She lay sprawled out on her bed, lips parted, eyes wide, cheeks a brilliant shade of red. Clawd hands pinned hers against the mattress, well above her head, and sharp fangs trailed down her neck, no doubt searching for the perfect place to break skin. She shivered, goose bumps appearing down her arms. The dark room felt heavy, especially when he started pulling the collar of her shirt down; she made no move to stop him.

His movement where eager. The want, the need, to see his tear gem hanging around her neck was to great to dispel. He pulled a little more and- there it was. A single, dark gem settled right in between her breasts. It looked right on her and his movement stilled for a split second. Botan noticed and carefully reached out to caress his cheek.

"Hiei?"

"You wear it," he stated.

"Huh? Oh, yes, of course I do." She sat up on her elbows, bringing their faces very close to each other. "It's a part of you, dear. That's why I wear it so often." Her cheeks took on that red tint again. "When every you boys are sent off on missions, ones I can't go on, I… feel closer to you. Ah, you must think I'm silly," she squealed, hiding behind her cool hands.

Hiei smirked, watching the ferry-girl slip into a mess of herself before doing anything about it. He reached out, pushing away her hands, claws dragging down her cheek and over her lips. The pad of his fingers traced over the marks and lines he had left on her; intentional claims, ones that would last only for a month.

"It isn't silly," he finally said, ears twitching when she gasped, a breathless act that sent his senses into high drive. "Wear it at all times." It was a command, albeit a soft one, where no room for arguing was left. Botan nodded, catching his hand.

"I had a feeling you'd say something of a sort." She smiled.

Hiei eyed her, pinning her down with that sharp gaze of his. Her cheeks were still that dark red, her lips still parted, her scent still ripe with affection and want. The apparition no longer wanted to waste time, he started to lean in, closing the space between them.

Their lips connected in a heated, hungry kiss (Hiei's favorite kind, tho he'd never admit it), and the intensity behind it left Botan reeling. Her lover was best known for being, as Yusuke put it, 'emotionally stunted'. So in these rare moments, when it was just them, split seconds would pass where Hiei'd let his mask slip, showing only a sliver of what was overwise hidden or chained away.

They pulled away with a small ' pop ' sound.

It left Botan breathless.

"H-Hiei…?" Her voice came out so small, yet caked with love only the ferry-girl could produce.

"What is it?"

He watched her bite her lip, her hands squeezing the hem of her oversized night shirt. "One… one more?"

The apparition blinked. "Are you asking permission?"

She nodded, those brilliant pink eyes of hers pleading. He smirked, and wordlessly snuck in another kiss, this time dragging his warm tongue over her bottom lip. She let him in almost immediately, clinging to his shoulders to stay upright.

Outside, clouds parted, letting the moon's glow ooze into the ferry-girl's pink room. It was only when they parted for a second time did Hiei see just how much his affection affected her. She was damn well glowing. He licked his fangs, savoring the taste of her, so absorbed that he never noticed her reach out, grasping his black cloak, until she gave it a small tug.

He arched an eyebrow. "Woman?"

Her shirt hung off her shoulders, and at this angle, if Hiei tilted his head, he'd be able to see down her shirt. He didn't. That damn honor code of his.

"One more…?" Her voice was so quiet, he barely heard it.

"It's late," Hiei said, although he'd much rather give into her request. "The brat's expecting you tomorrow, early, if I remember you complaining correctly."

His lover pulled at his cloak again. "Just one more?"

The apparition sighed, catching her wrist and brought it up, kissing the underside of it. "One more," he gave in, pulling her closer with one yank of her arm. She was propelled towards him, their lips crashing against each other. Botan mewed, her fingers rising to row through Hiei's black hair. She heard him growl, chest vibrating, and she couldn't help the small giggle that escaped her.

He pulled away all to quickly.

"You need sleep," he said, brushing her long hair back from her eyes, letting his claws linger a second longer. The warmth from her blush sent his blood afire. If he wasn't careful, if he didn't have such a strong grip on his 'emotions', he'd take her right now. "Go to bed."

Botan felt some sense return to her clouded mind. "I- right." She shifted, pulling the covers off the mattress. Hiei got up, picking up his discarded bandana and covered up his Jagan. He turned to leave, ready to disappear into the night, when Botan reached out, grasping his shoulder.

"What is it now?"

"Stay with me?"

"Do you realize what your asking of me?"

Hiei knew of the prejudice that could (and would) befall them if word got out about their relationship. It was bad enough he was courting her, if he started sleeping with her… Rekai would piss itself.

Botan knew too. How could she not, she worked for Koenma, yet she still wanted this.

"I know, but if you don't care-"

"I don't."

She gave a weak pull on his shoulder. "Then… will you stay?"

"Only if you truly want me to."

She nodded, never missing a beat.

Hiei sighed. "Very well." And with that, he was stripping himself of his boots and cloak and took his place beside her. Hiei didn't stop her when she reached up, taking off that bandana of his (Botan claimed early on that she didn't want him hiding himself from her, so she made it a habit of keeping his Jagan exposed. Hiei didn't mind, secretly enjoying how she marveled over it), letting it fall near where his katana lay.

"I have to get up early," Botan murmured, resting her head on his chest.

"I'm well aware of that, woman."

"And… and I don't want to be late."

"Nn." He watched her slowly slip away, taking note of how perfectly she fit against him. His silent promise hung in the air, before he too let himself drift off. I'll wake you.