A/N: Well, let's see how the next chapter goes, shall we? Thank you reviewers, as always(i.e shiorifoxiesmom, Lil Rose Angel, FortySeventhLight, and loves-winged-dark-angel). It's immensely appreciated.

Chapter 7: Secrets

He knew he was dreaming.

The atmosphere possessed an air of peace and tranquility. Its fog hovered above the ground with the appearance of a blanket so soft that if touched by unworthy hands, then it would shred to pieces. Every aspect of the environment felt frail, too delicate for mortal eyes. Serenity soaked into the trees, the grass, the rocks, and especially the air.

This had to be a dream.

Walking cautiously, the demon made his way through the landscape, tossing up white fluff with his feet instead of the usual dirt and dust. This taciturn place mocked him with an eerie silence which would chill anyone's heart to ice. Every breath created more wisps of pearly silk to add to the fragile fog.

He did not like this. The air, the ground, the silence… all of it. The infinite peace and stillness in the atmosphere chilled him and his memory. He sensed his soul drifting away with every breath. Soon, all that would remain was emptiness. A shell of tranquility locked away from any kind of emotion, ranging from joy to depression.

Gazing at his calloused hands, he realized the loss of his identity. He did not remember who he was, and his heart began to pound in fear of it. The faster it pulsated, the more alive he felt. A desire welled up deep within him, though its purpose was unknown.

Without understanding why, he suddenly ran towards his original location. His instinct told him that was where he needed to be. That something there was waiting for him.

Yukina.

He heard himself gasp under his white breath. Surprised, he halted not understanding the meaning of such an outburst. Yet somehow, that word encompassed the feeling of the pounding in his heart. Panting, the demon intently looked at his surroundings, trying to find a clue.

"Hiei."

In shock of hearing his forgotten name, he tripped backwards. Immediately jumping to his feet, the demon saw to whom the words originated. A fiery aura spread from around her, smothering the tranquil world Hiei was previously trapped in. With the smell of ash and flame, his memory quickly returned, and the fire demon was certain this was a dream.

"Phennix."

Her voice was low and calm despite her hard visage, "I'm glad you took at least part of my advice. Though… there's still more for you to do."

"I would never take any of your advice."

A weak smile crawled onto her face, "Even you know that your words are lies. So why say them? Oh I forgot, you barely say anything at all."

"Hmph."

"Case in point proven," she replied and walked forward, with Hiei following suit. "You can't hide it, Hiei. Not from Kurama, me, or Yukina."

The demon walked beside her along a path woven of fire. It gave life and an edge of chaos to the surrounding atmosphere. "What are you talking about?"

"Denial. I would have thought you'd get past stage one."

"You're talking in riddles," he scoffed, "As if I'd make the effort to unravel them."

"If you want Yukina to be happy, then you better show some effort."

"What's that supposed to mean?" He could hear a low laugh from under her breath. She grabbed the fire demon's shoulder for support. Heat spread through his body from her touch, and suddenly Hiei's mind flashed with a treacherous thought.

"You are the one responsible for the fires."

Releasing her grip on Hiei, Phennix's smile disappeared and was replaced with a grim appearance. "No."

"When I used your magical fire, the 'unstoppable' blaze was subdued, and you expect me to think you have nothing to do with it?"

"Of course not." Hiei was taken back by her straight forward responses. This girl thrived on verbal riddles and taunts, but suddenly she grew silent and serious.

"Then how do I stop it?" She refused to say a word. "I need my freedom!" He yelled but remembered the previous dream and restrained himself from clutching her.

"You should focus on what is really important."

"And my freedom is not?"

"Hiei, you were in midst of a land without memory. You could not remember your own name, and yet despite that, you were still driven by what was most important to you. And I can assure you, it wasn't your freedom."

"I…"

"You, what? You can't deny it, and shouldn't have to. Yukina deserves better. She deserves the truth."

"Don't tell me how to live my life," He snarled. "You think you are so wise, and yet you're not. So stop giving me your useless advice, I don't need it."

"Without me, you're lost and deep within you know that. Just as you know, you have to tell your sister the truth. Things will get out of hand if you don't."

"I don't care. I can handle it, and I don't need you. You were never of any help, you traitor."

A fake, frail smile overcame the phoenix at his words, and she did not make a final remark. Nodding her head, she stepped backwards, to be replaced by intoxicating smoke and ash.

The world was spinning around him in flashing bright light.

At last Hiei awoke to find himself on a boulder in spirit world. Immediately he remembered his location and the events leading up to it. He glanced behind him to find Yukina still asleep under the tree. It was growing dark, and yet the horizon was scorched red from the fires not too far off.

Sitting quietly, he placed his chin onto his knees. How did he even get into this mess? The question echoed and vibrated in his mind. He did not want anything to do with these fires, Koenma, Botan, or his insistent dreams. And yet somehow, he wound up here in midst of it all. Despite his constant lust for demon world and freedom, his discontent and anger made the desires insignificant.

The only person or thing preventing the demon from running off to abandon everyone and everything he ever knew (and hated), was Yukina.

After his pitiful inability to show affection, Hiei felt he should at least continue his duty of protecting her. Especially now, she needed him more than ever. Being with her was all he wanted anyway.

The problem was… he couldn't. He could not stay with her, unless he was willing to give up his secret. That was not the case in the slightest. Yukina did not deserve the grief of knowing who her brother actually was. She should not have to deal with that kind of stress.

Hiei pulled his legs closer to his chest, considering the possibility. However, there was no choice. Yukina would never know, and that was final. He was going to stop the fire, while keeping his sister on protection, and once that was over, he'd have his freedom and then…

And then what? The fire demon sighed in defeat. What would he do if did obtain freedom? If he continued to be a merciless thief, then that would only hurt Yukina more. Especially if she ever discovered the truth.

Suddenly, Hiei was consumed in anger. Why was he even debating this? It was final. She was not going to find out. She could not find out. And if she never knew, then he was not obligated to hug her. Right?

He quickly changed the subject in his thoughts, towards Phennix. The girl never denied her relations to the fire. She had something to do with this, and somehow he was only able to contact her through his dreams.

A small beeping noise came from within his jacked pocket, and in surprise, Hiei halted in his tracks, not breathing a sound. Slowly he began to remember… Botan had given him and Kurama each a communicator. A crooked frown crawled onto his face as he snatched it.

Squeezing the buttons on the sides, he heard a click from the communicator, "Hey?"

"Hiei! I'm so glad I got hold of you," responded Kurama quickly. "I deciphered the text in that book you were interested in."

Meanwhile Yukina eyed Hiei from her shelter underneath the tree. She had awoken at least an hour before he did, and watched him closely. It was apparent to her he was having some form of nightmare, the way he was shaking.

Her heart pounded when he stirred and quickly glanced at her. She was petrified and yet excited at the time, knowing he was here. The ice maiden could not pinpoint why, but whenever she thought about him, her heart would flutter and her cheeks transformed a rosy red.

She never felt this way about anyone before, and was debating confronting him until a noise came from within Hiei's jacket.

Hearing Kurama's voice, she waited intently, wondering what was happening.

A/N: It's incredible! I updated within a week of my previous one. The muse is back, baby!