By Dan'yu
Chapter Three: HieiNingens were odd creatures.
Hiei contemplated this thought, as he considered the way Yusuke had thrown his life away, knowing what his fate was to be as he faced Sensui's last blast of Rei-ki without defense, as he watched the way the oaf prostrated himself before the detective's fallen body, anguish and rage rolling off of him in such intense waves no empathy was needed to interpret them.
Beside Hiei himself, he saw Kurama, the one fool he had always admired for his quick calculation and his levelheaded nature, begin to tremble slightly, emerald green eyes dark with sorrow.
Hiei contemplated this, mentally searching for the logic behind the intensity of their emotional response, and he considered once more.
Originally, he had faced Yusuke Urameshi in battle as an enemy, and the outcome of their fight had been his own shame of defeat and his outrage at Kurama's betrayal. Afterward, when Koemna had approached him with the offer of erasing his infamous record in exchange for aiding Urameshi on his future mission, Hiei had not refused, purely of selfish motivation. But later, as the months dragged on, and he continued to fight at Urameshi's side again and again, he could deny to himself all he wanted, but deep down, his reason for fighting with the other three was no longer purely for his own interests.
Yusuke was strong, proud, arrogant in his own right; all the attributes of a youkai warrior. He was an admirable fighter, and Hiei respected him for that, for his strength, his courage, and even for his compassion.
They all fought for a purpose, something that drove each of them to struggle so hard through each and every battle. Kurama fought with for the sake of his mother, Kuwabarra, for the sake of his friends and family, Yusuke shouldered the enormous burden of protecting the fate of the entire human race again and again, dwindled down in his own heart to protect the love felt for him by one special girl. Hiei could close his eyes, and wonder about what purpose he had followed for so long, and the gentle face of his sister would appear, sweet, innocent Yukina.
There was no need and no way to understand the intricacies of human nature with logic, but rationality had little place in their consciousness, only emotion. Pride and compassion ruled the man that was Yusuke Urameshi, and Hiei could not fault him for it. Instead of weakness, he saw strength, and he was proud to have called him comrade.
Slowly, Hiei unwound the wrap to his Jagan, feeling the familiar aura of reiki washing over him as he powered up and stepped forward to join his teammates. He too, would defend the memory of an admirable warrior who had died in honor, strength, and pride.
