Flaming Hearts ~From The Ashes I Rise ~Book3 {OLDER VERSION}

CH9 - The First Warning

"We're all sleeping in this freaky house? But I didn't bring my special pillow." Carrot Top whined, making me facepalm mentally. Seriously, why is this guy is in the group again? "Ummm, Botan, would you pet my hair until I fall asleep?" The question earned a slap from the bluenette girl.

"Yukina wouldn't appreciate that!" Botan spanned at the punk.

"I meant it in a mom kind of way." Kazuma tried to cover up his ass, but I just shook my head.

"Quit being a bitch already." I told him irritatedly before I followed my Water-Bender friend with Botan behind me. Ruby opened the door for us. Botan walked in and I trailed behind her-.

"Hey, Miyu wait!" Yusuke stopped me by grabbing me by the shoulder. I turned to him with questioning eyes. "Are you sure you're, okay?" That made my expression soften up a little but it soon hardened like ice.

"I told you I was fine." I said, convincingly. "Let's just forget about it, because the tunnel and the humanity are more important than my love life. " Then I was about to turn around, but Yusuke grabbed my shoulders firmly and forced me to stay in my position that was facing my brother's concerned gaze.

"I know it's important." Yusuke said softly. "But you're also important too." He added sincerely making my expression soften up once more. I felt weird by his sudden attention, no doubt, but at the same time. . . it felt nice. . . and warm. . .

"I'm fine, brother. Really." I reassured him, also giving a smile to it. "He is just all hurt and pouty because of the power status Koenma had given him. Let's just give him some time to cool off. Also, you should know by now that Shadow Lord won't just back out from a challenge like this big." I pointed out. "Besides, he still owes me a rematch." At that Yusuke chuckled.

"Yeah, that's sounds Hiei for you." My brother replied light-heartedly, still chuckling in amusement. "But hey, if you wanna talk, you can count on your big brother, ya dig?" He gave a thumbs up.

"Hn, yeah. . . right. . . thanks. . . I guess. . ." I replied awkwardly, making my sibling grin for some reason.

"Well, would you look at that." I hear him say that, teasingly as he leaned close to my face and grin mischievously like the Cheshire cat. "Our little Miyuki is going soft." He then pinched my cheek which made me look at him dead in the eyes. "Who would have thought that day would finally come, you Big Softie." At that he began to laugh hysterically. "Or should I say Little Softie?" After that, he doubled down. I mentally rolled my eyes, then elbowed him in the ribs. Hard. Making him winch in pain.

"Don't push your luck, stupid!" I told him blankly before I opened the door then shut it before his face. "Goodnight, punk!"

"Yea-Yeah, screw you too Sass Queen." I hear my brother's muffled voice from behind the door before the sound of his footsteps faded away.

Minutes later everyone in the room hit the hay.

Well, Botan and Ruby at least, because me, my mind just brought up those stupid thoughts with doubts and other kind of nonsense. . .