It did not take me very long to write this chapter. Mostly because I had fun writing this one. I just wanted to say thanks again to all the people who have reveiwed. Also a huge "I'm sorry" for any friggin gramatical errors that I've happened to miss anywhere alon the way. Enjoy!


Chap. 11- Happy New Year

After the first day of winter, things began to go back to normal. Hiei and Natsuki were talking to each other more and more, and she had gained her full memory. Kurama and Shadowflame were becoming more like an old married couple every day. Kuwabara was being extremely mushy around Yukina (who was clueless as to what was going on), causing Hiei to have to wail on his ass a few times. Even Yusuke was being more sincere towards Keiko.

Natsuki couldn't figure this out. It wasn't spring, why was everyone acting so mushy? Maybe it was just the closeness of everyone. Winter was a time to snuggle up and sleep. Natsuki decided not to question it any further. New Years was tomorrow night!! She had to go out and buy something to wear! In fact, all the girls wanted to go shopping. Botan even came.

The walked into downtown Tokyo. The streets were busy and the air was cold. They were walking along looking for a good clothing store, when something caught Natsuki's eye. A man, or at least she thought it was a man. She could not really tell. It was wearing a long coat with a hood. All you could see were the eyes, which were a very dark red. Natsuki stopped Botan. Botan looked at her expecting her to say something. Natsuki just pointed. Botan nodded and grabbed Keiko and Yukina's arm.

They went into the shop that was nearest to them. By pure luck, it happened to be a kimono store. There were the most beautiful kimonos Natsuki had ever seen in this store. For a moment she forgot about the thing that was standing across the street. Botan went wild. They all spread out looking for one that would suit their needs. Botan picked out one that was mostly pink with almost Hawaiian looking flowers on it. Yukina's was teal with designs that were a darker shade of teal. Keiko's was purple with yellow and orange designs. Natsuki's was the most beautiful one. They had all played rock, paper, scissors over it after Natsuki spotted it. She had won, of course. It was light blue at the top and faded into a dark blue at the bottom. It had white dove designs all over it.

They paid and were on their way back. Natsuki couldn't wait until tomorrow night. When you want the day to go by fast, it never does. The rest of the day went as slow as possible. Everyone was just laying around. It started to speed up a little more when Kurama got a pack of playing cards out and started game of poker.

"Prepare to get your asses kicked!" Yusuke said in a macho manner.

"You are too cocky," Natsuki said re-aligning her cards. Kurama said nothing. Shadowflame smiled menacingly and raised the pot. Kuwabara had folded sometime back. Keiko, Yukina, and Botan were cheering different people on.

"I would be in there playing, but I would lose everything." Botan was telling Keiko "I'm not very good at betting wisely…"

Hiei was off sitting in the windowsill looking out the window. He felt that strange presence again. Natsuki spotted him.

"Come play cards Hiei!" she said cheerfully. Hiei just glared and crossed his arms.

"Fine, be that way." Natsuki said turning back around.

"I fold," Kurama said, turning his cards over.

"MWUHAHAHA!!" Shadowflame laughed a very over exaggerated evil laugh. Every one just starred at her for a moment.

"Sorry, I've lost it." She said smiling sweetly. Natsuki laughed and raised the pot.

Finally Yusuke put his cards down.

"Four of a kind!" he exclaimed, showing the four jacks. Natsuki smirked,

"Four of a kind also!" she said, showing her four kings.

"What!? How is that possible!?" Yusuke was in some kind of shock. After he was over himself, they both looked at Shadowflame. Her smile was gone and she was looking at her cards. She sighed.

"I guess this is what I get…" she said slapping her cards down, showing a royal flush. "All your money!!! WOO HOO! Look at those kick ass cards" Shadowflame started dancing around the room taking all the money. Yusuke fell over and Natsuki started laughing.

Everyone went to bed around midnight. Natsuki, Shadowflame, Keiko, Botan, and Yukina all slept in the same room. Kurama, Yusuke and Kuwabara all slept in the same room. Hiei refused to stay in the same room as Kuwabara.

"I might catch that disease he has that makes him so repulsive." Hiei said leaving the room.

"You wanna say that to my…" SLAM! The door closed before Kuwabara could finish. Hiei went out to lay on the couch. He still was uneasy about that thing he was sensing. He closed his eyes and told himself it was nothing.

Natsuki lay awake. She had to sleep on the floor. They had all fought over who got the bed. Natsuki just gave up and let Botan, Keiko and Yukina have it. They were gracious enough to give her and Shadowflame covers (beings totally sarcastic). She couldn't sleep though. She was thinking about that thing she saw today, the one across the way from the shop. It was probably nothing. She turned over and went to sleep.

The next day was New Years Eve. Natsuki woke up around ten. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. It was too bright in the room. All of a sudden, Botan burst in.

"Good afternoon ladies!" she said loudly. A growl from Natsuki's side told her Shadowflame was still in bed also. Or should she say "still sleeping on the floor". Natsuki got up slowly. She still wanted to sleep some more, but with Botan around, that was practically impossible. She walked towards the kitchen/dining/living room. It was jam packed with all the people trying to eat breakfast. Natsuki liked all the people though. She wasn't one for big crowds, but this group was more like family.

After breakfast, everyone seemed to want the day to go straight to night. Yusuke was getting the most restless out of everyone.

"Come on! Who's bringing the booze?" he said finally. This earned him a smack in the back of the head from Keiko.

"Yusuke!" Keiko screamed.

"What did I do!? I just asked a logical question!" Yusuke yelled back.

"You know what you did. I swear, if I don't always keep a constant eye on you, you would probably…" Keiko stopped short. Yusuke knew what she was going to say.

"What, get myself killed?" he said, soaking up the moment. Keiko's lower lip quivered. All of a sudden she burst into tears. She lunged, hugging Yusuke.

"I'm so sorry, Yusuke!" she sobbed. Yusuke made a disgusted face, but patted her back and comforted her. Shadowflame was confused; Natsuki had an idea of why Keiko was upset; and everyone else found this amusing.

Around six, Yusuke left saying he had to go get something.

"Where are you going to go?" Keiko asked worriedly. Yusuke turned and looked at her annoyed.

"It's a surprise." He said, and left. Natsuki tapped Keiko on the shoulder.

"Would you help me fix dinner?" she asked. Keiko's face lit up. She loved to cook, so she willingly agreed.

About an hour later Yusuke came back with bags full of beer, wine and a few small bottles of sake. He got punished greatly from Keiko, but Natsuki hindered the fight.

"Don't worry Keiko-chan! We won't let Yusuke drink it all." Natsuki said smirking. Keiko made a little noise. Natsuki knew she didn't like that statement.

"Come on, we have to go serve dinner." Natsuki said grabbing Keiko's arm.

Their dinner was excellent. It was complements of Keiko's parents. After every one's bellies were full; Yusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama began to talk about all the battles they had been in. Kurama's were more interesting, mostly because he told the ones on when he was Yôkô Kurama. Yusuke and Kuwabara merely pumped up their stories of street fights. One had Yusuke attempting to out run 50 seventeen year olds on motorcycles firing at his feet. At this point Hiei left.

"Where are you going, shortie?" Kuwabara asked.

"I do not think I can stand the stupidity concentration in this room any longer." He said coolly, and walked out the door. Natsuki got up.

"I'll go get him." She said walking towards the door. Yusuke growled, causing Natsuki to make an up scene hang gesture. She turned on her heal and walked out the door.

Natsuki turned down the path that Hiei usually goes off on. She could see him up ahead of her. She just followed him from a distance. He finally turned off into the clearing he usually goes in when he's mad. Natsuki trotted up closer so she wouldn't lose him. When she got to the clearing, he was nowhere in sight.

"Do you follow people often when they want to be alone?" Hiei's voice came from one of the nearby trees. His red eyes shone in the trees, reflecting the crescent moon.

"Yes," Natsuki said bluntly, "It's my hobby, now come down here and don't be a piss pot." Natsuki said sternly. Hiei did not like being referred to as a piss pot.

"Humph, what is your deal, anyway? Why do you follow me around?" Hiei asked beginning to sound annoyed.

"Because…" Natsuki got quiet. Hiei leaped out of the tree landing lightly on his feet. He walked over towards her, slowly.

"Just answer the damn question." He said. Natsuki looked him in the eyes.

"Because I admire you Hiei," she said softly. Hiei stepped back, this wasn't what he expected. "because I care about you,"

Back at the guest house, Genkai had come to join the countdown. It was getting ready to begin. 10…

"because, Hiei,…" 9… Hiei's heart was pounding. 8… Was she going to say what he thought she was going to say? 7…

I've come to realize…" A dark figure crept out of the woods behind them. 6… Natsuki didn't know if she could go on with this. 5…

"Hiei, I…" Natsuki was cut short. 4… A long sword pierced her back, coming through her stomach. Hiei stumbled backwards as Natsuki looked down at the sword sticking out of her gut. 3… The sword was drawn out. Natsuki fell forward onto the ground, her eyes rolling to the back of her head. 2… Hiei could not move. All he could do was yell "NO!" 1… The figure behind her looked up at Hiei, it's eyes glowing. It spoke…

"Happy New Year, Hiei Jaganshi."


So, are you freaked out yet? Good. Next chappy please!