A/N: Hello once again, Audience.
I figured you would rather I got a chapter out today than get my other chapter summaries finished, so here's the chapter! Things have been crazy since I got back from Italy, but the summaries will slowly continue to get down and eventually I'll be caught up!
Ciao for now!~
Symbols Guide:
* : Written by CM; She writes for Akari and Hiei
3 : Written by Star (supposed to be the 'heart' symbol, but FF doesn't like the 'less-than' sign, so it's a 3 instead); She writes for Shikiyoku and Youko/Kurama
~!**!~ : A universal transition between scenes or characters, sometimes used to indicate a passage of time, but most often used to transition between major scenes that are happening. As the story progresses, this will evolve into mainly separating the (usually two) scenes happening between authors/characters.
As a general rule, anything in italics is thoughts.
Unless it's used in a sentence like this, which merely indicates emphasis.
(Words in italics and within parenthesis is dialogue between Hiei and Shikiyoku via the bond between them after Hiei becomes Shikiyoku's Consort. As soon as the 'thought' occurs, it can pass between them, and does not actually have to be formed into exact words-feelings and sensations can pass through as well-in order to be picked up and the meaning translated immediately by the other. For the sake of the coherence by the reader, words and sentences are used as normal. It cannot be picked up by telepathy.)
"Quotations are usually reserved specifically for telepathic dialogue being transmitted from one being to another, but sometimes this can also mean a character isn't being careful about what they're thinking and anyone with telepathy in the nearby vicinity can listen in without taking any effort."
The only exception to that last rule is for the Shiba Inu dog, Nabu. All of his "spoken" dialogue will be in italics and quotations, but is communicated through body language or dog-like noises, so unless a character is able to translate those they are unlikely to pick up on what he is saying any more than the average person might understand his general moods like aggression (bared teeth, ears back) or excitement (wagging tail).
The Nabu Exception also applies to anyone when they are in an animal form, if the dialogue is in italics and quotations, unless stated otherwise.
Previously on Yu Yu Hakusho!
[Will be updated soon]™
Hiei let Shikiyoku speak, initially waiting to get a word in, to tell her that he wouldn't ever allow himself to invalidate her again, to toss her to the side in his selfish desire to keep himself safe, or maybe even her. He waited, those thoughts roiling in his cranium, but never got the chance to even so much as utter a word, knowing it would be useless anyway.
The moment her eyes alighted on him again, he found himself preparing for whatever she was readying to say, all thoughts fleeing in advance so that he may soak in whatever she had to say, so that maybe one day, he would remember them, and not let himself tear into her the way he had today.
And he wasn't sure what he had expected, but the lesson he was given was not it. He didn't expect to feel an odd clench in his stomach when he realized that she was saying she'd given her heart away enough times to regret it, to wish she didn't have the ability to do so without directly saying so. He found himself realizing that while he'd been ready to give her his soul, he'd never thought of his heart, which up until now he hadn't known he'd been scared to do.
He stared at her, her words echoing in his head as he slowly pushed himself into sitting upright, fighting his earlier reservations until those barriers fell and he felt ready to say the things he'd been meaning to say, to tell her the things she not only needed to hear, but that he needed to say.
Because he realized that he had a lot of work to do, if he ever wanted to be what she needed, if he ever wanted to be worth the pleasure of holding her heart in his hands, as he suspected she was telling him he already did.
Finally, he reached forward, his arms circling her and pulling her closer.
"It won't happen again," he began with a little breath through his lips. He let a small beat pass before he spoke up again, his eyelids closing so that all the feelings that accompanied his next words might cross the bond so maybe she might understand him as he wanted to understand her.
"One day, I will give back to you everything you've given me, everything I've taken from you, starting with your dignity and trust." He pulled away, his hands on her shoulders and his eyes looking into her face. "I will do everything in my power to understand, to learn, to be a Consort worthy of a Queen." *
As his words reached her ears, she began to realize that she had heard them all before. Perhaps not in that exact order, but said in a similar enough manner that the intention washed over her with a seemingly misplaced sort of familiarity. And just like all the other times, she did not, could not, maintain any reservations over the sentiment as it presented itself, even in light of the number of times she had heard it spoken to her.
As he embraced her, her heart melted just like it always did, as he looked at her with sincerity, meaning each and every aspect of the words as he said them, she fell for him all over again, not for a single moment experiencing déjà vu as she likely should have or turning introspective and considering that perhaps her reaction should be different this time, that she should hold onto some piece of herself to protect it from being hurt.
As with all times before, she could do nothing other than look him square in the eyes, her energy glittering powerfully within her own now as a blush settled across her nose, and reach up to tuck a single, curled finger underneath his chin, tapping the underside of his jaw once before resting it there.
And without her realizing she did so, she in return spoke the same words she had used in each of her responses previously, freely throwing herself wholeheartedly and quite delightedly into his offer with an abandon she could not rightly describe.
"I look forward to it." 3
After a few moments, a very short smile stretched Hiei's lips before disappearing into his serious expression again, allowing the finger that she crooked to touch his skin without resistance, watching the color that came to her cheeks and the way she seemed to light up with his promise.
If only you knew what you've done for me, my Beloved.
After a moment of pause, his lips parted again, this time to finally say the thing he'd been waiting to say since she'd gone on her little lecture.
"And you've my heart."
He hadn't known that she'd taken it from him so long ago. No, that he'd let her have it of his own volition at some point, when she'd begun to teach him to open up, to accept people into his life who were worth letting in. He hadn't known that he'd all but handed it to her wrapped in a bow the night that he'd stood outside the Niiro and overheard her's and Taka's conversation. Or how he'd even begun to consider it before then.
Sure, he still had things to learn, and a long ways to go, but this was as good a start as any. Better than what she'd started with.
And he was going to make it right. He was going to give her everything she deserved, and then some.
And hopefully when he'd done all that, she would accept the only request he knew neither of them were ready for in this moment. *
Her eyes glittered mischievously at him.
"I know."
She fought against the smile that played tug-of-war with her lips.
"I've had your heart for a very long time. Longer than you could possibly believe."
A single moment in time played its little memory dance across her mind's eyes, a moment where, in the distant past, she had spied a feisty little hybrid child skirting the edges of the light from an outdoor fire-with a desire for vengeance throbbing desperately, perilously, through his veins-and had reached out, and taken his heart into her hands. 3
For a brief instant, Hiei considered firing her initial two words back at her, but had decided against it if only out of curiosity for the second half of her sentence. Without his knowledge or consent, his lips stretched into a little smirk, watching whatever thought happened behind her eyes as if maybe he could see it form in front of her.
Whatever it was, it seemed rather important to her.
He let it be.
You're stuck with me now, my Beloved. *
She really couldn't help herself.
It was like the one thing in her life she took very specific pride in being able to do.
"What, no guesses?" She teased him, leaning forward a little as she dropped her hand into her lap. 3
Hiei raised a brow, his hands coming away from her shoulders finally as he gave the illusion of considering her question before giving her a smirk.
"I could cheat if I wanted, but I think I'll let you have this one." *
"Hmph!" She turned her nose up at him again. "You are no fun whatsoever." 3
Several replies filtered through the forefront of Hiei's mind, some almost through the bond, but for the most part Hiei gave her no response other than a tilt of his head and a slight raise of his chin.
And then all at once, something Shikiyoku had said earlier resurfaced and forced its way to the front of his thoughts, pressing and important enough to have his head turning to the door.
"-nearly melted his squad.."
Before he could give it much thought, the fire demon was shuffling himself around until his legs hung over the side of the bed, and was pushing himself to stand with every intention being to run down those stairs and check on his guild and-
And fall on his face the very second his entire weight had been put on his feet. His knees buckled and his equilibrium refused to allow him the ability to catch himself, leaving him free falling until he was just as soon spread out on the floor, lying on his stomach with his arms trapped between his body and the wood.
And the only sound he made upon impact was a small oof that had been forced from him when his arms slammed into his sternum. *
She spoke very quickly under her breath when Hiei didn't give her an answer, "Flashy little swordsman-sonova-fire-demon gets to show off all the time. And what do I get?"
Perfectly timed with the sound of Hiei hitting the ground, Shikiyoku shifted positions, one leg crossing over the other as she leaned back while putting her hands onto the bedspread behind her to prop herself up, a single dark eyebrow on her face lifting into a droll position on her forehead.
After a beat, she ran her tongue over her top teeth.
"You finished there, dollface?" 3
For a few seconds, Hiei didn't so much as twitch, his nose smooshed against the hardwood floor, his knuckles digging into his chest, his forehead throbbing. When he released a small breath, it made a sound against the wood.
Finally, he turned his head to one side, his expression one of irritation. It was his own fault, really. And he quite deserved it.
Always double check before standing.
He'd gotten ahead of himself.
And still, somehow, his pride was intact enough to allow a scoff at the name she'd given him in the moment. "Just about. Not comfortable enough yet."
He waited a few beats before huffing again. Damn. "...Will you help me up?" *
Ah, how the mighty have fallen.
She did not miss how bruised his current position had made his ego, as the sensation floated over their bond as such.
He was not one who was used to asking for help, this much she knew exceedingly well.
Eyebrow still raised, she kept her thoughts to herself.
May this remind you that the last time you refused my help is what put you flat on the floor like that in the first place.
As he gave a reply, it was almost painful for her to not promptly stand up and just as promptly sit atop him again, asking if he were comfortable then.
Her second response came tumbling from her lips instead, "Just as feisty as the first time I saw you. And what exactly do you plan to do once you're up, flame boy?"
She grinned wickedly while he couldn't see her, rising in graceful fashion from where she sat, the spikes of pain running through her body in mirror of all that he currently experienced seemingly not affecting her movements in the slightest.
And he lay on the floor not even enduring more than half of it.
"It is not a weakness to ask for help. It is a weakness to be utterly convinced you can go it alone when you can't." She reminded him patiently as she easily-and by knowing his pain, in the least painful way possible-brought him to his feet and held him there. This time she couldn't hold back her wolfish smile as she stuck her face as much into his as she could from their height difference, "You want I should carry you down there?" 3
"Woman…" Hiei grumbled the lone word out as she lifted him from the ground and held him upright, her eyes looking up into his and asking a question he wanted to answer but didn't at the same time. He wanted to say no, that he could get there himself, but knew that the right answer was yes, since he wanted so badly to go sit with his crew and check in with each individual face-to-face.
Finally, after much personal debate and reflection upon the lesson he'd learned, he gave the woman in front of him a begrudging nod of his head, a frown finding his lips.
It was either that, or haul the entire guild up the stairs should they be in similar shape. *
Shikiyoku quite literally laughed in his face, quite possibly the most pleasant and generous she had ever made while around him, throwing her head back and only after a few seconds recovering enough that it only continued to cause her stomach to chuckle.
"Oh, stop that." She finally said to his frown, reaching up and poking a finger just shy of the corner of his mouth. "You're really quite fond of me and you know it."
She looked him up and down as they stood there, immediately dismissing for his sake the usual manner in which he defaulted when carrying her.
"In an effort to maintain that pesky decorum you insist upon flaunting around your own family-for heaven's sake-" Shikiyoku very quickly shifted so that her back was facing him, stepping into his body so that when she released him he collapsed into her she caught his weight on steady feet, helping him move his arms so that they hung over her shoulders on either side of her neck before bending her own knees so that his did the same and she could scoop an arm under each bend in his leg and rather effectively carry the demon who at this point in his life stood several inches taller than she.
She was not quite so short that his feet were in danger of hitting the stairs as she descended them, but she had to keep an eye on how merrily she moved forward, resisting the bounce in her step that she so severely in those moments felt wishing to occur.
I adore you, you ridiculously cavalier apparition. 3
In response to the poke at his face, the frown deepened ever so slightly at the woman who prodded him, though he made absolutely no effort to deny anything she said, even as she went on about family and all that stuff.
The moment she had him in her grasp though, he smirked and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"You're rather fond of me and you know it."
For the first time in his life, he found that he didn't mind asking someone for help, even if it was an ego-bruising thing at first. At least it was her and not, say, Yusuke, who'd never let him live it down.
As she descended the stairs, he reached out telepathically, touching each consciousness in the room beyond the door that they slowly approached so that, by the time Shikiyoku had carried Hiei into the bar, he was meeting eyes with each and every member of the guild, who all sat in their usual places around a table, this time in the very epicenter of the room. The bar itself was empty of customers, which he didn't find surprising in any way.
"Mornin', Boss."
Hiei nodded at the second in command as best he could, his lips giving a slight twitch upward in amusement at himself. Slowly, his eyes traveled the room, looking at each demon one by one and assessing their wounds- or rather, lackthereof. *
(You have your precious twin to thank for that.) Shikiyoku conveyed to him affectionately, silently drawing his attention to the teal-haired Koorime dressed in mundane jeans and blouse with the sleeves rolled to her elbows who rose up from the midst of his men, all of whom respectfully parted for her to make her way through their number.
Her crimson colored eyes regarded first Shikiyoku and then Hiei as she began to speak softly.
"I am very glad you called for me." She gave a tiny bow with her head. "Please do so anytime I can be of use in the future. I am more than happy to help." She clasped her hands together in front of herself, nodding her head a second time and smiling gently. A sparkle at her finger revealed a simplistic ring that told of her betrothal, its simplicity belying the quality and extravagance of the pure white gems that had gone into its making. 3
Hiei didn't know how he had missed the energy of his sister, or the color of her hair amongst the others. But when she did come forward, Hiei gave her his full attention, his expression back to its usual neutral that was oh so familiar to him when he didn't know what to express.
After a moment, his eyelids slid closed and his lips gave the faintest of smiles before he looked up to her again, and then around his motley group once more, finally ending with meeting his twin gaze for gaze. "Thank you." *
Giving another happy smile, Yukina took a step forward and in direct reply, Shikiyoku took one back, leaving the other with a moment of confusion passing over her honest face.
"Don't even think about it." Shikiyoku commented in good-nature, having sensed the desire within her even as she moved from across the room towards them. She purposefully jostled Hiei once. "He deserves to suffer through every little ache and pain until they go away on their own, and everyone here knows it." She grumbled under her breath, "Igniting a stronger fire demon." Scoff. " Idiot."
My idiot. 3
For a moment, even Hiei was confused by Shikiyoku's one-step retreat from his twin, his eyes turning to Shikiyoku for only a second before shifting back to Yukina, very quickly putting the puzzle together even before the woman holding him had gotten a word in.
He only gave a sigh, not even attempting to think about arguing on the matter. After all, he agreed.
"Hey, goldie. Snowflake. Let's not argue. It's a good day." The demon closest to Yukina spoke up in a voice riddled with amusement, his expression nothing short of humored at the scene. "I think it's time for breakfast!"
Hiei could only scoff at the other, who grinned wide at him in response. *
Shikiyoku blinked at the demon who spoke up.
She didn't particularly care for "goldie"-and she had no idea who thought up the ridiculous codename thing, but it was...ridiculous-but "snowflake" felt forced.
"I certainly cannot argue under the knowledge of his actions. He does deserve such injuries, that being the case." Yukina's eyes twinkled.
Shikiyoku blinked at her this time, suddenly remembering that the girl had been spending the last several years as roommate to both Botan and Keiko. It was small wonder such cheeky women rubbed off onto her, even if just a little.
(What do you wish to do, fire prince?) The question echoed between like another very similar one might have done... 3
At first, the fire demon only stared at his twin, a brow raised as he looked her up and down, eyeing the ring on her finger briefly in approval before his gaze found hers again with slight amusement.
"I approve." Telepathically, the message was heard by only one person in the room, who currently locked gazes with him and only him in those moments.
Hiei turned away from his twin, turning his head so that he might see Shiki's face, with an expression giving the smallest hint of surprise. (I have a choice this time?) *
Only Hiei was privy to how his simple assessment lit Yukina's face up in a way that practically made her glow. Her lips did not so much as move, but her thank you reflected transparently in her bright expression, her unspoken understanding of him, if not his reasons, as clear to pick up on as it had been for many years.
Shikiyoku maintained a neutral expression even as Hiei peered into her face from over her shoulder.
You're almost always allowed to think you have a choice.
That was, after all, a crucial part of the game.
(Of course. You have two of them, in fact. I could drop you on a bench, or I could drop you in my bed. The first, you lean against me. Discrete. Breakfast.) She toyed with the addition of "The second..." In a parallel ending to the choices and description she gave him, but anything she could think of to say after that was completely inappropriate and not something she would have actually done to him. 3
Hiei blinked once at her, then twice at once given his options, initially searching for something witty to say in return, only to find that he really felt outmatched this morning, his brain not working fast enough to keep up with her.
(Since Yukina's here…) Instead of finishing the sentence, an image passed over the bond of sitting and conversing with the guild, his sister sitting at the table with them and enjoying breakfast, which would be nowhere near payment enough for her services this day.
It was the least they could do, however. *
(You prefer the discrete option.) The restraint she had allowed him earlier could no longer be contained. (I'll keep that in mind.)
Shikiyoku made her way as painlessly as possible to a place at a bench that quickly had been cleared as soon as their intention to stay became clear, Yukina in her and Hiei's wake, where she allowed no one to try and help as she turned and set Hiei down without the slightest jostle, knowing what movements would result in what pain and which were the most bearable when the necessity to pick between one or another arose.
Loudly insisting that Yukina needed to sit on her other side, Shikiyoku sank next to Hiei at an angle that would allow him to be as straight and comfortable as possible while using her as his crutch. She began joking with Yukina that she had to be between them "so you don't accidentally heal him," and whereas she typically might have seen Hiei to a seat, chatted with the others for a moment, and then rushed off to serve them, this time she remained with them, next to Hiei, and allowed her workers to do what they did best. 3
Hiei raised a brow at Shiki, taking mental note of the flirtatious teasing that slid across the bond. Currently, he had no means to respond in kind, but he did make sure to take note of what she'd said and how she said it.
For later, he told himself.
When she had him seated, leaning against her, he was able to listen to Shikiyoku and Yukina exchange commentary and jabs, and his crew talking over one another and yet somehow quiet enough that Yukina could be heard by all should she decide to address anyone in the group.
"Hey, Little Bird!" One of the guild members piped, earning even Hiei's curiosity as he addressed Yukina. "You should've seen the jackpot we hit a few weeks ago!"
Amused, Hiei tuned out the story that the newest member had taken as his favorite, one he told everyone and anyone who entered their circle with delight. Behind the scenes, the rest were bickering in hushed voices over which name best suited Yukina, which left Hiei to his breakfast and the ability to look on without interrupting. *
Sitting amongst the not-so-little-anymore family that Hiei had gathered around himself was a relatively welcome change to being on her feet and rushing around them filling drinks and passing plates.
And not entirely unpleasant.
She struck up conversations with the demons who sat in range, asking after the other portions of their lives and interests, calling each of them by name-she did think the whole code thing was ridiculous after all-no matter how much they tried to convince her to do otherwise.
She politely ignored such attempts, usually by calling them their actual name again as if she hadn't heard them.
She did find that being among them meant the conversations could last longer than idle chit-chat, and that she was able to learn more about them individually instead of just hearing of the collective as a whole.
And through the entire thing, she never lost awareness of the physical contact between herself and Hiei, nor the presence of him within their bond. 3
Hiei kept track of each and every conversation happening around him, even as he had his own with the people nearest him. Some even telepathic. So it was no surprise to him when the bickering over nicknames continued to get louder between a particular few of the group, who always seemed to find something to fight about. If they weren't fighting, they were likely sleeping. Or eating.
As time wore on, the side group got a little louder, until at once, the one in the middle of them threw his head back, yelling over the rest. "Mother!" Hiei blinked at the demon, amused as the other turned his eyes down to Shikiyoku. "Which suits Yukina best? Little Bird or Snowflake?"
Another picked up where he left off, "She needs a name, and he," a finger was jabbed at the third, "always gets to pick!"
Hiei could only smirk at Yukina,. Who was watching with her own silent amusement. *
"And why in the nine levels are you bothering to ask me?" Shikiyoku fired back at the lot of them. "You never listen to a single thing I say anyway!" 3
The entire table went silent, each member of the guild turning to look at Shikiyoku if they hadn't already been, each demon with different expressions, all of which were comical in their own way.
Hiei had ducked his head as if that might hide the obvious amusement on his face. His lips were pursed, but the bond giggled for him, relaying his joy at the moment to Shikiyoku without his permission.
Each demon turned to look at the one next to him, nodding once before turning to meet gazes with another, until each demon had met each pair of eyes to relay whatever secret message they had been passing until they all at once turned to Shikiyoku, giving a single nod as a group.
"Mother is better."
"Just like Little bird."
And just like that, the arguments began again, leaving Hiei with his silent moment of laughing to himself *
"See? That wasn't even the question you asked me, you little f-" Shikiyoku mockingly noted down at her plate of food as she indignantly scooped more of it into her mouth and stopped her own private tirade.
"If you are trying not to give anything away, Little Bird doesn't really go with me at all!" Yukina chirped her opinion cheerily from where she sat, her smile inherently charming. 3
Just as it had when Shikiyoku had piped up, the entire table went quiet when Yukina spoke, each head turning to her and giving their full attention to the Koorime, who supplied the group with all they needed to issue groans of defeat and a few 'Ha!'s between the crew members.
Hiei turned inward, to the bond that still giggled a little. (If you're Mother, am I Father?) *
Shikiyoku shot a look in Hiei's direction, finding that for once he did not hide behind a thinly veiled attempt at neutrality, the little bugger had a grin on his lips that might have put her own mischievousness to shame.
She stuck her nose in the air as she continued chewing her current bite of food.
(Certainly not, you little brat. You're on equal ground with the rest of these juvenile delinquents.) 3
The fire demon fought the chuckle that almost left his lips. (Shame.) He turned away from her, his eyes going to what little he had left to eat on his plate. (Give it time. They'll change your mind.) *
(The only person who might change my mind about you being father would be you, flame boy. And the chances of that are nil.)
She grumbled into her food something along the lines of having to have been knocked up in order to turn out this many worthless offspring who didn't even listen to their own mother for damn's sake. 3
The initial reaction Hiei had had been one of challenging, the bond momentarily even transmitting that, until the topic caught up with him and he was rendered rather speechless and not quite sure what to do next. So he only sat there, eyes on the plate in front of him that was actually empty and was absolutely no help. *
Behind them, the door to the bar swung inward and a demon stepped inside, scanning the interior and taking little notice of the crowd, instead stepping up to the bar and speaking with the demon standing behind it, who nodded in the direction of the table with the bench.
Just as Shikiyoku felt the back of her neck prickle with the sensation of someone looking at her, there was a polite knock of sorts inside her mind, a gentle prod into her surface thoughts and the place where she could openly converse with another telepath without allowing them any further into her mind.
Peeling back the defenses surrounding that portion of her mind, she first heard her name spoken into it.
"Shikiyoku?"
She sent back an affirmative, never halting in the consumption of her food.
"It's me."
She blinked, and then suddenly realized that yes, she did in fact recognize that particular inner voice. Turning her head, she finally saw over by her usual station the demon to whom the inner voice belonged and her eyes grew wide as he smiled and waved at her. His name, she recalled, was Meisaku. One of the nobles from the third household on the Ninth Level.
How in the nine levels did he end up here?
Quite literally, how did he get through the other nine levels, she wondered privately.
"Are you busy?"
"If I'm being perfectly honest, Meisaku, I am." She did not miss his distinct thrill transmitted to her that she remembered him. "I am quite literally holding up the demon next to me."
She felt his amusement at such an idea.
"Ah. Well, is it still okay to talk, or should I come back at another time."
"No, no, it's wonderful to see you." She had turned back to her food, but he knew what she meant. "What news?" 3
Hiei had turned his head up to look at the crew again, his expression back to neutral as he listened to the tales told around the table, the arguments started, the bets being placed. None of them seemed to notice that he was watching, or if they did, they didn't care enough to let him know that he watched.
Really, in those moments, his mind was a peaceful blankness that afforded him a new sense of calm, his contact with Shikiyoku enough that he didn't really want to say anything about wanting to lay down some more.
He wouldn't admit it, but he rather enjoyed that he was leaning against her, both figuratively and literally.
So, when the bond transmitted first a bit of confusion, and then something like a feeling of triple exclamation points that was not quite excitement, but not quite shock from Shikiyoku, he turned to glance at her as if her face might give way the reason behind such a reaction. When he learned nothing, he looked around the table, searching for anyone who might have said something humorous, and finding that while the topics were indeed funny in their own rights, none of them seemed to warrant the feelings that had come from the bond. *
Having finished her meal, Shikiyoku just sat with her hands curled around the mug in front of her, eyes scanning the various conversations nearby, but not actively participating in any of them.
It had been a long while since she attempted a telepathic conversation in the midst of a larger social interaction, and she didn't trust herself not to start speaking what she was transmitting should she attempt to talk aloud with anyone else. She was rusty. Unlike her bond with Hiei, into which things flowed naturally, holding easy telepathic conversation was an artform she had lost since her days in court.
Eventually as she neared the end of her mug, the silent exchange came to a close and Meisaku got up from his place as he downed the last of his glass, stepping up behind Shikiyoku as she moved her head when he approached, not quite looking up over her shoulder at him.
He bent down, tips of his fingers gently resting just below her jaw as he lowered his face to her level and planted a light kiss on her cheek.
"Think about my offer, yes?" His eyes glimmered as he breathed into her ear, seeing her watching him out of the corner of her eyes. "What's the harm in that?"
She only gave him a smile as he pulled away and turned to leave. 3
Despite not finding the source of Shikiyoku's silent reactions, the fire demon let it go, his eyes turning to his men again but his thoughts taking precedence. He found that he couldn't quite let go of earlier thoughts, of earlier questions, of words he hadn't said before they'd left the confines of her room. And even now, as he sat shoulder to shoulder with her, he found that the question burned inside his mind, not ever really leaving him to peace. It wreaked havoc on his thoughts, left him without any other processors.
For the third time, he tried to push those thoughts away, tried to store them in a box for when the time would best suit him. For a time when he'd fixed the wrong he'd done to her.
And it was as he was forcing his mind into a blank canvas that he caught the tail-end of a question, asked by a person whose voice was unrecognizable to him, one he did not know.
"-my offer. What's the harm in that?"
Hiei turned to look for the source, his eyes finding the back of a retreating demon that disappeared behind the crowd that was his guild members.
If he'd had any luck in sealing away his own desires before now, they were no longer in that box. And now they were accompanied with the memory of Renai's child who had asked the question first, who had made the fire demon struggle to not ask it himself for fear of having her laugh in his face.
And now he found he wouldn't be able to not ask her.
And that both exhausted and excited him. *
Shikiyoku had gotten to the dregs of her beverage and sat staring contemplatively into the mug.
A brief stirring of their bond had her glancing over to see that Hiei too had finished, though she couldn't tell the state of his drink.
(Need more?) That would help her decide if she likewise should refill. 3
Hiei didn't answer Shikiyoku at first, his eyes on his empty plate and the drink he hadn't so much as touched, and no longer wanted. In fact, part of him considered asking for something stronger, but he decided against it for reasons he wouldn't explain.
Finally, he turned to look at her, giving her a small look as the bond finally let his growing weariness cross over. (I think… it's time to go back up.) He finally admitted, realizing that now he was not only tired from his mental battle against himself, but from simply sitting amongst the rowdy crew that continued to joke and laugh and argue.
The fire demon didn't say anything to the crew, deciding to let Shikiyoku do her thing and get them away from the group without anyone directly noticing their departure, aside from Yukina. He'd said a brief word to her telepathically, watched as her smile grew a little and she nodded before Shiki carried him away and up the stairs.
When no one was watching, he took a moment to nestle his cheek against her shoulder until the tip of his nose touched her neck, at which point he gave a small breath and let the tension that had built up roll from his shoulders. (Lay with me?)
His eyelids slid closed after he asked, but he didn't feel tired enough for sleep. Instead he was gathering himself up, ordering his thoughts and calling on the part of him that had begun learning to ask her of the things he wanted most. It was a difficult thing, finally lowering those barriers and letting her in, but he knew it to be worth it.
And hoped that this time it would be as such too. *
Intoning a quiet noise of appreciation at his attentions and tilting her head in his direction as if to lightly touch the side of his face with her own, Shikiyoku most willingly made her way up the stairs, though when she nearly stepped past the door to his room, she stopped, blinked, and then took them into it.
He wasn't bleeding any longer, and she hadn't had time to clear away the mess in hers.
(I have a choice this time?) The question mixed teasing with astonishment, mostly that he would think she might do otherwise, when quite frankly the thought of not hadn't even occurred to her. 3
The bond momentarily alighted with his unvocalized scoff of amusement at her, but otherwise the fire demon gave no response. He was too preoccupied to give one, too busy thinking. Planning- or at least trying to.
So much so that when she slid him onto his back on the bed, he didn't seem to at first notice, his eyes blinking up at the ceiling before he turned his head to watch her move around the bed. Before she was getting comfortable, Hiei was turning on his side, wanting to face her, to watch her while he gathered the courage to ask her, to say what was on his mind.
And for a while, he said nothing, only staring, only watching her face, the strands of hair that fell in front of her eyes, the way her rib cage flared with each breath she took.
Any other day, any other person, any other question, and Hiei wouldn't have taken so long to get to the point. He wouldn't have taken so long to find what he considered to be the right words, and then go with the original choice anyway.
And then not say them immediately. Especially since he seemed unable to let it go, unable to leave the matter where it lie because it was eating at him the longer he took before he spoke.
Finally, his lips parted.
"I know I've a lot to learn, a lot to atone for." The impression of a shrug slid across the bond. "And I know I'm not the only asking, but I want you to be my Mate, Shikiyoku." *
Setting him down gently on the bed, feeling herself that he would likely be just about at full speed by the next day, Shikiyoku almost climbed over him, and would have if she hadn't known that doing so would have jostled him around a bit more than she would have liked, even in jest.
As she laid down, he surprised her when he insisted on turning to face her. She had kept her distance because she knew even the pressure of her head or arm would have been uncomfortable, and his current position made more spikes of pain shoot through her own shoulder that had her frowning at him before deciding it was his choice anyway.
Silently resting next to him, she did not interrupt the cogs and wheels she could see turning behind his eyes, mostly turning her own attention inward to assess herself, and by proxy him, further, finding in her studies that she did feel confident his body's natural healing had kicked in and was doing its work.
She felt a little tired for his sake, as if it were her own body attempting to fix the damage that had been done, but as he began to speak, she blinked and gave him her full attention, knowing whatever he was going to say he had been ruminating on since she started to carry him back upstairs.
Needless to say, as he finished her entire body flushed and she felt as though each one of her hair follicles stood on end as a silent puff of energy burst invisibly into the room.
I-
It-
Blinking, she instinctively searched both him and herself for the telltale wash of desire, having not felt from him the underlying one that had been present for Meisaku, for Kasai, hell, even for Shiawase, who approached her for his siblings, never once asking her for himself, and yet had that same steady feeling that had stirred her sensibilities.
Blushing, she broke her gaze away from him, trying to decide how to word it for this one, for the one she slept next to and interacted with daily whenever they could help it.
Dismissing individuals who were not a part of her life-She had not done as such to Kasai. Yet. But she honestly held hope that he would find someone during his journey and it could be him letting her down-were surprisingly simplistic. Tell them she was not looking for someone-despite what they apparently heard-or that she had no intentions of being anyone's mate, and they would at least accept her statements at face value, if not truly take them to heart and take her seriously.
And this one individual that she might have actually considered at least in concept to be someone that might accept her, given that he was essentially stuck with her anyway...didn't...actually...want her. Despite what he may have said.
Later, when she had the capacity to consider it, she would categorize his offer as almost childish. Possessive. Didn't want others to have her, so even if he didn't want her himself would take the steps to ensure no one else got her.
But right now, she only had the slight sinking of her core at the realization that whatever he may say to her, he didn't truly mean it. His desires would have told her otherwise.
She shook the disappointed portion of herself off, the one that stung at him not truly wanting to be her mate, and finally spoke up, quietly.
"That's- I'm-" She took a breath, "I am very flattered that you would ask me, Hiei. But I...don't...want a mate. I am happy to be here with you and that is all I could ask for really." 3
Hiei watched the woman across from him with an unwavering gaze, her scent on the air seemingly ineffective this time around. Even the blush on her cheeks seemed to have gone ignored by the demon who watched her, waiting for a reply while she retreated inwards to assess the situation.
He waited patiently, the little voice in the back of his head telling him that she was searching for the right words to let him down easy, to tell him no in a way that might not damage what they'd progressed on in the last few hours.
But he'd hoped otherwise, if he were telling the truth.
So when she finally did start speaking, the disappointment he felt had been expected, which lessened the sting if only just a little. His expression showed nothing of that disappointment, of the twinge of sadness that nearly made its way across the bond with the disappointment.
It wasn't like he had expected her to say yes, when he'd invalidated her just the night before. Had all but cast her to the side and tell her she was worthless to him.
He wasn't, however, anywhere near giving up. He would wait until he'd fixed a few things, learned a little more, and righted a few wrongs before he would ask her again.
Because suddenly, he realized he wouldn't accept no for an answer. Not forever.
So while he didn't answer her, he felt as if the bond answered her for him, the slight impression of his disappointment accompanied with a quiet 'okay' transmitting through. *
Shikiyoku finally looked back up at him and reached over to pat his hand.
"Why are you thinking such deep thought right now, anyway?" She stuck her tongue out at him. "You're supposed to be thinking about getting better, flame boy." 3
The fire demon never let his eyes turn away from her face, not even to watch the hand that reached for him. So, when she teasingly asked the reasoning behind his question, she was met with the same serious stare that he'd had since she lay him down on the bed.
At first, he didn't know how to answer. He had too many reasons, too many thoughts on the matter to even begin to tell her why.
But then he realized she was asking why now, and not why in general.
It narrowed his options even more, making it easier to pinpoint the desirable answer.
"Because you've my heart and mind. Why not my soul too?" *
Despite the incredulous face she made, her blush certainly hadn't gone anywhere.
"You don't really want to give me that. I wouldn't have the faintest idea what to do with it. And see? This is what I mean. Too much deep thinking is unhealthy for an injured demon. You need to just rest." 3
Hiei didn't miss a beat, ignoring the attempted subject change as if waving it away with a metaphorical hand to the air.
"I assume you'd do with it just as you have my heart and mind, my Wind. I'd want nothing less." *
Shikiyoku looked into Hiei's eyes, still waiting for some indication, some movement of herself that it was what he really and truly desired for himself.
Because she would be lying if he wasn't the only one who had approached her that she wouldn't have immediately disregarded, that she would have said "not now" instead of "no way."
For once, she replied with the same sort of graveness he seemed to be favoring, "You honor me greatly by saying as much, Gouka." She closed her eyes and gave a slight shake of her head before she opened them again, "But I am not worthy of being made the keeper of a grand soul such as yours."
And in truth, she did not feel worthy of any soul, least of all his. 3
Finally, Hiei's eyes slid away from her face, though only long enough to give her a once-over from toe to head before he met her gaze again, taking that time between to hide the slight curse in his head.
Because dammit, now he really wanted no other. Now he really wanted to push the subject, to go on and on until she agreed, until she saw that maybe he would treat her the way she deserved to be treated. The way she always treated him. Sure, there would be moments where he'd stumble and mess up, but he was still learning. He would always adapt and do better, do everything in his power to give her only what she deserved and nothing less.
Instead, he let the subject slide away with a single little nod at her, his lips firmly sealed and his brain forced empty.
He'd just have to try harder. *
~!**!~
"And let me tell you, Minamino-san, the vast amount of profit we both stand to make in this venture greatly exceeds any of the risk we might find ourselves in."
Shuichi sat leaned back in his office chair, one leg crossed lazily over the other, listening to the seedy little wisp of a man across from him attempt to convince him to accept the offer proposed.
The greed was practically dripping off of him.
Inyoku never even so much as looked up from where she stood just to the right of and a step behind her boss, the writing utensil moving across the paper on the clipboard she held the only other sound in the room.
After the businessman finished talking, Shuichi rose from his seat and the other followed suit, signalling that his allotted time to speak with the CEO had come to a close.
"Thank you for bringing your proposal to my attention. I will go over the documents you brought to me and get back with you."
Giving a deep bow, Shuichi inclining his head in return, the businessman made his way out of the room, Shuichi watching him the whole way.
Once he had completely left the room, Shuichi finally sat back down, reclining a bit in the chair with a look of thoughtful consideration on his face.
"You're not truly going to partner with him."
If it was supposed to be a question, Inyoku's infliction did not reflect that, her eyebrow raising up over the frame of her glasses as her eyes continued scanning the words she had been inscribing onto the page.
"Of course not."
She gave a curt nod, though he could not see it.
"I have other plans for him."
With no one else in the room, her lips curled into a slightly devious smile.
"Do I get to be part of those plans?"
He had in fact let her work her magic on occasion, whether it be undermining a company entirely, which was extra fun, or acquiring them via whatever legal means necessary.
Granted, such allowances had only happened a handful of times. And it had been ages since the last one.
"Hm."
When he made the noise as if considering it, Inyoku actually stepped forward and turned to lean up against his desk so she could look at him, her clipboard clutched to her chest.
"Please?" She got about as close to a puppy-dog face as her persona allowed, and Shuichi regarded her with a small sense of amusement before closing his eyes and giving a small grin.
He gave a small shake of his head, "I don't think so. Not this time."
Inyoku gave the smallest huff of air as if to say 'fine,' as she pulled her clipboard away from herself to scan it.
As her lower lip stuck out just enough to be considered a pout, completely under her breath, she muttered, "You never let me have any fun at all."
Shuichi's hand twitched as he felt a remarkably strong urge to take ahold of that protruding lip between his thumb and forefinger and give it a gentle tug.
"Yoku," He cooed, "Don't be like that. I can...get you another..." He wasn't quite sure what he was saying or where it came from, and he looked up at her with a sudden confusion on his face, asking 'why' even as he continued, "-plaything?"
Any time you want.
A soul-wrenching flash of déjà vu nearly had Shuichi doubling over, and he found that any other words he tried to speak caught in his throat.
Inyoku stiffened where she still half-sat on his desk, swallowing and trying not to reveal just how many exclamation points were going off in her head at that exact moment.
Licking her lips when he said nothing further, she stared blankly at her clipboard, her writing stopped. And she said the next words very quietly, but otherwise just as they had been said in the past.
"But they're all so boring."
Shuichi blinked up at her, his expression unchanged, "Then...I'll find you an exciting one...?"
"But they're all boring."
In her peripheral vision, she noticed he had mouthed the words with her, and her core began hammering so loudly in her chest that she thought it might break the strange magic of the moment.
The memory in her head that he apparently had started to recall played back for her with undeniable clarity.
"You, on the other hand-" Inyoku finally glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes as she put her pen under the thumb of her other hand and reached over with her right to draw the back of it down his shoulder where he appeared frozen in time, "-would be much more thrilling."
"Mm." He closed his eyes for a second. "Then, I'll have to find someone like me."
"But there isn't anyone like you. Not in a million, billion years." Shikiyoku reached up with her free hand and removed her glasses from her face.
The gesture was not lost on Shuichi, but he momentarily frowned, thinking how there just was something off about her, and hadn't her eyes been amber-colored? Her hair white? And much taller?
Her hand continued to slide down his arm, her head tilting slightly as she watched it.
And shouldn't I have her eyes covered?
Shuichi took a hold of her hand in his opposite one, chair making the softest of noises as he swiveled an inch in her direction and blinked.
"Yoku..." He breathed the word again, his mind's eye filling with her figure as if it super-imposed atop her current one, recognizing that somehow none of it went together except...
...except her jawline. That had not changed in the slightest. And was emphasized even more as she suddenly had a smile growing on her face.
"Do you...remember? Do you know me?"
Even the voice wasn't the same, but he blinked again and stared into her eyes, now knowing that the swirling within them was a swirling he had known intimately, and recognized somewhere deep within himself.
"...Toriko..."
She let out an amused breath, still holding his hand, "Yes, that is my human name. Just as yours is Shuichi."
Shikiyoku felt him tense and stop breathing, more images beginning to flash in his mind's eye. School. Vault. Detectives. Saint Beasts. ...
And then Toriko.
Drawn to her from the instant he had seen her at school for reasons he could not explain, until...until-
...
There was still something. Something he knew he was missing. Something before all of that. Before even his mother, whom he had not associated such memories with for a very long time.
But he felt so much more complete than he ever had before this moment.
Finally, he blinked up at her and smiled. If nothing else, he did remember one thing.
"Shikiyoku."
She tipped her head in his direction.
"Kurama." 3
~!**!~
Akari pinched and saved every dime that came into her possession, eventually finding the time to go and put it in a bank somewhere so she wouldn't lose any of it. She watched as the numbers on the account continued to climb until she had enough for two month's rent, and then more and more as she waited for a call from the apartment complex.
In her spare time after work, she was doing her usual routine on the Fourth, hunting pack members and, eventually, ending up having to lock them away until, she couldn't run much more. At that point, she would return to the First, and go on a relaxing job through the park with Nabu and Kiyoko. As always, the male companion would point out other people with canine companions and make an attempt to direct her in that direction, only to be diverted. And at the end of the run for the two dogs, the trio would find a nice place to hole up and take a few hours for sleep.
It took exactly a month before Akari got a call about her apartment, at which point she made sure to write checks for the office so she, Nabu, and Kiyoko could take up residence within their new home. The first thing she did after that was invite Botan over, who she figured was getting tired of the Cafe atmosphere.
The pair had sat in the empty living space with Nabu and Kiyoko, both of which lay in the laps of the talking girls. Botan told stories of her adventures of living with Keiko and Yukina, of happenings around the trio. Sometimes, Yusuke's name came into the conversation, as did Kuwabara's. Only once was Kurama's name brought up, but Akari had tactfully directed the subject away, never taking note of what was said of the redhead who brought unwarranted memories with just the mention of his name.
After that, time seemed to slow down. Days stretched out, feeling more like weeks. Hours felt like days. Her time in the coffee shop/cafe was well spent, and slowly, she began to realize that she rather enjoyed where she worked. She began limiting her time on the Fourth, finding that after a while, she was able to figure out a way to focus on her days. She began learning to block out the voices in her head for small amounts of time, so that she was able to focus on herself and her two companions. She was able to put a lot of her energy into her work, and then some more into Nabu and Kiyoko's walks and adventures through town. Add to that Botan's more frequent visits to the shop and her apartment, and she found life getting easier. Less tiring and more enjoyable.
Sure, the bonds in her head still rang, some days louder than others, but she was learning to live with it little by little. Some days, it wasn't as torturous as others.
She was able to slowly begin buying dishes for her apartment, starting with actual bowls for Nabu and Kiyoko to eat and drink from, followed by plates, glasses, and utensils for herself. Soon after came the pots and pans, and then more clothes for work. Within two weeks, she had food in the cabinets and treats for the dogs, and clean clothes to wear every day that didn't require washing each and every day. The outfits she'd worn on her escapades to the Fourth Level were all thrown away, her closet filled with black pants and white button-ups. She bought a few expendable outfits for her occasional trips, but otherwise there seemed to be no evidence of another life.
It was almost easy to convince herself she had a normal life.
One morning when she walked into work, Akari was bombarded with a hug from an excited Mimi and a smiling Grams, who held out a set of keys for her to take. "From now on, you and Mimi will take turns opening and closing the shop. My husband and I are getting old; we can't be around as much as we like to be."
Just like that, Akari was trusted with opening the shop on her own a lot of the time. One particular morning, she found herself staring at a regular customer, who yawned at her from the other side of the register.
"Your usual?" Akari asked, her hands already grabbing an insulated cup from her left.
"Actually, I want to try something new today. What do you recommend?"
Akari blinked, her eyes sliding back to the woman in the pencil skirt. "What do I recommend?" She repeated.
The woman smiled and nodded, her lips parting and giving a small laugh. When Akari didn't at first say anything, she continued, "don't tell me you don't have a favorite! Everyone has a favorite."
There was a pause where Akari felt a twitch in her expression. "Are you giving me free reign, Miss Hatanaka?"
"Of course! Just no almonds. I'm allergic."
Akari's expression twitched again before she turned away. "Sure thing."
A small sound emanated from the woman as the demoness turned to the machines and began concocting a drink that she'd never shown to anyone else before. She mixed spices and syrups while the coffee brewed, and then added them to the beverage before serving it over ice and adding cream.
"Do you like sweets?" She suddenly called to the customer, who took a moment to respond with a short "yep".
Finally, after a few more additions to the drink, Akari put a lid on it, grabbed a straw, and turned to Hatanaka with extended hands. The woman, curious, took the swirling liquid and ice from the barista and stuck the straw through the hole on the top, gave a small stir, and took a sip.
At first, she scrunched her face, which made Akari's lips stretch just a little more. "I should've warned you."
"No, no, it's-" she took another sip, "-really good! I just didn't expect the spice at the end!"
Akari bowed her head a little. "I'm glad you like it."
"How much do I owe you for this pretty little thing?"
Akari's head ticked to one side, her eyes finding the ceiling in thought before she turned to the menu over her head in consideration. She eyed each price before turning back to her customer with a shrug. "Tell ya what: I'll charge you with an Iced Latte and one extra flavoring, So, the total comes up to-"
"My usual," miss Hatanaka finished with a wide smile. "That's kind of you!" She dug into her purse before pulling out cash and passing it over the register, which dinged open and Akari dug change out of. "What do you call this?" The woman inquired as she accepted the change, her lips quickly finding the straw again.
Akari hadn't really thought of it. As such, she gave another shrug. "It's just something I concocted one day by accident. I haven't given it a name."
"Well, why not name it Akari's Special?"
Akari closed her eyes for a moment. "If it ever gets on the menu, I'll let you name it, since you're the first customer to ever have it. Okay?"
"Deal!" The woman turned to leave, waving the cup over her shoulder in thanks. "Oh," she added as she pulled the door open and turned to look back at the barista, "and you should smile more often. You have a nice smile, Akari."
Before she could answer, the woman was out the door and walking down the street, leaving the demon shaking her head in what could have been amusement.
Humans. *
Thanks for reading! Bless your face. If you sneezed during this chapter, bless you. Peace off!