A/N: Hello once again, Audience.

And in keeping with tradition of my chapters not coming at the right time while I am away from home, here's the next one several days late, hah! I should be home next week, so still bare bones post until then.

Ciao for now!~

The next morning, Shikiyoku and Hiei made their way to Youko's meadow after Shikiyoku gathered what she would need from the house, ending up toting along something of a picnic basket.

They arrived there without incident since Shikiyoku knew the way, and she led them to the center of the pasture, where as they approached three haka seemed to appear as if out of nowhere.

On each separate little stone pillar the kanji for Douji, Kitoushi, and Taka had been carved, and unsurprisingly, the flowers for each vase looked fresh as if they had just been placed there.

Though they seemed sparkling clean, Shikiyoku brushed at each one with a hand as if there could be stray leaves upon them, and she drew from the basket a small taoke and hishaku as well as a clean cloth and after dipping the cloth into water in the taoke, she wiped down each haka, unable to bring herself to do them one at a time as if one meant more than another. She poured water over top of them using the hishaku, the little taoke apparently enchanted to have an endless supply of water.

Removing the flowers from their vases and setting them on the ground, Shikiyoku tipped out the old water from the vases and then wiped each one, rising them, and then replacing them with new water back where they belonged, settling the flowers back in them: deeply rich black barlow columbines in Kitoushi's vase, earthy colored black beauty dahlias for Taka, and multi-colored tropical hibiscus for Douji.

The candles inside each pair of rosoku tate were still lit, but Shikiyoku took them out anyway and extinguished them, tucking them in the basket and replacing them with new ones she had Hiei light for her.

Lighting incense for each haka with the flame from a candle inside the rosoku tate, Shikiyoku let the initial tiny flare die out before placing them in the senko tate.

From the basket she pulled out three small bowls and placed one at each haka, putting what looked like matcha balls in Douji's, pouring Demons' Fire into Taka's, and placing a small rice cake wrapped with seaweed into Kitoushi's.

Filling each suibachi with water, Shikiyoku finally set everything to the side and knelt in front of the haka one at a time, at first only staring at the name on the stone, before wiping her eyes, putting her hands together and bowing her head, her eyes closing as she murmured something.

Rising from the last one, she pulled the picnic basket a little ways from the haka and spread out some food for herself and Hiei on a blanket, laying with him the rest of the day as they munched off and on upon whatever she brought that suited their fancy.

When it came time to leave, she gathered everything that needed to come with her back into the basket, took Hiei's hand, and left.3

~!**!~

A few hours after she'd been left alone, and Akari had already finished organizing the ingredients in the entire building. Even the ones that appeared untouched in the supply closet near the office that the woman had disappeared into at some point. Looking around the kitchen, Akari had initially felt a little irked at the lack of organization in the establishment. How was anyone to get anything done if the baking stuff was thrown wherever it could fit and mixed with the beverage stuff?

So, Akari began moving pots and pans, finding a few that were rusted and stained and putting them to the side as she did so. Utensils were moved from drawer to drawer, and dishes were piled in the sink if they didn't meet her expectations of clean.

The pile was depressingly tall by the time the sun had set.

Regardless, Akari cleaned every nook and cranny of the place and rearranged just about anything she could get her hands on. By the time the girl from the front of the store had locked up the shop and joined her in a silent offer of help, Akari was drying the last pan.

"I've Never seen those pans shine like that," the girl commented with brows raised and arms crossed. "How'd you do that?"

Akari held up a scrub pad that she had found at some point. Heavy duty.

"You mean you scrubbed each pan by hand? Instead of using the dishwasher?" Incredulous eyes blinked at Akari from under black bangs.

"Well, the dishwasher was full with smaller utensils," Akari admitted with a shrug. "Want to see the new organization?"

The girl nodded, lips pursed. "Show me everything!"

Akari nodded and began walking the girl around every counter in the kitchen, explaining each change and why it had been made. She opened drawers to show where things had been placed and showed her the cleaned cabinets and organized ingredients.

If she were honest, it was the most she'd said in a few days.

The girl smiled at Akari, "All this in just a few hours?"

Akari shrugged. "I like to clean."

"I'll say." The girl went quiet for a moment before smiling again and turning to Akari with an extended hand. "I'm Mimi. Grams tells me you're our new helper? Welcome to the team!"

Akari took the girl's hand. "Akari."

"Well, we're glad to have you, Akari. It's hard to come by good workers these days."

Akari's brow rose slightly. "You've only just met me."

"A lazy worker wouldn't do what you did today. Especially not all in one evening. I appreciate it!" The girl turned to leave. "Grams left your check on the counter. I'll see us out."

Akari nodded, following the short girl into the front room. She made sure to grab the printed check from the counter as she went by, waiting until she was standing outside before looking at it.

She blinked at the paper. Did she really mean to write that much?

"She always does that. The first check is meant to cover the first week of work. After that, you get paid weekly. The first check is to always make sure you have a uniform and money for food. She likes the hired help to be ready to go at any time." Mimi smiled kindly. "It's a tradition with her and Gramps."

Akari folded the check and slid it into her back pocket. "Well, I'll be sure to thank them in the morning. Have a good night."

"Good night, Akari! Thank you again!" Mimi called after her as Akari turned and walked towards the nearest store. She had every intention to cash the check, and then get the necessary clothes to meet the uniform requirements.

The rest would be set aside for an apartment. *

~!**!~

Akari was awake before the sun despite her late night adventures on the Fourth, and made a trip from the park to the nearest twenty-four hour gym. She slipped inside and got by the front administrative desk before finding a place to wash up, the outfit she had bought the night before stored in a locker with her own lock on it.

Once clean, Akari dressed herself in black slacks and a white long-sleeve button-up shirt, tucking it in before adorning a belt meant only for decoration sake; it was bejeweled and rather flashy. Distracting if she looked down at herself.

Deft hands looped curly, wet hair into a tall ponytail that she allowed to air-dry, knowing full well that the curls would become messy but not really caring. Giving herself a once-over in the mirror, she deemed herself at least presentable for a work environment and turned to leave.

The walk to the cafe was a quiet one, not even the birds awake for the day yet. Even inside her head there was silence, which was rare and quite relieving. She was able to breathe without having to force it normal, and she was able to think about what might go on at her new place of work.

And maybe about something to do with Nabu and Kiyoko after work.

She wasn't sure yet how she felt about the people within her new workplace, but she figured as long as she had a job that paid, it wouldn't matter how the people treated her.

She'd been through hell before. If she had to, she'd go through it again just to get a roof over Nabu and Kiyoko's heads. They deserved that.

As the building came into her sights, Akari noticed that the lights inside were already on, and that a shadow periodically moved around behind the curtained front windows and the closed door. Leisurely, Akari let herself into the front, only partially surprised that the door hadn't been locked. She did lock it behind herself though, not wanting anyone to wander inside before the actual opening hour.

"Oh, look who's here before the rest of the world is awake," came a baritone-ranged voice, a man soon following the voice and entering the front of the shop. "I wasn't expecting you to be so early, newbie." He looked her up and down with a smile of approval before waving her forward. "Well, let's get you training on the machines, hm?"

Akari silently followed the gentleman to the backroom, watching as he clasped his hands in front of himself and turned to face her, nodding at a machine that was not hooked up to any outlet. "Grab that for me, will you? It's rather heavy, and I'm afraid my little arms just can't handle the weight."

Without so much as a shrug, she did as asked, only to find the old man having already turned to walk away, presumably meaning for her to follow. She traced his steps with her own, not surprised when he waved to empty counter space in the front room where an outlet was free.

Once it was plugged in, the man began talking, droning on with instructions and having her do this and that.

By the time the sun was up, four drinks lined the countertop, each one different, each one from another machine. He smiled at her, "You're a fast learner. You'll do fine working with Mimi today."

Akari blinked. "You mean with customers?"

The man gave a knowing,playful smile. "Of course. We can't have a worker who won't work with customers now, can we?"

Akari only stared.

"Now, pick a drink. That's your kickstart for this morning." He gestured to the four beverages she had made with a nod. "From there, the rest of us will pick the one we want. The ladies will be along shortly, and you and Mimi will get to set up the display cases with fresh goodies. Your training from here on will be hands on." His smile widened at her as she reached for the simple latte at the end of the row. "I believe in you, miss Hanase."

Akari nodded once before turning down to sip at her coffee, watching the man choose the iced macchiato and sipp from the straw. He nodded once in satisfaction of the drink before leaving her alone in the room with nothing but her coffee to keep her distracted from the awakening voices in her head. *

~!**!~

With the basket dropped off at Toriko's house, and Hiei's hand in her own, Shikiyoku and her Consort lazily made their way back in the direction of the bar.

It was difficult to tell how much time had passed between their travel through the levels, but they had only spent an afternoon in the meadow, slept the night back at home and stayed in bed all day until evening came once more and Shikiyoku thought it best they move towards the bar.

She blushed the entire way there, but kept ahold of Hiei's hand as they walked right up until she pushed aside the door into the bar, where in her momentary, if unfounded, concern that the place would be a mess she let go to hurriedly move inside.

Just as busy as usual, more than one of those inside noted her entrance and shouted a greeting at her or Hiei or both and she found herself smiling at all of them, noticing as always a few new faces interspersed with the old.

A table of Hiei's mercs raised a commotion when they entered and waved for Hiei to come and join them.

Among the new faces for Shikiyoku was one sitting in a stool at her usual station, motorcycle helmet on the counter, and when he turned to see who had come in, Shikiyoku suddenly felt her heart almost stop in her chest for a moment.

With a grin at her, he slid from his seat and stood as she kept walking towards him for some reason, only blinking when he finally spoke when she approached.

"Lover." His lopsided smile was contagious and she found herself grinning back, caught up in a hug when she drew close enough.

"You're not Renai." She accused him as she stepped back.

"I am most certainly not."

Her eyes narrowed playfully, "But you certainly fooled me at first glance. If you had facial hair and were a century older, I would have been utterly convinced."

He laughed. "You speak of my father, lover. I am flattered."

"Have we met before?" She peered up at him suspiciously.

"I have seen you." He nodded. "The haze was thick and I was amidst my siblings at the time. You approached my father for assistance and I was there. That was decades ago, and you had other things on your mind, so introductions between us did not occur." He made a small bow in her direction. "My name is Shiawase."

"I am called Shikiyoku." She imitated his polite bow.

He smiled at her again, "You are called many things, lover." He reached for his helmet and gestured towards the entrance to the bar. "I am pleased to see both yourself and Gouka. May we talk?"

"Of course."

(I'll be right back.) The message to Hiei was tinged with her curiosity. (He is one of Renai's children.) 3

The walk back to the bar, in Hiei's eyes, was a pleasant one despite the fact that he'd have to share the demoness the rest of the day. But with her hand in his, it was easy to let that slide away from his worries.

He couldn't say he didn't give a little frown though when she did release his hand, the fire demon suddenly unsure of what to do with the appendage as he stepped into the bar amidst several greetings, the loudest of which being his guild sitting in the corner of the room.

He turned to see Shikiyoku moving to greet a customer at the bar before he parted ways, moving to the crowded table who all addressed him at once.

"Boss, this job was-"

"Boss, you missed it-"

"Boss, this was the best-"

"Boss."

"Boss."

"Boss."

Had it been anyone else leading this motley crew, they likely would have been annoyed or even overwhelmed at how many times the word 'boss' was used. But no matter how many times he told them to use his name, it never worked.

He finally held a hand up, silencing the entire table at once with a look. "You," he nodded to the first who had spoken up, the newer member of their guild, and gestured with his hand. "Speak."

And the demon began speaking so fast that Hiei was momentarily reminded of a certain redheaded, one-horned wind demon.

And one by one, saving his second-hand man for last, each demon told their tale. *

A few hours later, Shikiyoku came back inside the bar, shaking her head and looking somewhat amused at the interaction of which she had just been a part.

Scanning the crowd for Hiei and finding him with his men, she reached out to him through their bond with a message tinged with apprehension at his response.

(Do you leave soon?) 3

By the time each demon had given their account of their newest ventures, Hiei was more than simply amused, despite the still-neutral expression he wore while facing the crew. He sat back in his chair with one arm over the back and one leg crossed over the other as silence once more fell over the group.

He didn't say anything about the inconsistent stories, the ever-changing number of enemies or difficulty of trek. The group simply seemed so eager to fill him in that he could only nod and listen, agreeing where appropriate.

Finally, the person who had first spoke up leaned forward. "And get this, Boss. The best part is," he reached behind himself, and then under his chair to produce two rather large leather-bound bags. With a loud clunk, both bags were all but thrown on the table, the contents spilling out onto the wooden surface until Hiei was catching a few stray coins. "We hit the jackpot!"

Hiei finally, at the last, let his lips pull up into an amused smirk as he looked at the coin between his forefinger and thumb, rather surprised to find that it was the highest value of currency from the demonic side of the world, and that every coin he saw on the table was the same as the one he held. No kidding.

Finally, the fire demon shifted in his seat and sat forward, momentarily not answering Shikiyoku as the bond relayed her question. "Well done. You've earned every cent here."

"How should we divide it boss? How much you want?"

Hiei shook his head. "Divide it amongst yourselves. You earned it. It's yours." Finally, he scooted his chair away from the table to stand, turning to look at Shikiyoku. (No. They'll be celebrating for a few days. I plan on staying here.)

"You sure, boss?" Came the second-in-command's voice. Hiei didn't even look back.

"As I said, you all earned it." He stepped away from the suddenly silent table to meet Shikiyoku halfway, expression once more neutral. (Why?) *

Shikiyoku let out this little sigh, half of relief the other, happiness.

She shrugged and kept moving for the door upstairs.

(Was hoping not.) 3

Hiei fell in step behind Shikiyoku after a few paces, his eyes watching the back of her head as she moved. He couldn't quite read the bond other than the happy buzz that filtered through, somehow joining with his own and multiplying it, as per usual. He glanced back at his group of mercs one last time before the door closed behind him, at which point his eyes turned to and remained on Shiki.

"They'll be here for a while. I won't take clients until they're ready." He gave her a look that she wouldn't see. "An occasional break is well-deserved."

Finally, with a raised brow, he decided to ask. "Problem demon?" He didn't have to actually describe the guy he referred to. He knew Shiki would understand. *

"Who, Shiawase?" She let out a light bit of laughter. "Not in the slightest. Doubt he ever could be." His father on the other hand...

She finally scoffed. "Ridiculous. Apparently he was sent here by a couple of his siblings to ask after me. They wanted to know if I might be interested in taking one of them as a mate. Can you imagine?" 3

Hiei would have blinked. He even tried to blink at the back of her head, even as she continued moving up the stairs, creating a sort of distance between the two of them. He hadn't realized he'd stopped moving, but that's what he did.

He opened his mouth once, then quickly shut it again. In his head, he could only hear the Jagan's warning of Shikiyoku not being ready for a mate.

That was… quite some time ago?

Still, he could not bring himself to say anything to her, and to his surprise, the bond transmitted nothing of his inner dilemma. *

"Absolutely ridiculous. They-" Shikiyoku tripped up the stairs as if the foot she had just lifted did not want to work any longer, and she caught herself before she hit her face against the steps, hands planted against the wood, very suddenly and completely aware of how Toriko had felt all the time.

Granted, the reason for her fumble did not actually stem from her own body's clumsiness, and as she scrambled to turn around and descend back to Hiei, who had come to an abrupt stop further down, she shoved her glasses up to the top of her head and put her hand on Hiei's cheek over the markings on his face, peering into his crimson eyes.

"Hiei?"

(Hiei?)

It was as if his portion of the bond had shut down altogether, though she could feel his life force still pulsing within his body, and while she hadn't quite reached the point of panic, she could at any moment blast past it.

Was he okay? 3

Hiei did see Shikiyoku trip on the stairs above him, but on some level he didn't seem to register the happening. He was too busy turning inward, assessing the situation and considering the things he could say, probably should say, but was unable to do so.

He was simply stuck on the one word. The one he'd been told not to ask of her, but oh so badly wanted to in this moment.

Finally, after a moment, Hiei blinked at Shikiyoku, who he hadn't realized had come close enough to touch him. The hand on his cheek seemed to slowly add to the warmth of his skin, until finally, he was able to focus on that point of contact.

And yet still, somehow, he couldn't bring any thoughts to mind that did not include the one word he wasn't going to let himself say just yet. *

She didn't have to check his pulse to know it still moved, but he wasn't responding to either her inner or outer stimuli.

There didn't seem to be anything wrong, but the fact that she couldn't reach him unnerved her.

"Hiei?"

She finally moved her hand from his cheek to rest it over his core, igniting his marking as she continued to look him in the face. 3

Hiei, after about a minute, was able to finally move his thought processes away from that word, and slowly begin to think of other things. First, it was of the warmth of the hand on his cheek, which moved away too soon for his liking, but soon became a pressure over his core.

He blinked again, this time against the low glow that came to life on his skin, and then again when he realized that, oh, she was close to panic.

Slowly, he took the moment to asses why she might be so freaked out, and found that he felt nothing from the bond other than its quiet presence, still and waiting for him to invite it to open its channels again. So, once he realized that, he goaded the bond into life again before he turned his head down to Shikiyoku with another blink, his expression finally evening out into a smooth neutral look.

"...they earned more than I thought," he suddenly said, making the easiest excuse he could given his lack of brainpower in that moment. *

Shikiyoku remained standing just a couple of steps above him where she stood even with his gaze, calmer now that through the bond she felt he had truly not come to any harm.

Searching his eyes with her own, she barely heard him, dismissing his assessment as the money never mattered to him anyway.

She kept her initial reservations to herself and started to lower her hand, the energy in his marking winking out.

And she did not ask him why it had happened. Whether because she didn't know if he could currently pull a braincell together to respond, or for some other reason she couldn't explain to herself at that moment. 3

Hiei found he could only stare at the gleaming eyes that searched his own for a few moments, finding that he didn't want those eyes to look away from him. They enveloped their own world that he wanted to be pulled into, their own thoughts that he was tempted to look into.

So when the glow dissipated from his skin and her chin dropped, a part of him was disappointed that she hadn't let him in so soon.

At the same time, the bond told him that she was about to move away, and with a knee-jerk reaction he didn't consciously make, his hand shot out to first grab hers before she could turn away. He tugged her closer, grabbed her face between his hands, and with a single thought, found himself kissing her.

Mine. *

There had originally been a reason why she was going to turn away and continue up the stairs, and in her mind she had already tracked the path beyond both bedroom doors to the single door at the very back of the hall.

What lie behind that door, and her reason for approaching it, was lost to the crash of energy that ignited inside her as all at once; she had nearly fallen towards Hiei when he tugged her, his hands finding her cheeks and catching her in a kiss.

The gesture found her completely off guard, her eyes widening as the energy within them began swirling wildly, her hair, though still pinned up as usual, releasing the barest hint of invisible scent that wafted around her.

If she had ever felt any semblance of control over the shimmer that ran up and down her limbs, adding to her skin that almost pearlescent gleam beckoning to be touched, she couldn't remember what that felt like, aware on some level that she hadn't been expecting him to kiss her, hadn't so much as gotten a hint as to his intentions, and so as always seemed to happen when he showed her affection finding herself unprepared to do anything other than stand there, the hand that had just lifted from his core frozen in mid-air.

And she couldn't pull a single braincell together to respond. 3

He didn't know how long the two of them stood there, the fire demon not so much as twitching away from Shikiyoku, waiting to see if she'd respond and finding that while she did not, he didn't quite mind. So, after a stretch of time, he pulled away, his hands remaining at her cheeks for a few moments as he eyed her with a calm stare.

He opened his mouth for a moment as if to speak, but his lips stretched momentarily into a pleased grin before it too disappeared.

"...I feel better now."

With that, he pat her cheek with one hand and turned to move passed her, the other patting her head as he passed. "As you were." *

Shikiyoku only blinked in answer to him at first, barely registering him moving by, though she did turn to follow once he kept moving.

As the energy within her continued glistening through her veins, her first coherent thoughts revolved around his statement that he felt better.

While she couldn't exactly remember what made him not feel well, the prospect that physical affection actually had a direct hand in improving his mood made her energy whirl through her nearly as quickly as it had been when he-

She cringed as she recalled the moment and her core pulsed excitedly.

Something she inherently thought to be a foreign concept in regards to her Consort nearly made her freeze in place a second time.

Certainly, she herself "felt better" through displays of affection. There were few that truly knew her who didn't realize that.

Hiei, though?

...

The idea practically drove her mad trying to wrap her already fried circuits around. 3

Hiei continued up the stairs and into the hallway at the top, fighting the urge to glance back if only for amusement sake. He didn't pause to give himself time to give in to the struggle, turning and ducking into his room with every intention to change from his cloak and fighting pants to something a little less aggressive.

If anything, he figured he'd help in the bar again.

Even if it was only to distract himself from the most recent happenings. *

Shikiyoku's own feet pull her up short of the door at the end of the hallway, which she had practically slammed her face against, and she blinked at the darker wood, absolutely not sure why she stood there in the first place, but knowing that she had been moving this direction for an extremely good reason that she could no longer remember because every time she tried she kept flashing back to the moment where his warm hands had held her face and his lips had-

She twitched again as her core flared up and sent a fresh batch of energy scattering the rest of her thoughts as it bubbled through her body, and she sighed, pulling her glasses back down onto her face and turning around to wait until Hiei came back out into the hall.

"I have something for you." 3

Hiei had ruffled through drawers for a few minutes as his brain slowly regained thought processes, taking his time in finding an outfit that would be one he hadn't worn before now. Finally, his hands came out with a pair of jeans and a shirt that had a v-shaped collar. Finding the look odd, he changed shirts to a simply red t-shirt before he turned and tossed his cloak aside.

Once he was changed, he moved for the door, only looking around the hallway out of habit and finding Shikiyoku standing at the end with a rather curious expression.

The look he gave read a curious 'oh?' As he approached, he considered what she might have to show him, waving a hand at her to say you first. "And what do you have for me?" *

Shikiyoku finally felt herself returning more to normal, giving him a small smile.

"A present." She reached out with both hands, her blush still fresh across the mask of her face, to take ahold of his. "A thank you. For...being there."

(For coming with me yesterday.) 3

Hiei allowed Shikiyoku to take his hands, his eyes looking down at them for a moment before looking back up into her pink-tinged cheeks and ears. He never really got tired of seeing that color on her face.

After another moment, he registered what she said, and a curious look colored his expression, an underlying confusion and surprise lighting his eyes.

Never before had he been thanked by someone in a way that was not a handful of money. Or a blade to the chest.

So, curious, he remained silent. *

Letting go of one of his hands to reach for the doorknob behind her, Shikiyoku pulled Hiei through into the room beyond as she stepped backwards into it.

The room looked as if they had only just left it the day before, instead of months having passed since the last time either of them had been in it.

"I know you're busy with the guild and all, but I thought it would be a nice place for you to get to retreat to at the very least."

Shikiyoku relaxed her hold on his hand in case he let go to step further inside.

The L-shaped workbench was in its rightful place, his tools exactly where he left them on the walls in the pegboards and presumably in the drawers, the large machine in the corner on the right. Even the beanbag chair and large office chair were present, the imprint still in the beanbag chair just the size and shape Shikiyoku would have left.

In fact, the walls and flooring as well as the ceiling above could have been directly cut and pasted from the Niiro Kaga itself.

Her expression twinkled mysteriously at the prospect. 3

Hiei took the few steps into the room necessary, at first not looking up from the smiling woman who lead him further into the space that smelled familiar in many different ways. Only when her grip on his hands lessened did he look up from her face, his eyes finding first the desk in the one side of the room. On its surface, he could see the tool he last used sitting right where he had left it, a few jewels resting nearby, leftover from his last project.

His eyes followed the shape of the desk, seeing every little thing that sat right where he had left it, from the little drawers in the corner of the desk to the shavings from cut jewels that he hadn't swept into the trash before leaving.

The beanbag chair against the wall where he had spent several nights sleeping was still there, with the smaller imprint of the person who had used it last. The office chair still had the imprint of his own frame from use, and the trash can still half-empty.

Finally, his eyes looked to the wallpaper and the ceiling, traveling slowly as if searching for something in particular, and he was not disappointed to find the very line in the ceiling that Hiei had stared at for hours and hours on end some nights, the little dimple in the wall where he'd gotten frustrated and thrown a jewel that had inevitably cracked, after hours of trying to shape it into a particular form and finding it unable to be cut by his hands.

Even the floor still had the bit of wear where Hiei took the same path day after day.

Finally, after surveying everything in the room, his eyes came down to Shikiyoku, whom hadn't moved away from him even an inch. Slowly, his lips began to stretch until there was a grateful smile there, the bond flooded with a mixture of relief, appreciation, and another emotion he himself couldn't quite name.

He couldn't help pulling her into an embrace, his nose finding the top of her head as he took in a deep breath.

He'd missed this room for a long time, and had dreaded remaking one of his own. And now here they were, standing inside the one place that had kept him sane while she was away. The one place he could share with her now that she was at his side again.

The one place he'd been proud of. *

Shikiyoku watched with adoring fascination as Hiei visually reacquainted himself with the room, the warmth of her energy no less than before save in the speed in which it traveled through her as she quite peacefully waited for him to finish.

She didn't exactly expect him to hug her, but the response was not completely out of context and she willingly wrapped her arms around him and clasped them together behind his back, her cheek pressing against his shirt as she closed her eyes.

(I'm glad you like it.) 3

~!**!~

Akari had just put the last croissant in the display case when Mimi unlocked the front doors and allowed a few waiting customers to wander inside, each pair of eyes going first to the menu over her head before coming down to her, where she remained behind the cabinet of breakfast foods. She waited patiently as the human first took in the new employee before turning down to the glass in front of her, which she rapped a finger against in indication of what she referred to. "I'd like one of those, please ma'am. And a Chai Tea over ice."

Akari nodded at the customer before turning to Mimi, who smiled encouragingly and motioned to the refrigerator nearby. "Everything you need is in there. I'll show you how to make it." The girl went on to rattle off ingredients as she grabbed cups and began taking orders for the three other people milling about.

One by one, Akari learned different drinks and how to make them. At first, business was slow with only a few early-birds wandering into the shop, but as the first two hours passed, the place began to get busier until Akari and Mimi were working independently, and yet as one. Mimi would make drinks and Akari would retrieve foods or help in making numerous drinks, Mimi doing all the talking while Akari served as silent support to the other. Extra hands, really.

"Smile, Akari," Mimi had whispered at one point, though she wasn't sure if it was teasing or serious business to the girl.

Finally, after a few hours of remaining constantly busy, Akari found herself standing around, watching Mimi who swiped at her forehead as if she'd completed the hardest task in existence. "That was some rush, huh?" The girl mused, a smile on her face. "We should be pretty quiet for a while. Want a snack or something from that deli across the street? Grams and I go every day."

"No, thank you." Akari waved the offer away. "I'll clean up."

"Suit yourself. You're missing out on some mean grilled sandwiches!" The girl skipped around the counter and made it all the way to the door before pausing and turning to look back. "Yknow, the customers would like you more if you smiled and spoke more than two words to them."

Akari nodded. "I'll work on it."

"But you know, it isn't so bad, having a silent helper. I'm just glad you're not like the last guy Gramps hired." Not elaborating, the girl slid out the front door and shuffled across the street, leaving Akari shaking her head and retrieving a rag and cleaning solution from under the counter.

And for the first time in weeks, she was able to ignore the noise in her head and the pulls at her core. For the first time in weeks, she could focus on her task and have a moment of silence to herself.

Genuine silence. Even the television hung on the wall behind her had gone quiet, music no longer playing.*

~!**!~

A few days passed where Akari was bounced from the front of the shop to the back, rotating between washing dishes, baking pastries, serving customers, and checking inventory. Little by little she was learning the ropes, finding things that came easier to her than others, things that she found almost enjoyable, and things she sometimes found tiresome. But really, all in all, she began to rather like her job.

Even her nightly runs didn't seem to bother her anymore. She'd been able to slowly, little by little, filter out the toxicity in her head and replace it with quiet acceptance of her life. She was able to take runs in the evening with Nabu and Kiyoko without intruding thoughts, was able to sometimes even take a nap before going on a hunt. It was becoming bearable, in its own way. She was… coping, if that's what one might call it. Even if Nabu continued to badger her about going out and making friends.

Dang dog.

"Akari! There's a customer asking for you!" Akari paused, standing upright and turning to look at the door leading to the front of the store. She wiped her flour-covered hands on her apron.

For a moment, the demoness considered saying she had her hands full. She considered making some excuse that would get her out of the socializing environment and keep her hidden in the back room and busy. No matter what she thought up, though, she could only imagine Mimi dragging her out into the open anyway. So she willingly stepped through the swinging door of the kitchen and into the foyer.

"You called?" Akari asked, her eyes first finding Mimi, who gestured to a customer in front of her. Hazel eyes traveled, following the gesture until she met lavender hues, bright and cheery. Akari only blinked.

"Akari! Boy am I glad to see you!" Botan cheered, bouncing once in place before skipping happily around the counter and hugging the demoness. "I'm so glad you're back!"

Even if she'd wanted to, Akari couldn't return the hug due to her arms being pinned to her sides. "Hi, Botan." Did Nabu send you?

"Okay, so, I have a bit of a problem," the former ferry girl continued as she bounced a step away, her eyes turning to the menu that hung above. "I just don't know what to order! What do you recommend?"

Akari's brow rose higher, still not sure why the girl was so happy to have found her. "For you?" The girl nodded. "A smoothie."

Mimi passed by, patting her on the shoulder. "I'll leave this one to you."

Akari nodded at the girl and moved to take her spot behind the register, not surprised when Botan returned to the place on the other side of the counter. "Sure! Why not," the blue-haired woman finally chimed, smiling happily.

Akari turned and grabbed a plastic cup, turning her back on Botan to make the beverage. For a few moments, there was silence where the demoness could feel eyes watching her every move. By the time Botan finally decided to speak, Akari had the blender running- the timing purposely constructed. It wasn't that she didn't like the girl, it was just that Akari didn't know her, really. And at this time, she didn't really feel like knowing just about anyone.

Much to her dog companions' dismay.

That didn't stop the other from picking up conversation though when Akari finally did pass the berry smoothie to her. "How long have you worked here? It seems like your element! You fit right in!"

Akari shrugged. "Not long." Why?

"Would you come sit with me? I find it rather lonely to enjoy such a wonderful drink alone."

Akari hesitated, casting a glance to the door nearby, considering the escape route and if it was worth it. In the end, she turned to Botan and waved a hand; she had no real reason to deny the girl some company. Plus, it would make Nabu happy.

"Lovely!"

A few beats passed before silent footsteps followed bouncy ones, where both girls sat across from one another in the sunlight, the barista sitting where she could see if any customers entered the establishment.

"How's Nabu?"

"He's doing well. Made a new friend."

"Oooh! A lady friend, perhaps?"

Akari almost puffed in amusement. "He hasn't admitted to such, but I suspect that's the case."

"Well good for him! You both deserved one more friend in your little family!"

Akari found herself leaning back in her chair with arms crossed over her stomach, her head tilting to one side. "I suppose so. She's quiet, a little timid, but rather adorable. He's good for her."

"What's she look like?"

Akari's eyelids slid closed and she took a breath. "At first, she was pretty scrawny. Now, she's lean and stands tall. Her tail curls and sits on her back- similar to Nabu's, but longer. Her fur is white, and her nose is black. She never makes a sound when she walks. It's almost discerning how quiet she is."

"She sounds wonderful, Akari."

"...she certainly is." *

~!**!~

Weeks went by, each day exactly the same as the one before it. Each shift grew easier than the one previous, Akari picking up on little tricks to quicken the rate at which she and Mimi assisted a customer and sent them on their way. Botan visited here and there, usually during the dead hours so Akari could sit and talk. It was refreshing, in its own way. Soon, she found herself watching the door, waiting for the blue-haired woman to bounce in and order a Berry Mix Smoothie. She'd come to expect it, really. Sometimes even rely on the constant happening.

After each shift, she would change clothes from her uniform to a dirty pair of jeans and an old shirt before she would disappear to the Fourth and hunt down pack members. She didn't know when exactly the number of severed ties began to outweigh the number that still lived on in her mind, but before she knew it, Akari's head was quieter, as if she stood in a crowded room full of people but had cotton balls in her ears. The voices no longer were distinct, were no longer discernable between one or another. They simply meshed, as if they all tried speaking to her at once. Jumbled. Incomprehensible. It was easier to keep it that way too. Easier to block out.

After a couple more weeks, Akari had gone and bought herself a cellphone- one that was simple. A flip phone with basic data and time on it, and a camera. And soon after acquiring that, she was in the office of an apartment complex- the one Nabu had pointed out to her- and was inquiring upon leases. Apartment sizes. Monthly rates.

At first, she thought a one-bedroom apartment would do. So, she asked to see one of those. The man at the counter had obliged, grabbing his set of keys and motioning her to his vehicle.

The one bedroom that he showed her was on the third floor, and…. Tiny. In her head, she tried to imagine herself and two dogs within the space, and just as quickly as she had entered the renting space, she had turned and stepped out the door, turning to the man and explaining that she had two dogs and would need more space.

"Of course!" He'd said, no doubt happy about leasing an even bigger apartment. "This way!"

The two bedroom he showed her was on the uppermost floor. The moment he opened the door, she could smell fresh paint and wood glue. She eyed each nook and cranny, finding that while she liked the amount of space, the particular one he showed her was… unstable. The faucet had a leak underneath that she could hear dripping, and every sound from the neighbors could be heard- two kids, she concluded. A cat, maybe.

"Do you have another one like this one?" She asked of the man, turning to face him again.

"The only other two bedroom apartment we have available is bigger, and is still undergoing the painting. It won't be ready until next month," the man explained, fiddling with the keys in his hands.

"May I see it?"

He blinked at her before nodding, "Of course!"

The third apartment was more ideal. She didn't have to step into the rooms to know that everything was sound. There was no dripping of leaking faucets, no noisy neighbors, and she rather liked the view out the windows. With this particular apartment at the very end of the building, she could see at least two windows facing to the streets below. It was roomy, and even with the two men inside busy at work, she could see all she needed to.

And she liked it.

"How much?"

The man blinked again before offering a smile and rattling a number off- a rather pricy number, she noted. She stared at him before shaking her head. "I guess I'll go back to the other place. They're cheaper and with a better view." She turned to walk away, only pausing when he called out to her again, offering a lower number- a supposed discount for the paint smell and the long walk up the flights of stairs.

Akari turned to face him, her head turned a little. "What about the damaged AC?" She pointed out, nodding at the unit that made a knocking sound as it whirred to life.

"It will be fixed before move-in, at our expense of course."

Akari finally nodded. "Deal."

The man smiled and turned to shut the door. "Let's go get the paperwork, then."

Back in the office, Akari meticulously read each word printed on the papers passed to her, not minding that the man typed away at his computer while she did so. When all seemed okay and reasonable, she signed on the dotted line and pushed the paperwork towards the manager. "Let me know when the fixing-up is done, and I'll have a payment for you then too. For the dogs."

The man nodded, signing his own name next to hers. "I'll give you a call, miss Hanase. I'll see you soon."

Akari stood and moved around the chair she'd been in. "It's a pleasure doing business," she mumbled as she left the office, a copy of the paperwork in her hands that she rolled up in her grip.

"Did we get one?" Nabu asked, his tail wagging as she approached the front gate.

"Yep. But they're doing some touching-up, so it won't be ready for us for a few days."

"That's fine! We can survive a little longer without a hidey-hole!"

Akari glanced at him once before turning and walking the way she'd come, patting Kiyoko's head as she passed, ready to go back to work. "All that, and I only had an hour for lunch. And i still have time."

"We're good!"

"Yes, yes we are."

"Oh! Akari?"

"Yes Nabu?"

"Can we go for another run this evening? By the river?"

"Absolutely." *

~!**!~

Hiei glanced back at the group that laughed at one another, another joke having been passed around. It was only day one of being gone from the bar, and they were only just getting away from the meeting place that had been agreed upon by the client.

The request was a simple one. Find a group of messengers who carried a certain letter, each one different, each one going in similar directions, and retrieve the letter that had been sent by the man's General of his army. Hiei didn't ask the contents of the letter, didn't even have a desire to know why they hunted this group of messengers.

It was simply an easy payout, and some of his crew were itching for more gambling money. And the only reason Hiei himself had come along was due to being requested, his Jagan being a necessity.

He didn't mind it, really. He just… he'd been so happy in his little jewelry making room with his new idea and a new contractor on the First.

"Hey boss, how long do you think this one'll take. I'm betting two days, like usual!"

"Nah man, it's gonna take just today. He's got the Eye on his side!"

But the Jagan couldn't have prepared him for the next moments. It hadn't picked up on the energy that had come to life mere nanoseconds before it was zooming through the group, scattering the mercs in all directions in surprise.

"Alright boys, time to get to work!" Called the second in command.

But Hiei… He felt as if this would not go well, and the Jagan provided him absolutely no help on the matter. It only told him that there was one. Or maybe two, the speed was simply too great to keep up with.

That was enough information to have him closing the Jagan, in hopes of focusing on the threat at hand more completely with his two eyes.

For a bit, he could only see a blur whizzing by, a whistle on the wind alerting him to a sword that he just barely managed to dodge, his own not even quick enough to block in the moments before the attempted strike.

So, he called for the others to retreat, knowing that if he himself could not see this one, the others would not stand a chance. "I'll handle this one. Finish the mission. I'll catch up."

"No way. You don't have to do everything alone, you know that right?"

Hiei made a sound as he turned in place, the demon that had been darting in and out of the group suddenly nowhere in sight. This really wasn't the time to argue, he thought. "Do as I say, or-"

When the demon zipped into view, its speed slower than it had been before due to its starting step, Hiei's eyes widened in recognition, and every single nerve in his body came to life. His shoulders tensed and he turned to at least attempt to get ahead of the fire demon, suddenly not allowing any of the guild to step into this one's line of sight. "Go!"

He was able to direct the threat away, this time able to smell the infection on the other demon that drove him to the fight. The illness that darkened red eyes until they were black, and turned a once-friend into a very dangerous foe.

He knew he was no match for Uryo, even with the amount of demons in the clearing ready to fight. A fact that was painfully clear as he charged through his men a fifth time, only able to get close enough to the second-in-command to shove him out of the way of the blade that moved for his neck.

He didn't even have time to consider blocking the blow, instead only able to get there in just enough time to be nicked in the shoulder. A nick that immediately shot a warning through his system, momentarily slowing him down and forcing him to assess the burning at his arm, the scent that mingled with the one drop of blood he shed, and the feeling as if someone shoved a finger into an open wound.

All at once, Hiei mentally slammed the door shut on any and all telepathic communications, including the bond that rested in the back of his head, knowing now that he might not survive this one, and that his only goal was to keep the guild alive so that they may protect Shikiyoku and her bar.

"I said move your asses," he snarled at the eight men standing with various weapons at the ready, again darting across the group to block another blow. *

~!**!~

"-which honestly proves their assets might be advantageous for us to acquire." Letting his forest green eyes continue scanning the page he held up in front of him, Shuichi appeared to reach the conclusion before he finished speaking, giving a nod to punctuate the end of his sentence.

Shikiyoku stood at attention on the other side of his desk, rapidly taking notes on her clipboard and allowing him the opportunity to voice his ideas aloud as she stood in silent sentry over him.

He had been looking up at her less and less for confirmation of late, but he did so this particular time and she paused to push her thin-framed glasses further up her nose, never quite letting her eyes leave the paper in front of her to meet his gaze.

His ideas and instincts were always solid, they always had been, but it had become a matter of trusting those instincts once more when they had until so recently been twisted and mangled.

"I absolutely agree, sir." Funny how at some point along the way she found herself becoming more of his yes-man, but at this juncture that was the person he needed her to be and she adapted efficiently to those needs as always.

She reached out to retrieve the report back from him and as he handed it off, she gave him her own nod. "I'll make sure the necessary steps are implemented post-haste."

He gave her a half-smile, as she started to turn away and move towards the door, "See that you do."

As she moved between the tall, marble planter boxes filled with abundant plant life that lined the way to the exit, she called back, "And don't forget that you have an appointment this afternoon with the vice-president."

"My offer still stands, you know." He replied, starting to stand up from his chair to stretch his legs. "You'd make a fine VP."

"You're as kind as ever, sir." Her voice tinged with enough dry humor to make him smile a second time. "But I-"

Shuichi felt as if time slowed down as he watched her retreat, his appreciation for the form she cut giving way to a hitch at his chest as he saw her ankle give out from under her and she barely caught herself on the edge of the marble at waist-height nearby, leaning over it with her free hand that had slammed violently into it to prevent her complete tumble to the floor.

"Inyoku?" He had immediately pulled his hand from his pocket and made for her, some sort of disbelief at what he was seeing flashing across his consciousness. He meant to make some sort of joke about the height of her heels, but he had never seen her so much as take a single step that wasn't precise, and the humor in the situation had died before it had a chance to grow.

Reaching her quickly and coming to stand at her side, he noted the delicate hand resting on top of the marble twitching as if the nerves in it were protesting the severe stress they had just been through.

"Inyoku?" He said again now that he was closer, an arm moving up like he might touch her shoulder, but he hesitated and it remained in the air between them as he leaned over her.

Her hand throbbed angrily, but she registered no pain in those moments as within her the bond that connected her to her Consort had shut down.

She did not know if this was how his death might feel, but for her sanity she dismissed the prospect, reminded all at once of the moment weeks ago when they stood in the stairwell and the same thing had occurred.

He shouldn't be able to do that.

It was not meant to be a connection one could turn off and on as if some cheap lightswitch in a hotel room.

"I have to go." Shikiyoku finally looked up at him and all at once began to move, clipboard placed on top of the marble, glasses set down atop them as first one heel and then then other were removed from her feet.

Had the situation been different, Shuichi would have taken great pleasure in noting how wonderful the actual size difference between them was, but the manner in which she acted, and the absolute stony nature of her face left him standing there uncertain of what he should do.

"Open the window." She tilted her head towards the windows behind his desk, and while her voice had none of the authoritative ring to it as when he heard her typically given orders, he found himself immediately in action, doing as she said.

When he turned back around, she was walking barefoot towards him, her suit jacket discarded on top of the clipboard and her hands reaching down to take the hem of her skirt on the right side in her grasp.

In one single motion, she had ripped a slit up the side of it practically to the top of her thigh.

His confusion as to her behavior was overshadowed by the expression on her face as she looked up at the window to make sure it was open.

Nothing.

Devoid of emotion, even her eyes no longer spiraling with their usual mysteries, instead flat and dead, Shikiyoku had just as easily returned to that place she discovered while floating in the bacta tank so long ago. The one she employed as she ran the Nine Levels in pursuit of a demon she had not known to be alive or dead.

And Shuichi suddenly found himself unable to move as she passed him, leapt up into the open window, and then was gone. 3