A little girl, no more then 5 years old, sat on a park swing eating an ice cream cone. Her mom sat on a bench reading a book, checking on her daughter whenever she finished a paragraph. The wind played with the girl's hair and blew sakuras all over the fine, park sand. She observed the space around her. Nobody was in the park and the sun was setting. She heard a voice behind her. Three tall figures emerged from the bushes, long swords reflecting the setting light. She gasped and dropped her ice cream cone.

"Mommy!"

Her mother looked up and saw the hideous demons advancing on her daughter. She rushed over and blocked her daughter from a blow that came from the leader's sword. Blood rippled down her chest as she fell to the ground.

"Mommy...don't die. Please don't leave me like daddy left us."

The little girl looked up and saw the demon raise his sword once more. She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the pain, but it never came. She cracked open an eye and saw a black figure standing over the now dead demons. She began crying. The shadowed figure turned and walked towards her, his crimson eyes burning.

"Hi...Hiei? They killed my mommy and now I don't have anyone."

"Hush. It's alright." he knelt next to her. "Remember, you still have me."

"Where will I go?"

"I'll take you to the Reikai portal."

"What about you?" she clung to him.

"I must return to Makai but remember, I will always be with you...Hina."

Hiei's eyes shot open and he sat up. He was lying in a bed, shirt off and his torso wrapped. Looking to his left, he found Hina sound asleep, resting her head on the edge of his bed. He brushed away her blonde bangs and she began to stir. Sleepy blue eyes fluttered open and met his gaze.

"Hiei!"

She jumped up and threw her arm around his neck, pulling him close to her.

"Kami (1), I thought I lost you. If I didn't find a cure, I would have. I don't know what I would do if I did. Let's not think on that. How are you?"

"Can't...breath."

She released him and her hands flew to her mouth.

"I'm so sorry."

"It's alright. I'm fine. Don't get yourself worked up."

"I was worried about you. Botan's already up and walking around. I didn't know when you'd come to."

"How long have I been out?"

"Let's see, starting from when you last passed out which was when I was wrapping your wounds, i'd say...4 days, give or take an hour."

"Where are the others?"

"Just outside the door. Would you like me to get them?"

"Not yet. I need to talk to you."

She sat next to him.

"What is it?"

"I had a dream about when your mother died. It was random and..."

"Oh...don't worry. Your Jagan must have been wondering again cause that's what I was dreaming."

"I see. You can get the others if you want."

She smiled at him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Don't do that again. You scared me."

She nuzzled her face into his shoulder then went to get the others. Hiei threw the sheet that covered him off and pulled his legs up so he sat indian-style. Everyone(2) filed into the room.

"Glad to see you awake." Yusuke said, placing a hand on Hiei's shoulder.

"I'm glad thati'm alive." he muttered, audible to everyone.

"Is it me or is he not himself?" Kazuma whispered into Shuichi's ear.

He shrugged and faced Hina.

"Well, I guess I have a lot of explaning to do. Prepare yourselves."

They took seats, the gang in chairs and Hina next to Hiei. She layed back, rested her head in his lap, and began.

Notes:

1.) Kami is Japanese for god

2.) Everyone as in- Yusuke, Kayko, Kazuma, Yukina, Shuichi, Kurama, Botan, and Koenma.

Stay tuned for chapter 9- Hina's past.

- UtsukushiiCho