AN: Sorry that I couldn't update earlier and that there are many grammar errors in this chapter. But I felt so bad that I haven't updated in a long time, so I decided to update it anyway. It's the same excuses; school, homework, and people always calling me just so I could keep them company while they do their homework.

Be warned. I will edit this chapter. As to how much, I first have to see how the next chapter or two plays along.

And in response to the most asked questions and comments:

This story is so original and the characters are mostly in-character.

Thank you to all who said it. And believe me that quite a few people said it. I do try to keep the characters in character, but there will be times when they're OOC. Mostly so it can fit the story lines, character development, and a great and sudden change.

So much drama.

Well, the genre did say drama. To be more precise, it's Romance/Drama, so it should have gave you all a clue that would be drama. There was romance with some drama in the beginning and lots of drama in the late middle and ending. So please, if you can, reframe from complaining about the drama and why it' there. It's supposed to be there.

Please make this a happy ending/Make this a happy ending or I will hurt you.

Wow. First I would like to say… please don't hurt me. I have very low pain tolerance. Second, I already have an ending planned out and unless I have reason to believe that it will not work, than I will continue with my plans. But as for the happy ending…. Well there were clues throughout the whole story foreshadowing the events that would take place. Such as Botan's resting problem, Kurama's breakdown (not much there though), and other stuff. You just have to look for them.

None of you asked this, to which I am surprised.

I planned to be about 3 more chapters left. Most likely that there still will be. I don't know yet.

Red

Love was something that was new for her. She never really felt love before nor did she really receive it. Growing up was hard and there really was no older female that could help her during the developing years. Add to the fact that she was raped so many times, trust was something that had to be earned.

So it was a little awkward for her whenever she was around him. She didn't know whether she should expect something from him or if she should gave him signals that she was interested in him. And at the same time, she didn't want anything to change between them. Their friendship (if one could call it that) something she valued. Besides, she wasn't sure if her feelings for him were even worth it to pursue something that could end badly.

Mukuro could remember her first thought about Hiei, all those years ago.

"He could be interesting."

Mukuro made a small smile to herself. She had been right. Hiei was interesting. He had a similar background as she did. He was a quick learner who quickly became stronger and stronger over time. He had overcome any obstacle that she had placed before him. He was a leader and a follower. Leading armies was no problem for him. Though he could follow orders when given, there was a certain spark in his eyes that warn you that if there was any weakness that he could find, he would have no problem in exposing it.

But that depended on how much he liked you.

Hiei respected her.

Any weakness she had, he would keep it to himself.

She only hoped that he would never find out about her little secret. It wasn't something that she wanted him to know. Or anyone for that matter. Unfortunately, she knew that one person knew to whom her feelings laid.

Damn elves.

Love wasn't something that she expected or wanted. To mate, maybe. To have emotional attachments, no. Before, having a mate was almost impossible. Even if she wanted one. She had heard rumors that Raizen had fallen in love with a human. Look where it got him. He vowed to stop eating human flesh and became weak. If he'd never fell in love, he would have been the true ruler of Makai up to today. But now he's dead and his spirit is rotting in some hell and Enki is the current ruler.

Sometimes she missed being co-ruler of Makai.

Looking back at it, she supposed that maybe she didn't really want to rule everything. Maybe. She was just fine the way she was. As long there was fighting and demons to kill in her life, she could live with it. After all, she had to live with a lot of things in her life: the chains that were still on her wrist, the noticeable scars on her body that refused to heal, her losing to one of Raizen's friends during the Makai Tournament.

Complaining about it wouldn't make it better. Doing something about it would. She wasn't passive in any way.

But she couldn't anything about Hiei. And the fact that she couldn't pissed her off to no end. The most that she could do for him was to distract him. She couldn't take away his pain or eliminate it. She couldn't even kill the wrenched ferry girl that caused his suffering. And she still wouldn't get his affections.

Heartbreaking as it is, half of her was already prepared for it. That half had already built up a resistance to anguish and suffering from any and all of those around her.

Why?

Because she had to.

She didn't want to end up like some pathetic demon that couldn't get what they wanted. She didn't want to end up completely heartbroken and devastated by rejection or by someone to unexpectedly to backstab her. She didn't want to end up killed by some weakling who got lucky enough to get passed all the A and S class demons just to have a go with her and lose. She didn't want to have to look into those sorrow-filled eyes which told her all the sad truths of their life and feel sorry for them.

Or pity.

Because then she would be weak.

She didn't want to feel guilty over who she was. Mukuro lived to fight and to kill. Guilt was something that she didn't plan on having as an emotion. Ever. Most demons didn't have guilt and when they did, well it sucked to be them. Trust was also something that she didn't give too often. So she learned to quickly assess when people were lying and when they weren't.

She wasn't like Hiei who freely gave his trust away to some dumb little girl who couldn't even give him what he needed most. She wasn't strong enough to handle it. But even with the pain that she knew was tearing him apart, Hiei was a master at hiding what he really felt. No one knew what really happened. No one questioned where the ferry girl had gone to when they all saw her leave. No one questioned the second in command when he immediately order that a small group of demons train with him when they all knew that he preferred to train alone.

They all just assumed that Hiei had gotten tried of her and chased her away. It was so far from the truth, and yet at the same time, so close.

Mukuro watched as a couple of her demons jest about nothing in particular and waste their time doing nothing. Off in the distance she saw the only one who even bothered to keep his skills sharp everyday. A black blur circled the field and destroying trees when needed be and zipped around and ran pass them as if they weren't there. Hiei was magnificent to see (when you could actually see him) while he trained.

Mukuro placed a hand on the glass, where Hiei's small form was moving about. Deep down, maybe she wanted him to love her back. It would have been interesting to see how their relationship would have been like. It wouldn't be a normal relationship, of that she was certain. There wouldn't be eyes filled with love as they gazed at each other, no smiles that only they knew the meaning of, and fighting with the other would probably be their favorite time together. It would have been hard to define love with two demons that control their emotions so effortlessly.

Then again, it could be better that he didn't. Or maybe not. If he didn't, then maybe one day she could learn to love another. And maybe that person will love her back. But getting over someone was never easy work. Especially for a demon.

Mukuro sighed and walked away. All this thinking about love was starting to give her a headache. She should go kill something.

But all Mukuro could think about was his red eyes that could leave her gasping for breathing with a mere glance.

Yukina walked the halls of Hiei's castle, mentally thinking of all the ways Botan could have brightened up the walls and make it feel more comforting. The sense of feeling that she got while inside the castle was one of coldness and at the same time it was welcoming. To any other person, that statement was probably a contradictory of itself but it made perfect sense to Yukina.

She smiled sadly to herself. Thinking of Botan and Hiei made her feel sad.

It was just only two days ago when Botan dragged her to find Hiei and talk with him. Although she didn't know exactly what Botan said to Hiei, she knew that it didn't work. Yukina regretted not explaining things better to Botan. But Botan should have known better. However, Yukina could not place all the blame on her. It was still partly her fault too. And Kurama. If she had just explained the situation to Botan thoroughly, then this wouldn't be happening.

Botan wouldn't be off somewhere, maybe lost in Makai crying her heart out.

Hiei wouldn't distract himself with training to death and denying that he ever had feelings for the ferry girl.

And something just seemed off with Mukuro that Yukina was almost positive that it was somehow tied together with her brother.

Meanwhile, Yukina felt like she had a duty to stay in Makai for the time being. She didn't know how long she'll stay there, but she knew that she was needed there. Yukina felt sad that she had yet to return to Genkai who lived alone without her.

She was also sad because she didn't tell Kazuma that she wouldn't be at Genkai's for a couple of days. She hoped that he didn't take it the wrong way and think that she didn't care about their friendship. Because she cared.

She cared a lot.

Yukina stopped walking and opened the door that led to Hiei's room. It looked like no one had been there for days. Yukina sighed and walked into it anyway. She didn't feel like socializing with anyone and her sense of duty as a sister kept her leaving Makai for even a couple of hours.

At the corner of the room, Yukina saw something shine just a little bit. She walked up to it and smiled. She gently touched the marvelous crystal, feeling each small scale at the tips of her fingers. It was warm. The eyes of the small figure appeared to sparkle with a life of its own.

"I see."

That's when Yukina knew that everything had to get better.

A whole new set of possibilities opened up in front of Yukina. She knew that there was going to be happier times for her brother. Maybe not in the end, but at least he will happy. Even if it was for only a moment, she knew that he would be happy. Because there really was no end, change can occur.

At the corner of her eye, Yukina saw a long red ribbon that looked like it was flung there without care, looking defeated.

Hiei took long deep breathes. The sword wavered in his hands. It felt heavier then it did a couple of days ago. Sweat poured down his back and face. The air seemed to be getting hotter and hotter with each second. Any cool breeze was openly welcomed to his body. Spots at the corner of his eyes annoyed him to no end.

He was not tried. He could still go on.

Hiei had survived worst than this. He was put in a dark, damp cave and forced to fight with hundreds of demons with little rest. So of course a little bit of training two days straight was nothing. Absolutely nothing. He could handle it. He will handle.

Hiei's grip on the sword tightened. His knuckles turned white and his grip didn't loosen. A half second later and he disappeared from the spot. Pieces of rocks flew high into the air and dirt went everywhere. Hiei cursed under his breathe. He was getting sloppy. Hiei swung his sword again and leap forward. He had to get his timing perfect. He hated that he was getting lazy too laid back as of late.

He needed to get better.

He needed to forget about her.

Hiei needed to get his mind focus on the task at hand and not about the baka onna who cries over the stupidest things. The same baka onna who couldn't keep her mouth shut and was always so loud. Talking at every hour of the day and expected him to talk back to her when she could make a whole conversation with just herself. Not to mention that she could be so naïve and didn't have a fighter's spirit.

Because having a fighter's spirit had to account for something. If there was one thing that he respected out of anything, even if never openly showed it, Hiei respected those willing to fight to the end.

Hiding behind excuses.

Hiei scowled. He wasn't hiding. He was just stating facts. And facts were true. And the truth hurts.

Another step forward and Hiei practically collapsed on the damaged tree that miraculously managed to hold his weight after taking a beating from Hiei's sword. Too stubborn to admit his weariness, Hiei told himself that he would only rest for a few moments before he started practicing with his Darkness of the Dragon Flame. The down part about resting was that it left his mind opened to vulnerability.

His mind would wound to her.

True that there were ways to keep his mind occupied so that it wouldn't wonder about without his permission, but he didn't feel like meditating or the like. So Hiei forced himself to think about the future in a long term point of view.

A hundred years from now, the ningen companions that he had affiliations with would be long dead. Hiei wondered how Yukina would cope without her ningen friends that she seemed to hold so dear. Especially, and he hated to admit, Kuwabara. Hiei would probably enter the next Makai Tournament in attempt to become ruler. And Kurama. Last time Hiei saw him their dispute over their affections for the baka onna had certainly put a stain on their friendship.

Now that Botan was out of the picture, maybe they could go back to the friendship that they once had. But for some reason, every time Hiei tried thinking about his bleak future a painful throbbing would occur inside him and a vile taste in his mouth made him feel like he just wanted to vomit. A dull ache in his head formed and a huge urge to sleep overcame him.

But before Hiei could get up and follow his desire to sleep, he saw Yukina in clear view. From the look of her face, she wanted him to accompany her while she took a walk. Not wanting for his sister to walk by herself, and mourning for the lost chance of sleeping, he slowly got up and headed her way.

By the way he got up and walked must have signaled something to Yukina because by the time he got to speaking point, Yukina tired to take back her offer. "You're hurt and tired. You should be driving yourself so hard just to accompany me."

"I'll be fine."

Yukina's worried eyes told him that she didn't believe him. She moved to heal and he let her do it. If anything, just to make her stop worrying about his health. Even he didn't do that. Once she was done, they proceeded to walk in some unknown destination.

"I hope that Genkai-san isn't too worried about me," Yukina said, breaking the silence between them. "I didn't tell her that I was going to be away this long."

Hiei grunted. He really didn't care if the old hag was worrying herself to death. He would take care of his sister.

"I also didn't get the chance to tell Kazuma that I was going to be away for a couple of days."

At this, Hiei scowled. He could care less about the ugly ningen. Even though at some level, he did care a little. But he'll never admit that.

"Hiei." Yukina said in a tone that made him stop. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He shrugged it off.

"Are you really?" she pressed on. Something in her eyes told him not to lie to him.

Hiei looked away.

"Hiei, I want you to talk to me. It hurts to see you like this."

Hiei's heart felt like dying. His mind sought for words to reassure her but he never had to comfort someone before so he felt uncomfortable and all the while like a horrible brother. He was supposed to protect his sister from being in pain and not cause.

"I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry."

It sounded lame to his ears. But it was the only thing that came to his mind.

Yukina nodded her head in acceptance and gave him a smile. Never before had Hiei felt grateful for a sister like her. His body wanted to fidget with the awkwardness of this new feeling, but he suppressed it.

"I won't force you to talk to me about what you feel," she said. "You'll do that when you're ready. But I would like to be the person that you can talk to. About anything."

Hiei nodded and took that into consideration. But he mentally said no to the 'About anything' part. While he did dearly love and trust his sister, there were still some things that he'd rather not let her know or discuss with her. For example, he'd rather not have a conversation with her about the best technique to do a stealth kill.

"Also, I want you to know that I think I love Kazuma."

Hiei could swear that he's heart skipped a beat at that moment. If he had one. "W– what?"

Yukina gained a far off look to her eyes. "I like being with Kazuma. He makes me feel happy inside. His smiles make want to blush half the time and I never feel alone when I'm with him."

But I'm with you. You're not alone.

Hiei wanted to say those words, but he bit his cheek so that he wouldn't. She looked too happy and he didn't want to spoil it. But the light in her eyes disturbed him a little because he knew that now that she has found someone to love she may not need him as much as he needed her. Add to the fact that it was Kuwabara of all people didn't make it any better. The idiot could barely take care of himself. He had his sister to do that for him.

He didn't deserve Yukina. But these thoughts of his didn't stop her from rambling on about her fondness towards him.

"Whenever he's not with me, I feel sad. I want to see him. Just to know that he's still there and that he'll make me smile when I feel sad. I feel a warmth inside me whenever he's around. Sometimes my mind wonders to him and replays all the times he has been so kind to me. Then my heart beats faster. So I think that I love him. Isn't that what love is? To always want to be near that person and to always be by their side?"

Hiei couldn't look her at the eyes anymore. He was no longer sure if she was talking about her and Kuwabara or the onna and him. Both bothered him to no ends.

"Maybe."

He wasn't an expert in love. And frankly, he thought that love was dangerous.

"I want to tell him that I love him," Yukina continued. Hiei tired his best to conceal his inner feelings. "That I want to be with him." She blushed, which made Hiei feel even worst.

"What if he rejects you?" he asked quietly and regretted it immediately. But even so, he wanted to know what she thought she would do.

"Then I'll be sad," she said all too calmly. "I know that there are risks involved and I may lose one of the best friendships that I ever had, but I'll regret it even more if I don't say anything."

Pride welled inside him. His little sister seemed strong enough to take on the world head on. However, there was still the question of his mortality. It wasn't that he was discouraging her from perusing a relationship with someone that he didn't like too well, he just wanted her to think before going head first into something that she was still new to.

That and he still didn't think that Kuwabara deserved her.

"He is still ningen. He'll die in a short amount of time."

Her eyes softened and saddened in a way that said that she had been aware of Kuwabara's mortality and her immortality all to well. "I know. But I still want to tell him. And if he accepts and loves me in return, then I'll be happy. And in the future, when he'll die of old age, I know that I'll be sad. But at least I could take comfort in the fact that I was with him and that he loved me. That I was once happy with him. Because, that's what's important, that I'll happy with him for as long as I could be before he will eventually die."

Her words died towards the end.

Maybe Yukina was talking about the both of them. If could be with Botan, even for a short time, then maybe he could be happy. No matter how short. Yukina was willing to stick with Kuwabara despite his short existence. Hiei reevaluated his situation again and shook his head.

Yukina was willing to give her heart away for a short amount of time for some happiness, but he wasn't ready or willing to do the same.

"If he makes you sad or cry in any way, then I'll kill him," he finally said.

"He won't."

The two of them continued on with their walk. When they finally came back around, Hiei saw something on the top of his castle. A long, red ribbon was hung outside and rippled in the wind. Hiei froze when he saw it. Memories of the past few days came into his mind. He unconsciously trembled slightly.

Looking puzzled because Hiei didn't answer a question that she had asked, Yukina looked to where her brother's attention was caught.

"It's lovely, ne?" she said. The two continued to stare at the flying ribbon in the sky. "From down here, it really does look somewhat like a banner."

Hiei looked at it with dead eyes while his mouth formed a scowl. Then he promptly turned his back to it and walked away. He didn't see the red ribbon somehow untie itself and sail through the winds. But Yukina did. And she watched the ribbon fly off until it was nothing but a red blur and then nothing.