Hey guys! Before we begin, I wanted to plug the other 2 HB week fics:

Vision in Blue by Firestorm1991
Affairs and Marriages by ReaperDemon

Be sure to check them out, if you haven't already!

Also, huge thanks to Crystal Koneko, for always being there to provide feedback. :)

With that said, here's the final chapter.

Prompt: Free Day

Botan tore her gaze from her forlorn reflection in the mirror as she continued to brush through long blue locks listlessly. There were a million more productive things she could've been doing in her spare time, but the ferry-girl lacked the energy to pretend that everything was alright. Thoughts of Hiei plagued her incessantly. And those last few memories she had of him - both in the warehouse and in the cell - were on constant replay in her mind.

Try as she might, she simply couldn't reconcile the man she thought she knew with the cutthroat fire-demon who broke into the Spirit World, stole the artifacts of darkness and kidnapped Keiko. She had no idea if any of the sides he'd shown her were genuine or if he was simply toying with her the entire time they'd known each other. No matter how hard she ruminated over the past few events, she just couldn't figure Hiei out.

Memories of their time spent together were now warped irrevocably; distorted by the terrible crimes he committed and the callous way he went about it. But she knew she couldn't go on this way forever. She needed to get over it. Get over him–

An unusually strong gust of wind suddenly blew her balcony doors wide open, drawing the ferry-girl's attention east. Her head whipped in the direction of the movement, brush clattering to the ground as amethyst locked onto deep crimson.

"Hiei?!" She shot up into a standing position, lips parted on words that she couldn't hope to form, much less verbalize. The fire-demon stood freely before her in a black sleeveless shirt and his signature black pants; a far cry from the bound and destitute soul she'd visited in the dark and lonely prison. "W-what are you doing here?"

"Looking for you." Hiei's voice was even and unwavering as he entered her room. "You've all but stopped frequenting the human realm."

The bluette swallowed thickly as she tried to gather her thoughts and ignore the thundering in her chest. She stood tall, forcing her gaze not to dither as she regarded the object of her affections, her longing and her heartache. "Well, Yusuke's off training with Master Genkai, so…"

"So there's no reason for you to linger," he filled in.

"Bingo," she answered, although her heart wasn't truly in it.

Hiei folded his arms loosely over his chest. "So that's your excuse for avoiding me."

"I haven't been avoiding you!" she bristled defensively, hands clenched into fists at her sides. "It's just…" The woman glanced around uselessly, shoulders deflating a bit. "I've been very busy here in the Spirit World."

"Yes." Hiei's tone was mocking, a hint of that familiar teasing edge leaking through his voice as he took a step forward. "Playing with your hair is a very time consuming task."

"Hey-!"

"Are you free right now?"

"...Why do you ask?"

"Because I intend to set things right." Hiei reached his hand out to her, palm up and open. "Come with me, woman. Just for today."

Botan's eyes widened as he held his hand out for her. Hiei wasn't the type to initiate physical contact unless it was violent in nature. He hated skinship as much as he detested emotions. But here he was, attempting to do the things he had no real experience in. She appreciated the fact that he was pushing aside his pride to make amends, but she couldn't disregard the hesitation that clouded her affections and cautioned her against trusting him again.

"You vouched for my freedom," he reminded her. "And now I owe you."

Botan's gaze lifted from his hand to his red eyes. There was a steely conviction in his gaze. An unyielding promise in his words. He was serious about this. He wasn't taking no for an answer. And the ferry-girl didn't really have the strength to resist him. "Before I agree to anything, I need to know: do you even feel any remorse over what you've done?"

Hiei's expression didn't falter from its natural stoicism. "I don't."

Botan's face fell in disappointment.

"I'm not sorry for what I did," he continued lowly. His piercing gaze never left hers once as he spoke. "But I regret hurting you. And I regret putting you in danger. That was never my aim."

Botan's breath caught in her throat as she recalled those frantic moments in the warehouse. She distinctly remembered hearing Hiei taunting Yusuke over the fact that she wouldn't last much longer if she kept exerting her energy. Back then, she thought it was all for the sake of pressuring and distracting the already angered detective, but in hindsight, she wasn't so sure.

Right before his defeat, as their gazes connected, she could have sworn she saw worry reflected in those crimson eyes.

And days later in the cell, despite being tight-lipped and petulantly taciturn, he still found the words to berate her for taking action. For not staying out of harm's way.

"Give me one night, Botan," he requested again.

She held his gaze for a moment or two longer, her resolve falling apart and crumbling by the wayside. When it came to Hiei, her will was always weak.

"Alright," the ferry-girl conceded with a nod, placing her hand in the fire-demon's warm and calloused one. His fingers closed over hers in a careful but sure grip, and she couldn't help the way her heart fluttered foolishly. "What exactly did you have in mind?"

"You'll see."

.

.

.

The last rays of sunlight were stretching over the horizon by the time she and Hiei made their way to the human world.

"Are you really not telling me where we're going?"

"You'll find out soon enough, woman."

Botan readjusted the waistline of her hot pink skirt and matching top. She was in her human container, so it was only natural that she dressed for the summer temperatures. However, the mystery surrounding their destination had the ferry-girl beginning to second guess her attire. "If you weren't so secretive, I could've dressed for the occasion."

He glanced over at her briefly. "You look fine."

Botan felt a warm blush spread over her cheeks. It was a little embarrassing how easily he could make her flustered. "Y-you think so?"

The fire-demon only pushed his hands into his pockets and grunted affirmatively in response.

"Well, thanks, Hiei," she smiled, feeling at ease again. Her nerves settled as she took in the familiarity of the his grounding presence. Despite all that had happened between them, he was still the man her heart kept moving towards. Her expression softened as she glanced at him, deciding to strike up a conversation. "So… how's life been since imprisonment?"

"Quiet. I assumed your Prince would put me to work immediately, but I've been left to my own devices."

Botan nodded along. "Demon activity has all but flatlined since Yusuke captured Rando," she informed. "I think his reputation precedes him."

"The detective was stronger than expected."

"And he'll only be getting stronger now that he's training under Master Genkai."

"Good." Determination sharpened the fire-demon's gaze and quirked the corner of his lips. "I wouldn't mind another bout with him."

"I'm sure he feels the same. You were a fierce opponent yourself," she admitted, nudging him lightly with her elbow. "I had an inkling you were strong, but your speed and strength were a truly deadly combo."

"Flattery will get you nowhere, woman."

"It's not flattery, it's—" Botan paused, blinking at the glittering lights and attractions in the distance. It was a festival. The ferry-girl lit up as the realization passed over her. She turned her eager eyes towards Hiei, unable to contain her excitement. "Are we really going?"

He nodded.

"Oh, Hiei, you're the best!" She took his arm and wasted no time pulling him along towards the entrance.

Hours later, the pair was finally making their way towards the exit.

Hiei had allowed the woman to drag him to every stall, attraction and direction that she pleased. It was a busy, crowded and lively affair. One he would much rather not partake in, but he put up with it.

He considered this torture his penance for hurting the ferry-girl.

Besides, it'd been too long since he'd seen that fond look in her eyes directed at him. He would bear a thousand human festivals for the chance to keep her near.

"I'm surprised you decided to come here of all places," Botan admitted. She had a tiny stuffed animal in her arms - one that he was forced to acquire for her after he'd watched her fail several times at what was obviously a rigged game. "So, what's the verdict? Did you enjoy it?"

"What do you think, ferry-girl?" he shot back as a young child narrowly avoided running straight into his legs.

"That grumpy little frown on your face says no," Botan noted with a giggle. "But you haven't threatened any humans yet and you've yet to run for the hills, so it's a win in my book."

Hiei bit back a smirk as he pushed his hands in his pockets. "Contrary to popular belief, I'm not a masochist. There was a point to all of this."

She gave him her full attention, features pulled into a look of open curiosity as they stopped beneath a string of red and yellow lanterns. "And what was that?"

The night was winding down, so he supposed it was now or never. There was no use in delaying the moment. Not when his mind was made up. But before he told her of his intentions, he needed to know hers.

"Before I stole the artifacts," he began. "Did you ever plan to make your move?"

The woman's slender blue brows rose until they were obscured by her bangs. "Huh?"

"You'd always seek me out. You wasted all your free time on me. And you kept staring at me with those eyes. In Makai that can only mean one thing."

Botan's eyes widened as she let out a gasp. "You thought I was trying to proposition you?"

"No," he replied. "I assumed you were trying to court me."

"C-court you?"

"It's custom to let one's pursuer see it through. But given all that's gone on between us, I suppose I should take the lead now. After all, you never made your intentions known and I grow tired of waiting."

"I-it wasn't like that!" she explained, flushing red. "I liked spending time with you. That's why I came around so much. Because I considered us friends. I still hope we can be, after all is said and done…"

"We aren't friends, woman," he maintained. He had never once wanted to be mere friends with her. His desires were always much more selfish than that.

"Yes, we are!"

He raised a brow as he scrutinized her. "So you don't want me."

"No!" she yelled, the denial seeming to be nothing more than a knee-jerk reaction. She fidgeted under his gaze, eyes darting away from his as she held the stuffed panda to her chest. "I mean, well, you're very handsome. And admirable, too. Sure my heart races when you're close. And I think about you when you're not around-"

"Then you do want me."

"Would you stop putting me on the spot!" she cried, face set aflame. "How would you like it if I did the same to you?"

"I'd tell you the truth."

"...Which is?"

"You're over emotional, loud and meddlesome, but despite all those things I only want you."

"Hiei…" she breathed out in disbelief. "You… do you really mean that?"

"I don't say anything I don't mean."

"Oh…" The ferry-girl was quiet for a few moments, but then her expression softened, lips slowly curving upwards. "I had no idea you felt the same as I do."

"Hn."

She took a step closer, setting the stuffed animal down on an abandoned stall. "I suppose there's only one thing left to do now."

In the next moment, Botan's cool and gentle palms were cupping his face. She leaned forward without hesitation, claiming his mouth in a tender, featherlight kiss. Hiei's eyes slid shut as he pulled her against him, savoring each brush of their lips.

Hiei wasn't used to such tenderness, but this simple, innocent touch was better than anything he'd ever experienced before. The warmth of her body, the softness of her lips, the taste of her. It was just as intoxicating as reaching higher heights of power.

Botan broke away first, eyes lidded and pink lips slightly parted as she stared back at him. "Does this mean we're dating now?"

Hiei's brow furrowed slightly, arms still loosely wrapped around her waist. "I don't know what that is."

"You know… it's the act of getting to know someone you're romantically interested in. I suppose it would equate to courting in demon terms."

"I already know you, Botan. I want you to be mine and mine alone," he asserted. "I don't see the sense in prolonging things with silly human courtship rituals. Not when I've known what I wanted since the start."

"…The start?"

Hiei nodded. He remembered feeling on edge around her upon their first encounter; off-kilter and unsure. He may not have known what to classify those strange feelings as, but he detected them nonetheless. "From the moment we first met and you refused to leave me be, I knew."

Botan placed a hand over her heart, her expression morphing into one of breathless wonder. "Why… that almost sounds like koi no yokan."

"What?"

"It's a human phrase that describes the phenomenon you're talking about. When you meet someone and you know that you're destined to fall for them one day."

"…"

"I think I experienced the same thing when I first saw you," she revealed. "I knew that I'd see you again… someway, somehow. I knew you'd become someone significant in my life."

"Hn. You make it sound so sentimental, woman," he chided, despite his own heart echoing those same soppy emotions.

Botan pouted. "Are you saying you didn't feel it, too?"

Hiei glanced away stubbornly. It wouldn't do him any good to lie to her now; not when he'd only just started being honest with her.

"Well, well, well…" The ferry-girl's lips curled into a feline grin as she looped her arms around his neck. "Who's the sentimental one now?"

"Just shut up and kiss me again, Botan."

She laughed, amethyst eyes sparkling with mirth. "Yes sir!"

When her smiling lips met his once more, the rest of the realm fell away. He gave into the warmth of her affections, knowing that he'd made the right choice. Botan was what he wanted. She was all that he needed. And now that he had her, he wouldn't make the mistake of ever letting anything come between them again.

Thank you for reading! :)