Hey I actually updated within the year! Well, barely – with only 5 hours to spare until 2005.

Last Chapter...

Nervously, Hiei watched as Botan moved closer, then leaned towards him. Their lips touched for a few seconds, and then the ferry girl, not wanting to make him more uncomfortable, pulled away.

For a while, nothing happened. But then, to Botan's surprise, they both began to grow... However, before Botan could say anything about it, they realized they had forgotten one thing about the pills: when they transform, it makes them fall unconscious for hours as their bodies got used to its new form.

The pair's last thoughts before fainting were that Hiei had been cured, which meant they were truly in love! For the ferry girl, this meant the fairy tale ending she had only dreamed of. But for the fire demon, this was his worst nightmare...

Love Me, Hate Me, Just Don't Let Me Fall

Chapter 24: Conflicting Emotions

"Okay, what do we have to do to wake them up?" asked Touya, referring to Keiko, Yusuke and Kuwabara.

Kurama explained, "The plant emitted a simple sleeping gas that should wear off. Actually, I'm surprised they're still asleep - the effect should have only lasted six hours..."

"Are they in danger?" Yukina inquired, alarmed. After all, she had been the one to leave her friends here, and she would be responsible if harm came to them as a result.

"No, no, of course not! I would never use a harmful plant on them," Kurama assured. "They had probably breathed in the remnants of the gas while they were asleep, thus making their slumber last longer. A basic rejuvenating plant should revive them."

"Then do you need us to help you with that?" Touya offered. It was very kind of him to ask since he dreaded Keiko's revival.

The fox graciously said that he could handle everything and that Touya and Yukina should relax and think about what to say to the three when they awoke.

Yukina took his suggestion, but her thoughts continued to wander to Touya, Shishi, and Kuwabara. It was flattering that three such strong, brave fighters would be willing to date her, a shy, weak apparition.

However, she understood why Hiei didn't want her to date Kuwabara. As nice as the guy was, he was still a human, and their differences could pose a problem in their relationship. Other demons might disapprove and make things difficult for them, not to mention other humans might notice Kuwabara aging faster than Yukina. There was a very small chance that their relationship would end happily, and Yukina knew Kuwabara deserved to live contentedly with a nice human girl.

And that left her with Touya and Shishiwakamaru. The logical choice would, of course, be Touya. The Ice Master was so much more reliable than Shishi. But Yukina couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to date such a different, exciting person like Shishiwakamaru. He represented new, wondrous chances to really live life to its fullest.

On the other hand, Touya was so sweet and kind. He would always be there for her, and she knew that if there were any guy the Koorime might accept, it would be a pleasant ice demon like him. Plus there would be less chance of rabid fangirls out to kill her.

It was a difficult decision that had to be made. She would never think of dating both of them, as that would be very dishonorable. So who to choose?

Oh, life could be very cruel at times. You spend a lifetime yearning for love, and then suddenly you're forced to decide which guy you like better. Yukina was simply too kindhearted for this...

The apparition pulled herself from her thoughts in time to witness Kurama holding a foreign plant close to Keiko's unmoving form. With a bit of ki, he coaxed the plant into blooming and releasing a pleasant-smelling gas into the air.

Within a few moments, Keiko was awake, and Kurama moved on to Yusuke. The girl sat up groggily and muttered, "Wh... what happened? Where am I?"

She glanced around at Yukina and Touya, then to where Kurama was reviving Yusuke and Kuwabara.

"Oh!" she exclaimed when memories came flooding back. "Touya... and Botan! And poor, poor Hiei... And Kurama - you insulted us!"

Yukina smiled gently and answered, "Please, everyone, calm down and let us explain."

Keiko's eyes narrowed at Touya. "What's there to explain? I understood what was going on perfectly."

By then, Yusuke and Kuwabara had awakened and began asking questions. Its job done, the rejuvenating plant was set aside, and Kurama turned his attention to his guests.

"Keiko, I'm afraid we haven't been very truthful to you..."

"What?! You lied to us?" Yusuke asked dubiously. He and Kuwabara sat on the floor beside each other, wearing identical looks of confusion.

"Hiei never fell in love with Botan!" Yukina explained quickly. "It was all an act to fool Koenma. Only now Koenma knows everything, and he and Shizuru have gone to get access to Happy Island for the group date! Oh, and guess what?!"

"What is it?" Keiko asked, startled.

With a girlish giggle, the apparition exclaimed, "I got asked out by Touya AND Shishiwakamaru!"

Devastated, Kuwabara gaped at his love. "But... Both of them?! Asked YOU?! But I thought..."

Yusuke laughed at his friend. "Guess you weren't quick enough to get her, ne?"

"Shut up, Urameshi!" Kuwabara growled. Then he turned to the only rival present and exclaimed, "Touya! How could you date Botan, and then ask my Yukina out?!"

"It wasn't my fault!" Touya defended himself. "Botan wanted me to ask her out, okay?! And I never went on a date with Botan!"

With a sigh, Keiko calmly stated, "I would like an explanation, please."

Together, Touya, Yukina, and Kurama obliged by giving a summary of what really went on. When they were through, the three stared at them blankly, trying to get the facts straight.

"So...everyone lied to us? And we were the last to find out about all of this?!" Keiko inquired coolly, her temper rising.

Kurama was the only one who didn't mind Keiko's temper, so he answered truthfully, "Yes."

"You're not going to get violent, are you?" Touya questioned worriedly.

She was ready to say yes, but then weariness set in. Keiko had had enough fighting for now - maybe it would just be smarter to listen to all that logic and reason hidden behind her rage.

"No... Just..." Keiko sighed. "Whatever. I don't care! Obviously, Botan doesn't need or want my help, and it's really none of my business."

All four guys stared at her, wondering what brought on this sudden change of heart. But Yukina understood completely sympathized with the girl.

"Keiko, it's not that Botan doesn't want you to help. I'm sure she would be glad to have your help! But she's in love with Hiei, and you know how he emotionally fragile he is. Botan wanted to be careful not to hurt his feelings by telling you something he wanted kept secret," Yukina clarified kindly.

"Yes, I understand that, but why did I find out after everyone else, and only because you three would tell me? I thought Botan was one of my best friends! She should have come to me if she needed help!"

Finally understanding how Keiko felt, Kurama said, "Perhaps if you had controlled your temper, she would have felt free to do so."

"I... I can't help it, okay?!" Keiko replied defensively. "It's just... Oh kami, I should've been there for her! It's all my fault... And Touya, I'm so sorry! If I hadn't jumped to conclusions..."

"Don't worry about it. It's okay," Touya replied, pitying her.

"No, it's not okay! I'm a horrible person!" Keiko argued. Then her emotions finally drove her to the limit, and she burst into tears. Yukina rushed to her side and pulled the girl into a hug, comforting her with kind words.

The four guys could only stare helplessly, clueless as to what one does with a sobbing female.

"Do you think this is a bad time to ask her to go on the group date with me...?" Kurama muttered.

Yusuke glared at him. "She can't date you!"

"But... we'd only be going as friends! And I promised Shizuru I would get a date..." Kurama explained feebly.

"Never mind that, guys. I have a bigger problem!" Kuwabara announced. "Touya, I can't believe you would make a move on MY girl!"

"I'm sorry, Kuwabara, but you really should move on to someone else. Hiei has forbidden her to date you or Shishi," Touya responded.

"And why on Earth would Shishi ask her out? Doesn't he have enough dates already?!"

"Didn't you know? Yukina is a Shishiwakamaru fangirl!" Kurama told him.

Incredulously, Yusuke and Kuwabara stared at the fox and then at Yukina.

Upon overhearing them, Keiko forgot all about her problems and ceased sobbing. Shocked out of her broken state, she exclaimed, "Nani?! That's... impossible!"

"Yes, that was my reaction too..." Touya muttered sadly.

Yukina glanced around nervously and apologized. She had no idea the news would have such an impact!

"Oh, you don't have to apologize! There's nothing wrong with liking Shishi - it's just..." Kurama trailed off, not knowing what to say.

Yusuke finished, "Very, very shocking!"

"It's not her fault. His fan club forced her to join!" Touya explained.

Sensing that nothing could reduce their surprise, Kurama reasoned, "Please, for the sake of everyone's sanity, just try not to think about Shishiwakamaru and Yukina as a couple. Instead, let's focus on the problems at hand."

Everyone muttered his or her consent, reluctant to leave the bizarre subject. After all, it wasn't every day that honest tabloid-worthy gossip presented itself.

The fox continued, "I still need a date. I had hoped Keiko might accompany me as a friend, but Yusuke..."

"There's NO way you're taking Keiko!" Yusuke reminded him.

Emotions stabilized once more, Keiko gaped. "Are... are you asking me out?"

"What?!" shrieked Yusuke.

"Kurama, did you really ask me out on a date?" Keiko asked again, hopeful.

"Ummm..." Kurama's eyes widened, sensing another fangirl in the making. "You see, Shizuru was only willing to date Koenma if I found a date too, and you're the only sensible girl I know well enough to ask. But since Yusuke objects, I'm afraid I can't take you..."

In most situations, Keiko was indeed sensible. However, she was still just as feminine as any other girl, and Kurama, the most popular boy to ever set foot in Japan, had just asked her out.

Okay, so maybe she already had a boyfriend, and the date was supposed to be completely platonic. But those were just minor details that couldn't prevent Keiko's heart from flip-flopping and her eyes from shining with hope.

"I'll go with you! On the date!" she blurted out, unable to stop herself.

"R-really?" the fox asked nervously. "As a friend doing a favor for another friend, right? No romance at all?"

"Yes, yes, of course," she assured hurriedly.

"No, no, no! She will NOT be going with you, as a friend OR a girlfriend!" Yusuke protested.

Kuwabara smirked. "Haha, Urameshi, your girl doesn't want you any more!"

"You're one to talk - Yukina likes two guys better than you and even joined someone else's fan club!" argued Yusuke.

Yukina frowned but didn't have the chance to say anything before Kuwabara yelled, "Shut up!"

"You shut up!" Yusuke took a step closer.

"You!" Kuwabara did the same.

"You!" They both went into battle stance.

"Both of you, shut up!" Keiko intervened. "Yusuke, you can't tell me not to go! I'm just doing him a favor as a FRIEND, ok?!"

"I saw that look you gave him! You'd be happy to date a bishounen like him. Admit it - you like him better than me!" Yusuke bellowed heatedly. "I bet the only reason you ever liked me in the first place was to get closer to Kurama! Tell me, Keiko: how long have you been a member of his fan club?"

Knowing Keiko and Yusuke were about to get into a fight, Kuwabara backed away quickly. He didn't want to get caught in the middle of this! Everyone else felt the same and took a step back, giving the couple plenty of space.

Keiko's eyes narrowed. "Don't be ridiculous, Yusuke! I've always loved you!"

"Then why do you want to date Kurama so much?!"

"BECAUSE I OWE IT TO HIM!" Keiko screamed. Any control she'd had over her temper disappeared. "After all of the problems I've created, this is the least I could do!"

"Yeah, right! Do I really look that stupid to you?! Pretty boys like Kurama always get all the girls!" Yusuke pointed at Kuwabara and continued, "It's just like Yukina choosing Touya and Shishi over Kuwabara because he's just some ugly, stupid human!"

"Hey!" Kuwabara said, offended. "That's just mean!"

"Yeah, well, welcome to the real world!" Yusuke said. "Face it, Kuwabara: we're just tools to get to the bishounen!"

"Yusuke, how dare you-" Keiko began.

Her attitude as cold as her icy nature, Yukina interrupted, "Yusuke, I can't believe you actually think I see Kazuma as 'some ugly, stupid human'. That is the most simple-minded thing I have ever heard! Honestly, I'm confused about my feelings for all three, and your silly assumptions aren't helping."

To everyone's vast surprise, she glared at him frigidly. She resembled her brother, making it even scarier to everyone. Perhaps her crush on Shishi was just the beginning of a new side of Yukina...

Quickly taking advantage of everyone's speechlessness, Keiko added, "You and Kuwabara aren't tools! Yusuke, how many times will I have to tell you this before you stop doubting me? I love you - only you - and I always will!"

"Yeah, yeah..." Yusuke responded feebly with no arguments left to yell. But he still had plenty of anger and no way to let it out. That left him with one choice. "That's it, I'm outta here!"

He stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Sighing, Keiko said sadly, "He's so moody sometimes, I swear he's just as bad as me!"

"Should we go after him?" Touya asked tentatively.

"I'll go," offered Kuwabara. He knew Yusuke better than most people did, so he was the only one who had a chance at reasoning with him.

After Kuwabara left, Kurama turned to Keiko, "You don't really want to date me, do you?"

"It's very flattering for you to ask me! But... No, I don't think I can. I want to help you, but Yusuke needs me so much more right now," Keiko explained with a sympathetic look.

"I see. Then I'm in need of a date."

Yukina spoke up, "Kurama, perhaps I have a solution..."

"What is it?"

"Well... would you be willing to date yourself?" Yukina asked with a mischievous gleam in her eyes. Oh dear, Yukina has become uncharacteristic yet again.

"Nani?!"

Yukina and Keiko huddled together, whispering. After a few moments of conference, they turned to Kurama with grins.

"It could work! It's a crazy, silly plan, but it just might work!" Keiko announced cheerfully, already forgetting Yusuke.

"What are you talking about? Surely you're not suggesting what I think you are..." Kurama said desperately.

Touya raised an eyebrow. "What in the three worlds are you two planning?"

"Kurama can't find a date, so he can just date himself! It's simple, really..."

Yukina and Keiko explained the idea to two dubious demons: Kurama would appear on the date, and then make an excuse to leave. Then his 'date' would arrive, which would really just be Kurama dressed up. And then when his 'date' left, Kurama would return, and so on.

When the girls were finished, Touya laughed, and Kurama blanched.

"That's a HORRIBLE idea!" Kurama exclaimed as Touya said, "That's hilarious!"

"Oh, come on, Kurama - would you rather date someone else? A fangirl, perhaps?" Keiko offered. "Or Genkai? Shishi or Suzuka? Really, fox, do you know of anyone you'd like to date?"

"No males, please," he replied, slightly offended. "And certainly not Genkai!"

"But if you just date yourself, it solves all your problems!"

"There is no way I'm dressing in drag for half the date!"

"Aw, Kurama, but why not? It'll be fun, and just think of the lovely memories," Touya teased. He was all for the plan!

"No."

"Please? For us?" Keiko pleaded.

"No!"

"Oh, but if you don't, then Yukina will be horribly disappointed! She came up with this idea, and you wouldn't even give it a try!" Keiko nudged Yukina, and she quickly put on an adorable pout, rivaling a kitten in its powerful cuteness.

"No!" the fox said again.

With the addition of watery eyes, Yukina's expression went up several levels on the scale of cuteness.

"No..." Kurama stated, less firmly.

Yukina topped of the charming act by pleading, "Pwease?"

"N-no..." Kurama answered. But then, to his surprise, he said, "Well... alright..."

"Wonderful!" Yukina exclaimed with a grin. "Now let's begin..."

"Wait, begin what?" Kurama asked, panicked.

Keiko answered, "Why, dressing up as your date, of course! You don't expect to pull this off without practice, do you?"

"Now, hang on a minute, I don't think I want to do this any more..."

"Too late now, fox!" Keiko and Yukina approached him with evil grins, already planning his new look.

And for the first time in quite a while, Kurama felt utter fear...

---

A fully-grown Botan woke up, wearing unfamiliar clothing. She could tell immediately by the stark cleanliness of the white room that she was in a hospital. How she arrived and where Hiei was, though, remained a mystery.

A nurse entered, and Botan startled her by asking, "What am I doing here?"

"Oh! So you're finally awake?" The nurse smiled kindly at her. "You don't remember what happened?"

"No, I don't. "

"Let me fill you in..." The nurse quickly explained: A health inspector made a surprise appearance at Starbucks and discovered two unconscious adults (although the age of the boy was questionable, due to his height) dressed in children's clothing inside the closet. They were brought to the hospital, and the Starbucks employees received appropriate consequences.

Botan's eyes widened, and she gasped. "Oh, Hiei... he was really an adult?"

"Yes, though a rather short one," the nurse answered.

Giggling, the onna replied, "He's always been vertically challenged. So, where is he now?"

"He left a while ago - wouldn't even let us check him for injuries! That silly boy- er, man."

"Where did he go?!" she asked, alarmed. She couldn't lose Hiei now that she knew he loved her!

"Sorry, I'm afraid I don't know. He just ran off as soon as he woke up!"

"Oh... well, that's alright then. Do you have any food?" Botan requested. Since their Starbucks venture had failed, hospital food would have to suffice.

"Certainly. I'll be right back," the nurse said as she left.

Botan couldn't believe Hiei was gone. Once he finally admitted his love for her, everything was supposed to be happy! They would go on dates and have fun with each other, and maybe he would even open up to her.

But she should have known he would do something like that. He was always running away from his problems! Well, not for long, if Botan had anything to do with it. She would have to search for him, and when she found him... well, who knows? Hiei was an odd demon, even by Makai's standards. There was simply no telling how he would react now that they both knew they were in love.

The nurse returned with Botan's meal, and the onna halted her thoughts. She would worry about that later - for now, it was time to eat!

---

Hiei had nowhere to go.

After leaving the hospital, he went straight to a tree where he had hidden spare clothes and sword. He couldn't wait to get out of these weird ningen clothes the hospital provided for him! The fire demon changed in a flash and then stood silently on a tree limb, thinking.

Where would he go?

Certainly not back to Botan. He escaped from the hospital because of her, so there was no way he would go back. No, it was better to avoid her than to face the truth... There was no way Hiei could possibly love her.

That left him with no obvious place to go. Of course, he could always visit Kurama and see how that was going, or see how Koenma and Shizuru were doing, but he didn't really want to.

In fact, the only place he could think of going was back to Botan.

Hiei scowled. He was so pathetic! Some stupid baka onna had him rethinking his lifelong principles, and now he actually thought he was in love? Ha! No matter what he may think, there was no way his heart could love her! It was simply impossible. The very thought was absurd.

Shaking all thoughts of Botan out of his mind, Hiei decided to go to Kurama's house and see what was happening.

He soon arrived at the tree outside of Kurama's bedroom window, only to find Shishi, Suzuka, and Jin were already there.

"What are you three doing here?!" he demanded to know. Silently, he wondered why Kurama let the three stay since there was no doubt the fox was aware of their presence.

"Waiting for the chance to convince my beloved Yukina to date me, of course," Shishiwakamaru answered matter-of-factly.

"Beloved? Hn!" Hiei objected. "Yukina is not yours, baka, and never will be, so leave her alone!"

"Hmph! You can't tell me what to do!"

"Aw, come on guys! Shut up before they hear us!" Jin said. Then, getting a good look at Hiei, he asked, "Heeey, how did you grow back?"

"Did you finally kiss your 'true love'?" Suzuka teased with a mocking tone.

The fire demon refused to answer. Instead, Hiei questioned, "What's happening in there?"

Letting Hiei get away with avoiding the question, Jin filled him in, "Keiko, Kuwabara, and Yusuke have woken up already, Keiko ended up crying, and then Kurama asked Keiko to the group date."

"She had better accept!" Suzuka said. "She'd be stupid not to."

Hiei recalled Botan telling him that Keiko and Yusuke were in love. "But... I thought she loved Yusuke."

"So? Kurama is the better choice!"

Faintly, Keiko's acceptance could be heard.

"Oh, Urameshi won't stand for this!" Jin predicted. And he was soon proven right when Keiko and Yusuke's arguing was heard, loud and clear.

"I bet she's going to slap him!" Suzuka said. But Yukina interfered before that could happen. Upon seeing her glare, Hiei smirked proudly.

Shishi wondered aloud, "Is this a good time to go in?"

"No, wait until someone storms out, and then you can make a dramatic entrance," Suzuka advised him.

And sure enough, Yusuke stormed out.

"Now should I go?" Shishi asked Suzuka.

"Hang on, Kuwabara's about to go after Yusuke!" Jin said.

After Kuwabara's departure, Shishi asked, "NOW is it a good time?"

"Yes, a perfect time," Suzuka answered.

"Finally!" he said as they prepared to enter.

However, they were soon stopped when someone shouted from below, "Hey, you! What on Earth are you four doing in a tree?"

Dreading what they would see, the four guys looked down to find Shiori staring back at them.

"Who is THAT?!" Shishi demanded.

"Kurama's ningen mother," Hiei answered.

Shiori called to them again, "You can come down now! Hey, is that you, Hiei?"

"Uhhh, what do we do?" asked Jin, worried.

"Run!" commanded Suzuka in blind panic.

The four demons scattered in separate directions, leaving a very confused Shiori staring at the vacated tree.

"I was just going to invite them inside… I guess not all homeless people appreciate pity," she murmured to herself. Then, with a shrug, the clueless, kind Shiori walked back inside.