AUTHORNOTES
Wolvesrain17-thank you for the awe…oh and the review LOL
LadyFox-thank you for the inspiring words
Kagome141414-Lol hooray! *does happy dance* that made me giggle
Gothicluver-thank you for the review, hope I cleared things up
Darkmaybree-WELCOME 2 the group and thank you for your review!
NaniSan-Thanks for the review and Im trying to slow it down but there is a lot still yet to come!
S3cretDistr3ct-XOXO thanks so much! I love that you are liking it!
Pyrosnightmare-Thanking you! the haters chapter was bcus I got sick of bashers, constructive critism is fine but nit picking and complaining there is the back button LOL
GothicSakuChan-hey don't brag cus you got a sneak peek LOL
Falling into her bed Ren sighed, she had never been so exhausted in her life, Hiei wasn't cynical he was everything evil wrapped into one. Kicking off her shoes she slipped off her bed and headed for the shower room down the hall. After grabbing a towel from the hall closet she unrobed and headed for the shower stall before pausing at the hot springs door. Walking to the door she tilted her head and then shrugged pushing through the door and stepping outside. The spring was hidden by a high fence and the steam that rose from the water had her melting.
Slipping into the warm water she released a pleased sigh and sunk deep till the water hit her chin. She had been through so much lately she hadn't found the time to sit and reflect on any of it. One day she was a normal teenager preparing for college entrance exams and the next she was a half demon with a murdered mother, absent father, and demon assassins after her life. What was a girl to do?
Trying to dismiss the depressing thoughts she let her mind wander to her new companions. First there was Yusuke the rowdy detective with a demon side that could level Tokyo, then Kuwabara, though he lacked in mental prowess he made up for it with his devotion to his friends and beliefs. Kurama was an interesting one, not only was there the enigma of him being a demon trapped in a human body but she also found her self curious about his sexual preference, what with his soft appearance and his timid nature. Then Hiei, though he was a ruthless demon she still sensed his yearning to trust and be open with the rest of them, but with his huge lack of social skills she knew that was difficult for him.
The sound of the spring's door opening drew her from her thoughts as she saw Botan stick her head in.
"There you are, found her!", she entered in her towel followed by Keiko and Yukina both smiling warmly at her.
"Hey guys, how are you doing? We haven't had a chance to speak much since the other night, sorry about that by the way.", Keiko shook her head as the three of them entered the spring.
"Believe me we are more then used to it by now"
"Yes as Keiko said we are used to these things, honestly if something like that didn't happen at least once a week we would be concerned", Botan giggled as she got comfortable. Ren just smiled as she looked at each girl.
"Oh and I almost forgot. Yukina thank you for the barrier around the temple", Yukina smiled brightly as she looked at Ren.
"Its no problem at all, with the barrier up we don't have to worry so much about attacks.", Botan nodded in agreement.
"By the way Ren how is training with Hiei going?", Ren looked at Keiko and sighed.
"Well besides the fact that he is relentless with perfection I think it is going well", she nodded as if to convince her self.
"Hiei seems quiet taken with you Ren, its good to see to be honest", she looked at Botan in confusion before Keiko spoke up.
"Hiei is very withdrawn from most people, I mean he is open with Kurama and Yusuke but as for the rest of us….well lets just say its one word sentences mostly.", she shrugged before splashing her face with water.
The conversation changed to other topics and the girls found them selves laughing and sharing different stories over a few hours and Ren found her self for once feeling like she belonged. After nearly turning to prunes, they went their separate ways for the evening, promising to do it again soon.
Ren pulled her towel tight as she walked down the hallway, she had loved talking to the other girls and laughing. It counter balanced all of her crazy moments in her day and helped her relax mentally. When she reached her room she let the towel slip to the floor and she crawled into bed, before slipping into a deep sleep she could have sworn she saw Hiei sitting in her window sill staring out into the night.
Her regular morning wake up call consisted of Yukina knocking lightly on her door frame but it never came and Ren found her self waking at ten o'clock. Gasping she jumped from bed and dressed quickly in her shorts and long sleeve shirt before running down the hall to the kitchen. When she tore through the door she was met by Genkai, who sat cross legged near the porch door sipping tea while looking out at the view.
"I over slept Kuwabara and Hiei are going to flip out", she said out of breath as she grabbed a few left over rice balls and began to eat quickly.
"Hiei and Kuwabara are in the garden dojo training at the moment, so you have nothing to worry about.", she paused mid bite and sighed in relief.
"Score, wait their training together? I thought those two absolutely hated each other like with a passion?", Genkai smirked behind her tea cup before shaking her head.
"They are part of a team, and a team works hard to maintain their physical strengths as well as their mental bonds.", Ren nodded in understanding before she herd an explosion and loud shouting. Genkai growled before standing up and heading out towards the gardens. "But I will personally kick their butts if they wreck my dojo in the process". Ren followed with an amused smile as the walked to the dojo to find Kuwabara on his behind and yelling profanities at Hiei who was cracking his neck calmly.
"No crazy flame attacks shrimp!", Hiei shrugged.
"What is the point of sparring if we are not testing our selves.", he responded as Kuwabara got to his feet. Yukina entered the dojo behind Genkai and Ren to see what had disturbed the calmness of the temple. Upon seeing her Kuwabara smiled goofily and ran to her with a dreamy look in his eyes.
"Morning Yukina my love how are you today?", he took one of her hands and Ren watched as Yukina blushed and smiled shyly.
"Good morning Kazuma, Im well how are you?', as the two conversed Ren saw Hiei ball his fists and glare at Kuwabara. Did Hiei have feelings for Yukina that he was trying to hide? She had noticed that he never glared or acted hostile towards Yukina, and always responded negatively whenever Kuwabara was near her. Ren noted his reaction and made a mental note to investigate later.
Walking out onto the dojo floor Ren squared her stance and looked at Hiei who in turn faced her and drew back preparing for a match. With a smile on her face Ren vanished from sight and advanced Hiei with the speed he had taught her to use to surprise her enemy. When she was within striking range she threw a fast combination of kicks and punches which he blocked with ease.
The match was to easy for Hiei but he enjoyed sparring with Ren teaching her quick response and how to strategize on the go. As he knocked her back he quickly regretted it when she drew her hand forward and pulled her right arm back, her lightning bow materializing. The arrow flew straight and if it hadn't been for his speed and her amateur state she may have got him good with the arrow she sent his way.
Upon missing him Ren dropped her bow recalling her energy as he straightened and nodded in approval. She was getting better, the memory of how to use her powers returning to her slowly but strongly.
"I would like to go to my house today", Ren bit the bullet and let the words fly from her mouth as she followed Hiei down the path to their training area. He paused for a moment and turned back to look at her, but she didn't feel as though this was going to be argued as Hiei nodded. When he continued down the path she smiled lightly and felt as though as she had made ground with the short tempered demon.
"After training you may go", she sighed in exhaustion, how did she not know there would be a catch.
Training went on as it always did they had warmed up, Hiei would attack, Ren would run, she was certain that she was improving but at a steady pace. Grabbing her water bottle she sipped from it and then looked over at Hiei as he moved to retrieve his cloak and katana.
"Has there been any word from Yusuke and Kurama?", she had not been allowed to join Kuwabara and Hiei when they spoke to Koenma and it slightly bothered her.
"The last we herd they were following a lead on your father", she nodded and looked over the clearing.
"Hiei?"
"Hn?", she smiled at his response, he was much of a talker around other people but sometimes with her he would talk a little before falling silent again.
"Do you have a thing for Yukina?", her asking him this question while he was taking a drink of water proved to be a bad idea as he sent the liquid flying as he spit it out. The look on his face seemed to be a cross between I-just-saw-a-ghost and WHAT?.
"I do not have feelings for her", he muttered while wiping his mouth.
"Oh….I was just curious because of the way you get angry when she is around Kuwabara or the fact that you never snap or growl at her.", she shrugged and watched him as he seemed to be thinking of something to say. As he went to open his mouth the sound of someone cursing very loudly reached them and Hiei was up and in front of her before she could blink. He motioned for her to follow and she concentrated, her energy twisting down her arm and forming her bow.
"You got tah be kidding me, swear I was goin the right way. Who puts a barrier in the middle of the woods, just down right rude if yah ask me", Ren giggled as she herd the irish wind master.
"Jin!", she came out of hiding and Jin waved before looking around in confusion.
"Urameshi sent me here as a bit of support and waddyah know I forgot my keys", she removed a sutra and allowed him entrance, once he crossed she replaced the sutra and turned to welcome him.
"He sent you as support or did you come here on your own agenda", Hiei growled slightly as Jin rubbed the back of his head in a nervous fashion.
"Now now Hiei no need to get all in a twist bout nothing", he turned as Ren walked past him and stood beside Hiei.
"Come on lets get back to the temple Im sure Yukina felt the shift in the barrier and I don't want her worrying", Ren mentally sighed when Hiei returned his attention to her and moved back to the clearing. Jin nodded and followed them, not noticing that the sutra Ren had moved had slipped off the tree and landed in the grass.
Ren was right Yukina was worried about the slight alteration in the barrier but after Ren explained and insisted everything was fine the ice maiden calmed down and set to work on making tea. Remembering Hiei's promise Ren changed into a pleated skirt that hung a few inches above her knees and a white long sleeve with a light blue jacket and grabbed her bag. As she skipped down the hall she herd Kuwabara complaining about going to spirit world for an update with the team. This made her hesitate before she turned the corner Hiei turned to look at her as Genkai wacked Kuwabara on the head.
"So I guess running to my apartment is a no go", she felt her spirits sink as she looked at Hiei.
"Im sorry but with Hiei and Kuwabara's absence we can not risk you leaving the temple alone, maybe another day", Genkai watched as Ren nodded sadly and looked at the ground.
"Nonsense!", everyone turned to look at Jin who sat cross legged in mid air a bowl of pop corn in his lap.
"Is something bothering you Jin?", Genkai watched the demon carefully.
"Darn right, ill take Ren to her home! Imma demon aint I? No harm will come to her", Ren smiled at his kind offer but a soft growl had her attention focusing on Hiei.
"This isn't a game Jin-"
"N-no, he's right', Hiei looked at Ren a bit shocked by her interruption, 'Since you guys have to go see Koenma, Jin can take me to my place, ill grab some of my stuff and be back before you guys do?", she waited patiently as Hiei seemed to think it over.
"Jin outside", Hiei left the room a floating Jin in tow and the rest of them standing in wonder.
"You are to watch over her, protect her.", Jin nodded as he watched Hiei pace for a moment before he collected him self and stood still, "Don't let her out of your sight Jin, if anything happens to her it is completely on your head". He nodded in understanding before following Hiei back inside to a waiting Ren.
"Well….?", Hiei lifted his eyes to hers and nodded curtly.
"You may go, but you are t-"
"YES! Oh thank you!", Ren was so overjoyed she flung her arms around Hiei's neck and hugged him.
Hiei's body tensed as she pressed against him, everyone else in the room seemed to be holding their breath as they watched and waited for his reaction. But just as soon as she had hugged him, Ren began to pull away a shy tinge of pink painted a crossed her cheeks. She whispered a soft apology before she turned to Jin and thanked him for offering his assistance.
Hiei watched them leave from the top of the temple stairs, as they stepped threw the barrier he took a step to follow. Correcting him self he placed a hand on his katana and shook his head, his thoughts had become so wrapped around the girl. While he didn't understand it, he felt as though he should be the one taking her home, guarding her from any dangers that may await, not Jin.
"Hey shrimp you ready to go, Koenma aint gunna be to happy if we are late again.", Hiei straightened his spine and turned to follow Kuwabara, his mind still else were. He needed to keep his mind in focus and complete the mission he and the others were assigned to do, but as he walked he couldn't help but look back.
****Well another chapter down thank you to all the reviewers it is totally awesome to have so many people loving this fic! You guys are the bomb and I just wanted to thank all of you for your support of this fic! Ok I know im getting gushy but I hope you all like the chapter I trying to slow down abit but not add to much filler so lemme know!******