Chapter 9

A little too late

Around midnight Hiei creaked Botan's door open slightly to see if she was sleep. He poked his head in and looked at her sleeping form on the bed. He opened the door the rest of the way and silently crept over to her nightstand.

He opened the bottom drawer and took out the lacy black book. He first looked over at Botan before opening the book. He felt a large pang of guilt hit him as he noticed that there were tear stains on her face. He opened the diary and turned it to the days date. He was determined to find out what she thought about tonight's incident.

Dear Diary,

Today was the worst day of my life! Except this morning. I went out to train and eventually started becoming my old self again. I still don't remember anything from before I died…but I 'had' Hiei to help me…but not anymore. Well I sensed someone's presence when I was training with my whip. Then I hit the bush he was hiding behind and found Hiei. Then he got mad at me for hitting the ground next to him and I started to act sarcastic. Then he tackled me to the ground and eventually kissed me! AGAIN! I just wish he would stop playing with my feelings. I'm leaving tomorrow. Weather someone protests about it or not. I don't care anymore.

Can you forgive me again?

I don't know what I said

But I didn't mean to hurt you

Hiei finished reading the diary and looked over at Botan. She had tears running down her cheeks and he was slightly shocked. She had cried herself to sleep and was still crying. He had to make it up to Botan before noon tomorrow but first he had some things to settle with Buttercup.

oOo

The next Morning Botan awoke to the sun shining in her eyes. She groaned and turned over on her side grabbing the black fabric and pulling it around her body.

All the thoughts came flooding back to her from the night before. And she felt tears sting her eyes as she sat up opening her eyes. . She heard someone exit her apartment door and wondered why Hiei was still here. Or why he even stayed.

"Shouldn't he be with Buttercup?" Botansaid with a scowl.

I heard the words come out

I felt like I would die

It hurt so much to hurt you

Botan flung her legs over the bed and her foot hit something hard. She bent down and picked up an amulet the color of Hiei's eyes.

"Buttercup probably gave it to him!" Botan said throwing the necklace across the room. She then stood up and walked into her bathroom slamming the door.

She sweat dropped when she heard someone shout for her to keep it down. She turned on the warm water and began to take of her nightgown.

She stepped into the bath and sat down wincing once at how hot it was. She eventually got used to it and sat back and relaxed. 'Mine as well before my journey.' She stared at the white wall; a million thoughts running through her mind all at once.

Then you look at me

You're not shouting anymore

You're silently broken

Hiei was walking in the forest looking from side to side. He had told Buttercup to meet him in the clearing she found him at and he knew she knew where it was. He was just having a hard time finding it himself. He sweat dropped.

He suddenly caught her scent and sped off with his speed in her direction.

I'd give anything now

To hear those words from you

When he found her she was sitting on a log staring at the pond when she heard a twig snap. Her eyes immediately darted top meet green with crimson. She smiled and ran over to him.

She was about to kiss him when he stopped her and pulled her over to the log again forcefully. "We need to talk."

Buttercup stood up and started to back away from him after noticing that his necklace was gone. "It was her wasn't it! You still love her! WHY! It should have worked! You should have forgotten all about her...why can't you forget her?" She had tears in her eyes. "Why must you hurt someone to love another." She mumbled that to herself.

"Not everything goes your way. You can't get everything you want. And you definetly can't have a heart that belongs to another."

He turned and walked away. She would have to settle this for herself. Whether she liked it or not.

Each time I say something I regret I cry

"I don't want to lose you"

But somehow I know that you will never leave me, yeah

Botan pulled the last strap over her outfit. She was wearing her warrior's outfit that Koenma had given her. The Dragon Tear was safely hung around her neck. She had her hair in her regular ponytail. No sense wearing it down and messing it up.

She packed some extra clothes that would help her later on. She had some food and everything she need for the trip. Now all she needed to do…was get past Rekai and its barriers.

'Cause you were made for me

Somehow I'll make you see

How happy you make me

Hiei ran as fast as he could to get to Botan's apartment before it was too late. He had to talk to her…to tell her how he felt. To tell her that he was sorry.

He was at their apartment in no time and all he needed to do now was get to her in time. He was now standing outside her door and was about to open the door when he heard the window in her room open. Shit...

oOo

Botan heard Hiei outside her door and hurriedly opened the window. She materialized her oar and positioned herself comfortably on it. She wouldn't let him hurt her again.

I can't live this life

Without you by my side

I need you to survive

Hiei opened Botan's bedroom door with a rush of wind from her window. He was almost thrown back from the force. He ran over to the window…but he was too late.

Botan was already speeding off to Rekai on her oar. "BOTAN!" Hiei shouted as Botan turned back for a brief second before speeding off faster. He was determined to reach her in Rekai. He had to.

oOo

Botan sped off towards Spirit World. She had no time to lose. He was everything to her…but she had to leave him behind for his own good and her own. She felt tears sting her eyes.

She opened a portal and flew right through it into Rekai. If she was to get to the Demon Realm…then she had to hurry before Hiei caught her and before the gateway closed.

She snuck around the Rekai castle and ran the rest of the way through the outside forest. She eventually made it to the cave she was looking for. Hiei entered the portal and stopped to catch Botan's scent. Once he found it…he was off again in her direction.

Botan stopped at the back of the cave and saw the mirror. Once she was in the realm…she couldn't come back out until she found what she was looking for.

So stay with me

You look in my eyes and I'm screaming inside that I'm

Sorry

Hiei arrived at the Cave Botan was at. He walked inside after noting that he had been here before. He followed the blue and red light he was seeing and broke into a run.

Botan stood before the mirror and saw her reflection. "Good-bye Hiei." She was about to step through the mirror when she remembered how the Dragon Realm worked. You had to be chosen. Botan felt something snake around her waist and looked at the mirror to see a dragon-embodied rope.

She had been chosen.

Hiei found Botan and noticed that something was wrapping itself around her body. He remembered how the Realm worked and sighed relief. "Botan!"

She turned around at the sound of someone calling her name. It was Hiei. Her heart started to race. "Hiei…" She breathed. She turned back to the mirror determined to get through. He was nothing to her now...not after what he did...he was probably just there to finish her off.

"Botan! I'm SORRY!" Hiei shouted.

Botan immediately turned to him with tears in her eyes. What...?Just then, a large and bright light engulfed Botan and she had fear in her eyes for a moment before realizing that she was finally going to find Aritha.

"Botan!" Then it hit her…She was leaving Hiei!

"HIEI!" Botan shout with tears in her eyes. Hiei fell to his knees.

"Botan…" He breathed. She was screaming and trying to get out of the ropes hold. It was too much. She disappeared in a gulf of bright blue light and the only thing left in the cave was the mirror…and a very crushed Hiei…

And you forgive me again

You're my one true friend

And I never meant to hurt you

To be continued...