A/N: Okay, first time attempting Hiei's POV... be gentle. I meant to get more done this chapter but he was feeling reflective. Thank you all so much for the reviews, they keep me motivated.

Chapter 6

Damn the bitch.

Hiei paused in his approach to Genkai's temple to rest his sore muscles for a moment, perched in one of the many trees surrounding the peaceful building. Yusuke, you got off easy he thought sourly, reflecting on Yusuke's love/hate - but mostly love - relationship with his teacher. Whereas Hiei trained with a woman he sometimes believed was more than halfway machine, considering the extremes to which she pushed their bodies. After this last stint of training even leaping from tree to tree hurt him.

But considering the power he had gained, it was worth it.

Hiei stretched out his complaining leg and wondered if maybe, just this once, he would go straight to Kurama's without checking in on Yukina first. He already knew she was safe, of course. The first thing he always did when he reentered the human world after a time in Makai was open his Jagan eye to check on the people he cared about. Yukina was always first, seeing as she couldn't defend herself; then Kurama, and if he had been gone long a quick look at the detective and the idiot to make sure they hadn't gotten into trouble in his absence.

But seeing Yukina with his Jagan eye was never enough. He always found himself coming up to the temple to check on her with his own eyes before he got to any other business he had come to the human world for.

Then again, the other business didn't usually include collapsing in Kurama's bed and sleeping for about a week to recover from the bionic bitch's training. Surely Yukina would be safe this one time?

Hiei snorted quietly at himself. Of course she would be safe. That wasn't the point; the point was to see her without the idiot or anyone else around, see her with his own eyes and just look at her without having to pretend.

So Hiei launched himself forward again, taking easy leaps, covering less distance each time than he normally would have aimed for. He hoped Yukina would be outside so he didn't have to search the actual temple itself. Genkai had a nasty habit of catching him and yelling at him for coming in unannounced, and a half a dozen other things if she was in the wrong mood.

Fortunately, Yukina was outside, sitting in one of the larger gardens and surrounded by birds as usual. Hiei settled himself onto a branch with a stifled groan. Even though his muscles were screaming from her training, he was determined to stop thinking about Mukuro and allow himself to just watch his sister in peace for a few moments.

But the second he blocked Mukuro out of his head he found himself thinking about Kurama instead. Maybe when he got to his room Kurama would help Hiei to recover. Kurama always offered his healing skills if he could tell Hiei was in pain; Hiei could never tell if it was because Kurama knew how impossible it was for Hiei to ask for help, or if it simply sprang from his innate kindness. Although considering that Kurama had healed Hiei at their initial meeting, after Hiei's unprovoked attack on him, it was probably the latter.

Healing, Hiei had to admit, was the first reason he had sought to attach himself to Kurama. After their initial meeting he had filed Kurama away in his mental list of worthwhile people, a list almost solely occupied by the fox at that point. But he hadn't intended to pursue any sort of friendship or partnership. He had still viewed friends as a weakness back then.

Yet not more than two months later he found himself at another dead end in his search for Yukina, and injured almost to the point of death. He knew he wouldn't survive without help; and the only person in the world he could think of who might help him was Kurama.

So he had spent another time of weakness unconscious in Kurama's bedroom at the mercy of his kindness, and had again come out of it completely healed. But by that point Kurama, being clever as he was, had more or less figured out the story with Yukina from Hiei's unconscious mutterings. Hiei realized he only had two options. He could kill Kurama for what he knew, or he could accept what Kurama was offering: his healing skills and his quick mind in exchange for Hiei's honesty with him and discretion about Kurama's true identity. In short, trust. Partnership.

He had visited Kurama with increasing regularity, whenever he needed healing or someone to bounce ideas off of, and Kurama had started leaving the window open for him. Before their fateful clash with Yusuke Urameshi Hiei had already embroiled Kurama in any number of fights and schemes. Often Hiei felt a vague uneasy feeling he suspected might be guilt over that, but he tried to ignore it. Kurama's return to the demon world had been inevitable; Hiei had only been the catalyst, not the instigator. And at least his presence in Kurama's life gave the fox a strong ally; he couldn't be all bad for Kurama...

"Hiei!"

Hiei was so startled that he fell out of his tree. He managed to land on his feet, hoping it looked like a graceless but intentional dismount. It was Yukina who had spoken his name; she was looking straight at him.

Hiei cursed himself for letting his mind wander. Why was he thinking about the damn fox when he was hear to see Yukina? Now he would have to think of an excuse for being there.

Yukina ran over to him; the birds had already fled in all directions, startled by Hiei's abrupt encounter with the ground. "I'm so glad to see you!" Yukina said, smiling in the way only she could smile.

Since it was already on his mind, Hiei went for the obvious excuse. "I'm looking for Kurama, is he here?"

"No, I'm afraid he hasn't been here since yesterday. You must have just gotten back from the Makai."

"Hn. I'll go look for him."

A hand on his arm prevented Hiei from making his escape. He stared at it. "Please don't leave so soon," Yukina said, earnestly but gently. "I have something I want to talk to you about."

Don't panic, Hiei told himself, and realized this was easier said than done as he immediately began to sweat. "To me?"

"Yes, I have a problem and I need your advice."

Relief washed over Hiei, followed by puzzlement. Unless Yukina's problem involved the darkness flame or avoiding people-- "What could you possibly need my advice with?"

"Please, Hiei." Hiei could never manage to be rude to Yukina long, and she was completely immune to it; a bad combination for him. "I've been hoping you would come back just so I could talk to you about it."

Hiei had no defense against his sister; he had learned that long ago. So he didn't protest, though he was baffled, as Yukina slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, and led him off onto one of the many garden paths like a couple out for an evening stroll.

This cannot be good.