A/N: I had a little trouble thinking of this chapter. Darn writer's block; not to mention, I was conned into writing (well, co-writing) another story. Ack, so much writing. My muse is suffocating here. My poor widdle hawk, he really does suffer for me (yes my muse takes the manifestation of a hawk, and no I'm not crazy).

Oh, a really IMPORTANT announcement! I'm going to change my screen name to RubyHawk in a few weeks, so when you see this story next updated, it'll be by that name and not emeraldLINX. I just wanted to give everyone a heads-up, so no one will be too confused.

Ok lastly, dedications. Thanks reviewers!

Chapter 11: Destination

"Oh right, the fires," Yukina echoed, suppressing her relief over Hiei's previous response. She smiled and released her grip from Hiei's torso. "Can I come with you?"

The demon opened his mouth slightly to answer, but Yukina interrupted him with honest innocence before he could reject her. "I promise I won't get in the way! And besides… I um, need you to protect me."

"Oh, uh, ok," he exhaled, walking into the distance. The ice maiden immediately followed suit, jogging in her sandals with difficulty. Eventually catching up with his brisk walk, she smiled at him, but he did not return it.

She gently took his hand but was surprised to notice it jerk back instinctively before allowing her to hold it. "Is their something wrong?"

"No," he said weakly, but after clearing his throat he reiterated with more vigor, "Nothing's wrong."

"Oh. Well, where are we going?" She asked. However, her thoughts were racing with too much excitement to truly care about their location as long as she was with him.

He said that he loved her! What more could she ask her? Though, the naïve maiden never experienced this sort of thing before. She did not know how to respond, really, or how to understand Hiei's physical responses. He seemed nervous, but honest. Was that what normal boys did? She frowned, realizing that after receiving an answer to her question concerning his affections, it only raised more. Perhaps, she should ask someone more knowledgeable?

"Koenma's." Yukina smiled briefly. Botan was Koenma's assistant. Maybe she could ask her? "I need to tell him what I've found out and drop you off there."

"But I thought I was coming," she cried out, upset at the thought of separating from him.

"You are, just not the whole way," he paused, looking at the pleading in her eyes. "No!"

"But…but…"

To her surprise, Hiei knelt down on his knees and held her shoulders. His voice was calmer than before, but still uncertain. "You can't. It'll be safe there… and I can't have anything happen to you."

I'm not going to cry, she thought. She bit her lip, eyes watering, as she looked at his face. The maiden could see the apparent affection, but something was amiss. Hiei normally acted differently, colder, quieter. She did not know what it was, but it made her feel uncomfortable.

Before she could answer, he picked her up onto his back. She wrapped her arms around his neck, in surprise as he said, "I'll go faster if you're not running behind me."

A/N: I'm really sorry everyone. This is all I can get out of this chapter. Writer's block is a bi$ch! Heh, I think my author's notes are longer than the actual chapter…