It was so early in the morning even the sun was having trouble waking up. The sky still held most of its darkness, only the very edges gilded as light began to threaten to creep upward. Some stars even remained, though they were steadily fading.

"You still haven't told them." Hiei walked beside Shinpi as they scanned the valley between mountains at the edge of Genkai's land. "Putting it off will only make it worse."

"If it's so important to you, you tell them." Shinpi rolled her eyes away from him.

"It needs to come from you." Hiei stopped walking. "Why are you avoiding it?"

"I'm not avoiding anything." She sighed. "I'm just trying to find the right way to approach it. I don't want anyone else having your reaction."

"Finding out from Koenma will guarantee a poor reaction, especially from the detective." He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Then use your prize to make me." Shinpi turned to face him.

"Not going to happen. Do it on your own." Hiei smirked at her then looked around. "Is this good enough?"

"It'll do." She nodded, her own grin daring. "Are you sure about this Hiei? I'd understand if you wanted to back out."

"Do I look like a coward?" Hiei demanded of her and she shook her head as she walked toward him.

"It's just, once I take it off there's no telling what might happen." She put a hand on his forearm, her chest brushing against his. "It might change things between us."

He peered into her eyes, no longer smirking. "Maybe I'm alright with things changing between us."

"Then give it to me." She breathed the words full of excitement so palpable it traveled into Hiei. He looked around again as he worked the clasp of his cloak with one hand. "You're nervous. That's sort of cute."

"If we get caught…" He let the rest of his sentence trail off, sure she understood the repercussions for this indulgence. "This is the only time we will do this. Merely to sate my curiosity on the matter."

"You say that now, but you might change your mind after." Shinpi slid her hand over his left hip and he wrapped his hand around her wrist to stop her. "I'll forgive you if you do."

"It's not your opinion I'm worried about." Hiei pointed out, frowning. "Don't forget that until Koenma makes his announcement, I'm still responsible for you. Don't make me regret this."

"I can't take this anymore, Hiei. Give it to me." She demanded in the most frustratingly enticing tone he'd ever heard. With one more scan to their surroundings, Hiei relented, releasing her hand. Her body pressed flush to his. "It's been so long, I almost forgot what it felt like in my hand."

Hiei schooled his expression, merely raising one eyebrow as she untied the red scabbard from his side. Then she was a few meters away from him, studying the weapon with satisfaction.

"Did you miss me?" She ran her fingers over the sheath and Hiei stepped closer as he felt a strange secondary energy vibrate through the air. "I hope Hiei has been taking good care of you. It's a shame you won't let him sharpen you, you must feel so dull."

Using her thumb to press upwards, she broke the seal that had been placed on the blade, tearing the thin paper easily. Throwing the sheath to Hiei, who caught it singlehandedly, Shinpi made a display of running her fingers down the flat sides of the sword. Hiei watched in rapt attention, waiting.

"Do it." He told her.

"Patience, darling. It'll be worth the wait." She promised and moved her hand to grip the hilt, running through a quick succession of katas.

Her movements were well-practiced, smooth, precise. Hiei's impatience grew as he tossed his cloak to the ground, the scabbard on top of the black fabric. He withdrew his own blade and Shinpi offered him a glinting smile that revealed too much teeth. Excitement thrilled through him, lighting him up like the sun slowly climbing the horizon.

"That's a pretty picture." She lifted her chin toward him and then her blade clashed against his and the resulting shock of energy forced him back a few centimeters. Shinpi didn't hesitate to put him on the defensive, her skills an even match for his, at least at this warmup pace.

"Do it. I want to see it." Hiei demanded and Shinpi grinned again, spinning and calling her wind around the blade. As the air swirled from point to hilt it caught on fire, burning bright blue and traveling over her hand halfway up her forearm. The flames matched the fire dancing in her eyes.

Her energy output nearly doubled from that simple action and Hiei growled low in the back of his throat before launching at her. She met him easily wearing that teasing grin and he smirked back at her, increasing his speed. When he threw a hand under her blade, forcing it upwards and out of the way the fire shifted and without warning Shinpi was shoving the weapon back into its scabbard all that distance away, her breathing haggard. She dropped it onto Hiei's cloak without ever breaking the stare she cast the red sheath.

"We're done?" Hiei blinked, confused. They'd only just gotten started. He knew she had more in her. He could feel it. He wanted to feel it. A flare of dissatisfied frustration overtook him for a moment.

"We're done." Shinpi nodded, wiping her palms against her pants, not looking at him. "You shouldn't have touched it. I told you not to before we came out."

"You said I couldn't use it." Hiei argued.

"I said you couldn't touch it." She shot him a look. "He doesn't like when outsiders handle him. I can't always contain what happens."

"Explain." Hiei eyed her, unable to fight back his growing disappointment that they hadn't gotten more in before she'd had to put the sword away. He'd honestly been expecting to have to pry the thing from her hands.

"He was going to kill you." She pressed her lips into a line and then glared at the sword. "Stubborn old man. He really doesn't like you. What have you done to him?"

"It's a sword, Shinpi." Hiei told her with an expression that plainly stated he thought she'd lost her mind.

"The sword is of little consequence. It's a weapon, nothing more." She wrinkled her nose as she weighed her next words. "I told you, didn't I? My grandfather's spirit is bound to the blade. That's where the power comes from."

"He's sentient?" Hiei glanced at the weapon in question.

"He's something." She muttered. "Next time you'll follow the rules and we'll be able to go for longer. I'm warmed up with nothing to do. What a bother."

"You seem confident there will be a next time." Hiei smirked, sheathing his own sword as he walked close to her side. "I wasn't all that impressed with your technique. Maybe I don't want to fight you and your sword again."

"Then I'll just have to beat you and take it by force." She lowered her voice with him so close, facing him over her shoulder.

Hiei raked his eyes down her and settled his gaze back on her eyes. "Don't threaten me with a good time, Shinpi. I'd enjoy nothing more than you coming at me full force for once."

"You say such pretty things. Truly a man who knows his way around a woman's heart." She looked him over too, her gaze a little too heated for discussions of sparring. "You know, if you let me handle the sword more often I'd be able to control it better. We've fallen out of sync."

"Maybe I need to start sweet talking the relic. You've accused me of being charming, maybe those skills will sway the old man to my side." Hiei smirked.

"How very thief-like of you to consider ways in which to steal my prized possession." Shinpi ran her tongue over her bottom lip.

"Well, technically, until you beat me it's my prized possession." Hiei reminded her with his own smirk. "You don't seem in any hurry to regain it."

"Again, with not listening to me. I hope this doesn't become a nasty habit of yours." She picked the sword up, reaching over to Hiei's side and tying it into place slowly. "It's safer in your hands for now. Not to mention you and I have a deal."

"Oh, is that what's holding up your progress? And here I thought you just wanted an excuse to keep me around." Hiei teased her and it brought a pleasantly surprised look to her face.

"I'm not sure I enjoy you learning to see through me." Shinpi backed a step away from him. "It makes you far more dangerous than you already are."

"And like most dangerous things, I find myself in your orbit." Hiei smirked and this expression seemed darker.

Shinpi looked him over again and then took another step back. Hiei advanced on her, reclaiming the step she'd put between them. Her mouth went dry suddenly, under his unwavering attention. He tipped his head to the side, a certain glint coming into his eye as his lips twisted upward further.

"Why is your heart beating so fast, Shinpi?" Hiei lowered his voice carefully, refusing to look away from her face. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were nervous."

"Nervous isn't quite the right word." She swallowed, her breath coming out low while she planted her feet.

Hiei looked her over appraisingly. "I'm not satisfied with the way our morning panned out. I have pent up energy that needs releasing."

"I guess I'll just to do something about that, won't I?" Shinpi spoke from behind him, and Hiei was forced to duck to avoid the kick she'd aimed at the back of his head.

They came at each other, swinging arms and legs. Hiei called his mortal flame to his hands and Shinpi threw up a cross block in front of her face, air smothering the fire before it made contact with her skin.

"Clever." Hiei declared, his kick swinging over her head as she crouched below him so he dropped the foot down. She jumped back. "But you can't use those petty trick on this."

He called the Darkness Flame into his fists and that sent her flitting away from him, forcing him to pursue. He should have known better than to chase the woman. She spun around in a semi-circle, her toe dragging over the thick green grass. It wilted and turned brown, the water pulled from the ground, roots, and blades of emerald slithering up over her leg in a creeping line. The kick she lashed at him whipped the water so hard it cut through his shirt. She twirled around and another kick kept him from advancing too close.

Shinpi flashed him a teasing grin, winking before motioning for him to come closer.

"I thought you wanted me to show you all my tricks, Hiei." She reminded him.

"I didn't think you'd be so willing to take me up on it." He bared his teeth in a grin that only flashed for a second before disappearing.

"It's more fun for me when you think you know what to expect." The water snaked up her back and then around her neck before winding around her arm. "But you'll be disappointed to find that even when you think you've pinned me down, there's often a new trick up my sleeve."

"How could I possibly be disappointed by that?" Hiei rushed her, a barrage of fire-engulfed punches that were all met with Shinpi's water covered hands.

His intent focus on trying to discern her next move, how she was planning to use that water against him was enough of a lure that he didn't see her true strategy. When she sent a right hook toward his face, breaking through his defenses, he was entirely distracted from the circle of air she'd formed around them that closed in with enough force that it took his feet from under him. When he landed on his back, momentarily stunned, Shinpi tossed him a brilliant grin.

He wasn't entirely sure if the warmth that spread through him was in reaction to that look or his own embarrassment for falling for such a stupid trick. Well, turnabout is fair play. She was so busy gloating she didn't even notice his hand until it grabbed her ankle and yanked, sending her careening to the ground right on her backside. She gaped at him, and it made him chuckle as he rose to sitting.

He recognized this emotion well enough: satisfaction.

"That was underhanded." Shinpi told him, making no move to get up.

"I'm an untrustworthy man." Hiei told her. "Being a bandit and such."

"Oh please, if you're untrustworthy I'm a kitten." She tossed him a look. "I got you good."

"It won't work twice."

"Is that a challenge?" Shinpi's eyes began to glitter with mischief.

"Maybe." Hiei leant forward, unable to hide his amusement. "If you want to take it as one, I don't think I'll be able to stop you."

"You're finally learning." She smiled again.

"I only need a lesson beaten into me so man-" The last words choked, caught in the angry growl Hiei birthed as a spear bit through his shoulder, forcing him forward. Blood trailed down the wood to the ground. Before he could pry it out, Shinpi was on her feet.

"What is this?" He demanded, breaking the wood and yanking it out of his own shoulder. He got to his feet.

Shinpi lowered her voice to a whisper, her order just for him and not the prying ears of the demons approaching them. "I'll handle this."

He ignored her, setting his venomous glare on their opponents.

"Well, well, well. This is unexpected." A voice boomed from the throng, a short, stocky demon with tusk-like teeth stared at the two them. "Here we've come to capture a sword and instead we get the head of the bastard of Alaric."

Shinpi slid her feet apart, her eyes narrowed as they darkened.

"You'll get this sword over my dead body." Hiei declared bitterly. "And even if you had it, you couldn't use it without the catalyst."

The demon slid his gaze over to Shinpi. "Lucky for us, you've brought the catalyst with you."

Hiei stiffened, taking a step to place himself in front of Shinpi. The act made something in his head swim, his vision blurring slightly. Shaking his head to clear it, he bared his teeth, trying to plant himself despite the growing weakness of his limbs.

"Hiei?" Shinpi glanced at him as he swayed.

The demon let loose a booming laugh. "I see even you aren't immune to poison, Jagan Master."

"Poison?" Hiei grimaced. "The spear."

"I'd assure you that the effects will pass, but you won't live long enough to recover." The demon laughed. And then three more spears were launched. One caught Hiei in the leg, another took Shinpi in her side even though she jumped back in an attempt to dodge it.

Her movement seemed restricted and Hiei realized as he fell to the ground that she was trying to stick close to him, but she was forced back with a snarl, her hand on her side to stifle the bleeding there. Hiei tried to get to his feet only to have another spear shoved into him, tearing a vicious loathsome growl from his chest as he snarled at his attackers. With Shinpi pushed back, they dared to approach him, as prone as he currently was. Without much care, they ripped the red sword from his side and threw the it onto the ground at Shinpi's feet. She regarded it with a cool blue gaze.

"Use it." The demon demanded.

Shinpi merely glanced at the weapon, then at the group lingering behind Hiei looking ready to fight or flee at any moment, depending on how this next moment went. Well, wasn't that smart of some of them? Too bad they'd never live to another day.

Gravel and dirt scraped his cheek as Hiei tried to move his head to keep her in sight. Shinpi was his responsibility. If he let something happen to her…The team would never let him live it down. Did these idiots have any idea who she was? If she opened that sword, she had every likelihood of winning. They stood no chance. If they'd really been watching for long enough to know she could handle the blade, they should've seen her in action.

The fools were signing their own death warrant. This would be over quickly.

"I refuse."

Hiei's eyes widened. Shinpi seemed to remain firm in her resolve, stepping over the sword toward him and his group of attackers. She couldn't possibly be this hard headed.

What was she thinking?

"I made a promise." She told them flippantly. "And I keep my word. I will not use that sword. I don't need it any way, I can handle you all just fine."

Hiei didn't get to see what she did. His vision was swimming too profoundly and his body refused to accept orders anymore so he couldn't turn his head. He did hear a lot of screaming though. And there was no doubt that it was Shinpi's energy that flared. One other voice whimpered pathetically as her shoes came into his view again, before she crouched and rolled him over. With care she placed her hands over his wounds, pouring that precious healing energy into him.

Even as bleary as his eyes were, he could see the strain in her face. There was red splattered over her cheeks and neck.

"Hiei, you've lost too much blood. You're going to lose consciousness soon." Shinpi's face hovered over his own, her hands moving to cradle his head. "I'll take care of you, but don't make it hard for me. And if you die I consider our arrangement void."

"You wish." He fought against his lead eyelids, a battle he quickly lost.

Hiei came to with a growl, swinging his way into consciousness with all the vigor of jumping into the thick of battle. It took a moment of quiet for him to realize that not only was the fight over but that he was also safely back in the temple. A few bandages covered his injuries. He was at least partially healed, even if he was still sore and raw.

With a start he launched himself onto his feet and headed for the door of Shinpi's room, throwing it open. Where was she? Peering into her room proved useless, she wasn't there and her bed was made. Voices filtered down the hall and he stalked toward the kitchen.

She was at the counter as usual, making food. When had the detective and Kurama arrived? Damn it. How long had he been out?

"Hey, look who finally decided to grace up with his presence." Yusuke elbowed Kurama with a grin. "Get enough beauty sleep dragon boy?"

Hiei ignored him and his snickering to march over to Shinpi.

"Lunch will be-" Shinpi was cut off midsentence by Hiei's hand spinning her to face him.

Buttons bounced off the counter and the floor as he ripped her shirt open, his eyes fixated on the mound of bandages and medical tape that was her side. Who had bandaged her? They'd done an awful job. He realized after a second that she had likely done it herself to cut down on anyone fussing about her.

"Uh, Hiei?" Yusuke had gotten to his feet, his chair and Kurama's skittering back in their haste.

The fire demon's grip on the material of her shirt tightened, his lip pulling back over his teeth. Shinpi kept her eyes on his face, her gaze fading quickly from startled to hard understanding.

"The last time a man tore clothes off of me this way I had a much better time." She sighed heavily, put out with the whole day. "Do you mind allowing me to cover myself? I wasn't expecting Kurama and Yusuke to get to judge my bra today."

All too suddenly Hiei seemed to realize what he'd done, jerking back as if she'd struck him. His cheeks glowed from embarrassment and anger. Offering her just enough space to allow her to close her shirt, he didn't bother averting his gaze. She'd specifically noted she hadn't wanted the other two looking at her, not him. If she had a problem she'd let him know.

"Mind telling me why you're undressing me?" She asked coolly.

"I remembered you'd gotten injured. When I woke up I thought we were still out there, and it all came back suddenly. If I was here in the temple it meant you brought me back, injured, by yourself." He left it at that his tone growing hot.

Shinpi glanced behind him to the other two, her lips pressing into a thin line. Squinting slightly, she returned her attention to him.

"It's fine." She assured him.

"It's not. You could have been killed. You should have accepted the sword."

"I agreed to follow the rules you set. You said I couldn't use the sword until I beat you. A trivial situation like that won't be enough to make me go back on my word." She responded to him, but again her eyes moved beyond him to the others. "Hiei, could we perhaps finish this privately?"

"Why?" He demanded.

"Because she had just gotten done telling us you were napping after a hard training session. We didn't know she was injured." Kurama's tone grew hard.

"You lied?" Hiei frowned, blinking at her.

"No. I didn't lie. We were training." She reminded him. "We happened to be attacked and it worked into a simulation and a way of testing my current abilities. I performed with excellence, by the way, despite my injury."

"Idiot." Hiei let his head fall back. "I've told you how many times that details like that are important, especially if you feel like you shouldn't offer them."

"I didn't want you getting in trouble." She pulled her brows down, looking away from all them. "You kept complaining that I'd gotten injured on your watch. I assumed that was because the team would punish you."

"It's because I'm supposed to be taking care of you." Hiei snapped before realizing what he'd said. After a second of silence, he added quickly. "I took responsibility for your well-being and I lapsed in that capacity. Idiot. Don't try to cover for me again."

"You're berating me for defending you." She pointed out. "Besides, you weren't in any space to be saving anyone. I thought for sure you'd die."

"I also remember that." He noted darkly. "Don't think I'll let that slide."

"Anytime and place. After piecing your useless ass back together I have no reason to be afraid of your empty threats." She shot back at him, stomping forward one step, her arms coming uncrossed to jut a finger under his nose. "If anything, you should be thanking me!"

His eyes dipped down before he could really help himself, noting the suddenly exposed flesh of her chest. If she'd been concerned before about the others seeing her undergarments or wound, it had faded in the wake of her indignation. But when she noticed his attention had wandered, even for the split second it had, she blushed scarlet and yanked the shirt closed again.

"And I thought Yusuke was the pervert!" She yelled at him, stomping around him on her way to her room. "Go to hell, Hiei!"

He followed her with his eyes, then looked over at the other two. He wondered, for just a moment, what her reaction would have been if they hadn't been there. If she hadn't had to cover for him. If there was no one else but him to see the navy lace under her shirt. He dispelled the thoughts quickly.

"So that's what I've been dealing with. Why are you two here?" Hiei asked them blandly, already at his wits end. "Talk fast. When she comes barreling back in here no one will get a word in edgewise."

Yusuke went to say something and he got nowhere as Shinpi came marching back into the kitchen, her shirt clasped closed by her fist.

"And you're welcome for making sure you didn't die by the way!" She yelled at him. "Do you have any idea what a pain it was healing you and carrying you when I was battling the same damn poison? You're lucky I didn't get exposed as much as you! And I fixed the hole in your shirt, you ungrateful bastard."

"You're such a pain in my ass." Hiei raised his voice to match hers. "You overextended yourself! It's not my fault you can't do things the easy way."

"You're infuriating!" She stomped her foot.

"You're infuriating!" Hiei stepped toward her, fists at his sides.

"Oh my god, just make out already." Yusuke threw himself back into his chair.

"Shut up." They both snarled at him, then turned back to each other. Shinpi swept a narrowed gaze over the fire demon then jerked away, stalking toward her room.

"We are not done!" Hiei warned her, immediately moving to follow. "Your little antics aren't getting you a free pass this time, Shinpi."

"Oh shove it up your ass." She threw the door to her room open. "I was never in danger."

"There were at least twelve of them." Hiei cornered her, following Shinpi into her bedroom so they could hammer out this argument.

"You say that as if it were a problem." Shinpi rolled her eyes, turning to face him after closing her door. She paced further into the space trying to keep her tone low and even. "They were weak. It was simple."

"They were enough to disable me." Hiei pointed out sharply.

"They got lucky. Your back was turned." She argued. "In a head on fight you would have utterly trounced them. It would have been a nonevent."

"I remember you getting injured." He glared at her, gesturing to her side.

"What are you actually asking me, Hiei?" Shinpi sighed, uncrossing her arms and it meant her shirt fell open.

She'd done it on purpose, Hiei had that feeling about it, so he kept his attention carefully trained on her face. With the slightest tick of her eyebrow she checked his expression. The corner of her mouth pulled down, just slightly, and she shrugged off the garment. A bold move.

"Are you in the habit of undressing in front of men?" Hiei asked her darkly.

"It's nothing you haven't seen before." She seemed incredibly sure of that as she walked to the closet to pick out a new top. "You're not the first platonic companion I've had, Hiei. First rival, perhaps, but definitely not the first male tasked with keeping me out of trouble."

Hiei bit his teeth together at her words. He wasn't the first to be in this position? It irked him that she was so readily dismissing him. "Must have been a useless waste who held the post before me, considering you died."

"That's not nice, Hiei. I miss my little bird every day." Shinpi told him coolly.

Hiei studied the way the muscles in her back moved when she reached for a hanger. He was quickly forgetting why he was so angry and that was a problem. He couldn't allow her to have this sort of pull over him. The sight of bare flesh shouldn't have been able to send his tongue sliding over his bottom lip, and yet here they were. Was she seriously so blind she couldn't see the way he was eying her? Or did she simply not care? Was this an act of willful ignorance or just blind trust?

Why did it matter? It didn't change anything either way. She was still forbidden fruit, even if he did decide he was hungry.

"It's not like you care about a little exposed skin, anyway." Her tone had grown a bit annoyed. Then she turned and held up two shirts, one green and the other black. "Which one flatters me more?"

"The black, since you're bound to get blood on it with that wound." Hiei stared at her. "I'm not here to be your-"

"But I'm wearing dark jeans. Don't you think the black is a little monochromatic?" She frowned at him, holding the shirts out from her as she studied them. "But you are right. I do have a wound."

"Yes, and we're not done talking about-"

She placed the green shirt back in the closet and pulled the black off the hanger, sliding it easily over her head before undoing the fly of her jeans and shimmying them down her hips, thighs and legs until they hit the floor. She slung them over their own hanger as Hiei watched, enraptured and confused, while she perused her limited section of bottoms.

Hiei drug his eyes up from her bare legs, and then found his attention straying toward them again. She had nice legs, if he was being honest with himself. Sturdy. Strong. The kind that could either kill a man or promised to wrap around him in the sweetest of tortures.

Yusuke was wrong. Her panties were the same shade of indigo lace as her bra, not black or red as the detective had suggested during their last mission.

"Lace seems like a strange choice for a warrior." Hiei found the words spilling out of his mouth as the observation struck him.

"I'm done fighting for the day." She shrugged, looking over her shoulder at him. "I like to wear nice things when I'm not sweating up a storm."

Did that mean she always wore such luxurious undergarments when she wasn't training? Hiei swallowed.

"You were berating me for saving you." Shinpi waved a hand at him. "Go on, get it out of your system."

"I was." Hiei stated dully, then blinked and cleared his head. "I was, because you're an idiot. You should have used the sword and avoided risks. Even if you're you that many opponents can easily get overwhelming. Your stubborn nature-"

Shinpi finally selected a pair of lighter wash jeans and stepped into them, having to jump and wiggle just a bit to get them to slide up over her backside and hips. Hiei hadn't realized he'd stopped talking to watch.

"My stubborn nature?" She prodded, zipping up the pants before walking toward him.

"Your stubborn nature is going to get you hurt, or killed." Hiei had to work to remind himself of his point.

"We have an agreement. If I backed out of it when things were challenging, what sort of woman would I be?" She demanded of him.

"One who lives to annoy me for another day." He seethed the words. "I'm not joking around, Shinpi. The stunt you pulled today was dangerous."

"I never said you were joking. I can tell you're very serious." She assured him. "It doesn't change the fact that you're wrong."

His eyes narrowed. "Am I now?"

"You don't understand the nuances of the sword's power. It was safer not to use it until I can regain control of it." She spoke easily, but firmly. "I didn't have time to make mistakes. You were pinned down and injured. My first priority was recovering you. I accomplished my goal. That's all that matters to me."

"You're a fool." Hiei snapped at her.

"I can't argue with that." She muttered under her breath, sounding annoyed again. Then to him, she sighed. "What do you want from me, Hiei? I'm not going to apologize for knowing my own limits when you clearly do not."

Hiei bristled at her tone and went to sneer at her when she stepped closer to him, her fingers brushing the back of his right hand. She gently took it into her own, studying his fingers as she lifted it before her face. He watched her without an expression.

"I don't know why you don't trust me by now." Shinpi ran her thumb over his palm after she flipped his hand over, her tone reserved, quiet. "But, if you'll give me the chance, I'll show you why you should."

Hiei had the thought that he would not be made into the villain in this. She had acted rashly and she deserved an earful for it. He wouldn't bow to her charms or relent just because she-

Was she kissing his fucking palm?

Goddammit.

The Jagan flared and Hiei was drug into the recent memory almost as if being forced by someone else's hand. Through Shinpi's eyes he looked down an all he felt was visceral, riotous anger. Her knee was planted firmly in the back of the demon under her, one hand buried in his hand forcing his face into the stagnant, murky water of the swamp. The bubbles from his mouth and nose popped on the surface but his attempts at flailing did little to help him.

Shinpi's attention flickered to Hiei, lying on the ground near her unconscious but breathing steadily. She'd done what she could for his wounds for now. He'd live. No thanks to these assholes. Her anger redoubled.

They had made a fatal error, attacking him. Surely, they'd assessed Hiei as the larger threat.

They'd been wrong.

Shinpi jerked the demon's head up, allowing him to gasp for air. "Who sent you?"

"No one!" The panicked answer tore a growl form her chest. "The boss heard a rumor!"

"Tell me." She left no room for argument and no doubt of what would happen if he didn't comply. At the first hint of hesitation on his part she shoved his face back toward the water.

"Something about a sword! A red sword! It's supposed to be powerful!" The demon planted his hands on the bank, terror straining his voice.

"You came prepared." Shinpi growled the accusation.

"We didn't know the general of Alaric had it! We got lucky!" He whimpered.

"Wrong thing to say." Shinpi forced his face back into the water. "That man is a dear friend of mine. If he had died I'd have been furious."

Shinpi stepped back from Hiei's hand, allowing it to fall back to his side as she eyed his face with cultivated neutrality. He opened his eyes slowly, savoring the sharp edges of her absolute rage. The lingering, subtle fear that he was more injured than she knew coated his tongue and it satisfied some part of him to know that he was the cause of the emotions. Despite her honed ability to control her reactions on the surface, Shinpi still felt everything deeply.

"There were more of them. What happened to the bodies?" Hiei asked her quietly, because he had no doubt there were plenty of bodies.

When he looked her over, Shinpi looked ready to flee even though this was her room.

"Does it matter?" She responded calmly. "I won. You're alive."

"Why are you nervous?"

Her eyes widened a fraction before she told him, "I have no reason to be nervous."

"I know, that's what makes it so curious." Hiei stalked toward her, his hand resting on the side of her neck before she could flit away. He bowed his head and inhaled along the line of her throat.

Shinpi's reaction wasn't what he'd expected and it was better than he'd dared to hope. She craned her head to the side, allowing him access to that expanse of smooth skin, her lips parting in a sigh that shuddered down her form. Hiei glanced down at her balled fists with a smirk of satisfaction. The fact she didn't shove him off of her thrilled him in a feral, unspeakable part of his mind.

"You smell of anxiety and anticipation, princess. I wonder what the cause could be." Hiei spoke the words so that his breath fanned against her throat and she shivered again.

He was quickly growing greedy with the desire to see what other reactions he could claim from this stubborn woman. So greedy, he had forgotten why he'd actually followed her into her room or why he'd been so angry. Shinpi's scent filled his senses and clouded his judgement.

Was his doing the same to her?

"I've been waiting on your temper to rear its ugly head." Shinpi whispered the response. "I thought you'd find my tactics to be…unsatisfactory."

"You're in luck, then, that I find them to be very satisfactory." Hiei told her quietly before raising his mouth to the outer shell of her ear. "But I don't think the others will share my view on this one."

He pulled back from her personal space and watched as she resettled herself, fussing over her clothes and shaking her head as if to dispel the gooseflesh risen on her skin. Her eyes hardened on him and Hiei smirked at her, breezily making his way toward her door.

For once, it was him who had put Shinpi on her toes.

"The black brings out the fire in your eyes far better than the green." He tossed the statement her way before ducking out of the room and he heard her frustrated growl as the door clicked closed behind him.

Shinpi pinched her eyes closed, allowing herself to catch her breath now that she was alone. Her hand traveled up to her neck and she turned to stare at the door for a moment, one small flicker in her soul wishing it open again. With great effort she shoved the notion away.

Not now.

Playing games was well and fun, but she couldn't risk letting this stray from that territory. Sure, she adored Hiei. He had his own sort of charm about him that drew her like a moth to a flame, but theirs wasn't a romantic relationship. It couldn't be. For one, Hiei would never allow it.

Of course… if romance didn't need to be involve… maybe…

No.

And yet, she glanced at the door one more time. Just in case.

At the first hint of extra company, Hiei had made himself scarce. He had no desire to be a part of another dinner party, something he'd made clear before disappearing. He'd fend for himself.

Which left Shinpi on her own to face down the suddenly nerve wracking task of meeting Yusuke's girlfriend. Where these jitters had come from, she couldn't really say, but doubt had started to creep in the minute Yusuke had announced Keiko was on her way to stay the night at the temple.

"It's about time you two meet anyway." He'd waved his hand through the air.

Kurama had expressed how important Keiko's opinion was to Yusuke. He'd told her about how long the two love birds had known each other and about that time is when the nerves began. What if Keiko didn't like her? What would that mean? She'd been tasked with making good impressions before, but this felt different.

With her coming announcement lingering on the horizon, this meeting held the utmost importance. To keep Yusuke's friendship she needed to win Keiko's.

Dealing with people was so exhausting. There was only so much she could take and even less that she could plan for accurately when dealing with a completely unknown agent. Wiping her palms on her jeans she inhaled steadily and let it out slowly. The sound of footsteps in the hall had brought her to her feet just before the detective and his guest came into the living room.

Shinpi's eyes shifted from Yusuke to the woman beside him. With a flick of her gaze, she took in the woman's appearance head to toe. Then she looked back to Yusuke with the small tilt of her head. An attractive woman, about his age. Long brunette hair and large, warm brown eyes fringed in dark lashes. A steady smile plastered on her face, but also a vein ticking in her forehead. Her elbow dug into Yusuke's ribs suddenly, her first words tense.

"Yusuke. Aren't you going to introduce me to your lady friend?" She spoke through her teeth, smile still in place.

Shinpi smiled then, a genuine expression, admiring the way the woman doubled Yusuke over without trouble. "You must be Miss Yukimura. I've heard nothing but good things about you. Next time aim for the space just under the sternum, it'll have a better impact."

"Jesus Christ Shinpi, don't give her pointers." Yusuke complained, rubbing his ribs. "Keiko this is Shinpi."

Blue eyes moved over to meet his gaze, a coy smile playing over Shinpi's features as Keiko assessed her.

"I understand everything." She warned him with a friendly smile, but the bright expression made him balk, sweat forming on his forehead as instant dread hit him.

"Everything about what?" Keiko looked between them, lips pursing. "Is he up to something again?"

"A constant state of being, without question. But hardly anything to worry about." Shinpi offered with warmth. "So, Miss Yukimura, I take it your beloved hasn't mentioned me much."

"You'd be right about that." Keiko frowned then, arms crossing. "He's said something a time or two about some case he's been on lately."

"Oh, come on Keiko. Don't look at me like that. Shinpi is really Hiei's problem anyway, I just try to check in sometimes." Yusuke whined, tossing his head back. "She's a friend but…"

"Urameshi, you don't have to lie to protect me. Not from her." Shinpi sighed softly, unfolding herself and rising to her feet. Turning to Keiko she gestured loosely to Yusuke. "I've asked those that know of me to keep it a guarded secret, Miss Yukimura, so any deception on his part is my fault. I've found myself on the wrong end of a powerful enemy and while I gain the strength to handle it, keeping myself hidden is of great importance to me."

Keiko softened immediately, nodding twice before casting a glance at Yusuke. That single look expressed her apology and her sudden understanding.

"So, I've heard that you teach." Shinpi interrupted the moment with the statement and just like that the emotion cleared the air, Keiko lurching headfirst into a lengthy description of her job.

Yusuke eyed the demoness and then mouthed a thank you to which she offered a scant nod.

It was hours later when Shinpi found Yusuke rummaging through the cabinets that she decided to corner him. A wicked grin in place she leaned against the counter beside him, her missing energy and her soft footsteps allowing her closer than most would've gotten without him noticing.

"So this explains the ring box you've been carrying around. I thought it was a good luck charm. Turns out you're just a hopeless fool." She studied her nails with that smirk, taking pleasure in the way he jumped at her intrusion.

"Keep it down." He shushed her harshly, dropping to a whisper.

"Your reason for the delay?" She pressed idly. "Concerns or timing?"

He looked around the empty kitchen, bowing his head closer to hers. "Both?"

"Ah, the classic dilemma." She nodded, dropping her hand and moving her gaze to study his face. "May I offer you a piece of advice?"

"Sure. I'll take all I can get." He nodded readily.

"You cannot conjure the perfect moment because you are not perfect." Shinpi expressed quietly. When his face fell she went on. "Which is what she loves about you. You're focusing too much on planning."

"Coming from you that feels like a real dig." He pointed out with a small grin.

"That's how you know it's true. In this case perfectionism will get you nowhere. Instead, embrace a moment that defines the two of you and your love for each other, and allow for flaws. A date to the park ruined by rain that leaves you both laughing, a failed attempt at cooking a meal, those moments are startlingly perfect, Yusuke. Trust in them." She offered him a lighthearted pat on the shoulder and then pushed off the counter. He stopped her with his stare. "What?"

"That's the first time you've used my first name." He told her with a grin. "Thanks princess."

Her expression dulled in a microsecond. "Don't call me that."

"Aw, come on. I thought we were having a moment." He teased her, leaning forward with his hands on his hips.

"You were having a moment. I was just pointing out what an idiot you are." She pointedly glanced over his shoulder to Keiko who had come into the kitchen quietly, a wide smile on her face. Yusuke looked back his girlfriend with a grin that radiated love.

Shinpi walked away from them, allowing the couple to have a moment. When she rounded the entry into the hall, she came to a stop. Hiei leaned against the wall a few feet away, watching her carefully. She assessed him warily, then pulled her shoulders back to march passed him.

"I didn't take you for a romantic." Hiei admitted, pushing off the wall to fall into step beside her, to her obvious chagrin.

"I'm a complex woman, Hiei. I have many facets." She told him with a sigh. "I used to believe in romance but seeing as how I was duped so thoroughly, I find it hard to face it again myself. However, for others, I'm all for it."

He remained quiet, listening to her talk. Then, in the most reserved tone he'd ever used with her. "Hiro."

"The center of all my problems other than my stubborn nature and stupidity. I was enamored with a man who seemed enamored with me. It was a tiger trap and I find the spikes still embedded in my heart and soul, even after all this time." She paused and then made a face. "I'm sorry, I'm boring you with my rambling, idle confessions."

She shook herself and smoothed her hands over her clothing before shoving them into her pockets.

Hiei wasn't sure what would be the worse decision, admitting he was interested in hearing more or letting Shinpi think he didn't care at all about her past. If he continued down that path she might stop with these little moments. But if he pressed her, she might shut down.

"Oh, by the way." She turned to him again. "I think it would be best if you kept the sword on you from now on. As a precaution. I'd feel better if it were actually guarded and not tucked away under some loose floorboard in Genkai's room."

When Hiei shot her a scathing look she shrugged.

"I've known where it's been hiding for a while." She admitted, that careful neutrality back in place. "It took me a while to find it though. You're clever putting it in Genkai's room. The wards she keeps in place were a good touch."

"You're worried someone else will come for it." Hiei didn't need to ask, he knew this to be true.

"I am." She agreed readily.

"Why don't I stash it in your room, then? Since you're so noble you won't have any issues keeping your hands off of it." He teased her.

Her gaze swept down him, then back up. "Even I can only take so much temptation before I give in, Hiei. Faced with the sword every day, it would only be a matter of time before I succumbed and put my hands all over it."

"It's hard to imagine you succumbing to anything." He admitted, his hands in his pockets. "I figured your desire to prove someone else wrong would win out over any amount of temptation."

"In this one instance, Hiei, you may be thinking too highly of me. I have plenty of weaknesses, I'm just very good at hiding them." She teased.

"Unless those weaknesses are children. Or Kuwabara." He noted.

"Or you." She tacked on and it made him frown.

"No. Not me. You're not allowed to get weak over me." Hiei told her, eyes narrowed. "I don't want to be an excuse for you to get yourself hurt or killed."

She didn't readily agree or tease him and that only agitated him further. When he went to grab her arm she carefully stepped out of reach, veering toward the living room where she knew he'd drop the conversation. Hiei made a sound of frustration beside her.

"You've made yourself clear, Hiei." She assured him before breezing into the room, taking a seat beside Kurama.

Hiei pursed his lips, scowled and then marched into the room after her, sinking down onto the couch on her other side. Kurama glanced at him, puzzled.

"Don't force yourself." Shinpi muttered. "We're done discussing this."

"Fine." Hiei accepted her clear warning. "As long as we're agreed."

She said nothing and he shot her a look. She ignored it.

"Later." He promised her.

"No." She refuted and it made him stiffen. "If you're not going to relax and enjoy the company, then get lost."

He smirked, realizing his proximity had put her on edge, and settled into the couch, widening his stance some. Shinpi stubbornly refused to budge so his leg pressed against hers. Without another word to him, she involved herself in the conversation going around the room.

Yusuke swore, moving to spike his controller onto the floor when Shinpi's hand flashed out to catch it before it collided with the hardwood. After a moment of him cooling down, she offered it back to him. After another minute of stewing, he accepted and settled back next to her on the ground.

"What's up with you and Hiei?" Yusuke asked her, glancing her direction as she selected her character from the lineup of the fighting game they were playing.

"The same as usual, we are determined to out stubborn each other over something trivial." Shinpi responded easily, her focus on the television screen.

He nodded, and they started playing again. Between rounds he asked, "How do you feel about him though?"

"Right now? I feel annoyed. But in general I like him. He keeps me on my toes." Shinpi continued to tap away at her controller without breaking her stride. "He'll get over this little tantrum."

"You don't think he's being weird lately?" Yusuke didn't even swear as she offed his character again.

"Not really. I'll admit we've entered new territory. I would even go so far as to call him my friend." She shrugged. "Why? Is he being weird to you?"

Yusuke wrinkled his nose and leaned back on his hands, his controller in his lap. "I mean, sort of? He just seems to be different around you."

"Oh, well, he loves to ride the high horse of being my savior." She informed. "I swear if we have one more conversation about it being his job to keep me safe, I'll strangle him."

"Cut him some slack, he's not used to being charge of someone else's wellbeing." Yusuke teased her, grinning. "It's not like you make it easy for him."

"Why would I? It's far more fun to annoy him." Shinpi grinned back.

"Just between us, I think he likes it that way."

"I do too." Her admittance came with more reverie than either of them expected. Then she shook herself. "Anyway, when are you going to propose?"

She chose the right topic because Yusuke started to lament his previous attempts at wooing Keiko into being his wife. It was a relief to be able to listen and nod. It definitely helped to keep the topic off of her and Hiei. Somewhere between the story of how he asked Keiko to marry him when he was fifteen and coming back from Demon World Shinpi decided she was going to tell Yusuke and Kurama the next day about her arrangement with Koenma. She'd Kazuma to inform him too.

It was only courtesy, after all.