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

43. 43

1. That Awkward Moment When

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho. Thank you.

Chapter Forty-Three: That Awkward Moment When...

'_The house is ready._'

Those were Hiei's exact words when he called me at noon. Coupled with a few lengthy silences and odd mutterings, mostly on my end to just keep him talking, the conversation had lasted

exactly thirty seconds to which I dubbed as the longest phone conversation between us. In

this famously epic conversation, he had informed me that he would be home within three hours, to be ready, and that the house was also ready.

Ready for what, I had questioned. Did he expect me to be all packed when he came home with my suitcases crammed with clothes and a pillow and blanket tucked under my arm, as if we were

going camping? Or did he want me to just be dressed and ready to leave when he arrived home? Huffing, I slumped down onto my bed to mull over his short sentences.

No, it must be the first choice, as it didn't take me long to get dressed, and how he had said to be ready might imply for me to indeed be packed. Rubbing a hand through my hair, I

quirked my lips into a pout. Why couldn't he have specified what he meant by being ready? I contemplated on calling him, but I had already wasted half an hour just trying to figure out what he meant with his vague sentences. Calling him would do no good at this point, I

realized when I had glanced at the clock. He was most likely tied up in another meeting and I wasn't going to be that annoying woman blowing up his phone just to ask a simple question.

I was not going to stress over his vagueness. If he wanted me to be ready, he would have said to pack. Going with that reasoning, I was simply going to be dressed and waiting for him.

Besides, I couldn't be ready to move in a mere few hours. It was going to take an entire day to maneuver around my room and figure out what needed to come with me.

I glanced around my room, feeling the nostalgia of the months that I had lived here in this beautiful house that had been my first home. I could still remember my breathless excitement

of seeing the bed, the book shelf, and the computer after Keiko uncovered my eyes. There were also fond memories of sitting at the desk studying while Yusuke breathed down my neck about

needing to eat – scratch that – those were terrifying moments. Then, there were countless

times that Keiko would keep tidying up my room and clucking her tongue at me about needing to organize my drawers – but not once, did I heed her demands. I had even successfully hit Hiei with a pillow while dressed in my bunny pajamas and that memory there caused a fluttering

giggle to drift from my lips. I have come such a long way with him... My reflections stunned me into breathing out, "wow."

I was going to live with Hiei.

The idea should not have been a big deal, because I have lived with him before, only that

time had been for my safety. This time, it was more personal. We hadn't discussed living with one another and I didn't know if the concept was rushed, to be expected, or caught somewhere in-between where it seeped into a unique crack of its own. My interpretation of living

together with him was a huge step, but to Hiei, it was hardly worth raising a brow at in any ounce of curiosity. Our worries in this relationship were completely one-sided. Once again, my life was taking the quick route and I was left to stumble down that road toward a finish line that he had already crossed.

I needed to learn to catch up and appear less frazzled at all these twists and turns, or my neck was going to be continuously sore every time my head swiveled around to regard each

surprise he tossed into my life. Living with him couldn't be too different than before, I reasoned. There was just going to be the constant intimacy and... okay, just that. Sex had entered the picture and that did change things greatly.

Already, sleeping with one another was different in that he was practically naked beside me every night. He slept in his boxers and just the other night, he had on boxer briefs. Dear

god, that night had sent heat throughout my body. Black boxer briefs revealed the outline of his entire lower region, but hid his flesh from view with a wicked laugh. Such underwear for men should be outlawed from men like Hiei. I was positive that he had just been teasing me, but when he climbed in to bed, he simply turned onto his back and promptly went to sleep.

Yet, if the lights had been on, I'm sure his lips would have been lifted up into that cruel smirk.

At least he was wearing underwear. I doubt I'd get any sleep if he decided to go commando. I expect his nightly attire would change once things were more settled between us and by that, I meant sex. He didn't push me. He didn't even approach the subject. I had reason to believe that he was waiting for us to be living in the new house where we would have complete privacy or on me to decide for us – and that could take a while because I'm a coward.

While he was stripping down at night, I stuck to a boring shirt, or tank top, and shorts. I

still wore my bra, too, which, and most girls might agree with me, was irritating, especially when sleep was to be done entirely in comfort. I was too self-conscious to go without that

smothering material and the one time I did, while sleeping with him, had ended up in him climbing on top of me in order to alleviate his stress. The few times I had the bed to

myself, I was able to whip it off and sleep comfortably. It also didn't help that Yusuke

lived here, too, and with my night time wanderings, it would have been embarrassing for him to catch me wearing a thin shirt without my brassiere. He would surely notice the evidence these days, too, as Keiko kept the air unit on full blast.

Reaching up, I fingered my bra strap beneath my shirt with a frown. It was time to adapt

again. If he was waiting for me to decide when we were going to try and sleep with each other again, then I was going to have to chase away my fears and be more comfortable around him.

'_The next step is – it just comes naturally._'

I felt like scowling at Valon's words, because that next step hadn't come naturally. Instead, that next step had been fast, intense, and painful – oh, and let's not forget, humiliating.

Of course, I wasn't placing all the blame on him. I knew not to expect too much from him, but the next time, I wanted it to be more gentle.

Right now, I was doing my best to prepare myself mentally for whenever it should happen. I was even trying to push the kisses, but he pulled away before they could lead to anymore

fondling. I mean, I was intimidated by sex, but I didn't want him to shy away from me.

If anything, I did not like being scared. Any fear placed in my head was chased away with rough hands, piercing glares, and taunting words. I was forced into that snake pit. Genkai had kicked the chicken out of me for three months to the point that I nearly laid an egg.

Hiei had always pushed me if I even tried shying away from the unexpected. I just needed to meet this head on, too, by conquering it through the actual act.

Maybe if I tried to be more flirtatious, I could show him that I was ready to try again,

because I doubt I could voice the request. I was too awkward to say 'Hiei, let's have sex'.

The words would sound idiotic coming from my mouth and I wasn't going to make a fool out of

myself by uttering for us to have sex. He would probably laugh at me and that was just what I needed for my ego– a sexy, dark laugh.

But how was I going to be more flirty, or rather, seductive, when I was constantly struggling in my relationship with him?

I guess I could always whip out the skirts and dresses again? Lately, I was sticking to the shorts and t-shirts, and those trusty sneakers. I could try slipping on my heels, maybe even the garter set. I could bend over, and hope he sees that it's... well, a garter set. No, I

blushed. With my luck, I would bend over too fast and face plant with my butt hanging in the air to display said garter set.

Hopeless.

I am completely hopeless.

I had no idea how to turn up the heat with a man. He made all the advances before I even had time to pucker up my lips. But, I fumed, this could be good for me. Being more promiscuous

with him might help the stress my mind was placing on sex and help set the mood for when we were finally alone in the new house.

Staring at my phone, I knew of no other person to call for girl advice than Valon. She was currently on vacation before her next trip to Demon World and I didn't want to bother her, but I needed to fix this relationship. She was my guru. I needed her wild advice or maybe just some encouraging words from a good friend.

Dialing her number (I hope Yusuke had an international calling on the phone plans), I stood up and began a weary pace.

"Hey, my girl!" Valon greeted after only two rings. "What's up – TROY, I'M DRIVING HERE!"

I heard a man cursing and a few men laughing in the background. A jaunty whistle pierced through the receiver and Valon yelled something about 'always picking on me'.

"Sorry," she grumbled after a minute. I could just picture her obsidian eyes giving an

annoyed roll. "My brother tossed some hay on my head when I went cruising by on the four- wheeler. He's just mad because the ranch hands are eying me up. I'm just trying to get a

tan." She revved the engine for a minute in her aggravation. Giving an unlady-like snort, she hissed, "a bikini top and cut-off shorts is not a big deal. It's not like I'm naked. The

girls are in place, thank you."

"Oh come on," I teased. "I bet you're trying to impress someone with your abs."

"Okay, okay, I might be sending out some vibes to this older cowboy." She gave a dreamy sigh and I laughed. "He's a tall guy, late twenties, and half Kiowa. Karen, you should just see

how he rides in those jeans and that dark cowboy hat. I think he might me the oldest I've ever gone for, but I'm hoping to end my dry spell before I leave."

At that, I grinned. I could just picture her riding around on her four-wheeler while

following that guy around like a puppy. I'm sure she would be ending her dry spell soon. Valon was a determined woman that left a trail of accomplishments in her wake.

"So," Valon purred into the phone. "Did you point your heels to the sky and scream out in –" "Valon!" I hissed.

She howled into the phone. "Well, did you or not?"

Ignoring her sniggers, I inhaled deeply before launching into my dilemma. I left out the

intensity of that first night and all the arguments, but worked in his busy schedule to make it appear as if we didn't have much time for softer intimacy, which resulted in a hasty first encounter. I informed her that he was now hesitant to try again, or do anything more than

kiss, until we had moved in to our new house. Although we were waiting, I didn't want him to stop whenever thing were heating up. I'm not sure how she bought the hesitancy, but I did

also mention that I was having trouble with sex. Surprisingly, she didn't laugh. She was completely silent (very scary) until the end where I wilted with my confessions.

"Are you still wearing the outfits and everything?" "Yes." I lied, but I was going to wear them again.

"The thongs," she asked slyly, because she must have known by now that I had discovered her devious act.

"Yes." I hissed in annoyance. "I actually had to spend an entire day wearing that and it wasn't comfortably after a while. Can you say wedgie?"

"Wow, you wore it in public?" Valon snorted into the phone, clearly enjoying my underwear discomfort. "I thought you were just going to stick to the bedroom and get use to it."

I sighed. It wasn't like I had a choice at the time. "Anyways, so I'm wearing the clothes –" "The garter set?"

…

"Hello," questioned Valon.

"I was sort of... saving that."

I heard Valon cluck her tongue. The buzzing of the engine died down and she seemed to be moving around, as there were sounds of the wind whistling in the phone.

After a minute, she said, "wear it with something he can get his hands under, girl. You just got to try and get him to reach under there. It shouldn't be hard. If you have to, just drop your skirt." At her words, she gasped in excitement. "YES! Try out that idea and you'll give him a nosebleed!"

I blinked.

"Fine." Valon gave a smug giggle of one that could just imagine my heated face from my

stunned silence. "You can work up to that, but let's see... I think you should just try some small things. You could brush up against him, maybe come up behind him, just do anything you can to get his attention. Make him see that you want him to focus on you instead of work.

He's probably just stressed. I wouldn't place too much worry on his withdrawal. He most

likely thinks he won't be able to control himself during foreplay, so you'll just have to show him that he can." She was smacking on something. I think it was gum. "Try and massage him. Hell, make a sandwich and shove it down his throat while you're at it."

I frowned at the sandwich comment, as it was entirely over played that even Kenji made

remarks to it whenever I went to the kitchen. Shaking my head and taking a deep breath, I let it out in one big 'whoosh'. "All right, I can do that."

"Of course you can! Now, about that sex problem," she lowered her voice, as if it was a big secret. "It's not a big deal if you didn't orgasm. A lot of women don't their first time. I

even read somewhere that it's mental thing. So I think you're right in trying to liven things up with him. Just have fun with it and relax. Don't stress too much about it. It'll happen."

I fell back on my bed.

"Look," she continued steadily. "I think once you guys are completely alone, it'll be kick ass awesome. Just take your time, breathe, and trust each other, okay? C'mon girl," she

cheered loudly. "You can do it."

"Thanks, Valon." It was all I could say, because this was entirely up to me.

"And if none of that works, look closely within your closet for the ultimate weapon." Was she talking about the garter belt again?

"And if, after all that, it still doesn't work, then just reach down there, grab him firmly, and he'll do anything you want!"

"I – what?" A hand job? She wants me to give him a hand job! "Oh, and..."

I quirked a brow, waiting for her to finish.

"How big is he?" "Valon!"

"C'mon, give me some measurements!" In her excitement, she pressed several buttons on her phone. "Now, I'll count and you stop me at his size." Hurriedly, she added, "in inches!"

"Valon, I'm hanging up!"

"... six, seven, eight, nine, ten –"

Given that Lena tortured me with numbers for months, I quickly interrupted Valon before a headache could ensue. "Goodbye!"

"Damn," howled Valon in outrage. "He's that big? Are you okay?"

"I wasn't confirming anything!" her laughter caused my heated words."I was just saying bye!"

Angered now, she yelled, "tell me how big he is, dang it! You know I'm sexually frustrated, Karen! I keep telling you that! Give me some details!"

Hanging my head, I didn't hear the door behind me open. "I'm hanging up now! Please accept my goodbye and have a lovely vacation!"

"I demand that you tell me!" I had to hold the phone away with how loudly she was screaming into the receiver. "Best girlfriends don't keep this kind of information from each other! We tell each other the size of all our guys, so tell me right now!"

"I think your mind has been seriously warped on what information girlfriends share!" "TELL ME!"

"FINE!" I argued back with a curl of my fist. "He's extremely big –" "Who is?"

I screamed in horror and knocked back against my dresser hard enough that the objects sitting atop the woodwork tumbled to the ground. My cry echoed throughout the house with the power of an opera singer. I was expecting my windows to shatter, but they only twinkled in the

sunlight. My eyes zeroed in on the man standing in the middle of my room with bright, red

eyes. Hiei lifted a brow at my actions with his hands resting casually within the pockets of his jeans. I was panting with the phone clutched to my chest.

"Hell yeah," came Valon's muffled response. I ended the call.

Why was I always forced into such awkward situations?

Slowly, I lowered the phone to my lap and pasted a quick smile onto my face. He nodded at my cell. "I was talking to Valon." I answered while fiddling with my phone.

"Another idiot friend of yours that apparently feels the need to shout to be heard?" "H-how much did you hear?"

"Why?" he countered quickly.

Just great, I grumbled in silence. This was another Jet situation, but this time, I really didn't want to reveal the conversation with him. It was private!

"Okay," I smoothed a wrinkle out of my shirt and attempted to change the conversation. "You said be ready, so I'm ready."

"Karen."

Because Valon had thoroughly humiliated me, I crossed my arms with an irritable huff. I could feel my ears burning along with my cheeks. "You don't have to know everything."

"You kept an astounding amount of information from me. Blame yourself for my mistrust in you."

"It's not like you ever trusted me to begin with," I muttered under my breath, as I placed my phone onto my desk. "You won't even let me leave the house anymore."

"I have my reasons for that," he informed me in a low murmur. Meeting his eyes, I saw anger and something else dancing within the fiery depths.

Since he wasn't budging, I decided to answer his earlier question. My cheeks most likely

resembled the rouge upon a clown, but if I was going to be embarrassed, I might as well drag him down with me.

"Valon was asking how big your penis was," I said jerkily. "I said you were extremely big. That's it."

He made an odd grunt and from another man, it might have resembled a spluttered cough. I stared everywhere but him while my cheeks rivaled several sunsets.

His eyes were burning into the side of my face.

Was that a spider web in the corner? I should really dust more often. Then, he cleared his throat.

I gave a weird flap of my hands against my back pockets and teetered from one foot to the other in the strained silence. Softly, I broke it with, "can we leave now?"

"Hn."

I told him he didn't have to know everything, which had been subtle warning for him to drop the subject. Now, I had successfully stunned him into grunting. I didn't even feel all that embarrassed anymore. It was as if I had passed along that awkwardness to him and now he had to suffer with the hawing and humming, as he worked out a response.

Well, now I knew what to do to get him to leave me alone. Since he didn't trust me, I was

just going to reveal anything he wanted. My startling theory was a reversal of my actions I had used against him in the beginning where I had smiled every time he acted rudely with me.

Let him deal with the stammers and blushes in his own way. I'm tired of always being socially awkward and if I was turning over a new leaf, now was the time to do so in order to avoid

resembling a carrot all the time.

Feeling a strange sort of confidence, I lifted my chin and strode past him.

Throughout the car ride, I was quietly observing the passing scenery out the window and giving him some silence after his busy morning.

Driving any kind of distance with someone without a radio blaring music would most likely be uncomfortable, giving an uneasy tension that would result in much fidgeting, but with Hiei, I knew he didn't care for music. Throughout our travels, we had driven without music and with

few words. Only the rumblings of passing cars and the whisper of the air unit provided any sort of noise.

Miles later, he turned onto a long paved road and the houses lining the street were large with a sizable distance between one another to give reasonable space. The houses weren't mansions, but they were nice, like Keiko and Yusuke's house in Hakone. They represented a permanent home, where families were raised, and lives were lived in comfort.

I eyed the trimmed stretches of lawns and hedges. Some houses had flowerbeds that were given much affection by their owners. And one house had the tell-tale signs of kids, as the lawn

was littered with toys and a well-worn basketball goal. All in all, it was a nice, quiet looking neighborhood. It was hardly crowded and gave the impression of a friendly

environment.

He continued driving and the houses were more spread out now, and there, just before the end of the lane, he turned onto another road. There were only three houses down this way and he pulled into the driveway of the last house. My eyes widened.

"T-this is it?" The two-story, brick house, in some parts, but the other material was

unrecognizable by me, was standing proudly before us in the afternoon sun. "I thought that it would be apartment-size or something."

"Living in a crowded complex isn't my idea of living." He pocketed the keys and pushed open his door.

The dinging of the opened door snapped me out of my daze and I undid my belt to rush outside before Hiei could leave me. There were a few trees around the house and a large lawn all

around, almost country-like, but more crowded, as there were houses in the distance.

I headed up the three steps onto the porch that had fencing closing it in and spent a small moment staring at the decorative bushes on either side of the steps. Columns were holding up what appeared to be a balcony above us and I placed a hand against one while Hiei unlocked

the door.

Since no one was living here and there was nothing inside yet, our footsteps echoed within the house in an eerie way. I crept behind Hiei timidly.

The entrance way led to three doors and I peeked inside each room with trepidation, as I was just waiting for someone to come shooing me away. One of the things I noticed immediately

were the large windows about the house that lit up the rooms with a great amount of sunlight. On the first floor, there was the kitchen, which was easy to figure out, given the huge,

nearly wrap-around, island counter and several cabinets. A sliding door led out to a dining room, I suppose, as it was closed off from the other rooms, and the only entrance was from the kitchen. The largest room was no doubt the living room and as for the other room, I was

unsure of what its use was in the house. Perhaps, it was a study of some sort, because there was a large framed window seat against the far wall. I could just imagine sitting there

sketching or reading a book.

Turning away, I went back to the kitchen. Oddly enough, the stairway to the upper floor was

located in the kitchen and the staircase spiraled up gracefully. I climbed up the stairs with a small grin in anticipation to what the upper floors would reveal.

There was another entrance way that provided a great deal of space to keep the house opened and uncluttered, and I tread down the wide hallway. A bathroom and four bedrooms were up on this floor. There was nothing new to note about the rooms, as they were mostly the same in appearance with the wide windows and great space. The master bedroom was easy enough to

locate because it was the largest room. Each window on the second floor gave great views of the outside world and standing in the master bedroom, I stared at the quiet neighborhood in the distance.

Overall, the house was just slightly smaller than Keiko and Yusuke's house. They had an added bathroom and greater amount of land, but for us, this house – or rather, to me – was like we were settling down. I knew Hiei liked space. He hated being crowded and if he had a choice,

he most likely would have wanted to have a house in Shirakawa-go. However, this was

acceptable to him. I didn't know if it was just because the house was without furniture that gave the structure a feeling of huge space, or if it was just truly magnificent.

Was it really ours?

Or his?

Because I couldn't accept that it was mine. I had no hand in buying it and would never, in my entire life, be able to afford a house of this magnitude, or any size, really. A two bedroom

apartment was a much more likely scenario for me if I were on my own and to me, two bedrooms would be the equivalent of a mansion in my small world. I was almost overwhelmed at being

thrust into the idea that I would be living here with the intention that it was to be my house, too.

Did I truly belong here? Over a year ago, I could have never imagine my life to lead in this direction of living with a powerful demon, in a house that was... beautiful. It was a dream home that filled many a woman's head and now, for the first time, it was there in my head.

Long ago, this just wasn't a possibility for me.

I wondered if one day I was going to wake from this fairytale – this sweet, heavenly dream – and feel a dwindling disappointment. I might wake up in my tiny room that I had shared with two others, sitting up on my lumpy mattress with my stained Salvation Army blanket, because this was all so far from my common hands. I thought as much while staring down below at the two trees that waved up at me. My eyes flickered to my hands to note its contact against the solid frame of the window, just eying the banal skin resting along the pretty woodwork.

"Your house, it's –"

"Our house," Hiei interjected roughly.

With my back to him, it was easy to hide my conflicting emotions, but I lifted my lips into a hurried smile and voiced softly, "it's really beautiful."

He grunted and I turned around to meet his gaze. His eyes were moving about the room in a

bored flicker to simply regard the room as just a room. When the red irises finally landed on me, he said, "it's just a house."

Even if I had claimed this room to be the master bedroom by its size, I couldn't help but ask quietly, "can this be our room?"

"I couldn't careless where our room is," he informed me with a roll of his shoulder. "Your the one fixing it up. Do whatever you want."

Wait? I'm furnishing the house? I blinked in confusion. How on earth was I going to furnish the entire house when I had never fixed anything up before? Every place I had stayed at had

been prepared for me. Keiko had fixed up my room and all I had to do was put a few books onto my bookshelf. Mei had practically bulldozed her way into the small house in Shirakawa-go and put up her homely touches. Now, he wanted me to decorate an entire home?

Before I could splutter out my musings, he had turned away to head back downstairs. I rushed after him, afraid that if I stayed alone in this house, that I would wake up and find myself dreaming.

"The utilities won't be on for another four days." We were in the kitchen now and he slipped a card out of his pocket. "I don't care what you get, just make sure there's a bed."

Numbly, I peered down at the plastic card he had handed me. It was extremely flat with a

silver face and there, written in gold lettering was my name. No, it was a weird form of my name. I traced the lettering while muttering silently 'Karen Urameshi Jaganshi'. What

happened to my name?! "Who's Jaganshi?"

He was leaning against the island counter and eyeing me with a lilt of amusement. "The last name Koenma provided for me to live more comfortably in your world. Given their limited

creativity, they based it off the meaning of my Jagan Eye. Its been my surname for years." "Oh."

I continued tracing the last name until its meaning worked itself into my mind. "Why is it attached to the end of my name?" And even as I asked it, I understood what it meant. When I

glanced back up at him, his eyes were dancing with smug curiosity as he waited for my shocked expression.

My mouth fell open in disbelief. "Wait... this... I don't," I huffed. "I'm not sure what to make of it."

Pulling out the papers from his pocket, something I needed to start paying attention to,

because one of these days he was going to yank out a snake, he nodded his head for me to join him at the counter. I wasn't sure what to expect when I looked down at the papers he set upon the smooth surface. I read quietly while he stood at my shoulder. When I was done reading, a blush fanned across my face.

"M-m-marriage!"

I hadn't wanted to believe it in the first place, but the paperwork revealed the documents

for proof of me as his wife. The papers were similar to Keiko and Yusuke's documents that had been created for my schooling acceptance and at the bottom were two inky seals from a stamp.

My name was doused in the ink and I felt a strange turning in my stomach of unsettling awkwardness as how to react to this information.

"Little fool, it's just paperwork. Your world's marriage acts are similar to my claim. I explained that to you."

"Yes, but," I eyed my name at the bottom. "I didn't stamp that."

"Drawn up by Koenma." He took something else out from within his pocket and tossed it onto

the documents. I waited until the object rolled to a stop. It was a stamp. "Your seal. Don't lose it. You'll be needing that for a majority of your purchases along with that card."

I still didn't stamp it, I grumbled while staring at my seal on the document. I'm not sure why it was so important for to keep having that thought zipping around in my head. Maybe I was just one of those old fashioned women that would have liked to be proposed to, or at

least, have been there to stamp the documents myself instead of by Koenma's quick working hands.

No, don't fret, Karen, I straightened up. I had agreed earlier to appear less frazzled by the shocking events in my life. He did explain the similarities of his claim to the traditions in my world. Even if it was hurried documents, they represented a realistic proof to my world

that we were married. Of course, it was just paperwork, which chased away my wild thoughts. It was the sham marriage again.

But again, why were these awkward situations just continuously slapping me in the face?

Putting the stamp into my purse, I held up the card. He understood my silent question and

explained. "That's a proxy card tied to the account under my name. It's temporary until your account is set up. I advise you not to lose it, either."

This card was going to be my payments for the furnishings of the house. My brows dipped into a worried frown and I asked curiously, "how much is on here?"

"I've told you plenty of times that money is not an issue." His tone was reprimanding, but not enough that I flinched, just in a way that he was scolding me from my troublesome

thoughts.

Sighing, I turned and leaned against the counter beside him. My eyes strayed to gold

lettering of my name – my now odd name, seeing as my first name was plain looking beside the two foreign names. I knew 'Urameshi' was there to represent my absent middle name. Yet

staring at the full set of names, I realized that I didn't really like my first name anymore. Karen was boring. The name was a plain Jane Doe name.

With that thought, my mind returned to the reflections from earlier where I had been

regarding the magnitude of the house. "Hiei," I began in a timid voice that bordered on a whisper. "I'm out of place in this. I haven't done anything to... I mean, I could never

afford this, anything like this," I waved a hand out before me. "I can't even afford an inch of this counter top to eat on." Breathing shakily, I continued, "I don't have anything to

give. I'll never have anything to give –"

His arms came around to trap me against the counter and interrupted my perturbed tirade in quietly voiced anger. "You always have that irritating habit of making me repeat my words.

Does anything ever pierce through that hard head of yours the first time around?" He asked

sarcastically. "Instead of me repeating myself, your going to voice it for me. Your thoughts are centering on an assurance that I gave you nights ago. Now tell me what that was, Karen."

From his words, one sentence floated to the surface and I repeated it back with a lowering of my eyes. "... I'm not a burden."

Rough fingers settled against my neck and he pushed my chin up with his thumb. His face was inches from mine. "If this house and the money is bothering you that much, I'll prove to you that it doesn't mean anything to me by burning down this place and buying another just as

quickly." With that, he swatted the card out of my hand and it slid over to my purse. "Stop your senseless worrying."

Staring at the card, I gave a tiny nod. I wasn't sure when I would get over this new life of mine, but adapting to the situation was greatly needed. To show such adaption, I glanced back over at him shyly. He was watching me with calm interest and I remembered my determination to be more coy. However, dressed in jeans and a loose fitting tee weren't exactly appealing on

me, but I just had to work with it.

"Okay," I agreed while placing my hands on either side of his biceps. "I understand. I was just," my lips were dry and I swept my tongue over my bottom lip. The small act caused his

eyes to land on my mouth. I was surprised at how quickly his eyes darkened. "I was just being stupid again."

Maybe being more intimate with him wasn't as hard as I imagined. My body seemed to know what to do even if my mind was getting sluggish around him. I waited for my impulsive thoughts to return, but they stayed away. My mind was almost sluggish, drugged by his close proximity and a churning need that had been inside me for days. I kept my eyes locked on his face while my hands unconsciously kneaded up his biceps in a soothing manner.

"I really love the house." My voice was low, almost unrecognizable to me.

I was watching as his head lowered for a kiss. With my hands resting upon his shoulders, I leaned up, but instead of kissing him on the lips, I aimed for his cheek. My lips fluttered along the expanse of skin and down to his neck. After I had nuzzled my nose there for a few seconds, I finally gave a small lick up to his his earlobe. In my drunken mind, I felt him tremble against me. I bit down gently on his lobe.

Hiei's hands went to my hips and lifted me up to sit on the counter top. His lips captured

mine in a heated caress and needing to be closer, I dropped my hands to his sides to pull him in-between my legs. The house was stifling hot without any open windows or electricity to fan the air, but being this close to him, increased the heat even more until just the act of

breathing was a weary, yet delicious act. He created more fire inside me when his fingertips peaked beneath my shirt. At my moan, he seemed to stiffen and made to pull his hand away with a muffled word that sounded like a curse.

"No," I whined. Pulling his hands back, I shoved them under my shirt and held them in place with solid stubbornness. "Don't stop."

"I won't be able to if I carry on anymore," he hissed.

"Yes, you can," I reasoned while reaching back up to his face to pull him in to me. "Just a little more," I begged against his lips. "I trust you."

"Karen," Hiei warned, but already, I knew he was obeying my request.

The sensations of his calloused hands gliding up my sides caused a fever within my body that trailed down between my legs. With a quivering gasp, I placed my hands on the surface beneath me and arched back when his hands reached my covered breasts. I never knew my breasts were so sensitive, but they were painfully tightened, wanting to be free from the restricting

brassier. It was as if they were seeking his touch. Another breathy moan slipped from my lips and it echoed within the kitchen when he brushed his thumbs at the tips of my mounds.

When another moan threatened to leave my lips, I unconsciously bit it back, knowing it would be voiced loudly. Even through this hazy pleasure, I was trying to keep quiet, unsure of

really why I was doing so. He attacked my neck with open-mouthed kisses that had his tongue

and teeth scraping along the column of my throat. My body shuddered violently and he chuckled darkly where the sound of it rumbled along my skin.

Then, his phone started ringing. My mind snapped back to the present and I felt a flush of embarrassment when he turned away from me furiously. Ducking my head, I fixed my shirt back

into place and hurried to button my jeans. I hadn't realized he had undone the button and my face burned.

Hopping back down onto the floor, on unsteadily legs, I waited patiently while he rudely

greeted whoever it was on the other end of the line. He listened a moment and I collected my purse, knowing that he was going back in to work. I scooped up the card and documents. An

annoyed sigh left my lips from his busy schedule. My body was shivering with waves of tingles and there was a feeling of emptiness that was irritating me into a glower.

I didn't ask him about the call, as he appeared furious when he hung up the phone. He stood there in the middle of the kitchen and swiped a hand through the back of his hair. Giving a grunt, he turned and headed toward the entrance. Quietly, I followed him.

Aside from the sexual tension, it really was a wonderful house.

Hiei gave a glance over his shoulder to check one last time on Karen, as he left her in the hands of that bumbling ogre that Koenma affiliated with on a daily basis. He didn't trust

Spirit World. He had an alliance with them, but they had failed him numerous times in their attempts to protect Karen. Seeing the small smile on her face from something the tall ogre said, he gave a tired grunt and turned away. Leave it to her to be able to befriend a

multitude of creatures that gave off a fetid odor.

Without knocking, he entered into the correct conference room and the first thing he saw was Kuwabara's beady eyes upon the massive television screen. Said man was currently talking to

Captain Otake of the SDF force. There were a few lingering guards, but they were mostly there to take up space and appear important.

Kuwabara, having been away from months, wanted to grin like a fool when he saw a familiar

face, but then he remembered the last time they had talked with one another – or yelled and had been used as a punching bag for the demon's anger. Immediately, his lips stopped from

forming into a full grin and turned downward into a hurried frown. Miles away, and on a

television screen, he straightened to his fullest height, which didn't change his composure much in the presence of his beloved's brother.

Kuwabara nodded his head at Hiei. "Hiei."

Hiei regarded Kuwabara with a silent look, then, without returning the greeting, he turned to the captain. "What was so important that you fools had to issue an emergency call?"

Captain Otake narrowed his eyes, but didn't back down at the cold tone. "Team two was involved in a bandit raid."

As the representative for Mukuro's land, Hiei now understood why they dragged him back to

Spirit World. Yet, bandit raids were bound to happen, and he said as much with a sneer, "this is no startling news. Bandits are scattered throughout Demon World and seeing as he seems to be in one piece, I don't see why this couldn't have waited until tomorrow." Turning away,

Hiei headed for the door, saying over his shoulder, "file the attack and send it to the guard outpost for further review."

"It wouldn't be a big deal, but these guards exploded." Kuwabara admitted gruffly. "Even in Demon World that's unusual." Hiei stopped. "Yue here says that bandits only attack if they are sure there is something worth taking, but they only went for Nessa and Vera."

"They're human women." Hiei answered with closed eyes. "And as far out as you were, the air there increases the potency of a demon's senses. One of those females must have been nearing

her cycle."

If Hiei had turned around, he might have saw the way Kuwabara's nose wrinkled, because even a gentleman turns his nose up at a woman's monthly woes.

"You guys are like cats in heat?" asked Kuwabara incredulously.

Otake, in a very serious voice, explained, "a similar example. A week before a demon woman's cycle is a dangerous time, but they have a more spread out cycle than human women. It was

something I was fixing to explain before Hiei arrived and he was right in saying that the air there heightens a demon's primal instincts."

Kuwabara shook away his thoughts of cats and waved Otake's words away. "Okay, well that's not all. Nessa had a bad feeling about them, said something about them being too wild in the

eyes. I agree. Something didn't feel right and the leader was just watching us fight from afar. He rode straight through our group, but turned away."

Head pounding and not really in a mood for story telling, Hiei went straight to the point, ordering, "describe their leader."

"Pretty tall."

Hiei whirled around to give Kuwabara an annoyed glare. "If you're going to waste my time with your vague descriptions, then talk to this stiff," he jerked his head over to Otake, "with

the stache oozing from his face pores, as I have more important matters to carry out than to listen to your limited intelligence."

It had been a long time since Kuwabara had heard Hiei's darkly humorous remarks. In fact, it had been years since he had heard Hiei voice his sarcastic opinions. Not to mention the way he was acting, albeit still intimidating and cold, was akin to a certain calm. It wasn't a

new side, no, but more like the Hiei that had given a jaunty speech about an alliance after

Kuwabara shooed him away because he feared the wrath of his dragon (and also because Hiei ate said dragon). Then, the demon gave the old team a threat before passing out.

Kuwabara's eyes slid over to Captain Otake who was covering his mustache with a glare, just

daring Kuwabara to laugh. Kuwabara's lips curled up in tired amusement. He was ready to howl, but what came out was a choked sigh.

Yue stepped in beside Kuwabara and decided to explain. Kuwabara's mind was dreary and he was ready to turn in to sleep in the hard beds at the marked outpost they were settling in for

the night. Still, he continued to stand there to make sure everything was explained. He was the highest and that made him the team leader.

"He was tall, but since he never set foot on the ground, I could only give a rough estimate of his height." Yue glanced sideways at Kuwabara and nodded. "He's a good foot taller than

Kuwabara for a better picture. He had tribal tattoos down the length of his arms. He had this metal plate on one shoulder that was strapped to him and insignia of a what appeared to be a blurred mark, maybe something that would have passed for a shadow. He had amber eyes and a

huge mane of brown hair," Yue nodded to himself. "He, and the others, didn't give off an

unusual amount of energy. Even if they were hiding it, they were extremely weak against us, which was apparent within the first ten seconds of fighting. We tried to bring in the

unconscious bandits, but they exploded. We saw the leader ride off after each bandit was gone."

Otake turned to Hiei with his bushy frown. Not bothered in the slightest by the description, Hiei crossed his arms. "You're describing a former Wolf Clan group. They were a famous bandit group, but the true leader is rumored to have died several decades ago. If he had indeed been alive and running that group, you would not have been speaking to me." Kuwabara bowed his

head at Hiei's words in a sort of silent gratitude to whatever deities were watching over them. "By your description, that leader must be one of his many offspring and not a very

intelligent one if he led an attack with no purpose. Self-exlpoding was one of their group's talents should they have been captured. It was in place to keep their secrets safe." Hiei

eyed him darkly. "It is not unusual."

"But," asked Kuwabara, as he knew it was hanging at the end of Hiei's sentence.

"He could be throwing us off guard even further and merely testing your group's strength. He might be scoping out for any other teams, but it is nothing but assumptions on our end." Hiei was done speaking and looked at Otake to end the conversation. "Do as you have and proceed

with caution. Prepare the files of this attack and send it off. There is nothing more we can do about this group unless we have further information of their intentions. I wouldn't be

surprised if they, and other groups, don't start tailing the teams. Curiosity was bound to come into play."

Turning away now, Hiei headed for the door. Hiei didn't look like Yukina, save for the familiar colored eyes, but just the sight of him made Kuwabara think of his wife. No,

Kuwabara wasn't sick enough to picture Hiei as a girl (he had done that once and it wasn't a pretty sight). He just missed home, his love, and friends, which was why he called out to the demon in a desperate yell.

"Hiei!"

Hiei didn't stop walking and Kuwabara sighed when the door closed.

Given the circumstances, his meeting with Hiei hadn't been too bad. It wasn't a complete silent treatment, but when had Hiei ever greeted him warmly or made idle chit-chat?

However, Kuwabara didn't think all was forgiven in this argument between the two siblings and he would forever be involved in it, as they were related. They were both tied to the same

woman. He didn't know how to resolve the conflict in their family, but talking to his

brother-in-law (he cringed a bit) was out of the question since the demon couldn't stand him.

Maybe he was going to have talk to another that was just sitting on the side lines watching the awkward fight between two demons. She might be able to help him coax the two demons into being together again.

But for now, sleep. Kuwabara wanted to kick back in a bed, scratch his balls, and sleep until it was time to move out again.

'_The only toy I'll give you is your squawking boy toy. Take him before I change my mind in letting you go_.'

"I can't believe he called me a toy when I was standing right there," Kenji sat down in a chair with a snort.

Kenji was still fuming over Hiei's rude words when we had left Hakone hours ago. Luckily,

Kenji hadn't heard about my request for my weapons and only the jibe at his relationship to

me from Hiei's perspective. Spluttering, Kenji had rushed in to the kitchen to shake a finger at Hiei, but without even sparing Kenji glance, Hiei left for work.

Knowing we had three days now before moving into the house, I decided to take up the task of buying furnishings for our home. The only items I was taking from home were my clothes,

computer, books, and desk. The rest of my furniture was going to be given to one of Keiko's young co-workers. Keiko had tried to give the items away at no cost, because the young woman was just starting off in her career and was low on the pay roster, but the lady had refused to be a charity case. I wished the young woman would have accepted Keiko's offer, but they

had worked out the issue. I wasn't going to worry about some stranger. It was her choice if she chose to pay for the items.

Normally, Keiko would have accompanied me, but given her state, and her office hours, she was unavailable. She tried to call in to work until I stopped her, knowing that being on her feet all day would wear her out. Work would be better for her because she would have a seat near

her at all times. In her place, was Kenji, who was all smiles about, not shopping, but the fact that he would have a hand in spending Hiei's money. He was also excited about picking out the couch, stating that he wanted something comfy to sit on when he came over for his many visits.

Taking a seat beside Kenji, I stared around at all the couches, loveseats, beds, tables, and many others that was making my head spin. We had been walking around the store for an entire

hour in a daze at what to buy. Even if Kenji wanted to blow up the card, he was a guy that paid little to no attention to shopping. I was in a similar situation.

Despite being a girl that should be excited about decorating a house, I was swamped with

bewilderment at where to start. It wasn't that I didn't like shopping, because I did enjoy it at times, but it wasn't something I did often, and very rarely, on my own. I just never had

access for the funds to splurge on items. While clothes shopping, Keiko and Valon had both been there to pick out the outfits, or at least, hold them up for my inspection and give

sound opinions, but this time, I was without that guidance.

Right now, all I really wanted to do was either spend some alone time with Hiei or train with my equipment. Currently, both of those options were out of the question.

Sitting back in the new armchair, I gazed up at the clean, crisp ceiling above us, wishing for that surge of adrenaline a woman, having obtained her dream house, would have and go

flashing my card around for all to see. All I had was a stuffed stomach from the large

breakfast this morning and my best friend with the same bloated belly that he kept patting at intervals.

However, I did have a duty to make the house appear presentable. I didn't want it to be

filled with mismatched furniture and poorly coordinated color schemes. I wanted it to be nice looking like Keiko's house with matching pieces and soft painted walls. Why couldn't there be a catalog in this store where I can just find a theme, pick it, and have someone fix it up

that way? The process would be faster and moving in would be a breeze. "We're horrible designers," I remarked grumpily.

Crossing his arms behind his head, Kenji nodded. "I think we just ate too much. Man, my

stomach hurts. I got to loosen my belt some more. It's cutting into my belly." With that, he reached for his belt.

"That, too," I agreed with a grimace.

I debated on calling a female friend, but there was only Yukina and Shizuru, and no matter

who I called, they would both come to help. Normally, I'd love their company, but I was still unprepared for Yukina's company, as I knew she would want to talk about Hiei. She would have some questions that I would have no answers for.

It was as we were both lounging in our chairs that a slender man in a suit with warm green eyes and stylish spiked blonde hair appeared to smile down at us.

"Let me guess," the man held a finger to his chin in exaggerated thought. "First time decorating a house?"

The man had a cheery french accent, but was speaking in perfect English. It was something I noted because everyone around me, besides Valon, spoke Japanese. A few times, Kenji and I

conversed in English if we were trying to exchange secrets, but that was about it for my native tongue. I twisted the communication ring around my thumb and gave a nod.

The stranger, who had a hint of feminine attractiveness to him, just in the way he was

fashionably dressed in a clean, straight suit, frowned. "Do you speak English, darling? I just assumed because..."

At his questionably gaze, I knew he was referring to my appearance. "Yes, I do speak English and as for your earlier question," I visibly sagged my shoulders. "We are new at decorating a house and I just don't know where to start."

Holding his hands up, the man smiled kindly. "Not to worry, not to worry. Normally," he looked around, but finding no one watching us, continued. "I'm not supposed to expose my

talents here, but I am an interior decorator. I have a small office and you," he pointed at me,"look to be just dreadfully stressed, darling. I can take care of you. I know exactly how you are feeling." He gave a sympathetic sigh in Kenji's direction. "Husbands just don't get the importance of a beautiful home and leave it all up to the woman."

Kenji blushed and shook his hands wildly before him. "Hey, I'm not her husband! I'm just the

best friend!"

The man rolled his eyes, "even worse."

For some reason, I laughed at that while Kenji narrowed his eyes in confusion. He didn't know what to make of that comment and for that matter, neither did I, but it was uttered in a

jaunty voice.

"You can help me?" I asked with a surge of hope. "Yes, I can."

"Who are you?" Kenji lifted a brow and heaved himself out of his chair.

"I am a man." The stranger placed a hand against his chest and grinned. "Call me Gaston," he purred proudly. Bending down, he reached for my hand and helped me from my seat. "Why don't we head to my office, my lady?"

Feeling a surge of trust from this bright individual, I settled my hand into the crook of Gaston's arm and Kenji fell into step beside me with his hands shoved in his pockets,

wondering at this unusual person.

As it turned out, Gaston was going to save the day.

A/N: "That awkward moment when your chair makes a farting noise and you can't make the noise again to prove you didn't fart" - Lol, I got that from some site. I thought it was funny

because its true. If you want, you can finish my chapter's title with something witty. I like laughing! It helps me relax!

Also, I did something different in this chapter than in all the other chapters. You'll never guess. :3 The house described here is akasoeki's dream house. It's so pretty. She sent me a model from the Sims. Thanks, Ali, for the house and beta-reading! Gaston is that big beefy

dude from Beauty and the Beast, right? I can't remember. Anyways, thanks for reading! Love you guys and I hope you are well. See you next Thursday!

Also, I have a deviant art page. Link in profile if you are interested.