Hiei and Yukina

"Hurry up Keiko! If we're late, the teachers are going to make us stay for detention!!"

"I know! But I lost one of my socks! I don't know where I placed it, help me find it!"

Yusuke grumbled under his breath and placed his school briefcase down. They had gotten into a fight the night before and they had thrown a lot of things at each other. Now Yusuke fervently regretted throwing the socks.

"It's all your fault Yusuke! If u apologised to me, we wouldn't have fought and thrown things around! Why did u have to throw my socks of all things anyway?!"

"Why should it always be ME having to apologise? Why can't YOU apologise for once?"

"ME?? U are in the wrong for goodness sake!"

"Oh? Wanna bet?"

"Sure, I can bet that I…."

Keiko took a glance at the clock and screamed when she realised that there was only ten more minutes to rush to school.

"AHHH!!! 10 more minutes!!!"

"Forget the socks Keiko!"

"No!! I can't go to school like this, what will the others say??"

Yusuke was exasperated. He grabbed Keiko by her arm and dragged her all the way out to the street. Both ran at full speed towards the school and managed to beat the clock. But Keiko had to stay for detention for not fully-dressed for school. School was over and the school was almost deserted, except that Keiko had to stay for her detention. Yusuke, out of duty, stayed behind to accompany her.

"It's YOUR fault that I have to stay for detention, Yusuke."

"ME? If I hadn't dragged u out, u would have to serve 2 punishments. One for being late and one for not properly-dressed. U should thank me instead."

"THANK U?? Oh yeah, like I will. Bah!"

"Being good really serves no purpose. U really should change your attitude Keiko."

"Why should I? I like being myself, so there!"

Yusuke leaned beside Keiko on the wall and faced towards the setting sun. Keiko was holding 2 buckets of water and looking very angry.

"Keiko, did u hear what the Principal announced this morning?"

"U mean the concert?"

"Yeah, he told us to invite all our friends and relatives along."

"I may invite my parents, u?"

"I don't know, besides my mum….."

"Kuwabara-kun is inviting his sister isn't it?"

"Yeah, he told me over break just now. He did suggest inviting Yukina."

"Huh? Invite Yukina? I think someone may not like it."

"U mean Hiei? If Yukina comes, Hiei will come, if he comes, Kurama will come."

Keiko looked thoughtful and seemed to ponder over Yusuke's predictions. Suddenly, she suggested,

"Yusuke? Will it be all right if we invite those people to our school concert?"

"Are u sure Keiko?! Imagine what our friends are going to say!"

"I don't think that is a problem. Hiei is quiet, Kurama is so gentlemanly. It's okay."

"I don't like it though…"

"Don't be a spoilsport. Invite all of them, they'll liven things up a bit!"

"We'll see about that. Hiei probably would take this quite badly because he never likes parties and stuffs. Kurama is acceptable but if Hiei's not going, he isn't too."

"Stupid! Tell Hiei that Yukina is going and she's going to be all vulnerable to Kuwabara. That'll make Hiei come to protect Yukina!"

"Keiko, that's the most cleverest idea u ever thought of…..Ouch! That hurts, Keiko!"

"Huh? Your school concert?"

"Yep, it's to celebrate our school's birthday bash or something like that. Our Principal has asked us to invite ALL our friends and relatives."

Yusuke had gone over to Kurama's house with Kuwabara the next day to tell them about the concert. Kurama frowned and hesitated to give his reply.

"What's wrong Kurama? U can't make it?"

"Oh no, it's just that…..is Hiei going?"

Yusuke beamed confidently.

"Oh yes, Hiei will come, after I invite him."

"Why do u say that? We all know Hiei is a crowd-avoider."

"Yeah, but this time, I'm sure."

Like on cue, a shadow landed on Kurama's bedroom window-sill and there appeared Hiei.

"Hiei, we were expecting u!"

"Hn."

"I'm sure u will come to my school's concert, won't u Hiei?"

Hiei looked at Yusuke suspiciously. He gave a wry smile and asked coldly,

"And why are u so sure I'm coming?"

"Yukina is going…..with Kuwabara protecting her."

Hiei shot a sideway glance at Kuwabara, whose face turned red at the mention of Yukina's name. Kurama's face flashed understanding and he giggled under his breath.

"Hn, stupid Kuwabara."

"Hiei, u are going, isn't it?"

Hiei turned to Yusuke, who was flashing a mega smile at him. He waited for a while before closing his eyes and disappeared from their sights. Yusuke smiled to himself,

"I take that as a yes, Hiei."

The school hall was decorated with balloons and confetti. A live band was performing and many students had arrived with their friends and relatives. A huge banner was hung across the school screaming the words, Happy Birthday!

"Where's Hiei and Kurama?"

Yusuke grumbled for the tenth time to Keiko as they stood waiting for them at the school gate. Kuwabara sat quietly at a corner, hoping that Yukina would turn up quickly. Shizuru leaned against the lamp post and quietly smoked her cigarette.

"Stop grumbling. U are so naggy Yusuke."

"And so are u Keiko."

"Aw, stop arguing. It's rather early still. U can't blame the pair for being late. U aren't doing any good by quarrelling either."

Yusuke and Keiko kept quiet after being chided by Shizuru. Yusuke resumed jumping up and down looking for the pair while Kuwabara sighed continously at the thought of meeting Yukina soon. Keiko returned a greeting by a friend and chatted with her for a while. Just then, Kuwabara gave a shout as he spotted Yukina among the crowd of students coming towards the school gate.

"YUKINA-SANNN!!!!"

Kuwabara pushed his way through the crowd and met up with Yukina. Yukina was slightly embarrassed as students milled around them and curious chatters were rising around them. Kuwabara on the other hand was oblivious to the stares and started muttering and stumbling over his words,

"Yu…Yukina-san, I'm…I'm glad that…u…u finally came…"

"Erm…yes, hope…u didn't wait too long."

"Oh no! Please let me escort u to my school."

With that, Yukina was led into the school. As she walked past Shizuru, Keiko and Yusuke, she greeted them politely but wasn't given a chance to talk to them as Kuwabara hastened her into the school. Yusuke watched the pair walk into the school.

"Hn, stupid Kuwabara."

"ARGHHH!"

Yusuke screamed as he was surprised and shocked to hear someone suddenly talk behind his back. He turned around and found out that it was Hiei standing behind him.

"Hiei?!!! For goodness sake, don't talk so suddenly behind me. I can get a fright u know?!"

"Hn, u are just weak."

"What??!!"

Yusuke lifted his fist to hit Hiei when he realised that the students were looking at him and Hiei. They had come to see who had screamed. Hiei merely looked bored. Yusuke hid his fist and instead started whistling. Kurama came up smiling and shouts and whines from the girls started rising. It was then that Yusuke noticed what Kurama and Hiei were wearing.

Kurama was wearing a simple long-sleeved checkered shirt inside with a vest outside. He wore a jacket over it and was wearing long creamy white pants with leather shoes.

*Hmm, Kurama always look good regardless what he wears. No wonder the girls always scream for him.*

Yusuke turned to look at what Hiei was wearing.

*Hiei isn't wearing his usual attire of that 'batman' suit. I think Kurama must have helped him in choosing that suit.*

Hiei was wearing a dark blue navy collar T-shirt with a black biker jacket over it. His long pants were black as well. His shoes were boots that looked very shiny under the sun. His pearl necklace stood out against his attire. Yusuke found out that some of the girls were also looking at Hiei!

*If I'm not wearing my school uniform today, I'm sure I can look better than those 2.*

"YUSUKE!! Are u coming or are u going to spend your time daydreaming there??"

"Coming Keiko!!"

"Hn, the stupid concert is a waste of time."

"Come on Hiei. It's refreshments time, let's go down there and see if there's anything we can take."

Kurama and Hiei were walking down the staircase at half-time. They had been seated at the front seats where most of the people had stared at them for most of the time. Hiei had been really impatient with these people but Kurama restrained him from lashing out. Yukina was sitting beside Kuwabara and Hiei felt very uncomfortable throughout.

"Coming here was a serious mistake. Damn, if Yukina hadn't come, I wouldn't bother."

"Don't take it so hard Hiei. Here, take this cup of juice and cool down."

Just then, Kuwabara and Yukina came down with the students and Hiei felt the same uneasy feeling creeping up his spine. He hated anyone being close to his sister, let alone Kuwabara. He felt that Kuwabara wasn't worthy to his sister. Hiei suddenly remember that his pearl necklace was dangling outside his shirt and he quickly put it inside, just as Kuwabara and Yukina approached them. Kuwabara started talking.

"Glad that u guys can come! Yukina-san, did u have a good time?"

"Yes, thank u for asking me here."

"Ah…haha! I'm glad that u are happy!"

*Hn, stupid ningen.*

Hiei took a sip of his juice but suddenly his wrist grew weak and he dropped the cup, but not without making sure the contents land on Kuwabara's shirt. Kurama shouted,

"Oh no! Kuwabara, are u all right??"

Kuwabara looked at his messed shirt in dismay and shouted at Hiei angrily,

"HIEI!! What do u mean by this??!!"

Kurama quickly grabbed a few napkins and was dabbing Kuwabara's shirt while Yukina watched, surprised. Hiei listlessly turned his wrist around as if to check for any injuries.

"Hiei! I want u to pay for this!"

"Hn, blame yourself for standing so near to me."

Hiei turned and walked out of the crowd to get some fresh air. Too many ningens make him feel too repelsive. As he took a deep breath, he realised that he felt so much lighter after splashing that cup of juice on Kuwabara. He didn't care if Kurama shot him a warning glance, or Kuwabara waving his fists over his face, or Yukina gaping in surprise. He did what he wanted and he was satisfied. Grinning quite evilly, he remembered how he embarrassed Kuwabara in front of Yukina.

"Hiei, so here u are."

Hiei turned around to see Yusuke standing beside him.

"Seems like u really hate Kuwabara to be with Yukina."

"None of your business."

"Tell Yukina the truth about your relationship to her."

"That can wait."

Yusuke shrugged and sat down beside Hiei on the grass plot. Both sat in silence while the chatters and laughters of students chorused around the school.

"Hiei, sometimes I wonder whether u act like Yukina's brother or lover."

"Hn."

"I guess u really care about her huh?"

Hiei kept silent but his mind was working very hard. What Yusuke just said somehow made him think over his actions. He fiddled with his pearl necklace and closed his eyes. The loudspeaker in the school announced that half-time was over and asked for everybody to be seated back in the hall. Yusuke got up and was surprised that Hiei was still sitting down.

"Hiei…."

"Yusuke, tell Kurama and the others that I'll be here. I don't want to sit through that crappy concert for another few hours."

Yusuke knew Hiei's mind was set and he wouldn't change his mind. Giving a nod, he ran towards the hall, leaving Hiei on the grass plot.

Hiei plucked a flower from the grass plot and stared at it, his mind wandering. Was Yusuke really correct? Should he own up to Yukina so that she wouldn't get the wrong idea? What would be Yukina's reaction?

"Hiei-kun…"

Hiei's thoughts disappeared at the mention of his name. He turned around and to his surprise, Yukina was standing meekly behind him. He quickly stood up and dropped the flower he was holding.

"Gomen nasai, I must have disturbed u, Hiei-kun."

"No…I was just….thinking."

"I apologise for Kuwabara-kun's hostility to u just now."

Hiei felt angry at Kuwabara. Fancy him not apologising and letting Yukina do the dirty job for him. He could have almost spitted in fury but restrained.

"Hiei-kun…I know u might be angry…but…u did that on purpose, wasn't it?"

Yukina's eyes were gentle and beautiful in the setting sun. She looked at Hiei and smiled. Hiei couldn't answer her. He could feel his own heart beat clearly.

"Hiei-kun, sometimes, I feel as though u are my lost brother. U are always protecting me."

Hiei was torn. Should he own up now? It seems like a good chance.

"But u can't be. U are so different! Your cold looks and your eyes betray your kind feelings."

With that, Yukina reached out her hand and touched Hiei's cheeks. She smiled wistfully and gave a small sigh. Then, she gave a bow and started walking away. Hiei suddenly felt an impulse and asked,

"Yukina…are u disappointed in your lost brother?"

Yukina turned around and looked at Hiei in surprise. Then, she smiled and answered,

"No, I believe that he is out there protecting me, in the form of u."

Yukina gave another bow and disappeared from Hiei's sight. Hiei slowly took out his pearl necklace and looked at it.

"Yukina, I will always protect and love u, as your brother."

The concert was finally over and when the people started streaming out, it was already dark. Kurama was frantically searching for Hiei while Yusuke and Keiko started laughing over the Kuwabara's efforts to humour Yukina. Shizuru on the other hand was searching frantically as well….for her cigarettes.

"Who was the last one to see Hiei?"

Kurama breathlessly asked the group, as they stopped at the school gates.

"I was."

Everyone turned to look at Yukina. Kuwabara started panicking and asked,

"Why did u see Hiei? Did he do anything to u?"

Yusuke had to bite down his lip from refraining to laugh out loud.

"I merely went to apologise for u to him."

"WHY?? HE was the one who SPILLED his drink on ME!! Why apologise??"

"Well, it's politeness. After all, u screamed at him and that was wrong."

Kuwabara looked at Yukina with suspicion. Something was forming in his mind. The group started to worry. Could he have found out Hiei and Yukina's relationship???!!!

"I think I understand why Yukina stood up for him and why that Hiei always poke his nose in Yukina's affairs…."

The whole group almost stopped breathing. Shizuru started biting her lips, Keiko squeezed Yusuke's hands and Yusuke swallowed hard. Kurama quickly looked away.

"Because…..Hiei is IN LOVE with Yukina-san!!!!"

Large sweat drops formed on everybody's heads, except Yukina who didn't understand what love meant. Yusuke had a few strands of hair sticking out.

"Hn, stupid Kuwabara."

"HIEI!!!"

The whole group chorused Hiei's name in unison. Hiei didn't seem to hear it though. He looked at Kuwabara coldly and threw a rock on his head.

"Stop jumping to stupid conclusions if u have no proof nor evidence. Ningens…they are always so exasperatingly stupid."

"But…but why are u always so fiercely protective over Yukina-san then??"

Kuwabara spluttered as he rubbed his sore head, now swollen from the rock that Hiei threw. Hiei retorted,

"Hn, I merely poured my drink over u and u started shouting like a madman."

Kuwabara immediately became angry and started waving his fists at Hiei, who had already jammed his hands into his pockets and started walking in another direction.

"Come back Hiei!! If u are man enough, let's have a duel in front of Yukina!!"

Kuwabara started running after Hiei, who waited until Kuwabara caught up with him, then disappeared into thin air, leaving Kuwabara looking all over for him like an idiot. Keiko then said out aloud,

"I thought for a moment that Kuwabara knew about Hiei, it gave us all such a shock!"

Yusuke nodded fervently and added,

"Yeah, but then, when we think about it, Kuwabara couldn't know, he's always such a blockhead."

Yukina was very confused but she knew that everybody was happy and she was glad. Shizuru suddenly said,

"Well, since the night is still young, let's all go for supper!"

The group began cheering and clapping while Kuwabara had to run back to them. Kurama smiled to himself. He didn't know what Yukina had said to Hiei just now but that can wait. He will ask Hiei in the future. In the meantime, Hiei was in Makai, wearing his usual all black attire and supervising the many demons under his province, with Yukina and the rest far behind his mind.