AN: Thank you everyone for the reviews. Thought that it was time to introduce a character who loves Hiei. Sorry if there are OOC moments.

Botan's horse – Yes, Kurama is getting a little too close to Botan. But there are reasons for it, which I'm sure is obvious. I don't remember saying what the pairs the story should be. Personally, I'm in love with the Hiei/Botan pairing. There will, however be a little twist during the story.

Crystal Koneko – In case you didn't read the last edited chapter, I gave cookies for you. Thank you.

I would thank each and every one of you and write you all some stuff, but my fingers hurt too much for typing right not. It was a busy day. So hope you all enjoy the chapter.

Mukuro to Hiei

It was a rhythm. A beat. Like a pulse. Knowing when the next thump would be felt, at what time interval. Knowing what kind of beat it should beat. Fast. Slow. Faint. Loud. But it was really a dance. A dance that gave no music to a spectators' ears. It was our measure of scales. Our own tempo that we created.

Only we knew the lyrics.

Only we heard the music.

Only we knew the steps.

Only we knew the song.

It filled our ears. When it was loud, it was all that we could hear. When it was faint, we strained to hear it. When it was fast, we moved faster. When it was slow, we lessened our pace. It was all that we needed. It was all that we wanted. This odd, unusual music that overflowed in our heads. This melody that was never purposely meant to be made. But not unwelcome. It was never unwelcome.

We embraced it. Loved every beat of it. Whether the harmony was strained or sounded like a gift from the gods. We thrived in it.

And I had foolishly deluded myself into believing that it would last forever.

We memorized this dance of ours to the music that only existed in our minds. I would punch, you would block. I would kick, you would dodge. You would kick, I would block. You would punch, I would dodge. You would summon your flames, I would blow them out. You would summon your fire, I would dance in it. I was stronger than you. We both know that. But that never stopped you. It seemed like nothing would stop you from getting what you want.

You wanted to get stronger. And so you have. Years of fighting and training under me had made you stronger. You are so close. So close to the level that I am and even further. It's right there. Right above your reach. Just an inch out your range. You didn't know, but you wore me out. Every punch that you delivered, every kick you sent, I felt it all. I felt it all with deep pains that I kept hidden so that your endeavor to go stronger would grow. So your need to become powerful would intensify. And you always get want you want.

And now you want her. That little ferry girl of Reikai. That bubbly, cheerful, loud ningen spirit that worked for Koenma. You want her in a way that I knew that you didn't understand. These types of emotions were still new and foreign to you.

Perhaps it was love? But no. You didn't love. You love your sister. You love fighting. You didn't love her. You cared, but not love. There was a difference.

You didn't love. Not yet.

You care about her. You care about her safety yes. But you didn't love her. For years, the closest person for you to actually loving someone in a romantic way would have been me. It was a fact not a statement. And I enjoyed that fact.

Now that fact is being threatened by someone whom I could kill without using real effort. But I won't kill her. You still cared for her. Not a great deal, but enough to go on a hunt to even the deed. I would not kill her because of you. Because I can not look at you if you are sad. It would be pathetic. You would be pathetic. And I refuse to make you pathetic.

I refuse to degrade who you really are. You are everything you believe you are and more.

Prideful. Strong. There is nothing that you can't do.

In our endless waltz, you've become stronger. When it first began, I stayed within the confinements of my bandages. You didn't care. When I first took them out to train with you, you didn't care. You didn't say anything special. You just nodded your head to show me that you were ready to begin. My deform appearances didn't bother you. It didn't make you look at me with disgust or pity.

You didn't need or want pity. You don't give pity.

We are both alike. That's why we are kindred spirits. Two souls who have walked similar paths. Two souls who have no need or want for those who degrade us or give us pity. We are two souls who live to become strong and show the worlds that we are not to be trifled with. Our trust is not easily earned. Our hearts not easily open. That is why I had hoped that you would care for me. Care for me the way that I care for you.

But this girl stands in the way. And I am almost powerless to stop it because I want you to make your own decisions. When you decide to want me, I want you to want me to be your own choice.

I hate free will.

Mornings belong to us and us alone. We watch the sun rise together. Never needing to say a word. An understanding has always been with us. We'd wake early, watch the sun, eat lightly if we'd feel like it, and then the music starts. Our dance starts. That nameless tune playing in our minds. The dance that you'd wish you'd win.

Don't worry. You'll win. Soon. Each day is a day closer to want you want. And after that, who knows?

Before the courting, you'd use to go to Ningenkai only to visit your sister. She'd heal you after every fight. Afternoons you would patrol. Nights we would sit next to each other just watching the sky or surrounding environment. Sometimes we'd spar. I had your schedule memorized. I knew it as well as my own. Now the afternoon and nights changed. So you could go see her. But it didn't matter all too much in moments like this. We still had our dance. We still had our song.

That won't change. Not anytime soon. It would always belong to us.

It was day five. I counted the days. I had to. The end result involved me as well. We had already watched the sun rise in our peaceful silence. You had already taken off your shirt. In my mind's eye, I saw all the scars that adored your strong body. Scars that I had put. I traced them on your clear chest. Yukina did fine a job healing all of your wounds. She was better than most demons. A fine healer.

You took your stance. Sword in hand. I took mine with my own sword, waiting to strike. We both stared at each other emotionlessly. It was part of our ritual. Just waiting for the music to start so our bodies could sing to it.

This song and dance would be forever ours.

It began. The clashing of swords only added to our song. The sound only excited my blood. Our rhythm was practiced to perfection. I knew all of your moves. You knew all of mine, but could not stop me. But that was before, this was now. We were matched. Even. This dance exhilarated me. In this dance, you belonged to me. And only me. I could keep you as long as I wanted.

Ssss…

You drew blood. I was impressed. Your skills in sword fight have improved a great deal. Better than mine. The music has gotten faster. Louder. It was intoxicating. We've picked up speed. Just a blur to anyone who had any real skill in fighting that could see. Too fast for anyone to catch up with. Too strong for anyone else to defeat. This was our dance. This was our ritual. This is what I love.

Concentrating. That is the look on your face. Pure concentration. It was easy to tell what had happened on your visit to that girl. You showed me when you fought. How you fought the day after tells me your feelings. Focusing left over annoyance in this dance. Did she annoy you? Or was it competition? I didn't ask. I really didn't want to know. But I was curious. Perhaps I'll ask another time. Now, all I wanted to do is dance our dance to this nameless music.

And when the music stopped, when the song ended, you left. Strong enough to stand. Strong enough to travel to Ningenkai. Strong enough to nod to me in your way of goodbye. You never said goodbye. You never said farewell. I've always wonder why but never asked. Maybe she'll ask. Maybe she won't. Maybe I'll ask. Then again, I'm not one who says goodbye as well. It was a habit I suppose. A habit I break every so often.

The day was a blur. I didn't really care what happened. One of the few days that the music still had me captivated. I waited for you at night. And when the sun rised again, our dance began again. It was a cycle. A ritual. Waiting for the music to begin again, we took our stance once more like we will do again for the next few days. The next few months. And maybe the next few years.