AN: This is a 3-shot sequel to Wager. For any of you still around who requested this sorry it took so long but I finally came up with an idea I liked. I'm still working on the next two chapters but I hope to get them up sooner rather than later. This is the first time I'm posting anything before being 90% done with the story so any feedback will be appreciated.

Hide

The first time he returned to the shrine he wasn't sure how to approach her. As it turns out there was no need for his concerns as no amount of stealth could keep her from noticing his presence. Now multiple visits later their unusual game of hide and seek had become something of a greeting ritual. Hiei would settle in a tree of his choosing and sooner or later Kagome would wander over to him and ask is he would like to join her for a cup of tea. Not that sitting down to tea with human females was something he did often and he certainly would never admit to such activities if ever asked. However, somehow the company of the sunset shrine's resident Miko made for an acceptable reason to make an exception.

His eyes surveyed the room out of habit as he waited for her to finish retrieving all the items she deemed necessary from the kitchen. Her movements were unusually quiet for a human, something that always left him wondering where she picked up such a habit. Having already heard the whistle of the kettle he was sure the tea was ready. Her continued absence from the sitting room likely due to the snacks she would undoubtedly lay out along with the teapot and cups. Snacks that would remain untouched by him as always. Not that it ever stopped her from bring them. Apparently she considered it bad manners not to provide such regardless of his opinions on eating them.

"Here it is." He watched from the corner of his eye as Kagome enter the room smiling brightly and carrying more then was needed for just two people even if he were someone who was inclined to snack. "Sorry it took so long."

Hiei directed his gaze to her acknowledging her presence yet said nothing in response to the unneeded apology. Kagome for her part only giggled seeming to find humor in his lack of response as she place the items on the small table in front of him.

Undeterred by his lack of participation she continued with her attempts at conversation. "I'm really glad you decided to stop by today. It's been so quiet with mom and gramps out visiting Sota at university."

Her home was always quiet when he visited making sure to stop by when the other members of the household were busy elsewhere. He did not want a repeat encounter with the old priest of the shrine. He was sure she would take offense to any accidental loss.

"I hate to admit it but I'm not very used to being left alone." Laughing at herself to cover her embarrassment at sharing such a thing she took a seat beside him. Something he also found odd. Regardless of where he would sit she always chose to place herself as close as possible. He wasn't sure if it was intentional or just another of her strange behaviors that he found so appealing. It was surprising to him how much he enjoyed sitting in different spots just to see where she would end up. His current seat on the sofa being his most frequent choice because of how she would move slightly closer the longer they sat together. An action he was sure she was not aware of. I was just in her nature to make those she was with the sole focus off her attention.

After taking a sip of her tea she turned her attention to him glancing over her cup. "Just you again Hiei?" The fox like gleam in her eyes all the warning he needed to know her next comment was intended to provoke a reaction. "Your not hiding your friends from me, are you?" A small smile played on her lips as she set the cup down in front of him.

A raised eyebrow and a noncommittal "Hn" was the only response he would give to such a question. Laughing loudly she seemed satisfied with the results, or in his opinion lack of results to her obvious attempt to bait him, she continued on updating him on the events in her life since she last saw him.

It's not like he was really hiding her from his friends. There was just no way in hell he would include the idiots in one of his visits even if he were to make them aware of who he was spending his time with. He was no fool and now that a few weeks had passed they were finally beginning to forget about their new hobby which Yusuke had lovingly dubbed operation get Hiei laid.

After his blind date ended before it could start, Yusuke aided by Kurama had taken it upon himself to help him get over his nonexistent hurt feelings. One could almost appreciate the loyalty of his comrades if it weren't for their tactics. Hiei had been dragged to more than a few loud drinking establishments in both the Makai and the Ningenkai. Once there his friends deemed it necessary to put him into situations where they could, for lack of a better word, throw any at least halfway attractive female his way. A task that they were surprisingly successful at. Kurama he could understand, being a fox and with his striking features manipulating the female sex was hardly a challenge for him. Yusuke, however, surprised them all by being the most successful with his ability to spin a story that pulled at the heart strings and made the women determined to help him forget his heartbreak. Should Keiko ever decide that she has had enough of putting up with Yusuke he would defiantly give the fox a run for his money when it came to success with women.

It was Kuwabara who had surprised Hiei the most by his refusal to participate. He was proving to be a surprisingly loyal friend with his position that the group should stay out of Hiei's love life. Though given he was the most sensitive and intuitive of the group Hiei should have expected as much. Perhaps he did not give the oaf enough credit.

"Shippo was over the other day" The mention of Kagome's own annoying fox pulled Hiei out of his thoughts and right back to the women in front of him. "He asked about you." She paused waiting for a response and when he gave none continued on seemingly unbothered by his lack of interest. "Apparently he caught your sent on the shrine grounds."

An irritated look made its way onto his face as she continued. One not missed by Kagome if her own expression was anything to go on. "He seems to think we are something of a couple." For her part looking a bit embarrassed as she continued retelling the encounter with her friend. "I tried to tell him nothing was going on and that we were just friends but he never was very good at listening." She waved her hand in light exasperation as she thought of her friend before turning her full attention back to him. "He even went to far as to tell me you owe him something big for introducing us next time he sees you."

Leave it to a fox to think so highly of himself. Acting as if he had presented Hiei with the world on a platter instead of providing a simple instruction. Before realized it he was adding his own thoughts on the matter. "Its none of my concern what that fox thinks he knows or what he feels entitled too"

It was impossible to miss the pleased look that had settle on her features as having gotten him to react. "Of course." The wink he received after telling him just how much she thought of her little victory. As he continued to analyze her expression, he realized for the first time that he might not be the only one playing at getting reactions during their time together.

"Hn" If she hoped to get more out of him she would be left disappointed. Turning his attention to the table he picked up his cup for the first time since it was presented to him and took a sip. He would let her have this one, remembering to be more careful in the future. Just because he enjoyed her company did not mean he came here to engage in idle chatter.