Disclaimer: I don't own YYH or the characters.

So, the HxB group I'm a part of decided to do biweekly challenge prompts, and so of course I jumped on this one. It was supposed to be a simple one-shot, and now it will be a complex story XD Hope you enjoy!

Prompt: Safe

Botan shook, even when Hiei led her back to their apartment building. Her ordeal mere minutes ago was fresh on her mind. She never experienced this before in the city, and she'd lived there for at least a year by now. Her pink eyes, shadowed by night, shifted to her normally cold neighbor—her rescuer. If it hadn't been for him… The woman shook her head free of the thought, afraid to even let her mind linger.

The two trudged up the stairs in silence. Hiei was rigid as always, but there was a dangerous glint to his eyes, his fists tightened and white. Botan would have probably been fearful of him if she hadn't known him since she moved here. He was always just her reticent neighbor, irritated when she chattered but still remained in her presence, arms crossed, regardless. He was the mystery that rarely said more than two words to her, but always left her breathless when he revealed an iota of personal information. She said good morning to Hiei every morning, and he'd nod in acknowledgement.

He was the man who saved her from being mugged tonight, the one who terrified the stranger and punched his lights out.

Once they reached her apartment, Botan was half-expecting Hiei to walk past her to his own door, but he remained rooted at her side. He reached his hand out to her. Botan was confused, but then she realized he was silently asking for her key. She reached into her handbag and pulled out her set of keys with way too many bright keychains. Hiei eyed the mess and snorted, but he took the key, unlocked her door, and led her inside.

Botan's first order of business was to lock up. She pressed her back to the door and leaned her head back, her breathing rapid. Hiei seemed to expect this. He stared at her, unmoving, and waited for her to regain some sense of self. Botan was not normally like this, terrified over something that didn't happen. She was the type to fight back if she had to, but this assault wasn't normal. Her attacker had a knife. There was hardly any way she could fight that. Then Hiei swooped in, disarmed the man, and got her out of that alleyway.

She was safe at home.

With that thought, Botan finally calmed, and she looked to Hiei with a sheepish smile. His mood was still unreadable to her, but his eyes were soft and warm. "Sorry about that…" she murmured. "I normally don't act like that but…"

Hiei answered with a shrug. "It's understandable. This isn't a usual occurrence for you."

Botan's eyes widened a fraction; she eyed her neighbor with worry. "But it is for you?"

Hiei's sharp eyes averted, and he refused to meet her gaze. Instead, they landed on her arm. A streak of red blood dripped. He glared at her injury. "We should take care of that."

Botan followed his gaze and paled at the sight of her own blood. She recalled momentary pain, but she didn't remember getting hit with the blade. "Um…yeah. I'll need help."

Hiei nodded, and the two went to her bathroom. Botan pulled her first aid kit out from under her sink. Her neighbor analyzed the contents and was strangely impressed how prepared this woman was for injury. He took out the antiseptic. Botan flinched from the sting but said nothing as she watched the reticent man tend to her. The bandages were wrapped perfectly. It was almost as if he'd done this before.

"You should be careful," Hiei told her after he dressed her wound. His eyes met hers, and they implored her to listen and follow his command. "About the company you keep."

Confused, Botan asked, "What do you mean?"

Cold eyes met Botan's, and Hiei's expression became one of heatless annoyance. "Anyone who would suggest to meet this late at night is a poor influence."

Botan snickered at that, but then she sobered. "Well…it wasn't as if the person I was going to meet knew where to find me." Hiei's brow quirked. "I…my friend set me up on a blind date."

Although there was no reason for Hiei to be bothered by this, he was, but he pushed whatever negative sensations deep inside of him. For Botan's own safety, Hiei could never be with her, and with his past track record with women, it was for the best. He wasn't blind. Botan was an attractive woman, but she deserved much more than attraction or desire, and Hiei knew he was not the type to provide more than that to a partner. He was on a mission, and he could not steer his focus away from it.

Still… "You don't appear to be interested," Hiei noted.

Botan's lips downturned slightly. "Well…I'm not," the woman admitted. "I didn't like the idea of a blind date, even though my friend meant well."

Hiei didn't comment, though Botan's words settled him in a strange way. The man had no idea why he felt somewhat pleased by his neighbor's admission, especially when he rationalized that there would never be even an inkling of something between them. He closed his eyes and mentally shook the idea from his mind.

In any case, Botan was home now, safe. Hiei could take his leave now, and so he moved towards the door.

Botan felt a jolt of panic, and she grabbed Hiei's wrist to stop him. "Wait," she murmured meekly. Hiei paused and cast her a sideward glance. "Just…don't go."

Dumfounded, Hiei asked, "Why?"

"I'm still feeling a little jittery. Could you please just stay with me?"

Hiei swallowed and clenched his fists. "Again…why?"

Botan managed a weak smile and said, "Because I feel safe when you're around."

Hiei didn't know how to react to that, especially because knowing him would put her in danger if the wrong people found out. He was not a warm or comforting presence like his sister, yet Botan seemed to relax as he turned towards her and surrendered to her desires. Thankful to him, Botan moved to cup his hand and squeezed it. She led him to her room. Hiei paused by the door and watched uncomfortably as Botan settled in her bed. Her eyes shone, beckoned him as their gazes met. Hiei knew he should go, knew that he could at least remain in the living room. Instead, his legs carried him to the bed; he sat down at the edge and removed his shoes. Botan's soft sigh reached Hiei's ears, and he closed his eyes and breathed through his nose. He needed to go, run far away from her, but his body contradicted his mind.

Moments later, he found himself lying down facing Botan, the woman cuddled against him and her warm breath on his chest. She was soft and inviting, a siren calling him to his downfall, yet her sleeping face was angelic and peaceful and Hiei relaxed at the mere sight of her.

What is this woman doing to me? How the hell did I even get here?