This story was actually an RP, acted out by mainly Shadow Koneko, Crystal Koneko, and myself. I thank them for allowing me to turn it into an story. To read the RP, go to the H/B forum on my profile.

Thank you everyone for reviewing! Crystal and Shadow Koneko also thank you.

Characters thoughts

Note: Characters are a bit out of character, but we tried out best.

Chapter three.

The crackle of the fire inturrupted the silence of the night. Then again, Maikai was never really silent. The sudden movements in the bushes and trees caused Kurama to be on constant alert. Although they hadn't established it, it looked like Kurama was taking night shifts. Kuwabara's head bobbled up and down, somewhat nodding in agreement to what Kurama said and nodding off to sleep. "When Botan tried to heal Hiei's Jagan with her white magic, his dark energy reacted to it, with the power of his Jagan." Shizuru nodded. "But where was she when she was unconcious...she kept talking like she was in another world...about darkness and pain." He paused. "Could it...could it be that she was in his mind the whole time?"

"Uh huh..." Kuwabara mumbled, his eyes closing. Kurama turned to him, his shoulders dropping. Yes, he was left to guard them all...

A tiny rustle of the fabric of a kimono caught Kurama's attention. Botan stared at him questioningly, silently asking to join him. Kurama nodded. "I heard you talking, what about?" She asked, settling down nearby the fire. She herself couldn't sleep, she felt as if she was forgetting something important.

"I have a thought about earlier." Botan glanced at him, curiously. "I have a guess about what happened to both you and Hiei."

"You do?" Botan asked, leaning in with surprise. "What is it?"

"From what I could gather about the whole ordeal, I believe you were inside Hiei's head that whole time."

I remember that place... it was so morose... it made me want to cry. Please, please, don't let that be his mind...

"A-are you sure? But... how did I get there?" Botan wondered confusedly and looked over to Hiei. He looked peaceful...

Kurama glanced over at Hiei as well. "His Jagan eye, it mixed with your white magic sending you inside his head... I'm not sure if the same happend to him or not, or what affects it has had on you since then, but you were inside Hiei Jaganshi's mind, Botan."

Botan could only gape between Kurama and Hiei. Had she really been in Hiei's head? B-but it was dark there!

"I can't believe this... do you know if it might have any long term effects on me?"

Hiei heard each and every word. He couldn't sleep much, yet lying back and resting helped wonderfully. His mind was at a calm state, it wasn't as hard as it was when he was a weak demon. So...Botan had been inside his mind all along.
...How did Botan feel?

So that was Hiei's mind, huh? Again, how does he live with that? I would go crazy if that was my mind! ... What happened to him that would make his mind so empty and shadow filled? Botan wondered, looking back up at the stars. A small flash went across her mind... it was a baby on a cliff... but then the flash died out.

What is so important that I'm forgetting!

That morning, Hiei had gathered enough energy to hold him well. Dawn was just coming up and Hiei was already awake. His mind and his dreams kept replaying the cliff. The cliff he fell off of. Hiei sat up from his resting spot. Botan slept not to far away. He stared at her for the moment, and then stood up to get some fresh air. He stopped once a noise errupted from Botan.

Botan groaned, pushing herself up off the ground. Why did she have such a headache?

"Mmm, this is day is going to be interesting... Oh! Hey, Hiei! How long have you been up?" Botan asked and smiled at him, trying to act normally around him, even though she felt a small pang at her mind. Whatever she was forgetting, it really didn't want to be forgotten... or else it's important.

Hiei turned around when he heard her voice. "Not to long." He answered before a grumpy "hn." could get out. He beckoned her to join him outside before they wake everyone else up.

Botan nodded enthusiastically, and went to join him quietly. She stood by his side, merely half a foot away. She looked up into the quiet morning sky, enjoying the peace. It wouldn't be like that long, moments like this were rare in Makai. She looked over at him and smiled at him. The sun made one side of his face light up... he looked beautiful. (Yes, a man can look beautiful!)

Hiei stared at the sun rising. Finally, he spoke. "Was my mind dark enough for you?"

"...Hiei? How... how did it get like that? I was so scared..." Botan felt moistness sting her eyes and squeezed them tight, making sure no droplets fell out. All the shadows lurking around, taunting her, laughing at her... She shook her head. She didn't want to go back there. Ever.

Hiei didn't look at her, but continued to stare at the wonderous colors of the new sun. "My mere exsistance caused it to be that way." He said bitterly. He pulled out the white bandana out of his pocket and began to rub away the blood crust on his forehead.

"No. I don't believe that for one second! You shouldn't say things like that! It must be something else! Hiei, your existance... it makes me happy," Botan replied looking away. She didn't want to see his reaction. He was probably glaring at her or something.

Hiei turned to her, glaring slightly. "What else it is suppose to be, Onna? I was thrown off a cliff just for being alive! I...I..." He paused, repeating her words in his head. His glare softened into a look of concern. He took a breather and then stuffed his bandana back into his pocket. For some reason, it was easy for him to tell her about his past...maybe because she experienced it for herself.
"At least my exsistance makes someone happy." He finally said, pulling off his scarf around his neck and concealing his jagan with it. His work was a bit sloppy though, but nonetheless hid his jagan.

Botan giggled, "Well I'm glad that it makes me happy!" Her giggles ended and she sighed, looking out into the dawn again, "Has it ever been this relaxing before?"

"Hn." Hiei replied.

"Do you think Yusuke is okay? He's been gone so long, and if he got kidnapped, whoever did it must be really strong," Botan was getting herself worried. She turned to Hiei once again and waited for what he thought. He always had something comforting to say, even if he didn't want it to sound like that. He was rude, yet kind at the same time. Lovable, yet vengeful. Beautiful, yet a wretch. Happy, but sad. Forbidden, but destined to be great. He was a walking contradiction.

"Either that or he was stupid enough to walk into a trap." Hiei said dully. He paused and his jagan glowed. "The baka is still alive and strong-if that is why you worry." What he said was true, but somehow something gnawed at that. Maybe he was using his Jagan eye to early.

"Thank kami-sama! I don't think I could stand taking him to Reikai another time!" Botan smiled, and decided to be quiet, enjoying the moment again.

Keiko.

Keiko yawned and got to her feet. What a good nights sleep she had had, probably because she didn't have to hear Yusuke snoring. "Yusuke!" Her mind quickly snapped to the current situation. "We have to start looking again, right away!" She dashed outside to find the others were already awake.
Kurama was sitting on a rock nearby, thinking of any possible effects of Botan and Hiei's predicament. "Perhaps...they can read each others mind or can tell how the other feels..."
"KURAMA, LETS GO!" Keiko yelled, getting into a rush of sadness and concern.

Hiei turned to Keiko, then disappeared and landed right infront of her. "Onna," He said through seething teeth. "Keep your voice box shut before you get us in trouble again. It'll be some humor to see you die."

"Eh... maybe we should just go," Botan suggested, not wanting Hiei and Keiko to start fighting, and then they really would be in trouble. She had most of her energy back so she could use her oar. "I'm going to do a quick sweep of the area. Maybe I can find some clues," Botan said and made her oar pop up. She hopped on and flew away from the group looking to and fro for Yusuke or any clues. Hiei, who's good mood was partly ruined, stuffed his hands into his pockets, turning his back from a fuming Keiko.

A shadow watched the pink ferry girl fly on her oar in the air. Silently, it started making it's way towards their campsite.

Botan rushed back to the campsite about half an hour later. She thinks she found a clue! She arrived, and jumped off her oar, "Guys! I found something! Just north of here there's a trail in the forest! It looks like somebody was dragged by about eight demons! Funny thing though, it just disappears..."

"I'll take a look." Hiei replied, untying his scarf, however he paused once a voice came from the woods.

"There'll be no need for that, Hiei." A shadow took shape in the sunlight between the trees. "They headed for Makuro's Territory, took hold of the place, and claimed it as their own."

Hiei stared at the shadows, letting his scarf slip loose and fall to his neck. "Makuro." He greeted.

Botan stared at the shadow, squinting. So this was Mukuro? And they took her territory? Well, that's definitely not good!

"Um, if you don't mind me asking Mukuro-sama, how did they get hold of the castle? And do you know if Yusuke was with them?"

Keiko looked hopefully at Mukuro; if she knew where they took Yusuke, it would make her so happy. Kurama also had a few questions for Mukuro, perhaps she would know about what happend to Hiei and Botan better then him.

"I allowed them too. I left the castle once they arrived." She moved out of the shadows. Her orange hair glowed in the sunlight and she took a seat on a rock. "I alone can't defeat them." She said simply. "So why try when I know you would be searching for Yusuke Urameshi?" She smiled at Hiei. "And yes- the detective is with them."

"Oh! This is wonderful! Well... I mean, at least we know where Yusuke is. The rest isn't wonderful..." Botan mumbled and went to go see Keiko, "See, everything will be okay!"

Kurama decided to speak up "Mukuro-sama maybe you can answer a question we all have been trying to figure out..." He explained the earlier incident "Do you know anything about that kind of situation?"

Makuro thought long and hard. "Perhaps Hiei saw something he shouldn't have seen...causing a reaction in his Jagan with pain. When Botan uses her healing powers to heal, she tries healing all pains in the person. However, Hiei has countless memories that can never be healed. When Botan tried to heal, it over powered her and caused her to expirence Hiei's thoughts and memories." She paused. "I wonder..."

"What do you wonder? Please, tell us!" Botan pleaded plopping herself on the ground, paying full attention to Mukuro.

Makuro turned to Botan, then to Hiei who was taking his leave. "I wonder if there are ablities to this insident."

Hiei stopping walking and turned around, eyebrow raised.

"What do you mean?" Botan asked, even more curious. She was sure Kurama was getting a kick out of this, him and his nosy and curious nature...

"I'm not sure." Makuro said hesitantly. "Such as, telepathic connection between you two...?" Makuro smiled. "And maybe if you can use attacks only Hiei could do?"

"That's the stupidest thing I've heard," Hiei inturrupted. "and I've heard lots from this Baka." He jerked his finger to the sleeping Kuwabara.

"But, Hiei! What if she's right? I know it sounds weird, but we have to think of the possibility! What if I start like... burning things!" Botan's eyes widened in horror. It was just adding to the fact that she's getting wierd vibes from Hiei, but she didn't want to say anything.

Hiei sighed. "I hardly think that would happen." He shook his head.

and I don't think we're talking in telepath, do you?

"Onna..." He said in realization. "Did I just say that outloud?"

Makuro watched in humor. "So you did talk in telepath just now!" She said with a trumphant look on her face. "This would be a great asset, don't you think, Hiei?"

"Shut up."

"Mukuro-sama, with all due respect, I don't see how this is an asset. I mean, I really could start burning things! And Hiei's tattoo is really, really, really, cool and all, but I don't think I'd look quite as good as he does with one," Botan blushed, realising what she just said, but tried to stay serious.

"You need a Jagan to deal with the dragon." Hiei pointed out, turning pink.

Makuro shook her head. "I'm not talking about that kind of asset. I mean, telepathicly, if we plan on rescuing your friend, you two can cooperate to make sure we get your friend out safely." She glanced from Botan to Hiei, and then Kurama with her eyebrow raised slightly.

Botan could tell Kurama was giving her some kind of, "Tell you later" look. Was she that obvious?

"Oh... well, yes! That would be an asset! I just hope there are no other problems or anything..." Botan said, speaking of the 'connection', or whatever you want to call it.

Hiei turned to the snoring Kuwabara. He kicked him in the back, hard enough to wake him yet soft enough so he didn't kill him. "Wake up. We're leaving."

"Hey! Shorty! You wanna mess! Because I'll mess!" Kuwabara shouted, hopping off the ground, and putting up his fists.

"Kuwabara, please! We need to find Yusuke! Finish this later, alright?" Botan asked, breaking up another fight today.

"Well, I guess I'll wake up Yukina and Shizuru," Botan offered and walked into the hut.

Hiei began a verbal fight and some physical fighting with Kuwabara.

Makuro turned to Kurama. "So, shall we discuss it now?" she asked pleasantly.

Kurama nodded "Of course Mukuro-sama, but perhaps we should go where the others can not hear us. If Hiei did you know how much trouble we'd be in..." Kurama and Mukuro both went off to the side "Now I believe that your heir has...developed feelings for Botan...as strange as that may sound" the kitsune explained and waited for a reply from her.

Makuro crossed her arms and nodded, a smiling playing on her lips. "indeed. They both seem to have developed their feelings, ne?"

Kurama smiled "So you agree with me? Those two will be in denial for who knows how long. I wonder why they have all of a sudden fallen in love?"

Botan.

"Hey, you two sleepy-heads! Wake up!" Botan giggled as Shizuru pulled the blanket she broguht with her over her head.

"You're going to make this hard for me, aren't you?"

Yukina sat up, blinking and rubbing her eyes. "Is it morning already?" She asked, half asleep.

"Bingo! It's very much so the morning! At least one of you isn't going to give me a hard time!" Botan exclaimed, mock glaring at Shizuru.

"Go away!" Shizuru growled muffeled by her pillow, and snuggled further into her blankets.

"But Shizuru, we're in makai! You can' sleep late here! Plus, we're ready to go look for Yusuke!" Botan protested and pulled the blankets off of Shizuru. Shizuru got up slowly, and glared at Botan, "You should run now."

"Running!" Botan exclaimed and dashed out of the campsite. She flew past Kurama and Mukuro and stayed near Hiei. She knew Shizuru wouldn't attack her then!

Kurama sweatdropped, "We should probably go...before they kill each other." He said the last part in a mumble and the group continued on there way. The boys walked in front the girls in back.

Botan stayed as far away from Shizuru as possible, which was on the right of Keiko. She sighed and looked to Keiko, seeing her worried face, "No worries Keiko. I'm sure we'll find him. We've got Mukuro with us now, AND we know he's at her castle."

Keiko smiled "I know...I better give that boy a good thrashing for running ahead of us like that!"
A worried look crossed the others faces.

"Keiko, maybe we should give him a thrashing after we get back to ningenkai?" Botan suggested and looked down. She missed him.

"Good idea..." Keiko agreed looking down at her shoes. She shouldn't talk about him that way, even though he was a jerk and a bum, she loved him. She needed to lighten the mood, everyone was so...depressed. A game! that would certainly do it! but what game...
"Anyone wanna play truth or dare?" She asked.
Yukina looked puzzled "What is 'truth or dare?" she had heard of a lot of ningen games but not this one.

"It's when somebody asks you truth or dare, if you pick truth you have to answer a question truthfully, if you pick dare, somebody will dare you to do something and you have to do it. Usually, we would play it by sitting in a circle or such, but seeing as we need to make time..."

"Sounds like a good idea! Would you like to play Mukuro-sama?" Botan asked her, even though she doubted Mukuro would want to play at all.

"No thanks" Mukuro replied.
"Well then let's play" Yukina said cheerfully "Who is going first?"

"I guess Keiko can, since she picked the game," Botan said, and waited for Keiko to pick her victim.

"Alright" Keiko thought for a moment "I pick...Shizuru truth or dare?"

"Dare," Shizuru answered automatically, trying to sound bored. She wasn't though.

Keiko smiled evily "I dare you to...tell us who you think is cute!"

"I knew you were going to do something like that," Shizuru mumbled. She could feel even Mukuro's eyes on her. Seems Mukuro was just as interested as everyone else... Even if she barley knew Mukuro, she could tell she had a hard life. And Shizuru respected her for that. She had had a hard life too.

Everyone here has had a hard life... She shook her head, getting back to the game.

"Kurama. He is always calm and I like the sneaky yet curious fox like nature he has," Shizuru said, not bothering to hide it. She even hoped Kurama heard her a little. Even if it would be quite embarassing...

"I knew it!" Botan squealed and tried not to giggle, so no suspicion was put on the girls and the guys wouldn't try and hear what they were talking about.

Hiei snorted at the Fox at Shizuru's words and Makuro just smiled. Kurama's fox like senses picked up his name. "Hiei, are they talking about me?"

"Hear for yourself, Fox." Hiei's reply was as he watched on.

"Yes, they were, Kurama." Makuro answered for him.

Kurama smiled "Well...um, I did carry her out of a building when she was injured...I never thought she would like me though" He fumbled with his words and a deep blush burned on his face.

Botan giggled some more, seeing Kurama blush. She wasn't paying attention to truth or dare at the moment, she wanted to see Kurama's reaction. Seems like somebody's got a little crush! Botan teased in her mind and shook her head at the two. They would be pretty cute together...

Kurama noticed Botan watching them with the hidden laugh on her face
What's she so happy about? He thought to himself.

"So Shizuru, who's next?"

"Yukina, truth or dare?" Shizuru asked the blue-haired girl.

"Um... how about thruth?" Yukian said, not really sure. This game seemed decieving...

Shizuru took her time thinking for a question, but it wasn't too long until she asked, "Do you love my brother? I know you aren't that naiive enough not to notice his advances..." Shizuru trailed off and waited for the girls answer.

Yukina thought for a moment. She had always thought that Kazuma had just been joking around all the time. Shizuru sweatdropped. She did know Kazuma was after her, right?

Yukina, finally, blinked and turned pink. She cupped her cheek and looked down slightly, smiling. "Um...Kazuma is a kind person...yes?" she said very quietly. Hiei picked that up immeadiately and frowned slightly, however made no move to pester Yukina.

"You didn't know... did you?" Botan asked, stunned. She knew Yukina was, naiive, but this really takes the cake!

Yukina looked up "Well...yes, but Hiei-kun said that he was not serious."

Hiei smirked approvingly, but it vanished at Botan'ss disapproving glance and Makuro's disappointing stare. "Hn.." he grumbled. Botan glared at the back of Hiei's head while he tried to make a silent 'Hn.'

That little bugger is listening! Botan's eyes narrowed even more at Hiei, but she wanted to hear Yukina's answer, so she didn't say anything.

"Well, do you love him back, or not? Or do you have any kind of feelings for him?" Botan asked eagerly, getting back in on the gossip.

"Of course I do." Yukina replied rather quietly so Kuwabara or her brother could not hear her.

"Well, what do you feel towards him? You don't need to be embarassed, it's how you feel and nobody can change that," Shizuru said a put a hand on her shoulder. Maybe I should have asked her a different question... Shizuru thought and smiled at the befuddled girl.

"I'm not sure... Kazuma is very nice..." Yukina stuttered quietly and blushed a bit more.

"Oh, how kawaii!" Botan whispered at Yukina. Botan tried to stay quiet because she knew Hiei would freak if he heard...He'd probably slice him in two as soon as he heard anything of the sort!

"Okay, your turn to ask somebody Yukina!" Shizuru said, smiling at Yukina too. At least now she knew her brother wasn't chasing after a lost cause.

Yukina looked around, her eyes resting upon Keiko. "Um...how about you, Keiko, truth or dare?"

Keiko, being the brave girl she was, said, "Dare!"

"Oh! Think of something good, Yukina! I know there's a naughty girl somewhere in you!" Botan rooted, while Keiko glared at her.

Yukina thought for a while. "How about...Keiko has to at least defeat one demon while we're here?" she said lamely. "Or how about when we rescue Yusuke, she cannot hit him?" she smiled and shrugged.

Shizuru shrugged as well. "That's the impossible for Keiko." She said, commenting on both.

Keiko frowned. "I don't like any of those...But I guess I'll choose number two." She sighed. "Stealing the fun out of stuff, Yukina!" Yukina smiled and laughed.

"Hahaha! Yusuke's going to have a mental breakdown!" Botan chuckled and decided to keep going with the game. "Okay, Keiko, your turn!"

"Botan!" Keiko said, wanting to get revenge. "Truth or dare?"

Hiei's head slightly turned to the side, but stopped, and Makuro glanced at him before returning to watching.

"Truth," Botan answered after thinking for a moment. She knew either way she was going to regret what she chose, whether it be truth or dare.

Keiko declared her question, loud enough so everyone could hear. "Do YOU like Hiei?"

Makuro chuckled, nudging Hiei as he stiffly walked beside her. He shot her a very disturbed look. Botan blushed a deep red, glancing at Hiei, and then back at the ground. She twiddled with her fingers a moment, trying to figure out a way to go around the question, "I... Um... He..."

Bingo!

"Well, of course I do! Hiei's a great friend!" Botan gave herself a mental pat on the back. Using Yukina's naiive act was perfect!

Hiei lost interest again and Makuro looked at him. "Disappointed?" She questioned.
"I don't know what you speak of." Hiei replied, glancing at anything but the group of girls.

Keiko nearly tripped, growling and steaming. "That's not what I meant!" She said, getting ready to punch Botan for not answering correctly.

"Yeah, but I answered your question didn't I?" Botan slyly replied and added a small skip to her walk.

However, Keiko wasn't listen. She was looking at the group. Yukina, Hiei, Makuro, Kurama, Kuwabara and Shizuru were all staring at the same direction. "What is it?" She asked. "Is it Yusuke?" She asked, frightened.

"You bet." Shizuru replied, standing up. "Sorry girls, we have someone to save."

"The demons are beginning to...play with him. He's in pain." Kurama informed the others.

"P-play with him?" Botan gulped. Now she was really afraid! What were they doing to Yusuke!

Oh, I hope he's all right! And poor Keiko, she must be devastated at the thought!

Botan got out her oar and hopped on it, "I'm going to search the area! Maybe I can get a clue as to where they have Yusuke, or find some good information! Don't bother following me, I'll be in the air the whole time!"

Botan flew off quickly before anybody could make any protests. She had to help Yusuke, she was his assistant and best friend!

"Onna!" Hiei yelled, agitated. She didn't even stop to hear the rest of it.

"Whats wrong?" Keiko asked. "Is there more?" She was on her knees.

"She wasn't informed that whoever took Yusuke is heading this way." Kurama replied. Shizuru began to run after her, but Kurama took hold of her wrist.

"I'll go." Hiei replied, and he disappeared.

Makuro stood up. "It's wise that the ladies find somewhere safe to be."

Kurama pushed Shizuru off into the right direction and she grabbed Keiko and Yukina and searched for a place to hide. Kurama flicked under his hair and out came a rose.

"Shall we hold them off?" He asked. Makuro nodded. "We'll have to make sure Hiei arrives back safely with Botan."

"Agreed."

Keiko was basically having a mental breakdown. "Oh...what are they doing to my poor Yusuke... Where is he?" She began to cry. Yukina and Shizuru tried to comfort her.
"It'll be okay." Yukina said softly, watching as Makuro and Kurama battled with the appearing demons. Everyone was thinking the same thing, for the demons were putting up a struggle.

Are Hiei and Botan alright?

Botan.

Botan gasped as she felt a powerful unfamiliar aura approaching at a quick pace. She may be clumsy and ditzy, but she sure as heck wasn't stupid! Botan pulled her oar down, picking up speed. She stopped behind a bush and hid there, trying to hide her energy.

Here they come...

Botan held her breath as they stopped about twenty feet away from where she was and sniffed the air.

I need to find Yusuke! Please, just go by!

Botan felt a strong arm wrap around her waist and cover her mouth. Hiei swiftly move past the demons, however they has spotted them. "Damn, you can't wait until we're done talking?" Hiei hissed as he ran, carrying Botan in his arm. A arrow whispered right by his ear and landed on the ground. Hiei picked up his pace.

"Well, I wanted to find Yusuke!" Botan hissed in a low whisper. Feeling the wind cutting her skin from Hiei's speeds, she buried herself further into his cloak, and clutched it tightly with her fingers.

"Soon enough, I promise." Hiei said in a low voice, pushing on. These demons were, amazingly, catch up to Hiei's swift speed. If he went faster, Botan's cuts would become deeper

"Okay," Botan said quietly and tears formed in her eyes. Those cuts were starting to hurt... Even if she was used to high winds on her oar, Hiei was moving way faster than she could ever go on it. She clutched onto him even tighter and tried not to let a tear slip down her cheek.

Hiei managed to slip his jacket off with one hand and wrap her around it. Instead of holding her with one arm, he carried her with both, holding her close. "Hold on." He ordered. They were not far from where Kurama and the others were waiting.

Hiei could see a flash of yellow nearby. Makuro looked up from finishing one more demon. "Hiei's back!" She yelled, digging back into her fight again. Hiei ran towards the other girls, placing Botan down gently. Yukina checked her for her injuries while Hiei pulled out his sword and joined the fight. He had led more demons towards them. Hiei joined Makuro in the front once he was sure Botan-er the girls were well taken care of. After all, Kuwabara and Kurama was there.

Kurama slashed another demon, but out of the corner of his eye he noticed one go astray. It was headed straight for where Shizuru and the others were hiding, probably smelling the ningen flesh.
Shizuru appeared to be its target. Kurama felt his usual calm green eyes flash a bright gold and his long red lockes turned a bright silver color. A pair of fox ears and a fox tail grew from his body. He growled and disapeared, moving faster then anyone had ever seen him move.
He grabbed the demon just as it was about to attack Shizuru, who was cowering. He tossed it away from her, putting her out of danger and he began to fight it one-on-one.

Shizuru stared on in wonder as Kurama turned youko...

All of that... for me?

Kurama who had not yet returned to his normal form joined them. It seemed that Suichi was having trouble regaining control.
"Is everyone okay?" He asked glancing at Shizuru with a smirk on his face.

Shizuru turned a very light pink, ALMOST unnoticable. She nodded her head and went to go make sure Botan was all right.

Botan thanked Yukina and sighed. I guess I shouldn't have rushed into that... Thank goodness Hiei showed up! ...He came to get me! WOOH!

Keiko watched as they all defeated the demons in an agile manner. 'These guys are awesome!' she thought bewildered as she stood near the other girls and watched the boys head their way. 'I just hope Yusuke is alright.' She thought with hope and worry shot in her hazel orbs. She turned away from the battles to ask, "Botan, are you alright?"

"Yeah, thanks to Hiei. Sorry about that again guys, I was just so worried that I wasn't thinking," Botan mumbled and watched Hiei as he slashed through multiple demons. She looked down and blushed. I-I'm still wearing his cloak!

"So you had just as much action as me?" Shizuru smiled as she looked over her shoulder out at Kurama who was still battling.

"I can't believe he turned Youko for you!" Botan exclaimed happily for Shizuru, "He must REALLY like you!"

Shizuru shook her head in denial. "He didn't turned Youko for me, he did it because he probably felt we were in danger."

"Yes well, you know Kurama. He can be as good as Hiei at hiding his feelings!" Botan said and shook her head. Those two were complete mysteries.

"I wonder what their pasts were like..." Shizuru said, putting a finger to her chin in thought.

Keiko watched as the two girls happily talked of their emotional feelings. "You guys!" She mused as she watched the girls each turn different shades of red. "Well I sure do hope to be as lucky as you two and see my prince charming who so happens to be kidnapped, that idiot." She spat out.

Yukina put a hand on Keiko's shoulder "Oh Keiko...I'm sure we will rescue him. As Botan said he is not the mushy type..."

Keiko looked up to them and smiled at the two girls, "Thanks you guys, your right and I am sure that he is just fine."

Shizuru smiled, "Anytime kid... Remember it's Yusuke... He can survive a couple of demons."

"Yeah, he'll be just fine!" Botan reassured and giggled at Keiko's "Idiot" comment.

"Haha, Botan as always you are on the happy goodnatured bubbly side!" Keiko laughed and stretched.

It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it! Botan thought to herself and grinned at Keiko.

"I think they're almost done..."

"Yes, I believe so, they really do know how to kick-as urgh- their rear ends." Keiko laughed sheepishly. "Botan, so how does it feel to have a nice warm cloak around you? Not to mention Mr. I-Hate-The-World-But-Botan's cloak?" Keiko grinned wickedly.

Botan blushed crimson and almost dropped the cloak.

I sure am blushing a lot today!

"It's warm... I guess..."

Keiko looked at Botan blush and pat her on the back, "No need to blush Botan, its the truth you know! For one thing I know he won't let anything happen to you even if he puts up that act of that he hates everyone. Sorta how Yusuke is such an idiot, running off all the time thinking he can call the shots." Keiko pouted. "But more importantly, don't drop that cloak, it may come in handy." She grinned and began to walk towards the boys that had completely finished the battle.

Makuro finished the last of the demons in a startling kick packed with spirit energy. "It's best we leave before more arrive." Makuro ordered.

The girls began to walk down the path once again. They were still light and happy, but now they were constantly on the look out for demons. Botan blushed red, running up to Hiei and handed Hiei back his cloak.

"Um... Thanks for saving me, and thanks for letting me borrow your coat," Botan rushed and ran after the girls, blushing even darker.

"What are you rushing for?" Keiko asked, noticing that Botan ran after them a little too desperately.

"Nothing, nothing! Nothing at all!" Botan claimed and ran ahead of Keiko. A sudden blur moved in front of her, causing her to halt. Hiei half threw his cloak and half handed it to her.

"Keep it." Was his only words before turning around and walking over a dead body.

Botan clutched the black cloak with a dazed look upon her face. Her senses came back to her and she smiled. "Thanks."

End.