Day 7: Free Day!

These past few weeks had flown by in a whirlwind of moments and experiences that embedded themselves into Botan's heart, filling the ferry-girl with a joy she did not think she would ever experience.

She glanced at the fire-demon while he was too busy staring up at the full moon.

It was all due to him.

Hiei lit a fire in her heart, awakening feelings that were never meant to be.

Botan wasn't sure when she had fallen for the fire-demon. It could have been the day he let go of his pride and asked her to keep the necklace or maybe it happened when he accepted her meager offering in return. Perhaps it happened during the moments where he revealed the things about himself that she was sure he had never uttered aloud to anyone else before.

Maybe it was the day she had gotten injured: his explosive reaction, his decision to stay by her side while she recovered and his habit of checking in on her every day since then.

Perhaps it wasn't a single moment, but a medley of everything all at once.

In retrospect, it did not really matter when or how, the truth of the matter was that she was crazy about the fire-demon. She liked that he allowed her to spend the quiet moments with him. She was flattered when he actively sought her out without feeling the need to explain himself or make up an excuse. And it touched her heart that he thought to give her a flower, simply because it reminded him of her.

All of these feelings were hard to contain, bubbling up at the surface and threatening to spill out if she wasn't careful. Normally, keeping a secret such as this one would have proven to be quite the dilemma, but this time, Botan did not want to fight her instincts. She didn't want to hide it. She wanted to tell him everything and there was only one surefire way of getting her feelings across.

"Hiei?" she regarded him tentatively.

The fire-demon pulled his sharp eyes away from the darkened sky, meeting her gaze silently.

"There's something I've been meaning to give to you," Botan revealed taking a step closer to him.

Curious red eyes shifted downwards, landing on her oversized kimono sleeves as if he expected her to reach in and pull out the aforementioned offering from there. Little did he know, what she was about to give him could not be held or seen.

"You'll have to close your eyes first, though," she instructed lightly.

Hiei's gaze narrowed in suspicion.

"Why?" he questioned.

"Just because," she teased with a wink.

Dark brows furrowed, still not exactly sold on her proposition and Botan had to bite back a knowing smile. It was sort of cute how wary the normally cocky and confident man had become, but she could not dwell on that right now. She would never be able to follow through with her plans if he was going to keep staring at her with those intense, fire-filled eyes.

"Please?" she urged.

Hiei muttered something about how strange she was as he folded his arms over his chest and did as he was told. Botan spared a moment to take in the sight of him, ivory skin smooth and free from all frown lines, mouth resting in a relaxed line. He trusted her enough to let his guard down, to be at ease around her. She only hoped that after tonight, he would still feel the same.

Taking a deep breath, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his gently.

The fire-demon stiffened at first, his body tensing as his arms fell at his sides. Botan had expected him to do something - anything - but his general unresponsiveness did not bode well for the ferry-girl. The moment stretched out and slowed down almost painfully, anxiety setting in and clouding her thoughts with more worries than she could bear.

Perhaps this was too soon; too impulsive. Perhaps Hiei did not feel the same. Perhaps she had made a terrible mistake and ruined everything.

Botan was just about to pull away, when a low growl emitted from his throat and strong arms encircled her waist. Hiei pulled her against him in one smooth motion, his lips parting as he finally responded to the kiss. Inexperienced as she was, she found herself following his lead with ease and melting against the firm muscle of his body as if she belonged there all along. It was almost too good to be true: his natural heat radiating off of him in waves, his earthy scent invading her senses and the pressure of his mouth working against hers. Botan savored the feeling of having him so close, quickly losing herself in the various sensations.

And then Hiei pulled away, releasing his hold on her and forcing her back to reality. Crimson pupils dilated and darkened with want, lips flushed and gaze intense. Botan's heart was pounding in her chest as she held gaze expectantly.

"I don't make a habit out of kissing just anyone," he warned, voice tight with emotion.

"Good," Botan replied. "Because neither do I."

He stared back at her, crimson eyes meeting hers searchingly.

"What are you saying, Botan?"

"I'm saying that I like you," she confessed truthfully. "And I want to give you my heart."

Hiei could hardly believe his ears. He swallowed thickly, finding his voice again.

"You want... to give me your heart," he repeated slowly.

Botan nodded.

"I do," she maintained. "I know that it will be safe with you, Hiei. I know that I won't have to worry if it's in your hands."

His hands balled into fists at his sides unconsciously. She of all people knew how dangerous he was and what he was capable of. He had killed, maimed and injured with these hands. He had scorched, burned and destroyed with the power at his fingertips. And yet… she trusted him with something as fragile as her heart.

The tension eased from his features, his fists unfurling as the weight of her declaration settled into the cracks in of his stone guard.

Hiei did not know the first thing about relationships built on an emotional foundation. He did not know a single thing about love or affection. But he did know how she made him feel. In all his life, he had never felt as contented, settled and at peace as he did when she was near. His thoughts had begun to stray to her more often than not and he had begun to expect her presence when she was not around.

Their conversations were fluid and easy; the silences that passed between them were comfortable. He had never fallen into such a synergy with anyone before. He had never allowed anyone to get as close to him as she was now.

This newfound development was peculiar on many levels, but the strangest part of all was the fact that he did not want it to end.

He wanted the ferry-girl - in more ways than one - and he had never been the type to deny himself of anything.

There really was only one way to see this thing through.

"I accept," he said finally.

Amethyst eyes widened in surprise, blue brows disappearing behind her bangs.

"Really?"

Hiei almost found it laughable that she was unsure of his answer in the first place. There was no way he could refuse an offer like that.

"Yes, woman," he confirmed. "I accept."

Botan let out an exclamation of joy before launching herself into his arms and hugging him tightly. He was not entirely used to her affectionate ways, but the feeling of her smooth curves against him and her scent so near were not at all unpleasant.

"I don't know the first thing about any of this," he admitted after she had pulled back.

"That's alright," Botan reassured through a soft smile. "This is all new to me, too. We will simply have to figure it out together."

He supposed he could do that much, so he nodded his assent. The thought of journeying into uncharted territory was not as daunting with the ferry-girl at his side.

"Hey," she said lightly, a hopeful look in her eyes. "Does this mean I've got your heart, too?"

The fire-demon had no idea what she could possibly want with a heart as jaded and closed off as his, but as crimson met amethyst, he supposed it did not matter. She wanted him - plain and simple - and that much, he could surely give.

"It's hardly an even trade," Hiei replied. "But if you want it, then it's yours."

The End

It's been a pleasure writing for our first ever HB Week. Hope you all enjoyed it to the fullest!