I saw a discussion similar to this awhile ago on the bulletin board so I
decide that I will throw in my own view on this as well. Personally, I
firmly believe that there is nothing between Mukuro and Hiei other than
deep friendships and admiration on the latter's part. One may argue that
Hiei likes Mukuro because he treats her differently from others and
because he gave her that 'birthday present.' However, the way I see it is
that Hiei sees some of himself in Mukuro while Mukuro also sees some of
herself in Hiei. Both of them had a terrible childhood and both had to
fight their way through to survive. Hiei sympathizes with Mukuro's past
and therefore has great admiration for her since Mukuro was able to
survive on her own and become one of the strongest youkais in Makai. It
is also because of Mukuro's strength that makes Hiei admires her. Mukuro
on the other hand, sees Hiei as a close companion in that she knows of his
past and also knows of his strength as well as his kinder or softer side.
Because both Mukuro and Hiei knows of each other and can relate to each
other, they are close. However, the relationship that exists between them
is simply companionship, and not romantic relationship.
That's my view on Mukuro and Hiei. Seriously, from what I've seen in the
mangas, anime, as well as from the YYH merchandises, I say that Hiei holds
more affection toward Kurama than Mukuro. The interesting thing is that
the manufacturer seems to want the fans to think that way also from the
way they draw some of the YYH pictures (look at some of the shitajikis, CD
illustrations and calendars...).
Shuichi Minamino <kurama@nwu.edu>
kurama@animanga.com