A/N: Y'all my power went out at o-dark-thirty this morning and damn it if I didn't immediately get the urge to write and post something. What I love about this story so far is that its easy for me to write and I can post whenever I want. I should wait and be consistent but this is my stress release fic and after the day I had, I need this.

So enjoy, babes.


"Thanks for meeting me here." Hiei had his hands in his pockets and for the first time since they'd met wasn't wearing a black suit. Instead he greeted Iruni in worn jeans and a black tee. The bandage concealing his tattoo attracted the attention of passersby but he was well practiced at ignoring such things. "You look nice."

"I was going to say the same." Iruni blushed, wondering how it was possible for Hiei to look even more attractive dressed down. Fidgeting with her mint-green sundress, Iruni wished she had pockets like Hiei did. Instead, she wrung the shoulder strap of her purse, a plain brown bag that matched her gladiator sandals. "You look very handsome."

"Do I?" Hiei rubbed his neck, not sure why he felt so nervous. "I tried to dress casual. I didn't realize you were going to dress up."

"Oh no, this is what I wore to work." Iruni told him with a smile. "I've had this dress for years."

They stared at each other as silence fell. Both of them started to fidget, Iruni with her bag's strap and Hiei by shifting his weight heels to toes and back.

"In light of the last week and such, maybe we should start from the beginning." Hiei suggested. Well, Mukuro had suggested it to him and he begrudgingly admitted it was a good idea. Then he smirked at her. "Could I have your name?"

Iruni softened, a smile gracing her face. "Mikamoto Iruni. Yours?"

"Jaganshi Hiei." He bowed his head. "It's nice to meet you Miss Mikamoto."

A blush colored her cheeks and she bowed her head in return.

"So, Mr. Jaganshi. What do you do for work?" She asked him as people passed around them on the sidewalk.

Hiei tutted for a moment, smirking. "I work in acquisitions."

"Oh, is that so?" She bared a sly grin. "That sounds interesting."

"It has its moments. I get to meet a lot of people." Hiei told her, nodding. "My boss can be a bit overbearing though. She doesn't always understand boundaries."

"I work in a bookstore." Iruni started walking beside him, both of them headed to no destination.

Hiei had merely asked her to meet him at the park so they could walk around. If they found something to do, so be it, but the night was about talking. An event seemed like it would detract from that end.

"How did that happen?" He wondered, and he'd always sort of been curious about it.

"Oh, that's a boring story." Iruni shook her head.

"Let me decide that."

After a moment's hesitation she nodded. "I went to college for library science. I wanted to be a librarian. But one of my professors, one I TA'd under, was leaving the university to open a bookstore. He offered to hire me and I agreed, helping him plan out the shop and open it. I've been there ever since."

Hiei nodded. "I didn't know you had a college education."

"Do you?" She asked, tipping her head to the side.

"No. I didn't go to high school. I dropped out when I was fourteen." Hiei explained, his jaw tightening. He took a breath and exhaled. "My foster mother got sick and I had to start working to pay off the bills of her care."

"That must've been hard on you. You were so young." Iruni frowned. "I can't imagine."

"It was an easy choice. I just wanted to thank her for taking me in when no one else would." Hiei admitted. "Kurama was always the genius of the family anyway. And if Yusuke could get away with dropping out and working at a ramen stand, I sure as hell could."

"What a good son. You must love her very much." Iruni smiled, watching Hiei talk. He blushed, eyes widening. "Do you stay in touch with her?"

"Of course." Hiei nodded, thankful she hadn't pressed for more details of his childhood with the Minaminos. "She remarried a few years ago and now has a stepson."

"Your family gets bigger every time someone mentions it." Iruni laughed, delighted. "I have a very small family. My mother's side doesn't really associate with us and my father has no one left."

"I never knew my father, but my mother's family never cared much for me either." Hiei rolled his eyes. "A bunch of frosty, man-hating crones, that group. They took in my sister and kicked me on the street when my birth mother died."

"I hadn't realized she passed. I'm sorry."

"Don't be, she did it to herself." Hiei said it flippantly, but he grew harder beside her.

"Did you want to talk about it?" Iruni asked him quietly, her hand finding his and offering a reassuring squeeze.

"No." He told her, glancing to meet her eyes. "I don't like reliving it."

"Then don't. It's okay. Let's talk about something else." She prompted with a gentle nudge to his arm. "How about you tell me what your favorite subject in school was?"

Hiei snorted, amused. "School was a joke."

"You had to have enjoyed something about it."

"I liked PE." He admitted. "And, no one will believe you if you tell them this, I actually really enjoyed Home Ec."

"No." She beamed up at him. "You? The handsome enforcer?"

"I like to cook." Hiei nodded with a smirk. "I'm quite good at it, actually."

"I'd like to see your skills for myself." She teased.

"Sure. Though I'm best at desserts." Hiei thought about it. "You know, I'm not sure I've ever seen you eat anything sweet."

"I like sweets." She assured him with a giggle. "I've just never gotten the chance to eat anything other than dinner with you around."

A flood of memories of hauling her to the couch or bed after eating hit him. A sense of desire mingled with satisfaction quickly followed. Then he remembered Mukuro's demand. "So, speaking of things I like to have on tables."

Iruni blushed scarlet.

"I think, maybe, we shouldn't have sex today." Hiei rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. "It wouldn't do to jump into bed on our first date."

"I was thinking the same thing, so I'm relieved." Iruni sighed as if a weight had been taken off of her. "Thank you, Hiei."

She leaned against his arm, the side of her face resting against him. Hiei swallowed, realizing that ending things on her front porch might be harder than he thought it would be. For the first time in a week, Iruni was touching him, smiling at him, and the deprivation of the last week made it all the more difficult not to retract his words.

"What was your favorite school subject?" Hiei decided to use her question, hoping to be distracted.

"Oh, that's hard. Let's see. There were so many." Iruni tapped her index finger to her chin as she thought about it. "Well, I've always enjoyed art classes. Music. But I also really liked lab sciences. Biology was a favorite. Naturally anything involving literature. In college…"

"Wow, you're a nerd." Hiei hadn't meant to say it out loud, but the words flew out of his mouth. His eyes widened then pinched shut as he let his head fall back on his neck. "I'm an idiot. Ignore me."

"You aren't the first to say so." She laughed, shaking her head. "It's okay, Hiei. I relish in it. I like to study things and learn and read. But I also like to experiment and try new things hands on. I try to be well-rounded, keeping up with a physical activity, but honestly I've been lazy lately. I've never been this soft before."

"I like your softness." Hiei yanked the hand she held and it pulled her closer so he could wrap his arm around her waist, the hand dipping down and offering a playful squeeze to her bottom. "It's nice."

"Hiei!" She slapped his chest, earning a dark chuckle. "We're in public!"

"And?" Hiei raised his eyebrows, daring her to argue with him. "If these fools can't handle me admiring you, then they can get lost."

Her cheeks grew impossibly more red. "Still…"

He looked down at her and smirked, lifting his hand to her hip. "Maybe we should get some food?"

"I think that's a good idea. And something to drink. I'm thirsty." She admitted meekly, still blushing.

So goddamn thirsty. Iruni thought as she looked Hiei down then up, biting her lip to try to dispel the salacious thoughts. Why had she thought it would be a good idea to postpone sex? She'd been worried that Hiei valued the physical aspect of their budding relationship more than anything else, but now it was obvious to her that wasn't the case. He'd even been the one to suggest waiting.

Which had made her want him drag right to bed.

Because she was a waffling idiot.

And he was so handsome in his jeans and t-shirt, so warm with his arm around her. She tugged at her white cardigan. Food would help. It would take her mind off of the thought of Hiei between her thighs.

She was wrong.

Watching Hiei eat only made her wish his mouth was on her. Whenever he licked his lips she swallowed. It wasn't fair. He was so level headed about it all.

"It's warm in here, isn't it?" Iruni asked, peeling off her cardigan and allowing it to drape over the back of her chair. The thin straps of the dress left her arms, shoulders and collarbones plain to see. Hiei stared, eyes fixated on the exposed skin.

Had he ever seen her wear anything as revealing before? Did she even have on a bra? Glancing down he noted that she didn't. That was strange, he hadn't noticed earlier.

Blue eyes met his, a smile curling over Iruni's mouth and he realized he hadn't noticed because she had been wearing one earlier. Goddammit, this woman was going to be the death of him.

And anyone around them, he thought, as he glared at the waiter who lingered just a little too long when asking about their meal. Hiei cut him off mid-sentence as the man smiled at Iruni.

"You could be polite to the server, Hiei." Iruni chastised lightly, leaning forward to place her elbow on the table and cup her cheek, other arm under her breasts. "He didn't do anything to you."

"He was thinking about doing something to you." Hiei glared at the offender. "I hadn't expected how much patience I'd need to be in public with you."

"Patience?" Iruni frowned. "Did I-"

"Not you. Them." Hiei nodded toward a gaggle of men who glanced at their table, heads bowed as they muttered to one another. "They take one look at you and it makes them stupid with want. I can relate, but they aren't allowed to look at you that way."

She tipped her head to the side and glanced at the men. "Are they looking at me?"

"The fact you don't notice almost makes this worse. What sort of things do you ignore when I'm not around?" Hiei griped.

"I notice everything when you aren't around." Iruni shot him a look. "I just feel safe around you; I guess it makes me complacent."

Hiei almost brought up the fact she'd walked into a house with two intruders but thought better of it. Maybe that experience had taught her to be more cautious. The sound of wood scraping over the floor earned his attention as Iruni adjusted their seating, moving closer to him until her hand rested on his thigh and she was nearly pressed to his side.

"Are they still looking?" She asked him, voice a low whisper and Hiei glanced then nodded. "Hmm. What to do?"

His mouth claimed hers without further prompting, a low moan bubbling in his throat at the contact. Their parting kiss the night before had been warm, chaste, a promise for something more to come. He was glad this wasn't the same. It was fervent, Iruni's fingers tightening on his thigh, her lips matching the movement of his. When they reluctantly ended the kiss, she hazily stared into his eyes.

"I'm not sure if I've ever told you before, but your eyes are really beautiful." She murmured and Hiei had to fight himself not to just throw cash on the table and haul her home.

"You're one to talk." He whispered back, barely registering when the waiter came back to ask if they needed anything else. Hiei requested the check without really looking away.

"Are they still looking, Hiei?" Iruni asked him, her lazy satisfied smile lighting up her flushed face.

"It doesn't matter."


"So you're an only kid?" Hiei nodded as they strolled down Iruni's street, too quickly approaching her home for his taste.

"You sound surprised." She laughed beside him.

"You just seem like the sort of person who has younger siblings." Hiei shrugged.

"Maybe in another life." She giggled and shook her head. "I'm sort of glad I didn't grow up with any siblings though. I can't imagine what it would be like trying to keep my temper in check if father had ever raised a hand to someone younger and more defenseless than myself. I might've actually killed him."

That sounded like a story worth following up on, but they'd reached her door and Hiei shoved his hands into his pockets as he watched her fish for her keys in her purse.

"It feels weird, you not following me in." Iruni admitted, unlocking the deadbolt but leaving the door closed as she turned to him. "Did you want to come in for coffee or anything?"

"It's late. I shouldn't." Hiei hedged, because he wanted to enter that house more than anything at the moment. But he knew if he crossed that threshold he'd practically throw himself at Iruni and that wasn't the point.

Not tonight.

Maybe next time.

"So, then. This is where we kiss goodnight?" She tipped her face upwards and smiled at him.

Hiei bemoaned the fact she looked so expectant and adorable. Bowing his head, he pressed his lips to hers and it was a far cry softer than the kiss they'd shared at the restaurant. His hands came out of his pockets to hold her hips after a second and she wound her arms around his neck, reaching up to her tiptoes. Instead of pulling apart the kiss deepened and Iruni stepped back, her hand floundering behind her for the door handle. The door popped open and Hiei practically growled when she grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him inside.

"I thought we weren't doing this." Hiei managed to speak as he moved to kiss down her jaw and neck, kicking the door closed behind him.

"It's just a goodnight kiss." Iruni mumbled back, then moaned as he worked a sweet spot on the side of her throat.

"Just a goodnight kiss." Hiei agreed and Iruni wound her fingers in his hair, dragging him back up to her mouth as they both unceremoniously kicked off their shoes.

Iruni managed to spin them as she cast off her cardigan, leaving it tossed aside by the door, and then she ran her hands under Hiei's shirt, pushing forward until the backs of his legs hit the arm of the couch and they both went down. Her mouth kissed and sucked down his neck, hands roving over his firm chest and stomach as Hiei moaned. When he sat up to say something she grabbed the base of his shirt and pulled it up over his head.

"This is going to be a long kiss." Hiei pointed out, grabbing her by the waist and yanking her closer until she was straddling his hips.

"I figure as long as we keep kissing, it doesn't count. Right?" She replied breathlessly against his mouth and he offered her a guttural moan in response. "Should we stop?"

"Probably." Hiei admitted. "But I don't want to."

"Me either."

"Next time." Hiei told her as if they'd ever actually be able to stick to the promise. "Next time I'll leave without coming inside."

"Next time." She agreed, her tone betraying her insincerity. "I forgot how good you smelled. Like sandalwood and smoke."

Her hum of appreciation vibrated against the earlobe she'd captured with her teeth. Hiei took that moment to reach down and undo his pants. The denim had become far too restrictive and with Iruni grinding against him the way she was he wasn't sure he would last anyway.

He slid a hand down the back of her dress, searching for the zipper for a second before finding it and pulling it down. The garment slipped over her head easily, mingling with his shirt on the floor and leaving her with a pair of panties and nothing else.

"What happened to your bra?" Hiei asked, amused.

"I took it off in the bathroom at the restaurant." She smirked at him, looking thoroughly pleased with herself. "I almost didn't."

"Sexy." Hiei licked his lips. "Though, I didn't like the way those idiots were ogling you."

"Are you the jealous type?" She wondered with a teasing smile. "I've been warned about your temper."

"I've never felt the need to be jealous." Hiei narrowed his eyes, dragging her closer to him with a slight sneer. "But I didn't like it."

"Well, just remember," Iruni pressed her chest to his and trailed her nails down the back of his neck and over his shoulders lightly, "I didn't do it for them."

"Take off your panties so I can get inside you." Hiei demanded tugging on the waistband of the offending fabric.

She crawled off of him to stand beside the couch and do as he told her, stripping off the undergarment easily. For a second, Hiei just looked at her, admiring her curves and the softness she'd denounced earlier in the night. If she wanted to go to the gym that was her business, but he rather liked the way her body felt under his mouth and hands.

Biting her lip as she looked him over, his jeans cast to the wayside and his cinnabar eyes raising her body temperature with just a look. Swallowing Iruni wondered what she'd gotten herself into with this man. She wasn't sure of the answer but she knew whatever it was, it was worth it.

Letting out a squeak when Hiei grabbed her hand and pulled her on top of him, Iruni blushed, her palms pressed his to chest. He smirked and it was a dark expression of need that lit a fire in her she couldn't have put out even if she wanted to. When he guided her hips she offered the barest shake of her head before intertwining their fingers and pushing his hands to the couch. Hiei's eyes widened at the display as she lowered herself onto him, eyes glued to his. His head fell back but he didn't look away.

And when Iruni let out a long, fulfilled moan as she took him in, back arched and head thrown back, Hiei had to utilize more resolve than he thought he could muster not to fight to get his hands back.

"God I missed you." Iruni told him hands sliding from his and up his arms and over his chest. "I missed this. I don't know if I've ever felt this way during sex before."

"Kiss me." Hiei urged her.

She met his demand without hesitation and when she pulled back, her teeth caught on his bottom lip and Hiei moved his hands up to her hips, his breath ragged. Iruni panted too, her teeth worrying her own bottom lip as she pulled back. With no lack of intention, she guided one of Hiei's hands to the apex of her sex.

"Touch me, Hiei." She moaned and he slid his thumb into his mouth before moving the digit to her clit and rubbing in small circles.

"I'm getting close." He warned her, a little annoyed he wasn't going to be able to draw this experience out. "You're ruining me woman."

"Good." She winked at him and Hiei again had to fight not to take things over. He applied more pressure and increased the speed of his teasing her clit, making her hips buck and she called out his name, mouth falling open. "That's dirty, Hiei."

"What are you going to do about it?" He smirked at her and she slid her hands up into his hair, riding him with a quickened pace that made him moan.

Her mouth trailed up his throat, over his jaw and found his mouth with a passionate, slow kiss. When she pulled back, just barely, she nipped at his bottom lip. "I'm going to make you cum for me."

Hiei's eyes widened for a second, pupils entirely blown, and then his breath caught as she rolled her hips in that way. Goddammit.

"Relentless." He accused.

"Entirely." She agreed, her speed increasing as she pulled back again, hands lifting to play through her hair.

Hiei's couldn't help but stare at the image of her, breasts bouncing, back arched, hands woven through her own hair as she rode him at a maddening pace.

Mukuro could go fuck herself, there was no way he was going to miss moments like this. Not with this woman. Leave? Leave? Never.

"Fuck." Hiei grabbed her by the hips, and in a fluid movement flipped them over. In an effort that barely occurred as fast as it needed to he withdrew from her and came over her stomach. Iruni's teeth bit against his chest at the same time, her own strangled moan drowned out by the act.

"I forgot you weren't wearing a condom." Iruni sounded almost ashamed of the fact as she breathless uttered the admission.

"A close call but it's fine." He told her, rolling to the side to draw her close and nuzzle against her. "Not a risk we should take often."

"Yeah, I'm not really interested in testing my birth control." She told him and Hiei opened his eyes, propping himself up on his elbow to peer over at her face.

"You're on birth control?" He asked her, scanning over her expression.

"Of course I am." She blinked up at him. "Condoms are only effective like, ninety-four percent of the time or something like that. I've been on birth control for years."

"Good to know." Hiei laid back down and closed his eyes.

"I should shower." She told him, laughing. "Hiei, get up."

"No. A few more minutes." He told her, pinning her to his chest with a grin of his own hidden in her hair. "Once we get up the spell breaks and I have to go."

"You could stay." She told him, giving up and closing her eyes too. "We could even have breakfast together for once."

He hummed his contemplation. A tempting offer. But…

"I can't tonight. Can I come over tomorrow?" He tightened his arms around her. "Tomorrow I can stay."

"All night? No disappearing at two a.m.?" Iruni's tone had dipped into something closer to hurt.

"All night." Hiei promised. "I can stay until you tell me to leave. But tomorrow."

"Alright. Tomorrow." She agreed, craning her head around to plant a kiss on his mouth. "We should go out again, Hiei. I enjoyed talking to you."

"You might be the first person." Hiei joked back, reaching up to brush hair from her face. Then with less humor. "We'll do it again, Iruni. Just…let me do what I can to keep you safe."

She looked like she wanted to argue but she didn't. "Alright, Hiei."

He pressed his lips to her forehead. "Just a few more minutes like this."