Lone Wolf: Gomen nasai! Chapter 3 is so late, over two weeks. Normally vacation equals time to write but I haven't been in the mood. The first half of Chapter 2 had been a bit...torturesome to write. Anyways, let's just start.


Chapter 3: Icy Training

Yukina followed Hiei around, clueless as to where they were going. Not a word was spoken, as was expected. This was Hiei after all. They ended up at Genkai's temple. Yukina mentally scolded herself for not realizing their destination.

"I would change into something more appropriate if I were you," Hiei said, referring to Yukina's kimono. "Oh! Of course. How silly of me," she replied, rushing inside to her room.

Yukina returned a few minutes later, wearing a simple white T-shirt and a pair of blue pants, similar to Hiei's black one. Keiko had bought the garments at an earlier date.

Hiei tossed Yukina the spare katana, "Do you know how to hold it properly?" "I think so," she replied. "For now, use two hands so you can get used to the weight of it," he told her. "Hai," she positioned her hands, one above the other, on the hilt. Hiei nodded in approval, "Of course, you'll probably draw the sword from its sheath with one hand. Try it." Yukina replaced the sword in its sheath, one hand on the said object and the other on the hilt. She pulled out the katana.

Hn. She's doing a better job than that baka ever would.

Hiei watched and noted how fast a learner his twin was. For a moment he felt proud but soon he was filled with guilt. He had done nothing to help her except for the few times he saved her. He'd kept the fact that he was her brother from her. Sure, he had watched over her and even gotten his Jagan eye for her, but something wasn't right. He didn't feel as if he were a good brother to her. Then again, you usually know who your brother is.

Hiei continued teaching Yukina how to use her katana, demonstrating with his own. She copied his movements and memorized them.

I can't tell her. I'm a thief. I'm cold. She's too pure, too innocent. She'll reject me. I'll disappoint her. She can't find out.

These guilty thoughts kept running through our favorite fire demon's head. They wouldn't leave him alone. The guilt was getting to him but he continued teaching Yukina, thinking it was the least he could do for her.

Hiei-san is so nice and kind and patient. Sometimes I wish he were my brother.

Yukina shook the thought out of her head. It wasn't because she felt it was wrong to think Hiei was her brother, but because she needed to concentrate.

"Good," Hiei said, stopping. It was slightly past 5 and it was quite dark out. "Now let's see what you've learned," he told her. They both returned their swords to their sheaths. Yukina had attached her sheath to the straps of her belt earlier. (A/N: It is a belt right?)

"Go!" Hiei yelled. They both drew their swords from their sheaths. Yukina swung first, Hiei easily blocking it. He countered but Yukina blocked. The sound of the swords clashing at each other caught Genkai's attention from inside the temple. She went outside and observed the two demons.

The twins continued fighting. Hiei was pleased to see that Yukina was doing quite well. Of course, he wasn't at his best. He swung his katana again; it stopped short of its target. "That would have hit you," he stated plainly. Yukina nodded and they continued.

Hiei stopped short again five minutes later, telling Yukina that stroke would have also pierced her skin. They resumed the small fight. Genkai continued watching.

Hiei's thoughts began to wander and they drifted away from the fight and Yukina. He still blocked and swung, still stopped when the katana would hit his sister.

It's getting late.

"That would have hit you," Yukina said, snapping him out of his trance. It was her sword that had stopped short this time. The ice apparition stuck her tongue out playfully. Genkai smirked from where she stood. "I wasn't paying attention," Hiei said plainly, "It's getting late. I'm leaving." He vanished.

Yukina returned her sword to its sheath and caught her breath.

Well that was fun.

"You do know he was holding back, don't you?" Genkai asked. "Yes, of course," Yukina replied. They went inside, Yukina heading toward the bathroom to take a shower, leaving Genkai to figure out what they were eating for dinner.

I'll wash my T-shirt and pants tonight. They'll dry by tomorrow night most likely. So I'll leave the day after tomorrow.

Yukina sighed.

If only he were in Ningenkai. I'm not even sure if he was here in the first place. During the Dark Tournament, I felt he was near. But...if he were near, he would've looked for me..wouldn't he?

One more day until I leave. Who knows when and if I'll ever come back...


Lone Wolf: Bleh. Disappointing if you ask me. I was just rushing to finish. Too short.
Hiei: Review and maybe she'll be the one feeling guilty and not me.