Sorry for the late update.

But here is the new chapter! .

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Disclaimer: Ainel does not own Yu Yu Hakusho!

~Fates Intertwined~

Chapter-6

Understanding

Kurama's eyes softened with anxiety as he gazed at the pale form of Sayuri in front of him. Her condition was getting more and more worse, and at this rate she wouldn't last very long. But there was absolutely nothing he or the others could do to help her, to protect her. How he hated feeling so useless! They were back at Genkai's house and by the death glares she sent in Yusuke's direction, it was quite obvious that she wasn't happy with the situation.

"Why did you let her go, Yusuke?" Kurama heard her repeat it over and over again, looking sharply at Yusuke as if he was the one responsible. That wasn't entirely true. He himself shouldn't have allowed her to go anywhere in her condition. How he regretted it….

"We'd have to get her to the demon world soon," Genkai replied seriously and shook her head hopelessly, "I am afraid there isn't much that we can do." Botan's eyes widened in horror.

"Genkai, this is absurd! To bring a human to the demon world without the three kings' permission would be like making a death bed for ourselves!"

"I won't force anyone Botan," she turned to them, "But if you want her to live, we don't have the time to wait for permission."

Hiei had been feeling this queasiness at the pit of his stomach ever since that incident with Sayuri. He didn't know she came for him when she was going through boundless pain. She didn't even utter a cry because she thought it would make him feel responsible. He clenched his fist tightly as her fragile face, before she collapsed, flashed through his mind. If he had known, he wouldn't have let himself be so harsh with her; he wouldn't have lost his temper. He would have taken her back before her situation took a turn for the worse...

He gazed at her through his deep crimson eyes as her words echoed through his mind. What did she mean she wouldn't regret it? Here she was, awaiting a painful death and yet she had the guts to say she wouldn't blame him? But she did mean it and he knew it to. No matter how he urged, she stood up for her believes and principles without ever doubting them for even once. It was the first time a human, a race he assumed to be the most pathetic, ever risked her life on the line for someone like him, the forbidden child. And he was not going to let her die, not after seeing her plunge herself in front of the demon that was about to take his life.

He walked towards her petite form and bent down to scoop her up in his arms. Botan's eyes fluttered in shock as she managed to force the words out of her mouth. Genkai simply stared.

"What are…you doing Hiei?" She gaped at him in surprise. The others, even Kurama, gave him strange looks as he picked up the maiden and held her tightly in his arms. He shot her unconscious frame one last look of assurance before turning to Kurama.

"I am taking her to Mukuro's palace. I can't leave her to die." Kurama nodded at his best friend's unexpected but justifiable behavior.

"Just-just take care of her. We will be there soon after we negotiate with Koenma about the procedure," he smiled. Actually, he had been waiting for a while to see what Hiei would do, and knowing him for the past few years, the event didn't surprise him at all. Hiei nodded as he walked towards the door.

"Wait," Botan called from behind, "Do you want me to open a portal?"

He stared at her before gazing at the girl in his arms. At normal situations he would have called the ferry woman a baka and refused her help, but now that was what he needed the most. A way to get to the demon world, fast. But could he forget about his pride and accept her help?

"Hn," he managed. Botan summoned her oar and opened a portal for the two of them. He looked at the swirling circle of teleportation system in front of him and slowly, tightening his grip on her, he entered the portal before it closed upon the others who stared at their disappearing figures.

Yukina looked away, tears threatening to fall freely from her crimson orbs. "Do you think they will be alright?"

Kurama sighed. Hiei wouldn't get into much trouble, not while he is still in the position of Mukuro's second in command. He was sure Mukuro would take care of that. But Sayuri was a different topic altogether. Will she be alright? Will Mukuro's abilities be enough to help her?

"I don't know," he replied worriedly and shot a glance at the others, "Shall we proceed to the spirit world?"

Yusuke nodded, looking grim. "It's the only way."

My eyes involuntarily shot open when my body felt a gush of unusual energy seeping through me. Most of my body felt numb, I could barely move a single muscle. But yet I was running, almost flying, through an unusual place the details of which I couldn't make out through my blurry eyes. I strained my eyes to see better and they landed on a pair of crimson eyes. No, I wasn't running, someone was holding me. And the person possessed crimson eyes…

"Hiei?" I managed to choke. I could feel the person stop. So it was him after all. I raised my head a little to take a good look at him.

"Where are we?" I whispered. The place was really starting to bother me.

"Demon world." Despite my pain I almost smiled. So he took me to the demon world. He is not that heartless after all.

"Where are the others?" I tried to sway my legs. The darn things weren't moving an inch.

"They….are not allowed to bring a human."

I raised my brow. "And you are?"

"Save your energy woman. You are going to need it soon." I almost jumped out of my skin when he started to dash again. I wasn't going to fall, he held me too tight for that. But as a necessary precaution I clutched his cloak tightly. Was he going to get into trouble for bringing me here?

I stared at him. "Hiei, are you going to get into trouble?"

"I told you to shut up woman."

I sighed in frustration. If only there was something I could do, but I could barely stand up. Now Hiei was going to get into trouble for bringing a human into an unknown world. The inhabitants alone were horrifying, how much terrible will the punishments be?

"I am sorry," I buried my head into his chest to hide my tears, "I only wanted to help you, but towards the end I have caused you something equally painful."

"Stupid."

"I know I am stupid," I clasped his cloak firmly. 'He is definetly smirking at me now,' I thought, not daring to look up.

"Only you can worry about a stranger while staring at death in the face."

My eyes widened in surprise at his words. One moment he is calling me stupid and the other moment he is…..

"Is that a complement?" I asked hopefully.

"Just another way of implying you are stupid." He replied nonchalantly.

I growled. "Just wait till I am able to get up Hiei. I will get you for that."

He smirked.

The nerve!

I turned and gazed at the scenery around me. My eyesight was clearing a little bit and I could make out dead trees and vast deserted areas ahead of me. The sky was deep crimson, just like Hiei's eyes and the clouds were dark and violent.

'What a creepy place,' I thought as I stared at the palace that loomed in front of me. And it wasn't like one of those fairytale palaces either. In the middle of a deserted area, to tell the truth, it looked downright eerie. I remembered those horror movies my Dad and Yumi-nii used to watch and shivered. Both were very much similar with huge towers, sour paint that brought out the walls in a horrid manner, and a frame that appeared to sway lightly on the wind. I could spot demon guards in front of the palace, ready to attack anyone who dared to threaten their authority.

I clasped Hiei's arm in utter fear. There was nothing that scared me as much as creepy places and ghosts.

"Hiei, let's leave. I am scared," I said pulling his arm to make him stop. He looked at me quizzically.

"I am taking you there to heal not to kill you."

I kept my mouth shut and tried desperately to calm my over speeding heart. I had to go in there, it was necessary. How I wished Kurama and the others were here. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I didn't trust Hiei, but Kurama had this aura which ensured us that we will be protected from any harm as long as we were near him. Hiei was unspecific and confusing. He never really speaks his mind and hides it behind his harsh words. One moment you think he is ready to kill you, but in the next you find yourself thanking him for saving your life. I shot a gaze at the creepy hazardous architecture in front of me and shivered.

All of a sudden, I felt Hiei's grasp on me tighten. Was he trying to tell me that it was alright? I peeked at his emotionless face and smiled gratefully before relaxing in his arms and bracing myself to prepare for whatever that laid ahead in this unknown world for me.

Yay~

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