#especially since yusuke came back from training with genkai

[bisaster-energy]

i hate this i want people to read my fic but ITS NOT FUCKIN DONEEEE i wanna talk about it but i dont wanna spoil what happens i wanna hurry and finish it but i have no time to work on it in long periods KILL KILL KILL

[jilted-love]

The first time Yusuke verbally recognized another boy to be good looking, that was Shishiwakamaru who was an enemy back then and someone who was arrogant and picking a fight with Team Urameshi. Instead of complimenting his looks, Yusuke used it as an insult instead. He was a teenager and seeing someone attractive be an asshole towards him and his friends made him want to insult that attractiveness fast and sure to stop it.

Fast forward to current events, Yusuke joined his friends and allies in training at Genkai's temple before the next Makai Tournament.

Once, Yusuke halted them all in the middle of training because he said loud enough for everyone to hear, "Shishiwaka is actually really pretty" while they were all sparring and Yusuke was watching them beside Kurama. "But not as pretty as Kurama. Kurama is beautiful in either of his forms."

Shishiwakamaru felt flustered and reacted aggressively before running off away from Yusuke. He was used to compliments from girls. He had an entire fan club back in the Dark Tournament. But he was not used to getting compliments from boys and especially not Yusuke Urameshi. All of his friends who fought Team Urameshi before have unquestionable loyalty to Yusuke but Shishiwakamaru never fought him. He didn't understand everyone's devotion to the boy but one compliment turned him speechless and he didn't know how else to take it so he ran away.

Since then, compliments from Yusuke became frequent. Kurama's hair was beautiful and smooth whether red or silver; Hiei, who visited them once, was called cute and he got a punch in Yusuke for that but Yusuke laughed and said it was worth it to see him blush; Chu's muscles were firm no matter how much he drank (Yusuke emphasized this by pressing fingers on his abs and Chu was more than happy to flex); Jin's eyes were bright and his smile was gorgeous and his ears kept twitching the entire day from those words out of Yusuke's mouth; Kuwabara, who will be joining the next Tournament too, was noticed for his broad and strong chest that Yusuke cupped in order to measure them, something he told Kuwabara was part of training when Kuwabara was embarrassed and tried to protest.

When Keiko and Botan came to visit, things went south but only for Yusuke.

"He's been groping all of you and you just let him???" Keiko was fuming when she knew. "Oh, that pervert! You spoil him too much!"

"He said it's part of training!" Kuwabara tried to explain while Botan shook her head beside Keiko. "So he measures my pectorals and touches Chu's stomach. He also touched Jin's ears and brushes Kurama's hair. Is that really groping?"

"He also tried to touch Hiei's cute butt," Kurama added, remembering when Yusuke got punched by the smaller demon but he looked too pleased to be bothered by it while touching the tips of his smooth beautiful red hair.

"I get it," Botan said, staring at Kurama. "You let Yusuke get away with all of these because you foxes are vain! You just like him praising you, don't you, Kurama?"

"You knew all along?" Kuwabara gasped.

"Well..." Kurama fiddled with his healthy well taken care of hair even more. If he was in his silver form, his fox tail would be wagging excitedly behind him. "It's true, if I didn't want him touching and praising my hair he could be with Karasu by now."

And everyone shuddered.

"I guess if it's fine for you, then nothing's wrong about it," Keiko shrugged. She couldn't fault them. It did feel good to have Yusuke's attention and praise when it didn't embarrass her.

"It's not okay for me!" Kuwabara exclaimed, his face as red as a baboon's ass. "That jerk! He actually made me think that was training. I'm kicking his ass!"

And then Kuwabara stormed off to look for Yusuke somewhere in the temple. Later after they were done with the punching and the kicking, he told Yusuke he was welcome to touch if he was honest about it while blushing from his scalp down to his chest. In the following training sessions, Yusuke was still complimenting them but he was more honest in his touches. Honesty, though, was still getting him a punch from Hiei but everyone assumed they liked the physical contact too much to stop them.

[grimtwin]

Thirsty?

Finally, after three years, I've written something else for Hiei x Botan week! I'm a dreadfully slow writer, and this was meant to be out yesterday but whatever! It's still here and content is content!

Day 1: Desire

Let me know what you think, if you'd be so kind!

Botan swallowed thickly, her mouth dry, and feeling as though the temperature around her had suddenly risen to sweltering degrees. Something which Botan believed to be quite odd considering that it was a lovely Spring afternoon and she was sitting beneath the shade of Genkai’s temple awning, high in the mountains. Yet even still, a bead of sweat trailed it’s way down the length of her neck, dipping beneath her blouse, and Botan began to fan herself with her hand, feeling overheated and flush. It was ever so strange…

A flash of movement in the temple’s courtyard drew her attention, and Botan’s eyes settled onto Hiei and Yusuke standing opposite one another, battered, bruised, and breathing heavily. They had been… “sparring”, as Yusuke called it, training for the upcoming Demon World tournament, but from Botan’s perspective, it looked more like an all-out brawl. And both men could not have looked any more than pleased with themselves if they tried to do so. Botan sighed, shaking her head; she would never understand how they could be so happy to bash one another’s brains out, but she supposed it was just in their combative nature to be proud of their own strength… or more importantly, each other’s. Not that they would ever admit that tidbit out loud of course.

Stifling a giggle at the thought, Botan watched on as Yusuke beckoned Hiei with one hand and faster than she could blink, the pair were at it again, fists flying at blinding speeds she was unable to keep up with visually. “Impressive as always,” Botan thought to herself, waiting for the pair to slow down enough for her to watch once more. From what she has been able to witness over the last few days, it appeared as though Koenma’s concerns could be alleviated in some ways at least.

With the second Demon World tournament forthcoming, tensions in Spirit World were once again at an all time high. The previous tournament’s winner, Enki, had been a benevolent soul, and under his reign, instituted a decree stating demon-kind must leave humanity in peace for the duration of his rule. However, with the very real chance that a new ruler would be crowned in the coming months, panicked whispers had begun to spread throughout Spirit World, terrified that peace between the three realms may crumble with a tyrant in charge, and the Kekkai Barrier no longer standing. And it was for that reason that Koenma had ordered Botan to oversee the former detective’s training; the prince having high hopes that Yusuke could emerge victorious, and maintain the precarious peace between worlds.

It was good news then, that after years of living a quiet life with Keiko and Atsuko in the Human world, Yusuke appeared to be just as strong as he’d ever been! It had taken him a few days to get back into tip-top fighting shape, but it was clear that Yusuke would stand just as good a chance at winning this year's tournament as any of the other known S-Class demons! And Hiei… Botan bit her bottom lip, fingers toying with the hem of her skirt anxiously; he was another matter entirely. Even just seeing him in the Human World after all this time had been wholly unexpected, but he’d arrived at the temple shortly after Yusuke had, set on “warming up” before the tournament started. And after years of continued service under Mukuro while working for the Border Patrol, Hiei had grown in more ways than Botan could have ever imagined. He was always strong of course, but now…

A sudden, thundering crash jolted Botan from her thoughts, and she snapped toward the source in a panic, seeing little more than a billowing cloud of dust and raining debris. After a moment of silence, the smokescreen was swept away by a passing gust, and Botan was surprised to see Yusuke lying flat on his back in the middle of the courtyard, the force of his impact having left an indentation in the ground beneath him. Just as she made to ask Yusuke if he was alright, Hiei dropped down from above, standing in between them and any concerns Botan may have held for Yusuke instantly died on her tongue. Her breath hitched, and goosebumps rose over the skin of her arms and neck as she soaked in the sight standing confidently before her; Hiei was shirtless. At some point during his high-speed duel with Yusuke, Botan could only assume that the sleeveless, powder-blue shirt Hiei had previously been wearing, had gotten torn from his body, the tattered remains clutched limply in Yusuke’s fist at the bottom of his own miniature crater.

“You’ve grown soft over the years Detective,” Hiei taunted, standing above Yusuke triumphantly.

“Hiei had not,” Botan thought internally, staring wide eyed at the rippling muscles of Hiei’s broad back, slender waist, and powerful shoulders. He looked as though he had been sculpted from stone and his skin gently kissed by the sun’s rays. Botan’s tongue darted out to wet her lips, and she absentmindedly tucked a strand of errant hair behind her ear. This darn heat...

Below, Yusuke groaned as he sat up, rubbing his jaw gingerly, and spit a wad of blood and saliva to the side before hopping to his feet. He noisily cracked his neck to each side before jumping from the pit to stand in front of Hiei once more.

“Gimme a break Hiei, Keiko’s made an honest man out of me after all,” Yusuke said with a hearty laugh, clapping a hand down on Hiei’s shoulder, “I’ve just gotta get back into the swing of things. But look at you Hiei; Someone’s finally learned how to throw a real punch! That last one actually hurt. Feels like your arm is made of steel man!”

Botan’s eyes wandered over Hiei’s “steel-like” arms, noting just how much thicker they were from the last time she’d seen him, the sealing bandages wrapped around his right arm stretched taut against his biceps and triceps, threatening to burst at the seams whenever he raised his fist. Why, she was sure even Kuwabara would be envious of Hiei’s new size and definition!

Hiei scoffed, slapping away Yusuke’s hand.

“Had you stayed in Demon World, you may have become a more worthy challenge. You’ll waste away here.”

“Don’t you worry about me half-pint, when the time comes, I’ll be sure to kick your ass just like I used to,” Yusuke replied cheekily, waving Hiei’s ruined shirt between them, “If I can take this off you, I’m not as rusty as I think I am.”

Half-pint? Botan was astounded that Yusuke had the gall to even label Hiei such a thing, especially now that they practically stood eye to eye with one another. Sure, Yusuke was still fractionally taller, the pointed tips of Hiei’s hair not included in his height, but Botan was genuinely curious to know if Yusuke had noticed his former comrade had grown nearly a full foot since their last meeting. Because she certainly had... Botan even noticed that the once baggy clothing Hiei used to wear fit much more snugly on his frame, the black material of his trousers clinging shapely to his rear end and thighs, and now only needing one belt to keep them fixed into place! Another wave of heat passed over Botan once more, and she hurriedly fanned herself, trying to find some reprieve in her manufactured breeze.

Hiei snatched the shredded fabric out of Yusuke’s outstretched hand, and with a flare of dark energy, reduced it to cinders.

“Demon World won’t have just been sitting back, cooking noodles until the next tournament rolls around Yusuke,” Hiei bit back sharply, “Countless demons want your head. Either you rise to the occasion, or they will take it.”

“Aww Hiei, is that why you’re here?” Yusuke replied with faux surprise, trying to contain his building laughter, “Cause you’re worried about little ol’ me? I always knew you were a softie Hiei!”

“Fool. Go back to your hole.” Hiei growled, turning from Yusuke and beginning to stalk toward the forest.

“Hey,” Yusuke called out, sounding more genuine and serious, “You came all the way here to give me the kick in the ass I needed to get back on to your level... so thanks Hiei, I appreciate it. I’ll be ready for the tournament, you can count on it. No way I’m dying before I beat your ass again.”

Hiei stopped and looked back over his shoulder at Yusuke, an unreadable expression across his face.

“Hn. There won’t be any mirrors to save you next time Yusuke.”

Yusuke broke into a wide grin and threw himself at Hiei playfully, “Love you too Shnookums!”

Botan let out a gasp, hands flying to her cheeks and her eyes sparkling, too distracted by her own thoughts to notice Hiei dodging Yusuke’s advances in the courtyard, “Was Hiei always so kind and considerate!?” Botan asked herself incredulously.

Of course, she had always known Hiei to be a swell guy who held an obvious soft spot for Yukina, but this was the first time she had ever seen him go to such lengths to help out another person. Well, without being coerced into doing so that is. But still, it warmed her heart to witness first hand that Hiei truly did care for his friends and seemed to have grown comfortable enough to express those feelings in his own, awkward way. “Perhaps not in so many words... but actions always did speak louder for Hiei,” Botan thought with a giggle. Why, it was almost like Hiei had become a completely new man, and warmth blossomed in her chest realizing just how far he’d grown from being the nasty little criminal she had first met all those years ago. His maturation, both physically and emotionally, was really quite… attractive.

Botan could practically feel the heat rising from her cheeks and she buried her face into her hands as the realization dawned upon her; she was totally into Hiei!

Where had this come from and how could it have happened after so many years apart!? They had never been particularly close and she could practically count their personal interactions on both hands. She had always admired Hiei’s strength and reliability, but that certainly couldn’t have been enough to evoke these feelings, right? Botan peeked through her fingers over at Hiei, finding both he and Yusuke chatting about something that she couldn’t quite make out, but she glued her eyes to the fire demon, studying every aspect of him, searching for clues.

Hiei was an incredibly handsome man, and always had been, she supposed... but she had never really taken notice of his looks until after his prolonged absence. Before their separation, Hiei had always looked so angry at the world, his eyes sharp and distrustful of those around him. And too often had she felt his cold air of indifference or outright hostility directed toward their group of friends in the past than she cared to admit. He’d been so rude and cruel to those around him for so long that Botan supposed it was those lesser quality traits that had kept her from seeing his more positive, physical aspects in the past. At the time, she just couldn’t imagine him being a viable partner...

But now, Botan could see that Hiei had a more calm look on his face, the hardness in his eyes replaced by warm confidence and his body language more light and open, as though a massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Botan smiled fondly; whatever it was that Hiei had found in his life, it had clearly been good for him. Yusuke and Kurama had always placed their utmost trust in him, and years prior, she had wondered if they had been wrong to do so, but seeing Hiei now, it was clear that it was she who had misunderstood the way Hiei viewed his comrades. Just like Yusuke once told her; they could always depend on Hiei to save their butts in the end and realizing this to be true, allowed Botan to see Hiei in an entirely new light.

And his body!

Botan gushed, wiggling in her seat as she desperately fought off the giddy squeal of excitement that rose from the pit of her stomach. He was so incredibly sexy that she could hardly tear her gaze away from him! Never before had she been so fixated on a man’s physical prowess, but everything that Hiei had going on, just worked wonders for her. And now that he had turned toward her, Botan could fully appreciate his sculpted chest and core; each pectoral, oblique and abdominal muscle clearly defined by years of hard battle and religious training. Just the sight of them was enough to drive a girl insane with wanton desire and she could only imagine how warm and firm they felt under her finger tips. Her eyes moved ever lower, and the thought of what he may look like elsewhere drifted to the front of her mind...

“Thirsty?”

A wet, frigid cold touched the heated skin of her neck, and Botan could not contain the wail of shock and panic that slipped past her lips as she jumped from her seat and into the courtyard.

“W-w-what was that!?” Botan exclaimed, spinning around to see what had touched her.

Her panic quickly melted into confusion upon seeing Shizuru standing in front of her with a pair of canned drinks in her hands, and wearing an all knowing smile. One that made Botan immediately flustered, and feel as though she’d just been caught doing something she shouldn’t have. Peeking back over her shoulder, Botan spotted both Yusuke and Hiei staring curiously over her outburst, but she hurriedly waved them off, trying to avoid eye making contact with either of them.

“Shizuru, w-what are you doing here?” Botan stammered awkwardly, pawing at the air like a kitten.

Shizuru paused before answering, staring out into the courtyard and then back to Botan, who looked increasingly nervous as the seconds ticked by in silence. Taking a seat, Shizuru beckoned Botan over, and the pair sat side by side, long legs dangling over the walkway’s ledge.

“Kazuma heard from Kurama that Yusuke was up here training for that demon tournament,” Shizuru explained, tossing one of the canned beverages toward Botan who clumsily caught it, “He wanted in, so he used that dimension sword thing of his to bring us up here; makes for cheap and easy travel you know. I figured you wouldn’t be too far from the scene, so Yukina, Keiko, and I tagged along too.”

“O-oh! Well that’s just grand! Yes! It’s been far too long since we’ve had a little get together, let alone some girl time,” Botan said, popping open her beverage and taking a sip. Tropical berries, yum!

“That’s true,” Shizuru replied in a hushed tone, throwing an arm around Botan’s shoulders and pulled her in close, “But it looks to me like you’d prefer some one on one time with Hiei instead.”

Botan promptly choked on her drink, coughing and sputtering as her drink went down the wrong way. Shizuru then gently patted her on the back until her airway was clear enough to take an inhale of breath.

“Shizuru!” Botan exclaimed, positively aghast.

“Am I wrong?”

“I-I-I… well you see... but I didn’t even... um, h-how,” Botan stammered erratically, breaking out into a nervous sweat, her face reddened in embarrassment and humiliation.

“Uh-huh, that’s what I thought sweetheart,” Shizuru stated smugly. “Can’t say I blame you though, Hiei got really hot.”

Next to her, Botan tugged nervously on her ponytail, and nodded her affirmation. No sense in denying what was obviously true. “How did you know? I only just found out myself.” Botan whispered meekly.

“Well, it was pretty easy, Botan. You were ogling him like you wanted to replace your oar with his-,”

“Shizuru stop!” Botan wailed, trying to muffle Shizuru’s mouth with her hands but Shizuru leaned back out of the way, openly laughing at Botan's outrage.

Botan cast a panicked glance over to Hiei, hoping that he hadn’t heard Shizuru’s crass words, but froze solid upon seeing that he was looking right at her, his crimson eyes smoldering and a seductive smirk playing at his lips. She wasn’t even sure how it was possible to be both so incredibly mortified and aroused at the same time, but the look on Hiei’s face did both to her, and she couldn’t help but shiver under his gaze, her heart thumping wildly in her chest.

It was then that Shizuru leaned in once more, whispering, “Looks like Hiei’s pretty thirsty too. Why don’t you go give him a drink?” Shizuru then forced her own unopened beverage into Botan’s free hand and guided the ferry woman to her feet.

Across the lawn, Yusuke slapped Hiei noisily on the back, then jogged off with an amused cackle. Shizuru followed suit, sauntering away with a call of “Good luck,” before leaving Botan and Hiei alone to figure things out.

Botan swallowed thickly, briefly staring down at the chilled can in her hand, before returning her focus to Hiei. He... err, it was really was quite hot today... and she supposed that even fire demons like Hiei would need to quench their thirst on a day like today. Yes, she decided, there was nothing wrong with sharing a drink with an old friend. She took a tentative step toward Hiei and tried her best to ignore the butterflies in her stomach as Hiei began to advance on her in return.

[kazimakuwabara]

Fall Into Me

Becoming Open and close is a series of collisions. Hiei hates the journey. (about 2.500 words. friendship/gen)

*****

They hadn't known each other that long, or at least he hadn't known them all of them that long. He had only known them as a group for one mission, and honestly, that was enough to have Hiei wishing he had never accepted the deal from Koenma to avoid some time in hell.

Hell would be less annoying.

Glancing a sideways glare at Kurama, he wondered privately how the fox wasn't losing his mind at his other two teammates' very existence.

He had been a human for too long perhaps.

Hiei closed his eyes at the sound of Yusuke and Kuwabara laughing, the two pushing against each other in the late light of the day. The reasons why Hiei was growing slowly more aggravated continued in their childish antics, noisily bantering with one another with no regard to their other exhausted teammates.

"Aren't you two tired? It's late and we've got a bit of a walk to get back to civilization tomorrow," Kurama asked, tone light and eyes dancing.

'Of course, he's amused by the nonsense,' Hiei thought darkly, glaring at the redhead for all he's worth.

"Ah sorry Kurama, we bothering you?" Yusuke asked, digging his elbow into Kuwabara's back, the human yelping at a startling high pitch.

"No," Kurama said smiling smoothly, "But I can hear Hiei about to implode from here."

Hiei's eyes snapped open, and he glared in Kurama's direction, the man waiting for his gaze with a smile, and twinkling green eyes. He could feel Kuwabara's and Yusuke's sudden abrupt, and rapt attention, curious startled eyes looking over at him. Hiei sighed getting up, too tired to endure any of these shenanigans for another moment.

Kuwabara was giggling like a baboon behind him, and Yusuke called after, "Ah, Hiei! Don't go! We'll be quiet!"

The laughter that followed after confirmed Hiei was making the right decision in walking away.

***

Another mission later, Hiei was startled as Yusuke slumped next to him against a tree Hiei had chosen to settle down by.

"What are you doing?" Hiei asked, no bite to his tone yet, as he watched Yusuke with a cautious eye.

Yusuke pressed further into Hiei's side, and sighed dramatically, "That was a pain in the ass mission! That demon smelled like rotten eggs boiled in cabbage!"

"Before or after we killed him?" Kurama asked idly nearby. He was hanging out his shirt to dry.

Hiei didn't answer, but he also did not disagree.

Their opponent, a demon who fed on the anxieties of humans, had a terribly foul odor. It had distracted the newly formed team quite a bit during their fight, and Kuwabara had even thrown up on himself when the demon wrapped a slimy claw around his chest. To Kuwabara's admitted credit, that didn't stop him from slicing the demon's arm off with that thing he called a sword.

Someone needed to show that human how to properly wield his weapon, and not just throw it around.

"Before!" Yusuke whined dropping his head on Hiei's shoulder. "Even I ralphed when Kuwabara opened him up! The smell got ten times worse!"

This was also true. The putrid stench had even made Hiei's eyes water.

"At least it wasn't all over yourself," Hiei muttered, trying to pull away from Yusuke's insistent need to be close.

Hiei was strangely echoed by Kuwabara, who had appeared from the trees just to the left. There was a little river further down, and Kuwabara had been washing out his shirt, and Yusuke's jacket. Kuwabara and Hiei met eyes, a little startled that they had spoken the same thing, and then quickly looked away from one another.

"Here Kuwabara, I'll ring those out and hang them with my shirt," Kurama offered, holding his hands out. He had also washed a few of his belongings in the river, and was now hanging them to dry on a vine he had stretched from one tree to the next.

"Thanks, Kurama," Kuwabara mumbled, offering out the shirts as he came forward.

Yusuke was growing heavy on Hiei's shoulder, and Hiei closed his eyes taking in a slow breath. His patience lost for any more of this... "quality time," Hiei rose abruptly, knocking Yusuke to the ground.

"Ow! Ah, come on Hiei, just relax here!" Yusuke whined, a smile in his words.

Hiei ignored him and went to find some solitude away from the group.

***

"He'll be okay... right?" Kuwabara asked Hiei in a soft voice as Hiei tended to Kurama's back.

Kuwabara was laid out on the rest of the team's shirts and jackets, giving the fox as little comfort as they could from the hard ground. Kurama was unconscious, his back sliced open and bleeding. Hiei was tending to the wounds with practiced hands, and using a balm he knew how to create for situations like these.

Hiei glanced up at Kuwabara, studying the human's concerned frown. With a snort, Hiei answered, "He's taken much worse than this."

"Yeah, Hiei stabbed him in the gut once!" Yusuke piped up from his place at the fire where he was boiling some water.

Kuwabara's eyes went wide and snapped over to Yusuke, and then returned to Hiei with a confused, startled gaze.

Hiei rolled his eyes, "I was trying to stab Yusuke, Kurama just decided to take the hit."

"This was back when Hiei was being a shit! That mission I told you about with the orb, and mirror... and shit like that!" Yusuke added, shrugging his shoulders casually.

"Huh..." Kuwabara grunted after a while. He smiled at Hiei then, and laughed, "I forgot you were a bad guy before."

Hiei looked at Kuwabara, trying to glare and not just come across as confused. The answering smile told Hiei he had failed.

"Go away," Hiei muttered darkly, returning to his work. "After a night's rest with this salve, Kurama will be almost back to his old self."

"And we can take him to Genkai later! Don't worry so much Kuwabara!" Yusuke shouted again, standing up to remove his shirt so he could pull the boiling pot of water from the fire.

Kuwabara nodded, keeping his eyes on Kurama. Slapping his hands on his knees he sighed, and then suddenly reached out for Hiei's shoulder. He squeezed the shorter demon's shoulder, his thumb stroking Hiei twice, and then Kuwabara hefted himself up and walked to join Yusuke.

Hiei, still bristling from the unexpected contact, stared after Kuwabara, wondering what had the human reaching out for him like that. When Hiei couldn't find an answer, he went back to looking at the scrapes all along Kurama's back. These people were strange.

***

"He did good today," Kurama said, voice soft and eyes tired.

Hiei glanced over at Kuwabara, who was collapsed on his back, dead asleep after a vigorous day of training.

Hiei grunted, "He can almost see me at my top speeds." It was a fact, and not a compliment.

"His power is interesting, don't you think?" Kurama asked sitting next to Hiei, his shoulder pressed to the shorter demon's arm.

Hiei did not pull away. He frowned thinking over Kurama's question, before he asked, "What is interesting about it? He has some power, a weak and pitiful amount, but he has a little bit of ability. What's so fascinating about it to you Kurama?"

Kurama chuckled and lifted both shoulders, "Oh... it's... not violent. There's no... aggressive undertones to it."

"Ah, that..." Hiei muttered.

He had felt it too. A strange kind pulse resided in Kuwabara's power. It was not something uncommon among humans, Hiei had noticed, especially those of the monk persuasion. Kuwabara was no monk, but his spiritual awareness would have allowed him to go down that path if he ever chose to.

"He would be better as a healer or an exorcist," Hiei admitted, and then deciding to continue added, "I'm surprised his weapon isn't a shield."

"Why do you say that?" Kurama asked, tone clearly delighted in Hiei's willingness to have a conversation.

"A shield protects. It's what his power wants to do," Hiei answered simply.

Kurama hummed, "Swords can protect too..."

Hiei sighed and lifted his shoulders in a shrug. Hiei didn't use his sword to protect, or at least he didn't use to. Hiei glanced at the hilt of his sword and wondered privately if that had changed now.

"Well, he'll have to get a lot better if he's going to protect anyone with it," Hiei muttered, a growl in the undertones of his voice, "He can hardly protect himself!"

"Which is why we're training him. He'll come out of this tournament alive," Kurama said with a grin, "Don't you worry."

Hiei's face twisted with disgust and he glared at Kurama, "I am not worried!"

Kurama laughed, pressing his shoulder harder into Hiei. Hiei pressed back.

"Of course," Kurama sighed softly, "Of course."

Hiei snorted, disgusted by Kurama's misunderstanding. He was not worried about a human. But if he was going to fight at his side, that human better be able to take care of himself. His thoughts drifted over to Yusuke, somewhere training on his own. Frowning, Hiei muttered, "Yusuke better be getting stronger as well."

"Oh, now worrying about him is silly Hiei!" Kurama teased immediately, a smile stretching across his face, "Yusuke is very strong."

Hiei got up, intentionally pushing Kurama over who laughed.

"I am not worried!" Hiei snapped, before storming away to seek some time to himself.

***

Hiei watched Yusuke as he slept.

The tournament was over, Toguro was defeated. They could go home, but Hiei sensed things would be different from now on.

His arm throbbed, and Hiei glanced at it.

Yes, things would be very different.

Hiei's eyes shifted back to Yusuke, the detective frowning in his sleep. There were red splotches under his eyes, and his lashes had leftover tears. Yusuke had started to cry in his sleep, ever since Genkai's passing. Hiei had thought it might stop now that everything was all over, but he was mistaken. He would not judge Yusuke for his pain.

He shifted his eyes over towards Kurama who was feigning sleep. He could tell by his rigid shoulders that Kurama was lying awake, perhaps going over his battle with Karasu. Karasu had poked at the wounds of Kurama's heart, and dug out the cruelty Kurama had tried to lose now that he was not a Youko. Hiei did not understand what feelings were disturbing his companion in the corner of his mind, but Hiei would keep an eye on him.

It was all he knew how to do.

Shifting his gaze to look at Kuwabara, Hiei was startled to see the human was sitting up.

Hiei froze, keeping still in his place by the window, and watched as Kuwabara pushed back his covers and shuffled over towards the bathroom. He flicked on the light, closing his eyes at the harsh white light, but Hiei could see what had woken Kuwabara. His bandages were bloody.

Hiei was amazed Kuwabara had survived such an attack. Even if Toguro had been intending for a nonlethal stab, the wound had been very grievous. Kuwabara's spiritual powers had kicked in and closed the wound largely on its own, Kurama contributing to the rest. Still, it was remarkable that Kuwabara was alive, let alone able to walk around easily with that wound.

Kuwabara's hand rubbed his chest.

Well, maybe Kuwabara wasn't walking around easily, but was good at faking it.

Kuwabara changed his bandages with quick and practiced care, and then shuffled back out into the main room. Instead of returning to his bed, Kuwabara shuffled over to Kurama, checking on him. Kuwabara plucked at the loose comforter, and tucked it around the man's shoulders with a slow tender care. Hiei could see Kurama's body language relax, and he wondered if Kuwabara could tell Kurama was awake too.

He then shuffled to Yusuke and stared in silence for a period of time. Even if the room wasn't dark, Hiei wasn't sure he would understand the expression on Kuwabara's face. Eventually, Kuwabara raked fingers through his mussed hair, and then reached down to fluff one of Yusuke's pillows, and tuck the smaller man into bed. Gently his hands were on Yusuke's shoulders, and Hiei could feel Kuwabara sending a soothing energy into Yusuke, a skill he did on instinct alone.

Yusuke sighed in his sleep, the pain in his face smoothing away, and shifted into the comfort of his bed.

Kuwabara then turned towards him.

Hiei snapped his eyes closed, fighting to keep his body from going rigid.

He could sense Kuwabara standing over him after a moment, and there Kuwabara stood for a long time. He was attempted to open his eyes and ask him to go away, but remained quiet, curious what Kuwabara would do.

There was a shuffling sound and then a blanket was being tucked gently around him.

He opened his eyes staring at the top of Kuwabara's head, the human's face lowered as he concentrated on his task. Kuwabara's hands were being very cautious of his arm, and Hiei could sense Kuwabara's nervousness pooling off of him. Kuwabara's hand settled on the wrist of Hiei's good arm, and Hiei felt a small sleeping wave of comforting energy.

Hiei closed his eyes, and let Kuwabara slink away without getting "caught."

He listened as Kuwabara resettled into bed, and vaguely remembered a conversation he and Kurama had shared some time ago.

Kuwabara would be better suited as a healer.

***

Sensui was dead and gone, and Yusuke was a demon apparently.

Hiei couldn't deny how much sense that made.

In fact, it was really laughable that he had never noticed before.

Currently, Kuwabara, Yusuke, and Kurama were all piled against each other, all dirty and half asleep. With the way Kuwabara's mouth was hanging open, Hiei suspected Kuwabara was fully asleep.

Hiei privately thought he probably deserved the rest. There was no way Kuwabara would have been able to relax around his captors.

Hiei had just pulled himself from that pile, irritated that he had been dragged into it, to begin with.

He looked at the people he had been working alongside for the better part of a year, and glared at them as he tried to label them something other than what his heart was whispering.

It was no use.

They were... his friends now he guessed, a word that was as uncommon as peace. But that's what they were, and that was what they brought him. Peace.

It was all so strange.

"Hey..." Yusuke grunted, popping open an eye, "Don't move around so much... you're exhausted."

"You're exhausted," Hiei returned petulantly, receiving a cheeky grin in return.

Yusuke held out an arm, and lazily waved Hiei over, "Hey. Come on. Just... settle down with us."

Hiei made a face, but stepped closer.

Yusuke grinned, shaking his head with a sigh, "No one is looking, and also who gives a fuck. Just come join us and exist for a bit."

"I don't..." Hiei tried to say, but the words were dead before he could voice them. He... was not opposed to settling down against his teammates, enjoying the feel of their closeness, and relishing in the fact they had all survived. Somehow.

He could allow himself this, just once, right?

"Don't think. Just... fall," Yusuke said with a sigh and a careless shrug.

Hiei cringed, but reluctantly tipped forward, and let Yusuke catch his wrist. He was tugged down, and pulled hard into Kuwabara, who groaned as he was jolted into alertness.

"Jesus! Watch it Urameshi!" Kuwabara snapped, shoving Yusuke, while seeming unbothered that it was Hiei who had been thrown into his side.

Instead, Kuwabara settled himself more, giving Hiei room to be pressed against his side. Yusuke pressed into Hiei's opposite side, and from around Kuwabara, Kurama's hand reached out and squeezed Hiei's forearm.

"Shut up Kuwabara," Yusuke said, voice soft and teasing.

Hiei's lids were heavy, and he settled against the group quietly.

How strange it was to have affection for these three strangers he'd been forced to endure.