Fear of Fire

Disclaimer - Don't own YYH.

Chapter 5 - Dancing Shadows

XxXxX

Keiko and Yuusuke begged her to go with them. Yukina and Kuwabara just stood quietly and waited. Kurama asked politely, seeming disappointed when she declined. They all noticed the mark on her cheek and asked about it.

"Did someone hurt you?" Kurama's voice was cold, concerned. She flushed.

"Well...I-I..."

"It was my fault." Hiei said calmly, not even turning around to face them. They stared at his back in shock.

"N-No, Hiei... It wasn't your fault. You did all you could. It was my fault." Kurama's chilling glare landed on the koorime's back but Hiei did not flinch or shiver. He just turned around and calmly returned it.

"It was my duty to protect you since you so boldly came to find me." The koorime gazed at her. "I was angry when I accused you and told you that it was your fault."

"Okay, what's going on?" Yuusuke interrupted; looking at both of them. Hiei had his cloak on, hiding from them what had happened. But Kurama smelled the wound. He walked over to the koorime and tore the cloak away without a word. Everyone gasped sharply except for Botan, who's eyes widened.

"I need to change those." She said in concern. "Why didn't you tell me?" He frowned.

"It is none of your-"

"Don't give me that, Hiei!" She grabbed his wrist, startling even the fire demon. Then she dragged him into the kitchen. "You explain while I work." And so, the story was told. Botan noticed that he left anything to do with being the Forbidden Child and Yukina out.

"So, this guy was an enemy." Kuwabara voiced; scratching his head.

"Yes, how many road signs do you need?" Hiei snapped; glaring sharply at him. Kurama frowned.

"Hiei, don't move too much." She said in a soft voice; frowning.

"Onna." He gazed at her with a slight glare on his face. She stuck her tongue out at him.

"You behave, okay? I can easily be rough when I change them next time." She made him lean forward and began wrapping the bandages around him.

"Hn." Was the only reply. He gazed down at her, his crimson eyes narrowed.

Why are you doing this to me, onna? What is it about you that so easily distracts me? Is it your concern? Your worry?

Kurama noticed the puzzled look in his eyes and so did Yukina.

"Onna, I will not train if you go." Everyone stared at him in surprise.

"You promised me before but that isn't enough. I want to make sure it doesn't take a turn for the worst."

"I am a demon. I can handle it." She frowned and stood up; staring down at him as he sat in the chair.

"I know you could. I just need to rest my own suspicions."

"I will contact you, should anything go wrong."

"If you're sure..." He nodded.

XxXxX

Botan stood against the wall, an emptiness etched on her face that no one had ever seen there before.

"Botan-chan?" Yukina asked; smiling kindly. "Would you like to talk about it?" The ferry girl looked up and smiled slightly.

"Not really." She said softly.

"Please, you can tell me. Let us walk somewhere more private." Botan nodded; her smile widening a little. Yukina took her hand and pulled her gently along. "Oh, Kazuma... We are taking a walk." He nodded; knowing by the expression on the ice apparition's face that they wanted to be alone. When they were away from the house a little bit, Yukina smiled. "You have helped me more than once and I wish to help you."

"Well..." Botan frowned and looked up at the sky. The orange-red clouds floated slowly by, drifting across the setting sun. "I was thinking about how I felt about...you know." Yukina nodded. "And I don't think I feel that strongly for him. Of course, he is like a brother to me but I don't think I like him like that."

"Kurama-kun?" Botan nodded. "What about Hiei-san?" The ice apparition asked boldly. The ferry girl stopped dead in her tracks.

"Uhm... What about who?"

"Hiei-san."

"What about him?" Botan asked; her eyes glinting. Yukina let out a small giggle.

"You like him, don't you?" A blush tinged the blue-haired girl's cheeks and she began stuttering. "I figured as much with as worried as you were about him."

"W-What are you talking about?"

"Do not deny it, Botan-chan."

"I haven't even thought about it that way. Even so, with the way he is, letting someone get close-" Botan took her communicator out and called her apartment.

If you've gone training...

Someone picked it up.

"I told you that I would not go off training, onna."

"Good job, Hiei. How are you feeling?" He hesitated.

"Fine."

"You sound sick." Botan's concern came back full-force. "I'm coming home right now."

"Don't you dare, onna." She gasped and glared at the communicator.

"Who do you think you are? I am coming home whether you like it or not!"

"I'd rather come there and sit in a tree just so you'd leave my health alone."

"I'm not going to leave it alone, Hiei." She snapped. "If you're sick, I deserve to know." He was silent for a while and she almost thought he'd hung up. "Hiei?"

"I'm coming there." He hung up the phone and she stood, staring at it. She growled and hung it up. She was frustrated.

"Boy, that was a heated conversation." A smooth voice said from behind. Botan froze.

"K-Kurama?" She turned around, her eyes wide.

"You've done something not even I could do." He smiled slightly. His emerald eyes sparkled with knowing. "You've tamed him."

"I have done no such thing." She shoved the communicator back into her purse and frowned. Yukina giggled.

"I told you, Botan." The ferry girl pretended to ignore her comment. A few moments later a breeze blew across them. Hiei stood, staring at Botan with a frown.

"Hmph, are you happy now?" He asked; crossing his arms. She put her hands on her hips before she leaned forward. Kurama tensed but relaxed when she stopped right before his face. She put her hand to his cheek. Hiei stiffened and stopped breathing.

"At least you don't have a temperature." She let out a sigh of relief as she backed away. "Let me check those bandages."

"They are fine." He scowled.

Fussy onna. Why does she have to be so worried?

"Pfft." She scoffed. "The last time I didn't check them, they were worse than when I first put them on!" He growled.

"Why do you care?" She paled instantly and looked to Yukina, her heart pounding. Her stomach twisted.

"Y-You're my friend and...I worry about you." She couldn't look him in the eye.

Lying again, is she?

"What is that blasted noise?" He looked around.

"Music." Kurama replied.

XxXxX

"Is this what I insisted that you come to?" He had to admit, she looked kind of nice. Her hair was down around her shoulders and framing her face and she wore a black dress that went to her knees.

"Yes, this is what you insisted that I come to." He scowled at her when she mocked him.

"Only because you would have been moping around and your scent would've drove me insane." She blinked. "Remember? Heightened senses? I can smell and feel your emotions." She blushed heatedly. Hiei could sense that they were being closely watched.

"I remember." She said softly. He took her chin in his hand and pulled her gaze up to him. He had a serious expression on his face.

"And that is why I can tell when you are lying." Her face lost its color.

"I'm confused on a lot of things, Hiei. I need to sort them out."

"I didn't ask about that."

"Yes, you did. Do I need to quote you?" It took him a moment to register what she was talking about. He shook his head. "I need time." She smiled slightly. "But I'll always be there when you need me, okay?" He gave her his famous 'hn' then decided to look around. He let go of her and decided that he wanted to stand in the corner. "You're not going to stay with me?" He stopped short and looked back at her. She had whispered it softly but he had heard it somehow over the music. Maybe it was because he had selective hearing and he was capable of drowning things out.

"Do you really want my company?" He asked emotionlessly. "There is a kitsune that I know who would like yours."

"I don't know..." She closed her eyes and bit her lip. "I sort of want to be near you. We've just been spending so much time together that..."

"I know." He interrupted her. "But I think he wants to dance with you. Come to me whenever you wish." She smiled and looked up at him.

"Okay." As soon as he stepped away, Kurama went to speak with him first. Botan saw surprise register on Hiei's face and frowned. The two seemed deep in conversation. Then Kurama nodded once and walked toward her. "Hello, Kurama-kun."

"Botan-chan." She grinned.

"What was that conversation about?"

"Just something that needed to be spoken about between us." His emerald eyes held a look in them that she had never seen before. Hiei's eyes practically burned holes through Kurama.

Foolish kitsune. How dare he try to get me to go along with it! Why have I been pulled into this? Is it because I love her? No, I do not. She is just a friend to me.

Botan smiled when he asked her to dance with him.

"You are jealous." He looked over and saw Yukina smiling at him.

"Feh, like I care who she is with." She giggled.

"Obviously, you like her or you would not feel jealous. I can see it in your eyes." She stated quietly. "You are confused, are you not?"

"I do not know of these foolish ningen emotions. However, I do know that I just barely like her." He crossed his arms.

"Your eyes are glowing red, Hiei-san. I can tell that you are angered that she is giving him attention."

"More like disgusted." He scowled. She gave him a light pat on the arm.

"Just think of what you like about her and what you do not like." She smiled wider. "Determine whether or not you would like to be with her."

"Hn, as if I want to be with her." He scowled. The only reason he was angry was because of what Kurama said to him. Yukina was far from the target. Yet, he did not feel as though he should tell her anything more. He would let her think what she wanted.

"Yukina!" Kuwabara saw her in the corner and went running. "Oh, hey there, Hiei." He grinned. "What are you doing here? Lose a bet?"

"Why you-" The fire koorime snarled.

"He is here for-"

"Yukina." Hiei's eyes flashed warningly. He would never hurt her and she knew it. He acted strangely around her for some reason. She smiled and touched his arm.

"Okay. I promise not to speak a word."

"Thank you." She nodded and left with Kuwabara. The song faded out and Botan was even more confused about who she wanted. But she said nothing and used her cheerful facade to hide behind.

"I feel bad, leaving Hiei in a position like that, Kurama-kun. He hardly knows anyone here." He nodded. She smiled and went to join the fire koorime. "Hiei." She grabbed his arm and pulled him behind her. "Come on."

"I am not-"

"Please? It's better than standing in the corner." He frowned but gave in, knowing she would give him hell if he didn't agree.

Then I would hear it all night long.

He sighed softly enough so that she didn't notice it. He put his arms around her waist and she put hers around his neck.

"Thank you for dancing with me, Hiei."

"Hn." Was the only reply she got. She leaned her forehead in the crook of his neck and closed her eyes.

I can't believe it. Now I'm caught between Hiei and Kurama. I never imagined even considering Hiei as a...

She bit her lip.

"What were you and Kurama-kun talking about, Hiei?" She asked softly. He growled lowly.

"It was an important matter that needed immediate attention." He stated. She lifted her head to look at him.

"Kurama said something similar. It seemed to surprise you."

"Hn." She narrowed her eyes at him but decided to worry about it later and just have fun.

XxXxX

Botan sat in her room, staring at group photos and individual pictures. In every one of them, Hiei was distant and unhappy. She saw that Kurama carefully guarded his emotions but in some of them, he looked genial and happy. Hiei never smiled for one. Not one.

I could understand that. But the only one who was really able to bring out the best in him was not Kurama but Yuusuke. Is there something like a friendship developed between them? Hiei seemed distrustful but he had taken to Yuusuke quickly. Could it be that he knows he can trust our Spirit Detective? Yuusuke never mentioned that he was out for Hiei's blood. He never once said anything about fighting him seriously again. Nor did he ever betray him. Hiei even helped them at Maze Castle. Yuusuke told me the entire story. The Gate of Betrayal. Hiei could have been rid of them all but he pulled the lever.

She didn't understand him. She never seemed to read people well, anyway.

He's afraid. He doesn't want to be alone, no matter how much he suggests it.

She fell back on her bed and stared at the ceiling.

Which reminds me that he's only got two more days here with me. Then I'll be alone again.

She let out a sigh. What was it that she wanted? Friendship? Or something more?

Is Yukina right? Do I like Hiei a little more than I think? It could be possible. Anything that endangers him seems to really make me nervous for him. Especially Kenji. How can I be sure that more aren't going to come after him and eventually kill him?

This, of course, made it hard for her to sleep. It was once again two in the morning and she couldn't fall asleep if she tried.

"Onna, you are not sleeping." She had left her door open a crack and completely forgot about her light being on because she wasn't concerned with that at all. Hiei knocked lightly before entering. She looked up at him when she sat up.

"I was thinking."

"About?"

"Well..." She looked down and he followed her gaze.

"Pictures?" She nodded. "Why?" She didn't say anything but patted the spot next to her. She gave him a sad smile.

"Two more."

"Two more what?"

"Days." He understood immediately. He sat down and stared at her.

"Onna, I understand what you are saying. I don't..." She silenced him with a smile and a nod. She closed her eyes.

"I just don't want to be alone again. I'll start work at Reikai and come back here...to an empty apartment." She fell back once more. "You're always welcome here."

XxXxX

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