Disclaimer: I don't own YYH or the characters

Prompt: Affair

After the eve of his birthday, Hiei fell further and further for his next-door neighbor. His feelings for Botan grew the more time he spent with her. Even if they sat in silence and watched her vapid programming, Hiei felt a fullness that never once existed in his life. Botan's worth to him was so much more apparent. It was hardly a wonder how she captured the attention of vile characters who wanted to take advantage of her free spirit, warmth, and depth.

The two had their own little world between their two apartments. Every day was something so peaceful, so domestic, as they shared meals and engaged in comfortable chit-chat. Hiei learned more about the woman's life, her friendship with their mutual friends from her perspective, her hopes and dreams, and her desire to be involved with children like her. She admitted to Hiei that she was a foster child with no idea as to who her parents were.

Likewise, within reason, Hiei told her about his life. He told her nothing about Tarukane, but instead explained that he and his sister were separated at birth and lost their parents also. He admitted he grew up on the streets and that he developed a kill or be killed mentality during that time. To avoid the complete truth, he admitted that people he knew helped him to get off the streets and find something more productive to do with his time. Without knowing the full extent, Botan sincerely respected Hiei for moving past his hardships.

Each time they were together, they wanted to separate less and less. Every touch grew more heated. Hiei's attraction for Botan burned deep in his soul. Her gentle ministrations were a balm on his shattered heart. Hiei knew his emotions were getting out of hand, that this affair crossed so many lines and protocols, but he didn't care. His feelings for Botan were indescribable, powerful, so he surrendered and dove deeper with hope that she would one day forgive him for the truths he kept hidden for her own safety.

Hiei strode through ornate halls with confidence. Once again, Tarukane summoned him, most likely to get an update on Hiei's progress with Botan. As planned, Hiei convinced Botan to go along with everything he said so that it would look to an outsider that she was starting to warm up to him. He made sure to say things in his wry sense of humor he knew she'd find funny. Ruka seemed more at ease these days, probably realizing that Botan's days were numbered and soon she'd be on to Tarukane's next find. Little did she know that the second law enforcement found and rescued all the women Tarukane had stashed away, Ruka would have a one-way ticket to prison for conspiracy to kidnap, for as long as the judge saw fit, even for life.

Tarukane sat in his large, oak office chair. His eyes scanned a document as Hiei stepped forward. The criminal turned his attention to Hiei and seemed discomforted.

"Well?" he demanded. Hiei felt relief. If Tarukane was this concerned, it meant that the man wasn't having Hiei or Botan watched. That meant he truly trusted him.

"Things are going well," Hiei articulated. "She seems more relaxed in my company. Her pesky friends are still around. I see familiar undercover vehicles daily."

Tarukane huffed, but nodded. "Well, we can't be surprised. Makes me think that Zeru got picked up by one of them. Though why he hasn't been able to get in touch with his phone call is beyond me."

Hiei didn't visibly react. He knew exactly the reason why Zeru was being denied his phone call. As much as it violated his rights, the precinct and the FBI wanted the girls set free. They were willing to get hit with legal action later if it meant that Tarukane was done for good.

"You're right," Hiei replied dutifully. "It doesn't make any sense. In any case, how should I proceed with the girl?"

The kingpin pondered for a moment, hand on his chin. It was as if he were playing a mental battle of chess. With law enforcement watching Botan, there was little the man could order Hiei to do. As Tarukane deduced, the officers had his most loyal man, and he didn't want to lose anymore loyalty in this endeavor. He wanted to keep Hiei out of prison, so he couldn't just snatch Botan right up.

"There's only one thing to do since her friends are still watching her," Tarukane surmised. "Hiei, I want you to date her." Hiei could barely contain his shock, truly bewildered by the order. "I know it sounds odd. Normally, we'd just take the women when no one is around, but right now too many eyes are on her. The only thing to do is lure both her and her friends into a false sense of security."

"How will dating her make her friends feel more secure?" Hiei challenged. "Wouldn't they be more alert if she's with some stranger?"

Tarukane shook his head. "For a time, I expect that, yeah," he agreed. "However, the longer you're with her, going out for public outings away from the restaurant, earning more and more of the broad's trust, eventually those officers might back off, thinking she's safe with you."

Hiei had to admit that it was a brilliant plan on Tarukane's part. If this were any other situation, with any other guy, eventually it could have worked. If, by some chance, Botan would have escaped Zeru all her own and their friends all kept watch over her, some smooth-talker could have worked his way into her good graces. Hell, the proverbial man would have probably worked overtime to spend time with Botan's police friends and try to win them over. Thankfully, everything worked out the way it did. Hiei could continue to keep their friends notified, maybe give Tarukane the appearance that his plan worked while the others operated a sting with him. Somehow, this would work, and Botan would be kept safe.

Plus, Hiei would be lying if he said the thought of spending time with her outside of the apartment didn't sound appealing.

Hiei dutifully nodded. "Don't worry, Mr. Tarukane. You can count on me."

Botan hummed a jovial tune as she washed the dishes and put them in her drainboard. Hiei watched her from the kitchen table and frowned. After several days of putting Tarukane's plan on hold, reality returned to him. The temporary bliss of his and Botan's relationship was shattered the other day when he received a message from Yusuke.

Another girl missing, more local this time. That bastard is trying to spread to our side of the block.

Hiei's blood ran cold after that. Yusuke's warning reminded Hiei of the time he learned about Yukina's kidnapping. By the time he met his twin, the girl was long-since set free. Tarukane didn't frequent the side of the city where she grew up, which begged the question of how he got hold of her in the first place.

"It was around the time she learned about you," Hiei remembered Kurama's words. "Once she learned she had a brother and that he was most likely still out there, alone, she snuck out of school and headed directly into the downtown district."

"Alone?" Hiei gasped out, appalled. "Didn't she know how dangerous it was? I could have been dead for all she knew!"

"She was warned of that," Kurama assured him, "but she was headstrong, much like you are. She refused to let it be, and so she took off without telling anyone, afraid we'd all stop her."

Hiei shook his head free from those painful memories. Even though he didn't know about Yukina then, the guilt he felt, being the reason for her capture and the horrors she endured, always ate away at him. It was the reason he took this assignment, why he trained for it. He and Yukina, their parents, and now Botan deserved justice.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Hiei jumped at the unexpected chime of Botan's voice. He looked to the sink. It was off, and he never heard the water stop. Normally, Hiei was aware of his surroundings, especially on assignment. He rarely dropped his guard. It was always unsafe for him to do so.

This hit him like a ton of bricks. If he couldn't pull himself together, Botan could truly be Tarukane's next target. Having their friends follow Botan around gave them some time, but Tarukane wanted results.

Now that Hiei knew Tarukane was trying to 'spread his stink'—a phrase the damn bastard would use quite often in regard to himself—he was so worried about his next steps with Botan, at least from Tarukane's side of things. Hiei's heart ached at the thought of Botan being in such a horrific position. What his mother and sister endured, he didn't want that for Botan, didn't think he could move forward with the ploy, not if it meant he had to risk handing her over to the creep for appearances sake to take him down.

Every day, he wanted to tell her. Every day, he couldn't. He didn't fear losing her. If anything, Botan would forgive him for his deceit. She would understand his heart was in the right place.

His heart. That was part of the problem now, wasn't it? Hiei was supposed to remain objective, alert, play along with whatever illegal ruse Tarukane wanted him to pursue with the knowledge that at the end of this every woman taken would be free and reunited with their families. Honestly, for the sake of the assignment, Hiei was supposed to let Zeru take her.

Cool fingertips met his heated skin, cooling his face as she touched his cheeks but burning him up as they trailed down to his neck. Hiei gripped her forearms weakly, defeat hanging over him. He truly was at a loss. He needed to complete his mission by earning Tarukane's trust, but he couldn't fight what he felt for Botan. And because he felt something for her, he couldn't let any harm befall her.

"Hiei," Botan spoke softly. Hiei wouldn't look at her. "Is everything okay? I've never seen you like this. Did something happen at work?"

Hiei released a straggled murmur, which sounded like a laugh. "I don't want to talk about it."

Botan's features softened. She hugged Hiei tightly to her, and his arms wrapped around her without question.

"Whatever it is, you'll be okay," she assured him. "You're the strongest man I know."

Hiei's grip on her tightened. He was moved by her words, but still felt awful. This was new for him. He had never felt so hopeless, not even when he was on the streets.

"I'm not so sure about that…" he countered disparagingly.

"I am," Botan said so resolutely, with no doubt or hesitance. Hiei pulled away and raised his head to look the woman in the eye. A frown persisted, but Botan leaned forward to kiss it away.

Hiei, although surprised by her action, glided his hand up into her soft hair and pushed her forward, kissing her with everything he had.

And then her phone rang, a familiar tone which Hiei grew to associate with her witch of a boss.

Botan huffed in frustration and grabbed her phone. She answered it and put on a smile as she gave a forced, chipper greeting. "Hello, Ruka. What is it?"

There was silence for a moment, and Botan's brow furrowed. Anger trickled into her disposition. "Unfortunately, I can't come in today. Since it's my day off, I made plans."

It seemed Ruka was still trying to convince Botan to come in. Botan continued to listen.

"Ruka, I always come in for my scheduled shifts, have called out only once, and have given plenty of extra shifts," Botan argued. "If you don't like that I can't come in, then I can always find work elsewhere."

Hiei perked up at that. Since he'd met Botan, she never expressed interest in working anywhere else aside from when she told him her dreams for the future. He always wondered what brought Botan to Ruka's, especially given what a snake the woman was. Clearly, Ruka was trying to get Botan to come, which probably meant Tarukane called to make a reservation. Hiei's eyes narrowed, his irritation evident.

If Hiei didn't know any better, he could swear that he heard a frantic Ruka on the other end begging Botan not to quit, how much she was needed, and to enjoy her day off before there was silence.

Botan huffed in annoyance and placed her phone on the table. She looked at Hiei and smiled forlornly. "I'm sorry about that," she apologized. "I don't know why Ruka was so insistent."

"Did you mean what you said to her?" Hiei asked abruptly. "That you could find work elsewhere?" Botan nodded. "Heh, I'm surprised you threatened to quit."

The woman laughed sardonically, as if she were unsatisfied with her current position. "To be honest, I threaten it all the time," she admitted. This was news to Hiei. "Ruka and I don't always see eye to eye."

Genuinely curious, Hiei asked, "Why do you stay?"

Botan sighed and sat down at the table. Hiei followed suit. "I like the concept of the restaurant, want to learn all I can, but I don't think Ruka wants me to go any further. Sometimes I feel like she doesn't have my best interests at heart."

"She doesn't," Hiei shoots back quickly, confusing Botan. He calmed and then stated, "She uses you. Even I can see that. You deserve better than that place. You deserve to live your dream, and your food deserves to be enjoyed by people who appreciate it."

Botan placed her hand on Hiei's and squeezed it. She smiled, her eyes full of hope and appreciation. "Thank you for saying that."

"Hn," Hiei replied as he cupped her hand and held it tight.

Hiei couldn't sleep, not since he woke up from a horrific nightmare. Cold sweat clung to his skin, his breathing rapid and body rigid. He clutched his bedsheets to try to center himself, remind himself he was in his cruddy apartment.

His eyes shifted to the digital clock on his nightstand. It read 10:00 PM, almost time for that damned tea room to close. Hiei's body relaxed, but his heart still raced. It was supposed to be a cold night, so Botan promised Yusuke she'd let the officer drive her home. She was safe. Tonight, anyway.

The nightmare felt so real, and Hiei could barely catch his breath as he sat up. In those awful images, Hiei was ordered by his superiors to go along with Tarukane's order to bring Botan to the damned brothel and allow her to suffer. The betrayal in her eyes haunted him, even if it was a dream. Even worse, not only did he have to watch as she suffered, but he was ordered to kill her when she tried to escape alone, just like his mother.

And he pulled the trigger.

Hiei knew none of this would ever come to pass. He could never do that to anyone, let alone a woman he loved. Just as soon as that foreign word entered his mind, Hiei felt like he was hit by a train.

He shot out of bed and grabbed his shirt from a wooden chair in his room. Botan wasn't home yet, but that didn't matter. Hiei just wanted to be at her place when she got home. He was certain she wouldn't want to wake him. Hiei didn't care if it was considered breaking and entering. A lock would not be enough to keep him away.

At the end of her shift, Botan texted Yusuke to meet her at the curb. Her friend pulled up in his squad car, and Botan noticed her boss tense. Oblivious to the reason, Botan shrugged it off and started to leave when Ruka called out, "Why is there an officer here?"

Botan felt no need to explain herself to Ruka, thanks to Hiei's suggestion to keep her mugging to herself. "He's just a friend giving me a ride home. It's freezing out. You be careful too, okay?"

The blue-haired woman left the agitated redhead behind.

Yusuke chatted with Botan on the drive home. They didn't talk about anything of substance. Honestly, since the night of the party, Botan felt compelled to keep her clandestine meetings with Hiei a secret, even from Yusuke. She really liked when she and Hiei were together in their own little private world. Botan wondered if that's why Hiei made her keep her distance in public. It was as good an explanation as any.

When they got back to the apartment building, and Yusuke didn't pull away, Botan understood. She waved to her friend and let him watch her go inside. Yusuke was afraid for her, since the night of her attack, and if she wanted to bother her friend, she would express how scared she was too. There was even a part of her that believed there was something more to the simple mugging. Her attacker did seem sort of familiar, but she couldn't place him.

Botan reached her apartment door and was ready to go in and lock herself in for the night. She unlocked the door and entered. What she wasn't expecting to find was Hiei sitting right on her couch. She blinked a few times as she tried to make sense that he was there. There was an emotion in his eyes that could only be explained as relief and anguish all in one.

Botan's heart clenched in her chest. Her neighbor's fists we clenched, seemingly ready to fight, but his shoulders sagged in defeat. He met her gaze, and something else entered those crimson eyes. In that look, Botan saw nothing but desire, but that couldn't be right.

"Hey there," she greeted. "I'm surprised to see you. How was your day?"

Hiei didn't have a verbal answer. He stood up and swiftly went to her. Her back nearly slammed against the door as Hiei crashed his lips against her. His eyes met hers as she timidly caressed his lips back with her own kisses, his gaze smoldering and burning through her soul. A hand tangled in her hair to pull her forward. An intensity rose between them as he led her away from the door.

Botan didn't complain as Hiei led her away, but it took her by surprise when she fell back on a bed. She was about to ask Hiei what was going on with him, but his fingers all traced trails on the bare skin of her neck down to her shoulders. A moan came out instead.

Hiei kissed Botan once again as he bunched the bottom of her shirt to reveal her toned belly. He sunk down and peppered her skin with kisses, tasting the sweet remnants of her now heated skin. Botan's hand found Hiei's hair. She gently tugged to get his attention. Hiei looked up to see her head tilted forward and eyes lidded.

"W-wait," she whispered. "What is this all about?"

Realization hit Hiei. He didn't really know what he'd been doing, his body on autopilot as his heart demanded he show this woman how he felt. Rationale returned, and Hiei pulled back to look the woman in the eye.

"I didn't mean to lose myself," he admitted, regret in his gaze. "Tell me if you want this. I won't be upset if you don't."

Botan's brow crinkled, concern in her heart, and her mouth dropped open to speak. No words came out, which Hiei clearly took as a rejection. He moved to leave and looked angry, but Botan could feel it. He was angry at himself.

Before Hiei could leave her, Botan grabbed his hand and laced their fingers together. It prevented Hiei from walking away, one arm behind his back with her and one leg stepped forward.

"It's okay, Hiei, don't leave," Botan pleaded. "I…you just took me by surprise. I do want this. I love you, Hiei."

Botan could see Hiei's rigid shoulders align after his body jolted from her confession. He stayed standing in that position before he turned back around and returned to the bed. He hovered over her, their lips tangled in a heated dance as they both poured their feelings into one another. Botan wrapped her arms around her lover. Both allowed their passion to flow through as they made out. When Botan's hands started to tentatively explore his body—his shoulders, his taut back—Hiei saw stars. He pulled away and adjoined their foreheads, his breathing ragged.

"Botan…" he whispered against her lips.

Botan kissed him again, an innocent peck. Hiei connected to her again, his fingers revisiting her abdomen, tracing upward to reveal more of her and remove her top all together.

Everything after that point happened so fast, in a blur that also felt like slow motion. Soon the two were out of their clothes, eager to connect fully. Neither got a wink of sleep that night, and not until the early hours of the morning. In the late morning, Botan called into work. Hiei's encouragement to do so and promises of a day together was all she needed.

Days later, as Hiei continued to navigate the dangerous tightrope of the case, everything was seemingly calm. At the restaurant, the day following Botan's call out, Hiei asked Botan out for the sake of appearances, and Botan brightened at that. She played along so well now, with little apprehension over the strange little play they had to put on for the outside world.

The two went on a couple of dates already. Nice, low key dates. Dinner. A movie. A walk around the city at night. Of course, Yusuke or Kuwabara were still around to keep an eye on them. Hiei alerted them to Tarukane's plan, so each date he wanted them there, still visible in case Tarukane was watching. It also assured Hiei that he would not be handing Botan over any time soon.

For the first time in a case, Hiei didn't mind being stuck. If it didn't move forward for a while, it meant Botan was safe.

However, they couldn't stay stationary forever.

One day, Hiei returned home. Tarukane had given Hiei a separate assignment to collect a debt. When the agent returned to his apartment, there was a note on his table. He already knew who it was from.

Hello. We need to talk about the case thus far.

Hiei glared at the paper. Mukuro. Crap…

The agent knew it was time for him to face the music.

A/N: Well, at least I'm all caught up with the old prompts. Not sure when new prompts will be added, but at least I had this time to play catch up XD Life for everyone has been crazy. I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. Looking forward to delving into where this goes next :D Until next time!

Review Responses

Guest: Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I'm enjoying this little AU world I've created :D Hope you continue to enjoy the story, and thank you for the review!