A Brother's Love

A/N: I'm ba-ack! Lol. You know, I wrote the Dark Con of Enma. Read it if you like H/B stories. It's good, or so I've been told. Anyway, enjoy the story, another HB.

Botan flew through the skies of Rekai. Nothing could get her down today. It was the beginning of summer and Koenma promised to give her a vacation. Grinning from ear to ear, Botan swooped into Koenma's window, effectively startling him.

"Botan, what do you think you are doing!" The Prince shouted with his nasal voice, pacifier almost falling out of his toddler mouth.

"Koenma, don't tell me you forgot!"

Botan clutched the sleeves of her pink kimono, her pink eyes blazing with emotion. Koenma sighed, regretting that he was giving a vacation to his best ferry girl. That meant more work for him.

"No, Botan, I didn't forget. Calm down." He waved his hand lazily, his eyes half open. "You're free to go. Have fun."

Botan gasped in pleasure. She bowed and she felt her cheeks flush with happiness. Koenma had to look away, not wanting to meet such a joyous gaze.

"Go already!"

Botan nodded and summoned her oar, knocking over some papers. Koenma squawked and scrambled out of his chair. He looked up to see the ferry girl fading off into the horizon.

"Botan!"

Botan giggled. Oops, I hope Koenma isn't too mad, Botan thought humorously to herself. She sped off, opening a portal to Ningenkai. She bit her lip as she navigated her way through the clouds. She knew exactly where to go.

Hiei sat just outside of Genkai's temple. By sat, I mean sitting in a tree. His tree. Hiei closed his eyes, completely aware of all his surroundings. His Jagan Eye was in use, making sure nothing foreign would approach the temple. If something did, they would have to deal with him. Nothing would harm his sister.

Botan glided over the trees, letting the wind blow her cerulean hair. She closed her eyes, wanting to feel more. She landed just outside of Genkai's temple. Yes, she wanted to see Yukina. She hadn't talked to her in a while.

Botan let her oar disappear and she walked slowly up to the temple. She had already made plans ahead of time. Yukina was so happy that she sounded like she was crying over the phone. She might have been. She was so grateful for everything she got out of life.

Hiei's crimson eyes shot open, unsheathing his katana and jumping out of his tree in one graceful move. Something was here. It wasn't very powerful, but he needed to know what it was. If it was a demon, he'd kill it. He sped off toward the temple with his demonic speed.

Botan could just see the temple beyond some small trees. She smiled and started to break out into a run when she felt pressure on her throat. She felt some sort of knife or sword pressing into her skin. She blinked away tears of terror, not wanting to be a coward.

Hiei's blood red eyes widened at the sight of the baka ferry onna. Her eye watered, but the tears never came. Still, he could smell the salt. It stained the air.

"Baka ferry onna."

"Hiei? What are you doing here?"

The pair stood like that, Botan still being subdued slightly with Hiei's katana. He finally sheathed it and started to walk back into the woods, away from the temple. Botan wheeled around.

"Hey, where are you going?"

Hiei didn't answer and kept on walking. Botan felt a childish anger seep through her. What is wrong with him? He's just going to leave, and not even say hi to his sister? Ugh the jerk!

While Botan was preoccupied with her thoughts, her hands were already summoning her oar. Then, as soon as she came back into reality, the oar had already been flung towards the Koorime. Botan felt her stomach fall into a dark and cold abyss. Botan heard a loud thwack and she closed her eyes. Oh no, I'm going to get it now...

Hiei wasn't expecting to be clobbered by the onna's wooden oar. He stumbled. Stumbled! The oar vanished once it hit the ground. He was overcome with rage. What had come over that baka onna? Doesn't she realize what I can do?

Hiei stalked over to the ferry girl when he saw that her eyes were shut tightly, her shoulders tense. An emotion ran over him. It made him feel, unsure. Almost... no... I AM NOT GUILTY! Hiei grabbed the onna's shoulders, shaking her just enough to get her to open her eyes.

"Don't test me, onna."

Botan's pink eyes flickered open. She felt her pulse quicken in fear when she found herself staring into a certain Koorime's narrowed eyes. She cringed, expecting the worse. He wouldn't really kill me, would he?

"Don't test me, onna."

Botan watched Hiei flicker out of her sight and disappear all together. She blinked. Once. Twice. Wait a tick. I'm still alive! Woot! Botan did a little victory dance. She grinned as happy thoughts whirled through her head.

Oh my God! Botan lives! Hahahaha! Victory is mine–

Onna, you didn't win. I spared you.

Botan felt her smile turn from smug to nervous. He was listening to her. She had almost forgotten that he could do that. She let out a shaky breath, waiting for a few minutes. She didn't hear anything. She turned when a deep growl bounced off the walls in her mind.

Don't even think about telling her, onna, or I'll–

Yeah, yeah, you'll kill me. I know. I know.

Botan opened the temple doors, peeking inside. Some of her blue strands of hair had slipped out of its tie due to flying. Also by being shaken by Hiei. Botan's gaze softened as she saw the ice maiden appear in her nightgown, a glowing candle in her delicate hands.

"Botan?" Yukina blinked and then dropped the candle onto the floor. "Oh Botan! You're here! I've missed you!"

Botan was slightly unprepared for the embrace that Yukina gave me. But it was only for a short moment before Botan wrapped her arms around her. She reminded Botan of an ice sculpture. Beautiful beyond words, but delicate.

"Yukina, I'm sorry if I woke you up."

"It's fine, Botan. I couldn't sleep because I was looking forward to your visit."

Yukina's voice was so... fragile. Botan was led back to Yukina's room. Yukina had set up a large mat on the floor. Botan got settled, but then heard the rustling of the sheets. She saw the ice maiden climbing in beside her, ignoring the bed. Botan sat up, causing Yukina to pause in her actions momentarily.

"What are you doing?"

Botan was utterly confused. Yukina's bed was not even a foot away. Maybe the ice demon had a fever. Yukina smiled sweetly at Botan.

"I'm not going to let you sleep on the floor if I'm not going to as well."

Botan was about to try and force the ice maiden into her own bed, but then saw the sparkle in her eyes. No, even if Botan summoned the strength of King Enma she wouldn't be able to stop Yukina from demonstrating kindness. Botan nodded and Yukina slipped under the covers on the other side of the mat.

Yukina went to sleep much earlier than our favorite ferry girl. Botan could still feel the night air on her skin. It was calling to her. It was silly, it was. She was a Rekai ferry girl, she felt the wind all the time while she ferried souls. But it was like habit. Not a fetish, but close.

Before Botan could think any further, she drifted into sleep.

Hiei frowned. The onna didn't tell his sister about him. The baka ferry onna kept her mouth shut. For now, that is. Hiei scowled darkly into the late night/early morning. He decided to check up on the onna. She needed to be kept in line anyway.

Hiei entered the onna's mind. He wasn't surprised to find that she was asleep. He was in a field where the stars were shining brightly. He rolled his eyes. Typical onna and her fantasies. Speaking of the baka, where was she?

That was when he heard her laughter. That annoying sound that she made when she experienced happiness. Ugh, how he loathed it. He saw her soaring on her oar. Hiei squinted, his one eye twitching. That was the big dream for the ferry onna? Flying? She did that everyday!

"Onna!"

She had been speeding among the stars, but once she heard his voice, it looked like she lost all confidence. Her oar vanished right out from under her. Botan screamed as she fell.

Hiei had a decision to make. He wasn't to sure if she would be physically hurt if she landed. It was a dream after all. But, not wanting to take the chance, Hiei flitted over to the area where the ferry onna was going to fall. Growing impatient, the onna had been very high up, Hiei rushed to meet her in mid air.

Botan heard someone yell. The voice sounded so familiar. That dark, deep, masculine sound. That was when her oar disappeared. Botan let out a girlish shriek. She was falling. She tried to summon her oar, but it wasn't working. She closed her eyes, an odd serene look falling onto her features.

Until she felt someone holding her. Botan felt every muscle in her body seize at the unknown touch. She felt her and her savior land. But she did not like it. She didn't recognize whoever it was. Sure, her eyes weren't open, but she could recall touch. A gift of hers. It wasn't Koenma's. Or Kurama's, Yukuke's, or Kuwabara's.

Botan opened her eyes and found... Hiei. She let out another piercing scream. She pushed him away from her. She knew she was dreaming, but this was most definitely a nightmare. She had to get away. His grip was like an iron lock. Only one of her hands was free. It acted on its own accord.

Smack!

"You must have a death wish, baka onna."

A/N: Hey! Good for chapter one? You should tell me, after all, I wont continue unless I get some reviews. Even flames. I seriously love them all. So...(ahem) click the little blue button. I know you want to! Orphan mia out.