"Yukina-chan, this is for you," Kazuma says shyly, handing me a pretty dandelion.

I blush and reach out for it. "Arigato gozaimasu, Kazuma-chan," I reply. He reddens, almost the same color as Kurama-san's hair and walks away.

I watch them for a while, can see Kuwabara giggling, Yusuke reprimanding him, and Hiei's mouth drawing in a thin line, his body stiffening.

I touch the dandelion's petals carefully, weaving my fingers through the petals slowly.

I feel a hand on my shoulders and see Shizuru leaning down at me, grinning. "Well? What do you think?" she asks me.

I blush. "What do you mean, Shizuru-chan?" I ask her.

"Oh, for goodness sake, Yukina, the guy's obsessed with you!" Botan bursts out, smiling. "Haven't you seen it?"

"Well, I think he's really very kind and..." My voice trails off.

Shizuru lights another cigarette and puffs on it. "Well, I don't blame you for not liking him."

"You know, I think Kuwabara-kun's really a gentleman," Keiko says. "Compared to Yusuke, in courting, Kuwabara has my vote. He knows how to please a girl." She fingers the flower also, slowly.

"He's really very sweet," I reply, feeling my blush deepening.

"What about Hiei?" Shizuru suddenly asks.

I look up. "What about him?"

"What do you think about Hiei? I mean, he's always jealous of Kuwabara..." Shizuru's voice is cut off as Botan suddenly elbows her on the ribs. "Ow! That hurt! All right, I won't say anything again."

I look down at the flower once more. "Hiei is helping me find my brother, at least," I say softly. "He's really very kind. Almost like my brother."

I see in the corner of my eyes Botan and Shizuru exchanging glances.

"Anyway, Kazuma-chan's very nice, and I think he's all right," I go on.

Keiko smile. "But what about what YOU feel?"

I am silent. No one has asked me that. Not in a very long time. I think for a while. "Like I said, I really--think Kazuma's sweet and nice..."

"But how about being more than a friend?" Shizuru asks. "Honestly."

I look into the sky. "Well..." I am very careful with my choice of words. "He's alright, I guess. He's risked his life more than once for me and other people. He's very caring, and nice. And I think...perhaps...there's a chance." I feel myself blush once more.

Shizuru puts a hand on my back. "I think Kazuma also really likes you, Yukina," she tells me.

"But I feel like I don't deserve him!" I burst out. "I've been slaved for three years, he had to come and rescue me! He deserves someone more beautiful, more strong-willed. I am just a lady in distress, always needed to be rescued."

Keiko winks. "Don't worry, Yukina," she tells me. "It helps their egos, you know."

I smile. "Hai. But I can't help it. I really think Kazuma will want someone more perfect than me."

Botan heaves a sigh. "Oh, for goodness sake! Kazuma's in love with you!" she cries.

There is silence between us four.

"He's--in love with me?" I ask in a tiny voice.

Botan immediately covers her mouth. "Oops," she says sheepishly.

Then, to my surprise, I burst out crying.

Immediately, they set out to comfort me.

"Now, now, Yukina-chan," Keiko says soothingly, "Botan says the truth."

"But--but I'm not--he doesn't--" I shake my head, covering my face with my palms.

Botan sounds very sorry. "Yukina-chan, gomen na sai, gomen na sai," she keeps on repeating, her face very red. "Me and my big mouth."

"Doesn't that help you?" Shizuru asks.

I shake my head. I am so scared. I have been so alone once. And suddenly, I was rescued by Yusuke and his friends, found some new friends...I am just learning how to sort my feelings when...suddenly, this comes up! I don't know how to handle this.

"Kazuma--he--"

Shizuru's voice hardens. "Tell me what the jerk did," she tells me. "If he did something back to you..."

I look up at her, holding her jacket. "No, no," I reply. "Kazuma is really very kind. He hasn't done anything."

Keiko brushes my hair with her fingers. "Yukina-chan, you can sort this out. You're a very strong-willed girl. You survived the toughest times. That's what Kazuma sees in you."

We all stare at her.

Keiko blushes. "Well...maybe I guess her looks also?" she says in a small voice.

We burst out laughing.

I wipe away my tears. "Gomen ne," I say softly. "I couldn't help myself."

"It's alright," Shizuru comforts. "It's fine. Don't worry about it. Now that you know, then you'll be able to arrange your conscience, knowing about this. I trust you. You've been through many things more horrible than this." She thinks for a while. "Well, I guess with KAZUMA being in love with you is almost just as horrible."

We laugh once more.

When we stop, I look out at the boys again, who are arguing. Except for Kurama, who is, I think, trying to patch things up again.

I watch Kuwabara screaming at Hiei and smile. The dandelion in my hands sways with the wind. I feel it again, and I feel the wetness of my tears on it.

I can learn to love him.

Perhaps, I already do.