He found her standing in a clearing caught between a grove of trees and the palace wall. She was leaning on said wall, staring up at the clouds, her arms behind her head. The imiko grinned and walked over to her. She jumped slightly, but before she could talk he kissed her lips gently. Her eyes widened briefly, then she closed them, slipping her arms up around his neck as she kissed back. She giggled lightly as he kissed down to her neck and shoulder. She then overbalanced and gave a little cry of surprise that turned into more laughter as they tumbled to the ground, still kissing whatever flesh they could get to...
"I love you, Hiei."
End Chapter Thirty Seven
Kairai awoke in Hiei's arms, her back pressed against his chest. She suppressed a little shiver as the wind blew over her while she was uncurling Hiei's arms from about her waist. She stood shakily and snatched up her clothes. THIS was a familiar scenario. But last time her heart had been broken. She stared at Hiei's sleeping form for a while, watching his chest rise and fall with steady breathing.
"I'm sorry, Hiei. I love you and I'll miss you." She ran one hand over her eyes, ignoring the tears. What she was doing was wrong. It shouldn't end like that. But in her heart, she knew that she couldn't let Hiei or Kurama go after Kozue. There would be no more blood shed on her account.
She turned away after a moment, and it seemed to take all her strength to pull the knee-length shirt over her head. She didn't bother to put on the pants, instead merely carrying them in one hand as she left the clearing. She was only slightly aware that her face was drenched with tears.
"Leaving him so soon?"
Kairai froze and turned around, her brow furrowing in slight fear/indignation. She blinked when she saw a guy in a green school uniform. "Urameshi... Yusuke?" she queried, raising an eyebrow.
He grinned stupidly. "Yeh. That's me. And Hiei's a friend, so how come you screw and run?"
She blushed. "Th-That's not... It's not like that. It's more complicated. Now I would appreciate it if you would leave me alone." she said coldly, her eyes narrowed as she turned to walk away.
Yusuke leaned against a tree casually. "You're Kairai, aren't you?"
She sighed, not turning to him. "Yes..."
"Then you must know that Koenma sent me and my buddies to keep you out of trouble...?"
That did it. She turned around, giving Yusuke a death glare. "I don't care! I need to get away from here NOW, and you're not gonna stop me! I love Hiei- I really do- but I can't let him or any of his friends get hurt because of me!"
Yusuke sighed and rolled his eyes. "He likes you, girly, no matter how unbelievable that is. If he wants to help you, he will: you can bitch about it all you want."
Kairai's eyes narrowed in annoyance at the analogy referring to a female dog. "I'm NOT. I don't want Hiei to get hurt, you moron!"
He raised an eyebrow disbelievingly. "Hiei? Get hurt?"
She sighed. "I-I dunno... Maybe I'm just being stupid. I should figure Hiei can handle himself, huh...?"
He nodded, blinking, taken aback by her sudden resignation to defeat.
A strong hand was suddenly laid on Kairai's shoulder and she turned her head to confirm what she already knew. Hiei was awake.
She looked back and Yusuke was gone. She then looked at Hiei, her heart rate increasing. "I'm sorry." she blurted, his serious, piercing gaze frightening her a little.
His brow furrowed in confusion. "I made a complete fool of myself to make you happy- and you're just going to leave?" It was a half-stament, half-question. His tone implied statement.
Kairai bit her lip. "No."
Hiei frowned and let his hand drop. "Liar." His fangs protruded as he snarled the word maliciously. "I should have known better than to get mixed up with a woman..."
She scowled. "Well, if you got 'mixed up with a woman'," she snarled, accenting quotations with her fingers, "it's YOUR fault! I didn't MAKE you do ANYTHING! I just didn't want..." she trailed off. She groaned, dropping her head in her hands, rubbing her temples with her fingers.
He rolled his eyes. "Didn't want what?"
She whimpered. "Kozue will kill you..."
"She won't be able to. I have allies... Kurama, Yusuke and the oaf will be more than willing to help. You have nothing to worry about, Kairai."
She looked up. "You're not mad at me?"
He shrugged. "Guess not."
"Yay! she squeaked, clapping her hands. "So... wait... erm, Koenma..." Her expression fell.
"What about him?" queried the imiko, arching a single lovely raven eyebrow.
"He, um... tried to kiss me."
"Tried?"
"Of course I didn't LET him!" she said, a bit annoyed, though she didn't really have a reason to be.
Hiei gave a little grin. "Good. You're mine now, and anyone else who dares to touch you will be slaughtered mercilessly." His grin turned more than a little wicked and he slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. "I'll just contact the rest of the team with the Jagan and tell them to leave Koenma out of it."
Kairai smiled at him. "Thanks."
He kissed her forehead lightly then moved away, shoving his hands into his pockets. He gave an annoyed "hn" as the thorns on the rose Kurama had given him earlier pricked his fingers. He blinked, brow furrowing. He was supposed to give that to Kairai.
He wrapped his be-poked fingers around the rose stem and began to pull it out, his brain already forcing words onto his tongue.
"Hey, guys!"
Hiei blinked in confusion. That wasn't his voice... OR his chuckle! None of them were!
He growled as three figures sauntered into his line of vision. Yusuke Urameshi,
Kazuma Kuwabara,
and Shuuichi Minamino/Kurama.
What completely HORRIBLE timing!
End Chapter Twenty-Eight