Hey there! Well here is the next chapter. its still set about four months ago, where it shows you how the relationship of Hiei and Botan begins to grow. hope you like it. If its bad i'm sorry.


"Hiei, you've gotten taller." Botan said liking her strawberry ice-cream cone. Hiei shrugged as he was eating his chocolate ice-cream cone. They were sitting on a bench at the park. Hiei sat at the top of the bench while Botan sat comfortably on the part meant to be sat.

"I swear you have, I know a year ago when Yusuke came back your forehead went to my shoulder now your chin is almost level with it."

"Hn, I haven't noticed." He continued to eat his yummy treat.

"Ooo!! Hiei I'm so proud of you!! You've finally reached puberty!!" This earned her a chocolate ice-cream cone thrown at her face. Botan glared at him as wiped the cold treat off her face. Hiei's glare beat hers and she looked away not wanting to be caught up in a staring contest she would surly loose. 'Jeez he cant take a joke.' She took out a napkin and whipped the rest off her face and she could just feel her hair getting sticky.

You should watch what you say in your head. You never know who could be listening.

Hiei! Do you mind? Just because you have the gift to go through peoples heads doesn't mean you should.

Its not like there's any interesting, all that runs in your head is that godforsaken 'Pocketful of Sunshine' song, strawberries, and puppies.

Sorry, if my mind is too girly for you. Just for you'll I'll be more than happy to sing 'Let the Bodies hit the floor' while thinking of Kuwabara getting tortured medieval style along with poor innocent puppies getting eaten by demonized cats!

Awe, would you really do that for me?

NO! And you know what? That was just a waste of an ice-cream!!

Go get me another one.

I DON'T THINK SO MISTER!

Are you going back on your word? Did you not tell me that I get ALL the ice-cream I want for a full year? I would hate for something to happen to you before you even began to live life.

"Aughhh!!" Botan huffed and got up off the bench and headed for the nearby ice-cream shop. Hiei smirked as she told him she hated him in her mind.

Hiei: 1 Botan 0

Later that day...

Botan got through taking her shower. She washed her hair with a strawberry vanilla scented shampoo. Maybe Hiei was right,she did involve her self too much with strawberries. She got dressed wearing pink shirt with a heart on it and a matching skirt. She looked out side and decided to were her light purple hoodie since she saw it was a bit windy outside. She looked at her self in the mirror that hung on her closet door. She wondered if she was to girly and if the pink low top converse were to much. Oh, to heck with what Hiei says there is nothing wrong with being girly. She thought as she summoned her oar. She wanted to tell Yukina her best friend that she was now able to live a new life. Perhaps they could all celebrate on this happy occasion. Botan pulled out her cell phone a forward a message to every one. She looked out her window. If she looked hard enough she could see Hiei's tree, and he was indeed there. She wondered if she should invite him. She decided not to. He most likely would not enjoy himself let alone come willingly.

--

"Hello there Hiei." Kurama said to Hiei from under his tree. Hiei opened his eyes and saw the fox give him his pleasant smile. Hiei jumped down from the tree.

"What do you want fox?"

"So I'm not allowed to walk through the forest with out having a reason?"

"Hn." Hiei leaned against the tree.

"There's something odd about you Hiei. I'm not sure what it is but your not your usual grumpy self and your smell is off."

Hiei shrugged his shoulders, he hated that Kurama had a sharp nose. Damn that woman's smell must have rubbed a bit on me, but not enough for him to make a connection that its her.

"Hold on a second" Kurama reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. "looks like Botan is going to through a party at Genkai's. Apparently she's quit her job. Would you like to come Hiei?"

"No."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Alright. I shall see you later."

Hiei watched his ally walk away and then it hit him. The woman had a big mouth what if she told every one that he helped? Fuck it!

"Kurama wait."

--

Botan was having fun being with everyone. She helped Yukina with dinner and Hiei was very surprised that she hadn't even mention his name when she was asked why she decided to quite. This was very unusual for the woman, normally she would be dieing to say something noble that he did. The party lasted for few hours as it had gotten dark.

Botan and Shizuru nearly had a field day as they burst out laughing as they watched Kurama and Yusuke hold Hiei back from murdering Kuwabara as he had kissed Yukina goodnight and left. It took every one 10 minutes for every one to calm down and it left Yukina and Keiko very confused. Botan said goodbye to everyone and left the temple. He was waiting for her outside, they were far away enough for the others to not hear them nor sense they were together.

"It's not like you to not spill a secret." He told her as he walked with her through a path in the forest.

"Oh, well I just figured that since you stood up for me in Koenma's office that it would be the least I could do for you. And hey, I'm not so bad at secrets I've kept your darkest secret quiet!"

"You almost cracked a few times and I've had to remind you to keep your damned mouth shut."

"True…sorry about that. Its to be expected she is my best friend after all."

"How are we going t keep the toddler quiet."

"Way ahead of you on that! Trust me Koenma will not say anything to the guys." She smiled at him so confidently.

"And how did you manage that when he's got a big mouth like you?"

"Ignoring that. I have a very embarrassing pic of him drunk doing something not meant for young eyes. Been saving to use that pic for a special occasion, felt like this would be a perfect time to bring it to his attention."

"Blackmail?" Hiei was impressed. " Punching someone in the face and now this? Your coming along nicely. Guess I'll hang around a little longer so we can finally destroy that angelic side of yours." She smiled sweetly at him.

"I don't think the others would be to thrilled…" She stopped walking and turned to him, she had a slight blush to her face as she wasn't sure how to ask this and if she was just wasting her time. "Would you… would you like to come live with me?" He looked at her like she was mental.

"Why the hell would I want to do that?"

"Well, no that was the wrong term," She put her to her chin trying to think of the right way to say it. "When you have an ice-cream craving I'll be more than happy to share my apartment and fridge. If that's any better."

"Share your home?" Hiei thought for a minute about it. It couldn't hurt to do that.

"I'll leave the window open and when ever you feel like it you can just come on in with out any permission. Or I could give you key…"

"The window would work."

"Really? Wait really? Oh cool! Awesome, well you'll have to come with me to the store to pick out what you want. Oh and I have a few rules if you do this, don't messy up my home and don't burn anything down, please." She was happy.

"Fine, I cant promise to abide by the second rule though." He said bluntly.

"Hiei? Was that a joke?"

"Maybe…" he watched the blue haired girl burst into laughter.

--

"There we go!" Botan fit the last container of ice-cream into the freezer. " Let me show you were the bowls are" She pointed to the cabinet to the left and showed him were the spoons are. "When done I would appreciate if you would place all your dishes in the sink, the refrigerator is open to you if your tired of ice-cream. Feel free to watch tv or any of the movies or yeah, you can pretty much do what ever. Bathroom is down the hall, oh and my room is off limits. Understand?."

"Why? You have anything in there we shouldn't know about?" Hiei asked her. Last time he was in her room there wasn't anything to special.

"No, but its like my private sanctuary. How would you feel if some one slept in your tree." Hiei shrugged his shoulders and walked to her entertainment center. He pulled out a dvd.

"Will you show me how to work this?" He held out a movie to her.

"Sure, oh this movie! Have you seen it before." She said taking it from him. It was the Dark Knight.

"Saw bits of it at Yusuke. I liked the clown."

"Ha, ha! I figured you would!! Well you turn the TV on then you press this button and insert the dvd here." She pointed out all the things he needed to do watch the movie. Hiei sat on her sofa with his ice-cream and waited for the movie to start. Botan went to her room and brought out her lap top and sat out next to him.

"What are you doing?' Hiei asked her curiously.

"Well Yukina asked if we could do something together since I have a long vacation. I was thinking about going camping and she loved that idea. So I'm going to look for a spot for us."

"Why not use the hags forest."

"We want a peaceful camping trip not one filled with demons and idiots running around."

"Then why are you going?"

"Ha, ha! Just shut up and watch the movie." She said putting her computer on the coffee table in front of the couch. She was hit at the back of her head by Hiei's hand.

"Don't tell me what to do woman."

"Ow! That doesn't mean you have to hit me.."

"Just shut up and do your research."

Botan slammed her computer shut. "Screw this, I'm off to bed. Good night Hiei!" She got off the couch and headed for her room. Jerk!! The remote hit the back of her head because of her turned to glare at him and rubbed the back of her head.

"I thought you were off to bed." He looked over the coach at her smirking.

"Yes I am!" She huffed and turned back around.

"Well good night, bitch." He smiled as she screamed out of annoyance.

Hiei 2 Botan 0


It had been a few days since Botan had seen Hiei. He had only stayed over that first night for only a few hours at her house and came in few days ago to get food and left. He must be off at demon world either patrolling or hanging out with Mukuro. Botan sat at her kitchen table eating some cereal. When ever Botan was in demon world and saw Mukuro she always looked at Hiei with certain eyes and Botan knew Mukuro had certain feelings for him. Her head was supported by her hand as she thought how cute Hiei and Mukuro would be as a couple. Botan felt sad, it seemed that every one was with a special someone. Yusuke and Keiko's wedding was in a few weeks, Botan was one of the bridesmaids. Shizuru was going out with Kurama and Kuwabara and Yukina were together. Even Koenma was eyeing someone in spirit world. Well perhaps in her new life she could find that one special person, but like what foamy says on his show you really don't need someone else to be happy. "…Every individual is an island and can be an island.."

She sat there watching the birds outside her window playing in the early morning. Her vacation was pretty boring, she really didn't know what to do, being her first vacation and all. She felt a bit lonely and like something was missing but she couldn't put her finger on what it was. She ate the rest of her breakfast and decided to go for a run out in the park. Last thing she need was to let her self go especially if she wanted to look good for the wedding and she didn't want to give Koenma an excuse to bring her back to spirit world either.

Hiei found her out of breath sitting at their bench. He quietly sat next to her not even looking at when she said hello. They sat there in peace watching kids play together in front of them. Hiei really didn't know why he was with her, he really didn't like her but it seemed odd not seeing her in a the few days he was gone. He closed his eyes letting the sounds of her breathing calm down and the laughter of the children playing drift in his mind. Perhaps when ever he was around her he felt at peace, he felt calm. Something rare for an s class demon like him. His thoughts were interrupted by a low growl of her stomach, he opened his eyes and saw a slight blush across her face as she held her stomach.

"I guess its lunch time… Hiei do want something to eat?" He looked at her and realized he too had not eaten since the day before and was a bit hungry. He nodded and walked with her back to her apartment.

Hiei's eyes stared at the abomination that was set before him. A grilled cheese sandwich, what the fuck was that?

"Hiei quit poking at it and just eat it. Trust me it is good!" Botan said eating her sandwich. Hiei took her word for and took a bite. Botan beamed at him as he ate it with out any complaint, guessing he liked it.

"How was demon world Hiei?"

"Hn." His mouth was full.

"Save any humans?"

"Only the stupid ones."

"Good for you!" She stared at him as he stared back. Complete awkward silence.

"So Hiei how is Mukuro?" She gave him an uncomfortable smile.

"Alright I guess. What's with the stupid look?"

"Oh, I was wondering are you to a couple?"

"What? No why would you ask that?" He was annoyed and confused.

"Oh I just figured you spend a lot of time with her and just the way she looks at you, I just thought something was going on."

"No there is nothing going on."

"Do you like her in that way?" She asked as she took his finished plate and hers to the sink.

"No. she is my mentor. That is all." He said getting up and heading towards the couch. He took of his robe and placed it on the sofa. He took a rag he got from the kitchen and began cleaning his sword. Botan joined him on the coach and watched. She was curious to know if Hiei was even interest with a relationship with woman but for some reason she didn't think he was. Then she thought of something.. I wonder if Hiei is gay?

There was a clash where Hiei had dropped his sword and stared at her with eyes and mouth wide.

"Excuse me? Woman? What the fuck did you just say?" He regained his composer and picked up his sword. Botan never before quickly got off the couch like that. She put her hands up in defense her face was pure worry and regret.

"Now, Hiei I was just…. I didn't say any thing, It was only a thought. Hiei don't…" She didn't get a chance to finish that sentence. She was instantly on her back Hiei on top of her with his sword at her throat.

"For your information I am straight and you will do well to fucking remember it." He hissed at her. His anger turned to confusion as he saw that at first she was dead scared but then turned amused. "What are you smiling about woman?" His sword pushed against her throat hard enough to make her uncomfortable but not enough to break her skin, yet.

"Alright! I believe your straight, but did you have to get on top of me to prove your point?" He quickly got up off of her. Giving her that sick freak look.

Botan leaned back on her elbows giving him a smug look. Yes!! Finally score one for Botan!!

Hiei gave her a very annoyed look. Sighing he walked over to her "Here let me help you up." Botan held up her hand but instead of her hand he aimed for her hair and pulled her up.

"Ow, ow! Hiei ok I lied. Let go now, please!" Hiei being pleased with this pushed her back on the ground. "Hey!"

He was evilly grinning back to the couch.

Hiei 3 Botan 1 er... maybe not....

--

It didn't take Hiei long before he got bored and decided to mess with Botan again. It was around three and she was taking a bath. She was going shopping with the girls, she mentioned earlier something about the dresses had come in, what ever that means. Hiei didn't even knock as a he opened the door. Stupid girl didn't even lock the door.

"Oh hello Hiei. Hiei? Holy fuck Hiei? What the fucking Hell! Oh shit fuck!" Botan screamed in pain. She apparently was shaving her legs and had cut herself, "Oh shit fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, that fucking stings." She held her leg tightly as the blood was running down her leg.

"Suck it up woman its just a scratch." Hiei said rolling his eyes. "God your fucking pathetic"

"Its a scratch that fucking stings and wont stop bleeding, you dick fuck!" Botan was pissed, beyond pissed as she forgot who she was talking to.

"I suggest you remember who your talking to and watch your mouth bitch." Hiei glared and bared his teeth at her. "Why aren't you just healing your self? Or are you just looking for sympathy. And I thought you didn't cuss?"

"Well with you around its hard not to, and I would if it didn't sting so bad." Botan held her lag tighter and glared at Hiei with great intensity. "Why the hell are you here?"

"You ran out of ice-cream."

Hiei's face cringed as she screamed with pure furry at him. He was pretty sure the neighbors heard her. Her being angry at him was very much amusing.

"YOU COME IN HERE WHEN I AM TAKING A FUCKING BATH TO TELL ME THAT WE FUCKING RAN OUT OF ICE-CREAM!! WHAT THE FUCKING HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU FUCKING PRICK?!!" Botan screamed at him. Her anger quickly vanished as out of nowhere Hiei's sword was thrown at the wall and stuck there. The blade was less than an inch away from her face and a few strands of hair fell into the water. Her face was pale and her eyes were dead afraid at how close she could have been from having the sword go through her head. Her eyes never blinked as she stared straight at Hiei's smug face.

"Get off your ass and go buy me some more."

Botan growled quickly standing up, not caring she was nude, not caring that her leg was bleeding. She stomped to Hiei, who held out her towel out for her, grabbing it out of his hand angrily.

"I hate you." She said as she tried passing him. His foot made contact with hers and she fell flat on the floor.

"I hate you too" Hiei said stepping over her and leaving the bath room.

Hiei's winning no need to keep score.

--

"Botan are you okay? You seem… well you don't seem like your self." Keiko said she was trying on her wedding dress one last time before she bought it.

"Oh yes I'm fine, and you look absolutely amazing Keiko. Yusuke is a very lucky guy." Keiko blushed deeply as all the girls agreed. Botan didn't really like lying to her friends but what could she say to them? She was still pissed that she had to go to the store sopping wet just to get Hiei some ice-cream. God he was irritating. Botan really had no idea why she invited him to stay with her. She was starting to regret it. Hiei was just evil, pure evil! There was nothing nice about him, oh how she hated him!.

--

Hiei was over at Kurama just for the hell of it. He didn't have much to do and he really didn't feel like going back to demon world because he would be patrolling. He was sitting at the window and Kurama was at his bed reading.

"Hiei, I finally figured what's different about you. Have you been with Botan recently?" he asked curiously as his friend had faint traces of Botan's smell on him. Hiei couldn't help the 'oh fuck' run through his mind, and there was no sense in lying to the fox since he could tell when anyone was lying.

"That woman has invited me to share her home." Hiei said flatly.

"Really? Why?" Kurama put his book down, fully interested in this.

"I don't know." Hiei really didn't know why she did, he knew the ice-cream debt wasn't the real reason why she did.

"Is there anything going on with you to?" Kurama hinted in that direction. Hiei gave him a dirty look.

"No. She's just silly fool who wanted to be nice. I am not staying there over night, I'm only over there when I want to relax, I still sleep in forest."

"I know when ever she does something nice to you, you tend to repay her with endless torment. Your not giving her a hard time are you?"

"Maybe…" Hiei couldn't help but smirk inside. He then noticed something on Kurama's desk that caught his attention. He walked over to it and picked it up. It was a dvd that read Friday the 13th. It looked interesting and he heard from Yusuke that it was good. "May I borrow this?"

--

Botan sighed and sat down on her couch. She finished the wedding gown shopping with the gals. It must have been around 8:00 or something since it was dark. Her Bridesmaids dress was wrapped laying on the kitchen counter along with her new shoes and other things. She closed her eyes not sure if she wanted to take a nap or go to bed. She opened her eyes when she felt a hand softly land on her head.

"Ah, hey?!" Botan cried as Hiei fluffed up her hair. He leapt over the couch and sat right next to her holding out dvd. Botan let her hair fall down as she took it out of the ponytail. She looked down at what was in his hand.

"What's this?" She took it from his hand. Her face went pale as she saw what it was. Oh boy, she did not do well with scary movies. She looked up him hoping he wasn't going to ask her…

"Will you watch it with me?" To late… Botan looked at Hiei. He seemed excited to watch this with her, and that was rare. And his sudden mood changed was very confusing. She found for some reason she couldn't stay mad at him for what happened earlier.

"I would, but I don't do well with scary movies…" She said nervously.

Hiei looked at her a bit disappointed. "Coward." Was all he said. He figured she wouldn't this was just another tormenting game.

"Look I'm really sorry…" Hiei took the dvd away from her and got up. Botan took a deep heavy sigh. "Hiei wait, Fine, I'll watch it with you. Just let… Just let me get all ready for bed first."

Hiei nodded and sat back down. "Don't be surprised if I scream or cling to you Hiei. You sure you want to watch it with me?" Hiei looked at her giving her his famous hn, and shrugged his shoulders. Botan put on her pjs, yellow tank top and pink pj shorts. She quickly brushed her teeth and grabbed her stuffed animal squirrel that she named Foamy and went to sit next to Hiei after she turned of all the lights. She found that Hiei's robe was off and he had his ripped at the sleeves black shirt on.

"If your going to be scared, why did you turn off all the lights?" Hiei asked her as she sat down real close to him.

"Well I figured if I'm scarred and I'm dependent on the light, What happens when it mysteriously turns off? I think I would rather be scared and used to the darkness, If that makes any sense to you."

"It does, and I think it is wise." Hiei told her simply. Botan pressed play on the remote and snuggled up close to Hiei holding her stuffed animal tightly.

Hiei really enjoyed himself. He did not know what was funnier the movie or the woman's reaction to a death scene. The movie hadn't even began its five minutes and she had screamed. He laughed at her as she closed her eyes when the teenage girl was burning over the fire and her boyfriend had to watch as he too was screaming in pain when his foot was caught in a bear trap. Hiei was laughing at almost all the death scenes, and Botan either closed her eyes or hid her face in his chest to block out all the gruesome scenes. His arm was around her shoulder making her feel a little more relaxed with watching the movie. It worked until she saw the Asian kid have a screw driver plunged into his throat by Jason.

"Relax. It's not real, they got half of the blood squirting out wrong, all through out the movie so far."

"Oh how lovely…" Botan whispered no longer holding Foamy but was holing on to Hiei for her dear life. The movie came to an end and Botan screamed as at the last part Jason leaped out of the water taking in the last surviving teenagers. And then credits.

Hiei was truly laughing at the movie and at Botan who was still holding on to him. He didn't mind, he found her actions entertaining.

"How are you afraid of some movie that is not real and not be afraid of all the demons you have seen that are real?"

"Shut up Hiei, movies give me nightmares." She whispered into his arms. Hiei had to push her off him to turn on one of the lights. Botan sat there frozen, not really blinking. Botan knew she was going to have nightmares if she was alone. Hiei looked at her quite amused, she looked rather interesting when she was frightened. Botan picked up her squirrel off the ground and held him close. He had to hold back his urge of getting behind her and yelling boo, that would be too cruel and to funny hearing her blood crawling scream.

"Well, as entertaining as this has been, I should go." He said getting of the couch laughing.

"Wait your leaving?" She asked surprised, he nodded. She grabbed his hand. "Wait no, please stay!" Surprisingly he didn't brush her hand of like dust.

"Please, would you sleep with me tonight."

"What?" Hiei was shocked at this. He couldn't help the redness spread on his face. "Why?"

"This is your fault. You called me a coward, I wanted to prove that I wasn't, that was a mistake. And now I'll never be able to get to sleep. I'm way to afraid." She said closing her eyes not letting go of Foamy nor his hand.

"So you want you want me… to sleep with you?"

Botan's face blushed, "No nothing like that. Just sleep beside me is all…" She said that in a low whisper.

He looked at her, not knowing what to say. And then she jumped up and yelped as she heard a noise outside.

"Relax women it was just an owl." He said sighing. This was pitiful, never again will he watch a scary movie with her. Someone kill me now he thought. "Fine, but just for this night."

Botan's face beamed as Hiei turned off the light and laid behind her on the couch. She grabbed a blanket that was hanging on top of the sofa and put it on the both of them. Botan rested her head on both his arm and the couch arm rest feeling his breath on her neck. She jumped a bit when she heard another noise outside. Hiei's other arm wrapped around her waist to stop her from freaking out.

"You owe me." He coldly told her.

"Just let me know what you want." She said relaxing in his arms.

"Later."

"Hiei thank you. I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier and your are a nice person when you feel like it." She whispered yawning.

"Hn. Just go to sleep, Botan." he said. Botan smiled, he said her name. She felt happy and safe around him and quickly fell asleep. Hiei placed his head close to hers not really knowing why the hell he was doing this. He pulled her closer to him and fell asleep next to her.

Well i hope you liked it. If not let me know. Please!! ^_^