"I don't think so. I've seen him tolerate people." Yukina shook her head. "He does more than just tolerate you, Winter."

Winter just raised an eyebrow.

"Everything I've seen, even recently, still tells me that he doesn't like humans any more than he ever did," she pointed out. "I just happen to be useful at the moment."

Yukina smiled at that. "We'll see," she said evasively. "We'll have to agree to disagree for now."

"Whatever you say," Winter said. She stretched and sighed. "I suppose you have better insight than I do at this point."

"You'll learn, don't worry. You have time, after all." Yukina smiled and went to go make them some tea for now.

Winter just made a vague, neutral noise at that and settled in for the night.

Hiei glanced over at them before he settled in as well to do his normal guard duty for the night.

Winter settled in, but she wasn't able to sleep. She couldn't help but glance at him a few times as she stayed there quietly, just thinking over what Yukina had told her.

Hiei glanced back at her once when he caught her looking and quirked an eyebrow. He didn't ask, but he also didn't tell her off. Just looked mildly puzzled.

"Sorry," Winter murmured. "Just thinking about things. Didn't mean to stare." Not that she didn't want to keep looking at him; he was rather attractive, after all.

Hiei nodded. "Get some rest," he told her. But the set of his shoulders was still relaxed, so he didn't mind the looking.

"Can't sleep tonight," Winter replied. "Thinking about too many things right now." She couldn't help but grin a bit. "And your sister as a surprising devious streak, I totally approve."

Hiei snorted quietly at that, though he did glance at Yukina to make sure that she was asleep and hadn't heard the 'sister' comment.

"She's become more accustomed to the ways of humans, over the years."

"Can't say that's surprising," Winter said. She grinned a bit. "But you are definitely more alike than I thought before."

Hiei shook his head a little. "She's not so like me," he murmured. "She's better."

"You might be surprised," Winter said. She smiled a bit. "You're not so terrible, you know."

Hiei snorted quietly. "I do what I have to," he said. "I'm not so concerned with morality."

Winter snorted softly.

"No kidding," she said. "But still. You're not as terrible as you want people to think."

Hiei snorted quietly. "Most people don't look too hard, either," he murmured, glancing at her. "But you do."

Winter turned a bit pink at that and glanced away.

"I just know better, that's all," she said.

"Hn." Hiei didn't sound entirely convinced, but he was content for now to let the matter drop.

Winter was quiet after that, though she could still feel the heat in her face that meant she was still red. She definitely hadn't expected that from him, and she pointedly refused to think about what Yukina had told her earlier. Nope, she had to be imagining things.

Things settled into a routine quickly, since Yukina had decided to stay with them for a while. Hiei kept watch most nights, and during the day they traveled in search of the soul-cutting sword, usually with Hiei at the lead.

Winter tagged along, just taking the opportunity to see how the two interacted with one another. She was elated at the new information, as it were, and she enjoyed watching the two. She still steadfastly held on to the belief that her presence was merely tolerated.

Hiei was not just tolerating her, but he was still straightening out his own feelings. Yukina just watched everything.