The Past You Leave Behind

The Past You Leave Behind

Chapter 49

There was indeed a ceremony three days later. It was called simply enough, the ascension ceremony. All of the Reikai had turned out for it. There were few demons present. The small delegations that Hiei and Yusuke had brought comprised the majority. Once Yomi's province had learned that Hiei and Yusuke were attending, they had sent an even smaller delegation. Yomi, they had been unable to locate. He was still traveling with his son.

The largest single demon delegation was King Enki's entourage. This was his second term as ruler. No one had come close to defeating him in the last tournament. Of course, Yusuke, Hiei, and Kurama had opted not to compete. Yomi had been there to cheer his son on, but had not competed himself.

Koenma had been crowned king, and the various delegations were waiting their turn to present their gifts. Koenma sat on a throne on a raised dais. Hiei, with Saiyana's help, had selected a personal gift. During his many visits to the human world, Koenma had expressed a fondness for horseback riding. Tenma stood holding the reins to a magnificent black stallion. Kurama had agreed that a gift of a personal nature would proclaim not only acceptance, but close friendship with the new ruler.

After King Enki's delegation had presented their gifts and taken their leave, it was Hiei's turn. Before he could make it to the steps, he was knocked off balance by a blue haired woman in a pink kimono. "Hiei! It's been forever. Koenma told me the news. Congratulations!" She hugged him tight. He was a little embarrassed and tried to disentangle himself, all the while staring at Saiyana.

His knocking her out to take her out of the battle, she had taken well. Another woman all over him, he wasn't so sure. He knew how he would feel if the situations were reversed. He breathed a sigh of relief when the woman released him and turned on Saiyana.

"You must be Saiyana. I'm Botan. I am sooooo pleased to meet you. I couldn't believe Hiei finally mated. And you're going to have a child! Koenma ordered me back from Enki's court, so I'll have lots of time. You have to let me know what you have and what you need." She didn't even draw a breath as she continued. "Keiko and Yukina will help. We have to make sure everything is ready in time. Koenma says your child is powerful, so we don't have much time." Saiyana thought she'd been hit by a force of nature as she tried to keep up.

Hiei closed his eyes. The ferry woman still talked a mile a minute. His head was beginning to hurt. Where was the fox when he needed him? Kurama was the only one who would be able to distract the stupid ferry woman when she got started.

As if reading Hiei's mind, Kurama appeared at Hiei's side. He was grinning. "Need some help?" "Hn. Stupid ferry woman. She gives me a headache." Kurama tapped Botan on the shoulder. She turned to see who wanted her attention. Her face pinkened. "Hello, Kurama. It's been a long time." She held out her hand to shake his.

Saiyana noticed that Kurama seemed a little uncomfortable around Botan as well. She would have to ask Hiei about this later. It was their turn to present their gift. Koenma was pleased to see them. He had come down to meet them as soon as he saw the stallion. Hiei had taken the stallion's reins from Tenma. He now put them into Koenma's hand. A light of real pleasure showed in his eyes as he stroked the velvet nose. "Hiei, Saiyana… I can't thank you enough. He is beautiful. This is the finest gift I've ever received."

Saiyana put out a hand to touch Koenma's arm. "This gift is solely Hiei's." At his puzzled look, she smiled softly. "When things have settled down, my gift will be the return of Irina's memories." Koenma's eyes misted. "Thank you Saiyana. I have missed her. I wonder what she will think about waking to be a queen?"

After all the delegations had presented their gifts, Yusuke had given him a solid gold pacifier, much to everyone's amusement, even Koenma's; the leaders and high ranking guests had assembled for a banquet. Koenma was much in demand. All the leaders wanted to know what his political agenda was and if it differed significantly from his father's.

He found Hiei and Saiyana on one side of the massive ballroom. "I thought I'd never get away." Koenma said. "The demands on my time have been impossible. No wonder my father wanted to retire." "I'm sure everything will settle down once they know what they can expect from you." Saiyana offered. "I hope you're right."

Saiyana saw Keiko and Yukina across the room by the buffet table. "If you two will excuse me, my son is hungry." "Hn. Of course, Onna." Hiei let go of her hand. "Certainly, Saiyana." Koenma added. When she had gone, Koenma became serious.

"Hiei, I want you to let me know the moment that Saiyana goes into labor." Hiei's eyes narrowed. "Why?" "Calm down. I only want to make sure that nothing goes wrong. I want the Reikai's best physician on hand. I have heard that your healer is inexperienced in human/demon births."

Hiei relaxed. "I would appreciate that. I know Saiyana will be more comfortable with your healer. Mine won't even speak to her. She is a woman and a human, at that. He reports everything to me." Hiei smiled. "It drives her insane." Koenma chuckled. "I'm sure it does. You will let me know if she needs anything?" "Hn."

As Hiei and Koenma set off to join the women, two demons observed. "The jaganshi is very friendly with the new spirit king." "I heard he used to be a member of the Reikai Tantei." "Hm. So he is friends with the former spirit detective as well?" "So it would seem." "He will bear watching. We can't afford to let him get involved." "He should be too busy with his mate for the foreseeable future. She is with child."

"Good. It has been too long since I have taken a human slave." The other demon smiled showing a mouth full of blackened teeth. "It has been too long since I have had a human meal." "When Gorenda wins the tournament, the human world will once again be our playground." "Has he given you the list of contestants that will mysteriously withdraw from the competition?" "We meet tomorrow. The new tournament is in six months. He wants the competition eliminated before then."

He looked over to where the former Reikai Tantei had gathered together. "And anyone else who might object to his plans."

To be continued….