Fear of Fire

Disclaimer - Don't own YYH.

Chapter 8 - Returning Hope

XxXxX

Botan closed her eyes and sighed. She lie on her bed, her mind flying through matters of her heart. She never really realized how much she liked Hiei until he was with her for a while. But now that it was ripped away from her because of something she said...

I don't understand. What did I do to cause this reaction in him?

She didn't understand her confused feelings for Kurama, either. She was certain that Hiei was just a friend. What did that make the kitsune, then?

There is no way that I am in love with Hiei after less than a week. Love takes more time than that. Even if we knew each other before, we never spent time together.

She curled up and clutched the jewel to her chest.

But why would he give me something so precious to him? He apologized to me, too... What do I do? I have to do something. I can't just lay here and wait for Kurama to get Hiei back. I have to do something!

She stood up and put the necklace around her neck before changing into a blue kimono. She left her hair down, not having the kind of patience to tie it back.

I'm coming, Hiei!

XxXxX

Kurama and Shizuru made tracks quickly through Makai. The hardest trial had been getting Koenma to agree. He liked having a detective in Makai. Kurama told him that they just had to tell Hiei something.

"I've always wondered what Makai looked like." She continued to look around, all the while leading him to Hiei. "It isn't like I've ever imagined. No wonder why you love it here."

"It's hard to leave it. The aura in the air is what any demon needs to sustain our abilities and drives." She looked up at the sky and smiled.

"Even I can sense it." He stopped walking, looking behind them to see a wolf demon staring at them hungrily. "It even seems as though you could become a quick meal here, too." He nodded and pulled a rose from his hair, transforming it into his rose whip.

"Don't worry. You keep tracking Hiei. I'll take care of him." She nodded and closed her eyes. She had yet to pinpoint him. It seemed like he was on the move...

This shouldn't be so hard...

XxXxX

She sped across the sky, her amethyst eyes focused ahead of her. Her cerulean hair thrashed behind her, dancing with the whipping winds. Botan let out a shriek when someone or something popped up a few feet in front of her and she was suddenly staring into seven pairs of hungry eyes. She gripped her oar and took a steep dive, weaving in and out of the maze of trees. Something knocked her from the transportational object and she hit the ground with a grunt of pain. She looked up and one of the demons grinned wickedly down at her. It was severely ugly and had purple skin and green eyes with a shock of black hair. She stood up.

"Like I would ever become a quick meal for you." She clenched her fists and suddenly, her aura rose around her, making her hair, kimono, and body lift upwards. She smirked at him before forming a ball of it in her hands. She could feel a boost of power from somewhere but she didn't know where. Her eyes gleamed and she threw the Reiki at the demon, gasping in disgust when it sliced through it, blood erupting from it.

I have to get out of here. I have to find Hiei and nothing is going to stand in my way.

The determined ferry girl went and picked up her oar. It was undamaged and she breathed a sigh of relief. The crystal clear sky above her turned a deep shade of red, which signalled sunset.

Ohhhh! The dark here is worse than anything else... I have to find shelter for the night.

She sat on the floating oar and sped up, high into the sky.

If I send a signal, I'll just attract more demons. If I remain unnoticed, that would be grand.

Though, with her luck, she doubted it would be that way. She couldn't be so lucky. With a determined fire sparking to life in her eyes, she flew desperately across the sky, leaving a beautiful light blue trail that shimmered from existence only seconds after appearing. She kept her speed for five minutes until she sensed a familiar aura.

Hiei!

XxXxX

"I still say that we should quit for the night. You need your rest, Shizuru." She scowled at him before turning around and smiling secretively.

"Yeah, whatever." She lay down just outside of the firelight and snuggled into her jacket. The sky was growing darker and darker so they had been forced to stop. Kurama knew about the dangers of Makai at night. He looked up at the sky. He missed this place dearly and always felt homesick. It was the type of empty longing that nothing could ease.

What do I expect? I am a demon and this my home. There is no way around it. I will never feel completely at ease in Ningenkai. Makai...the home of demons... My home.

It was the only home he would ever have. There was no place in Ningenkai for demons. Except...that the light was drawing them away. For some, it was the prospect of understanding. They wanted to acquire more knowledge of the ningen race. For others, it was hope. Some were not fit to survive in the dangerous world. Then there were the few that wanted to escape from their pasts for the few remaining years of their lives. Then there was him. Then Hiei. Kurama had no choice but to leave. Hiei made a foolish move and was forced to stay.

It had to have been harder on him. Everything he had said was the truth. Botan only reminded him of Reikai and the ruler that kept him there. Maybe that was the real reason why he had left. After all, the Hiruiseki Stone was precious to him but it represented a part of his past that he no longer wishes to remember. Perhaps he could not handle the reality of the entire thing. Then there is the plain fact that Hiei does not want to accept another into his heart. There is only room for Yukina. He once told me that.

There were many possibilities and most of them were part of the truth. In fact, he believed that they were all the truth.

... And he was right.

XxXxX

Botan landed and looked around, her amethyst eyes glittering with hope. Her heart was pounding with her anticipation. She stopped and her eyes widened when something grabbed her arm from behind. Her Reiki rose, just as it had when she fought that demon.

"Onna." She froze and her power died down. She turned around and felt tears sting her eyes. Then she threw her arms around him.

"Oh, Hiei! I've missed you!" He stood still, a thousand thoughts flying through his mind at the speed of light. She pulled away hesitantly but her hands remained on his shoulders. She was afraid that he would leave if she completely let him go. "You're such an idiot!" She cried; her tears finally falling down her flushed face. His dark eyes narrowed.

"What are you doing here?" She smiled shakily at his question.

"Baka..." The affection in her voice nearly made him flinch. "I came to find you. I couldn't...handle not seeing you. When you were with us, I saw you, even if it was briefly on missions and such. But it was never like this." She brought one of her hands up and traced the small bump on the chest of her kimono where the Hiruiseki Stone rested beneath. "Then...after you sent this to me with your apology..." She let him go, confident that he wouldn't move. Then she reached up and unhooked the necklace before putting it around his neck and latching it in the back. "It's yours. It doesn't belong on me." She bit her bottom lip. "This is also your decision. Kurama was going to come, as well. He is probably on his way here now." She began to tremble. "Hiei, think about this. We all want you back... I want you back." He stared at her and she lifted her eyes to meet his. She stumbled back when she saw the familiar cold crimson color.

"I do not belong in Ningenkai. As long as I am able to be here, so I will remain." She closed her eyes and turned away, determined not to let him see her anguish. That, however, didn't matter. He could feel it. But she didn't want him to see it. "Why do you want to see me after what I said to you?" She didn't turn to look at him.

"Because you're my friend, Hiei. Whether I am yours or not. I could never hate you. You could say anything you want. Sure, it hurts but I will never turn my back to you when you need help." She wrapped her arms around herself. He watched her body tremble as she tried to keep in her sobs. He was never good with emotions but this was driving him insane. He would not let it happen again. He drove himself to edge of his sanity to try and keep her away before and he knew that if it happened again, he would do something that he would regret. He saw the image in his mind and it was enough to make him shiver with disgust at himself. The image was of Botan's limp and lifeless body in the dirt with a pool of her blood around her. Her blank, empty eyes stared up at him. He stood over her, his lips twisted into a cruel smirk with his blood-stained sword held up close to his face. His eyes were blacker than the darkness that resided in hell. He shook the image away.

"I apologize." He walked to her until he was right behind her before putting his hands on her upper arms. He turned her around and pulled her closer, his arms sliding down to her waist. She could hardly believe it. Hiei was hugging her. She did all she could. She threw her arms around his neck and cried into his chest.

"Hiei..."

XxXxX

Kurama roused Shizuru and picked her up. He ran to where he sensed his friend. When he got there, his eyes went wide. Hiei embraced Botan and she did the same, crying. The look in their eyes... He smiled sadly.

"Hiei..." She whispered; her small voice trembling so badly that she didn't dare to say another word. The kitsune didn't want to ruin the moment but Hiei knew he was there. The koorime glanced at him. He felt the telepathic link.

I am going back, Kurama. There is no need for you to try and convince me.

Kurama sighed with relief before nodding.

I will take Shizuru back to Ningenkai now. We can speak later.

The koorime gave a slight nod and Kurama left. Botan's hands clutched Hiei's shirt with a white-knuckled grip. She felt fresh tears fall every other second. They just wouldn't stop.

"Baka onna." He said softly. "Why are you still crying?"

"Because I'm going to miss you, Hiei. If you stay here..." She trailed off and buried her face deeper into his shirt. He looked up at the sky. It was still growing dark.

"Onna, come on. You have to go home." Botan whimpered and gripped him tighter.

"N-No... Please...just a little longer." She pleaded softly. He frowned. He didn't understand why she was still so upset. Actually, she thought that he was staying there, in Makai. He sighed before pulling away slightly and picking her up. "H-Hiei? What are you doing?"

"I am taking you back." He replied; closing his eyes and contacting Koenma through the Jagan. Then he scowled and darted toward where Koenma instructed him to. Botan didn't say one word on the way. She just stared forward, not even seeing the blurry trees as they passed. He went through the portal. Then he formed another link to Koenma.

Form another portal to Ningenkai.

But...

Now, godling. I wasn't asking.

He smirked when the portal opened in front of him. He stepped through and raced to her apartment. She handed him the key when he demanded it and opened the door. Stepping through, he closed it behind him with his foot. After gazing around, he set her on the couch and went to the kitchen. He brought out a glass of water and handed it to her before sitting down next to her.

"Onna..."

"I know you want to go back." She smiled weakly at him and drank some of the water. "I can't stop you." He watched her closely. "I just don't understand..." All she wanted was for him to stay. Well, he had already decided on it. She looked over at him with a frown. "What?" He stood up and walked to the door, looking back at her.

"I'm not going anywhere." Her eyes widened and she got her voice back right after he left.

"Hiei..." A small smile came to her face.

I'm glad...

XxXxX

Kurama was sitting at his desk, staring at the wall. His mind was on what he was going to do about their current situation. Maybe nothing would need to change. Maybe they would just go along with it.

"Kitsune." He turned to the window and saw Hiei sitting there. The depths of his crimson eyes spoke volumes about what he was going through.

"So, Hiei, are you here to tell me what this is all about?" The koorime nodded. "Listen, if it has to do with-"

"I know, Kurama." The fire demon smirked. "I knew the instant that I saw your face."

"Is it...all right with you?" The kitsune asked hesitantly. Hiei chuckled.

"I am not in love with her, fox." Kurama sighed with relief. Things could remain the way that they had been. Except that Hiei would be there with them.

"It is good to have you back, Hiei."

"You flatter me." The kitsune laughed.

This is how things should be.

XxXxX

How was that chapter? Hope you like! We'll be seeing some KB but, as we all know, this is HB, right? We're about to hit a rocky part of the road, then. At any rate, please review and tell me how it is!