A/N: Hey everybody! The reason why I haven't updated lately is because I wanted to finish my other story, and now that I have, I can focus on this one. Hurray!

This chapter is dedicated to trunksgirl85, Lil Rose Angel, Forbiddensoul562, loves-winged-dark-angel, FortySeventhLight, and Yashimi Minaminofor their lovely reviews (oh, and dealing with my lack up updates).

Lastly, this whole chapter will be in Yukina's point of view.

Chapter 9: Confession

The ice maiden sat up against a tree, gazing at the person in front of her. He appeared overly stressed, and Yukina was suddenly worried about the fire demon. The anxiety in his voice was obvious even to her, as she wondered what Hiei was discussing with Kurama over his radio. Despite recognizing his voice, she found it impossible to hear his exact words, and the curiosity was killing her.

Interested, she knelt forward, her fingers pressed against the grass. The wind rattled her ears, impeding her ability to hear further. Determination to understand the conversation rose within her, and Yukina found her heart pounding at the mere thought of Hiei. The sensation confused the maiden, as she edged closer to him.

What was it about the fire demon that she found so heart-throbbing? Her feelings towards him were alien, for she felt a strong indescribable connection to him. Sighing with an inward smile, she recalled the countless times he came to her rescue. When she was kidnapped and forced to cry pearl tears, when the dark tournament stadium was collapsing, and especially when the fires of the forest threatened to consume her, Hiei always appeared to protect her.

That was reason for her to believe he cared about her. Or at least so she told herself. The whole situation between them, if there was any situation in the first place, seemed overwhelmingly confusing, complicated, and awkward for Hiei. She could sense him distancing himself from her every time the maiden expressed her appreciation.

The questions circling her mind were unbearable. She had to tell him she felt affection towards him. She had to find out if he returned it. She simply had to know.

Exhaling uneasily, Yukina dusted the ash off her garment, rising to her feet. Her body remained sore and weak from the smoke fumes, barely able to remain standing. Frail, she trudged towards the figure in front of her, not entirely sure on a course of action. Perhaps this was not such a good idea…

Upon hearing her heavy footsteps, the fire demon turned his head. Surprise covered his face, as he said, "Kurama, I'll get back to you." Hiding his only means of communication into his pocket, the demon added, "Is… uh, something wrong?"

She blushed, partly from fatigue but mostly embarrassment. Her countenance must have looked down-trodden, as she wondered what was flooding his mind. "No, no, nothing." Sighing, the ice maiden looked away and began to fidget her fingers, "Well actually, I wanted to… tell you something."

The fire demon, nervous, rose to his feet, facing her. "Mm?"

"I… uh," she bit her lip, anxiously. Her throat was dry; her heart: pulsing. Yukina smiled weakly, trying to approach the subject in a different way, "I wanted to thank you again for rescuing me. You see…"

"What is it?"

"When I was stuck in that fire, you… well, you were the only person I thought of and wanted to see. And I couldn't help but notice that you're always helping me when I seem to need it most. You're just," she paused, her cheeks burning red, to see a mixed expression on the fire demon's face.

That could not be a good sign for her.

"Just so incredible and I-I dunno," she stuttered. "Every time I meet you it's like my heart is on fire. I can't explain it. I guess…I-I'm trying to say that… that I lo--" She paused, realizing love was too strong a word and the continued, "I like you so much. And um…" The maiden looked up into eyes and was deeply disheartened upon seeing fear and disgust. "Hiei?"

The demon was speechless, standing utterly still, his eyes dilating rapidly.

Sweat crawled down the ice maiden's face, as she inspected his reaction from head to toe. The truth of her confession was not yet fully disclosed, but he still showed signs of understanding and revulsion. Perhaps Yukina never should have brought the conversation up, as she began to scold herself for it. She did not understand her feelings. How could she expect Hiei to comprehend or return them?

She stepped back, hoping to sink into the grass behind her. Or to vanish from his view. Or to simply retreat. That was a better course of action then gawking at the fire demon's anguished state. But, to her surprise, he rested his hand on her exhausted shoulder, preventing her from fleeing.

Yukina smiled timidly, looking into his eyes. She waited patiently for him to respond, to reject her, to claim he loved her…to do anything. However, he remained silent, transfixed in shock, and the two of them stood mutely together for what felt to her like an eternity.

And she waited. And waited, but still no response.

"Hiei?

He blinked several times, opening but then closing his mouth as if debating precisely what to say. The conflict rising up in his throat was overly apparent to Yukina, as she looked up at him with pitying eyes. Fear consumed her, wondering the possible thoughts running through his mind. Somehow she doubted he was considering a way to reject her. And yet she sensed he was not going to embrace her with love either. She could see deep into his eyes another issue he needed to address. But what was it?

"…Hiei? Um, I'm sorry… I, uh, didn't mean to… be out of line," she glared at the floor desperately evading the demon's eyes. However, his hand remained steady on her shoulder, and the warmth emanating from it made her heart leap. Yukina found herself overwhelmed with emotion as she blinked back tears. Why was she crying? Why did this bother her so much? Without realizing her intentions, she embraced the Hiei, hugging him tightly.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, not entirely certain what she was apologizing for.

"No," at long last came his voice, cracking slightly. "I should be saying that."

"Why? I don't--" Yukina refused to look up, afraid of what she might see, as she buried her head deep into his black shirt.

"Understand?" She sensed a long pause of confusion; his heart was pounding through his shirt, and she could hear its every beat. "I… can't."

"Can't what?" To her surprise, the fire demon returned her tight embrace. He rested his head upon hers and exhaled slowly.

"Don't cry over me." Yukina held her breath, deeply confused. How did he know she was fighting back tears? And besides, he was avoiding her question, and in essence her confession of affection. She had to know how he felt. Whether he returned his care or not, she simply could not wait any longer.

"But Hiei…don't you care about me? You saved me all those times, and-and I thought that you…that I… um, well…"

Silence.

"Hiei?"

"I… I…."