The Past You Leave Behind
The Past You Leave Behind
Chapter 10
When Saiyana awoke, she immediately felt Hiei's presence in the corner. He was simply watching her. She quirked a brow. "If watching humans do foolish things is less than entertaining, then you must really be bored to just sit and watch one sleep." "Hn. I was about to wake you. I am going to Kurama's to see if he learned anything from his investigations yesterday. I thought you might wish to accompany me." She rolled over and looked at the clock. A little after six. "Give me time to dress and I'll make us a quick breakfast before we go." She climbed out of bed. She wore a short silk nightgown in the softest shade of blue. It left little to the imagination.
"You could have given some warning, woman." She looked down at her nightgown. "Sorry. Didn't think a human's body would be of any interest to you." She padded into the bathroom. He heard her turn the water on. He made a quick exit.
He went out the back door into the garden. The cold air felt good. It took several minutes, but his heated body finally began to cool. It had been a long time since a woman's body had affected him at all, and this one had affected him greatly. Perhaps, because it had been so long. Perhaps, because he had spent most of the night thinking about her. Or, perhaps, just because she was a beautiful woman and he desired her. He sucked in a breath. He had never desired a human woman before. They were weak and foolish. Soft. They would break easily.
But Saiyana wasn't soft. She wasn't weak. And he was beginning to think she wouldn't break easily either. He shook his head. He was treading on dangerous ground. He had learned that lesson the hard way. Yes, he admitted he desired her. But that was all. He was not interested in seeking that which he could never have. And a human certainly wouldn't take a demon as a lover. Immediately he saw a mental image of Keiko and Kuwabara. They were both in love with demons. Well, anyway, no human would take him as a lover. Perhaps after they had dealt with the current crisis, he would return to the Makai and prowl the bars for a month or two. He knew of one or two willing waitresses who could purge these thoughts from his mind.
When his body had cooled, and all trace of his earlier arousal had been erased, he stepped back into the house. Saiyana was in the kitchen. She had dressed in a soft green sweater and jeans. He smelled bacon and pancakes cooking. He sat down at the table. "How do you like your eggs?" "Scrambled is fine." In the past three years he had learned to eat human food almost exclusively. Some of it was pretty good. He learned that it was mostly based on the cook's skill. Saiyana seemed to be fairly skilled. The food she placed in front of him looked good and smelled good.
She couldn't hide her amusement as he poured half a bottle of syrup over his entire plate. "Sweet tooth, huh?" "Hn." She poured him a cup of coffee and slid the sugar bowl over to him. He scowled at her as he put twelve teaspoons of sugar in his cup. She picked up her coffee cup and took a drink to hide her smile. Mental note: Buy more sugar.
They were out the door by 7:30 and on their way to Kurama's apartment. Kurama had called before they left saying he did indeed have some information for them. Yusuke and Kuwabara would be meeting them there. "What do you think he found?" "I think we will find out when we get there. Aren't you cold, woman?" She had no coat on, just the sweater, and the radio had said there was a possibility of snow today. She smiled at him and reached for his hand. He allowed her to take it. He felt a warmth that was the same temperature as her home. "I cheat," she stated as he realized they were cocooned in one of her shields.
Her hand was soft in his calloused one. The simple contact somehow oddly comforting. He didn't really feel the cold, he was a fire demon after all, but he was reluctant to break the contact. So he didn't. Once again, he was deep in thought. The silence was companionable. Most human women felt the need to talk just to fill the silence, as if it was something to be avoided at all costs. That is what made human women so tiresome to him. But this one didn't talk all the time, and he found that when she did talk, he wanted to listen.
They reached Kurama's apartment building. His apartment was on the third floor. They were the first to arrive. Hiei had let go of her hand the moment they came into view of the building. No need in giving the fox or the others any wrong impressions. They would tease him unmercifully.
Kurama opened the door. He was casually dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. "Come in. Kuwabara's on his way. Yusuke doesn't get out of bed before nine. Would you like something to drink? Some breakfast?" "Saiyana made breakfast before we left." He walked over to the couch and sat down. Kurama's eyebrows marched all the way to his hairline. Had Hiei just called a woman by her name? Hmm. This could prove very, very interesting. He would have to watch his friend much more closely.
To be continued….