The Past You Leave Behind

The Past You Leave Behind

Chapter 7

Hiei had not decided if he was going to join them, or just follow undetected, when Kuwabara and Yukina arrived to pick up the woman. After a relatively short contemplation, he decided to forgo the emotional displays that almost always accompanied this group. They made him uncomfortable since they always tried to include him. He would follow at a safe distance and observe the woman's interaction with his friends.

Kuwabara parked his car next to a popular noodle house and they got out. He looked at his watch. "Everybody should be here by now. They said they'd get a table big enough for everyone." They spotted the rest of the group in a corner booth towards the back of the restaurant. When they approached, Kurama politely stood to greet them After an elbow in the ribs from Keiko, Yusuke did the same. Kuwarbara introduced Saiyana to Keiko. "I'm very glad to meet you, Saiyana." She pushed Yusuke over to make more room. Kurama said. "I'm glad you could join us today. Please sit next to me." She smiled and slid into the booth next to him. Kuwabara helped Yukina in and sat beside her.

After they had ordered, Yusuke stood up. He raised his soda glass. "This is for you, Kuwabara. I never thought you'd make it this far. Looks like you're gonna graduate after all. I'm proud of you, man. Congratulations." "Aww, stop it Urameshi. You're gonna make me cry in front of the girls." They all laughed. Lunch arrived, and the next hour was filled with lively conversation and a great deal of laughter. Saiyana found that she enjoyed their company. She could become close friends with both Keiko and Yukina. Her mind drifted to her tree dwelling watchdog, and she wondered where he was and what he was doing.

The object of her musings was at this moment sitting across the street on a very high limb to avoid being spotted. His eyes were closed and the luminous jagan was open. He could see everything going on. They all seemed to be enjoying their outing. He was glad he had not joined them. They seemed more at ease without him. But then, didn't everyone? He could be intimidating without trying. He smiled. It made for a less complicated life.

He closed his jagan when the group exited the restaurant, prepared to follow them to their next destination. To his surprise, they crossed the street to the park. They were now only feet from the tree he was in. If any of them looked up….or if that damned woman sensed his energy… Neither of those seemed likely after he heard their conversation. They were discussing what to do next. Suggestions were made; movies, arcade, mall, some references he didn't understand. After a short discussion and a vote, it was decided they would go to the mall and then the movies. Maybe later if no one was too tired, they would go dancing.

"Hn, " he thought. "Definitely glad I didn't join them." He hated dancing. The mall he could tolerate if it wasn't too crowded, but dancing? He'd been one time with Kurama, Yusuke, and Kuwabara. Women made the most ridiculous excuses to invade their table. Several were bold enough to ask him to dance. He made no effort to be polite when he told them he was not interested. Some were just as rude back to him.

Afterward, Kurama had asked him about it, and he'd had to admit that he didn't know how to dance. Kurama had offered to teach him, but he really wasn't interested. The only reason anyone had to learn to dance was if they were interested in the search for a mate. Or, in Yusuke and Kuwabara's case, to be able to publicly grope your current mate without repercussions. He scowled. Now why had he summoned up that mental image? He would be watching Kuwabara closely. He really didn't want to have to kill him in front of Yukina. Kuwabara had best keep his hands to himself.

The quiet park was suddenly rocked by an explosion of intense energy that sent the entire group to the ground. Demons appeared all around them. Yusuke was at Keiko's side. She was getting up slowly. Kuwabara was also slow to get up. Kurama was on his feet and had already engaged one of the demons, rose whip drawn. Yukina was unconscious. Saiyana was the closest to her. As she bent over Yukina, Hiei appeared before her eyes. She blinked at the sensation she had just felt. It was then that she noticed…

She leaned quickly forward grabbing Hiei's shoulder with her left hand and pulled him to her. Her right hand extended beyond his shoulder. He snarled. Simultaneously. "Woman, what do you….." "Hiei! Watch your back!" He whipped around to see a jagged blade, just inches from his back, imbedded in her shield. Energy arced up the blade and the demon holding it was thrown to the ground several feet away. He didn't get up. Hiei turned back to face her. He'd let his guard down when Yukina had been hurt. She looked into his eyes. Her expression had softened. "Go. Do what you have to do." He looked down at Yukina's unconscious form. "I will protect your sister with my life."

His head snapped up, his eyes wide. She opened the shield and gave him a gentle push. The shield closed again. Without a word Hiei joined the battle and never glanced their way again.

To be continued…..