Jen woke slowly at first, but shot up when she didn't recognize her surroundings. With a stabbing pain in her temple, she remembered the bar last night. She must have been at Minerva's hide out.

Jen looked over to see Hiei sitting in the chair beside the bed, his body rigid and his eyes trained on her. She smiled softly at him, but he only continued to stare at her, his face set in a slight scowl. Her smile fell as she frowned at him. "Hiei?"

"Hn," he said, standing and heading for the door without a word.

"Hiei, wait," she said quietly.

Hiei paused at the door but didn't turn to face her. "Go back to sleep, onna," he said, seeming to force his tone to be emotionless.

Jen huffed. "Don't tell me you are going to try to keep up this 'I don't care about you' act."

She stood and walked towards him as he turned around, surprise dancing in his eyes before turning back to a scowl. "I don't."

She scoffed as she reached him, standing so close to him that her body brushed against his every time either of them took a breath. "Really," she said with a brow arched, her lips playing dangerously close to his. "Then why are you still here?"

He was silent and Jen took the opportunity to continue. "You don't like people touching you, so why haven't you pushed me away, Hiei? Hm?"

Hiei side stepped and walked past her, sitting down in the chair and resting his elbows on his knees, Jen following close behind. She sat down carefully in front of him on her knees. "I am incapable of feeling like that," he said shortly, his eyes trained at the wall behind her.

Jen leaned forward, putting her hands on either side of his legs. "Yeah, you have mentioned that. You are also a terrible liar."

His eyes shot to hers in a look of surprise and she sighed. "I didn't really notice it back when you left, and was even afraid it had just been my imagination, but you really are a bad liar."

Hiei frowned slightly. "I-"

Jen cut him off. "You leveled an entire room full of demons because no one would confess to stabbing me," she looked up at him with a small smile. "If that isn't a show affection, I don't know what is."

Hiei sighed as he leaned back in the chair. Jen raised herself up a little and sighed as well. "Look, I get it, Hiei. For whatever reason you had to leave, and you had to make sure I didn't follow you," she sighed as she looked down biting her lip. "Despite what the society says-"

Hiei frowned. "What does the society say," he asked suddenly.

Jen looked up at him before looking back down. "They say you are an unreliable choice for leader because you left without giving any reason," Jen shook her head. "But I trust your judgement and reasoning enough to know it was for a good reason."

With a slightly pained look, she still refused to look at him. "I even understand that you may have to leave again after this to finish taking care of what you need to take care of."

Finally she raised her eyes to his, determination set on her face. "But please, don't lie to me, Hiei," she pleaded quietly.

His eyes softened to the slightest degree and Jen smiled softly, leaning forward to wrap her arms around his neck. Though he said nothing, Hiei crushed her to him in a tight hug, pulling her up into his lap. Jen revelled in his warmth, feeling as if her very being was coming back together like a puzzle. "I do care," he said shortly and barely audible to the point Jen almost thought she imagined it.

She pulled back to look into his eyes as he avoided her gaze, a slight pink on his cheeks. She raised her hand to his chin, urging him to look at her. When he did, she smiled. "I know, Hiei," she said, leaning forward to nuzzle his cheek gently. A soft purr emitted from Hiei's throat and her smile widened, missing that sound of contentment from him.

Jen moved her lips to his, kissing him tenderly. The kiss quickly turned into a heated one as Hiei's hand slid into the back of her hair, pulling her as close to him as he could manage without hurting her. Jen couldn't think straight as his tongue probed her lower lip. She had missed this terribly; Missed him. As her hands roamed over his chest, he growled quietly against her lips, his hand sliding up to knead her breast.

With a groan, Jen pulled back to rest her forehead against his. His hand slid away from her breast to rest on her back as she moved to sit sideways in his lap, resting the side of her head against his shoulder. "Tell me what happened, Hiei," she said quietly.

"I had a premonition about an old enemy. I needed to leave and take care of him."

Gods, only Hiei could find such a short explanation for something so big. "Sundrak?" Hiei nodded silently in response before she continued. "Do you need to leave again to take care of him?"

Hiei nodded again and Jen's heart constricted. "Malachai pin-pointed his location. I leave tonight to finish him."

Jen nodded. "I know I can't go with you, because I'd do more harm than good by being there, but please at least consider letting someone like Kurama go with you. I know you are capable on your own, but a little back up never hurt. It would make me feel better."

"Hn."

Jen smiled. "Thank you, Hiei."

"I didn't say I was going to."

She laughed a little. "No, but you would have had no problem telling me that you wouldn't if that was the case. That means that you are at least considering it, and I appreciate it."

Hiei said nothing as his hand idly stroked her hair. Jen doubted he even noticed what he was doing, but she didn't mention it. She was enjoying this moment too much to risk ruining it by pointing something like that out.

"All I ask of you, Hiei, is that you come home to me in one piece," she said quietly, cuddling closer to his body.

She didn't even want to think about him getting hurt, or worse. "You have my word, onna," he said quietly.

Jen nodded as she moved her head to press her lips to his neck. "When do you leave?"

"Soon. I just made contact with Kurama to prepare. Sundrak is not far from here. We will be back before morning."

Jen's stomach suddenly felt uneasy, but she sighed and pushed it away. There was no way she could ask him to not go. She doubted he would listen even if she did. All it would do is piss him off and leave her feeling hurt and upset. She continued to push her lips against his neck, trailing little kisses over the tendon.

Hiei silently leaned his head to the side, granting her more access as she trailed her tongue up his throat. His hand was still stroking her hair as she nuzzled his neck before raising her head to look up at him.

His eyes had softened and a peaceful air returned around him. A ghost of a smile danced on his lips as he stared into her eyes. He leaned forward and kissed her softly, before relaxing back into the chair with his eyes closed. Jen lowered her head back to his shoulder and they stayed like that for a long time, enjoying each other's presence in silence.

"It is time," Hiei said quietly, after a while.

Jen nodded and stood from his lap, watching as he pulled on his cloak and sword. When he was finished, he stood there for a minute just staring at her. Jen walked forward, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso as his arms closed around her shoulders. He lowered his head to her hair, inhaling deeply and she felt his body relax slightly.

"Come home," she said quietly before pulling back and looking up at him. "And make sure we don't ever have to deal with this guy again."

"Hn," he said smirking.

Hiei released her after kissing her tenderly before they both headed for the bedroom door. Down in the sitting area, Minerva, Malachai, Kurama, Bubba and Leta were all waiting. With a sigh, Jen approached Kurama, hugging him shortly. "Be careful, Fox-brother," she said quietly and Kurama nodded, offering a reassuring smile.

"We will be back soon, Jenna."

She nodded before chewing on her lip slightly as she looked at Hiei. He rolled his eyes and walked towards her, taking her by surprise when he kissed her, pulling back as he rubbed his thumb over her cheek. "I will return, onna."

She nodded with a smile. "I know you will, Hiei."

He dropped his hand from her cheek, both of them turning to leave, a single tear falling down Jen's cheek as she worried for her old friend and her fire demon. Deep down, she knew they would be okay, but it was still Hell on her nerves.

Minerva placed a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, dear. Let's make some tea. I have a feeling we will be staying up until they get back."

Jen smiled at her, suddenly thankful for the group that was there. She knew she would be going crazy if she had to go through this by herself. Leta floated into the kitchen behind them, her eyes on the ground and her hands behind her back as she chewed on her lip.

Jen frowned slightly. "What's the matter, little love?"

Leta looked up at her with tear-filled eyes before she threw her arms around Jen's neck. "I'm sorry I didn't come see you, sissy. Hiei-dessi just made me promise not to tell you what was going on and I didn't want to mess up and tell you," she said with her words flying out so fast, Jen barely understood them.

Jen smiled and wrapped her arms around her sister. "I understand, little love. It's okay."

Leta looked up at her and smiled before nuzzling her in a tight hug. "Hiei-dessi has been so good to me, sissy. He even sang my lullaby for me when I had a nightmare!"

Jen's eyebrows shot up before Leta pulled back, tilting her head. "Well, more like hummed it, but he has such a soothing voice, Jen-Jen! It's almost as good as Salvatore's!"

Jen laughed quietly, shaking her head. She found it hard to believe that Hiei would even consider humming. He had looked at her incredulously when she had sung for Leta, not even understanding what singing was at the time.

Malachai and Bubba entered the kitchen after a few minutes, sitting at the table with cards. Minerva set out four mugs, glancing at Leta in curiousity. "Can ghosts eat and drink?"

Leta shook her head sadly and Minerva nodded slightly, carefully pouring the hot tea into each mug. She stirred in some honey and then handed one to Jen before grabbing the other three and setting them on the table as she took her seat.

Jen sat down quietly, watching curiously as Malachai shuffled. He glanced up at her. "Do you want us to deal you in?"

Jen shook her head. "I don't know how to play and I don't think I would be able to focus on learning right now," she said smiling weakly. "Maybe next time."

Malachai nodded before dealing to himself, Minerva and Bubba. Jen barely paid attention to their idle chatter and game. Jen pulled her legs up in the chair, holding her mug of tea in both hands as she sipped it silently.

Leta floated over to Jen and sat on her shoulder, playing with her hair. The small movements of her hands in her hair calmed Jen to a degree as she thought about everything. She hadn't even been this worried when her father and brother went to war. She could barely explain the pain in her chest; The way she knew her heart wouldn't slow down until Hiei was there with her and safe.

She sighed as she leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling. What exactly was this feeling? How could she feel warmed whenever she thought about him, but so uneasy and cold at the same time? She knew she cared for Hiei, but could it be more?

The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. It's why she couldn't even be mad at him for causing her so much pain when he left. She had been too happy to see him and to know he was okay to even remember that she had intended to yell at him for leaving the way he did. She sighed at the realization. She loved Hiei.

Jen doubted Hiei would even take to it very well, and she knew for a fact he wouldn't say it back. She was pretty sure he didn't even love her. No, she couldn't tell Hiei of this realization. She didn't think he would handle it very well.

She wasn't sure if her realization warmed her more or scared her more. All she knew is it brought her comfort and fear all at once. Comfort from knowing she had a love to call her own and fear from knowing she could never tell him. Would she really be able to keep it from him? Gods, she hoped so, unless she wanted him to leave her for being so ridiculous.

Several hours later, the door crashed open and Jen jumped to her feet. Her vision blurred as she saw Kurama limp in with Hiei draped over his shoulders. He dropped to one knee once he got in and Minvera and Bubba rushed to them.

Bubba took Hiei from Kurama laying him down on his back on the couch. Jen bit back a whimper as she ran over to the couch falling to her knees. "What happened? I can't even sense him! Is he alive?"

Kurama groaned as Minerva helped him over to the seat beside the couch and began to inspect his wounds. "He's alive, but it's like he has no demon energy at all, and I can't heal his wound," he said.

Jen's eyes widened. "How is that possible," she asked, pulling off Hiei's cloak and shirt. A large gash was on his left shoulder, stretching just past his collar bone. The flesh was torn and burnt, which didn't make sense. "How did he get burned? Hiei doesn't burn, even from the hottest energy," she said frantically.

Koenma and Selene appeared in the corner of the room, causing Malachai to snarl and step towards them. "It's okay," Jen said quickly. "They're here to help."

Malachai eyed the prince silently before sitting back down. Selene knelt beside Jen, putting her hand over Hiei's wound. The soft glow of her healing powers illuminated the area, but when it faded, the wound was still in place. "He's been hit with a God-bolt," Selene said quietly.

Jen's eyes widened. "What?" Her voice was nearly an entire octave higher. "Why does a Delphyr have the ability to wield God-bolts, Koenma," she snarled as she glared over her shoulder at him.

Koenma looked at the ground but before he could answer a huge explosion rocked the hide out. "We're under attack," Minerva shouted, jumping up to tear open a panel of the far wall and pulling out a small hand-held computer.

She was typing on it for a few seconds before a screen came up of the layout of the hide out. There were several squares flashing red and Minerva growled. "We need to get out of here."

Jen nodded. "How fast can we make it to Aerisia?"

Malachai smirked. "If we travel by shadow, a few minutes tops."

Jen looked over to Minerva. Minerva nodded with a sigh. "Let's go. Phasing will be even faster. Everyone grab everyone else."

Jen wrapped an arm around Hiei and reached out to lay her hand on Kurama's forearm. Malachai rested a hand on Jen's shoulder and the other on Minerva's shoulder. Bubba grabbed Minerva's other shoulder as Leta sat on Bubba's shoulder. He reached out his hand to Koenma and Selene who both touched his arm.

Minerva checked everyone before nodding and closing her eyes. With a purple flash, their surroundings changed in an instant to Aerisia's palace, Salvatore and Vaislen jumping up into a defensive stance.

They relaxed as soon as they saw Jen. "Jen, what happened?"

"Hiei's been hit by a God-bolt."

The color drained from Salvatore's face. Blythe stepped forward and kneeled down to inspect his wound. "This is from Sundrak," she said with a dire tone.

Salvatore's eyes widened. "You mean the Delphyr that has been torturing and killing Venatores?"

Blythe nodded. "We need to get his wound dressed. He'll be about as strong as a human with no spirit energy until we can get his demon essence returned to him, which means he won't heal at his usual pace."

Jen stared down at Hiei numbly. She couldn't believe this was happening. Hiei was powerless, unconscious and currently bleeding all over the place. She didn't exactly understand the details of a God-bolt. All she knew was that it was an unhealable wound and it zapped demon energy right out. Would Hiei ever get his demon energy back? How long would it take for the wound to heal on its own?

She knew he was going to be furious when he woke. Hiei loathed humans, and now he would be on the same level as them. Kuwabara would even be stronger than him. Jen touched his forehead, brushing away a piece of hair. I swear to you, Hiei, I will find a way to return your energy.

A/N~ Awe! Fluffies :3

On a quick side note, because I said I would mention it, the idea of Hiei being "Undemonified" came from InuChimera7410's story called "Our Days Together." It is a fairly different concept but I didn't really think of draining Hiei of his demon energy until I read her story. It is a phenomenal story, and she's done a fantastic job of keeping everyone in character. She usually updates every Wednesday, so it's great! Check her out :)

Also, next chapter is going to be a lemon. Here's how I am going to do it with all the restrictions and anyone who doesn't want to read the scene. Here, I'm going to post a clean chapter, glancing over the lemon, and I'll be posting this story on Fanworks dot org with the explicit scenes in tact. :D I'll post a direct link to chapter 21 over there at the beginning of the chapter here so you can choose which one to read. The only thing you will miss over here is the sex scene itself.

Also, special thanks to my boyfriend, Graham, who helped with the editing process for this chapter :) Thanks, babe.

Read, review, PM, Favorite, Follow, Stalk; Enjoy. :)

Much love ~Jessa