1. A Little Piece of Heaven Raising Hell
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of its characters. I also do not own any game characters or lyrics that I may also put in here. Thank you.
Chapter Forty-One: A Little Piece Of Heaven Raising Hell
Hiei leaned back in his chair and stared at the young woman curled up in the middle of the bed. He watched the sunlight beaming down on her face, as his mind replayed the events of last night.
Hiei had already been watching her for quite some time in that dim lit club. Invisible to her eyes, he was allowed brief glimpses of her smiles and pleasant laughter as she served the
line of customers – such sights he hadn't seen since he came back. The last smile she had
given him was when he held her hand as he led her back up to the house. Even if the laughter was short-lived, merely for the benefit of the customers complimenting the food, just the
sound of it made his gaze softened.
Simply seeing her, after the few days apart, chased away his fatigue and gave him peace. It was almost as if he had been wandering in the depths of Demon World searching for that
solitude – something he had tried doing before he met her with just this need to find it and end his restless search. His search ended when he stared down at the mud ridden, blue-eyed
woman and felt the connection chain them together.
Hiei didn't even know how he survived the three months without seeing her bright eyes or
hearing her soft voice delivering that rediculous slogan. The only things he had to represent her the last few days were her voicemail and the meals she left for him. Pathetically, he
went to her bedroom just to inhale her scent. It wasn't as if he slept any during those long days. His mind just kept replaying the pained look in her eyes when he left her that night, as he absentmindedly flipped through her sketchbook.
And those meals she had left him only made it worse. They had no taste – not unless she was sitting there beside him, drinking a mug of tea and watching him with sparkling eyes. She
waited up for him when everyone else went to bed. No matter how late it was, she was up and waiting. There was just that soft admission before he slid in next to her in bed –
"_I miss you_."
She never said it as missing him when he was gone the entire day, because she would have said 'I missed you'. Hiei tried to understand what it was she meant. It never sounded right
without that past tense to it. He shrugged it off and went to sleep without responding. Then, she would roll over to sleep on her side of the bed.
He knew what she meant now.
When she sat at that table, all alone, he realized that he left her alone too many times.
Hiei had done that to her in Shiragawa-go, too – just left her in that house by herself for hours while he watched from afar and trained. It wasn't until much later that he saw how it bothered her to be alone with nothing but wooden walls and those sheets of paper that she
sketched on to keep her company. She never complained. In a way, she even seemed used to
being on her own – like himself, only she made her own sunlight while he burrowed into ice for warmth.
And then that disgusting creature slithered over to her table with a cheeky grin and gleaming eyes. He noticed that there were plenty of other males shooting glances at Karen. It was very much like a pack of wolves circling a small, white rabbit. One by one, they were waiting to
go in for the kill, to have their shot. Once that man failed – which looked to be soon,
another one was going to take up that seat and fetch her a drink, then get her to smile or laugh – just give them even a second glance from those pretty blue eyes.
She was entirely oblivious to it all, as she focused on her book or the people dancing
beneath the flashing lights. Didn't she know how alluring she appeared, sitting in the soft
glow of that lamp? It haloed her, that light. It surrounded her and made everything else seem bleak in comparison, as if she were an angel sent to grace this darkened world.
So innocent – even after everything, she was still so innocent. He never wanted that particular attribute to disappear.
But why did he keep trying to pluck those wings off with cruel fingers and acid-laced words?
Because it was to bind her down here – keep her rooted to the ground so that she couldn't
leave him. If he clipped her wings, then she couldn't fly away. He did that with his hands, body, and voice.
Even if he caught her with his bloodstained hands, she could still keep her affections locked away. Once again, her smiles and laughter was something he had to watch from afar. It was no longer directed at him because he had turned his back too often and had laughed off her
emotions.
They all saw her beauty – those wolves grinning in the darkness. They all saw that light that he had tried to smother to keep it from attracting others, but it was too strong. She had her pick among the room. All she had to do was smile and each one would be eating from her palm. Every man watching her would gladly wrap himself around her finger, give her things that Hiei couldn't give, and submit themselves to her. All for that one little smile.
None of them deserved her.
He knew he didn't deserve her.
Hiei chased them away, even if it hurt her to see him. He didn't miss how those blue eyes rippled with pain, as she turned from him. Seeing her eyes, the way she trembled, made him remember that human boy of hers.
-Flashback-
Hiei crouched down until he was sitting on his heels to stare into Karen's closet.
She really should have known better than to hide anything from him. He knew exactly what it was that she was doing behind his back.
After their _first_ night together, Hiei had approached Koenma. Lena had fed him the story that she was there to report her finished training. Perhaps it was true. If that was the
truth, then why was Karen hiding from him? She kept turning away from him, ducking her eyes, and running off with everyone else but him. He had given her more than enough chances to
confess. If she wasn't going to tell him, then he'd go to the one person that wouldn't dare to keep anything from him.
Koenma.
The prince told him everything. He seemed to be expecting that Hiei would come seeking him out for news about his mate. Koenma revealed everything – that old woman's training, the
weapon issued, something about herbal plants, and learning first aid – as Karen had requested to help with the temples. Angered, he demanded the documents she had signed. Koenma very
calmly replied that he had never filed them, as he knew Hiei would seek him out. Slipping her file out, he handed the papers to him and Hiei left to look them over before his next
meeting.
She should have told him. The fact that she felt the need to hide from him, hide anything at all, was infuriating… and painful. He would have thought she'd tell him anything. She always told him everything, even if it was something stupid like one of Daisuke's brats learning how to whistle. Hiei didn't like that the one person that had ever completely trusted him was now avoiding him. He didn't know which outweighed the other, the livid anger or the echoing pain.
Hiei had an hour to kill before leaving to pick up Karen. After reading over her paperwork,
he saw the equipment she was lent. There was also information about her blood work and that she had taken a birth control. Just something else she should have mentioned. He'd read over that later. Right now, he wanted to focus on _this_ equipment.
Hiei had noticed the day she was leaving with that boy, that she seemed quite adamant on
keeping him from her closet. She wasn't usually a messy person. He had lived with her long
enough to know that she kept things tidy. Except for her underwear drawer (he shook his head to rid the images of those two thongs), as that was always messy. From his position on the
bed, he had seen one of the floorboards wiggle. Then, she covered it up. To check his theory, he had knocked aside her purse to see if the said floorboard was loose. It was.
He hadn't thought anymore of it until now when he actually had time to look around her room.
He had already found the crossword puzzles in her bottom desk drawer. The books might not have caught his interest, but all these books were without their covers. He counted them,
shuffling through each set with a frown. She had five. Hiei checked the documents of Lena's notes over what she had taken from the temple. It was entirely up to date. He set the books back into the drawer.
The closet was next.
Hiei spent a few minutes admiring a few of her new shoes and held them within his hands. His mind dragged up images of her long legs, which led him to remember how they felt beneath his hands that first night. He hurriedly tossed aside the shoes to shake off his thoughts.
Scooting away the mess, he saw the slightly skewed floorboard. He pried up the end easily with a hand and saw the bag below. His eyes narrowed.
Switching out her bag, he dumped her equipment into her old green bag and threw the other bag into the corner of her closet. His next task was to pack her a set of clothes and the choices were limited. Hiei was tempted to pack one of her miniskirts still dangling from one of the
hangers, but he knew better. There was hardly anything available, but he tossed in as
comfortable an outfit he could find into the duffel bag beside him. It was as he was throwing in her shoes that he caught the sight of something at the end of the closet. His eyes widened and his mind tried to place the name for the outfit he was seeing…
Was that a garter set?
What was she trying to do – torture him to death? This was exactly why he was struggling just to keep his hands off her for more than a minute. It was just one surprise after another
these days. The lies, the hiding, and these sexy outfits – all these changes were killing
him. She might as well plunge her hand into his jagan and rip it out because it would be less painful than the agony of fighting down his raging lust.
Tearing his eyes away, Hiei headed toward her dresser and opened the first drawer. And again, he decided, his choices were limited as he was faced with the sight of her thongs. Once
again, his mind pictured her in these naughty fabrics. Did she even wear them? Well, she was going to have to as that was all there was amidst the bras and socks. Grabbing the underwear, he threw it in the bag. He couldn't help smirking at the blush he knew was going to color
those cheeks tomorrow when she saw what he had packed. He shrugged. It was her fault.
He heard a car pulling up the driveway as he zipped up the duffel bag. Hiei tilted his head, trying to catch the intruder's energy. It was weak and he recognized it as his mate's human
boy. Scowling, he fixed everything into place and set the bags down. There was a knock on the front door and he casually strolled downstairs to see what it was that boy wanted. He'd
ignore the boy, normally, but damn it if he didn't have to act somewhat decent to that human because of his woman.
"Uh," was Kenji's greeting at the sight of Hiei's face. "… Is Karen home?" "No."
At Hiei's grunt of a response, Kenji stuffed his left hand into his pocket to keep from
patting it nervously against his pant leg. "Well, Karen left this cookbook the other night. She wanted to try a few different recipes, so here."
Hiei took the book without a word, glanced at the cover, and then stared back at Kenji. He
lifted a brow when the boy continued standing there with a suddenly stern expression. Hiei really didn't feel like talking to him. He would have grunted, but there was only a handful of people that could discern his grunts. Karen was accomplished at it – and once again, she was on his mind.
"What," Hiei finally snapped after several seconds.
Kenji's eyes widened, but he straightened his frames and stood to his full height. "Look, I just wanted to tell you that I think Karen's about ready to blow up and it has something to do with whatever happened between you guys." Kenji waited for Hiei to say something, but the
demon was regarding him with a bland look. "Do you get it?" Kenji comically held up his hand, as if wielding imaginary chalk. "B-R-E-A-K-D-O-W-N – a breakdown, you know? She was pretty
shaky the other night. I mean, it was bound to happen with being a priestess and everything, but I guess you guys are having," Kenji murmured his last word, "problems." He cleared his
throat. "It must have just pushed her – she keeps to herself too much when something is
bothering her, always has. Anyways, she needs to let it out or something. You should go talk to her."
Hiei didn't appear fazed by the news and Kenji's fists clenched in anger. Here Kenji was, trying to give some advice, and this bastard was just staring at him, as if he could care less what was wrong with his best friend.
"Man, you don't even care! You don't give one shit about Karen!"
If Kenji had been looking close enough, he would have seen the way Hiei's eyes flashed at him.
"No wonder she's all lonely! You act all superior, like you demons are so much better than
us," Kenji's hazel eyes brightened in his fury. "Really, you're just all selfish bastards and you know what, we have plenty of those here in our world, too. Go figure. But you're the most selfish bastard of all." Kenji ignored Hiei's tightening jaw. He didn't care anymore. If he
was getting his ass kicked, well, he'd get it kicked with these words flying in the air. "You may have saved her a thousand times to the point that she worships the ground you walk on and keeps saying that your good, but I don't see it. I don't know what goes on behind your closed doors, but I know you don't treat her right. She gives without asking for anything in return.
She will _never_ ask for anything in return and you know I'm right." Angrily, Kenji stepped closer until he was right up against Hiei to stare him in the face. "So the fact that you
treat her bad, so bad that she cried nonstop for an hour, makes you lower than a human. Welcome to the bottom."
Kenji crossed his arms and glared at the demon as he waited for a response. Hiei narrowed his eyes a tad, but Kenji matched the glare. He wasn't _too_ terrified. Kenji was the best
friend. Anything happens to him and he could go running off to Karen – not that he would, but it was an option. _So he does care_, Kenji thought. _Yeah, I can see it now. He's just
stubborn._ They stared at one another for a long moment until Kenji smirked in a
challengingly way. The wheels in his head began spinning. Kenji needed to try a different tact. Karen assured him that the demon cared, that he wasn't like everyone else – you just had to look beneath the underneath. He was starting to see what she meant.
"I _bet_ you can't handle the sight of her tears. Maybe that's why she's always hiding from
you. Maybe that's why she came to me. You wouldn't be able to handle the fact that you caused
– GRRRHHH!"
Kenji slapped a hand to either side of his head, as he felt fire erupt inside his mind. Hiei blurred from view and all he saw was darkness. Then, the past couple of days began swimming before his eyes, like a rewinding movie. It was all flying in streaming colors from him
singing in the shower (what the hell?), driving in town, flirting with that woman, eating a whole bag of chips – and his head was being pulled apart. He kept seeing the bag of chips. The bright chip bag was twirling around in his mind and crumbs were flying in the air –
-_Show me your day with Karen, not your damn chips!_-
Kenji wasn't sure who was speaking. But at the demand, his mind dragged up images of his day with Karen. The images slowed to normal speed and focused in on Karen sinking to the floor in tears. Kenji could hear her words echoing inside his head as she blamed herself for ruining
Hiei's life. Then, it was just replaying. His head was burning, but the images of Karen
crying wouldn't leave him. Finally, after what seemed like ages, Hiei swam back into view.
There was a slight second where Kenji saw the demon's eyes widened briefly, but then his glare came back in place.
"D-did you just," Kenji rubbed his temples, "you were in my head!" Kenji peered up at the demon through an eye, as his other was clenched shut in pain. He pointed at the demon's
forehead. Kenji knew about that demon's eye. "You used that on me. If you would have just
waited, I was going to ask you to read my mind. Damn," Kenji shook his head with a grimace, "is this going to fade?"
"Hn."
Hiei slammed the door, leaving Kenji to massage his temples. Despite Hiei's cold attitude,
the pain was fading. Yet, Kenji couldn't help casting an angry glare over his shoulder as he walked back to his car.
As Hiei was walking back up the stairs, he heard Kenji's muffled yell. "I forgot to tell you to go tend to Karen, you bastard!"
-End of Flashback-
_Stupid boy_, Hiei thought with a grimace. If he wasn't Karen's _friend_, Hiei might have kicked the human all the way back to his car. However, he was on icy ground with his woman
and to hurt the boy severely would have Karen hating him. He might have been too harsh with his jagan, but that boy was annoying him. It wasn't as if the pain was great. If that human idiot knew what was good for him, he'd never mention that day to Karen.
Hate…
Hiei couldn't stand the thought of her hating him. Just the thought that she would utter that word or regard him with a look of hatred made his head pound and the world came to a
standstill. The outcome would be too great and he might not survive it. He didn't even know if she hated him now from his actions this past week.
She wouldn't talk to him. She wouldn't meet his gaze. She was avoiding him. He kept listening to her voicemail, which had been the only way that he could hear her voice these past few
days. Pathetic. He was fucked up if he was now resorting to listening to her voicemail just to hear her voice or lying in her bed to inhale her scent – just dragging up what warmth he could find. He went three months, _three long months_, and now he couldn't handle a few days without seeing or hearing her? Such a spin this _relationship_ had taken.
And he was actually chasing her.
Since she wouldn't acknowledge him, Hiei had spent the time watching her face while she sat there in the dim lighting. The few times she would meet his gaze, he saw what the boy was
talking about and he didn't miss how her hands shook when she finished her drink. He knew
Karen didn't like to display emotions outside of her awkward happiness, just as she knew he had to be in control at all times. There were times when she would avoid him, anyone, until
she could slap her smiles back onto her face. So he knew she wouldn't want to make a scene in public, which was why he got her another glass and began teasing her to confuse her from her tears. She had always been easily distracted, especially by his voice and that stir-fry
business.
Distract her from the pain by invoking annoyance. That's all he had been trying to do. And he might have enjoyed teasing her, if only to get her to talk to him.
Then, she started running from him.
After witnessing the images in that boy's head, Hiei had felt that hot guilt tearing through him again. He had hurt her enough to cause those tears. After every bruise, his vile words to her, and he finally pushed her enough to cause her to cry. He was right in thinking, that he wouldn't know what would happen if he were to see her cry – it was worse than he had
anticipated. It clawed at insides with a thousand knives, just digging in and carving away
with a loathing laughter. It was more painful than his dragon raging inside him, as it gnawed
his insides in its heated fury.
What was worse was when he heard her confessions on that kitchen floor – stupid, little fool.
He never thought about that blasted connection while saving her. He never gave the connection a single thought when he placed his mark on her. He wanted her. He had wanted her since the
beginning. The connection just tied them together. The heat was different from that line of string that made up their bond.
To witness her tears first hand sent him reeling in alarm. He had been stunned when he
snatched her away from the path of that car and proceeded to yell at her idiotic ways. The
sobs and tears made his chest hurt. The way she was hiding her face, trying to keep him from seeing, tortured him, but also made him angry. He was reminded of all her secretive ways this past week. He was reminded of that boy's words. He was reminded of how he constantly berated her tears, that they were a weakness, that he invoked that fear into her until she felt the
need to hide them from him.
Originally, he had booked the hotel room because he didn't feel like driving all the way to Hakone and he wanted a full night's sleep alone with his mate. He hated hearing all the
squabbling from that other couple. Since he didn't have to be in Spirit World the next day, he needed to trap her someplace, alone, for the sleep he knew that they both needed. He knew how exhausted she was – it rivaled his. _Just to sleep_, he had scolded himself. They needed it, even if he had to drag her in there with him.
He _literally_ dragged her in there with him.
She kept trying to run from him. Every word she said was a burning knife pressed against his heart, because he couldn't let her go. Hiei knew he didn't deserve her affections, that he
hurt her more times than he could remember, was still hurting her, but he was selfish. She was his woman. He could never let her go and if she ran, he'd go tearing through the city after her. The thought of her not being in his life made everything seem cold and dark –
empty. If being alive hurt, he'd rather experience it than go back to all those years of feeling nothing. She was the knife he'd gladly plunge into his heart.
Tears were weak, but those tears from her were not weak – she had been holding them back for him.
Just another act that she was doing for him.
Hiei didn't want her hiding anymore. He wasn't going to allow her to cry on the other side of that door. He wasn't going to let her run off to lick her wounds. He had enough of it. He had caused them, every tear and sob, and he would witness them while enduring the ache of her
sorrow.
If this was the breakdown that boy mentioned, he had no further need to worry. Hiei was
capable of extracting all that excess energy she had built up. He even made sure she didn't try to calmly brush it off by laughing and mocking her attacks – it was all he did. He
deliberately pushed her until she was exhausted. That should have helped her shaking. She had done the same for him plenty of times. She hadn't fought him in any way. She never did when
he lost control. She just let him take out his frustrations on her, but he wasn't going to do that anymore.
Hiei never backed down from a fight. Yet, this was different from all the battles he had ever fought. She was the toughest opponent he had ever had to face and to right things, regain her trust, and chase away that pained look in her eyes, he was going to have to change.
It wouldn't be easy. He was set in his ways. Demons needed to be dominant and in control. It was his true nature to exact control over his mate and as it was, he had toned it down
enough. Any other demon would have had their human cowering into submission, but that was
just it. There wasn't many demons that had human mates – and his actions toward her was the exact reason why. Lust was strong in a demon once they found their prey. It overrided nearly everything aside from the need to spill blood. There was little time for emotion.
But it was over.
She won.
He had to drop his sword at her feet and concede defeat. She recovered from every hit while he had to live with the constant reminder of what he had done to her – it ate at him. She
stumbled from his malicious words while he regretted the poison that left his lips – it
pierced him. And he struck her down at last, but seeing her fall was his own final blow. He couldn't do it anymore.
Hiei had never stood a chance.
Now there were a few things he was going to have to do today that he would have never done, not even to a demon that had a sword pressed against his neck...
Hearing her phone ringing from within her purse, he snatched it out and powered down her phone. He didn't want anyone bothering them and to ensure that no one did, he slipped her
phone into his pocket to keep out of sight. Calmly, he made his way over to the bed to wake Karen up.
"They said Cain was spotted," announced Lena with bright eyes, as she strode into the room. "Is this true?"
Koenma turned around with a sincere expression. "I'm afraid we have no true way of knowing. It was merely a guess, but Takeo seems quite adamant that it was him and he was not alone."
She looked past Koenma's shoulder and eyed the screen behind him where a tanned demon with gray eyes was grinning. Nodding her head at Takeo, she greeted, "Takeo."
"Ah, the beautiful Lena," charmed Takeo with a wide grin. "You are such a divine picture compared to my companions. They are the very epitome of... disgust. They smell bad."
"Whoa there lad," protested a voice, speaking rather quickly and with an Irish accent. "I say you smell a right mess as well. Wilting flowers with your breath is what you be doing, you
are."
"Jin's right, mate." A tall demon with a bluish mohawk wrapped a muscular arm around Takeo's shoulders and brought his head down into his armpit. "Now this is where your stench needs to focus. This is where masculinity comes from, junior. Inhale it! Don't be afraid!"
Takeo struggled for an entire two seconds before going limp within Chu's hold. Jin sidled into view with his arms crossed behind his head. Jin sniffed Chu and blanched. "I take me words back. Chu, you've been rolling in hay soaked in ale – a week's worth, it seems."
"Nah," Chu smirked and sniffed his other armpit. "This is Ogre Killer and for the record,
just a day's worth, but no hay. That's some itchy stuff, mate. It's not great for doing some actual _rolling _in the hay either, if you know what I'm saying."
Koenma saw Lena's slightly furrowed eyebrows at the demons relaxed acts upon the screen. When they met each other's eyes, Koenma shrugged. "I've learned to allow these silly antics, as it makes everything go smoother. You have no idea how long it took to gain this sort of patience when dealing with these," he nodded at the screen, "types of individuals."
"Oh, lilies in a pond," gasped Chu when he saw Lena's calm expression. "Now, aren't you a goddess? I don't think I've introduced myself, but I'm Chu – your new man."
Clearing his throat, Koenma decided to get down to business. "I'd like for Lena, here, to listen to your description of Cain."
"Not really a description, we can give," explained Jin. "We was in a demon pub outside Murderer's Pass. We was there, maybe half an hour, I say, when this tall demon – "
"'Round near my height," interupted Chu seriously and he stepped back to allow Lena a look at his inpressive height.
"And he was all cloaked," Jin continued. "Yes, he be about Chu's build. We didn't pay him
much mind. He wasn't giving off a great amount of energy, but most hide it, so it's hard to tell. He had a woman with him. She was a beauty and I was telling the guys, I says, 'I think
I know that there, lass.' She be different than when I last saw her, but I can't recall where I met her. She had long, wavy black hair and brown eyes with legs that stretched like a
waving prairie –"
"I told my boy, Jin, that it was probably just one of his women – "
"I know me women and she wasn't one of them," argued Jin with narrowed eyes. "But I knows
I've seen her somewhere. It's her voice and eyes. She had a deep, husky voice, as a lass for seduction goes for, and it has a pull on it – almost _enchanting_. The things is, the hair
don't seem right. It's not her natural color."
"But we waved her off," Chu waved his hand for emphasis. "We just mulled about until that demon man she was with spoke to the keeper. Takeo shot up and at that moment, the cloaked
weirdo turns and looks at us. Before we know it, Takeo went zipping after him and that woman. We sent the village in a right panic with how we were all chasing after those two."
"And it was his voice," asked Lena.
Shrugging away from Chu, Takeo gave Lena a deadly look. "It was. I would know his voice
anywhere. He vanished within fifteen minutes and he took the woman with him." Takeo's gaze dipped to the ground, as he thought over his words. "He never let go of her. He was almost possessive of her – like he was feeding off of her."
"A healer." Lena turned to Koenma. "Cain must have found a suitable healer, but his injuries were too great. Even with a healer, it will take much time for his true strength to return. She can only do so much. Has a team been sent after them?"
"Takeo sent in the location as best as he could, but the SDF sent will be days behind. This happened two days ago before Takeo was able to patch through to us."
"It'll be wasted time," Jin scratched at his ear. "We searched high and low. I took to the air, but this Cain guy just vanished. We couldn't even get a trace of his energy to track."
"We are abandoning our search for some time," explained Takeo seriously. "We'll continue
looking for Cain until SDF have arrived to search the nothern forests. It's a big territory and past Murderer's Pass it is uncharted. I have no idea what lies beyond here."
"But your Cain guy isn't going by his name no more," slurred Chu. Lena and Koenma stared back calmly. Meeting their gaze, he said, "it's Lord now and he was meeting with several
individuals at that pub. When we came back, that keeper said they scattered from the room
like their asses were on fire. We were outnumbered, yeah, but they probably didn't want to be recognized."
"We were just sitting in the wolf's den," murmured Jin. "Right there and all for the takin'."
"If I hadn't of acted rashly, we may have been able to find out more," apologized Takeo. "It was my fault, but I assure you, that it was Cain."
Lena's eyes danced with some emotion, but whatever it was, she turned away and marched out of the room. Koenma's eyes followed her until the door closed. Sighing, Takeo slinked away from the screen and disappeared.
"You think she likes me," asked Chu in the sudden silence.
At the rough hand against my cheek, I peered up blearily. Hiei, showered and dressed, was sitting beside me and staring down at me. His black hair was gleaming slightly from his
shower and gave him an air of masculinty along with the rolled up cuffs of his dark blue
button up shirt. My eyes strayed down his body until they focused on his bare chest from the buttons that had yet to be slid into place. Self-consciously, I ducked my eyes.
Given how long I had slept throughout the night and morning, I was pretty sure my hair was
piled up high like a beehive made of springy twigs. Shying away from his hand, I scooted away and sat up while nervously running a hand through my hair. Yeah, it was definitely a nest and I wouldn't be surprised if a bird fluttered from within my hair. My fingers couldn't even cut through an inch without meeting up with a tumbleweed. I didn't do a good job of detangling it from when I had first awakened.
"Ignoring me again," murmured Hiei when I refused to meet his gaze. We had been sitting for a solid five minutes without a word.
I fiddled with the strip of hair at my shoulder and he gave a disgruntled sigh. Dropping his hand, he turned away. Since his back was to me, I finally turned my head to stare at him.
Hiei voiced coldly, "we have a lot of talking to do today, Karen. This silence isn't a solution of any kind to our problems and I expect you to prepare yourself for this
conversation." He finished buttoning up his shirt before heading toward the door, saying over his shoulder, "your clothes are in the bag. Get dressed. We're leaving."
I sighed as the door closed with a resounding click. Watching him walk away was a constant in my life. He could bring in astounding warmth and leave a world of ice in his wake.
Cowardly, I wanted to avoid this talk. I had a feeling it would be nothing but questions from him and me spluttering with answers. There was also a fear, very fleeting, of being alone
with him. I trusted him. Yet, all the time we had been alone these days had ended up in
nothing but sex and fights. Each time, I had gotten hurt with his words and wrath that left my head spinning. I was questioning how everything went spiraling out of control. Even last
night, I was hurt. My pride shattered before the one person that meant the most to me. He had witnessed my downfall – a side of me that I thought had disappeared.
He hurt me. He really did. Did my heart break? No, but I think it fractured. There were no tiny breaks. It was just one long crack, right down the middle, or the edge, just somewhere that made my heart ache.
I have known him for so long. I lived alone with him for months. Things were more innocent then, but he had that respect. I imagine that respect had only been there because a part of him was still fighting against himself for how he viewed me. Or maybe, I was just too naive to notice anything. My weakness was that I cared too much. I couldn't help it. Seeing the
good in people was just who I was and how I raised myself to be. I could still see him. I've always seen him as a person, as a man, instead of a demon.
But I was deaf to all of the warnings from my friends. I'm blind. They would view him, the person that I loved, as a nightmare. However, the result of him not in my life would be
unbearable. I couldn't manage. I wouldn't be able to breathe. Sunlight would cease to be a part of my life anymore.
I thought I could do it – convince myself that he only lusted for my body, as I was available to him at all times. I accepted the fact that he could not love me. I fell for his eyes. I
fell for his touch. I fell for his attention, any attention, that he gave me because I went so long just wishing he'd give me a second glance.
And I still love him.
And it still hurts.
And I've come full circle in my thoughts.
Sighing, I crawled out of bed and headed toward the armchair. I will not think about it anymore. Nope. What I should be focusing on is this nest on my head.
I dug around in the duffle bag and saw my clothes inside. The fact that my clothes, having
shared space with his own, brought a heated blush to my cheeks. Clearing my throat, I grabbed everything and headed into the bathroom. Then, I came back out and gathered up various
bottles upon the floor. I went back inside. Of course, leaving a mess bothered me. I spent the next few minutes tidying up. It didn't take long. The room wasn't as chaotic as I had imagined it would be, given my embarrassing actions last night (surprisingly, the door was
still in tact – but I don't think it locked anymore). Hiei had even been gracious enough to collect up all the towels and hang my dress on the arm of the chair.
Even though Hiei had said to dress, I decided on a full shower. If he meant only to get dressed, then it was too bad. I wanted a shower. I had to spend an extra amount of time
conditioning my hair. I wished the hotel provided more conditioner. I squeezed the bottle to death in order to get every last drop onto my hand. It still wasn't enough.
Wrapping the towel around me, I swiped a hand over the mirror to clear the steamed glass. I
used the small blow dryer to dry my hair and combed through my hair with my fingers. I wish I had a comb, even just a stick with grooves in it. I would think the hotel might provide a
comb, as they did have these halved toothbrushes. _It's just hair_, I grumbled. I actually needed a haircut. I should just chop it off until managing it becomes a breeze. Huffing, I gathered it up into a ponytail and plucked a hairband from my purse.
I shook out my clothes and was surprised that he thought to pack my underwear. I snapped my bra into place. I reached for my underwear –
"Grr, Hiei!" I hissed in annoyance.
Dental floss. He packed dental floss.
I glared at the silky teal thong with the buttons on the front, as if it was a shirt to be opened. Well, no one was opening things down here today. I was ready to fling the thong
across the bathroom, but it was the only underwear I had with me. Squinting my eyes, I tried to picture my underwear drawer. Then, I remembered that I hadn't done laundry! _Damn, I keep forgetting!_
Setting my teeth, I inhaled deeply. Once I was done, I stepped into the thong and slid it
into place. Awkwardly, I stood there with a frown. It... felt... like... a... wedgie. I can taste the silk.
Maybe its not fixed right. For the next few minutes, I shifted it around – this way and that
– and in the end, I did find a comfortable fit. However, I started thinking about this talk. I couldn't talk to Hiei wearing this! He would know what I was wearing! And if we were doing any amount of walking, this was sure to be aggravating! I'm sure if I bent over, I'd have a whale-tail. It's going to slap people in the face!
But there needs to be some sort of barrier to my denim shorts and to Hiei. That's just what I needed. To make things easier for him if I were to strut around with no underwear. I'm
tempted to do it just to avoid the wedgie I'm sure I would have throughout the day. Right now, it felt like I wasn't wearing anything, but –
_Suck it up, Karen_, I chided.
Annoyingly, I yanked on my shorts and yellow tank top. With a scowl, I made sure my underwear wasn't peeking out by pulling the hem of my top down enough to hide the band of my shorts.
Satisfied, I threw all my bobby pins into my purse. Then, I glanced at all the toiletry items and small toothbrush. I shoved those into my purse, too. What woman leaves freebies behind?
Hiei was lounging in the armchair and staring out the window when I entered the room. I went about my business of packing things away and tying on my sneakers. At least he had packed me some shoes.
Without a word, Hiei took up the duffel bag and I glanced around the room one last time. He was at the door when I decided to snatch the floral printed notepad and pen on the
nightstand. I gave a discreet look over at him and he was watching me with a raised eyebrow.
It was free. I'm not leaving it. Lifting my chin, as if to defy him should he say to leave it, I stuffed them in my purse. It was getting heavy.
We stopped at a nearby restaurant for a late lunch. I nearly fainted when I smelled the food once we entered the restaurant and passed all the other customers. My metabolism was greater than before and I spent some unlady-like moments just shoveling food into my mouth in my need to eat. Jet and I ate like pigs after all my training at the temple and my appetites carried over when I left. I even had seconds, thirds, these days, which, for some reason, pleased
Yusuke and Keiko.
I thought I heard Hiei chuckle when I dropped a vegetable from my chopsticks. Luckily, I
caught the veggie before it could stain my clothes. Discreetly, I glanced up at Hiei to see if he noticed my clumsiness. His expression was neutral, but his lips were quirked at one
end. Blushing, I stuffed the vegatable in my mouth. All throughout lunch, I was secretly
basking in happiness at being with him in this restaurant. I was having lunch with him. The idea made me want to grin cheesily, but I didn't. I kept my cool. At least, I didn't smack into the entrance door this time.
Next, was the long drive to Hakone where we sat in silence. I peeked over several times at
Hiei, but he remained leaning against the arm of his door and guiding the car easily with his wrist. I waited for him to head toward the house once we got into town, but he continued
driving. I gave him a questioning glance.
"If you want to know, you're going to have to ask." He muttered casually. I turned my head away.
We drove for over half an hour before he turned toward a parking lot near a huge, sparkling lake. I glanced at the passing sign and read 'Lake Ashinoko'. Were we sight seeing? My heart quivered in excitement. I've always wanted to take the ferry boats across Lake Ashinoko! We were going to go across the lake to view Mt. Fuji from it, but Yusuke had wanted to get
closer and so we had headed toward the shrine at its base (probably why we got rained on, as we were in a change of elevation). The lake was a great ways from the Mt. Fuji, but gave a
great view of the mountain when crossing it. And there was a small town across the lake! I
had read about it one of my history books. Yes, I actually read my history books compared to what everyone else thought, which was, Karen hates history. History was okay. I just mixed up the dates.
Before jumping out of the car, Hiei stated, "you can leave that in here." He was eyeing my purse.
"What if someone steals it?" I asked. No, you can't just leave a purse in the car!
His eyes danced with some emotion at my words, but it was brief. In my excitement, I forgot
about my damaged pride and embarrassment. I hadn't spend this much time with Hiei in ages and was enjoying the day in a haze of bliss. I couldn't help but think this was... a date – just one long date. I was trying not to show so much excitement, as it might be annoying. I hid it with silence and calm expressions, but Hiei didn't buy it (probably why he was smirking).
Yet, containing my happiness was too hard. I was drinking in his time with me. "Leave it." He insisted, as he opened his door.
Furrowing my brows, I opened my purse and searched for my phone. I could take pictures of the mountain. My door swung open on my side when I realized my cellular was missing.
"I have it."
Looking up at him, I frowned curiously. "Why?"
"No one's stealing your attention away from me today."
At his words, even if it was uttered in an obvious, detached tone, I felt my heart give a pleasant shudder. My fractured heart seemed a little less painful, as if the words were
sooting ointment for the ache. To keep him from seeing how flustered I was at that comment, I hid my gaze and placed my purse into the glove compartment.
When he held his hand out, I hesitantly placed my hand within his to allow him to help me from out of the car. His crimson eyes were warm and calm; they were just simmering in the light of the day . Despite his rough palm, his touch was gentle. I was breathless when he laced his fingers with mine and led me to the bridge at the edge of the lake. In his other hand, he carried my old green bag. I wanted to ask about it, but decided against it.
While he was buying tickets for the ferry, I wheedled out a camera. Since he wouldn't let me
have my phone, I wanted a camera. If we were lucky, the fog might not be too heavy around Mt. Fuji and would allow us a clear view of its impressive beauty. Hiei simply nodded at the old man when I requested the item and paid for it.
We didn't have to wait long for the ferry and there wasn't many people on board with us. I
heard from a passing couple that today was good day for travel as everyone was in Kyoto for a festival. It was a good thing. Crowds made everything a hassle.
For the entire thirty minute ride, Hiei was rather affectionate with me. While I was snapping pictures left and right, he stood behind me and kept his arms around my waist. He never said anything. He just scratched lazily at my stomach and placed kisses against my temple. I was
melting into a puddle. My entire being was starved for this sort of affection and drinking it up with gusto. It made me lightheaded. If he wasn't holding me, I might go slithering down to the floor in a real puddle of goo.
The mountain was hazy from this distance. It was late in the afternoon and the vapors were
wrapped around the peak. Sighing, I focused on the lake and trees. I snapped several pictures of the wildlife. I took a few of the fish in the water as I leaned over the railings. There
were ducks in the distance and some flying overhead. I saw a large turtle. As I was focusing on couple rowing along the lake, a small boy gave a loud gasp to point out that he could see Mt. Fuji now. His gasp made me jump and the camera fumbled from my hands. Luckily, Hiei
reached around and caught my camera before it met its doom over the railings. I cleared my throat, took the camera back, and hurried to capture a good shot of the mountain.
When we reached the shore, I thought we would be heading into the little town called Moto-
Hakone, but Hiei was leading me down a narrow road. After fifteen minutes of walking, he
turned onto a narrow, dirt path that trailed up a hill. Before cresting the hill, he scanned around us. A second passed before he shouldered my bag. Turning to me, he lifted me up into his arms.
I didn't have time to question Hiei, as the world began blurring around me. I hadn't
travelled this way in such a long time that my stomach clenched tightly at the sensations of hissing noise and fuzzy colors. Closing my eyes, I simply waited until he reached his
destination. To me, it seemed like we had been travelling for some time. When he finally set me down, I had to focus on not falling. I was a tad dizzy.
We were higher up into this mountainous region of Hakone and in a wooded area. Through a gap in the trees, I glanced down at Moto-Hakone. It was nearly a bird's eye view of the town and I mindlessly snapped a picture. There was just the squawks of birds, buzzing of insects, and trees creaking. We were alone. There wasn't anyone for miles. I was aware of the sudden
tension in the air.
Turning, I nearly gasped as he was standing right behind me. I stepped back to create some space. Despite my entire day with him, there was always someone nearby – even at the hotel.
But out here, it was just us. I was uneasy at the outcome of this situation. None of the times had been good. No more fighting. _No more fighting_.
"I believe there are questions of mine that you never answered correctly." He calmly took a
step towards me. I stepped away and dropped my camera. "I gave you your day to mull it over."
At that statement, my face almost crumbled. This was just a day to 'mull it over'? Glancing at the ground, I stared at the growing grass and patch of colorful wildflowers.
"I'll give you one more chance to answer my questions." Pulling me against him, he trapped me there by wrapping his arm around me. His other hand wrapped around my neck and his thumb
pressed beneath my jaw to tilt my head all the way back until I was completely staring up at him. "Who were you talking to that day?"
I was going to tell him eventually. I wasn't strong enough to keep any secrets from him. It was like scalding myself with hot water, as guilt built up in my veins. "Jet," I mumbled.
"And why did you feel the need to hide his identity from me?"
It was one question, but there seemed to be many hiding within that sentence. Swallowing, I let my secret unfold in a soft voice. "He was checking in with me to see if I signed my
documents... to be allowed to help with the temples..."
Surprisingly, Hiei let go of me and headed over to the bag he set down a few feet away.
Crouching, he unzipped the bag. I paled at the sight before me. One by one, he pulled out
each of my crossword books and set them on the ground. He even took the one from my purse. I had never noticed. My hip bag of dried herbs was set next to my books. Then, he took out my gun. I winced at the sight of my energy gun. He had a finger within the trigger hole, but
like Jet, could not fit his finger all the way through. My energy gun looked like one of those cheap water guns from a twenty-five cent machine.
Staring at my gun, I couldn't help but say, "appearances can be deceiving."
He gave a snippet grunt and eyed me from the bottom up. Reaching my eyes, he responded lowly, "apparently."
I eyed my equiptment in shame. Hiei had found every last one. He stood to his full height and slipped in his hands into his pockets. "... how long?" I asked quietly.
"Since our _first _night together."
My face went up in flames as I recalled the exact night he was talking about and I placed my hands behind me. Nervously, I clapsed my left wrist with my right hand.
"How long did you think you could keep this from me, Karen," he asked with a soft, angry growl. "Did you think I wouldn't notice anything? I told you that I do not tolerate
dishonesty. You agreed that you wouldn't go against my orders."
I winced at his last sentence, because I had promised him when he cradled me within his arms at the temple. My answer was only a 'yes', but it was a promise. I agreed.
_"I can handle Hiei, just… just trust me. I can do this. It's my choice. As a priestess, I deserve the utmost respect in my decisions. This is my choice."_
Hearing my demanded words to Genkai and Lena, I inhaled deeply before repeating my echoing thoughts, "this is my choice. You have no say in the matter – "
Hiei cursed harshly and stormed up to me. "Don't give me that, Karen," he spat angrily, as I stared up at him. "Every choice you make goes through me – "
Releasing my wrist, I clenched my fists. "Not this," I argued heatedly. "This has always been my choice, but you took it away from me! Whether you like it or not, I am a priestess. Being a priestess isn't a choice. I was born as one. I was always meant to be a priestess. If I
hadn't have met you, I would still be a priestess. I have responsibilities, not just in this world, but in every world – "
"I told you that I was handling your responsibilities, Karen. You have no obligations!"
"Then stop it!" I stared up at the shadows beneath his eyes. "I told you last night that I didn't need you. I'm not going to be your burden." I ignored the way his jaw tensed with my
every word or that he was now glaring to the side, as if to keep himself from lashing out at me. "I can carry my own weight. Despite what you think, I can take care of myself. I did it before I met the others. I did it before I met you. So I can do so again. I don't always do it well, but I've managed!"
"Like with your running?" He whipped his head back around and leaned down. "Yes, I imagine that's the extent of your managing. You run when everything becomes too much – that's not
managing, Karen. You just leave and let your problems chase you. What's to say you won't run when this priestess business becomes too much?"
I bristled with anger at his lecture on running. Instead of answering, I yelled, "your
_obligations _to this connection are done –"
"Again with the connection," he pierced me with a dark glare. "The connection has nothing to do with my actions. I told you long ago that I can withstand the agony of the connection." A frown worked its way onto my face, as I didn't quite understand. "I know exactly what you
think of me. You think I'm doing all this work, all the damn meetings, because of the
connection? Do you believe I just _settled _because one day you may get hurt and it would affect me in turn? Is that what you think I'm doing? That I've just been wasting my time saving you to watch my own neck?"
It was then that I realized he had somehow heard my conversation with Kenji. My eyes flew to his forehead and I accused him. "You used that! That was all supposed to be private – "
He scoffed rudely. "We're long past such things as 'privacy'. As for settling," Hiei gave me a look of disgust, "why would I have ever settled for a human? Why tie myself to this world when I've always regarded your kind as insufferable weaklings?"
My eyes burned and I whirled away. "Then go ahead and leave!"
Hiei wrapped an hand around my arm and whirled me around to face him. "Your running days are over! Don't you ever run away from me again, Karen," he warned with a menacing message in his eyes. "I'm never letting you go. If you run, if you even think of leaving me, I will hunt you down and you will never see the outside world again. No matter where you go, I can find you." Even if the warning was uttered in a deadly whisper, I wasn't trembling in fear. My heart was pounding painfully. "You are a constant aggravation for me. You drive me insane. You've been the death of me since I've met you."
I winced at every word.
"Everything I've done has been to keep your foolish self safe." He shook me once when I
lowered my eyes. "_Look at me_!" Growling, he jerked my chin up. "I took away your decision for the temples to keep you from having to go through that ordeal again! You're entirely too
weak. If you think that plastic thing you call a gun is going to save you against a demon, it won't. Do you realize that you were nearly killed that night? If it wasn't for those bullets that sent that bastard flying, you wouldn't be fucking up my life with these constant
meetings and tasks!"
I lowered my eyes. "I told you – "
"_Shut up_," he hissed venemously. "Goddammit, Karen, don't you get it yet that I'm trying to take care of you?"
My eyes flew up to his face. His words were voiced roughly and with venom, but his eyes were soft, as they had been when I finally spoke to him today. "Y-you... want to take care of me?"
Hiei didn't answer my question directly, but he released my arm. "You're mine. So if you
think that your choices and responsibilites are yours alone, they're not." Very gently, he
reached up and brushed the back of his hand against my right cheek. "I don't want some pretty demon woman. You've never disappointed me and I assure you that you are not a burden." I
stared up into eyes, as he repeated my words from last night. I was speechless. "I want you. I've wanted you for a long time. Why do you think I can't stop touching you?"
My mind dragged up images of his words from that hateful night and I bowed my head in shame and pain. "No, I can't... do that right. What you did..." I tried to clamp my teeth over the words, but they trickled out in a whisper. "You hurt me."
And what happened next almost made me want to hurl myself down the hill to ensure myself that this wasn't a dream. He knelt down on one knee and cupped the back of my knee possesively. I didn't know what to do but stare down at him with wide eyes.
"I apologize for my behavior this past week." For some reason, I mumbled, "get up."
Stubbornly, he kept a firm hold on my leg and kept his eyes trained on my face. "It was never my intention to hurt you in that way –"
Tearing my eyes away, I demanded softly. "Get up, Hiei. I already forgave you."
"Look at me, Karen," his voice echoed with authority. My eyes flew back to him. "I've hurt
you. Every inch of skin you're revealing was covered in a bruised at one time and by my hands
– "
"I bruise easily – "
"Stop interrupting me." Hiei's hand tightened a tad and his eyes flashed. "I have hurt you or did you forget how I nearly broke your arm, Karen? You could hardly move your arm for days.
My hand prints have covered your arms, sides, wrists, and neck more times than I can remember."
Feeling my eyes burn, I pressed the back of my arm against my eyes and inhaled shakily. I
didn't trust myself to look at him anymore. He was apologizing to me. For the first time, he was apologizing to me. I almost didn't want to hear his words, as his voice brought up the
memories of our past.
"You're the only one I've lost control with and I knew better than to hurt you. I took out my frustrations on you. I took advantage of you," he rubbed the length of my thigh in a soothing manner, "but you have my word that I will _never _hurt you again, Karen."
It was silent for a few seconds until I heard him standing. Gently, he pried away my arm and cupped my cheeks. Tilting my face up, he leaned down. A long moment passed where we simply
stared at one another, as if we were seeing each other for the first time. And maybe we were, because we had never just talked or stared into each other's eyes since his arrival.
Everything had just been fleeting glances and vile words. "Do you hate me?"
A small, simple question from a long time ago that he had asked because he wanted me to hate him. This time, there was no mocking tone or wicked amusement flickering within his eyes,
only _feared _curiosity.
_"If I could ever hate you, it would be because you would chase me away like this – by
showing a side of you that you think I would not accept. I accepted you a long time ago." _ My words...
There wasn't a side to him that I could ever hate. He was such a beautiful creature that had captured me with his entire existence and to have him with me should be a crime. And my
relationship with him will always be full of risks for my heart, but I'm still breathing on his embers.
"No," I answered honestly.
Truthfully, I had forgiven him that first night. I was too deep in love to ever hate him and to prove my words, I wrapped my arms around his waist. I stared up at him and drank in the
sight of him. Avoiding him had been brutal on me and I felt my chest lightened. All the
stress left my body. My chains disappeared. I was almost exhausted at being able to breathe properly again. My secretive ways were over and done with, and I was free from that mess.
"I miss you," he suddenly voiced in low whisper. I almost wasn't sure I heard him, but his eyes were glittering.
He was repeating my words where instead of saying 'goodnight', I said 'I miss you', because I did. I was missing the days we went walking in Shirakawa-go where I talked about everything
and he listened with closed eyes. I was missing his lazy kisses under the sun. I was missing his sour mood whenever he had to fix something I accidently broke. I was just missing him.
Those words, everything he said, and all of his actions caused my heart to shatter and
rebuild all at once. My entire being was drinking in this moment and weeping silently at that light I had been chasing for so long. Every hit I took was worth it. All of my bruises were
worth it. The pain of being pushed away and yelled at was worth it... all for this small ray of light that had broke through a world of ice.
_Please tell me I've suffered enough now to keep you with me_, I pleaded silently at this
side of him – a side of him he kept forcing away before I could wrapped my hands around it.
I wondered how long this light would continue to shine. Would this warmth fade and leave me freezing in my sorrows?
It may.
It may not.
For now, I would bask in this warmth for as long as I could because it was all I could do.
Standing on tiptoe, I shyly pressed my lips against his in an innocent kiss, as our eyes
remained locked. When I pulled away, I expected him to crush me against him, but he was just waiting. He was allowing me to choose whether or not how the kiss should go, as I hadn't
kissed him in days.
At his heated gaze, I leaned up and pressed my mouth against his again. Unsure of how to proceed, as he always took control, I timidly traced his bottom lip with my tongue and he
parted his lips with a heavy sigh. Needing to be closer, higher up, I stepped onto his shoes and brushed away his hands to wrap my arms around his neck. Strong arms wrapped around me, as I buried a hand in his hair.
It was like my first kiss to him and I proceeded to show him everything he had taught me, but with my own softer personality. I slowly grazed his his teeth and then the upper roof of his mouth in a teasing manner. When he finally gave a low groan, I gently met his tongue in
tender caresses. The pace of the kiss seemed to match the beats of my thudding heart, as we continued to kiss in the dying sun. A fiery ache began pooling in my stomach...
Then, my eyes snapped open.
"Wait," I pulled away with a pant. "What about my temple work?" "We'll discuss that later."
Grimacing, I turned my head to avoid his kiss. "I want to try." "Later."
"I can do it." "_Karen_."
And he captured my lips before I could argue with him.
"Carry on as planned." Cain instructed from against the wall with Ruka at his side. He was
completely shrouded in a hooded cloak as he stared around the murky cave and met the gleaming eyes of several demons. "Follow any groups with human women in them. If they head to any of
the rumored temples, then be assured they are most likely our women. Get spotted, then act the bandits that you are and attack. However, do not kill the women. Any other false groups are yours to do as you please."
"Any treasure is ours, should we decide to attack these groups, correct," rasped a tall,
thick set demon with wild hair that resembled a lion's mane. "And these temples, can we raid them?"
"Take your treasure," Cain smirked, "but you're not quite knowledgeable enough yet to navigate the temples."
It was true. Rumors were spreading throughout Demon World of the temples and many were avoiding the structures, believing them to be cursed.
"Well, then," another demon croaked. He gave Cain a sly grin. "The human women that we capture, can we fuck 'em? They're much cleaner and smaller than these filthy demonesses around us."
They was a murmur of agreement around the room.
Cain gave a cold smile. "Now, now, do not be so malicious. Work first. Play later. Do not get carried away by lust. Any women that are not what we seek, then as I've said, do with as you please. For our women, well, breaking them for their soul is necessary, but hold off until
you've alerted me."
A pudgy demon raised his hand and slouched forward with a bland expression. "We follow human women groups. If caught, we raid them. If they are the women we seek, we capture them. Uh,
but how do we know what women to capture, my Lord?"
"I'm about to show you," Cain voiced silkily, as his eyes turned bright red. "I'll show you
the value of these women, but you must all dedicate yourselves to me." He smirked when he had captured the entire room and the multitude of eyes went blank. "Demons will rise. You are all too young to remember the glory of what we once were, but I can show you of what I once
tasted. I can give you power- and these women, they'll give you your strength." "Yes, my Lord," chorused the group of bandit leaders.
"Ruka," Cain glanced over at the leggy demon woman. "Fetch my men."
Bowing her head, Ruka turned and disappeared into the depths of the cave. Cain turned back to his new followers and smirked. Such power driven minds were weak. His plans were different
this time around and rather than act alone, take all that power for himself, he would spread it out until he could collect it when he tired of his men.
_Mismatched_ eyes danced before his vision, but Cain brushed off the nostalgia of his youth. He fed his new men the information they needed and smirked.
A/N: Thank you, **akasoeki**, for beta reading!
I have a deviant art page. Check it out. Link in profile.