I am dying for some rolos now. I've polished off like 52 ounces of gummy worms in three days and need a change. Lol. Also, I got accepted and admitted into the Old Dominion Psychology program, so I'm rather stoked about that. I'm thinking of joining their anime club. Applied for a new job as well.
I actually like this chapter better than I have the last few lol. The second half of last chapter has been my favorite so far, until this one, though. So I think I'm improving. Hurrah! Also, read a good story today, The Lord of Roses and The Shackled Dragon by Nekoluver. I've never read a slave fic before, and I actually liked it. It's a bit OOC and AU, but still interesting and rather well written.
I learned two things this chapter: 1) I write faster, and better, in a notebook than on a computer. 2) I love Disney movies. Between the scene when the girls drag Ichi off and when she returns I sort of imagine the part of Mulan when they doll her up to go meet the matchmaker. Everyone forcing her to bath and put on perfume and get all prettied up. It's hilarious in my head.
"Where is everyone?" Kurama walked up to Hiei who was staring at the horizon from the window in Yusuke's room.
"Signing papers."
"Oh, so they are renewing the treaty then?"
"Hn."
"Did you talk to Ichi?" the red head asked as he walked up, stopping to stare out over the landscape as well. Hiei didn't look up at him, just continued to stare.
"No, she was asleep. When she woke up she immediately went to find Yusuke." He explained gruffly.
"You seem like you were thinking about something," green eyes looked down at the dark haired youkai, who didn't acknowledge that he'd spoken. He looked at their reflection and saw something in Hiei's right hand that made him look down again. "What's that?"
The fire demon blinked, and then seemed to come crashing back into the reality he shared with everyone else. Bringing the paper up he looked at the picture again. Kurama just watched him, not speaking.
"She was clutching this when I came in." The simply statement didn't say much, but Kurama figured that his friend had a reason for keeping the picture. "Until last night I hadn't realized that I'd never actually seen a picture of him before, for too long."
"Did you see anything interesting about him?" the question seemed to make the smaller man think.
"The longer I looked at it the more I found myself questioning what he'd be like now." The confession was a bit soft around the edges. Ruby eyes looked up to emerald. "I don't understand why I'm suddenly so interested in a dead demon."
"Because he's still her world," the fox demon smiled sadly. "And you want to know that part of her."
"I suppose." He shrugged and then slid the photo into his pocket. Kurama didn't question the action out loud, just turned back to the horizon. Silence blossomed around the two demons and neither needed to break it.
It wasn't long and Yusuke, Amon-Shinpi and Hokushin were walking down the hall, passing them by. Ichi was the one who stopped and looked into the room, smiling warmly, and beckoning them to follow. Both demons complied and she left them to catch up as she rejoined the other two men. Yusuke ruffled her hair and laughed as she growled her annoyance.
"What are your next plans?" they arrived just as Hokushin posed the question to Amon-Shinpi who had given him her full attention. She grinned, lips pulling more to one side than the other, and looked at him.
"I haven't the faintest," she admitted. "But something is going to happen, it always does. I'm sort of just… flowing."
"So there is no definite date of when you'll return?" he pressed, causing her to shake her head.
"I have obligations that are widespread now. Until I pay my debts, I won't be coming back permanently." She explained.
"You shouldn't take too long, you may end up not wanting to be back at all." He watched her throw that idea away before it sunk in.
"I will always feel the need to be there," she stretched her arms above her head. "Sort of how trouble finds me, I will always find my way back home."
"I'm just saying, I feel rushed." Yusuke complained as they set out from the castle. Ichi was talking to Hokushin as they left the doors.
"If you want more time, Yusuke, we could always run there." She turned to him and poked him in the chest. "I know that I can make it in no time, I'm not sure if you can keep up."
"Is that a challenge, runt?" he growled.
"Hn." She walked until she was even with Kurama and then tossed a look over her shoulder. "If you think it's going to be a challenge, we should just walk."
He grew red in the face and she chuckled. "Thank you for the hospitality, Hokushin."
He just nodded as the hanyou dove for the small girl, who danced away from him. With a laugh she took off running leaving all three of them in a cloud of dirt. Hiei raised an eyebrow towards the line of dirt rising in the air from the direction she'd taken off in. Kurama coughed into his hand and Yusuke bolted between them like a madman.
"Children." Hiei closed his eyes.
"Thank you for allowing us to stay," Kurama nodded to Hokushin then started off with Hiei, both walking. "Do you think we should catch up to them?"
"He won't be able to catch her." Hiei opened his eyes with a smirk up at the red head.
"Could you?" the question posed an interesting idea. The fire demon's expression turned devious.
"We'll catch up with them. You find Yusuke, I'll get the girl." He took off running as Kurama did. It wasn't long before a black blur passed Yusuke who cussed loudly as Kurama came up beside him. The kitsune laughed at him.
Amon-Shinpi felt him coming a few minutes before he caught up, and she smirked, slowing a bit until Hiei was beside her. They exchanged a look.
"We should stick together," he chastised her. "You especially should avoid looking for trouble."
"You found me, I wasn't looking for you."
"Shinpi."
"Hiei."
He lunged at her and she flipped out of the way, landing in a crouch. As he approached again she bolted in the opposite direction, running full bore back to Yusuke and Kurama. They stopped and blinked at the wind that blew passed them. Realizing she passed them, she skidded to a stop. A growl was the only warning she got as Hiei's body slammed into hers, sending them both rolling to a stop.
With a loud oomph the breath rushed out of both their lungs. Hiei blinked when he realized why his chest hurt. She was sitting on top of him, using her legs to pin his forearms down. About the time he looked up at her in realization, she seemed to understand she had the upper hand.
"That was a midget tornado," Yusuke laughed, walking back to them. "Geesh, can't you two save it for the bedroom."
"I assure you, we won't." Hiei growled, and Kurama had to chuckle then too. She pocked her fire demon in the chest.
"Hiei, we don't need to discuss everything," she warned darkly.
"Hn. I'm sure they realize that I'm not the submissive type, Shinpi."
"If you don't shut up I'm going to have to hurt you."
"The Detective has had se-" she shoved her hand over his mouth and glared at him. She felt his lips lift in a smirk under her.
"Enough." She spoke curtly.
"I always figured it'd be a fight between you two," Yusuke put a hand on his hip as he spoke. "I mean, in the bedroom. You're both so much alike sometimes."
"Keiko would love to know you think about what happens in my bedroom, Yusuke." The threat was as menacing as the look she cast him. "I don't like this conversation."
"Ah, come on. I thought you were one of the boys," the hanyou punched her shoulder lightly, missing the large vein that had started to show on her forehead. Her hand was still over Hiei's mouth, not that he'd have shouted a warning anyways. The second Yusuke opened his mouth to continue talking she launched off of Hiei and on to him. Kurama shouted, trying to intervene as she took the taller half demon to the ground. Two hits to the head later and they were all on their feet, Yusuke nursing two large bumps.
"So, I take it your sex life is off limits?" the dark eyed demon snapped and she stepped towards him, making him jump back. With a satisfied grunt she looked away.
"At least I have one." She smirked, making him go red in the face.
"She can't help but bait someone into a fight, can she?" Kurama asked and Hiei just looked at him as he stood up. "I didn't think so."
It took a while for Yusuke to simmer back down to a manageable level as the group walked across the desert in the general direction of the Takani territory. Kurama had asked how she knew where she was going, and her response had been to tap the vein in the crook of her elbow. That action had taken some time to explain to Yusuke who hadn't gotten the reference that her blood knew the way back.
"Can't you smell it in the air?" the girl stopped walking to take a deep breath of the hot, dry air, and Yusuke stared at her blankly. Clouds were starting to gather on the horizon though, he could see that much.
"All I can smell is you three." He stated.
"Open yourself up a bit," she stepped forward a half step and smiled, closing her eyes. "And you'll be able to smell the scent of life."
They'd been running and walking back for a few days. Hiei looked at her, "We're almost there."
"We'll get to watch the sunset after our showers," she took off running without another word and the rest followed. It wasn't long and they were all jumping across the hot springs and running through the thicket of the forests. Once they started to hear voice they slowed as a group, and when they broke through the trees, they had all come to a walk, and it was raining.
There were small cottages speckled around them, and the occupants all turned to watch as they walked passed. Some kids ran to their parents, probably due to the intense stares Hiei was giving everyone within ten feet of them. Kurama's eyes had widened as he surveyed the fast progress of the restoration. Yusuke let a long whistle out. Each one ignored the downfall of water drenching them.
When they made it to the center of the village they saw that a few markets were open, selling foods and fabrics out of buildings. There was even a blacksmith's shop. She smiled at that and looked around at the group that had gathered around them. Voices whispered to one another and she let them for a few minutes, too busy studying her land to be bothered. The wind felt warmer against her skin, even with the water making her clothes cling to her.
"Milord," she turned at the sound of Hayato's voice and he offered a shallow bow, water making his shaggy brown hair fall into his eyes. "I see you've finally made it."
"Finally." She nodded, a small smile in place as the rain lessened to a drizzle and then stopped. People were staring more intently now, and she just offered the same smile to them all.
"So, you're the mysterious Lord Amon-Shinpi?" Hayato and the group all looked across the village center at the lavender eyed Miki. She was staring only at the leader of the lands. "You don't look like much."
"How da-" Ichi's raised hand cut off Hai's ensuing rant on etiquette.
"Yes, yes I am." She instead turned to the girl and stepped away from the group. "I am Lord Amon-Shinpi Takani, ruler and protector of these lands. And you are?"
"Unimpressed by your act," the bitter sting to the words had blue eyes widening slightly. "You let him kill us and ran off like it wasn't your responsibility to pick up the pieces."
Before she could retaliate Miki lunged at her, the knife that had been in her waistband in her hand. She swiped at Ichi's face and chest, and advanced in quick motions. The shorter woman just let her come, and ducked repeatedly out of the way. With clear eyes and a mask of total indifference Amon-Shinpi kicked Miki's wrist, sending the knife flying through the air until it pierced the ground at Kurama's feet. A second kick slammed behind the woman's neck and forced her to the ground. Looking no less disturbed than if a bug had flown too close to her.
Miki breathed raggedly from the ground, anger clear on her features. Her lavender eyes seethed emotions and Ichi just looked down at her.
"I failed you," the admission lightened the hatred and the group that had gathered all quieted to listen. "I know this. I've spent the past seventy odd years fighting with myself, and Hiro, and two other worlds, to fix that. I cannot replace what was destroyed, what was taken. I can't give you your families back. But I am back now, and I am not going to allow that to happen again.
"This is your home, as well as mine, again. For some of you, this is the first time you've lived within these borders. I offer you a sanctuary that is protected by treaties and by blood. We are living in a renewed, reborn, place. Some of you may not feel that, that qualifies me to resume rule. The truth is, it does. This land was built on the blood of my ancestors, and my presence is what keeps it breathing. And your presence, as well."
Miki picked herself up from the dirt, onto her knees, and glared at the small demon lord angrily. Yusuke and Hayato both moved to step forward and were stopped by the other two.
"Your anger is noted," Amon-Shinpi looked directly at Miki, "And I'll try to appease it how I can, but aside from time, I have no way to show you that what I say is true. You'll just have to trust me."
"And if we don't?"
"Then you either leave, or live surrounded by your own anger." She motioned for Hayato to approach, whispered something to him that made his face scrunch up, like he wanted to argue. She waited and he said something to her quietly, and they both looked at the girl, who sat on her knees, waiting for the worst. Hiei, Yusuke and Kurama all waited to see what was happening next. Ichi's blue eyes seemed clear of strong emotion.
"As you wish," Hayato bowed his head again and walked up to the castle. Ichi looked solidly at the girl before her and kneeled in front of her. No expression twisted her features. She slipped her fingertips under the woman's chin and looked her in the eye for a few seconds before smirking.
"Be at the castle first thing in the morning. I hate tardiness, its unbecoming of someone in my cabinet." The demon lord got to her feet and started walking back to the castle, leaving a stunned group behind her. "Hayato will explain the duties of third to you when you arrive tomorrow. I'm having a room prepared for you now, unless you want to stay in the village. We'll discuss it when you get briefed."
"What if I don't want a place in your pocket?" Miki got to her feet and shouted. The group of boys started walking up to the castle, catching up to the stilled Amon-Shinpi as the red head looked over her shoulder.
"Then you don't come, that's easy." She stated simply, before continuing to walk, leaving confused villagers in her wake.
"You won't be able to change her mind." Hai looked at Hiei who was staring at the girl, part of him refusing to believe that she'd actually offer asylum to someone who had just blatantly tried to kill her. "Once her mind is made up, its done. Trust me. I've spent half my life trying to change her mind about this, that, or the other."
Ichi turned to look at both of them, "He's right, Hiei. I've made up my mind. I want her as my third."
"I thought you wanted Kurama," came the deep response.
"Kurama won't be willing to join me for a while yet," she slipped out off the cover over her clothes, taking the tekkos off her arms and continuing to generally disrobe until she was left in the shirt and pants. Yusuke watched Hiei watch Hayato's reaction to the girl taking off her clothes. His eyes were glued to her face though. "Miki is strong minded, and passionate. She didn't attack me just because she felt like she needed to, she wanted something back after losing part of her life."
"So you're willing to risk your life on trusting someone who wants to kill you for everyone's good?" the argument didn't seem as valid to the wolf demon.
"You need to look deeper, Hiei. See beyond the surface, isn't that what you got that thing for?" she pointed at his jagan with a smile. There was something secretive about that particular grin, and he hadn't seen it before, which intrigued him. She already seemed more energetic and like herself, but something shone brighter around her than it had before.
"I've already had the water drawn for you," Hayato spoke suddenly breaking the staring contest between the short youkais. She slipped her eyes from her second to Hiei and nodded.
"Get everything together for her, would you Hayato? If you're too busy can you have one of the girls do it? I'll be making a show of this." She turned and started heading up the stairs with a backwards look at the group. "Your rooms are all prepared. I'm getting a bath, settle in guys. Relax."
"Did anyone else notice she was acting strange?" Yusuke scratched the back of his head, staring after the girl. Kurama chuckled.
"I believe she's being playful, Yusuke, in a way we haven't seen before. She's excited to be back, and relaxed here." The kitsune explained.
"She's in charge, that always relaxes her." Hayato rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath that made Hiei look up at him. "There's extra clothes for all of you in your rooms. Not much, but something to change into, if you want to get your current ones cleaned. And don't bother her about this Miki business, she knows what she's doing."
"Didn't she know what she was doing when she invited Hiro into her home?" the fire demon's scathing comment made the blacksmith glare.
"You know her very well, as a person, Hiei." The words were carefully toned, much to everyone's curiosity. Hayato's anger was showing through. "But I know her as a leader, something you have no experience in. I've served under her and her father since before his father died before him. This family is my family and I won't be questioned about their well being."
"Her," the correction was made with a bit of a snarl. "Don't you mean, you won't be questioned about her well being? There is no else left."
"Vagabond." Was the only response as the second in command turned on heel and stalked out of the room, towards the open front door. Kurama's eyebrows were raised slightly.
"You seem to have struck a chord." He looked at Hiei who headed for the stairs. "You're going to go talk to her about it, aren't you?"
"Hn."
"Of course he is," Yusuke clapped a hand on Kurama's shoulder, "And I think we should be very busy settling in before that happens. I don't want to be in the crossfire if they get into it again."
Hiei found the bathing room easily, and when he arrived, the door was open. He leaned against the frame and let his eyes trace the lines of her back as she lifted the baggy shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor. Her sash was already in the pile and she wiggled her hips as her thumbs hooked under the waist of her pants pulling them down until a throaty sound had her turning around.
"I was coming in here to yell at you," he made his eyes focus on her face, which was difficult when she was half naked in front of him, her pants revealing the black of her panties as the ran over her lower stomach and upper left thigh. "I can't remember why."
She just smiled at him with a look that was both humored and enticing. He stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
"I didn't invite you in," she crossed her arms over her chest, feigning an indignant attitude. He studied her again, and noticed she wasn't looking at him. Her eyes were on the window on the far wall, something about her features told him she wasn't completely there. Her smile had slipped into the mask she wore when she wasn't even thinking.
"I was going to convince you to not be such an idiot." He stated and her eyes came back to him, the light still shining, though a bit dimmer.
"Not going to happen," she smiled calmly. "I've made up my mind."
"I thought you said one of the reasons Hiro was scared of me was that you'd listen," he pressed.
"She just needs some polishing and she'll be a perfect guard," the girl rolled her eyes and slipped her pants off, her underwear following before she climbed into the hot water. The effect was immediate, as he watched her shoulders relax. "She has the passion I need, the urge to fix and protect her home. She has a sense of right and wrong."
"She tried to kill you."
"And failed miserably."
"Are you going to start giving pointers, now?"
"It'll keep me busy."
He sighed, already frustrated with her. She just watched him get angry and smiled to herself. He looked up when he felt water hit his face, eyes blinking at her. She flicked more droplets at him from her fingers and rolled his eyes.
"Stop worrying so much, believe it or not, Hiei, I have run a kingdom before." She teased him.
"You died." He stated harshly.
"No I didn't." she tilted her head. But her hand grazed the scar above her heart. "If it makes you feel better you can check her out."
"Hn." He glared away from her, and she sighed, turning her back on him in the large tub in the floor. She lifted one of her legs and scrubbed at a dirt spot. He watched the movement without meaning to. "You're doing that on purpose."
"Doing what?" she didn't look at him, instead looking around the edge for shampoo and soap. "Can you hand me some those bottles?"
He almost made a remark about rather watching her get them herself, but instead just complied. He handed her a few bottles and she looked through them, setting the ones she didn't feel like using away from her. He watched her and she ignored him, which only made him annoyed and continue to watch her.
"How does this smell?" she wrinkled her nose and held a bottle of light pink thick liquid up to him, and he sniffed it.
"Floral," he stated simply.
"Yeah," she set it to the side and grabbed the next one. He watched this process a few times, nothing seeming to capture her interest.
"What's going on in the mind of yours?" he asked finally and she looked at him.
"I'm just trying to smell nice." She stated defensively.
"You already smell nice." He stared at her harder, trying to see what game she was playing. It made her stare back blankly, which infuriated him. "What?"
"What do you mean, what?" she growled at him. "You're the one staring at me."
"You're acting strange."
"No, you are. I'm just taking a bath."
He rolled his eyes, sitting down and looking at the bottles. She watched as he studied them closely and then handed her one. "There. It smells clean, like rain."
She took it without comment and started to pour it into her palm. He grabbed her wrist and she looked up at him, partially annoyed. "What now, Hiei?"
"I didn't say that was for you," he told her coolly and she raised her eyebrows. Letting go of her wrist he stood and stripped his shirt over his head, and untied his sword, making quick work of his clothes and joining her in the bath.
"Gods, was that, that hard?" she grumbled, rolling her eyes and he smirked at her, leaning against the other edge of the tub.
"You wanted me to take a bath with you?" he asked incredulously.
"Obviously," she offered him the shampoo he'd chosen and he took it. When she turned back to get a new shampoo for herself she felt a hit of water against her cheek. Hiei just smirked at her, appearing to be unmoved. "That wasn't very nice."
"Hn." He just stared at her.
"You need to wet your hair before you put that in," she pointed to the bottle and dunked herself underwater. When she resurfaced, hair clinging to her cheeks and shoulders, she saw that he was under. With a grin she noticed that his bandana was on the side of the tub. He came back up and looked around suspiciously, like she had done something.
"Hn." He tied the bandana back around his head and then started to put in the shampoo. She watched him, which went unnoticed until he'd washed his hair. The water came up to their collar bones, but it was still clear. And she enjoyed the view. When he finally caught her staring she looked away quickly, messing with the soaps.
"Onna," he breathed against her ear, his chest pressed against her back, his hands on either side of her arms against her edge of the tub. "If you're going to stare, at least be bold enough to say you like what you see."
Hiei and Kurama were downstairs when they heard voices the next morning. The sun had barely begun to peak from the horizon, showing the village and the trees with a cascade of golden light as the blue sky lifted from the darkness stationed before it. Ichi was standing in the main hall, staring at Miki who was staring ahead with her shoulders squared. Hiei actually stopped walking in his surprise.
"She was right," he muttered, catching the fox's attention.
"Who was?" he asked.
"Ichi, about the girl. She's not a total psychopath." He looked up at his companion. "She doesn't want to kill Shinpi anymore."
Amon-Shinpi either couldn't hear them or was ignoring the two men as she studied the female demon in front of her. She was dressed in simple white pants and a tucked in white shirt, which was partially unbutton, revealing bandaging on her chest. The red sash was around her waist, pinning her sword to her side.
"I see you decided maybe I wasn't so horrible to work for," the comment was a bit scathing, but the face with light with a half grin. Hayato was standing to the side, taking notes. He hid his smirk.
"No, ma'am." The stiff response had the red head's hand waving in the air.
"I prefer sir, actually, but you don't have to be so stiff. Hayato here only refers to me as milord because he's been in the family for so long it seems appropriate. None of my other friends do."
"They should," the quick response from her second made her look at him sharply. He ducked back to writing notes.
"So, Miki, what's your specialty?" the wolf demon walked around the other girl like she was performing an inspection. Her fingers trailed across the girls back in what looked like a seductive gesture, but she was feeling for muscle. The lavender eyed demoness looked suddenly very uncomfortable.
"I'm just a demon," she swallowed.
"Nonsense, everyone has a specialty." She shook her head. "You're a bit soft for an enforcer. Do you mind sparring with Hayato?"
"Uh, no."
"Good." She took the weapon straight from the girl's waist band and played with the knife, testing its balance. Her black triangle ears twitched with excitement as she looked at the edge of the blade, trying to see the sharpness. Hiei and Kurama focused on her ears, slowly realizing she'd reverted to her simplest form. "You'll need new knives, if that's your preference."
She handed it back to Miki who just took it and stared at her oddly. "It's just all I've ever used."
"We have weapons you can toy with, if you want to. And Hayato is the best blacksmith and forger on this side of Makai. He can make anything that helps you conduct your job, even some toys for your free time." She grinned. "Family?"
"I'm an only child and my parents were killed with Hiro attacked." She let those words fall bitterly on the other's wolf ears. Ichi nodded.
"You can stay in the village, if you want, but you have a room here that will always be a available. It's already been made up." She plucked at the girl's clothes with a smile. "I'd offer to set you up with a seamstress, but you seem to enjoy your clothes, so I won't bother."
"I could use some new ones," the quick response made the other girl chuckle.
"I'll set that up," she looked at Hai who scribbled down that note. "Anything else?"
"No, my lord." He shook his head.
"Excellent." She beamed. "You'll do just fine. I've never had a woman work for me before, but I'm sure you'll excel."
"Uh, Lord Takani," Miki blushed a bit, much to the other's amusement. "What exactly is my job?"
"Oh! You're my third, called my Guard. You memorize, teach, and enforce the laws." She shrugged and handed a small booklet to the woman. "That's what you have to learn. The actions necessary for when the laws are broken are all there. It's your duty to ensure that all the villagers are aware of those laws as well. Many of them already know, but you know, some kids are new."
"So if I'm the Guard, and Hayato is practically doing everything else, what do you do? Besides stand there and look pretty?" the other woman cocked a hip and Kurama smiled a bit.
"Ichi has found herself a challenge." He stated.
"She does love challenges." Hiei nodded.
"You just enforce the laws, I create them. I've held your position before. Hayato is helping rebuild because I'm not even supposed to be here now. Aside from that I am the first line of protection between you and the rest of Makai. My job is to keep everyone happy, at all times, so we don't get our asses kicked in a senseless war." She explained with a shrug. "It sounds easier than it is. Especially with my mouth."
"I can see that." The other nodded. They shared a look and then both smiled, and Ichi extended her hand, and the other woman shook it.
"When you get into better shape, and get some experience on the job, you'll be the perfect Guard." Ichi's compliment made the girl blush a bit. "I like that spunky passion. Reminds me of a girl I once knew."
"Th-thank you." She bowed her head a bit.
"Go memorize the book, I'll be introducing you tonight. And I do hate being made a fool of, so do not let me down, Miki." The warning was hardly concealed and the other demoness just stared and then clutched the booklet a bit more firmly. "I'll meet you at the seamstress later in the afternoon."
When she left, Ichi turned to Hayato who handed her the notes he'd been taking. She looked over them before sitting in a chair sideways, one leg on the ground, and one cast over the arm.
"She is a rather quality choice." She admitted to herself, with a small smile. "A diamond in the rough."
"You're welcome." He gloated a bit with a grin and she just lifted the notebook up to him.
"Don't be a pain in the ass about it." She sighed. "I would've chosen her without your guidance."
"You helped her?" Hiei asked, coming forward and sitting at the table next to the wolf demon.
"I mentioned the name." He shrugged, but his eyes were shining too brightly to feign innocence. Ichi just chuckled again and closed her eyes. "What weapons should I pull for her?"
"None." The response made him still, looking uncertain as she opened those blue eyes, looking over the back of the chair at him. "I'll do it. You've been overworked. Take a break, Hai. I'm here now, I can run my own area for a while."
"Are you sure?" he asked cautiously and she looked at him pointedly. He just sighed and looked around. "I don't know what to do with myself."
"As long as it's not work, I don't care." She teased and he nodded, turning and heading out the front doors. "He's heading to his workshop. He wouldn't know relaxation if it bit him in the ass."
Hiei pointedly stared at the girl, as did Kurama, which she didn't seem to notice.
"What do you have to do today?" Kurama asked looking around the empty table.
"I'm going to help raise a few more buildings," she looked over at him, still lounging in the chair. "Visit the seamstress and over all connect with the villagers. I don't want to repeat my mistakes. I want them to know my face now, I want them to know I'd die to save this place."
"After all of that?"he pressed, and she smiled again.
"We're celebrating the resurrection of the Takani territory and the rebirth of its last true ruler," she looked over at Hiei who was looking dour at the idea. "A good old fashioned celebration, with music and dancing and food and sake."
"Sake?" Hiei asked skeptically, making her nod.
"I'll behave myself," she promised and Kurama chuckled, shaking his head.
"It's like she's a different person," Yusuke as him and the others worked on a wall to a home for a family of six demons. "Ever since we've been here she's been all peppy and stuff. It's weird."
"She's being rejuvenated, Yusuke." Kurama explained. "Being here must be healthy for her. I can understand that, I feel more relaxed here as well."
"Yeah, I'm just saying, it was like a switch flipped." He pointed out. "As soon as we got my land she started acting different. And now it's been a complete one-eighty."
"Maybe she just needed time away?" the fox guessed, and stepped back, wiping sweat from his forehead. He'd taken his shirt off so that he was left in a plain white tank top. Yusuke was shirtless and Hiei just dealt with the heat and kept his clothes on.
"What do you think, pip squeak?" Yusuke posed the question and Hiei just looked at him, then went back to hammering.
"I think what Hiei means is, 'Ichi hates the cold, and maybe the simple warmth is improving her move, along with the fact that she's been sleeping more'." Yusuke laughed nervously at Ichi looked at him. Two small kids hung on her back, their thin arms wrapped around her waist. She was in just an undershirt and her bandages above the waist.
"When is our house going to be done, Lord Ichi?" one of the children, a small girl, asked. Hiei looked up curiously to watch the scene unfold. Aside from Kurama's brother he'd never seen her interact with small children.
"By tonight, just in time for our celebration," she grinned behind her at the girl.
"Can we go running again?" the boy on her other side asked and she stood pretending to think about it. He peaked around her shoulder to see three of the men working on their home. His eyes met Hiei's, whose stayed blank.
"Hmm. I don't know. Do you think you can hold on?" she asked and they both squealed yeses. Hiei watched her adjust them and she looked happy. He felt himself consider that. She looked at the fire demon strangely when she noticed the look on his face. "Don't worry, Hiei, I'll be back to help."
"Hn." He shrugged and went back to work without another word. She looked down at Kurama and Yusuke who shrugged. With another strange look she put one hand on each the kids' wrists and took off like a gust of wind.
"Hey," Yusuke used his foot to stretch out and nudge the now aggravated fire demon. "What was that about?"
"What?" he snapped back.
"That look you just gave Ichi." He narrowed his eyes. "And then the cold shoulder."
Hiei just rolled his eyes and set back to work, earning him a harsh glare. He grew more and more tense until he lifted his head again and glared back at the Spirit Detective. "What?"
"I'm still waiting."
"Please, feel free to hold your breath."
"Don't be a jerk. I'm just wondering if you guys are still fighting," he shrugged. Hiei finally gave in.
"I was just noticing how happy she looked with the children around." He spoke curtly, and immediately began to finish the section he'd been working on. Yusuke raised his eyebrows and looked over at Kurama who looked back casually.
"Were you noticing this because you liked it, or because it bothered you?" the kitsune asked cautiously, feeling this was probably a topic best treaded around gently.
"I just hadn't noticed before." That put an end to the conversation and they continued to work in the humid heat of the oasis. Every now and then either Kurama or Yusuke would look up and notice that Hiei was glancing around, and normally it would be directed at Ichi while she played with children or helped with the housing.
The sun was beginning to set over the set, lining the scattered clouds with red and gold, and burning the edges of the horizon black. A few bright specks could already be seen on the furthest edges of the oncoming night. The town had begun to gather in the center after the buildings they'd been working on all day had been raised. A fire was built, and lanterns strung up around them. Food was being prepared and drink made, and the kids were starting to get excited and change their clothes into festival apparel.
"I have to admit," Miki sauntered up to Ichi as she stood with her boys, all of them sweaty and dirty from their work. "You aren't the leader I remembered."
"Yes I am," the satisfied smile shone in her blue eyes. "You just let him taint your memory. I always came to help in the village. I played with the children, and brought Kin Jiro to play with them. I came to the festivals."
"When you were there," she countered. Ichi just shrugged. Two small girls ran up to the demon lord and grabbed her pants, tugging from both sides.
"Come on Lord Ichi!" they pulled. "We have a surprise for you!"
"That's really not necessary," she laughed, unmoved by their efforts to get her to walk.
"But our sister's spent all day on it!" they exclaimed. She bent down and placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Alright, let me bathe first and I'll come and see," she promised and Miki tossed the boys a knowing look before she shook her head.
"I don't think you need to bathe." She walked towards the group of houses, leaving the demon lord behind with a curious look.
"Alright, you've gotten my attention," she cast a look to the boys that pleaded for help as she was dragged off. "I'll see you guys soon, I guess."
Kurama was talking to Hayato, who was dressed in a colorful set of fighting clothes. His brown hair was pulled back away from his face. His shirt and pants were a light green, and his tunic a dark blue with white embroidery creating the design of a falcon down his left side.
Hiei watched them for a minute before heading upstairs. He'd stayed in Shinpi's room, and his new spare clothes were in there as well. He hadn't looked them really. Now, as he walked to the table, he did. The deep golden light from the dying sun tinted the clothes, and he studied them.
The last time he'd been in anything resembling formal attire had been on the trip to the dark tournament.
These clothes were the same principle, looking like Hayato's and what Kurama normally wore to a predetermined battle. The pants and shirt were crisp and white, a color the girl had an affinity for. The tunic was black with a red border, and the embroidery was white.
A dragon wrapped around the front and back in the white, the eyes a fierce violet. A red obi was with the outfit, neatly folded and set on the table. A sign she'd placed them herself, he noted, because she made sure everything was in the perfect order.
He considered not bothering to change at all. His liked his clothes. The new ones were a stiffer fabric that he doubted would be comfortable. It would all be too heavy, too thick, too suffocating and too restrictive for him.
His crimson eyes moved over to a different set of clothes. Two piles of them. One white with a dark blue tunic without a pattern, most likely for Shinpi herself. They were her colors. The other pile had clothes much like what he already wore. A note sat on top of the last pile, in his okami's typical scrawl.
"I figured you'd despise the formal clothing so I had these made for you."
He smirked and set the paper down. She knew him, he had to admit that. He chose what he was going to wear and waited for the girl to come get her clothes.
Yusuke walked into the bedroom. Hiei was laying on the bed with his eyes closed, but the half demon didn't buy the act.
"Come on," he pointed over his shoulder with his thumb. "The party awaits."
One red eye peaked open. The sun had gone from the sky, only the stars and the moon shining.
"You look ridiculous." The dry, deep voice stated. Yusuke snorted as if to say 'Yeah, have you seen a mirror?'.
"You're one to talk," he replied with an eye roll. "Hayato said to come on. Him and Kurama split already. I guess that girl Ichi was checking out earlier said they were already in the village square."
Hiei looked over at the table. Her clothes were still neatly folded in their place. Yusuke followed the line of his friend's red eyes. He shrugged. "Yeah, I had noticed she hadn't come back."
Hiei got to his feet and walked with the hanyou. In the light of the castle it was easier to see his clothes. They were the same style as Kurama's, which was new for the half human. His pants and shirt were the same green of his old school uniform. He looked uncomfortable in the clothes, his tunic was light blue with yellow trim, his obi also yellow. Hiei recognized the colors as well and smirked, knowing that Shinpi had done the scheme intentionally.
"Man, why'd she have to get us such stupid clothes?" Yusuke complained, fussing with his obi.
"You could have worn your old ones," Kurama chuckled as they joined him and Hayato. The village center was lit with colorful paper lanterns, their soft golden orange glow drowning the intensity of the night sky above them. It muted the sky but warmed the gathering they were now a part of, making it seem close and friendly.
"Everyone else dressed up," a light blush crossed his cheeks and Hiei sighed. Maybe he should've have gone for the unexpected look.
"It's not like you to care," Kurama teased.
They continued to banter and talk about the food or decoration. Hiei half-listened. He was looking around at all the demons of the new village, and they all looked happy and complacent. It was too warm for all their clothes, at least to him, but most had on colorful kimonos. Or if not that, then something more than their usual day clothes. Some of the women even wore dresses, the men in pants and shirts.
"Looking for someone?" the soft voice tickled his left ear and he spun to see empty air. His right ear was breathed on, "You look dashing."
This time he caught her as he turned, and she laughed. Yusuke and Hayato had left to find food, leaving Kurama to study the two small youkais.
"Dashing?" Hiei questioned and Ichi tilted her head, her eyes shining brightly as she took him in. He wore the white pants and shirt and the tunic with the dragon. It all fit together perfectly. His bandages and headband looked like a part of the ensemble to her. It also brought out the intensity of his eyes. He'd decided to surprise her by wearing the special clothing she'd had made, instead of what she'd expected.
The curls piled on the top back of her head moved in their pinned places as she moved her head. She had on makeup, something rarer than a phoenix sighting. Her cheeks were dusted with light bulsh, her eyes lined with black and dusted with pink eye shadow. Her lips were red, something no male in the village failed to notice.
"Yes, dashing. You know. Handsome." She gestured down him with her hand. "I thought you'd take the simpler outfit for sure."
"I've been out done." The simple compliment had her cheeks darkening and her head bowed until she was left looked up through her lashes and bangs.
"Some of the women made it as a gift."
The yukata kimono was a compliment to her fixed up hair and makeup. It was a design of red and pink cherry blossoms on a black background. The obi was pink as well. His shock came in that she looked like a woman. There was nothing male about this outfit at all. Nothing for her to hide herself behind.
She was a very attractive woman.
"Cherry blossoms?" Kurama bowed into the conversation when Hiei failed to make any further comments.
"My favorite, coincidentally," she smiled a bit shyly. She seemed unsure how to behave in her new apparel, both demons could tell. "I haven't worn a kimono since before my human mother died."
"It looks amazing," the fox demon smiled at his friend and her black ears twitched a bit.
"Whoa," Yusuke handed Kurama a cup and Hayato handed one to the young woman. "Looking gorgeous there, Ichi. Watch out, someone may try to sweep you off your feet if you keep this up."
Hiei's reverie broke with those words as she glared at the Spirit Detective.
"You do look radiant, my lord," Hayato took a sip of his drink. Hiei glared at him next, for his suggestive tone and wry smile.
"You all look amazing," she widened her arms to include all four men. "If Kazuma were here, I'd have a full set of all my boys in one spot, all looking charming."
The wore on and they all mingled and laughed, celebrating the rebirth of the territory. Hiei watched, occasionally making an offhand comment. Eventually he found himself sitting on a log brought to the middle of the festivities to create places to sit. Children ran around, despite the late hour, laughing and playing games he was unfamiliar with. He wondered, absently, if Yukina had even been given the change to be like the children here: carefree.
"Thank you for coming." Amon-Shinpi sat beside the fire demon, breaking his thoughts. His eyes immediately studied her face. He'd never seen her so feminine. Even when he'd first seen her, in her skirt and blouse at the university it hadn't seemed quite womanly.
I figured you'd have fled to the forest or castle by now," she continued when he didn't speak. Her smile began to falter at his continued silence.
"I don't want to run into anymore of your territory's surprises," he smirked, remembering the wolves and giant roaming skeletons.
"You didn't have to wear that," she plucked at his sleeve. There was music now, drums and some stringed instrument keeping the beat. "You would've been fine in your regular clothes, Hiei."
"Hayato dressed up." She stared at him, confused.
"Hai is my second," she explained. "He dresses to match my style. A uniform front. Even Miki had to dress up a bit."
"He's not the one they should remember seeing you match," he looked at a group of demons dancing to the steady tune. He felt her hand cover his, but didn't look back.
"I've made it clear that he's not the one they'll remember seeing me with," she sighed and he heard the edge of her tiredness returning to her voice. "You're the talk of the town, Hiei. Its killing everyone, but I told them not to bother you."
He looked at her.
"You hate being bothered," she patted his hand and drew back, looking out over her village. He watched her carefully, and thought back over the relatively short time they'd known each other, and the much shorter time they'd been able to tolerate each other's company. They'd actually been somewhere close by, in the woods, when she'd first asked him to be her mate. He still hadn't given her an answer and she didn't press the issue, seemingly content with their arrangement.
"You try to make sure I don't have to be forced into anything." This had been a pattern for a while.
"Let me guess," she grinned, "It's against my nature?"
"No," he shook his head. "Well, it should be. But it's not. It's exactly your nature towards me."
"My whole life I've fought to control and conquer." She looked down at her hands and he noticed her nails had been painted red. Further study revealed she was also barefoot. So she didn't let them change everything. "I pushed people away with that. I've watched other demons, people, and it's always the same. But my mind doesn't operate like that. I don't want to own you, Hiei. I just want to enjoy you."
Her words had him studying her face again. She was still smiling to herself.
"Aren't you going to go dance?" he changed subjects, and gestured to the village square. It was easy to find out that she loved music, and he'd seen her dance before.
"Hai asked me, but I declined." She sank down the log so that she was sitting on the ground, her head against her fire demon's leg. "I wanted to check on you. Make sure you hadn't gotten too angry about the clothes or being forced to socialize."
"Hn." His meaningless grunt earned no response. Instead she stared over at the villagers and her friends. Miki was talking to Hayato, brandishing the book of rules at him like something was his fault. He was just staring at her, taking slow sips of his drink. She's been officially introduced as Guard early in the night.
Hiei's hand smoothed over the woman's curled hair, taking out the pins as he found them, so it fell around her shoulders and back. She closed her eyes as he brushed over the red strands. Her ear twitched as his fingers brushed it.
"What?" she opened her eyes, hearing him let out a humored blow of air. It was almost a chuckle.
"They were right. Your ears are soft," he remarked making her smile. She sat up on her knees. "You're getting dirt all over your new kimono."
"I can clean it." She tipped her head up to look at his humored ruby eyes.
"I like it," he looked from her face and down her to emphasize the whole change in appearance.
"Thank you," she blushed again, and he found it worth a smirk. One of the strongest women he, hell the world, had ever known could be embarrassed by such simple words. He enjoyed knowing his opinion mattered to her.
He kissed her upturned mouth, his hand still holding her head. Yusuke looked at them from across the square and elbowed Kurama who fussed at him for spying. Though they both had the same though about the two demons, both dressed up.
"Did you see his face when he saw her?" the brunette laughed. "He was at a loss for words."
"Of course." The red head looked back over at his friends who were back in conversation. She laughed at something that left a smirk on his face as she lightly punched his arm.
"You know," the brown eyed man looked at the kitsune, "I'm glad we found her. They're good for each other. Besides, who else could stand them besides one another? She's a cross-dressing tomboy with man issues and a fast temper, and he's a pigmy fire demon with an antisocial personality and a little man's complex."
"You such a grand way of saying things," Kurama shook his head.
"So?" he narrowed his eyes. "I'm right."
"I agree, completely," Kurama smiled. "Why didn't you comment on Ichi's height?"
"The cross dressing thing bothers her more." He grinned.
"Your insight is endless."
"It's a skill." They both laughed. "Yusuke, the man who sees what's right in front of him."
"And states it, bluntly," the fox added.
"Yeah, I just make it look easy though. The real skill is surviving making the comments."
Preview:
His crimson eyes bore into the light demon, who was staring back over the table. Hiei felt he had no business being in the okami's room, with or without her there. Hayato felt the same way about the pesky fire demon he couldn't shake away from his leader.
"You aren't prepared for what's coming," the voice was bitter, a warning no doubt. Hiei's eyes narrowed.
"And what's that?" he demanded.
"I've seen that look in her eyes before, you little intruder. I've seen her gaze into someone's face with that awe." He stood and walked around the table until he was staring straight down into Hiei's normally unnerving gaze. "Are you prepared to be her everything, Hiei?"