The Search For A Mate

Chapter 53

Hiei handed the flowers to the maid and gave her instructions. He knew that all would be ready soon. His servants were nothing if not efficient. He had only to tell them that something he wanted was for Rayna and they went out of their way to accomplish the task as quickly as possible. Rayna was always polite to the servants, voicing her appreciation for their efforts. They had come to love her in the short time she had been there. Just as he had.

He knew he'd find Rayna in her office. She had expressed a need to complete some tasks before dinner. He opened the door to find her in discussion with one of his technicians. The technician bowed. "Lord Hiei." He nodded to the man. "Rayna could I speak with you a moment?" "Of course. Solos, excuse us please. We will continue this tomorrow." He bowed. "Yes my lady."

Hiei waited until the man was gone. "Settling in?" "Yes. I am making arrangements for internet patch lines to be installed for my computer. Your people are not up to speed on the latest technology. They will need to spend some time with Enki's techs. They learned how to tap into the Ningenkai internet some time ago. I will insist on our people being as competent and knowledgeable as any in the Makai. While I was at court I often heard Alaric's people referred to as backward and ignorant. That ends. Now."

Hiei's eyes narrowed a fraction. His people were backward? Ignorant? All because they did not keep up with stupid ningen devices? Rayna was right. That had to end. While it was true the Makai was currently at peace, he refused to let his people fall behind the other territories and provinces. The Makai had changed and so had its people. If knowledge of ningen devices was required for his people to hold respect, then he would make sure that they had all the knowledge available. "I agree. Do whatever you feel is necessary. Be it ningen books or attending a ningen school. Our technicians will not be inferior in any way." She nodded. Pleased that she had his support. "Thank you for understanding."

He put his hands in his pockets. "I actually came to ask you to have dinner with me." She cleared her desk. "Of course. I expected to meet you in the dining room as soon as I was finished with Solos." "No. I wanted you to have dinner with me. Only me. In our chambers." She looked up wondering just what he was up to. "Ok." He opened the door and turned off the lights. In the hall he held out his arm for her. She took it and let him lead her to their chambers.

The servants were putting the last of the food out when Hiei and Rayna arrived. They bowed. "Do you require anything else my lord?" Hiei shook his head. "No. You may go." Rayna spied the vase of flowers in the center of the table. She reached out to touch them. They were a deep purple. The petals had a ruffled edge and felt smooth. Like velvet against her fingers. "They are beautiful Hiei. I think these will be my favorites from now on. Where did you find them?" He pulled out her chair. "Kurama called them irises."

Rayna sat down. "So they are from the Ningenkai? How did I miss seeing these?" "Kurama said they are not traditionally given as gifts. They are mostly found in gardens and around personal residences." Her eyes lit up. "Can we have some at our home?" "If it makes you happy, I will ask Kurama." She reached out to take his hand. "You spoil me. Thank you." He smirked to himself. Victory in the first skirmish of this war was his.

An hour later Hiei had decided he had declared his victory prematurely. While Rayna had been pleased by the flowers, all she had wanted to talk about was her ideas to improve the efficiency with which Alaric ran. She had questioned him endlessly on current procedures and the reasons for them. Then she had launched into detailed explanations for the improvements she felt were needed. She described the things that Enki's techs had accomplished and how much smoother things ran at the royal palace.

When Enki had introduced a formal communication system in the Makai based on the one that the ningens used, Hiei had acknowledged its merits and made sure that it was installed throughout Alaric. Once that had been done, Koenma had offered to upgrade the systems of the three territory lords to include free access to the Reikai and Ningenkai systems. That way they could all communicate wherever in the three worlds they might be. It had helped Yusuke keep up with his obligations to Tourin without having to actually be there. Instead of Hokushin having to deliver messages to him in the Ningenkai personally, he was able to call instead. Hiei had readily admitted its advantages when he found he could easily call on the fox anytime he wanted advice without having to leave Alaric.

Perhaps there were areas in which Alaric could be improved. Rayna's ideas interested him. But he really did not want to hear them now. He had other things planned for tonight. They had finished eating some time ago and he was somewhat patiently waiting for her to conclude her proposals for progress. His patience, never one of his strong suits, was wearing thin. He sighed when it did not appear she was going to wind down anytime soon. Then an idea came to him.

"Rayna, your ideas are indeed forward thinking. I believe that Mukuro would be most interested in hearing them as well. Why don't you prepare a presentation and we will gather the advisory council. You can discuss your plans with everyone then." He could see the possibilities run through her mind by the look in her eyes. He knew from all the presentations Mukuro had made him listen to over the years that they took days to prepare. If she accepted his suggestion, it would effectively end her current discussion on the subject since she knew he would have to hear it all again later.

Rayna looked at him speculatively. "Do you really think they'll listen to me?" "Hn. Of course they will. As the lady of this castle you will always be welcome in any meeting having to do with territory matters and your words will always be heard. After that it is up to you to use convincing arguments to sway them to your cause." She smiled at the thought of becoming a true voice in Alaric's future. "Ok. To make a convincing presentation, I will need to go home. I bought our computers. I just need to get them here. I will need the techs to make some minor modifications to the meeting room and my office so that they will function correctly. If all goes right, I can be ready in a week."

Hiei was scenting his victory again. He smirked. Now we can move on to the true objectives of the evening. Rayna stood and walked around the table. She smiled at him and leaned down to kiss him. He smiled into the kiss that lasted far less time than he had anticipated. Before he could reach for her to deepen the kiss, she straightened and turned toward the bathroom. "I have a lot to do. I'll need to get to sleep so I can get an early start. Tomorrow I have to contact Enki and ask if I can borrow some of his techs. Then I need to arrange to have our computers brought here. I will also have to purchase some things I put off until later thinking I didn't have to have them right now."

She was still talking to herself as she closed the bathroom door. Hiei slapped a hand to his forehead and ran it down his face. How had that backfired on him? The plan was perfect. Flowers. Dinner. Alone. Conversation. Sex. Victory. No. Not perfect. He should have gone from dinner straight to the sex. His mistake was allowing conversation. All he could do now was regroup and plan his next attack. Victory in the first skirmish of the war had gone to his opponent after all. His smile was positively evil as he vowed that next time the victory would unquestionably be his. He began to plan.

Rayna woke early. She had a lot to do. She had to get started so she could be done by the time Himura started the last stage to Mukuro's procedure. Hiei was rudely awakened by his mate's haste to start the day. He had spent a great deal of time last night analyzing his opponent's weaknesses trying to find an effective battle strategy. While watching said opponent sleep like a log. He sat up slowly clearing his mind of sleep. She kissed his cheek quickly. "I have to go. Lots to do. Himura said he would start at ten. See you then." He barely had time to realize she was already dressed before she was gone. He flopped backwards on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

A new thought occurred to him and he rolled out of bed. He dressed quickly and made his way down to Rayna's office. He would be a helpful mate today. He would volunteer his services for whatever she needed. That would keep him in her sight and her thoughts. He would wear her down slowly while he planned his next attack. He had delegated his duties for today in anticipation of a leisurely morning spent in bed with his mate and then to be present for Mukuro later. He smirked at her reaction to his offer of help for the day. She was delighted to accept his offer.

"Oh Hiei you're a lifesaver. Now I can stay here to supervise the techs Enki is sending over while you take some men home with you to transport the computers. Everything is still boxed and sitting by the front door. I can pick up the rest of what I need tomorrow." She kissed his cheek. "Thank you." Before he could protest this unfortunate turn of events, she had moved on to the techs that had just arrived from the royal palace. She had already begun outlining her requirements to the men when Hiei put his hands in his pockets and left the office.

He sighed. If he was going to be a pack mule for the day he would need some breakfast. He wandered in and found his friends were present. It didn't take him long to decide that he could use some company while he was tortured. He secured Yusuke and Kuwabara's aid easily, but Kurama declined citing a meeting with Yomi. After a quick breakfast they were on their way. Hiei would have simply gone for the portal in the park across from the apartment, but Yusuke and Kuwabara convinced him it would be better to use the one by the temple and drive to the apartment. That way they could load all the computer equipment into the car and not have to answer questions about carrying such things around. You didn't see a lot of desktop computers in the park.

Kuwabara backed his suv into the parking space in front of Hiei's apartment. It didn't take them long to load everything. It had been sitting exactly where Rayna said it would be. Hiei remembered to water the plants and feed them some ki. Kurama had insisted on providing some of his perimeter plants for security. He instructed them to react with Hiei and Rayna's energies. Kurama had assured Hiei that they would protect Rayna no matter what. Rayna had thought them unnecessary, but they were pretty so she took care of them.

When they had everything loaded, Hiei locked the door. He turned as his next door neighbor got his attention. "What are you boys doing?" She was an elderly woman. She had a broom in her hand. Hiei had never paid much attention to his human neighbors. He knew that Rayna spoke to several of them. She had mentioned the old woman next door. "Hn. Nothing that concerns you old woman." Kuwabara and Yusuke had noticed the old woman. Kuwabara got back out. "Shrimp still doesn't have much in the way of people skills. This can't be good."

Kuwabara walked up behind Hiei as the woman was threatening to call the police on them. The woman looked vaguely familiar to Kuwabara. He put a hand on Hiei's shoulder. Hiei was content to let the oaf handle the woman. He only wanted to be on his way. This day had not turned out as he planned at all. Kuwabara spoke to the old woman. "Is there a problem, ma'am?" She smirked. "At least you're polite for a thief." "Uh, ma'am? We're not thieves." She snorted. "Then why are you taking things from that nice girl's apartment?"

Recognition finally came to Kuwabara. "Aren't you Okuba's grandmother?" The woman was startled. "Yes. Yes I am. Who are you?" Kuwabara smiled. "I know it's been a long time ma'am. I'm Okuba's friend. Kuwabara Kazuma. Do you remember me?" She squinted her eyes as she looked him over. "You're the one that was always fighting." Her features softened. "The one who helped him keep his job when he desperately needed it." She frowned. "You didn't grow up to be a thief did you?" He shook his head. "No ma'am."

She swatted him with the broom. "Then why are you taking things from that sweet girl's apartment?" Kuwabara chuckled. "Yes Rayna is a sweet girl. But her husband is sort of antisocial." Her gaze followed his to Hiei. "And also my brother in law." Hiei snarled. The woman looked back up to Kuwabara. "I see. I don't think I ever met her husband before." Kuwabara formally introduced Hiei to the woman. Hiei decided it would be better if he was polite. It would get them on their way faster. It would also be better if Rayna did not hear of his rude behavior to the old woman. Kuwabara looked at his watch. "I'm sorry we have to go now. Please tell Okuba hello. It's been a while since I last saw him." She nodded and went back to sweeping in front of her door.

Once they were on their way back to the temple, Hiei crossed his arms over his chest and humphed. "Nosy ningens." Kuwabara laughed at him. "It's how humans take care of each other. If we had really been thieves, the police would have been called. Be glad you have neighbors who watch over your place while you're gone." Yusuke was chuckling as well. "You're just upset that the old woman was singing Rayna's praises while thinking you a thug." Hiei looked out the window. "What would you know about it detective?" "It's the same reaction I got years ago from people who knew both me and Keiko. Before I died and turned my life around." Hiei decided that maybe he would be a little nicer to the old woman when he and Rayna came home. It wouldn't kill him.

It took forty five minutes to get back to the temple. By the time they got back to Alaric it would be time for Himura to get started. He still didn't know what would be done to Mukuro this morning. Himura had been rather secretive about it. Hiei had asked Mukuro and she wasn't sure either. Himura had only told her he believed that she would be quite pleased with the result.

Hiei was still grumbling when they unloaded their cargo at the temple. He had wanted to spend at least some time with Rayna this morning. He now knew that was not going to happen. It seemed like every plan he made concerning Rayna and their relationship was doomed to failure. He knew the gods had to be laughing at him. Of that he was certain.

To be continued….