"... and that's why I really don't want him here," Hikari must have repeated herself for the umteenth time. They were sitting on the couch in Nanashi and Hiei's quarters. Part of Nanashi would much rather be asleep on this couch in the moment.
Nanashi listened on, trying to be patient with her. What she was sharing was important to her. She stifled a yawn. "I know you don't like him here, but it's what the king, queen, your father, and I agreed to. His punishment for accidentally shooting me, a safe place for him to stay while his parents are abroad looking for a dark crone to break the blood bond treaty's hold, and ample time for your father to train him." She rubbed at her forehead, wishing her pulsing headache would go away.
"But this is my territory. I run it," Hikari grouched.
Nanashi sighed. "It is, but he's your prince and needs to be somewhere safe while his parents are away. Just in case someone tries something. You know that."
Hikari turned forward on the couch, slouching down and crossing her arms across her face. "Fine. He best behave himself. Good night, Mother."
Nanashi tried not to look too relieved. "Good night, Hikari," she said tiredly. She watched Hikari head towards the door, envying her and her ability to sleep without a worry tonight.
Hikari stopped at the door. "And if the queen thinks him staying here a few weeks will magically make the two of us fall in love in case they fail to find a dark crone, well, that's not going to happen." She then rushed out the door before Nanashi could say anything in response.
Nanashi sighed, turning to rest her side on the couch. She laid her head on the top of the couch, yet willing herself not to fall asleep at all.
Luckily or unluckily, Hiei came in the room from the bedroom now that Hikari had left. Seeing her almost made her wish Hikari had stayed on to complain more about Prince Takashi staying here.
"Take the bed," he told her patiently.
"No," she said, making herself sit up when she would rather leave her head laying.
"You're not sleeping on the couch," he stated.
"I said -" she started.
He interrupted, shaking his head. "I mean you're not literally sleeping on the couch. The couch mustn't be comfortable, otherwise you would be better rested," he observed. She hummed to herself, not sure how to explain it away. "Sleep on the bed, I can sleep on the couch," he offered.
"No," she said, shaking her head.
"Why don't you want to sleep?" he asked her, leaning himself against the wall opposite of her. At least he was keeping his distance. She looked up at him, unsure how to explain it or what to say. "Why don't you want to sleep?"
She gave in, "I don't want to be pulled into the Great Hawk Spirit's realm again."
He gave her a quizzical look. "Why?" She shook her head again. "Why?" When she did not answer, he offered, "I can put a block in your mind to try to keep her at bay, but only if you tell me why."
The temptation for that enticed her. "I can't..." she petered out.
"Can't? Or won't?" he questions were pressing, but his tone was not. "How many messages did she give you to pass on?"
She felt ready to squirm at that question. "Two," she said, eyes trained on the floor. The silence around them was suffocating. "Three," she lied.
"What was the third one?" he pressed.
"I'll... I'll tell you if you promise to stay... and promise to put the block in my mind," she bargained.
He nodded and approached her. "What was the third one?" He sat down next to her waiting for him to speak.
She opened her mouth, debating which one to share that she had kept to herself. The one where Hikari should wed Prince Takashi immediately and selflessly or the one where she should tell him about Jin's name. She took a deep breath and then blurted out, "I put Jin's name down, not Yasha's." She did not explain any further.
He stared at her, not seeming to quite catch her meaning for a few seconds. Then his face lit up in shock. He stood up in a rush, making her suddenly nervous. "You told me you wrote my name and Yasha's name down for the king and queen of who would be willing to marry. I kept that secret to spare you Kurama's jealousy and Yasha's unpleasant teasing. The king kept that secret as well. To think how you reacted when you found out about the blood bond treaty..." He shook his head. He stepped over to her, reaching for either side of her head. She flinched. "I'm putting the block in your mind," he said tensely.
She closed her eyes, holding her breath. She felt him press his hands on either side of her head. She gasped at the feeling of whatever it was he was doing burrowing inside her mind. When he let go, she slumped down on the couch, hoping that would work. It had to work if she were to sleep.
He stepped away from her, making her feel small. "You'll take the bed now," he ruled. She felt an odd mix of relief and guilt settle in the pit of her stomach.