Forever and Eternal

by Issho

A chance meeting leads to the strongest relationship imaginable. A demon with a hard past & an adept who would find a new life in him. Two hearts, one story, love forever and eternal. Somewhat strong language, some sexual suggestion.

3. Awakening the Darkness

Two days later, Magia smiled up at Hiei who lay on top of her as she lay on her back on the couch. Hiei smiled back before resting his head on her shoulder and wrapping his arms tighter about her. Magia held him close, stroking his head, just enjoying this quiet moment.

The day Magia revealed that she was pregnant was the same day that they left. Everyone had packed up and left on the boat, which had a little less-tense of an atmosphere than the ride over. Over the past two days, Magia had been busy while calling back everyone who'd called for her in her absence, checking in at work and getting a maternity leave, cleaning up the house which had gathered a slight layer of dust…and so on. Finally she was able to relax with Hiei, everything taken care of.

"You are going to stay with me, aren't you Hiei?" Magia asked. Hiei hadn't left the house permanently since they got back, but Magia worried that he would leave eventually. She wanted him to think of the house as his home too…it would be one day.

"I don't have anywhere else to go, and I'm never leaving you alone again." Hiei was referring to when he went to train in the forest for a few hours. Magia had been taking a break from cleaning by sitting on the porch when a young man who was walking by had started hitting on her; Hiei had returned about the time the young man tried serenading her, and he scared the poor boy out of his wits.

Magia giggled as she remembered the same incident; she felt somewhat sorry for the kid who'd ran off crying. "I still think you were a little harsh on the kid," Magia commented, "but that's just how you are."

"Me? Harsh?" said Hiei with fake indignation. "Never." He leaned up and kissed Magia softly. She returned the kiss happily, never tiring of his love. Hiei placed a hand on her stomach, something he'd been growing accustomed to doing.

The incessant ringing of a phone caused Magia to pull away from the kiss. "Damn! I thought I unplugged that!" Her eyes fell on her cell which lay on the coffee table, vibrating as it rang. "But I forgot to turn off that." Magia snatched the phone up, mouthed "sorry" to Hiei, then answered it.

"Yeah?…Not a good time, Hella…What do you mean you're 'in town'?…That explains why you called…No! That's okay; I don't really have a room to spare…Just get a hotel room…How could you not bring money! I swear you and Kuwabara share the same IQ…No one that matters…Fine. See you soon."

Magia hung up the phone with a sigh as she threw it back on the coffee table. "Great," she groaned. "Of all the days."

"Who was that?" asked Hiei, his gaze on the phone.

"And old friend of mine named Helena, better known as Hella. She has a bad habit of coming into town without warning. She's done it again and will be here this evening." Magia sighed as she wondered if this surprise visit could be considered good or bad.

Hiei sat up and shrugged. "Oh well," he said, "maybe we should get ready for her a little."

Magia looked to him with curiosity. "You sick?" She reached up and placed a hand on his forehead as if checking his temperature. "You don't have a fever." Of course she was kidding around, this evident by the smile upon her face.

"Anyways, don't worry about cleaning or anything like that. Her place is way worse than mine." All in all, Magia's place was decent; it had the lived-in look, but things weren't thrown everywhere.

"Well then I guess we have the afternoon to ourselves, don't we?"

Magia smiled. "We do." She got up, after Hiei moved over her so she could, and stretched. "Just what to do?" she asked offhandedly.

"I don't know," he said, shrugging. "Whatever you feel like, I guess." He stood and walked over to her, kissing her on the cheek before entwining his hands with hers.

"First, I'm going to shower. I'm sure we'll figure out something afterwards." She kissed him lightly then left him. As she reached the top of the stairs, she looked back as she thought of something. "While I'm thinking of it, I might as well warn you. We might have to invite one of the others over to keep Hella busy; she likes to play games: spin the bottle, seven minutes in heaven, strip poker, truth or dare…basically anything risqué." With that, Magia went on to the bathroom.

"Goodie," said Hiei sarcastically before sitting down again. He decided to sharpen and polish his katana blade while he waited.

Not to long afterwards, Magia came down dressed in jeans and a black tank top, drying her hair with a towel. "Such a good swordsmen," she teased as she draped the towel over her shoulders to let her hair finish drying naturally. "Always tending to your sword."

"Wouldn't want it to dull, would we? It might make it harder to protect you." He looked to her with a teasing smile.

"Not my fault I seem to need protection so much. Never needed it until you came around," she said with a little laugh before going on into the kitchen.

She busied herself, checking their food supply and transferring some deer meet from the freezer to the fridge. Magia then sat down at the table, milling over what all needed to be done. Old habits die hard, and this was one of many that she had gained since she had gone out on her own.

She sat with one hand over her stomach protectively; she didn't know why—she guessed it to be motherly instinct—but she would do this every now and then as if protecting the growing child. She had noticed before that Hiei was often doing a similar gesture with her, which would cause her to wonder at how quickly they had adjusted to their new roles.

As she thought, Hiei appeared behind her, wrapping his arms around her. "Something tells me that you don't mind all too much," he whispered in her ear, bringing her out of her thoughts.

Magia smiled. "Not at all. And fate knows I need the protection right now." She leaned her head back into him with a sigh, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the feel of his arms around her. Hiei kissed her forehead sweetly and ran a hand gently across her arm.

"How is it possible, Hiei?" Magia asked suddenly, speaking aloud the thoughts of her ever-questioning mind. "How is it possible that we could go through so much as we have in such a short amount of time and yet we remain sane and together?"

"Hmm…I believe it's what they call love." He moved to stand at her side and looked to her with a small smile upon his lips.

Magia looked up to him, smiling back. "No, it's deeper than love. We both know that. However, love is the closest any word can come to naming it so we shall leave it at that. I love you, Hiei."

"I love you, too." He kissed her softly. "Are you hungry?"

"Maybe a little."

"Well, would you like me to make something? Believe it or not, I know how to cook."

"You! Cook! This should be interesting. And here I've been taking care of you…

"Yes, do fix something. I want to see how good you are." Magia never thought he would do this. Offer? Maybe, but actually do it? Nah. So, of course, she was shocked when he said he could cook.

"Hmm…what would you like?"

"You choose. Nothing really stands out in my thoughts right now, and I haven't hit those 'cravings' yet." She laughed lightly at the thought of what would happen when she did reach that stage in her pregnancy.

"Hn." Hiei chose to make a bit of chicken stew. He grabbed a pan and a few ingredients and made a fire in the sink; the fire wasn't actually touching the sink or anything but it was still there. "I don't like stoves," he explained when he caught Magia's questioning gaze.

"You're lucky I live alone. No tricks like that when Hella comes. She's full human, very little spirit awareness to claim in her simple mind." Magia leaned back in the chair as she watched Hiei.

"Aw! You're no fun," he said, not looking up from his work; he was chopping the vegetables.

"Maybe if you're a good boy, I'll treat you to a back and shoulder rub after she tires out," Magia teased playfully. She relaxed in her seat, closing her eyes and listening to him work.

Hiei closed his eyes too and sighed, pausing in his work for a moment. "I think you must be a temptress…yes, a temptress." With that he continued his cooking.

"And what's that make you? My victim or the only being who can tempt the temptress?" Magia wouldn't ever loose this label and it stayed on her mind for a while. Hiei had yet to cease to amaze her, reminding her always of the old saying "never say never" for he always did and said things she thought she'd never see or hear.

Hiei looked to her for a moment. "Interesting point, my love." He smirked and returned his attention to the food once more as he stirred it into the now boiling pot. "I guess I would have to be considered the luckiest bastard alive."

Magia laughed. "Well, that's one opinion. I prefer to see you as my personal Prince Charming who swept me up into the new life I needed ever so badly, and for that I thank you."

"Well, I have to say that's something I never expected be called: charming." He laughed slightly and added a couple new spices to the stew before ladling the soup out into two bowls. He brought them over to the table, setting one of them before Magia. "Dig in."

"Well you can be at times," she replied, commenting on the charming thing. She lifted the spoon to her lips, blowing onthe stewto cool it, before eating; she savored the flavor of the food before finallt swallowing. "You're right, you can cook—maybe even better than I can." She continued to eat, enjoying the stew.

"I doubt that." He began to eat as well; the stew wasn't bad, but he deemed Magia's food as much better.

Magia finished first and waited for him to finish before cleaning up. She glanced at the clock. "About an hour before Hella arrives. An hour to waste…any ideas?"

"Not really." He got up and came to her side. "We could always sit together by a fire," he said, making a flame appear in his hand for a few seconds."

"You know, you gave me an idea. I've got a tent stored in the closet; wood wouldn't be hard to find…we can camp out in the backyard tonight. Of course, only one tent would be needed; you and I would probably end up sleeping under or in a tree…" Her words trailed off as she quieted her mouth and ran the idea over in her head.

"Sounds interesting." He kissed her gently. His kiss brought her out of her thoughts; she deepened it quickly before pulling it away.

"I'm going to find the supplies. I'll meet you outside." She left the kitchen, going to the closet under the stairs. Hiei walked outside and decided to build a little fire ring so that it would look more natural. He then proceeded to finish sharpening his blade. Magia joined him outside, throwing down the bag that contained the tent.

"Perfect weather," she commented, looking up to the clear but darkening sky. She went about setting up the tent that would probably house all three of them if need be. It only took about fifteen minutes tops. Afterward, she just lied down in the grass on her side and watched Hiei.

Hiei spent his time carefully engraving something in kanji onto the side of his blade. Afterwards, he carved in the image of the dragon, doing the same to the other side. His skill was amazing, and he did it with such ease. Finally, he polished the blade once more and placed it back in its sheath at his side.

Magia just smiled before rolling over on her back. The hour was up. "Three, two, one," she whispered. Right on time came the expected voice, higher than Magia's and full of enthusiasm.

"Magi!"

"Back here, Hella!" Magia called back, tilting her head back to watch the side of the house. Around came a girl as old as Magia, maybe a few months younger, of shorter stature but similar body shape. She had shoulder length blonde hair and light blue eyes that could easily be penetrated for a look at her soul. She looked kind of sluttish in her red and black plaid schoolgirl-skirt, black bra under a black mesh long sleeve, and black boots. She carried with her a dark purple backpack that probably contained her clothes and necessities.

Hiei stood up, not saying anything. Magia stood and greeted her old friend.

"Hey, girl!" Hella said as approached. Next thing known to Magia, she was being hugged.

"Ug! Get off! Don't squeeze so tightly!" Magia automatically slipped a hand over her stomach while using the other push Hella away successfully.

"Yeah, yeah. You hate being hugged," Hella replied as she backed off. Her eyes looked to Hiei. "Who's this? New roommate?"

"In a way, and don't even think about it Hella; he's not on the market." Magia stepped closer to Hiei. "Helena this is Hiei. Hiei—Helena."

"Hey." Hella nodded to Hiei before looking back to Magia. "Not my type anyway. Does he have any friends?"

Magia just rolled her eyes. 'See what I've dealt with most of my life?' she asked Hiei.

'You poor thing. What do you mean by "not on the market"?' he shot back. "Nice to meet you, Helena," he said aloud in an attempt to be amiable. "And yes, actually I do have a friend. His name is Kuwabara. Maybe you two should meet sometime," he added in an offhanded tone.

Magia had to stifle a giggle at Hiei's comment to Hella. 'You're not on the market; you're engaged to me and are a father-to-be so you're not available for dating,' she explained to him. Out loud she said to him, "Why don't you go fetch the idiot or one of them at least? We're going to need a forth. We'll be waiting when you get back."

Hella had gone into the tent while Magia said this; Magia followed after her. Magia settled down before Hella.

"I should have known," Magia groaned as she saw Hella pull a bottle of jack from her bag. "You always bring something when we get together."

"You know you love the stuff," Hella said before taking a swig. She extended the bottle to her friend. Magia shook her head, waving it away. Hella looked at Magia as if her friend had gone insane. "You felling well?"

"Better than ever. Why?"

"You're turning down a drink. You always at least have one drink during our nights together."

"I can't drink. I haven't since the last time we saw each other…a month ago I believe."

"Why can't you?"

"A reason."

"What reason?"

"Since when did I have to explain myself to you?"

"Never but…oh fine!" Hella took another drink before putting the bottle away and putting her bag off to a corner. "So, how close are you and Hiei?"

"Close."

"Man! That means something coming from you're mouth."

"Hey!"

The conversation continued like this. Magia always remained vague when it came to things to do with Hiei or what she'd been doing lately. Meanwhile, Hiei took little time to reach Kuwabara's place. Shizuru was the one to answer and went to fetch her brother before Hiei could even open his mouth. Kuwabara appeared at the door a moment later.

"What the—how do you know where I live?" Kuwabara asked stupidly. Hiei just pointed to his headscarf.

"Magia has a friend over, and she was wondering if you wanted to join us." Hiei's tone was clam but it was obvious that if Kuwabara didn't come freely, Hiei would drag him there.

"Alright. I'm goin' out!" Kuwabara called back into the house as the boys left.

---

Back at the house, Magia rolled up the door flap of the tent and looked out. "They should be here soon."

"So what's the guy like? You know, the one you sent Hiei to get?" asked Hella.

"Depends on who he gets. If he gets who I think he is, the guy's…indescribable."

"Sounds cute." Magia had to bite her bottom lip to keep from saying anything.

"Ah! There they are! Go meet him yourself." Magia moved away from the door, watching as Hella left the tent and met up with the boys in the backyard. Magia acted like she didn't see the glare Hella had sent her after getting a good look at Kuwabara.

'Maybe luck will have them hit it off, and Yukina can find someone more deserving than Kuwabara,' Magia sent Hiei. In the short time she had been around Yukina and Kuwabara, she had noted how Kuwabara favored the koorime.

'If he lays even one finger on my sister, I'll rip out his throat,' Hiei thought back in a casual manner. To Hella, he said, "Helena, this is Kuwabara; Kuwabara, Helena."

"P-pleasure to meet you," Kuwabara said with hearts in his eyes.

"Charmed," Hella said in a sarcastic tone. She watched as Magia joined the group.

"Thanks for coming, Kuwabara," Magia told him as she stood beside Hiei. "Well, I'm going to get the rest of the supplies. Hiei, would you mind starting the fire; it'll be dark soon plus I'm bringing out marshmallows. The leftover firewood from the last time I did this is stacked at the base of one of the trees."

"While you're doing that, the three of us can start up a game of Truth or Dare," Hella said with a mischievous smile. Magia just smiled and went inside to get blankets and pillows for the tent, a flashlight, and marshmallows. 'Have fun,' she sent Hiei teasingly, hinting that she was going to take her time.

'What the hell is Truth or Dare?' Hiei returned to her as he went to gather the firewood and matches. He put the wood in a pile and attempted to light a match the human way without much success. "Damn thing," he mumbled. Looking around him to make sure the coast was clear, he lit the match with his finger and put it to the wood.

'It's a game. Basically if you choose truth, you have to truthfully answer a question; if you choose dare, you have to do whatever you're told to,' Magia answered as she got the blankets from the closet. 'And I know what you did, cheater,' she teased.

'I don't know what you're talking about,' Hiei thought back in an overly innocent tone.

Hella led Kuwabara over to the fire where Hiei was and took a seat on the grass. "Let's start." She looked at Hiei then Kuwabara. "Kuwabara, truth or dare?"

"Uh…Dare!" Kuwabara chose, puffing out his chest.

"Okay, I dare you to…go slap Magia on the ass!" Hella smiled victoriously, knowing how Magia would react. "And we have to come to make sure you do it." Magia was in the kitchen now, unaware of the dare.

"He will not!" Hiei said, glaring at her and Kuwabara.

"Uh…I don't think I'm brave enough to do that," Kuwabara said, shying away from Hiei. "I don't really feel like being chopped into little tiny pieces."

"Chicken," Hella teased. "Fine, that puts you behind in the game. You'll have to do the next one no matter what. It's your turn."

"What was that about Kuwabara getting chopped into tiny pieces?" Magia asked as she came out of the house. She dropped the supplies into the tent before tossing the bag of marshmallows at the ready Hella. She sat down beside Hiei.

"Nevermind," Hiei told her.

"Um…Uh…Magia, truth or dare?" Kuwabara asked, glancing at Hiei to make sure he wasn't about to get himself killed.

"Truth," Magia replied calmly. Meanwhile, Hella was gathering sticks, cleaning them, and beginning to sharpen their ends to points with her pocketknife.

"What's your deepest secret?" Kuwabara said, not able to think of anything else. Hiei just looked on indifferently.

"My deepest secret?" Magia's voice held a lot of hesitation. She only had a few true secrets in her live. One of them both boys already knew: her spirit energy. The others she never let anyone know for they were all parts of her past she wasn't too proud of. "I…uh…" Her voice fell to a whisper that was barely audible. "I dated Koenma when I was a teenager…"

"Wha? You dated…!" Kuwabara started to laugh. Hiei hit him hard over the head but didn't say anything…out loud. 'You dated Koenma…why?' His thoughts had a light chuckle with them so that she would know that he wasn't angry and that she didn't need to answer if she didn't want to.

"Who's Koenma?" Hella asked.

"The boss of these two," Magia explained. She took an expression of thinking as her eyes scanned the others; in truth she was replying to Hiei. 'It was while I trained with a spiritual master. She wanted me to be exposed to the Reikai, so she had an acquaintance take me to Koenma. I always saw him in his teen form as I worked as a personal secretary for him; I never knew of his true form until the day I went to tell him that I was leaving. I was leaving because we had been dating for a week and I wasn't feeling anything for him, but he was acting as though he felt something for me; it would have been too awkward to stay around. I went in early that day only to find him as a toddler at his desk. After I realized it was him—giving me another reason to leave—I told him it was over and left.'

"Truth or dare, Hiei?"

"Dare," he said, sounding uninterested. 'Interesting. I didn't even know you knew Koenma.'

'We avoid each other anymore. That's how he knew I could fight; he probably never even looked at my file.' "Hmm…what's a good dare?" she asked herself as she eyed Hiei. She was tempted to dare him to make-out with her right there but chose something she could enjoy just as much. "I dare you to strip for us until you are only in your boxers."

Hiei shot a quick glare at Magia before closing his eyes and standing up. 'You're evil, you know that?' he thought to her before removing his clothing piece by piece until he wore only his black boxers, showing plenty of muscle.

"Mmm…maybe he is my type," Hella commented as she eyed Hiei's body. "Maybe we could see a little more—Hey!" Hella rubbed the back of her head where she had been hit. Magia just went back to looking at Hiei, a smile on her face.

'I know I'm evil, and I know you're too sexy for words.'

"Why'd you hit me?" Hella asked, glaring at Magia.

"Me? What makes you think I hit you? Maybe it was a ghost," said Magia innocently. After a moment she spoke again. "Okay, Hiei, it's your turn."

"Can I get dressed now?" Hiei asked.

"I guess." He did. Then he turned to Hella.

"Truth or dare?"

"Dare." Hella was sharpening another stick, having given the first to Kuwabara.

"I dare you to sharpen that stick with your teeth," Hiei said.

"Is that all?" Hella stood and went to the tent, coming back with her bottle of jack. She took a swig then set the bottle down beside her. "Help yourselves to the stuff if you want." She then began to chew on the stick.

"I say that ends the game," Magia pointed out. "Anyone got any ideas?"

"Nope," said Hiei, shrugging.

"Spin the Bottle!" Kuwabara said, stealing a glance at Hella.

Magia shrugged. "Sure. Hey, Hella, stop chewing on that stick and go brush. I don't think anyone is going to kiss you now. Bring back that soda in the fridge." Hella nodded, throwing down the stick. In a while, she was back with the glass bottle of soda. Magia took it, opened it, and downed it. She handed the empty bottle to Hella. "There's the bottle, but we need to move away from the fire." She and Hella moved over away from the fire so that the four of them could sit in a circle with the bottle in the middle. Hiei sat down gracefully and crossed his legs without opening his eyes. Kuwabara all but fell down next to him.

"Who's first?" Kuwabara asked.

"I am since the last game ended with me." Hella set the bottle in the middle of the group. "Here goes." She spun the bottle and watched it until it stopped on…Kuwabara.

"Geehee!" Kuwabara exclaimed with little hearts in his eyes.

'I don't know whom I feel more sorry for: your friend or—no wait, I feel sorry for your friend,' Hiei told Magia. Magia nodded in agreement as she watched the scene.

"Great," Hella said sarcastically. She leaned over and quickly kissed Kuwabara on the lips. Kuwabara fainted, love struck.

"Pathetic," Hiei said, poking him with his foot.

"Who are you calling pathetic, shrimpy?" Kuwabara said, sitting up and raising a fist at Hiei.

"I believe it was you," he said coolly.

"Wha? You're gonna pay for that one, Hiei!" Kuwabara said, standing.

"Hey, hey, hey! Knock it off, you two! Don't make me make you two kiss and make up," Magia warned. "It's your turn, Kuwabara."

Hella looked at Magia as if she was nuts when she threatened to make the boys make up. "And I thought I was the crazy one."

Kuwabara spun the bottle, and it landed between himself and Hiei, pointing right at a tree.

"What!" Kuwabara exclaimed.

"I guess you have to kiss the tree," Hiei said, laughing quietly. Kuwabara walked over to the tree, grumbling, and kissed it quickly before returning to his seat.

"Hiei's turn," Hella pointed out. "Go ahead. Let's see who's lucky enough."

Hiei spun the bottle, and it pointed at Hella. Glancing at Magia, he kissed Hella on the cheek and sat down. "No one ever said that you had to kiss the person on the lips, now did they?"

A few more turns in which the bottle seemed to avoid Magia were gone through. It included Hella having to kiss herself by kissing her hand and Kuwabara having to kiss Hiei, doing so on the cheek and quickly moving away. It was Hiei's turn. Magia herself was no longer paying attention to the game; her eyes were on the darkening sky, eyeing the first stars.

Hiei spun the bottle, and it landed on Magia. Smiling, Hiei knelt down next to her and tapped her shoulder in an effort to get her attention. Magia turned her gaze to Hiei. She caught sight of his smile then glanced at the bottle. Her eyes looked back to his as a smile crossed her lips. "About time," she whispered.

Hiei gently caressed her lips with his. 'Now that was lucky. I was worried I'd have to kiss Kuwabara.'

'Don't put that image into my mind. That's just wrong,' she replied as she wrapped her arms about his neck, deepening the kiss.

"Uh…maybe we should give them a little alone time," Kuwabara said, grabbing Hella's arm.

"Yeah," agreed Hella, staring wide eyed at them. "I never thought I would see Magia like…that." Hella stood, letting Kuwabara lead her away. "How close are those two?" Hella asked curiously. "I mean, I noticed Magia was in a happier mood than usual; is he the cause?" She figured if anyone would tell her, it would be this oaf. She would even go as far as kissing him again to get the info if need be; that's just the way Hella was, always nosing around her friends' lives.

"Um…I hope Hiei doesn't kill be for saying this but…Magia's pregnant, and Hiei's the dad. They're engaged, too," Kuwabara said quickly.

"Really? Wow! I wonder why she didn't tell me." Hella gave a shrug. "Hungry? We've got marshmallows." She sat down in front of the fire and took up the stick she had been chewing on. She finished sharpening it and put a marshmallow on it then extended it closer to the flames.

To keep it from becoming too quiet, Hella decided to ask Kuwabara about himself. Maybe he's not as bad as he seems…she thought to herself, playing the optimism card. "So…what about you? You got a girl waiting for you somewhere?"

"Nah, not really. Most girls are either afraid of me or think I'm too ugly to be worth anything," he said, shrugging, "but as long as I got my friends, I don't need girls!"

"Well, aren't you 'Mr. Loyalty'?" Hella laughed. "I don't see why someone would be scared of you, though. You remind me of a very large and very playful kitten." In a way, he did. He had the claws, shown earlier when challenging Hiei, and he had the naïve innocence.

"I love cats!" Kuwabara said, then his face returned to serious. "Well, most girls stay away because I'm the leader of a gang, and we control a huge part of the town. We don't really start fights, unless it's against Urameshi, but we end them…unless it's against Urameshi…"

Hella giggled before taking a bite out of her finished marshmallow. After swallowing the gooey substance, she looked to Kuwabara. "Sounds like Urameshi's the one they should be scared of, but at least you lead. In every little clique I've been in, I'm a follower; I tried being a loner, but it doesn't suit me too much. And I have the worst luck with guys." She sighed before taking another bite of the large marshmallow.

"You seem like a leader to me," Kuwabara said, taking a bite of his own marshmallow. Once he swallowed, he said, "You're different from most girls. I don't know how, but you are."

"I'm different because I can hang out with the guys and usually do. I dress too 'sluttish' for most girls to hang out with me, and I'm too different for the others. When I attract guys, they only want one thing. Magia's the only person I really trust anymore." Hella glanced over to where they had left Magia and Hiei. "Speaking of Magia, they're gone."

---

As Hella and Kuwabara had talked, Hiei and Magia kept themselves busy. Hiei gently opened Magia's lips with his and plunged his tongue in. She slowly lied back, pulling him with her. Her tongue automatically met his, entangling itself with his. He supported his weight on his arms and deepened the kiss even farther. She sighed into the kiss. One hand moved to the back of his head and into his hair while the other stayed at the back of his neck, rubbing gently. He raised one arm and placed it once again upon her stomach.

'I love you,' Hiei thought to her.

'I love you, too.' Magia moved the hand from his hair, down his neck, shoulder and chest before laying her hand on his on her stomach, clasping it tightly. He entwined his fingers with hers as he pulled away.

"I think I like this game," Hiei said, smiling.

"You should try Seven Minutes in Heaven, then," Magia suggested with a laugh. "The host chooses two people, and they have to go into a closet, or in our case the tent, for seven minutes, expected to kiss during that time."

"Sounds interesting," Hiei said with a smirk. "Maybe we should give it a try."

Magia smiled, mischief shinning in her eyes. "Lead the way." Hiei smiled andpicked her up, carrying her to the tent and closing the flap.

---

Back with Kuwabara and Hella… "Uh…maybe it's best if we don't follow them," he said. "Hiei's really good with a sword and anger's easily."

"So, that's why you wouldn't do the dare," Hella commented. "How long has Magia been around you guys?"

"Uh…a few weeks…" Kuwabara looked up. "…maybe more, but I just meet her a few weeks ago."

"Hmm…" Hella had run out of topics so an awkward silence fell.

"So, this is your first time meeting Hiei, huh?" Kuwabara inquired in an attempt to break the silence.

"Yeah. First time even hearing that Magia had a guy at her side. Last I knew, she was single and fine with it."

"Really? Well, Hiei's never been one to go after the ladies. Actually, Magia's probably one of the few girls who would actually approach him. He's not exactly the nicest guyin the world."

"Yeah, I noticed." Hella looked to Kuwabara with a smile. "You're a gentleman compared to him."

"I'm always a gentleman!" Kuwabara said defensively.

"I didn't say you weren't," Hella pointed out. She threw her stick in the fire, watching the flames grow some and cast their light into the ever-growing darkness of the night. The sun was all but gone from the sky. She stretched out on her side, her head propped up by her elbow. Her eyes didn't leave the flames.

Kuwabara looked at the flames and began to quickly stick his hand in and out of the fire without saying anything. "Daredevil, aren't you?" asked Hella as she copied him.

Kuwabara's hand brushed against Hella's, and he withdrew it to his side, looking away with a blush. "Sorry," he mumbled.

Hella let her hand lay on her hip as she looked to Kuwabara. "You know, you're cute when you blush."

"I…ble…uh…thanks…" Kuwabara sputtered, growing even redder.

Hella chuckled as she rolled over to her back and stared up at the now black and star strewn sky, her hands behind her head and one knee bent with the foot flat on the ground. "When I first saw you, I thought Magia had gone crazy, practically setting me up with you like she had. Now, I'm kind of glad she did; you can seem pretty stupid, but you're actually pretty cool."

"Well, to tell ya the truth, no one's ever said that to me before," he said, looking away in embarrassment.

"Yeah?" Hella tried her best to sound convincingly surprised; truth was she wasn't after hearing what he told of himself. "Well, it's true—at least in my opinion; I don't know how much my opinion counts for, but it's there."

"Well, I think everybody's opinion counts for something," Kuwabara said, looking at the ground sheepishly.

"Hey, Kuwabara?" Hella questioned, tilting her head back so she could see him even if he looked upside-down to her.

"Yeah?"

"Come here. I want to tell you a secret."

"What?" Kuwabara asked, edging closer until he was right next to her.

"Closer. I want to whisper it in your ear."

"What?" Kuwabara asked again, leaning in closer.

"I've taken a liking to you," Hella said before leaning up and placing a kiss on his lips. Kuwabara's eyes widened in shock. Needless to say, he hadn't been expecting that. Hella pulled away, laying her head back down on her hands, and smiled up at Kuwabara. She seemed calm on the outside, but inside she was confused by her own actions. What did I just do? Either I drank too much or I actually like this guy. He isn't too bad, but I never would have pictured myself with his type…she told herself.

"Uh…" Kuwabara said at a loss for words. What the hell just happened? Did she kiss me?…he thought.

Hella remained quiet as she stared into Kuwabara's eyes. Kuwabara began to blush again and looked away to the fire. Hella closed her eyes and relaxed as she thought over what she had just done. Kuwabara went back to shoving his hand in and out of the fire. "Ow!" he said, pulling his finger out and placing it in his mouth; he had left it in too long.

Hella opened one eye and glanced at him before closing it again and laughing. "It's not funny! It hurts!" Kuwabara said around his finger, giving her an almost Hiei-like glare.

Hella kept laughing but reached up and grasped his wrist. She pulled his hand away from his mouth while teasing him. "Aw…do you want me to kiss your boo-boo?" She pulled his hand down to her and kissed his burned finger, smiling. Kuwabara merely sputtered in embarrassment again and blushed until it looked like his head was on fire. Hella laughed and released his wrist. "You embarrass easily, don't you?"

"I-I guess so," Kuwabara stuttered, still blushing. Hella calmed, just watching him and smiling. He looked at the ground and began to trace small circles on the grass; he looked like an embarrassed little kid.

Hella sat up and eyed Kuwabara. If he gets so embarrassed now, I wonder…Next thing to be known to Kuwabara was that he was lying back on the grass with Hella straddling his waist, her lips pressed roughly against his and her hands holding him down at the shoulders; she had practically pounced on him just to see how he would react. He nearly died of shock. He struggled slightly in confusion before he realized what was going on and finally managed to return the kiss.

---

Back in the tent…Magia spread out the blankets and pillows in the middle of the tent then lied down on her side, watching Hiei who still sat near the doorway. Hiei crawled to her. He didn't say anything but smiled lightly with a look of pure contentment. She smiled and rolled over onto her back, her eyes looking through the uncovered mesh top to the starry sky above. "Lay down, make a wish," she whispered, pointing to the North Star which was easily visible.

Hiei lied down at her side and kept his gaze on her. "I don't need a wish. I have all I could ever want lying right next to me."

Magia shifted to her side again so she could look to him. "Is that so?" She moved so that she was lying at his side, her head resting on his shoulder as one hand traced his muscles leisurely. "You're right. No wish is needed for all my dreams came true the day I met you." She closed her eyes as she spoke her thoughts, just happy to be at Hiei's side like this.

Hiei leaned towards her and kissed her forehead gently. He ran a hand through her hair lovingly and contented himself with simply gazing at her. His eyes were soft and full of love as was his smile. He just couldn't believe how lucky he was even to have found such an angelic creature, let alone gain her love.

Magia opened her eyes and moved enough to kiss Hiei gently on the lips before returning to her place and closing her eyes again. "You'll always be loyal to me, wont you?" she asked after a long silence.

"Of course! I would never betray your trust in any way!" Hiei replied majestically, his voice ringing with truth.

"I know," Magia said with a giggle. Her expression turned pensive, her eyes now open, as she thought back to the past. "Trust isn't something I give out easily. You are the first person to come in my life that has earned complete trust from me. No matter how I may question verbally, know that my heart holds no doubt—just my ever cautious logic."

"I know," Hiei said, kissing her gently. "I have the same problem, except mine is with instinct. My instinct is wary and tells me to be on guard, but my heart has control and allows me to ignore my instinct and live with trust. I love you, and I would die rather than betray you."

"And I would never betray you, my precious guardian." Magia shifted so that she laid over him, a hand on either side of his head to support her as she kissed him on the lips with great softness, holding the kiss as long as she felt she could. When she pulled away, she folded her arms under her head and over his chest, using him like a pillow. "Mmm…so comfy," she teased as she snuggled against his body. "You make a wonderful pillow, Hiei."

Hiei laughed slightly, making his chest vibrate. "At least I'm good for something."

"Mmm…vibrating pillow." Magia giggled, her voice shaking with Hiei's laughter. She finally shifted again, curling up at his side with her head on one of the real pillows. Hiei held her in his arms again, keeping her close.

"Forever will I love you," Magia whispered as she slowly slipped into a peaceful sleep.

Hiei pulled her closer to him. "I'll love you forever and beyond," he whispered as he too rested.

---

Hella pulled away and stood up after crawling off Kuwabara. "Well, that was fun," she commented off-handedly. "But it's late. I think I'll go ahead and sleep." She walked over to the tent and peeked into the door before coming back. "Or not," she said as she sat back down beside Kuwabara, the fire's light showing the redness of her cheeks from the embarrassment of what she had glimpsed.

"What? What happened?" Kuwabara asked.

"I found Magia and Hiei," Hella replied, "half-naked and lying in each other's arms."

"And you're still alive?" Kuwabara inquired in amazement.

Hella shrugged. "I don't know if either saw me."

"Hiei would have seen you; he doesn't miss a thing."

"Is it that you respect him or fear him that makes you speak so well of him?"

"Both. He's short, but he's not stupid."

Hella smiled. "So what of this Urameshi you spoke of earlier? What's your relationship with him? Is it just enemies with rival gangs or what?"

"Well, he's like my best friend, but it's kinda complicated. We're rivals, and I used to go to extremes to try and beat him up. But he helped me save my kitten and we've been buds ever since…I think."

"You have a cat?" Hella asked, looking for anything to talk about.

"Sorta. She's a stray I take care of. My big sis doesn't know about her."

"Your sister? What's she like?"

"She teases me a lot, but she takes care of me and worries when I get into fights." After a thought, he added, "At least I think she does. Anyway, I remember one time when I was really little and had just started school, some kid was makin' fun of me, and she found out. The kid was in the hospital for a week."

"I'm an older sister myself. My little brother was always so annoying—still is—but I love him and worry about him if I don't hear from him in a while."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I mean…being a little brother isn't that much different than being a big brother except that, well, you're younger."

"That's one way of looking at it. I guess you could say I'm a younger sister as well; that's just the type of relationship I have with Magia. I know I annoy her a lot, but we still care for each other, even if Magia hates to show it."

"Yeah." Kuwabara's voice turned distant.

"What'cha thinking about over there," Hella asked upon noticing the distance in his voice.

"Nothing really." Kuwabara knew he couldn't really tell her what he was thinking about. He was thinking about all the fights he'd been in and all the fights his sister and friends had been in. He was wondering how any of them had survived.

"Whatever." Hella lied back again, her own mind going blank as she stared sightlessly up at the sky. Kuwabara sighed; he wanted to tell her but didn't dare. He didn't know what to do. She closed her eyes with a sigh. As a slight breeze blew in, she shivered at the chill; the fire had died down to embers by now because neither of them had bothered to feed it.

"I'll be right back." Kuwabara stood and went into the house. A moment later, he returned with a blanket that Magia had left in the kitchen. He wrapped it around Hella's shoulders and sat back down, beginning to poke the fire with a stick to stir it up.

"Thanks." Hella sat up and held the blanket around her shoulders as she watched Kuwabara with interest. Kuwabara's thoughts were along the basic lines of…poke…poke…poke…as he continued to stir up the fire. She stood and moved to sit beside him. She threw one half of the blanket over his shoulders, reaching around in front of him to re-grasp the corner and pull the large-enough blanket around both of them. She rested her head on his shoulder as she watched him poke the fire with the now charred stick. He stiffened slightly at this contact and blushed even more, but he didn't pull away. Eventually, he gathered up his tattered courage and gingerly wrapped his free arm around her. She just relaxed into him, closing her eyes with a sigh.

"I really have taken a liking to you," Hella whispered before placing a gentle kiss on his neck.

Kuwabara relaxed a little. "I like you too," he said shakily. He wasn't used to this treatment. She didn't reply, just leaned against him and enjoyed the warmth of their bodies together. He tightened his grip on her and sighed.

"You weren't lying when you said you were single, were you?" Hella questioned, looking up at his face. "I just can't believe that no girl has yet to see how sweet you are."

"I'm single and have been all my life."

"I'm sure I could fix that…if you want me."

"A-are you saying you'd willingly be my…" He gulped. "…girlfriend?" She answered by placing a hand on his cheek and kissing him on the lips gently. He was still shy as he reacted but less so than before. She deepened the kiss as she brought her other hand to the back of his neck. He blushed but put one of his hands on the back of her head, running his fingers through her hair. She pulled away only slightly, her lips barely touching his, so she could nibble on his lower lip a moment before pressing her lips against his, parted and ready for him. He shyly slipped his tongue into her mouth with only one sudden thought…she tastes good. Her tongue met his eagerly, inviting him to be braver with coaxing licks. Encouraged, he bravely ran his tongue against her teeth. She slipped her tongue past his to explore his mouth as her hands moved down his shoulders and over his chest. His hands followed her example and caressed her face and neck softly. Her hands slipped up under his shirt.

Hella pulled away from the kiss and smiled at him as her hands traced his body. "Such a body," she whispered sensually.

Kuwabara blushed. "Well, I have to be strong if I don't want the crap kicked out of me."

"Mind if I take a look?" Hella asked innocently as she began sliding his shirt up.

"Uh…s-sure." He helped her take of his shirt, revealing finely toned muscles.

Hella smiled as she continued to run her hands over these muscles with awe. "So strong," she commented just to see him blush again. Soon, she kissed him on the lips, her hands having halted at his shoulders, and trailed her kiss down his neck and licked at his ear. He silently wondered if she was drunk as he let her continue. She began to suck on his neck in places she knew to be sensitive on most guys. This caused him to relax his guard, his hands moving from her shoulders to her hips. She pressed her body closer to him as she moved her kisses back to his lips and wrapped her arms around his neck; he wasn't hesitant in his response this time. She pulled away, calming as she moved her arms to wrap about his waist and rested her head on his shoulder while her eyes closed. His arms wrapped about her as well in a gentle embrace.

Hella relaxed in his embrace. "I don't really want to leave, but I'll have to go home tomorrow. I don't know when I'll be back."

"Then can I have your phone number or e-mail address or home address or something?" Kuwabara asked a little desperately.

"I'll give them all to you in the morning if you really want them," Hella replied, snuggling against his body more and running her hand gently up and down his back. "Would you really come visit me even though I live miles away?"

"Sure! I could get a job and save up some money and find a way to get to you. Ask Hiei; I don't give up." Hella laughed at this, not knowing what to say. He smiled at her and looked quite handsome doing it.

Hella smiled gently. "You know, you'll have to give me your info, too. That way I can stay with you whenever I come back."

"Sure." Kuwabara yawned. "But in the morning. I'm sleepy." Hella nodded as a yawn escaped her own mouth, having been triggered when she saw Kuwabara yawn. He didn't say anything more but dislodged himself from her arms and the blanket and lied down on his back. With his hands behind his head, he looked up at the starry night. She smiled at him before lying beside him, loosely laying the blanket over her own body. It wasn't long before she fell asleep, Kuwabara falling asleep soon after.

---

Hiei woke a few hours later when he remembered the fire; he had no doubt that Kuwabara had forgotten to put it out, and this was confirmed by the smell of smoke. Hurriedly he woke Magia, handing her his shirt. "Put this over your mouth and nose. Kuwabara didn't put out the fire!" Soon, Hiei was out of the tent.

"Idiot!" Magia mumbled as she took the shirt and did like she'd been told. Carefully, she crawled out of the tent, stood, and hurried toward the house, turning back only to look at what was happening. It was then she remembered Hella. "Got to risk it," she whispered as she reached out to Hella with her telepathy. 'Hella! Wake up!'

Hella sat up instantly at Magia's mental urge. She as about to speak but coughed from the smoke. As she pulled her shirt collar up over her nose, she reached over and shook Kuwabara awake.

Hiei found that fire would soon reach the house as it spread over the ground. "Kuwabara! You dolt!" He knew Hella was still there, but didn't care. He extended his hand and called the flames to him, biting back a scream as the fire licked at his skin in his lack of control; his scarf burned in the process, his Jagan revealed.

Kuwabara looked to Hiei in confusion until he got a whiff of smoke. "Crap! I forgot to put out the fire!" Hella quickly fled to an unaffected area and watched all that she could, not knowing what to do.

Magia watched Hiei and cringed as she sensed his pain. "Water," she whispered as she ran into the house. She quickly turned on the kitchen sing and called the fast-running water into her hands and directed it to the remaining stray flames before sending it to Hiei to put out the flames he tried to control. 'Damn you, Kuwabara! You could at least do something useful since this is you're fault!' she mentally growled at the idiot.

When the fire was finally extinguished—except for a few tiny flames that Kuwabara was trampling on—Hiei fell to his knees, holding his scorched arm. Magia rushed to Hiei's side. Kuwabara put out the last of the embers and went to Hiei. Hella rejoined the group, not saying a word as she tried to figure out what she'd just seen.

"Hey, are you okay?" Kuwabara looked to Magia. "I didn't mean to. Really!"

Magia just glared at him before turning her attention back to Hiei. "Come on, let's get you inside and tend to that burn." Her voice held worry, but it remained smooth and gentle.

"Yeah," Hiei said absently, still staring at his arm. Really he was avoiding looking at Hella, in case she hadn't seen his Jagan yet; it would be hard enough trying to explain what happened without her knowing he wasn't human. Kuwabara sulked as Magia led Hiei away.

Hella looked to Kuwabara curiously. "What just happened?" was all she managed to say.

"Uh…we put out the fire," Kuwabara suggested nervously.

"I know that!" Hella rounded on him, her mind now fully alert and working. "But how? Why did the flames leap to Hiei? How was Magia directing a stream of water through the air? What the hell just happened!" Hella breathed deeply, feeling better after practically yelling away her confusion.

Kuwabara sighed. "You may want to sit down." Hella just gave him a look that said 'try me'. She stood with her hands on her hips, waiting for him to speak.

"Fine. My friends and I have special powers. Urameshi is the Spirit Detective of the Reikai; the Reikai is basically the afterlife. Urameshi, Hiei, a guy named Kurama, and I are a kind of group. Urameshi can shoot balls of energy from his finger: his spirit gun. Kurama can control plant life, and I can make a sword of my energy. Hiei is a fire demon; he's wicked fast and has telepathic power as well; his skill with a blade unmatched—except by me. Kurama used to be a demon, but now he's human."

"Okay…" Hella sounded plenty skeptical. "That explains Hiei's actions. Typical of Magia to end up with someone like a demon. You still haven't explained Magia's actions. Have I been friends with a demon all this time?"

"Magia isn't a demon; she's human. I don't know exactly where she gets her power, but she's human. She's a very skilled fighter too," he added as an afterthought. "Besides, even if she were a demon, it's not like it would matter. Demons aren't always like the kind in storybooks. Sure, most of them are, but they aren't allowed in the human world. That's our job; we keep them out."

"Okay…" Hella nodded but had a distant looked to her eyes as she thought all this over. "I'm going inside." With that, she headed toward the house.

---

Magia had Hiei sit on the couch as she went to get the First Aid supplies. She knelt before him on her return and began cleaning the burn as gently as possible; she didn't speak a word, letting the silence envelope them. Hiei winced slightly as she cleaned the wound. Soon she was applying a burn ointment then wrapping his arms, careful of how tight she made the bandages.

"This has been one hell of a night," she commented to break the silence.

"That's one way of putting it." Magia was putting away the supplies now. When she'd closed the case, she stood, stretched, and yawned. "Thank you, my love," Hiei said as she pulled her onto his lap with his uninjured arm and kissed her softly on the lips.

Magia broke the kiss to say "anytime, my guardian" before re-initiating the kiss, her hands resting at his waist. Hiei's arm was wrapped about her in a loose embrace as he responded to her in full. She pulled away from the kiss as she heard Hella come in.

Hella just sat down in an armchair and closed her eyes with a sigh. "Is it true?" she asked, not opening her eyes. "Hiei's a demon and you're some kind of adept?" Magia didn't answer.

"Yes," Hiei said for her. "I am a demon—well, a half-demon now."

"And I am no longer just an adept but a half-demon as well. You see, I was close to death at one time and needed blood. Hiei became my donor, and my human blood infused with his demonic." Magia leaned against Hiei, her head on his shoulder as she remembered the experience. "Kuwabara told you, didn't he?"

Hella nodded and opened her eyes, finally looking at them. "He also told me about everything else: Reikai, the other two guys, his own ability."

"So?"

"I don't know what to think." Hella closed her eyes and bowed her head.

"Think what you will, but we are no different than you first thought us. I am still an arrogant bastard, and Kuwabara is still an idiot," Hiei said nonchalantly.

Magia playfully hit Hiei in the chest. "You are not an arrogant bastard. Arrogant? Sure. But a bastard?" She paused as she remembered the true meaning of the word. "Oh, wait. Nevermind."

Hella gave a small laugh before going quiet again. "I guess you're right." She stood up and smiled a small smile to them. "Thanks for the advice, Hiei." She left for the back door.

Magia watched her go then turned back to Hiei. "Who knew you had it in you to give advice?" she commented.

Hiei smirked. "See, telling the truth does have its perks." He then kissed her. Magia returned the kiss happily.

'Aren't you going to make such a good father?' she teased in his mind.

'Stop thinking and keep kissing,' he replied. She gave a hum of consent before pressing her lips more roughly against his and snaking her arms around his waist to hold him tightly. He began to stroke her hair; he could never get enough of her sweet kisses. She pressed her body closer to him, one of her hands tending to his abs and chest while the other rested at the back of his neck. He pushed forward in the kiss, tilting her head back, and slipped his tongue into her mouth to lick at her teeth. Her tongue teased his away from her teeth and deeper into her mouth. As she massaged his neck, he rubbed soothing circles on her back and deepened the kiss even more.

Even as she kissed him, Magia could feel her body giving in to exhaustion. Now that she was nice and relaxed with Hiei's touches and kisses, the realization of how long the night had been and all the energy spent hit her. She tried her best not to let Hiei know.

But Hiei sensed it and pulled away. "You're tired." He smiled, touching her cheek gently with his uninjured hand.

Magia nuzzled into his palm as if she were a cat and smiled at him, opening her eyes to gaze upon him. "I can't hide anything from you, though somehow I knew about my pregnancy before you did."

"I'm a guy, not a god," he said in his old tone. "I can only know so much." Then he chuckled and picked her up.

"Could have fooled me," she replied with a giggle. "As I've said before, you're an absolute angel to me…my guardian angel." Hiei smiled lightly and brought them up to their room. He set her on the bed and tucked her in before lying with her, his arms wrapped lovingly about her body. She quickly fell asleep, hoping that she wouldn't have to awake to something like a fire again. He pulled her close as he slept without knowing it; that night, the only thing in his dreams was her intoxicating scent.

---

Kuwabara sat down in the charred grass and thought about what was going to happen. "She's going to leave," he whispered, poking the grass as it crumbled under his fingers.

Hella stood in the back-doorway, watching him with a smile. Kuwabara noticed her gaze on him and without looking at her, he said, "You're not going to talk to me again, are ya?"

"You don't want me talking to you?" Hella was leaning against the doorframe by now. "Fine, I won't tell you I'm sorry for the way I reacted. I won't tell you that after thinking it over and talking to Hiei and Magia, I realized that it doesn't matter if you're an adept, that you're still the same person. And I won't tell you that I still like you." She turned around so her back was too him, giving him a false cold shoulder.

Kuwabara stood up and approached her, turning her around; he had a crying puppy-dog look to him. "D-do ya mean it?"

Hella smiled at him and shook her head in disbelief. Was he really so slow to catch on? "Of course I still like you! I've no reason not to."

"Yay!" Kuwabara hugged her. He was almost literally smiling from ear to ear; it was rather scary. This caught her of guard, but she soon returned the embrace.

Hella yawned. "All this excitement has worn me out," she muttered as she laid her head on his shoulder.

"Me too." Without another word, he picked her up easily and carried her to the tent.

Hella giggled. "Talk about service."

"The best mode of transportation around," he joked, "and no waiting." Hella just laughed again before she yawned once more. She gave her head a shake as if to rid herself of her tiredness. He set her down on some pillows and placed a blanket over her then laid himself down a few feet away. She sat up and eyed him, tilting her head in an inquisitive fashion; she ended up moving over to him and snuggling up beside him, draping the blanket over them both before quickly falling asleep.

"Mmm…much better," Hella mumbled in her sleep. Kuwabara didn't even stiffen this time, but he wrapped his arms around her and fell asleep as well.

---

Morning came and went for the four of them. It wasn't until afternoon that any of them woke, and it happened to be Magia. She had only just got up out of bed when she heard a knock at the door. When she went to the front door to answer it, she discovered a ragged looking Yusuke there.

"Tell me Hiei's here," he practically begged of her.

"Where else would he be?" she asked with a yawn.

"You just woke up, didn't you?"

"Yep. What do you want?"

"We've got a mission, hunting down some major demon. Kurama and I couldn't find Kuwabara; I feared we wouldn't find Hiei either."

Magia just smiled knowingly and invited Yusuke in. He sat down on the couch as she sat in the armchair. "So tell me about this mission."

Yusuke proceeded to do so. AsYusuke finished saying what Koenma had told him, Hiei came down the stairs, yawning and rubbing his eyes. He noticed Yusuke andcame to stand beside Magia's chair. "What's going on?"

"Yusuke's stealing you away," Magia answered as she smiled up at Hiei.

"What? Why? What's wrong now?"

"Escaped, extremely dangerous demon. He feeds on the souls of unborn humans and was imprisoned for trying to end the human existence by doing so. He is considered a major threat, and we need everyone available to find him. He's already here in the Ningenkai. How he got here, Koenma doesn't know. You in?" Yusuke asked after explaining all. "We don't know how long this will take. The only lead we have is his aura since his appearance changes to match the would-be adult appearance of the soul he eats."

"I'm in." Hiei's face was grim. He didn't like this; something didn't taste right. "I can look for him with my Jagan."

"Now all we need to do is find Kuwabara," said Yusuke.

"He's out back," Magia said off-handedly.

"What! Whey didn't you say so before?"

"You didn't ask if I knew where he was." Yusuke just groaned and stood, going out to get Kuwabara.

"Kuwabara!" he called as if calling his rival out for a fight.

Hiei looked at Magia. More specifically, Hiei looked at their unborn child with worry in his eyes; he then looked to her face, the worry still there.

Magia had already realized the danger their child was in when Yusuke had first explained the mission to her. She was thankful she wasn't too far along as to not be able to defend herself. "Don't worry. Remember, our child is hanyou, no ningen. The chances are slim." She stood and followed after Yusuke, not letting Hiei see that she was indeed worried. Hiei stood where he was for a moment then followed silently.

---

Kuwabara was still sleeping. Hella stirred as she woke. Her eyes opened and blinked a few times before landing on Kuwabara; she scrambled away in fright. It took a moment to remember what all had happened the night before. She laughed lightly at her own patheticness before just sitting there, watching him sleep.

Kuwabara rolled over in his sleep and mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like "I like pudding." A couple minutes later, he woke up and looked around confusedly. In a moment, he got his bearing and looked to Hella, smiling.

"What kind of pudding do you like?" Hella asked, tilting her head in an inquisitive manner. She giggled at him.

"Pudding?" His eyes lit up. "Where?"

Hella laughed more. "In your dreams, sweetie." She used the pet name as a joke. Her head turned when she heard Yusuke call out to Kuwabara. "Who's that?"

"Urameshi," Kuwabara groaned. "Yo! In here!"

Yusuke entered the tent and had to do a double-take as he spotted Hella. "What's going on here?"

"This is Hella," Kuwabara introduced. "Hella, this is Yusuke Urameshi." He was blushing slightly.

"So this is the great Urameshi?" Hella looked over Yusuke with appraising eyes.

About that time, Magia joined them. "Morning, you two. Have a good sleep? Hey, Hella, will you help me fix the boys some breakfast?"

"Uh…sure." Hella got up and followed Magia out of the tent.

Yusuke waited until he was sure they were out of hearing range; he didn't know that Hella already knew a good portion of the truth. "We've got a mission." He continued to tell Kuwabara what he had told Hiei and Magia. Hiei walked in as Yusuke spoke and stood a goodfew feet away from them, not saying a thing.

"What! We need to stop him right now!" Kuwabara began to walk out, but Hiei tripped him.

"Think about it, baka. Do you know what he even looks like? No, you don't. We need to get a lead before we charge after him blindly."

"Kurama was going to look for the last place he was spotted. He said he'd meet us here, so all we can do is wait." Yusuke shrugged his shoulders, showing that was all he could give.

"And what the hell are we supposed to do in the mean time?" Kuwabara asked.

"You do what you want, as long as you don't burn the house again." Hiei looked pointedly at Kuwabara. "I'm going to see what I can do with locating him." With that, he left. Hiei walked on through the house, past the two cooking girls without a word, and entered the living room. Sitting on the floor and taking off the new scarf he'd put on that morning, he began to concentrate. His normal eyes closed as he silently searched the Ningenkai.

Magia smiled to herself as she sensed Hiei's energy rise, signaling his search. She turned when she heard the door open a second time; Yusuke had followed Hiei to the house and now sat down at the table, leaning back in the chair so it was balancing on two legs.

"Mmm…guess I finally get to taste your cooking," Yusuke commented, sniffing the scent of the sausage and eggs.

"As long as you don't eat it all," Magia replied while taking the cooked sausage out of the pan and putting more in. "Hella, watch these. I'll cook the eggs." Hella complied, switching spots with Magia.

Kuwabara came in and sat down in a chair next to Yusuke. He didn't say anything, to busy drooling at the smell of the food.

Hiei's voice could be heard from the living room. "Damn! He's got another one." Hiei joined them soon after, leaning against the wall opposite everyone else looking very displeased and disgusted. "He just left Bara Park. He's heading south quickly. He just got another soul; we'll need to get it back before tomorrow or it's gone."

Magia stiffened in her stance slightly before snapping out of it and serving the eggs. "Well, might as well eat. You'll need your energy." She added the sausage to the plates and handed them out to the boys. Kurama came in as she did this and gave the same information Hiei had given them.

"Yeah, we know thanks to Hiei," Yusuke said between bites, his tone slightly depressed.

Kurama sighed and sat down with the others. He turned down Magia's offer of food, having already eaten. Hella got her food and sat with Kuwabara; she didn't bother ask what was going on. Magia stayed standing, leaning against the counter and nibbling on a piece of sausage, the stove now off and the food all served. She didn't look at anyone, avoiding everyone's gazes. Hiei poked at his food, not really hungry.

Unlike Hiei, Kuwabara was stuffing his face. "Man! This stuff is great!" he said with his mouth full, earning himself with a swift knock on the head courtesy of Hiei.

"Learn some manners. No one wants to see what you're eating after it's chewed," Hiei said in his cruel tone that he often used with Kazuma. Afterward, he went back to poking at his food as if nothing had happened.

Magia sighed, having finished. She quickly cleaned up the pans then moved toward the living room. She paused in the doorway and asked, "Hella, would you clean up when everyone's through?" She then continued, but didn't stop in the living room; instead, she went upstairs and lied down.

"They'll catch him," Magia told herself. According to Yusuke, he hasn't been out long enough for any of the souls to be irretrievable. But still…" She shook her head. She understood the removal of a soul of an unborn was different then removing the soul of the already born. To take the soul of an unborn would kill it, the mother miscarrying nomatter how long she'd been pregnant; if the body was formed, the mother would have to birth a stillborn. Taking the soul of an already born caused a coma like state.

"I can protect myself," she reminded herself. "I'm not some weak, uninformed woman." But no matter what she told herself, it wasn't ridding her of her worry.

---

When Hiei finally chose to eat, he sensed the very thing he feared. "He's coming!" Soon he was gone, having run to the bedroom to get his sword and warn Magia to stay inside before running off again to meet this demon about a mile away from the house.

Magia prepared herself then waited. Yusuke and Kurama jumped up and hurried outside. Of course, Hiei had beat them, even with his detour. Kurama went too. They all prepared, ready to strike and waited. Hella was left confused; she decided to go up to Magia and wait there, since Magia wouldn't explain what was going on.

Hiei tensed. "He'll be here any moment," Hiei informed the others.

Whistling; this was the first sign of the demon besides his aura. Walking down the street came what appeared to be a human male in his mid-twenties. He was walking casually, whistling a tune as he did so. His hands were stuffed in the pockets of his baggy jeans. Blue-black hair worn short, choppy, and messy hung over his dark blue eyes. This being walked right past the boys without even a glance.

"Was that him?" Yusuke asked with a confused look to the man who was idly walking from them.

Hiei didn't respond but jumped in front of the guy, his sword pointed at his neck. "And where do you think you're going?" he asked threateningly.

The being stopped. His eyes looked down at the blade then at Hiei. "To visit an old friend. What's it to you?" This guy had a voice any woman could fall for.

"Don't deal shit to me," Hiei growled. "I know who you are, and I know what you're doing. You will not get past me without a fight." Hiei's aura sparked slightly, peaking through his control for a brief moment.

"I've no business with you, kid." To him, at 5'9", Hiei did look like a kid. "I've got a certain adept to see and revenge to carry out. She'll learn to keep her mouth shut when it's good for her."

---

Flashback

The demon—at the time reverted to his born form of a yellow-skinned, skinny, humanoid demon with a thick mane of bright green hair down his spin and matching eyes—struggled in the arms of two strong ogres. Koenma sat at his desk looking over the demon's file. "Where to put you?" he muttered over his pacifier.

Magia—at the time a young teen dressed in causal business attire—stood beside Koenma's chair, also looking over the file. "What a record! His punishment should be quite harsh."

"I agree, but how long?"

"Life. Can't have him released to try again."

"Imprisonment for life and solitary confinement it is." Koenma stamped the file as the ogres dragged the demon away. The demon glared at Magia as she spoke with Koenma about the papers she'd been holding.

---

The demon glared at Hiei again and backed up, thus removing the blade from his neck. He walked around him and continued down the street at a quick pace, his eyes looking for the right house.

Hiei appeared before him again and kicked his legs in, glaring at him. "Considering I haven't been a child for 700 years, I believe you are mistaken."

The demon collapsed to his knees and glared up at Hiei. "Who in the world are you, and why do you try to stop me? Like I said, I'm here to carry out revenge on a female adept, not some arrogant male demon." He stood again and kicked Hiei in the stomach hard before continuing on.

"If you're talking about Magia, you die here!" Hiei said, getting up quickly and once again placing himself in the demon's path. He gathered his guard so that even Sensui wouldn't have gotten past him.

The demon stopped and looked at Hiei, finally taking him seriously. "How do you know the wench? She wasKoenma's slut when I was imprisoned; did she finally get tired of him and move to someone older?" He gave a chuckle but stopped it abruptly while gauging Hiei.

Hiei punched him hard in the face, knocking him to the ground. He then stood on the demon's chest and knelt down, his sword cutting into the demon's neck. He put his face not two inches from the demon's and said in a cruel deadly whisper, "You will not speak of her as such again. This is you're last warning. Turn yourself in or I will kill you." There was murder in his voice and rage in his eyes. This would make even thestrongest and most arrogant of demons shudder.

The demon hid his fear for his life well; he was bent on revenge and would do all he could. "I don't care who you are or what she means to you; I will have her child's soul…I will have hers as well." A strong blast of energy came from the demon's palms, knocking Hiei back and off him. The demon quickly stood, ignoring the blood that trickled from the cut in his neck and ran from his broken nose. He ran now toward the house, it coming into his sight. "I will have your soul, bitch!" he declared as his speed picked up.

Hiei hit the ground hard and bounced up. Hitting the ground again, Hiei rolled to a stop. He dragged himself up on his hands and knees, gasping for air. He coughed, and blood came from his mouth. He wiped it away with his sleeve and struggled to stand. His sword lay a few feet away, broken in half. He grabbed the hilt anyway and took it with him. He glanced at the words written in kanji still visible on what was left of the blade. It read "Protect her with your life". With that, he sped off after the demon.

The demon stopped at the front door of their home and tested the door. He let out a chuckle when he found the door unlocked and stepped into the living room. "Where are you, my little slut?" he called out as he started up the stairs, taking his time. He had begun changing to his demon form during his last escape from Hiei; now he was in his full horridness. His long fingers ran along the banister of the stairs with each slow step he took.

---

Magia's breathing came quickly as she turned to face the door of the bedroom. "Damn!" She quickly moved to the window, opening it and looking down. "To far to jump," she muttered. "Looks like we're doing this the fun way." She reached into her seed pouch and pulled out a Tsuta no Makai (Makai Ivy) seed; Tsuta no Makai was a thick, tight gripping—usually strangling—vine that looked a lot like the Ningenkai version and could support hundreds of pounds of weight. It was one of the many demonic plants that Magia had taken to growing whenever in need of seeds, having gotten the original seeds from Koenma as gifts.

Magia quickly fed the seed, the vine growing and reaching out the window and snaking down along the side of the house. "Get ready, Hella. You're going first."

---

Hiei reached the house and found the door open. "Shit!" he cursed. "You stay the hell away from her!" He ran into the house and jump-kicked the demon as it went up the stairs. Hiei began to punch the demon repeatedly with sickening blows. 'Get out of here and run as far as you can!' he sent to Magia.

'Working on it,' Magia replied as she held the vine while Hella climbed down it. Once Hella had reached the ground, having to jump the last couple of feet that the vine had yet to reach, Magia tied the vine off and kept her hand on it as she crawled out the window to climb down as well. The vine withered and died as soon as Magia released it to land on the ground in a crouch.

"Come on!" Magia commanded of Hella, grabbing the human's arm and dragging her to the front of the house and the park across the street.

The demon once again managed to hit Hiei with a blast of energy, weaker than the first but enough to slam Hiei into the ceiling. The demon tumbled back down the stairs in his weakness, landing on his stomach at the bottom of the stairs, facing the open door. He weakly opened his eyes and caught sight of Magia and Hella running into the trees.

"So…there you are…" The demon coughed, blood spattering the carpet, before pulling his body forward with his arms in attempt to follow after his prey. He was badly beaten but seemed powered by his need for revenge so much that he wouldn't stop until he was dead.

Hiei was unable to move for a couple seconds. He lied on the stairs, gasping, the air knocked out of his lungs. Before he was even able to inhale a proper amount of air, he had begun to stand. He wouldn't let any demon even touch his beloved, let alone steal the soul of her and their baby.

Finally able to breath again, Hiei began to walk toward the demon. "I…Will…Not…Let…You…Touch…Her!" he gasped, leaning heavily against the wall. His previously burnt arm hung uselessly at his side, the bones all but shattered. His other hand held his sword and the mark of the Jaō Ensatsu Kokuryuha (Dragon of the Darkness Flame)

The demon ignored Hiei as he reached the doorway and pulled himself to standing. He stood there, panting, before taking a shaking step forward. "I will…have her…" He continued forward on shaking legs, slumped over as he forced himself toward the street. "Her soul…will…be mine…" His breathing was coming in gasps, as were his words. Bruises covered his body and cuts from both Hiei's sword and when he tumbled down the stairs bled heavily with the strain he was putting on his weak body; he was limping as well, his left ankle twisted badly.

Hiei pushed his body to move faster. The red of his eyes darkened and started to expand; soon, his entire eyes were red except for his now silver pupil. He moved faster, but at a still slow speed; however, he was gaining on the demon. The Jagan disappeared from his forehead, although it was still inside him. Hiei's hair ruffled with the power of his now drastically increased yoki (demon energy). Limping slightly on an injured leg and his arm still dangling uselessly, he pursued his prey, coming closer and closer. A low growl emitted from him.

The demon looked over his shoulder, his eyes widening at the sight of Hiei. He stumbled in his pursuit before turning his gaze back toward the trees. More and more, he forced his body forward, but unfortunately for him, he couldn't move any faster. A trail of blood was left behind him as his movement actually slowed because of the blood loss.

"No! I…must…have…her!" The demon hated his weak and badly damaged body. He stumbled again in the middle of the street and failed to regain his balance, falling forward upon the asphalt. He tried to get up, but his arms were shaking and his legs wouldn't support him. He ended up dragging his lower half as he pulled forward on his hand, cutting his legs up even more. His breathing was badly labored; if one didn't know demons, one would think he should already be dead.

Meanwhile, Magia ran deeper into the trees. The area was starting to look familiar, and an idea came to her. "Split up!" she told Hella before releasing her friend and taking a sharp turn, leaving Hella to run along the path before her. It didn't take long for Magia to find it; the area was like it had been the first day with the waterfall flowing and feeling of quiet and peace. Magia collapsed by the pond's edge, her hand in the water; she was short of breath but not strength thanks to the demon blood that now flowed through her veins. She brought her hand out of the water and arched it over her body, water following her hand and creating a dome-shaped shield around her. Magia just lied in the shield, awaiting her fate as she recovered from her flight from the house.

---

Suddenly, Hiei was attacked by three bat demons. He slashed at them, killing two with one swing of his broken katana. The last fluttered just out of reach. Cries of "Rei (Spirit) Gun" and "Rose Whiplash" could be heard in the distance as well as grunts of effort from Kuwabara as the three others fought off a horde of demons who worked for this single one.

The bat demon dove down in an attack against Hiei and managed to graze his cheek before it was cut into ribbons. Hiei grimaced as he was splattered with the demon's blood, revealing elongated and sharpened teeth. The nails that clasped his katana began to thicken and grow, as well, into tiny daggers. The demons had slowed Hiei down long enough for the main demon to make a good two hundred foot distance between them.

The demon dragged himself amongst the trees, following the presence of the two souls he searched for. "I'm coming…you will be mine…" Somehow, the demon was gaining in speed; maybe it was the closeness of his prey or the lagging of his pursuer, but he did gain a burst of energy to move him forward at a stronger pace.

Hiei ran at a human pace to his prey, a smirk on his lips. He soon came upon the demon and gave out a course laugh. "Your life is mine," he said in a voice that only held the tiniest hint of the true Hiei in it; it sounded rough and murderous, and the words dripped with bloodlust. Hiei jumped up and dug his sword into the fallen demon's flesh just as it entered the clearing where Magia was. "Now you die."

Once he was sure the demon was dead, he looked up at Magia. The red of his eyes failed to bleed away, and the bloodlust remained. He withdrew his sword and wiped it on the grass to clean it of the yellowish blood of the demon, his crimson eyes never leaving her form.

Magia had looked up at the sound of Hiei's voice and had seen it all. She couldn't help but whimper at the sight of him, at the sound of his now dark voice, at the feel of his fully demonic and deadly aura. Her dark eyes looked at his blood-red orbs in fear while trying to search him for any sign of the Hiei she had fallen in love with. Magia rolled over onto her back and crawled backwards until she hit the farthest wall of her shield. She made no attempt to let it down but enforced it, calling another layer of water. "Hiei…" she whispered as she watched him, one hand over her stomach. "No…"

Hiei began to walk towards her, his broken sword dragging on the grass slightly. It caught on a twig and he looked at it. Once again he read the words. "Protect her with your life." Protect whom? Who was she? He couldn't remember. Hiei stared at the broken blade, confused. Suddenly, half of him remembered.

"Run…away," Hiei said in the same voice as before with the exception of more of the true Hiei within it. Magia shook her head. She should leave him, but…

Magia let the tears fall from her eyes as she watched him. Both in mind and aloud did she send him the following message: "No matter where I am, no matter what happens, I will love you…forever and eternally."

She stood in her shield and turned, ready to run. One last tear filled look at her beloved and she lowered the shield, the water falling on and around her. She quickly ran for it, finding a new ability available in her time of need: speed; she wasn't quite as fast as Hiei, but the demonic blood in her became apparent in her desperation, giving her above human speed. As she ran, her hand never left her stomach as if it could protect the child no matter what.

Hiei collapsed as the loss of blood and pain finally overwhelmed him. 'I love you. Never doubt that,' he managed to send to her before the darkness overcame him.

"We will meet again," Magia whispered as she chose her destination: a way home to her parents.

---

Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama gasped at what they saw. They saw the dead demon and Hiei. The dead demon didn't surprise him as much as how bad Hiei looked and the fact that Magia was nowhere to be seen. Hiei's eyes were open.

"Is he…dead?" Yusuke asked.

Kurama approached Hiei and put two fingers to his neck. "He's alive but knocked out." It was then that Kurama noticed the slight red hue to Hiei's eyes.

"Where's Magia? Why isn't she with Hiei?" Kuwabara asked, looking around.

"Because Hiei went into a demonic rage; he probably only managed enough control to tell her to run before attacking her. He most likely passed out shortly after," Kurama explained. "When he awakens, he will still be in a semi-state of rage. We need to bind him." Kuwabara and Yusuke nodded together and left to fetch some strong rope.

"How did you manage to let her escape?" Kurama asked the passed out Hiei. "How did you keep from catching her?" It was then he noticed Hiei's broken blade. "Protect her with your life." He now understood.