A/N: Hi Readers!

I wanted to take one second to answer a question from a reader - Hiei gave Aria a Lover's Mark - a temporary claim. Second part of that question was how will said mark change their interactions with Mukuro - you'll just have to wait and find out!

Kudos to Catharina M., whose suggestions are a lot like what I already had in mind for this chapter, but I praise her mind-reading abilities.

I will say that they're going to have much bigger problems before they make it to Alaric.

And hooray for a faster update!

The room had exploded with color - feathers, scales, and other interesting textures were abundant in the room. I was acutely aware that Kuwabara and I were the sole representatives from the human race in that grand ballroom. In a room full of well-adorned demons, I almost matched the crowd with my glittering blue-green-gold gown, and colorful tattoos.

I think I just saw a grizzly bear walk by. She wore yellow. I thought absently.

Pay attention. Hiei chastised.

I took a little comfort in the knowledge that Hiei was tracking my every move with his Jagan, and could appear at a moment's notice if he thought I was in any danger.

There was a small orchestra playing in the corner of the ballroom, in music that fell into a genre somewhere between classical and jazz. It was a pleasant sound to fill the room, but in a way unsettling, as it defied my brain's natural expectations and desire to classify.

I picked up the first drink offered to me on a silver tray, and downed it quickly. I was a bundle of nerves, and standing alone in the crowd was not helping. My three guards were spread thin in the crowd, and I couldn't help but wonder if that was Yomi's intent.

"Lady Aria." Right on cue, the blind horned demon appeared as the crowd parted before him. He looked severe and almost dour in the bright room, dressed in muted ones of grey and greyish-purple. He looked almost underdressed, considering he had sent the boys tuxedos to wear. It almost looked like he had come straight from an advanced lab somewhere - crashing his own party, as it were. It also unnerved me that he walked with his eyes closed, even though he was blind. It made him seem excessively calm, and the small assured smile on his face didn't help much.

I gave a wobbly curtsy, and hoped that it was appropriate. "Lord Yomi, thank you for your generous invitation."

He let me complete my sloppy curtsy - dress whispering delicately - before speaking. "Think nothing of it. May I have this dance?" He extended a hand, which I swiftly took.

"Of course, my Lord." I replied, too intimidated to decline.

My mother - the southern Lady, you remember - taught me the basics of dancing. It mostly comprised of 'let the man lead', and examples on how to do that. It does require a certain level of attention and quick reaction times, as dancing leads tend to be subtle - a lot like horse dressage, actually. When dancers work well together, it should be a beautiful harmonious movement, and not obvious that one party has no idea what the plan is.

Just picture me as a clueless - but well-trained horse - with Yomi as the commanding leader. And Lord Yomi was a surprisingly excellent dancer.

I didn't have much time to simply enjoy the feeling of dancing before I was forced to turn my thoughts to diplomacy once more. Yomi spoke with a calm tone that belied his fierce intelligence. "I understand I should thank you for the research you will conduct on these lands."

I tried not to swallow my tongue, anxiety biting at my stomach. "Please, think nothing of it."

Yomi nodded. "I admire your abilities." I heard the words come out of his mouth, but somehow they sounded like there should have been a for a human, at the end. But he completely threw me off my game with his next statement. "I would be pleased to offer you permanent residence and protection within my lands. You would have limitless resources to thoroughly research our plants and ecology to your heart's desire."

It was quite the bomb to drop in the middle of the waltz. I almost stepped on his foot. I nearly threw up. I nearly threw up while stepping on his foot.

I chose my words very carefully. "For your wonderful offer, I thank you. I would hope that you would also offer me the time to consider it thoroughly before I give you an answer."

He gave a faint nod. "Of course."

As we swept around the room, I caught flashes of familiar faces among the horned, feathered, and scaled demons in the room. Some of the demons looked incredibly human, save for an odd hair color, or unnatural eyes, or any one of a thousand little features. But I could always pick out my friends, and my lover.

I had to draw my gaze away from Hiei as we waltzed around the room, and the crowd obscured his figure.

Yomi seemed to sense that my attention had wavered, and snapped it back easily."I had the strangest visit from a lower demon representative, claiming to serve a man named Taisho."

My heart skipped about four beats. "Is that so?" I asked, somehow managing to fake a calm demeanor.

Yomi's calm smile widened slightly."He seemed very interested in meeting you. Even suggested that I should deny you entrance to my lands."

I was at a loss for words. All I could manage was a "How peculiar."

"Mmm. Peculiar indeed." Yomi leaned close, whispering in my ear. "Stranger still is your fear at the name - your heart betrays you, Aria."

"My Lord-" I stammered.

Yomi interrupted before I could come up with a convincing lie. "I find the atmosphere in here to be a tad stifling; take some air with me?" He offered his arm, and I - not daring to be rude - nodded sharply and looped my hand gently over his arm. Yomi strode with purpose across the floor, demons making quick steps to get out of his way. He had latched an iron grip on my arm, and I had to scurry to keep pace.

I didn't know that there were large French doors on the other side of the ballroom until we were standing before them. Two armor-clad guards opened the doors, and I felt a rush of cool air wash over me.

We were on a balcony, overlooking the huge city. The sky over Gandara was a deep blue, permeated in unpredictable spots by a warm lavender. I couldn't even begin to guess what made the sky look like that. It was also an unsettlingly starless sky. The buildings around us, however, provided plenty of glittering specks of light. It almost looked like the sky had been inverted - dark with glittering lights below, and warm colors above.

It was more beautiful from the air - safe on Puu's back - I thought.

Beside me, Yomi faced the dark beauty of the city, and did an excellent imitation of a sighted man enjoying a view. "I have often found humans to be a generally useless race; too bound by short lifespans to accomplish much." If he didn't have the strength and power to grind my bones into bread, I would have given him a piece of my mind. "Given that fragility, it is so rare to see humans here. Who would have thought that rarity led to such demand? Lord Yusuke," he spat the name with great distaste. "and those loyal to him, as well as this new Taisho fellow."

Yomi's face had twisted into something spiteful, ugly, and altogether frightening. I could see the fury writhing under the cool demeanor he wore like armor. But in two seconds, his brow smoothed over, and that calm smile had returned. "Tell me honestly, Aria, how many years do you think you will live?"

I fought to find my tongue. Oh, there it is - plastered to the roof of my mouth in utter terror. "The average life expectancy for a human female is around eighty years."

We turned from the balcony to face the crowded ballroom once more. Demons glanced our way frequently, but none dared to openly stare. Nervous glances landed and swiftly averted, reveling in the joy of the room instead of the hostility rolling off of him in waves.

"Mmm. Such a short time. If you were snuffed out, say, today, it would almost make no difference." Yomi placed his hands on my shoulder – he had large hands. I fought the urge to shudder as he stroked my neck with one long finger. "Do you think if I moved to kill you, anyone here would have the power to stop me?"

Among the many demons that glanced my our way was Kurama. Sharp green eyes saw Yomi's barely veiled threat on my life. I saw him freeze; his posture stiffened, and I saw his hands twitch - ready to fight. We locked eyes - green and blue - and I shook my head in an almost imperceptible side-to-side motion.

No.

Kurama's hand stilled, but he remained tense. He understood my dilemma, but was obviously concerned for my safety. This sort of violent diplomacy required strength. if Kurama intervened I would have no hope of resurrecting the Demon Lord's respect.

I had no hope of being myself at this gala. I had to behave like my mother - velvet-wrapped steel with a sharp, poisonous shank. "I think it's generally unwise to kill invited guests. It might curb party attendance in the future." I replied softly to his gentle, vicious question.

Yomi laughed shortly. "Perhaps."

"I imagine when word spreads of the great lengths you have gone to provide for the demons in Gandara that King Enki will be quite pleased with you. Even to a lowly human, Gandara seems far more advanced than other lands I have seen." A little ego-stroking never hurt anyone.

Yomi was silent for a time, those iron hands clasped on my shoulders too tightly. He tapped me neck with a thoughtful finger, as you or I would drum our fingers on a table. It made me jump a little when he released me; I was half-expecting him to just snap my neck. "Consider my offer, Aria. Gandara is a safe place to wrap yourself in research, and never worry for the world around you."

I took a long step forward before turning to curtsy. The distance gave me confidence to find my voice again. "I thank you again for your offer, and the time you have allowed for me to consider it at length."

Yomi's cool smile broadened a little. "I believe others are looking for you. It was rude of me to keep you this long. Please - enjoy the evening."

"I will, thank you, Lord Yomi." I curtsied one more time, before endeavoring to put distance between myself and the quiet, angry demon Lord.

Kurama was waiting for me just inside the balcony door. He took me by the arm, leading me back into the throng of the room. "You did well." He squeezed my arm gently, encouragingly.

"Super; I feel like I'm about to throw up."

Kurama led me expertly through the crowd - it was much gentler than Yomi's manhandling, and much more like dancing than walking. Demons didn't get out of Kurama's way, but he moved easily through the crowd.

Kuwabara and Hiei materialized out of the crowd as we walked, Kuwabara walking next to Kurama as he released my arm, and I fell behind to walk with Hiei. It almost looked coordinated, I'm sure.

Hiei took my arm in the same fashion as Kurama, and Yomi before him. I relaxed into the delicious heat of Hiei's aura. His face was completely blank, but the Mark on my shoulder felt like it was almost on fire. But we walked in silence. Even Kuwabara didn't dare break the stoic silence. Guards led us back to our suite, as always, but it wasn't until I closed - and locked - the front door that I heaved a giant sigh of relief.

I slumped against the door, forehead pressed against the cool wood, just thankful for a moment that I was still alive and in one piece. It seemed like a good time to be thankful.

"Okay - what the heck just happened?" Kuwabara finally yelled.

"Time for a team meeting, darlin's." I pushed off the door, slipped off my shoes, and tucked my feet up under my legs as soon as I sat down on the couch.

Hiei stood next to the couch, but didn't sit. He crossed his arms over his chest, and glared at the floor. Kuwabara and Kurama sat slowly. I could see the stream of questions in Kurama's eyes, and tried to provide answers.

I fiddled with my hands, the adrenaline rush from my fear was taking its sweet time wearing off."We need to be on guard at all times. Yomi hasn't figured out what I am, but he knows there's something we're not telling him. He was approached by one of Taisho's men."

"What?" Kurama gasped.

"When?" Kuwabara yelled.

I waved my hands to stop their outbursts. "I don't know - he didn't tell me very much. He was more interested in getting information from me than giving it to me." I took a deep, shaky breath. "I think he knows this is a cover. He will let me do my surveys, but this isn't the end."

"Well - what do you think he'll do?" Kuwabara asked.

"I honestly don't know." my voice was almost a whisper.

You could honestly taste the feelings swirling around the room - fear, anger, confusion. It was palpable.

We sat in silence.

"Onna?" Hiei's voice broke a long train of thought that was threatening to derail my sanity.

"Hm?" I asked absently, still wrapped up in my thoughts. I wondered how long I had been sitting at the end of the bed.

"You haven't moved in ten minutes."

Was that why my legs had cramped up? "Really? I hadn't noticed."

"Stop it." He said sharply.

I really, really wanted to say something like 'stop what?', but I knew what he was talking about, and I didn't have the energy for fake indignation. I flopped backwards on the bed, arms spread wide. "I had a relaxing life once. I would fight a fire, and then I would fight a fire, and then... I would fight a fire. I loved it." I sighed dramatically. "And now I'm just happy if someone doesn't snap my neck." Hiei growled at that. "Oh don't be like that." I retorted.

Hiei still looked quite displeased. He was standing somewhere between the bed and the door, arms crossed sourly over his chest again. I sat up about halfway, leaning back on my elbows. "You should really get out of that tuxedo. You look so uncomfortable."

"So do you." He said shortly. He still seemed upset, though I couldn't guess exactly what about.

I let my head flop to one side, trying to look cute to help his dour mood. "Well, maybe if either of us were partly on fire we might be more comfortable - that was not an invitation to set my dress on fire, I like this dress." Hiei smirked.

He uncrossed his arms, only to put his hands in his trouser pockets."Then get rid of it. Accidents happen."

I raised an eyebrow. I stood slowly from the bed, approaching my mysterious lover. "And what about your clothes?" I pulled a little at his bow tie, just enough to pull out the knot. "These look dangerously flammable to me."

His hands gripped mine around his collar. He pulled my hands away, drawing them to his mouth for him to kiss and nip with those incredibly sharp teeth. "You should do something about that."

My mind was getting fuzzy as all of my blood rushed to other places. "About what?" I stammered.

"Clothes." He reminded gently.

"Oh. Yeah."

His hands slid under the straps of the dress, slipping them from my shoulders and pushing the shimmering fabric down my body. I pulled at his shirt, suddenly confused at the magic that was buttons. They clattered to the ground in a sharp, sudden hailstorm.

I pulled him on top of me as we fell backwards onto the bed. I helped him shrug off his mangled shirt and jacket, and he yanked the last of the dress down past my knees. I kicked it off, and I'm not entirely sure where it ended up.

Hiei's hands were addictive enough on their own, but accompanied by his hot mouth I was constantly riding a wave of arousal.

If he wanted to stop me, he could have, but I pushed him over so that I straddled his waist. I arched my back, sitting tall and proud on my prize. Hiei's hands pressed hard on the small of my back, his fingers digging in just a little as he savored the feel of my skin.

Mine. said the tiny voice in my head.

"Uh-uh," I replied with a wicked grin. I leaned down slowly, letting bare skin press together very slowly as I sank down. I stopped just before I was in kissing reach, which seemed to frustrate him. "mine." I whispered.

Mine.

Hiei was beckoning me from the deeps of the forest. I knew it was him, but my feet were dragging. The trees were thicker than I remembered, and maneuvering around the branches and vines proved to be quite a challenge.

I was losing the battle, but Hiei was calling me - he was reaching for me through the darkness - when had he ever reached for me? But I knew those eyes, deep garnet and a spot of violet in the night. I felt a sense of urgency - I should be making better time. I shoved hard against a wall of moss, and I swear it weighed a hundred pounds, but it moved out of the way. My steps were heavy, but I was approaching the heart of the woods where Hiei was waiting. It was very important.

Onna.

I heard the voice behind me, and a warm hand rested on my shoulder. I blinked heavy eyes, and realized with a start that I was in the living room of my suite in Gandara.

"Onna?" The voice was clearer now that I wasn't in the forest. It was the middle of the night, and I was in Gandara. I was standing in the living room. It was the middle of the night. Why was I awake? My mind kept processing he same facts over and over again without really understanding them.

"...yeah." I stumbled the word out, not really acknowledging the meaning of the word.

"What are you doing?" He was concerned, and rightly so. When had I gotten out of bed? I had never been a sleepwalker before. I didn't even talk in my sleep.

"I... I don't know." I replied honestly. I turned to Hiei, and although I wanted to feel the same concern, I was still trembling on the edge of sleep.

The Jagan blinked open slowly, as sleepy as the rest of us. It glowed softly, and I could feel it whispering around in my head. He was in there a while.

"Hiei?" My voice broke the silence.

The violet glow faded, and Hiei took my hand, pulling me back to the bedroom. "Sleep. I'll watch over you."

A/N: So what's up with Aria? Is the stress getting to her? Gandara is certainly proving to be quite interesting.