with you! If you just can't see the love in that, you're just heartless!"

"Love? Heartless? You're one to talk! I have a reason as well as any to be as I am! But what of you? You're the heartless mess thinking the secrets you keep locked up in your cruel heart helps either one of us! It's making me angry, it's hurting you, and it's destroying our relationship! What of that?"

Spectra paused for a second and stared into the angry eyes of Hiei, tears forming yet again in her eyes. She shook her head and shouted, "I'll tell you what! If I do such an appalling job of being your girlfriend perhaps I shouldn't be your girlfriend! Perhaps I should just stay home and out of trouble! There is nothing in it for me anyway!"

Hiei tilted her head back, staring at Spectra for a full minute or two. She had a stiffened look on her face. He knew this look. She was waiting for him to give her an angry reply so she could stomp off without even listening.

He shook his head; closing the gap between them with a quick step and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a loving embrace and said softly, "Spectra, I'm sorry. I…I've missed you…I've missed you so much. I merely can't stand these long periods of separation and all the secrets you bottle up inside and keep me from understanding. There is no reason not to love. I want to be able to protect you as well. Can't you understand that?"

"Hiei…"

"Shut up Spectra, just…shut up," he whispered tilting her head and kissing her gently.

As he pulled back a few seconds later, he noticed she had an idle smile.

"We should argue more often," Spectra whispered back and placed her hands gently on his shoulders.

They hugged closer.

Again, they kissed.