Author's Note: Welcome back to more of "There's Always a First Time," everyone! I'm glad you're back :D Please enjoy this chapter and leave your comments for me to get excited about and read!

Chapter 11 Comfort

The shower faucets squeaked as I turned the knobs on the shower. Testing the temperature with my hand, I stepped under the stream of water, letting it course over my body. I sighed. Sometimes if felt there was nothing better than a nice, hot shower to relieve stress. I leaned back, closing my eyes, letting my hair soak. Allowing my thoughts to take over, I ritualistically went through the motions of cleansing myself.

I had made a large dinner for my mother and cleaned up afterward. I told her I would be gone for a few weeks—my alibi was a science camp that a few other students from school and I were attending. She didn't even ask about a permission slip. Her complete blind faith in me never seemed to waver.

Tonight was my last night at home before we met at the docks where a boat would take our team to Hanging Neck Island. Tonight could be the last night I ever saw my human mother. Who knew if we would survive this bloodthirsty tournament? I had thought my time with demons was over when I made the decision to remain as Shuichi Minamino five years ago. But apparently fate had other ideas for me.

I turned the knobs, waiting for a moment and listening to the steady drip, drip of water falling from my wet hair. I stepped out of the shower, fluffing my hair with a towel and wrapping it around my waist. Putting a hand on the sink, I wiped away steam from the mirror in front of me. The red-haired teen ningen stared back at me blankly. Sighing, I gave up trying to find whatever it was I was looking for and turned on the tap to brush my teeth.

Pulling my leg through the last pant hole of my pajama pants, I walked out of my bathroom and into my bedroom. I nearly stumbled when my eyes fell on the vision in front of me. I padded over to my bed numbly. Lying on my bed, looking more innocent than I had ever seen him look before, was Hiei, sound asleep. A slight breeze came in through the open window, ruffling his black, spiky hair. I smiled, sitting on the edge of my bed gingerly. I glanced down at the small figure next to me tenderly. I had no idea what he had come to tell me, but I wasn't willing to wake him up to find out. I had never seen him look so peaceful. He usually looked extremely stern, like he expected life to do him a disfavor at every turn. I would have plenty of time with him during the next few weeks to learn the purpose of this visit.

I got up carefully so as not wake him, and turned the light off. Crawling in next to him, I smiled and closed my eyes. My hand stretched out toward his, and I took his hand, curling my fingers around his.

I gasped as I felt cold steel against my throat. Not bothering to open my eyes, I smiled. "I should have known you would be the type to wake up in a foul mood, Hiei."

Hiei growled next to me, his frame leaning over mine. "Only when I feel I'm being taken advantage of."

"You were the one who hopped in my bed," I pointed out.

Hiei jumped off the bed as soon as the words left my mouth, leaving me to wish I had not spoken at all. I sighed. I stood, moving toward Hiei. I felt more than saw him stiffen. "What do you think you're doing?" he hissed warningly.

"Turning the light on of course. Honestly, Hiei, I would think you could come to trust me a little by now. We're partners, right?" I switched the light on. "There, that's better." I turned, facing Hiei once again.

Hiei begrudgingly lowered his sword. "Trusting someone is like inviting them to betray that trust. And everyone does, in the end—it's inevitable."

I shook my head. I didn't know what sort of life Hiei had led in the past, but it had clearly left very deep scars. "I'm sorry you feel that way. I hope that someday I can prove you wrong. But for the present, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

Hiei straightened, sheathing his katana. "I came to ask if you know if Yusuke has found a fifth member for the team or not."

I shook my head slowly. "I'm afraid I have heard no such thing. We can only trust Yusuke and wait for tomorrow."

Hiei snorted. "I would sooner slit my own throat than trust my life to the detective."

"I have faith that he will find someone," I replied confidently.

Hiei cocked a brow. "Do you always trust people so recklessly?"

"I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, even stubborn and belligerent little fire youkai who steal into my room, take my bed, and then have the audacity to place a blade to my throat." I grinned at Hiei, enjoying his reaction. His facial expressions changed from surprised to outraged to perhaps a little guilty, though I may have imagined the last one.

I walked to the open window, poking my head out and bringing it in quickly as rain started to pour down on me. I shook my head trying to shake the excess water from my hair that was nearly dry. "I thought it smelled like rain," I muttered as I started to close the window.

Hiei was by my side in an instant, his hand on the window, stopping me from closing it. "Don't bother; I'm leaving."

I looked at Hiei incredulously. "Hiei, it's pouring outside! Just stay the night. We can leave for the dock tomorrow and discover for ourselves if Yusuke was worthy of my trust." Seeing that Hiei didn't seem keen on my suggestion, I tried again, "Please stay?"

Hiei looked at me and finally sighed. "Fine. But don't go getting any ideas or trying anything funny!" he warned.

I held my hands up. "I wouldn't dream of it." I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes, fairly surprised when Hiei climbed into bed next to me. "Hiei," I said, shocked, when he took my hand.

"Why did you do this before?" he asked innocently, his eyes telling me that he was thoroughly confused.

I laughed. "For comfort," I said honestly.

Hiei looked down at our interlinked hands. "Oh," he said easily, and laid down, closing his eyes, never releasing my hand.

I closed my eyes happily, squeezing Hiei's warm hand in my own, pleased when Hiei squeezed back. Whatever happened at this tournament, I couldn't regret having met Hiei, which led me to meeting Yusuke, which eventually led to all this. It was worth it.