Staring Contest

It was early in the day when Hiei decided to head to the shrine. Barely registering the buildings and blissfully unaware people around him as he moved from tree to tree. Humans were so unobservant even at his casual pace he would be safe in assuming no one would notice him. This was the typical of the Human World. Humans were inclined to ignore anything that seemed out of the ordinary only acknowledging what was expected. Leaving him free to drop his guard and as a result allow his mind to wander. He wasn't really sure why he had chosen his current heading given that his last visit had only been the day before, but as he wandered the city it seemed he had no better place to be. It had been days since he had dropped in on his supposed friends. The idea of spending time in their company having lost its appeal since his romantic life had become the focus of their antics. While their often buffoonish behavior was frequently a source of amusement for him, it was quite the opposite when he was their target. Returning to the Demon World was always an option, but now that his time as boarder watchdog was up he found too much enjoyment in being accountable to no one. Something that could easily change if he were to get caught in another one of the ever-present power struggles at the core of demon society. It was far safer to keep his visits to the Demon World short and with purpose if he wanted to maintain his current mission free lifestyle. Besides, there were things in the Human World that held his current interest. At least until he felt otherwise.

One such interest leading him to his present heading, enroot to visit the Miko. The shrine steps coming into view triggering an interesting thought. Perhaps coming by so soon would give him the opportunity to reverse roles on her. Instead of her tracking him down as soon after he entered the property. Perhaps he would be able to catch her off guard enough to seek her out first. If he was quick enough maybe even finder her before she had the time to feel him coming. The edges of his mouth curled up into a small smirk as he considered the idea. It could add an interesting new layer to the game currently being played between them. Though he was still unsure to what ends he was playing for, he saw no reason to discontinue it while he figured it out. Spending time with the Miko and observing her odd behavior had become after all a pleasant diversion.

Upon sensing her unique aura coming from the main shrine, Hiei shifted his direction to speed through the trees to the side of the shrine steps. So caught up in considering possible amusing reactions to surprising Kagome he somehow missed the presence of another occupying the main courtyard. Bursting through the tree line he stopped short in front of a tall suit clad figure. His eye widening at the unexpected male, or rather at the fact he had not sensed him during his approach. Though it would have been hard for most considering how tightly contained the demon now standing in front of him held his aura. Hiei, however, was not just anybody. Very few could compete with his senses and though he had been distracted he doubted that could be the only reason for the oversight.

"So you're the one." The white haired demon's deep voice broke through the silence of their unplanned staring match. A eyebrow raised is assessment as two golden eyes started intently at him.

Hiei was uncharacteristically unsure of what to do. If this demon was standing here so casually he obviously had some connection to Kagome. Hiei may have only known her a short while, but he knew her enough to predict her ire at any hostility directed at someone she considered a friend. Not to mention the more disturbing reality that Hiei was unable to fully place this demon's power levels. A feet which indicated nothing but danger, and as much as Hiei hated to admit when an adversary was out of his league he was no fool.

Apparently unfazed by Hiei's lack of response the much taller demon seemed to intentionally turn his head just enough to look down upon him in a way that got under his skin. His eyes never leaving his as he continued. "I had wondered who would be so bold as to allow their sent to so blanket my miko's home."

Now that comment had come as a surprise to Hiei. Had he really been spending enough time at the shrine as to have left such a lasting impression. He remembered Kagome mentioning the fox picking up his scent, but foxes and other similar species were known for their superior sense of smell. Had Shippo arrived shortly after his departure it would be no challenge for the fox to know who had just left. It was another thing entirely to create a scent that lingered. Eyes widening suddenly he came to the realization perhaps he had. Places had a way of taking on the scent of their most frequent occupants and in the last few weeks the length of time between his visit had gotten much shorter. Not that he had noticed anything of himself lingering on the premise during his last visit; however he was not a dog youkai like the one glaring down at him.

Regardless of how unsettled his inner world may have been by the words of the demon in front of him, he gave no outward reaction aside from his usual cool attitude. "You seem to think highly of yourself to assume you know so much about how I choose to spend my time." Intending to put an end to any further conversation with his own change of position. Competing with the dog's show of superiority, Hiei turned his whole body to the side closing his eyes in a show of cold indifference.

Undeterred the now irritated demon continued to speak to Hiei, his deep baritone further grating on his nerves. "I have warned Kagome about her tendency to let in strays off the street." That comment had Hiei looking over in time to see the disgust shining in his golden eyes as he continued. "Those lacking in breeding often have a hard time holding back their more baser instincts."

That arrogant bastard. While Hiei didn't voice his thoughts, though he doubted it was necessary to get his point across given his current position. He had fully turned dropping into an aggressive stance as he glared full force at the demon in front of him. His hand currently resting on the hilt of his sword, any further action halted only by the relaxed posture and raised eye brow of the demon in front of him. What was he playing at?

"Hiei!" Kagome's soft cheerful voice startling him from his murderous thoughts as she exited the main shrine. "I wasn't expecting you by so soon." Uncertainty creeping into her voice as she took in Hiei's aggressive posture. Though he had removed his hand from the hilt of his sword at the first sound of her voice, he was still glaring full force at the now amused dog demon. Neither turning to look at directly at the new comer as they continued their staring contest. Pausing but a moment she looked between the two before she continued, likely trying to piece together what had transpired in her absence. "Sesshomaru and I were just about to go get lunch. Um. Would you like to join us?"

"No!" Her hesitation only adding to his furry, he bit out a response before abruptly turning and taking off through the nearest trees.

"Hiei?" He could hear her worried call as he sped away too irritated to care that she had done nothing to warrant such hostility.

AN: Thanks to all of you who reviewed! I'm glad to hear you all are enjoying this story. Getting this latest chapter out was a bit of a struggle. So much so that it turned into two. Looks like what was planned as a 3-shot will now be a 4-shot and I have about 50% of the next chapter written. I hope to have it up by sometime next week. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I would love to hear your thoughts.