this isn't mine

by AntoniaMilleson

Please don't read. This is not my story. I just needed a way to listen to it without issues

44. 44

1. Sweep Out The Ashes, Bring In The Fire

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of its characters.

Chapter Forty-Four: Sweep Out The Ashes, Bring In The Fire

The wind was calm, resembling a cool hand that trickled slender fingers along heated skin.

With these fingers, I was able to relax and allow myself to inhale properly from the frenzied run of this morning. Narrowing my eyes in thought, I stood poised upon a branch and listened to the noises of the forest. I was trying to meditate, searching for the serenity in my

world.

_'The greatest amount of concentration comes from extreme focus, when one has crossed the

line that blurs from the world to separate one's mind against life – reality – and allows for a shield to develop.'_

Lena's words swirled within my mind. I had yet to reach that level through meditation, even though the tiring hands of my mind stretched forth to pull a shield near enough to provide protection. The extent of this protection was weak – nearly absent – but just once, did it

appear to help. Crimson eyes had pierced through the darkness, narrowed in fury, and demanded that I lower myself into a pit full of snakes.

Snakes were my greatest fear until those eyes – a beautiful, haunting fire – made me realize that if those eyes were to harden in even an inch of disappointment, then snakes would

resemble a blade of grass in comparison.

I had no powers. My sisters, the women trapped in this curse where the universe depended on our souls to help uphold the world when night was too heavy, had gifts. They had unique

abilities that left me outcast. In a way, I felt like I was that odd person hanging on the sidelines, the kid that was chosen last for a team.

I'd thought so, anyway, until Lena revealed a talent, or rather, that lame gift that no one wants. If I had accompanied Dorothy, in The Wizard of Oz, and we were receiving our gifts

from Oz, I would have been given the bag. No, I shook my head. Oz would have tipped the bag over and shook out the linen dregs of the sack into my cupped hands. He might have smiled,

patted my head, and bid farewell, while I gazed up at him in exhausted horror at the outcome of the long journey through fields of singing midgets and flying monkeys, only to receive

dregs.

That was how amazing my talent was.

I had the ability to know when to trust an individual, but Lena had extended my ability into feeling the goodness. I could detect any smidgen, even if it was a blot on paper, within a

person's heart. She had gathered such a notion from my confrontation with Takeo, from Kenji's story about my belief in Hokushin's words the first time we had met, and even as far as

detecting that unrelenting trust I placed in Hiei. I had frowned at her latter example,

because Lena seemed, for some strange reason, to turn her nose up at my relationship with Hiei. I didn't understand it.

But just about everyone turned their nose up at my relationship with him. It was nothing new. Shaking my head, I brushed away my wayward thoughts and focused on my one talent.

Yes, I was some odd realistic Care Bear.

The only problem with my talent was that Lena reasoned it was about as extended as it could

possibly be and no amount of training would strengthen it. She had advised me not to rely too heavily on my gift, because she didn't believe it was entirely accurate. Well, if anything, I could threaten a demon by saying, "stop, or I'll detect the goodness in your soul!" It might work against demons that feared good acts, stall them into disbelief. Hell, it would just

give them a reason to pity me for my lame gift and walk away.

Standing at the very tip of a branch, where it was so brittle that even a small bird could crack the limb, I swayed in the morning sun and stared down at the pond below me.

Lena informed me that if one had enough focus, he or she could do the impossible. She had

given me several examples: someone able to thrust their hand into a flame and withstand the heat without so much as a tiny singe, a monk sitting cross-legged above a sharpened dagger, or a woman running atop broken glass without making a sound.

Because Lena had me up in trees for three months, I had become acclimated to balancing on

even the smallest of branches. Eventually, I did surpass that one million mark that she had set. Afterwards, she had me doing headstands until my head pounded from the blood rush. This act of balancing, which most likely chased away a tenth of my clumsiness, was a part of my

focus.

Sighing, I chewed on my lower lip. I wished that I could walk through fire, or, as I thought while staring down at the backyard pond below me, on water. I'd be wading day and night,

gloating about my ability to glide across the elemental surface.

When my stomach growled, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a plastic packaged pastry.

The snack was kind of smashed from being crammed in my pocket, but I doubt the sweet's lumpy state would thwart its taste. Carefully, I unwrapped the glazed bun and nibbled on the end in deep thought.

I was halfway through my deformed pastry when a loud voice cut through the air to scatter the

birds up into the air with squawks of distress. "Karen!"

It was Yusuke!

I had to think quickly, because if he found me up in the tree, standing against the slight

breeze, he would question how I was able to balance upon the limb while eating. His footsteps were loud. He was stomping through the bushes and I could see his black hair through the

thick, heavily laden branches that kept me from sight. There was no time to climb down.

Calculating the time I had before he arrived – no less than a couple of seconds – I loosened my muscles and fell forward.

Instead of the ground catching me, the pond embraced my body. I heard the water splash high around me. The water was chilled from the morning air and my lungs constricted at the abrupt feeling. A dozen bubbles burst from my mouth and I kicked my legs into action. Breaking the surface, a series of coughs wracked my body. With my eyes closed, to keep the dirty water

from irritating my eyeballs, I waded forward blindly.

"What stupid thing did you do to get in there?" asked Yusuke with exasperation.

I didn't have time to answer, as I fell onto my knees into the muddy water. Two hands went

under my armpits and dragged me out roughly. Grimacing, I spat out a mouthful of water. Ew. I think some type of moss was among my spittle.

Remembering Yusuke's question, I grinned sheepishly. "I was just – you see, there was this rock and I didn't see it. I tripped."

"Far enough to get out to the middle?"

There was no surprise in his voice. His tone was relaxed and tired. Yusuke had witnessed

enough of my clumsy acts that nothing surprised him anymore. A pity that he couldn't see the graceful way I was eating up in the leafy canopy.

"Well, I was running when it happened and must have flew in my haste!" Before I had finished explaining, he was already nodding. He had heard similar stories.

Yusuke picked a large, tattered, lily pad off my head and flung it back into the water with a twisted lip. Glancing down, I stared at my unfinished pastry that now sat, soggy and fat,

within its opened packaging. I turned it over and allowed the water to drain before taking my snack out. Bringing it up to my face, I frowned. Nah, I thought. No matter how delicious it

was, I wasn't going to eat it. I sighed heavily because wasting food was a crime in my world. "What's up," I asked, ignoring the way he was frowning down at me.

Yusuke's face crumbled in disgust. "Were you going to eat that?" Squishing the snack within my fist, I yelled, defensively, "no!"

Since my basketball shorts, borrowed from Kenji but never given back, were soaked anyways, I dumped my snack into the pocket. The knee-length shorts were sagging from my waist and I

tightened the drawstring. It was uncomfortable to walk, but I waddled up the trail back to the house with Yusuke at my side.

"Oh, right," murmured Yusuke. "Keiko said you have that appointment with some dude named Gaston in Tokyo?"

"What time is it?"

He checked his watch. "Nearly eight-thirty –"

Eyes widening, I set off into a waddling jog that resembled an odd skip with the heaviness of my drenched clothing and squishy shoes. "Damn –" I shot him a hurried look at my blurted

curse, but with Keiko not around, Yusuke just shrugged. "I'm going to be late!"

Hurrying to the house, Yusuke unwound the water hose from the back and turned the nozzle on full blast. Squealing against the fridgid temperature of the water, I spun quickly as he

sprayed off the scum from the pond. I think he enjoyed dousing me in water too much because he kept saying 'what was that?' after I had screamed at him to stop for five minutes

straight.

I had to spend an extra amount of time in the shower because after the hour run in the forest and falling into a frog infested pond, the odor coming off of me was horrible. My funk had

offended Keiko. She did try to kiss me before going to work but ended up hurrying off to the bathroom to deliver her breakfast. Yusuke, who must be used to horrendous smells, just asked if I wanted the last of the orange juice with my breakfast. Not really hungry, and running

behind on my schedule, I told him to save it for Kenji for when he arrived.

Once I was cleaned of the pond scum and smelling like Jasmine, the body wash Keiko tossed into the bathroom before she left (how kind!), I dashed into my bedroom.

Today, with all the painting and wallpaper work done by Gaston's superb team, I was to shop for furniture at several stores.

I couldn't imagine someone designing houses or events for a living, but Gaston enjoyed his dream job. He had a way of explaining things in that marvelous accent of his, twisting his words into my ears until they painted images before my eyes. The two women, his faithful

employees (I think one was in love with him, but Gaston had a boyfriend), were extremely

helpful in adding vibrant conversations and suggestions. Kenji, my best friend, would slouch away to hit on the countless females that browsed through the stores.

In this world – every world – money was power. I had no idea how much was on the card Hiei

provided, but each transaction went through with the ease of breathing. Everywhere I went, my small army followed with uplifted chins, as if I were royalty. I felt like some sort of

princess, gracing the stores with my presence.

At first I was judged, especially within the more extravagant shops. I thought I had dressed nicely enough, but maybe I was too easy on my attire. I had gone for the simple ease of

comfort, rather than layered in exhausting fabrics. It could be my age. They must be

pondering if I was a joke to be strutting up into their fancy store to idly browse through their selection of furniture.

Then, Gaston would speak vibrantly and loudly, practically whipping them into a respectful manner until the suspicious glares left each face. For extra proof of my honesty in being able to pay them, I'd pat my wallet with a nervous smile – and it worked. The managers and

workers dropped everything, seeming to sense the power emitting from the hidden tiny, proxy

card within my violet wallet with flowers on the cover. Maybe they could smell money, because just that nervous pat would have them come running up to us with stretched smiles and eager

eyes, appearing like a pack of feral animals.

I wasn't sure if I liked people kissing up to me, knowing it was just money they were after, but Gaston was firm in reasoning with every manager that tried to outplay me. Without him,

I'm positive that these animals would have attacked me with howling laughter. Shopping was easy, in that all I had to do was point at the set of furniture I wanted among the displays they set up for my private viewing. But sometimes, one or two of the managers would be

hovering at my elbow, asking every minute if there was something that I needed. Unsure of how to handle the attention, I simply tried to pass such eager workers over to Gaston, even Kenji if he was nearby, (He was mostly trying to smooth talk the young women in the store).

Late in the afternoon, after visiting one last store on Gaston's list, I was ready to find something to eat. We had worked through lunch in order to meet our deadline and I was

famished, as my pathetic breakfast was ruined by the pond this morning.

Walking through the doors of a particularly high-class looking building, Gaston flagged down a young saleslady. "Yes, my lovely client here has an appointment with a Mr. Mitsuya."

I watched Gaston walk away to fetch the manager.

"My ass says this is too springy," commented Kenji when he dragged me over to a teal looking couch with oddly shaped cushions.

"Oh," I folded my arms across my chest. "Now you decide to help me." "Hey! I was, you know, trying to work some magic."

"Did you pull any rabbits out of your hat, or did you release a few moths," I teased in reference to his flirting methods.

"As a matter of fact," he reached into his pocket, "I did pull a rabbit out of my hat. Look at these digits." He handed me a slip of paper with bold numbers written in bright pink. "Y- e-a-h," he gave a dreary whistle, "after all that work today and all I got was one woman's

interest."

Handing him back the woman's cell number, I patted him on the shoulder. "I bet she's the one."

"I bet she's got a husband."

"What?" I asked in response to his mumbling.

"Nothing, nothing," he shushed away his muttering with a large hand and stood to his feet. "So, a couch for me and a couch for you, and a hard ass couch for the demon."

"Kenji!"

At my pointed look, he slung an arm around my shoulders and led me over to a huge, wrap- around mustard-looking couch. "You know you love me," he said in apology. "How about this beast, right here?"

"As handsome as you are, I'm afraid that type of seating would clash with the theme we've got going, right, Miss Karen?" Gaston appeared behind us and next to him was a man. He was a good inch shorter than Kenji, but with broad shoulders and ebony colored eyes. His carefully

gelled hair, which was fixed to appear stylish in short spikes, but not overdone to appear unprofessional, glinted in the lighting.

"Miss Karen, this is Mr. Mitsuya."

Smiling at the young man, I extended my hand to him with a cheery, "good afternoon!"

Mr. Mitsuya caught my hand with a partially opened mouth and widened eyes. "Karen, is that you?"

I peered up into the man's face and frowned, not recognizing him, even if he was staring down at me with awe. "I'm sorry, but I don't..."

He appeared a tad crestfallen, but kept his grin in place. "We talked for hours at the wedding reception."

Bizarrely, a lamp zooming across a rounded table flashed before my eyes and I gasped. "L- Lee?"

"No way," breathed Kenji, who was sizing up Lee with a lifted brow. "You know him?"

My face flushed with acute embarrassment at forgetting someone's name, but I truly did not

remember talking for hours with Lee. I do remember meeting him and sitting at the same table, but the events later that night chased Lee's face away from my mind. I made to pull my hand

away from Lee until he curled his fingers gently to keep my hand in place.

"Ah, is this," Lee gave Kenji a fake smile, but the corner of his lips were tightened, "the boyfriend you mentioned?"

I frowned. Didn't he remember Hiei that night – oh, wait! Lee had been attacked with a lamp

that, if I had watched more closely, had to be Hiei's work. Also, Lee had been drinking quite a bit that night and his memory seemed warped.

Kenji was always being mistaken as my boyfriend, because we went everywhere together, and

with a sigh, Kenji dropped his arm from my shoulders to hold his hand out to Lee. "Nah, I'm just a friend. Moto, Kenji."

With my hand free, I glanced from each of the men's faces. Kenji was gazing fondly at the

orange couch. Gaston was staring at Lee with a knowing grin. And, strangely enough, Lee was watching me intensely.

"I think it would be an excellent idea for you two to catch up, while we," Gaston grabbed Kenji firmly by the arm, jerking my friend from his stupor, "finish setting up the display for Miss Karen!"

I watched, unable to move, as my mind was reeling at the abandonment of my friends. My throat worked to call back for Kenji, to stay with me, but he was completely focused on choosing a

decent couch. He's doing it again, I thought traitorously. Kenji was abandoning me in my time of need!

Lee's grinning face, which I'm sure was charming for most women, because he was a handsome

man, blocked out the withdrawal of my friends' retreating figures. "Karen, I thought I would never see you again. A horrible mistake on my part," his lips perked up at the ends into a

sorrowful smile, "to lose track of such a magnificent woman."

I didn't know how to handle his compliment – any compliment – because I was given few, especially from men. My lips lifted into an uneasy grin.

When Lee moved forward to give me a hug, my body went into this weird wriggling dance of trying to avoid his arms in discretion. I almost managed to duck beneath his outstretched

arms, but with a laugh, he caught me around the head. Maybe he was somewhat embarrassed at our odd positions with him holding my head rather than my body, because he gave a nervous chuckle and patted my head.

Awkward...

"That night," Lee pulled away and shook his head, "I just had to leave because of the

lighting problem, but I went back later, because I forgot to get your number." His eyes dimmed with his words. "By then, my Cinderella was gone."

Giggling uncomfortably at his choice of words, I stepped away to create some space between us and folded my arms. "Uh, Lee?" He eagerly awaited my words. "Didn't you remember my...

boyfriend that night? You met him before you left."

Lee's eyes dimmed in thought, his mind trying to recall our night together, and after a few seconds, some recognition glimmered to the surface. "Yes, I remember him, but I didn't think you two were very close." Lowering his eyelids and bowing his head, he murmured softly,

almost in a crooning way, "your attention was entirely on me that night." No! I had been furious at Hiei that night!

I opened my mouth to correct him until he lifted my hand up and kissed the back of it, saying softly, "I'm glad you remembered where I worked! Your decorator informed me of your recent

purchase of a house – you're looking for living area furnishes today, am I correct?" He

folded my hand into the crook of his arm, much like Gaston did, but with Lee, my hand felt

trapped there against my will. "This is my father's store, but, like I told you that night, I manage it."

It wasn't until the purchase was made that I realized Gaston's intentions for leaving me with Lee, because Lee gave me a considerable discount on everything. Gaston was practically

beaming with his devious ways, and to ensure it was a done deal, left me with Lee while he

discussed when the movers would be picking up the furniture. Kenji was lounging in the couch he had chosen with a satisfied smile, leaving me to walk uncomfortably with Lee around his

store.

"Thank you, again, for your help." I gave Lee a small smile. He really did help us and my budget was met with cheers from Gaston's team.

Dressed handsomely in a navy, blue suit, Lee would be a good catch for a woman looking for a kind and cheery man, but sadly, that woman wasn't me. Thinking of Hiei, I wondered if he

would be home soon.

"Thank you for making my day," he countered, giving one of his corny sentences. Unlike last time, when he had been under the influence of alcohol, Lee knew the nature of his lame one- liner because he had a merry twinkle in his eyes.

Maybe it was the entire day of shopping, being judged by strangers wondering where I had obtained my fortune, and just the fatigue of life, but with his words, and Lee's honest expression, a little laugh escaped from my lips.

"See," he stared down at me with an amused grin, "I knew there was a pretty laugh inside you, but you hid it from me that night."

Clearing my throat and noting the time on the far off clock, I glanced up at Lee. "I should leave you... to your work."

"Yes." Lee sighed dramatically. "You'll be disappearing from my life again, but," he slipped a card from a pocket within his suit jacket. "Take my card." Blinking, I stared down at the card in my hand. "Also, may I have your number?"

"I have a boyfriend."

"A boyfriend isn't permanent."

Licking my lips, I mimicked his sigh from earlier. "Lee, you're a very kind man, but I will not take this." I handed him back his card.

Instead of taking the card back, Lee wrapped a hand around my wrist and leaned forward to kiss my cheek. Jerking away to avoid the incoming lips, I crashed into a hard plane of

muscle. Lee's hand released my wrist and he straightened, appearing for the entire world, a threatened animal. A glance over my shoulder revealed the reason for his sudden behavior.

"Hello," I greeted in a somewhat confused tone at the sight of Hiei's face. "I thought you said you were going to call me when you got off?"

Flashing me a quick, hardened look, Hiei said, in soft aggravation, "I did." A good deal

taller than Lee, Hiei stared the man down, not in a glare, but with a vicious gleam in his eyes. That sort of look had men like Jet cowering. "Busy, were you?" he asked me without

looking away from Lee.

Before I could answer, Lee pasted on a quick smile and held his hand out for a cold greeting to Hiei. "I'm the manager here, Mitsuya, Lee, and you are... a friend of Karen's?"

Hiei gave Lee's hand a look of contempt disgust. At Lee's question, Hiei corrected it with, "husband."

Eyes widening, Lee took a step away. He glanced down at me with horror, as if I were a disease. I was no longer appealing to him, but now, some type of crap he had trodden on

outside. "I apologize for my mistake – I didn't see a ring." Lee's eyes strayed to my left hand, clearly checking for the evidence of a marriage. Finding nothing, he shook his head before blurting out, "she told me you were her boyfriend... I should have known it was too good to be true," he whispered the last of his sentence to himself.

"Is that so?" It may have been uttered as a question, but Hiei's voice was laced with venom, a hint of a scolding, and I avoided his eyes.

"I-I –" Lee swept a hand through his hair. "I think I see a customer needing assistance. Please, have a good evening and I hope you enjoyed your experience with us today." Bowing hastily, he turned and walked away so quickly, he nearly bowled over one of his precious customers.

From beside me, there was a raspy chuckle given without humor and peering up at Hiei, I asked, "what?"

"I didn't think I was something as mundane as – what was it," he asked mockingly, "a 'boyfriend'?"

I brushed away a loose strand of hair. "This marriage is a sham," I explained quietly in

answer to his angered question of being referred to as a basic companion in a relationship. "I expected you to regard the paperwork as absolute truth."

Running on low fuel from an empty stomach, I was somewhat cranky. I turned my head away to admire a nearby coffee table. "What was that you said yesterday?" I asked in an attempt for my own mockery. "_'It's just paperwork'._"

"Really?" He eyed Lee from across the room with a smirk. "That explains why you've given yourself free reign to play it up with any boy giving you a passing glance."

Wrinkling my nose, I crossed my arms. He actually thinks that I was flirting with Lee? Did he not see the way I was struggling to free myself from that man? I narrowed my eyes, deciding

to agree to rile up his anger even more, because the idea of me flirting with another man was ridiculous.

"Funny, I didn't think Lee was a boy."

His jaw tightened. "Karen, don't test me."

"Fine, but you didn't have to bring my looks into it, too." I pointed out to his earlier

statement, as he made me sound desperate for any amount attention. "If I'm unattractive, just say it! Nothing's stopped you from being blunt before!"

This time, he did laugh, but I didn't think his laughter could ever be joyous and free. It whispered up into the air to further enrage me.

"Hiei," I hissed, growing angrier by the minute.

Resuming his cold attitude, he reached for my left hand. "What exactly do you want to further convince you that, in this world, you are mine?" he asked, ignoring my earlier statements

concerning my appearance. "You want know why I won't let you out on your own," he questioned lowly, waiting until an elderly woman passed us. "It's because you've unknowingly created

competition for me and as much as I'd like to, I can't very well eliminate these human idiots following you around. Instead, I have to play by this world's rules, and that involves your

assistance in alerting every male that comes near you that you belong to me."

"What idiots?" Is he saying I'm attracting male attention? I blinked. What men? There was only Lee and he was kind of creepy. Some attention.

Sighing roughly, he closed his eyes to mutter, "you naive woman." When he opened his eyes, he glared down at my hand. "I think your world's traditions are absurd. The mates in your world go through half-witted ceremonies without any true commitments to one another before

scattering like a flock of birds."

He was quiet for a moment, his brows furrowed. A man strode past us, disrupting Hiei's

pensive mood. I was watching Hiei's face, eyed the way his jaw tensed to regard the nearby

customer with barely constrained malice. Wondering what was causing Hiei's extreme annoyance,

I glanced to the side. He was a plain looking man, resembling a teacher. Unabashedly, his

eyes roamed down my body and I stiffened. When he locked eyes with mine, he gave a devilish smile and I returned it with a careless turn of my head.

To anyone else, Hiei would appear calm, aloof, and indifferent, but I saw the blinding rage within his eyes.

Was he jealous?

He was, I mused.

That would explain his peevish behavior, how he shifted closer to me and kept his fingers

tightly wrapped around my hand... it kind of hurt, actually.

"My claim isn't good here and I hate to stoop low enough to abide by your traditions. It's

not anywhere near as permanent enough and is disregarded a majority of the time." Hiei's eyes flew back to mine, still hardened with ice. "It seems I will have to shove a ring on your

finger, since you seem incapable of voicing your status as mine."

My heart did a silly dance, jumping along to some sort of eighties music. I wanted to smile and blind the world with this surge of happiness. He wanted to give me a ring, as if we were truly married. But, with that thought, the light faded. My happiness hit a wall, came to a

standstill, and slapped me across the face before I could become giddy. "I will not accept," I sighed, "any ring you give me."

He raised his eyebrow. "Why?"

I nearly asked myself that question until I realized that, no matter how much I loved him, I couldn't accept his ring.

I didn't expect to have a wedding. I wasn't the typical girl that had planned my wedding with Barbie dolls or fantasized about a dress that would make grown women cry and men snap awake

from their naps.

I had accepted him in every way possible. I had accepted the house and money. I had accepted him when few people did. I never thought about marriage until recently and the idea of it,

being a wife, didn't scare me – I just couldn't marry someone that didn't love me. Wedding or no, his ring would be that final tie to marriage and I was going to refuse it. My thoughts

didn't saddened me. They were simply facts.

"Because in my world, marriage is different for everyone. I have my own opinion of it and to accept your ring will be a lie to myself." Tapping my foot along the ground, I glared around the store trying to appear angry to distract any further questions. "If we're done arguing, I'd really like dinner. I think I'd like to eat out tonight."

"You think we're done?"

I gave him a nasty glare.

Grunting, Hiei placed a hand at the small of my back and led me over to where Gaston was finishing the details with the store.

The argument didn't linger over our heads. I thought he would continue taunting me until he had won, but Hiei was calm as ever, seeming to have adjusted to his demon instincts of

exerting dominance in everything.

I knew later he was going to fixing his mark on me, as his nose kept twitching. I think,

since Lee had been, for whatever reason, smitten with me, he left a type of scent. Gaston,

who had touched me constantly, wasn't interested in me in any way, thus left nothing upon my body. I think this scent concept had to do with hormones. It was kind of a nasty theory.

Throughout dinner, I mulled over our argument. I knew Hiei had spent a majority of his life on his own and had abandonment issues, which would explain his possessiveness and jealousy. Really though, he shouldn't worry that I'd leave him for someone else. I always gave him the option to leave and the only time I had said I was leaving was not to abandon him, but to be on my own for an hour or two. I found it funny that he'd even think I'd cheat on him – I

mean, he was above me in every way. He was fiercely beautiful, and next to him, I was poor in comparison with my average profile.

I think, in my world, I was pretty enough. Not beautiful, just something nice. I was that type of shirt that women would say 'that's cute', but that's it. My comment to him about

being unattractive was true in that I did feel unworthy, because he must have been with more vibrant and curvier woman than myself. I wasn't a stick figure. My appetite packed on some

pounds, but I didn't have them balanced into the hour-glass figure. I also had that small

bump of a stomach that no amount of exercise could get rid of, but one day, I'd like to think an ab or two would form, like Valon's impressive physique. The only demon woman I met (that

crazy one that attacked Botan and I didn't count) was Yukina and she was breathtaking just

like her brother. I knew demon women must be of a similar appearance, having that outwordly, jaw-dropping figure that men chased after with dazed expressions.

But nothing good came with dwelling on issues over appearances and I brushed away such mindless thoughts with a grimace.

Back to my earlier musings, of Hiei thinking I paid attention to other men besides him, I realized that I was going to have to fix that by showing him that everything I did was for him. It might also help me in relaxing for our first night in the new house.

I might as well try to work some charm on him tonight.

After dinner, we arrived at our soon-to-be-house. I was going to show him what Gaston's team had done and a few of the items I had bought.

The house still smelled of paint and glue, even after all the airing out from the opened

windows. I thought of opening a window or two again while we were here, but I might forget to close them when we leave. The house was dark. The sun was fading and the work ladders, both

tall and short, cast long shadows upon the walls. The plastic sheets crunched beneath our feet, as I led him around the rooms.

"Fall colors," I explained, suddenly timid from the feel of his eyes on me. Clearing my throat, I pointed at the huge, burgundy colors that draped to the floor. "... I wanted nature-looking colors, even though... this color," I fingered the fabric of the

curtain,"isn't in nature... sort of... um, it's kind of hot in here, isn't it?"

Outside it was cool, but inside the house, I was flushed. Turning around, I met Hiei's eyes, which were bright inside the darkening room. Calmly as I could, I reached for his hand and

led him to the kitchen where the stairs were located. I was trying to appear brave and seductive, but my nerves were getting the best of me.

He followed behind me up the winding staircase and his each step heightened the heat inside

the house. Swallowing, I began mechanically pointing out the carpets, drapes, and paint work. He never said a word.

Coming to the bedroom, I stared at the soft silver walls. "Blue curtains," I mumbled, completely uninterested in showing off the results of my shopping anymore.

Striding past me, Hiei stared out the window opposite the door. Quietly, he observed the

setting sun. Taking a deep breath, I moved toward him and tentatively wrapped my arms around his midsection.

"... aren't you going to fix your mark now?" I asked softly with my cheek pressed against his back.

"Are you trying to seduce me for your toys?"

I rolled my eyes and refrained from sighing in frustration. Always the suspicious one, I grumbled in silence. "Maybe," I lied. Forcing myself to be courageous, I slid my hands

beneath the front of his shirt and traced the outline of his lowest abdominal muscles. "Is it working?"

"No."

Dropping my hands, I turned away, feigning nonchalance at trying to entice him. "Okay, let's go to the bathroom. I put curtains in there, too, and these were the sale of the century –"

He whipped me back around to him and I grinned at the action.

I wasn't sure how it happened, but we ended up on the floor. He wasn't completely on top of me, as he seemed hesitant to put any contact between us other than his lips and hands. Even

the kisses seemed too short, but his hands were bunching into the fabric of my dress – a sure sign that he was fighting with himself.

Needing more contact, just his entire attention where he wasn't thinking about consequences, or his lack of control in the bedroom, I grabbed one of his hands and placed it on my lower thigh where the hem of my dress rested.

"Karen –"

"It's okay." I comforted with a nibble to his lower lip. Reaching up, I smoothed away his bangs and pinned him with a soft gaze.

Those two words must have been enough to chase away his worries of getting carried away, because he massaged the outside of my thigh and his touch caused my body to quiver. I was

suddenly relieved that I was wearing a one-sleeved dress when he focused his attention on my bare shoulder. He kissed down to my collarbone before placing his teeth at the edge of the

fabric above my chest to lower the top of my dress. His calloused hand worked a slow, aching magic, traveling further up my leg.

Then, he stopped.

"W-what's wrong?" I panted, my eyes fluttering open. "What's this?"

His question confused me until he tugged at the material wrapped around my right thigh.

Remembering the garter I had found in my desk (a nice touch, Valon...), I had decided to test it out just for fun before working my way up to more drastic attire. The blue garter with its floral patten in the lace was too big. It didn't fit above my knee, but higher up my leg to

mid-thigh. I had forgotten about it and a blush worked its way onto my cheeks.

"... that's a... garter." Meeting his eyes, which were clouded with lust and slight

confusion, I gave a nervous chuckle. "It's kind of... big. It doesn't fit right, but I was just – I thought it would be n-nice to wear or something?"

Hiei tilted his head, eyes pinned to the garter with interest. "Silly human attire," he

responded dryly. "I imagine it's mine if I take it off?" I thought he was finished talking until he pushed himself up into a sitting position slightly between my legs. He placed his right hand above the garter and wrapped his other hand around my calf. Leaning down, he

captured the band between his teeth, saying roughly, "like this?"

I didn't know how to respond. My mind was numbly watching him, as he slid the band away,

moving slowly. With each centimeter of the garter's movement, the higher he lifted my leg, his hand moving down to wrap around my ankle for a better grip. I was gasping at the

sensation of his teeth. His eyes remained locked with mine, dark and intense, gleaming wickedly within the shadows of the room.

Hiei kept the garter between his teeth when it was removed. Releasing his hold on my leg, he moved back over me and dropped the band onto my chest. There must have been a certain look in my eye, because he responded to it, not with a wild kiss, one of lust that tasted of smoke,

but by pushing himself up. My eyes widened and I hurried to pull him back down, trapping him more firmly against me.

"Karen, that's enough for tonight," he commanded firmly, but it was a lie from his physical

needs. I could hear it in his voice. His eyes were swimming with hunger, betraying the sudden coldness in his tone.

"But I," I searched my feverish mind for the right words. "But I – I won't stop you! We have time..."

"I know." Skimming his hand down my left side, he angled his head to my ear to capture my earlobe. "But taking you on the floor isn't what you or I –"

"No, I do want –"

He silenced me with a quick kiss. "Don't," Hiei warned.

Sighing, I glared at the garter sitting on my heaving chest. "... you didn't take it off the

other leg."

"I'm sure if you could, you'd have that itchy thing wrapped around your body."

Taking the hand he offered to help me up, I balled up the blue band with a grimace. The

garter wasn't strong enough to sway Hiei. He was too powerful in controlling his instincts now while my body was all strung up with heat and need.

Before we left the house, I decided to ask my nightly question. "Can I have my stuff back?"

"Do you have to ask that every night? It's becoming an annoying routine."

"I figured that if I ask enough, you'll eventually cave in and give them back." "Nice logic."

"... I might not have asked tonight if we had –" "Karen."

"We didn't even do anything!"

Hands on the steering wheel, Hiei turned his head to give me a furious warning glare. I cleared my throat and buckled my seat belt.

"Okay, I'll stop." Narrowing my eyes, I crossed my arms. For tonight, I added silently.

"Well, Hiei," greeted Kurama with a welcoming grin. "It's not like you to pay a visit these days."

"Your acting is terrible. It's almost as bad as Karen's." Hiei answered in response to Kurama's overly exaggerated grin. He strode past Kurama and entered the apartment. "You caught my energy miles away, so don't act so surprise."

"There was a time I thought of taking up acting," explained Kurama for his reason of being dramatically caught off guard by Hiei's presence.

"Or being, what was it, a hair model?"

Kurama quirked a brow at the demon. He hadn't seen Hiei for many months and within that time, the demon seemed to have changed.

Yes, the demon had changed from the once small demon he knew. Back then, Hiei had been cold and distrusting, just an odd individual to read with his own unique honor code that only his friends (comrades as Hiei would put it) could decipher. He had lightened over the years,

approached a certain peace, and adapted to Human World in order to live here as comfortably

as possible whenever he decided to shadow Yukina. Kurama had taught Hiei the language and how this world worked until he was able to walk casually throughout the streets. Hiei was a fast learner, what with his Jagan to help speed along studies, allowing the demon to easily adapt to any region.

Then, and Kurama wasn't sure when exactly it happened, Hiei shrank back into the shadows and disappeared for many months at time. The demon had changed rapidly, both physically and

mentally. But, one day, Hiei left, not just for months, half a year – no, he disappeared completely.

It must have been two years before Kurama next saw Hiei.

-Flashback-

Shouldering his door open, Kurama swept a hand through his hair, flicking rainwater from his locks. They should make umbrellas more bulbous, or maybe, Kurama thought, he should start

wearing a hat. Of course, umbrellas would only work for rain that fell straight down to the ground, but against rain that was windswept, the device was useless.

Contrary to what people, his friends- and yes, now the students he was teaching- thought,

Kurama was greatly annoyed by many things. Wet hair was at the top of that list. His hair was thick and took ages to dry. Why not use a blow dryer, one might question? It wasn't a guy

issue, because the logic of using a blow dryer to speed up the drying process far outweighed the risk of harming his manly image. No, the reason why he went without using the device was because he hated wires. Having kept one before, he had always ended up caught among the wire.

One morning, while late for school, he had somehow managed to get the cord knotted up from his careless usage of it, and being a rather grumpy person in the morning without tea or

coffee, he had sworn off blow dryers forever.

Wires were everywhere in life. They were always getting tangled and never stayed in place,

seeming to have a mind of their own. He especially hated the computer he had, with it's cords pooled down to the floor. There were also the matter of his speakers, his printer, his

scanner, etc.

Normally, he didn't like clouding up his life with technology, but the devices made his job go much more smoothly.

Kurama had pushed through his education quickly after he had left Demon World, where he had

left his demon self behind, putting his past behind him, and instead, learning to embrace his more humane side. No, he could never leave Yoko. He was Yoko, but after that tournament,

Kurama had decided to live his life here in Human World, where he knew he belonged.

He advanced quickly through his studies and now, and being a student botany teacher something he greatly enjoyed, he was enjoying life. He did miss the excitement of fighting and using

his mind to work through situations, but knowing there was peace and seeing how life moved forth quietly, he had become accustomed to being a lazy human.

I should probably consider a laptop, mused Kurama when he shook off his coat and hung it on the coat rack. You ancient thing, he frowned down at the large monitor, but nowhere near as ancient as my inner self.

It was as he was staring down at his computer, that he caught the scent of a demon within his apartment. Kurama still did work for Spirit World, easy stuff of hunting a low-class demon

that wasn't playing by the rules in Human World, but his abilities were weaker now. He really needed to keep them more in use, sharpen his senses like a blade, but life for him was too

comfortable these days.

Sniffing, Kurama caught the scent again and his eyes narrowed. He knew this scent. It was smoky with the hint of the wild scents of Demon World's forests. His mind searched for the familiar name that belonged to the unique odor.

When he crept closer, moving carefully within his darkened apartment, his eyes lit up in recognition.

"Hiei."

The living room lights were off, but the lightning flickering outside pierced through the apartment's blinds and lit up a tall figure stretched out upon the window seat. At first,

Kurama was unsure if this figure was Hiei. The demon had the smell and the way he was

sitting, one leg raised and an arm resting atop it, was Hiei's habitual sitting pose, but the demon had grown... greatly.

Kurama should have expected Hiei to be taller. The same growth spurt had happened to Yukina a while back and had astounded everyone, especially Kuwabara. It seems the siblings were

resembling their people's height, but to see Hiei, much taller now, even sitting, was

somewhat intimidating. He wasn't use to it. His more primal side, where Yoko rested, stirred slightly, and he wanted to bring out his whip, bare his teeth and growl, but he refrained.

"You've weakened," Hiei rasped, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time. It was low, a whisper, but the familiar baritone carried his words across the room easily enough.

"I was pondering that same observation." Kurama studied Hiei's profile, but the demon kept his face turned away, staring out the window where he had pulled up the blinds to view the storm raging outside. "It comes from easy living."

There was something off about Hiei, but it had been two years since they had last spoken.

Kurama, known for making sound judgments in milliseconds, forced himself to keep from jumping to conclusions. He tried – a second, two, a full minute – but there was something dark in his apartment, a scent like death. Yes, that was it, and it burned his nostrils.

Kurama wondered if something had happened to have caused this change he was now feeling in the demon's aura. He was once a friend, a close comrade that he could trust his life with, but now a stranger sat within his living room. And there was Yoko, trying to bare its teeth at the hostile aura, only there was nothing menacing about Hiei. The demon was just cold,

very cold, and that smell of death, putrid and thick, hung in the air to remind both Kurama and Yoko of where he had caught this particular scent before during his travels.

As Kurama was standing there, calm on the outside, but braced stiffly on the inside, one question whispered up to him.

Should he worry that he could feel this darkness, smell the scent, and nearly taste it, without having looked into Hiei's eyes?

"It's been a long time, Hiei. Yukina asks about you." Nothing. Not even a tilt of his head to show that Hiei was listening, but Kurama continued. "I tried to contact you, but Mukuro said you had left her services."

...

Kurama was uneasy at the silence, but not afraid. "It's unlike you to be this quiet Hiei. What brings you here?"

"Are you threatened by me?"

The question rang in the air and Yoko growled at it. Narrowing his eyes, Kurama asked calmly, "should I be?"

...

"What's happened to you?" Kurama almost asked 'who are you', but he knew this was Hiei. The aroma of burning cedar lingered among the other odorous scent to speak for Hiei's true

identiy.

The rain outside stopped and, unfolding himself from the seat, Hiei stood, displaying his full height and Kurama froze. He was taller than Kurama, but shorter than Kuwabara. Still,

the height was impressive for someone that was once under five feet. There was a flickering thought, just mindless curiosity, of who Hiei and Yukina might look like, and if either one of the demons resembled their father. If so, Kurama imagined he wouldn't have liked to run into such a demon late at night.

Finally, Hiei turned and Kurama's eyes widened at the deep red of the demon's eyes.

It was blood – the kind that was dry and no longer a threat, a neon sign that pointed to a wounded person, but blood that dyed the surface beneath it with a stain to haunt the world.

There was nothing there – no warmth, no recognition for anything. It was the look of something beyond death; simply emptiness.

"Hiei –"

Something blurred through the air and Kurama barely had time to catch the object flying

toward him. It was a necklace, but it had lost its shine. The demon energy inside it was gone now, but the gem still sparkled beautifully – a contrast from the demon that had carried it

for many years.

Recognizing the gem hanging from the end, Kurama looked up. "I told you that you would give this back to Yukina yourself."

"You should keep your windows locked." Hiei ignored Kurama and turned away to the window. "I won't be returning for shelter."

With that statement, Hiei opened the window and blurred away into the night.

Kurama crossed over to his window and shut it in confusion. Keeping the window unlock was a habit, because Hiei had always took refuge in his home whenever the weather was bad. He had done so for many years, following him when Kurama had moved into his own place. Even after two years of the demon's absence, Kurama kept it open for his friend, but those words, the coldness of the demon's voice had him locking the window for the first time.

The heavy scent was gone, but Kurama knew its meaning and he whispered into his darkened apartment, "are you looking for death, Hiei?"

-End of Flashback-

Hiei had come back a few times, but Kurama had never known where Hiei had stayed during his visits – if he stayed anywhere at all. The only time he had known Hiei was even in Human

World was when Kurama was called in to Spirit World and he saw the report of demon visits. It was just his name, just Hiei. There was no surname, nothing, as that was only reserved for

Human World usage. Even the name, those few characters, seemed very lonely.

Kurama didn't understand the withdrawal. Yusuke had told him that it might be best if they left him alone, but he had only suggested it in annoyance, after Kuwabara threatened to go

after Hiei. That threat had occurred after Kuwabara found out that Hiei was Yukina's brother and being 'a man and all', he wanted Hiei's permission to date Yukina officially. Yusuke had scoffed at Kuwabara and told him that he had already taken Yukina for a spin on the town

plenty of times, but the taller man was stubborn. Kuwabara went on and on about his idea

until one night, he dropped the subject. Turns out, that he had in fact talked with Hiei, but as for how the conversation went, neither of the other two men found out. Kuwabara, being the only one to have talked to Hiei in ages, simply shrugged whenever his friends would ask, and say 'it wasn't any of their business'.

Hiei had been cold, colder than Kurama had ever known, having lost sight of what little light he had found in his life. Hiei didn't talk. He didn't do anything. That deadened look

remained in the demon's eyes, sitting in pools of blood that Kurama questioned silently. But things were... different again.

A good different.

Seating himself, Kurama stared over at his friend across the table and contemplated the new aura hovering around the demon.

The aura was like clean air, that breeze that cooled clammy skin, something refreshing that had one closing his or her eyes to enjoy such an innocent act of nature. It was light, but

overpowering, sweeping over Kurama's senses and he tilted his head. There, just floating upon this aura, was something floral and soft. Recognizing the scent, the reason for the relaxed

expression on Hiei's face, his casual dry humor, and clear red eyes, Kurama's lips tilted up into a small smile.

He's... happy, Kurama met Hiei's gaze.

"I didn't know you were one for grinning like a fool," remarked Hiei with a raised eyebrow. "You could try it. It's a display of happiness."

"Or a cover up." Hiei leaned back in his chair and regarded the other man with a cool gaze that belied the uplifting aura around him. "Expressions have many meanings."

Folding his hands beneath his chin, Kurama leaned forward to brace his elbows upon the

tabletop. "Is this a personal visit where I should prepare tea or one of importance that requires my assistance?"

"Team Two was involved in a bandit raid."

Kurama's brows furrowed. "I wasn't informed – "

"It happened on Mukuro's lands, but nothing serious happened. You've been given time off and I handled everything. I informed Yomi and pass along the necessary reports. He asks that you contact him tomorrow."

Relaxing a bit, Kurama thought over Hiei's words, saying slowly. "Kuwabara is involved with Team Two, was he injured?"

"No," answered Hiei, not caring to elaborate. Kuwabara could handle himself. They both knew it, but Kurama only asked out of curiosity, a simple check-up on his friend. "From their

description of the bandits, they were attacked by members of Sota's Wolf Clan."

"He's dead." Kurama wasn't making a guess to Sota's rumored death. He knew, because it was obvious. "No one would act through his clan unless they were looking for death and Team Two would not be alive to inform us."

"Exactly what I said to them."

"Could be a son? Sota probably had many, but I don't think he would have cared to passed on his clan to any of them." Hiei knew this, but allowed Kurama to carry on with his muttering. "He wasn't expecting to die so soon."

"It is a son. Team Two informed us that the bandits they had captured exploded seconds later."

"Only Sota, or one of his offspring, could pass along that knowledge to the members." He was silent, eyes narrowed in thought, before asking, "did Team Two have anything valuable?"

"Just women."

"How far out were they?"

"The edge of Mukuro's lands, north of Clawed Mountain." "Anything else?"

Hiei grunted and closed his eyes. "The bandit leader was not involved, whether out of

cowardice or observing his clan in battle, we don't know. Aside from that, there is nothing else worth noting."

"Nothing to do but stay alert," agreed Kurama.

Case closed. There was just nothing else they could do at this point. With that done, silence settled between them. Kurama studied Hiei's face with a frown.

"Now," Kurama peered over his clasped hands, "was there something else? I could have found this information out for myself tomorrow. I feel that you are," he waved a hand, searching for the correct word, "stalling?"

Opening his eyes, Hiei glanced to the side and his jaw tensed. "Dinner, next week."

Kurama blinked. After a second, he hid his laugh behind his hand. "I'm sorry, Hiei, but I can't have dinner with you. What would Karen think?"

"It was Karen's idea," hissed Hiei.

Kurama wanted to laugh, because the idea of Karen forcing Hiei to ask him over for dinner was too much, as the demon towered over the young woman. But, after the need to laugh passed,

Kurama felt like sighing. Now, he was truly alone amongst his friends and for whatever

reason, they, these couples, all wanted to keep him well fed. It was almost as if they were trying to keep him alive, add to his strength, in his search for his other half.

"What," Hiei asked when Kurama finally did sigh. "Be there," Hiei threatened, thinking Kurama was going to deny his proposal. "I don't need her talking my ear off because of your refusal to come over."

Kurama shook his head. "It's not that." He gave another laugh, but it was small and awkward. "I was just thinking that I am the lonely bachelor that everyone keeps feeding. I already

have two dinners to attend this week." "You've found a mate –"

"Hiei," Kurama cut him off while covering his face with his hands. "I wish you wouldn't bring that up."

"It's your human body that couldn't handle the alcohol and led to your one night stand, don't blame me for witnessing your morning after."

"You could smell what had –" "Don't remind me!"

"Then, why did you intrude –"

"Need I remind you again, that my senses were dulled by alcohol, too, and this world makes it harder to catch scents!" At the memory, Hiei's lips twisted. "Why don't you do us all a favor and just be with that woman."

"Try saying that with a straight face," remarked Kurama at Hiei's disgusted expression.

"It's not the woman I despise, it's who she is related to." Annoyed with the talk and not one for discussing relationships, Hiei stood to his feet and headed for the door. "Hn, be with

her or not, I don't care. Dinner, next week," he repeated.

"I'll bring a gift for the house!" shouted Kurama after the demon.

"Why not consume the human souls here, my Lord," asked Ruka, as she poured water over Cain's shoulders. "We still have plenty of humans here."

"Che," grunted Cain. "They are more tainted here, but there, in the other world, I have

smelled the purity of the souls there and those souls will help refuel my strength a great deal better."

Yet, even as he said it, Cain knew that consuming souls would only speed up his recovery a tad faster. Again, the memory of that tiny woman that had weakened him flashed before his eyes and he shrugged away from Ruka's hands.

Cain was not known for his temper. He had patience, but to be outdone so easily had his jaw tensing in rigid anger. Inhaling deeply, he stepped from the spring and allowed the air to dry his magnificent form.

Consuming human souls were outlawed in many regions of Demon World and the idea of it had his lips thinning in disgust. These demon here were weak and very much dissimilar to the demons

of his time. Cain was repulsed to have learned that humans in the other world had tortured

his fellow demons. Humans were weak. They were beneath demons. It was how it had always been and Cain, the last demon from an era of strength and darkness, was here to show his children the truth of being a demon.

But first, his strength.

He needed to recover faster and he was doing everything he could to rise to power from the

shadows of Demon World. He would not be thwarted again by a human, much less a priestess. He

made a mistake, but he had learned from it.

Cain had sent his men, scattered them into the planes of Human World, to bring him his souls.

He had only lived in Human World a short period of time, but he had learned much of its culture, even the dark side of it.

No one was going to miss a few humans here and there, not with how they breed, and as long as they were careful, Spirit World would remain ignorant.

When he was stronger, when he was at full strength, Human World will be free for his children and they will be regarded as gods.

And he would be their King.

"Mankind's darkest day," whispered Cain.

Too bad, that prophecy couldn't have accounted for the early arrival of the demon that was to bring doom upon humans.

This time around, he would be successful. Besides, he had his ally on the other side, one that hid behind a facade, a mask of trust and compassion, but he knew the truth.

He smirked.

Yes, it will be different this time.

A/N: Sorry for the delay. I had a busy couple of weeks. My mother is an adjusting

quadriplegic, so as her primary caregiver, there might be periods where I don't update. Not to worry! So please don't think I've gone and disappeared again. I promise you this story

will finish. I don't know how else to convince you guys! I appreciate all the PMs that

flooded my inbox, though! If you ever need to talk, just message me! I'm full of advice and friendly conversation! Lee appearing once again was an idea helped along by akasoeki. Thanks to her for beta-reading! Also, if you want to see the pictures of the house that she made on

the sims, I can post them on deviantart. I'll leave a poll though. I don't want to post them, if no one wants to see despite the requests! I also have more drawings on deviant art if you haven't seen them. See you, hopefully, by next week! I love you guys!