Oh, my friends... it has been a long and arduous journey for the past seven years. My promise has been kept and yes, even a little dream of mine has been fulfilled. Today, I give you the gift of my heart - the final chapter of my baby and something I dearly love.

I don't want to take much time away from your reading, but please allow me a moment to say one last thing. It is truly because of all of you that I pushed through this story, creating something I became amazed with time after time again. Even though this took me years to complete, it was worth it, just to make my audience pleased. I hope this is a satisfactory ending for you, my Beloved Reader. Thank you for all of your support and love of The Earring!

Chapter 18 :: Giving

Botan soared above the ground, dodging large, puffy clouds and splitting through the thinner ones bereft of the moisture they had released just moments prior in the most recent blizzard. She was searching desperately for any signs of life, but was coming up empty. Kazuma and Kurama were down below her searching, too, keeping pace with her quite well, however she was worried that they weren't going to make it in time.

"I swear...!" she heard Kazuma shout breathlessly from below. "When… we find them… I'm… gonna beat the crap outta Hiei… for not telling Yukina all along… that he was her brother…!"

Kurama was considerably calmer, his breathing even and paced adequately with his running. "He did have his reasons, Kuwabara. Hiei is a man of honor, not deceit – you know that."

"Argh… I know! But that… doesn't change… that I wanna… kill the punk!"

"Quiet, you two! I can't think straight up here!" Botan yelled at them, pushing her oar to a slightly faster speed so that she could scout ahead a bit. Hearing Kazuma rant and rave could be amusing sometimes, but right now wasn't the time to be entertained. There were two lives at stake and she couldn't focus when he was blathering on like that.

"Besides…" Kazuma spoke a little more directly to Kurama now, his tone softer – more meaningful. "…I had nightmares about the exact same thing we're doing right now, remember? I don't remember Hiei ever being involved, so he may not have survived."

Kurama, begrudgingly, agreed. "I don't suppose I can argue with you on that point. Your premonitions are frighteningly detailed at times, and while I do wish to remain optimistic, I'm afraid that in these circumstances I can't be such…"

"Ah, let's give the Shorty some credit!" Kazuma laughed now, drawing a gasp of surprise from his running mate. "For all we know he could be watching us right now, saying stuff like 'you stupid fools, don't you think I can take care of myself, much less a horde of blood thirsty soldiers'! Heh heh, yeah! That sounds like something he'd say! GEEZ IT'S COLD OUT HERE!"

Finding amusement in Kazuma's unique ability to turn a demoralizing circumstance into something akin to a game, Kurama smiled. "Then let's quicken our pace. We wouldn't want to miss out on Hiei's speech."

Botan shook her head from up above, having heard the whole conversation, little to their awareness. She, too, was trying to be positive in this situation, and though it looked grim, she was confident that things would turn out. Although it didn't bode well, seeing as how the three of them were getting far too cold already. How could anyone survive being in this horrid weather for more than a few hours?

As she parted more clouds, she growled in frustration and descended to get out of the increasingly annoying fog hindering her view. Once out of the thick whiteness, she gasped. Was that what she thought it was?

"Boys! I think I see them! Oh hurry!" She cried, pushing her oar to maximum speed to rush to the snow dappled forms of whom she was sure were the twins. At her plea, Kazuma and Kurama instantly increased their own speed, Kurama taking a large leap to get there faster, and Kazuma practically dashed to where Botan was floating in mid-air until she landed.

"Yes! Yes it's them!" She said, kneeling beside the two siblings, touching Hiei's nearly frozen neck.

"Are they alive?" Kurama asked, he too kneeling next to them.

Botan felt closely on Hiei's neck for a pulse, his skin stiff and far too cold to sustain adequate life, and as she started to shake her head dismally, she felt something quiver in his throat. "I… I think he's alive. I haven't checked Yukina yet."

"There's no need." Kazuma said, settling directly behind Yukina's head, her crown of lovely seafoam colored hair fanned out like a perfect pillow. "She's alive because if Hiei is, then by a brother's code, he would have done anything and everything to keep her alive, too. Besides, my pinky string would have snapped if she wasn't."

Kurama smiled at the bigger man. "You never cease to amaze me, Kuwabara. And you are correct," his hand also moved away from Yukina's neck and he moved aside a little. "She is indeed alive. Hiei preserved her as best he could."

Botan shed a few joyful tears and smiled brightly. "Oh, how I adore sibling love! It's so touching!"

"But don't forget, they are still weak and Hiei looks badly injured. We need to hurry and get them back for immediate medical treatment." Kurama advised, taking one of the blankets Botan had brought along and draped it over Hiei's back.

"I'll carry the shorty. It's the least I can do to pay him back for saving Yukina's life… again." Kazuma said, reaching over and wrapping the blanket around Hiei's body a little tighter before lifting him up with ease.

"Very well, then, I'll take Yukina. Come, we must hurry. They don't have much time left." Kurama replied, also scooping the blanketed Yukina into his arms as the three raced against time to get back to the palace before the twins they had just rescued succumbed to the freezing conditions setting in on their bodies.

L-a-t-e-r

Watching her like this was similar to watching a book, waiting for it to turn the pages on its own – it was practically unbearable. For two days she hadn't so much as turned over or squinted her eyes tighter. But at least her sleep was deep and comfortable, and this relieved him to a more appeasing degree.

Over the past forty-eight hours, several people had poked their heads in to check on the well-being of the successful young maiden and her protective brother, both of whom had remained in comatose states the entire time. The only person who never left the room for longer than five minutes was Kazuma and he was determined to stay until Yukina awoke. Besides, he had a lot of things to say to her. Like how proud he was of her, how much he loved her…

Plus there was that odd situation yesterday with Hiei before he was taken out of Reikai medical care…

"Uhhh… you're… Hiei's girlfriend, right?" Kazuma looked at the woman with a strange sort of reverence, maybe even pity. If she was Hiei's mate, as Kurama had informed him earlier, then he felt sorry for her. Being stuck with that mouthy brat had to be a job and a half.

Mukuro's lone eye shifted over to meet his interesting gaze, and a glint of humor flashed through her orb. "And you must be Kuwabara – the apparent fool Hiei always muttered about most mornings when he'd wake up."

Kazuma seemed shocked and directed a shaking finger at himself. "Y-you mean… Hiei actually talks about me? I thought he hated me…"

"Believe me, I was quite beside myself when I woke up the first morning to it after we had joined for life," she added, a smile on her face as she walked over to her protégé's bedside. "I remember it quite well. He had woken up, muttering his frustrations about how he wished at times he could be as simple-minded as you, and therefore receiving Yukina's infinite love and affection. He's quite jealous of you, you know."

Finally, Kazuma managed a laugh in spite of the situation. "Heh heh, ya don't say! Well, I used to be pretty jealous of him, too, at least until he seemed to accept me and my raw talents when we fought together in the Dark Tournament." His expression softened considerably when he let it fall on the beaten fire youkai across the room, his form just as still as Yukina's. It was almost sad, but at the same time fulfilling to see him like this.

"He used to annoy me all the time with how rude he was to me, but I accepted him for who he was and came to respect him pretty fast." Kazuma locked gazes with the former Makai ruler again, his smile ever true to his words. "You've got a good man there, Mukuro. You take care of him for all of us."

Mukuro chuckled and reached for Hiei's weakened body. "I intend to."

"H-hey wait! What do you think you're doing," Kazuma warned her, moving to stand up and stop her, but she already had Hiei in her arms. "He's too weak to be moved. He needs to stay here under the supervision of the spirit healers."

Looking down at her sleeping heir, mate and lover, Mukuro chuckled again. "You needn't worry. I have my own methods for caring for him." As she turned on her heel to leave, Kazuma not protesting her exit, she gave some final, encouraging words, "Thank you for accepting him. It took him far too long to accept himself."

Kazuma stared at the empty bed next to Yukina's, the sheets having been changed already since Mukuro's departure, and could receive another patient if necessary. But most everyone left the room to Yukina, giving her the peace and quiet she deserved after such a grueling mission that she had at last fulfilled.

While his mind wondered about Hiei's condition now under Mukuro's care, he was failing to notice the motion stirring in front of him, only the quiet moan coming from her lips averting his attention back to her. He rose from his seat in excited anticipation, eager to greet his Ice Princess back into the world of warmth and sanctity, and when her eyes fully opened, tears poured from his.

"Yukina!" His voice was more than enough to fully wake her from restful sleep, drawing her cherry gaze up to his.

Relief flooded her. She felt warmth, cheer and familiarity around her. The snow was gone, the majority of her pain was gone, and she was assured by Kazuma's presence that she was indeed alive. It wasn't a dream at all like she feared it could be.

"Kazuma…" her voice was still tired, but steady. "…I'm so happy to see you. I missed you so much…"

Overjoyed to hear those words, he clutched her hand to his heart and wept gladly in her presence. "And I missed you, too…!"

Yukina didn't leave him an opening to finish his sentence, jolting upright with unrivaled fervency and embracing him in the most desiring of hugs. Her arms snapped behind his neck, crying shamelessly into him as he held her. The two had been separated for merely a handful of days in the grand scheme of time, but it was more than long enough to have made the anxiety nearly unbearable.

It had been a few days now since the distasteful kiss of Kaihiko had been placed on her lips, but she didn't want that to be her only kiss. Though she was now feeling the side-effects of her sudden actions, she pushed them aside and instead went after the kiss she had longed for with all her heart. She was gentle, but needy. Kazuma couldn't fathom for a lifetime how much she had wanted this moment with him, never knowing until then how much he drove her to fight death and win against it – all just to be in his arms again.

When she slowly pulled away from him, she smiled shyly and blushed – all to match his own expression of surprise. "Forgive me, Kazuma… but I've waited a long time for that…"

He laughed, his cheeks a bright pink that he was more than happy to boast now. "No apology necessary, my darling! I've been wanting it, too. Tee hee!" As the two chuckled in light of their romantic moment, reality came back to him while he held her gently. "When we found you, we weren't sure if you would make it or not."

"I see you've woken up under someone's vigilant watch," Kurama's serene and relieved voice filled the room, snapping the two content lovers' attention to him. "But perhaps I should come back later…"

"Oh! Oh no, you can come in," Yukina said, greeting the kitsune with a smile, Kazuma now offering her a convenient shoulder to lean on so that she could face her guest properly.

"My apologies for interrupting the two of you, but I couldn't help but hear Kuwabara's excited exclamation from three levels below," Kurama said with a knowing smile, making Kazuma blush again. "I see that you're making improvements already. You had us worried that you would stay asleep forever."

Yukina brushed absent-mindedly at the white medical kimono she was wearing, flattening out a wrinkle to the untrained eye. But to someone like Kurama, he noticed her checking for discomfort or pain – loss of limb that she may not have noticed in her moment of joy a few seconds ago. She was relieved to find all of herself intact.

"Kurama gave the healers some special plants to help you and Hiei along," Kazuma added, gesturing to the vase of flowers on the table between the two beds in the room, though they were hardly the ones used for medical treatment. "He can't help but be a genius at everything, you know."

Humbled by Kazuma's flashy and proud grin, the kitsune merely laughed and replied to the compliment, "Yes, I did offer a few healing herbs to aid in your recovery, particularly one for frostbite, which I believe did indeed take immediate effect, judging by your fluent movements already." He watched her again as she seemed to examine herself further for something she may have missed. "It didn't surprise me at all that when we found you in the aftermath of the last blizzard that you were completely drained of your energies. It's no wonder you were unable to heal yourself or Hiei, despite being but only a few hundred more meters from the youkai barrier thieving all your powers away from you. You sustained yourself remarkably well in such adverse circumstances."

Yukina, though being complimented and praised, felt a sense of dismay and sadness come over her. "What is it, Yukina?" Kazuma's voice grew concerned for her, hating to see her become so subdued and visibly disturbed.

Her eyes fell on the empty bed next to hers before they turned back up to Kazuma's. "Did… Hiei not make it? He fought against our father so hard, a-and I know he didn't have much strength left afterwards… oh no… he's dead, isn't he?"

Before giving her the opportunity to burst into tears, Kazuma was quick to interject, "No, no, no! He's okay, really! Mukuro came and got him yesterday, saying she had her own methods to take care of him."

Flashbacks of seeing him in the dungeon, chained to the wall, all up to the last moment she glimpsed him before passing out, Yukina saw her brother move from a suffering prisoner to a healing man. All tension she had pent up for him was finally released like a tidal wave and she smiled jubilantly. "I'm so relieved…"

"You both were in incredible amounts of pain… I wonder how you two managed under such dire conditions…" Kurama noted, adjusting the flowers in their vase just a bit.

Recalling the trauma she went through and then Hiei's as well, Yukina sighed, bringing her fingers up to display the bangle hanging from her ear. "Our bond was strong enough, I suppose. I know Hiei did everything in his power to keep me alive, and I feared that was at the cost of his own life. I'm forever grateful to you all for finding us in time."

Though he was curious about the earring she was fingering, Kurama let the moment go, seeing how Yukina was relaxing more into Kazuma's comforting embrace. He decided to surrender his curiosity for a later time and made his exit. "It was the least we could do for our friends. Now, I'll excuse the two of you. I'm sure there is much to discuss and I have some paperwork to assist Koenma with."

The pair politely bid their kitsune friend goodbye and returned their attention to one another, both now oddly silent and stumped on what to say first. Kazuma wanted to inquire about the earring, too, and Yukina wanted to know the full outcome of her case now that it was in its final stages of being resolved.

'How did she get that thing?'

'Was Kaihiki successful in bringing the rest of the slaves and prisoners here?'

'I wonder if she knows how Hiei's arm got so torn up…'

'Is Mariko resting comfortably? Is she scared and still upset?'

They both noted the looks of interest on each other's faces and finally laughed in spite of themselves. The answers to their questions would all come soon – for now it was time to enjoy the company, warmth and security of where they were.

"I missed you so dearly, Kazuma," Yukina said softly, her forehead touching his, nose just barely an inch away from his own. "If you hadn't found us in time, I fear neither one of us would have ever recovered. It's thanks to you…"

Kazuma blushed sincerely, but brushed away the praise. "Like I could let the girl I love sleep in some freakish blizzard. It's against my code! Tee hee!"

Yukina giggled, warming his heart. "I love your code, but I love you more."

L-a-t-e-r

The shackles and chains around his wrists clinked as he stood before his judge, body beaten and weak, but will still just as strong as the iron that had him bound. He was no fool, nor was he an idealist with fanciful dreams of one day re-forging his ways upon the world again. He was an anarchist to the core and there was no getting around that on this day in limbo.

Koenma's hands were folded in a calm manner over his desk, Kaihiko's file now in shadow as the ruler stared across the room at what was left to be done. This was the last knot to be tied and hopefully the last of his mistakes to be dealt with; Kaihiko's judgment was about to be made.

But Koenma couldn't bring himself to dish out punishment quite yet, curious to see if possibly his former friend was somewhere beneath that hardened, though very bruised exterior. "You've… looked better, my old friend."

Kaihiko sensed the naivety of the Prince and scoffed. "Feh, so have you. Still putting on that older boy costume to impress Daddy? I don't have a reason to be surprised."

Still sympathetic for his one-time best friend – the man somewhere hidden beneath – Koenma didn't glare or lash out. Instead, he merely chuckled. "Heh heh, yes, I still work for the guy. Ironic, isn't it? Here I am, a judge of the Dead, and what does he do? Pretty much nothing, except threaten me with spankings like usual. Not much has changed, has it?"

Raising an eyebrow, but still not buying the nice guy routine, Kaihiko replied, "Not much here has, at least. I had a vision for a reformation of this world, even for the rest of existence, but you put more than a wrench in my plans. Those… mere children you have fighting for you are something. Heh, King Yama must be pretty desperate if he's employing the feeble youth of Ningenkai."

His pride wasn't hurt, but somewhere in the dark shadows of the room, Koenma felt Yusuke's boiling. He was counting his blessings that Kuwabara wasn't in the room, too. Kaihiko needed to be conscious for this process, not on a medical carrier.

"I am quite lucky to have them on my side, Kaihiko, but it was to your misfortune that you tried to execute your plans while they were in their prime," Koenma spoke wisely in the defense of his team. "And as for your plans, they were silly and misguided. You and I learned early that as residents of the spiritual realm that we were meant to be shepherds for the wayward, not drivers for slavery. It would seem that we took opposing paths this time, unlike we did in our youth…"

"Shepherds? Then where is your flock, oh mighty Reikai Prince?" Kaihiko was scowling, trying to belittle his rival as much as possible with the fewest amount of words he felt like spending at the time. "All you have is Daddy's glare at your back and a desk in front of you. What power do you really think that little stamp of yours has?"

"He's got a pretty good rep," Yusuke finally said, emerging from the darkness. At his side he held his arm straight, the trusty right index finger pointed and a familiar glow emanating from it. "He hired a lot of good people to be on his team, but I'm the black sheep, I guess, being a half-demon and all." Yusuke's grin stretched, and even appeared to turn slightly wicked with the way the lights hit him.

Koenma's stare didn't shift to his prized martial artist, remaining focused on the subject at hand. "As your ultimate judge, this mark can solidify any fate I choose for you. Frankly, you are deserving of far more than what my conscience will allow. Yusuke even suggested I let him see to your punishment so that I wouldn't have to bother with the paperwork. But your damnation was brought upon you the day you started attacking your own people, and now – I can ensure you experience the same level of suffering you forced on them."

He raised the stamp, eyes peering endlessly into his old friend's fearless pools of anger and hate. Centuries ago, they were boys playing together and causing mischief in the Reikai libraries. Three months prior, they became bitter enemies. And today, they were playing the roles of prosecutor and criminal instead of hide and go seek.

"Kaihiko, for your crimes against Reikai and its people, I sentence you to Dimensional Limbo for eternity." And he pressed the paper, his seal bleeding into the document and enforcing the rules now set upon him. The deed he should have done long ago was finally made and he would have to carry only a fraction of the grief he thought he would from then on.

Wordlessly, two guards led the sentenced man out of the office, the large doors groaning as if they were iron gates bidding a terrifying welcome into Hell. But Kaihiko didn't share a look of pity, remorse or any sense of guilt when he looked one final time into Koenma's sorrowful, though firm eyes. Friends at birth, but enemies now at best; there was nothing left to salvage from this relationship, and so Koenma waited for the doors on his past to shut.

The ominous gloom now gone and a sense of relief filling the room, Yusuke spoke up and recalled his energy. "Well that was fun. Kinda glad I didn't have to pull the old tricks. I don't think your girlfriend in Ayame would appreciate me making a mess of your office."

Koenma exhaled, completely missing the pointed joke Yusuke had made. "I'm just glad it's over. I wish I had done it sooner, but oh well. Time to move on, I suppose." He looked down at the file beneath him, his seal of approval embedded conveniently over Kaihiko's once perfect face.

"Moving on means putting the past behind you, not forgetting it, just so you know," Yusuke advised, as if sensing the dismay in Koenma's very soul.

Koenma looked over at his ex-detective with surprise, but then smiled. "Yeah, I guess you're right." And then he closed the folder, setting it aside to focus on more matters needing his attention. "What do you say we go check on Yukina? According to Kurama, she woke up a couple hours ago."

"Sounds like a plan I'm willing to go with you on this time." Yusuke laughed, slapping Koenma on the back as the ruler stood up. "I bet Yukina will be happy to hear that Kaihiko, Mari and the rest of the people she saved are all being sorted out already. They seemed like a pleased bunch, despite trekking all that way in bad weather."

"Bad weather indeed," Koenma added, starting out the door in front of his entourage. "And even through all their hardship, each and every one of those people offered their services to aid in Yukina's recovery. She must have rescued them all by extraordinary means if they feel so indebted to her."

Yusuke winked, proud of his friend in the Ice Child and also had a measure of gratitude to Hiei, as well. "Told ya she could pull it off."

F-o-u-r M-o-n-t-h-s L-a-t-e-r

"So you're actually going to do it. Yesterday you said it was a foolish idea, but today you think its swell," Mukuro mused, leaning on her hand as she watched Hiei go through his morning motions of preparing himself for the day. But this was no ordinary day – he had broken out the blue uniform of similar origins to Kurama's favored manner of dress. Quite an occasion, indeed.

"It's still a foolish idea," Hiei grumbled back, taking up his sword and sheath to fit properly at his waist. "I'm just going through with it because I'm tired of you pestering me over such a waste of my time."

Mukuro continued to smile, not at all disheartened or even swayed by his response. "I find that hard to believe that you still think it that way. After all, not even three days after I had practically saved you from death, you wanted to go leave already. And you eventually did without my permission…"

"Hn, I don't need your approval to do what I want," he replied, now fashioning his white bandana to shield his finally fully healed jagan eye.

"Just like when you went off to find your father and kill him? We saw how smart that decision was."

Growling, Hiei turned to face her and defended himself. "My task was accomplished, wasn't it? I did kill him and now I can spend the rest of my life not worrying that he could be trying to hurt Yukina."

That's what Mukuro wanted him to say; to admit that all of his dangerous antics were fuelled purely by the desire to protect his beloved sister. Touching, to be sure, but these were still feelings Mukuro herself was trying to understand. Affection, honor and loyalty were three things she practically knew nothing of, and she found it ironic that Hiei was her teacher.

She stood up and walked across the short distance to him, snatching up the small cloth wrapped package on her way. It was tied neatly with red twine, the thin material covering the real gift inside smooth against her calloused fingers. Mukuro couldn't help but smirk as she handed it over to him.

"Make sure your favorite sister gets her present then. She deserves it for all the help she gave when you did fight against your father." Her smile not fading and Hiei's pride dwindling again, he begrudgingly took the package from his mate's out-stretched hand as she concluded "I hope this gift expresses your gratitude to her properly."

He tucked the package beneath his arm wordlessly, walking away with his back straight and head held evenly as he spoke, "I'll be back soon. This shouldn't take long."

"That's what you said last time and I brought you back after three months, your arm all but severed and your voice box demolished." Mukuro laughed to spite him, settling herself back into her throne made of pillows as she saw his shoulders tense up from behind. "Do what you must and stay as long as you like. The longer you stay, the more I'll be able to get out of you when you do come back from the wedding."

L-a-t-e-r

Her long white dress scooted along the stone steps, but no one was paying the slightest bit of attention to any dirt that could have been clinging to the soft fabric. All focus was drawn to the laughter of celebration, completion and irony; an occasion only many years in the making could get this whole troupe together bearing such smiles as they were.

Yusuke was fending off jokes being thrown at him by Kazuma, maintaining his pride as he carried his giggling bride up the final flight of stairs to Genkai's secluded home. The last time they made this trek together they were coming to seek his teacher's aid, but this time they were here to party!

"At least I'm man enough to carry her up the whole way, Stamina," Yusuke said with beaming pride, reaching the summit without breaking a sweat or losing his balance.

"No stamina? Oh, I'll show you no stamina, you punk! You better be glad you're still carrying Keiko, because I'd knock your lights out if you weren't!" His fit of minor rage was easily quelled upon looking at his own blushing beauty, her sweet red eyes settling the storm and reminding him gently that this was a happy time. Though his relationship with Yusuke was that of a friendly rivalry, he knew she deeply desired this whole day to be confrontation free.

"I thought I told you last time that this was a quiet place, Kuwabara," Genkai said as she walked with the group of friends towards the entry into her temple. "Respect the mountains and I won't be forced to throw you off."

Everyone laughed at Genkai's teasing threat, each filing into the well kept home to see just the slightest change in décor to suit the occasion. Genkai had laid out crisp white linens on the floor accompanied by more accommodating cushions for comfort, mildly decorated tea tables with appropriate dinnerware atop them. The only table that stood out above the others was the one centered amidst the rest, a thin vase of two pink peonies crowning it like a royal table – quaintly suited for the newly married couple to enjoy.

"You planned ahead, did you, Genkai?" Kurama pointed out, assisting his lovely Ferry Girl in situating herself before he took a seat beside her at the next table. "I must say I'm impressed."

Genkai gave a short laugh and sat to Yusuke's right at his request. "The flowers were your idea, Fox. Nice pat on the back for yourself."

The kitsune did feel a little bit embarrassed, but his friends laughed it off as they set about to having their first round of tea and light foods. Conversations dwelled on the earlier times when they had all met, ranging from training, to the Dark Tournament and the Sensui trial. None dared to tap on their most recent events, choosing to not resurrect potentially sad memories for Yukina.

But she wouldn't have minded talking about it today, she thought, observing everyone quietly as they conversed without worry. She was glad to see them all happy as they deserved. It was as if everyone had gotten their wish and she was a strong factor in getting it all to fall into place.

Kurama and Botan had easily grown closer since she had initially left for her mission all that time ago; it was obvious in the way Botan was favoring Kurama's available arm, their fingers continuously caressing the other's. Such a sweet affection these two shared and Yukina loved it – she had hoped they would solidify such a lasting relationship years prior. Kurama had claimed it was all thanks to her for making him realize the value of life while he had it and to seize it for all it was worth. Apparently Botan was his way of demonstrating that lesson learned.

Keiko looked beyond pleased and even relieved to have finally exchanged vows with her best friend since childhood. Just like Kurama's circumstances, it apparently took another big ordeal to get Yusuke to finally ask her the question. Yukina was surprised that he had taken action so early, which happened to be a little over four months after her initial return. Since the day he had proposed (albeit for a second time, truthfully), Keiko had been acting unusually giddy around the girls and even came by Genkai's temple to measure the Ice Child for a kimono. And the kimono was indeed lovely, though not as intricate as some of the ones Thea had made her. Regardless, she was grateful to have been graced with such a timeless gift of friendship and promised she would only wear it for special occasions.

She felt Kazuma grip her hand between their two tables and she smiled, feeling her heart lift at the contact. It would only be a matter of time before she knew he would make the request similar of Yusuke's to Keiko; his studies at the university were his priority for now, but soon, they would be bound for life in this existence of limitless joy and infinite memories.

With Koenma's frequenting visits to the human world increasing, Yukina was beginning to notice an interesting spark that would ignite when he would check in with the Kuwabara's. She distinctly remembered one afternoon when he came by, she happened to be visiting that day as well, and he quickly excused himself from hers and Kazuma's immediate company to talk with Shizuru instead in the next room. Yukina sensed there was more to his visits than just reminding Kazuma that he was intended to be the new Spirit Detective. That notion bled into today as she noticed how the two were conveniently seated next to each other. An interesting pair this was, but Yukina was also just as glad to see it; Shizuru deserved happiness and a good man. She just wasn't sure if Koenma could hold out against Shizuru's iron fist. Even her Kazuma struggled with it during his youth.

As another course of the wedding meal was served, her friends continuing to laugh the afternoon away, Yukina was wishing one final piece of this puzzle would fit into place like all the others. She went to sleep every night dreaming to wake up to see Hiei's passive, but still content face waiting for her outside the temple. Each day she searched the nearby woods, hoping she would at least find him by accident, if not of his own intent and design. But each and every search bore no fruit and she was beginning to believe he had resigned himself to Makai forever, despite having shared the most spectacular (though terrifying) journey together.

She supposed maybe he was embarrassed or even ashamed of the events that had transpired. Being mute, powerless and so beat up as he was, Hiei was all but dead in appearance when they were united in his prison cell. His fighting will evaporated and his pride diluted by Hideki's wicked nature, there was hardly anything left of the stubborn fire youkai – but Yukina saw through his pain and brought out something he could never have experienced. His desire to protect and honor her spurred him to his greatest victory, and earned him even more faith and trust from his beloved sister.

Yukina absently fingered the bangle hanging from her earlobe, its once extremely treacherous glow hidden safely behind her hair so as to not disturb the wedding feast. It was feeling heavier, like it was sorry and couldn't help feeling so. Sometimes it got like this when she herself felt disappointment nagging at the back of her mind, and it usually spawned a fairly obstinate headache. Fortunately this time it was mild, but still she felt the need for relief. Kazuma having noticed the way she favored the trinket gave her the approving glace that said he was okay with her going outside for a bit.

Once she had excused herself properly, Yukina closed the sliding door and walked to the far back porch to overlook the seaside. The waves gently rolling into shore were already bringing relief to her aching head, and even watching them too brought about a degree of serenity. They were reminders that no matter how high the wave, it eventually diminishes in size and when they do rise, they can be ridden. Her own tidal wave of horror and despair had grown to unbelievable heights, but with the help of her friends and the courage they instilled, she had overcome them. Granted, while the curse of the earring could never be lifted, she had found a better use for it – storing her own memories in it, especially the happy ones.

When approached by Prince Koenma and Yusuke shortly after she awoke from her two day slumber regarding her reward for the success of her mission, she had but one request; to see to the comforts of the people that had come before her. She was naturally delighted to hear that her wish had already been granted and even little Mariko had come by to visit her, too. Kaihiki had kept his promise that he would look after Mari and be a leader of the people she had freed. He said he wanted to try and repair the damage his brother had done, and even though that would be a long and difficult road to travel, he was willing to give it his best. His guiding light, as he had claimed, was Yukina's adamant will to accomplish every single goal she had set before her, despite circumstances working against her indefinitely. Yukina couldn't have been more proud of the boy or girl she had the privilege of knowing.

The air shifted a bit as a large wave settled into the sand nearby, the large boulders barring an immediate direct path to the beach. It had been a couple years since she had gone to the beach – the day Yusuke came back. Since then, she held it as something of a sacred place where only all of them could be together. It wasn't right anymore to go to it alone, so she kept it safe, only watching it from a distance with hopes of making new memories soon. Perhaps even today, so long as Yusuke didn't mind carrying Keiko down another make-shift set of stairs that were carved into the mountain this estate rested upon.

She watched carefully for each wave, trying to catch the differences and the similarities in each one. For some reason she felt the need to focus on them, as if they were about to reveal the sweetest secret in all of history. This had served to be an almost too convenient distraction for her visitor that was waiting patiently in the shadows around the corner of the porch.

Watching her idly like this felt rather disturbing though, as if he were stalking her like prey. He was no predator towards a maiden so delicate and pure, merely an advocate of her life and perfection. A guardian, more than anything…

His perfect silence was broken when the wind made his garb flutter loudly in the breeze, causing her to whip about and face her unexpected guest.

Yukina's hands instantly covered her mouth to withhold a scream, not of terror, but of joy; Hiei was standing before her, clad in rather formal blue attire like what he wore to his first initial day of the Dark Tournament (or so she had been told). She all but ignored the package he held beneath one arm and finally pulled her hands away to display the beautiful smile she couldn't hold back.

"Hiei, I am so happy to see you! I was afraid you were never going to come and see us," she said, though kept her voice down to not alert the others inside. She caught on that Hiei wasn't the showy type for such occasions and usually preferred to not make an appearance, unless it was on purpose. Causing an accidental meeting was not what she was going to give him on this momentous day in her life.

He looked well – his body standing perfect and tall, bandana back in place, and other cuts and bruises were also healed. Judging by his lack of response, however, she assumed the damage to his voice had not changed. But she was okay with that. Just as long as he was alive and moving, she would be overjoyed for even being in his presence.

"Yusuke and Keiko got married," she told him, her eyes drifting to the closed door to her left, where the wedding party continued to converse inside. "Did you come to see them and wish them happiness?"

He didn't reply, even with his eyes. Not a single gesture or twitch of his body indicated that he was interested in the celebration going on without him. But his mind was playing dodge ball, struggling to muster words or tangible thoughts his processing could get around. Here was his golden chance to say everything he wanted to that day in the blizzard when both were faced with inescapable death. Yet the words wouldn't come as they flew out the doors he was sure were shut tight, and so he remained silent and waited for her to keep talking. With any luck, he could find a window of opportunity somewhere.

Yukina tried not to feel awkward because of his silence, focusing instead on just the moment. It was turning out to indeed be the ideal day she had dreamed of, with the exception of one thing, but she tucked that back for later. "I'm very glad to see them happy. It makes me feel really good to know I played a part in helping them get to this point."

Smiling, she continued, "Kurama and Botan are even closer now, Prince Koenma and Shizuru seem to have something started, and Kazuma and I… well…" She stopped when she noticed his expression – the cocked eyebrow and the slightly wrinkled nose. "Oh Hiei, you need to give him a chance. Kazuma's a wonderful person and I know he wants to take care of me."

"I know."

The voice she heard came as a surprise to her. The words had indeed come from his lips, but the voice didn't sound much like it was before. It was hushed, almost like a whisper, but just loud enough to be heard across a short distance. She knew that even when he needed to be stealthy that he never whispered – was this the result of his voice box healing on its own, or someone else's method?

"You'll have to forgive my volume, I can't be any quieter," he said with a smirk, much to her relief. Everything about him seemed to be back to normal – even his sense of humor! "Mukuro did what she could to repair the damage Hideki had done, and while it's not what it used to be, it's more than I expected to ever have again."

Yukina felt truly touched by more than just his presence, realizing that most likely even exercising his vocal chords had to be strenuous and probably painful. But he looked placid, even happy to be there with her, as if ignoring the possible fatigue all together. He wanted to be there, talking to his sister and sharing the moment as if it was the first of only a few he could be a part of.

"And your arm?" Yukina asked of him gingerly, hoping she wouldn't singe a proud nerve. "Was Mukuro able to help with that, too?"

By demonstrating that it could bend and move with no hindrance to reach for the package he was holding, Hiei was confident in a simple answer, "It's not much different than when I first unleashed the Darkness Flame. Mukuro sped up the process considerably, but it will still be some time before I can properly use it again, especially since the dragon seems confused on its allegiance now."

Yukina was curious about his statement, but didn't inquire just yet as Hiei continued, looking at the package all the while and not making eye contact with her. "When last I called it, I didn't have the energy required to fully control it at the time. So it struck at will and would have obliterated everything in its path had I not fed it something from my very soul to keep it from harming you."

So her suspicions from that day were true; the dragon was indeed on a violent rampage and would have easily killed all three of them. But thanks to Hiei's intervention in, albeit, his own interesting way, he had altered its course and protected her with possibly his own life force. Of course, this would have left him unshielded, and this boggled her.

"Then how did the dragon know not to attack you?"

"It didn't, until you told it not to."

Now even more confused than before, Yukina couldn't help but ask the obvious, "How would it listen to me? It's your technique, not mine."

Hiei's vision shifted from the package to his blue sleeved arm, seeing through the fabric and tight bandage to what laid beyond. "It's more than a technique. The dragon from the Spirit World is very much a living creature, just like us, but for centuries it had no one to answer to for its meaningless killing. Even when I first grappled him and made him my own, he was not to be tamed or deliberately commanded. What he said to me was that he sought only the strongest, which I was, at the time…"

Pondering his words, Yukina could also recollect a similar connection. "Yes… yes, I heard those words, too. Right when your dragon looked at me. Does… does that mean he became mine for that period of time?"

Hiei nodded and went on to explain the matter," Temporarily, yes. He sensed the power in the earring – the memories of our mother and what Hideki did to her. When he joined with you for those moments, he felt what you felt, including your bond with me."

"So that's why the dragon didn't attack you…" The sheer astonishment in her voice was reason enough for Hiei to study her expression. She wasn't smiling, nor was she crying. Dumbfounded shock was all he could see, but at the same time, he could sense a faint glimmer of pride. Yes, even his little sister was capable of utilizing such a powerful force, much to her surprise apparently.

Swallowing his own pride now, he went on, "So in essence, you are truly the one to be thanked for not taking a life, but by saving mine. It was all I could do to try and save yours." He then extended the package out to her, not forcefully, but in a willing gesture, hoping she would take it. "If you would be kind enough to accept this, your brother would be the most grateful man of the moment."

Not even noticing the package before, Yukina gasped, looking directly at him, but nodded with a smile, taking it in her hands to hold. Hiei wasn't satisfied in her just holding it like a newborn babe, gesturing for her to open it before his patience ran out. Carefully she untied the thin ribbon and then pulled back the white linen covering the present she never expected to receive – and a gift of ages it was. In her hands was the perfect replica of the cerulean kimono she had worn the day they escaped, the red dragon tattooing the front and all. From what she remembered, it had been torn and badly abused during their journey, and had also mysteriously disappeared from the Reikai hospital. Now she knew why.

"Hiei… this is beautiful," she replied, tears in her eyes as she unfolded it to its full length to compare it to herself. "It looks as though it didn't even snag at all. However did you manage this work of art?"

He shrugged and stepped forward, a finger running down the dragon so finely sewn into the material. "Shortly after I initially recovered, I came back to Reikai to tie up the loose ends and stumbled across this, with addition to the Detective's looming wedding. I asked Keiko if she would help me to fix it, seeing as how she was twittering about your perfect measurements for the ceremonial kimono. She was, interestingly, happy to oblige me with the service."

His gaze started to wander, searching around him for a temporary escape. "Since the very dragon you wore that day reminded me so much of my own, I felt…" Hiei stopped, as if choking. Yukina thought his voice box was straining, but that wasn't the heart of it. Within the confines of his deepening soul, he felt something flutter and then suddenly want to burst with a surge of emotion he was withholding. Just like when she was fading out there in the snow, he was swelling with thoughts, guilt and words. Now was his best chance to say everything he wanted – there would be no better time.

He finally looked up to her eyes, gazing into the sweet red so different from his own. He hoped that he wouldn't cry like he did before, but if that's what it took to express his deepest feelings to Yukina, he would show her his tears.

"I felt… the deepest connection a brother could have to his sister. I am infinitely proud of you and hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me for never telling you who I was."

Yukina caught the tiniest glimmer in his eye – that barely there tear that told a thousand stories, but shared one single thought. How he loved her and wished only for her happiness. To his surprise, she laughed, shedding tears of her own as she lunged forward, enveloping him in a hug he would remember for the rest of his life.

"Oh Hiei, I can't forgive you for always being there for me. That would be so wrong!" She continued to laugh as she clung to his shoulders, the kimono wedged tightly between them in the meantime. "How can I not be proud to be the sister of the strongest fire demon around?"

Humbled by her response, it was all Hiei could do but to hug her back – fully. He literally embraced her embrace and loved it for all it was worth. This was a moment he could have never dreamed of, a moment in which he was not just accepted, but needed and desired. She wanted him there with her, to praise him and to share with him the joy of the present time. There was nothing she wanted more than to be happy, and he was bringing her that very emotion just by being beside her. It wasn't all that difficult, or even a stab at his pride. This was genuine mutuality.

When she pulled away, she hugged the kimono to her chest with a giggle like that of a giddy school girl. "I can't wait to wear this and feel just as strong as you, Hiei! Every girl will be so envious of me! Thank you, it's a wonderful gift, and one that I'll cherish because you gave it." He shrugged, but seemed pleased that she was so grateful for the present. Yukina then grinned and looked at him thoughtfully. "Brother, you've done so much for me. Is there nothing I can give you in return?"

Shaking his head slowly, Hiei replied, "There is no greater gift than what I already have been given again."

"Yeah, you're lucky to be alive, ya little punk," Kazuma's voice came behind Yukina, starting the Ice Child, but not her brother, who sensed his presence considerably sooner.

"Oh…oh, Kazuma! I-I didn't even hear you come outside…" She was fumbling for words, trying to quell a potentially heated argument before it started. Botan had filled her in about the small episode Kazuma had after he had learned of the twins' relation and how it had enraged him at first. The last thing she wanted now was a fight between her lover and only remaining family. "See, Hiei was just by for a visit, a-and…"

"It's all right, sweet pea. You don't have to explain anything." Kazuma was clear and firm, a hand on her shoulder and his eyes locked straight ahead on the fire demon just a few steps away. "You've got a lot of nerve just showing up to a wedding reception but not the wedding."

Hiei, as usual, wasn't fazed by the big man's words and responded just as plainly, though more quietly, "I don't make a point of adhering to dress codes or other rules of such formal gatherings. I don't have time for things like that."

Kazuma folded his arms over his chest, Yukina still trying to keep the situation calm. "But it seems you've got time to come by here unannounced, giving Yukina presents… making apologies…" The big man then grinned wide and looked as though he were beaming with pride. "And yet you have the guts to refuse a gift from your own sister? Come on, dude – that's low, even for you."

"Kazuma, if he doesn't want anything, we shouldn't force him to accept any gift," Yukina pleaded, a nervous smile on her face as she felt she was barely containing the matter.

Watching her like this made Hiei smirk, the sensation of joy coming back to the forefront of his mind. She wanted to be happy in life – to live and be her own person. Make her own memories to pledge to the earring she would now display with grace and humility. Now he knew what he wanted, too.

"There is one thing you can give me," he spoke up, much to Yukina's surprise, but not so much to Kazuma's. It was a bond between brothers who shared sisters – he could sense it coming, as all brothers would. "Promise me that you'll make her smile every day. That's what I want."

Kazuma chuckled, the connection they all had now settled in place. "That won't be a problem at all, Hiei. You have my word that I'll be there for her every day. But that's a price I gotta bargain over with you." Hiei raised an eyebrow then, curious of what the carrot top could possibly desire as 'payment' for Yukina's eternal gladness. "I'll hold my end of the deal, if and only if you promise to come by for a visit once in a while. I won't take 'no' for an answer."

Though this meant traveling to the human world now on more than rare occasions, Hiei took a moment to weigh out the pros and cons of such a bargain. By visiting Ningenkai more than once a decade meant he could see Yukina's smiling face… perhaps some children. The con to that would be the children, of course, but maybe he could time it just right to miss them while they were asleep or at school. By not visiting he would be in Makai day after day, bossing bored guards around, commanding patrols… The pro was easily being with Mukuro more, too. That wasn't a bad thing at all and helped him to make his decision.

"This may come as a surprise to you, Kuwabara, but I, too, have responsibilities to my mate and need to see to her delights as well. However…" Once again, Hiei's eyes drifted back to the hopeful visage of his twin and he felt nothing except the urge to smile fully. "Under the circumstances which I'm in a convenient mood to accept, I believe a deal has been made. I'm even willing to not set any conditions."

"Ooo, so that means I can throw big dancing parties any time you come?" Kazuma beamed, laughing as he started concocting devious plans for Hiei's ultimate embarrassment.

Hiei shot him a glare through his blindfold. "Provided everything is within reason…" He said through gritting teeth, the jagan flaring noticeably.

"But you said whatever makes Yukina happy! Tee hee!"

"I never said at my expense, you big oaf."

"All right, boys, that's enough," Yukina chimed in, bringing about the eye of the storm quickly. "Believe me, I'll just be grateful to have you wave as I'm walking down the street. So long as I see you, I'll be more than content."

Her requests always humble and her words just as sweet, Hiei fully accepted the terms of agreement and shook hands with Kazuma to seal the deal. It was the first time both looked like they were truly… okay with one another. It would be a rocky start, to be sure, but at least they had started down the path together.

When he heard the voices inside growing louder, and slightly restless, Hiei didn't want to risk being mobbed by the bridesmaid brigade and took his opportunity to leave. "I've stayed as long as I can this time. I told Mukuro I'd leave Ningenkai before dark."

"Heh heh, past your bed time, Shorty?" Kazuma teased, receiving another, though lesser in nature, glare from Hiei.

"Must you really go?" Yukina found herself asking, using her free hand to clutch him by the wrist. Hiei dared not look in her eyes for the fear of nagging guilt would overcome him. To stay would mean being pulled into this fruity circus, however leaving meant potentially breaking the heart of his beloved sister. There had to be a way to get around this!

Yukina saw his minor frustration and then reconfigured her request with a much easier one to accommodate. "Or could you come back in a couple days? Just to Genkai's temple so we can talk?"

Deeply relieved by his sister's fluent reasoning, Hiei nodded, opened his palm into hers and smiled again. "That I can do. Yukina, be safe and be happy." He looked to Kazuma with a sense of understanding, brotherhood meshing into the ties of being comrades in arms to form a union of something stronger than trust. "Kuwabara, take care of her – I'll kill you if you don't."

Kazuma had all but smirked when Hiei vanished onto a nearby branch and then became nothing but a shrinking blur from the temple porch. Yukina felt the urge to cry for his sudden departure, but fought it and let her heart leap for joy instead. Her heart's desire had been fulfilled – everything she wanted in her life was finally in order just as she had envisioned it. No one was ever this lucky, especially not a demon like herself. But fortune had smiled upon her and those she loved – or was that by her mother's doing?

"He's a good man, Yukina, and a good brother to have, too." Kazuma gazed at her in the sunlight, the reds painting her skin to look pink and her eyes an even darker shade of crimson. She looked like she had won everything life had to offer and he knew there was little more she could possibly want, but he still wanted to give it all anyway. "I'm happy you found him. It couldn't have happened to a better person."

She drank in his words and leaned into his embrace as they looked on out at the sun sinking beyond the shoreline. After settling into his warmth, she glanced down into her clenched fist to behold the tear gem she had given Hiei all that time ago, still secured with twine, and battered from his many fights through the years. It reflected her expression which gave her the only response left in her heart.

"I don't know about that, love…" she started, drawing his attention while she went on. "A lot of good things happen to people who don't deserve it, and likewise bad things happen to people who have no reason to endure such trials. But sometimes, we have to accept the things we're given, whether they be positive or negative, and see them as small, though sometimes big, blessings…"

Yukina trailed off briefly, brushing her hair back a bit to let the earring soak up the sun and the moment. She wanted the clearest picture possible for the memory she would have to look back on, and with a happy sigh, she concluded her thoughts. "Kazuma, I am beyond blessed to have faced the trials I have, lived through them and to have each and every one of you at my side. Thank you for the love you all give me so selflessly. I hope I can one day repay the kindness you've shown me with the love I have for you."

I feel it is only appropriate that I end this story on a note of gratitude once again to everyone for bearing with me all this time. If you take away anything of value from this story, I hope it would be this: that life is full of blessings both big and small. See the trials as a chance to overcome your mountains, and likewise view your triumphs with grace so that you can pass that cheer onto the next person you see.

Thank you all again SO MUCH for reading and being with me! You are THE best group of people EVER! I love you!

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