January 19, 1895; Human Realm
Dearest Hiei,
I could sing! You know how I was confused at the end of my last letter but did not tell you why? Well, in your last paragraph, you nailed the reason. I was convinced telling you would be so much more complicated. But, judging by how I feel now, it is actually very simple. So I will tell you in four words: I love you too!
When I read your letter the first time, I totally missed your reason for being in the demon plane. The second time, however, I caught it. And I cannot believe you have a sister! It is so exciting. Yukina is a beautiful name, as well. I do feel slightly jealous, though. First is because she has a brother who cares deeply about her. Second is because that brother is you and you left me in order to attempt to find her. I do not mean to make you feel guilty; I am merely attempting to be as honest as I possible can.
It is the New Year here. I am still not sure what is so exciting about it. One year ends, another begins. It is the natural order of things. Of course, I have seen more years pass than any of the humans celebrating it ever will. You probably have as well.
I am still mad at my brother. I have discovered some other valuables missing. Unsurprisingly, they are only things he could use. That is, use to steal more stuff. Despite this, I am still incredibly happy, thanks to your letter.
You can write back, or not, as you wish. Whatever you choose will be fine with me. It is now close enough to your return date that I will not be hurt if you do not. Of course, I would love it if you chose to write, but do not feel obligated to do so.
Your ecstatic forest child,
Moriko
Koenma, Kurama, or even Botan would have noticed the change. But, since it was Yusuke, the fact that the word dear had just become dearest went unnoticed. Fortunately, he caught the last word in the first paragraph: too. He realized the implication as well. Hiei had told Moriko he loved her. Yusuke thought If he loved her then… maybe he still loves her and that's the reason he acts the way he does. To say Yusuke was astonished by this revelation probably would have been the biggest understatement uttered from the time the letter he held was written, to the time when he read it.
Yusuke's second shock came shortly afterward. Yukina. Hiei was in Makai searching for Yukina. I knew he'd been looking for her for a long time… but that's nearly one hundred years! If not more. He cares about her more than I ever realized… Yusuke said to himself.
In the last paragraph, Yusuke became confused (big surprise…). If Hiei was going to return in a month, when were the rest of the letters from? There had to be at least five more in the box at his feet.
Brrringgg! Yusuke jumped, not ready for the telephone to ring. He quickly got up and answered it, "Hello?"
"Yusuke?" It was Kurama. "Did you have the insight to put talismans up around your room, expecting Hiei to use the Jagan to find his box?"
"Yes…"
Yusuke could almost hear Kurama shaking his head in disbelief in his next words, "Yusuke… Well, not only is he pissed, but he's panicking as well. An angry, panicked fire demon is not something we need. Or even something we want."
"Well… I will return them as soon as I finish reading them. And… I really think you should read them, too. I have the strangest feeling that they are your business, despite what you think. A feeling that you're already involved, somehow.
"Although I'm probably wrong," Kurama began, "I have to agree. I'm coming over." And he hung up before Yusuke had a chance to respond.
Ten minutes later, Kurama showed up. Yusuke then briefed him on the contents of the first four letters. When Yusuke had finished, Kurama pulled a rosebud out of his hair. He turned it around in his fingers, seemingly contemplating everything he had heard with a look of inexplicable sadness on his face. A few moments later he said, "Okay. Let's read the next letter." A decisiveness had replaced the torment in his eyes, as if he had resolved something with himself, and Yusuke got the feeling that Kurama knew something he wasn't saying.