Chapter 6 First Date

Hiei sighed as he examined the Tournament plans with Yusuke. Ever since the first fight, Yusuke had taken it upon himself to continue organizing the tournament. Since he was never a serious contender he was almost considered a neutral party that could be trusted to continue the tradition. Thus the balance was kept between powerful demons in the Makai. Hiei always, howver, kept an eye out for signs of anyone raising an army anyway. Just because the system was continuing doesn't mean that everyone agreed with it. They were almost done with the plans but there was something nagging Hiei in the back of his mind.

"Yusuke, do you remember Hideki?" Hiei said sitting back in his chair.

"That was the demon that almost beat you last time, right?" Yusuke asked frowning.

"Yeah," Hiei said. Almost beat was an understatement. It was pure luck that Hiei managed to hold out longer before passing out. That fight had been an all-out brawl. Usually the opponents he faced were not trying to kill, they knew when to stop before crossing that line. After all, they couldn't try again if they were dead. But Hideki…. He was out to kill Hiei, he could tell from the first time he swung a punch at him.

"The scouts I sent to the far western region of the Makai haven't returned. When they last checked in they said they were going to visit Hideki's area," Hiei said and Yusuke frowned. Most A class demons had established territory that was known by other demons. They still had to acknowledge the proclaimed King but other than that, they were their own masters. Hiei liked to check up on them every now and then however, to remind them who was really in charge. Most of them were smart enough to leave his scouts alone and let them do their job.

"How long has it been?" Yusuke said.

"Over a year ago. I haven't had a chance to read all the files because I was busy with the war but… they aren't the only scouts to go missing in that area. More investigated and they all disappeared. In addition, a lot of the fighting was in the central, southern, and eastern regions of the Makai. The western area was completely untouched."

Yusuke narrowed his eyes, thinking. This was not a good situation.

"So that means that-" Yusuke began but was interrupted by the doors swinging open.

Hiei looked up to see his woman storming towards him. He frowned when he saw she was still in her nightgown.

"I'm working woman, go get dressed," Hiei said.

"I would, if I had something to wear," she said irritated. "I have told you for the past three days I need to go shopping because the only clothes I have are my armor and that is not proper wear for lounging about in this place." Hiei's face pulled into a scowl as her voice raised to where she was yelling at him.

"Hn. Then go get clothes."

"I don't have any money, idiot! So this is what we are going to do. I'm going to put on the dress I've been wearing for the past three days on and you are taking me shopping, now!" Hiei was going to protest when Yusuke stood up.

"If you take her to the human world, we can talk about this later. I'll summon the others." Yusuke then bent down to Hiei and muttered, "Good luck shopping."

"I heard that," she snapped. "Oh and, by the way, I like expensive things so be sure to bring enough money."

Yusuke waved goodbye to both of them. When he was behind the woman he mouthed 'Sorry, man!' and left quickly. Hiei looked back up at his woman and inwardly groaned. It was going to be a long day…

00000

"There we go, much better!" The elf said as she walked out of the store in a pair of blue jean short shorts, a pink tank top, and sandals. Hiei sighed. They had spent what seemed like forever getting undergarments, shorts, tops, and dresses and she wasn't lying when she said she was expensive. Hiei would have to start keeping track of the treasury. Not only that but who was carrying all seven bags? He was. He desperately wanted to punch something but since they were in a human mall, that wasn't an option. He would have to take out his energy in spar with Kurama or Yusuke later tonight.

Hiei sat down on a bench while she pulled her long white hair up into two buns on either side of her head. Her long ears seemed to twitch in delight at her appearance. Hiei suspected she had cast a spell on her ears so human wouldn't notice them but to anyone who could see them, with her hair pulled up, they were more emphasized since they were so long.

She walked over to him and said, "Now, I need earrings and other jewelry, more shoes, and a few purses can't hurt... But earrings first!"

"Don't you already have earrings?" Hiei asked grumpily.

She looked down at him incredulously. She sat down next to him and her pointed eyes stared into his frustrated ones. "Hiei, any married elf is expected to have her full earlobe pierced and full of earrings that her husband gives her. The more shiny and expensive, higher status they are. I'm a princess and you're a king so that means you get to pick out the best of the best for me." Hiei frowned and she narrowed her eyes at him. "You will do this. It is expected of you as my husband."

Hiei took a deep breath. "Hn," he said. She then smiled cynically at him. She was torturing him and she knew it.

As grumpy as he was, Hiei knew this part would at least be quick. When Yukina asked him to go shopping with her, for some reason he always had an eye for what looked best on her. Sure enough, after ten minutes Hiei had picked out an assortment of silver and gold earrings that she liked. She spent a little more time there looking at other jewelry before they purchased everything and left.

Hiei could tell they had spent at least four hours at the mall and that was more than enough to wear any man out. Hiei turned to her and said,

"We are getting sweet snow."

She looked up from the bag she was looking in confused. "We are getting what?"

"Just follow me, woman," Hiei said as he walked towards the mall exit.

She didn't question him as she walked next to him but he was relieved to see she hadn't pressed the jewelry bag on him. They walked for about a half hour before Hiei saw their destination. Usually he would run there from the mall but with all her bags, he didn't feel like it. She didn't seem to complain as she took in the Japanese city.

Hiei stopped in front of his only favorite store in the human world.

"Matsuo Ice Cream… I've heard of ice cream before," She said looking up at the sign. She then looked down at him confused. "Why did you call it sweet snow?"

"Because that's what it is," Hiei said as he opened the parlor door.

"Yeah but that's not what it is called," she argued back as she stepped inside.

He ignored her glare and he walked up to the glass containing the sweet snow flavors.

"Ah, my favorite customer! How are you today, it's been a long time since I've seen you!" Hiei looked up to see the large owner, Matsuo beaming down at him. "I've got some new flavors! Here, try pistachio, coffee, butter cream, popcorn, and even jelly bean!"

Hiei set the bags down to take the tester spoons the man was giving him. He didn't know why the man liked him so much but he was always very friendly. He turned as the woman picked up the bags next to him.

"I'm going to set them down in that booth over there, okay?" She asked and he nodded. He turned back to Matsuo to receive another tester spoon.

"Is she a girlfriend? I haven't seen her before?" the man asked, grinning.

"Wife," Hiei said before putting the spoon in his mouth. Hmm, popcorn. The taste was buttery but cold, an odd combination.

"Wife? You got married! Well, I'll tell you what, "the man leaned down towards Hiei and whispered, "Your wife's order is on the house. Congratulations!"

"Thank you," Hiei said politely. The man beamed at him. Hiei usually wasn't polite to humans but the man treated Hiei well and if he came with Yukina, her order was often on the house. Hiei liked not paying for sweet snow so he always tried to be as courteous as he could manage.

"The usual then?" the man asked.

"Yes," Hiei said and then he walked over to the register where she joined him.

"What can I get you Miss?" the owner asked.

"Um, I think I'll have a medium chocolate milkshake," She said staring up at the menu.

"Excellent! I will have both your orders out shortly!" The owner said and after Hiei paid him they sat down in the booth.

Hiei stared at her as she gazed out the window, supporting her head with her hand as her elbow was propped up on the table. About a month had gone by and every night Hiei had slept outside, ignoring her sobbing as she cried herself to sleep. Lately her crying was lessened but it didn't make the situation any easier. She hadn't told him that she hated him other than the first night but he knew deep down she was still furious at him, at the situation. They rarely talked, in fact today was the most they had talked probably since the wedding.

"So, how do you tell Maria and Claudia apart? And where did you even find them?" She suddenly asked.

"Maria's hair and fur is a slightly lighter shade of blue and she tends to speak first. I asked them to work for me after I won the tournament the first time. They were Mukuro's maids before," He answered.

Hiei grew concerned as she eyed him suspiciously and then sat back in the booth with her arms crossed. "Who is Mukuro exactly? And what is she to you?"

"She was my…" Employer? Was that even the right term? "She asked me to work for her and I did. She was one of the former Three Kings. Yomi was another and Raizen, who is dead, was the third."

She still seemed unsatisfied. "And what happened when you went to work for Mukuro?"

Hiei inwardly sighed. A lot of things happened, even after Enki won the first round of the tournament. Guiding humans back, patrols, getting to know Mukuro…

Hiei suddenly looked up as his sweet snow was delivered. "Thank you," he said and the waiter smiled at them. He turned to his sweet snow with anticipation. He took the spoon and happily put it in his mouth. The sweet cold sensations elated him and for a moment he was in his own little bubble, until she punctured it bringing him smack down to reality.

"Did you seriously get a scoop of each flavor?"

He scowled at her, "Hn. It's none of your business."

"Your business is now my business. So I have a vague idea of who Mukuro is. So then what is she to you?"

"It's complicated," he said, shoving a spoonful of sweet snow in his mouth.

She sucked the straw on her milkshake, staring at him angrily. "You told me that you had no relations going on right now. I saw the way she was looking at you, I saw her kiss your cheek at the banquet. Don't insult me," she sneered.

Hiei was initially frustrated with her being so invasive but he then realized she was asking about Mukuro because she felt threatened.

"Mukuro and I are close but I have never felt any romantic feelings towards her. Believe me, if I did, I would have been with her a long time ago," He said. Hiei made sure to look her straight in the eyes to help his sincerity.

She leaned forward across the table and said, "Swear it on the blood of your ancestors."

Ancestors? "I don't have any ancestors," Hiei said disgustedly.

She drew back from him, shocked. "No ancestors… so then what do you swear by? Your honor does not count, as I have yet to see your sense of honor," she said coolly. Hiei was less than pleased that not raping her on their 'wedding night' did not count towards his honor.

What could he swear by, something that meant to him and that she could believe? "My sister," he said suddenly. "I swear on the blood of my sister that Mukuro is only a… that I have never felt that way or been with her that way."

She stared at him intensely for a moment before sighing and taking another sip of her milkshake. "I will accept that pledge. Ancestors know I cannot handle competing with other women again."

Hiei stared at her curiously. Had she been cheated on before in the past? She had sounded bitter when she said it. Hiei wondered what had happened. Then he wondered if he would ever find out. At the rate things were going, probably not. They ate their desert in silence.

"Does Yukina know you two are siblings?" She asked suddenly.

"No, and it needs to stay that way," Hiei said, glaring at her.

"Why?"

"It is none of your business," He said.

"I am your wife now. Your business is my business. Am I going to have to repeat that to you every day, because this is the second time today within, oh, I don't know, ten minutes of each other," she said glaring back at him.

"It is none of your business," he repeated evenly but he made sure to lace it with a slightly threatening tone. Hiei was starting to pity her less and dislike her more. She was chatty and asked too many questions. Why couldn't she have been the silent obedient type?

She didn't seem satisfied but she didn't say anything and took her gaze off of him to eat her milkshake. They finished their deserts in silence. Hiei was disappointed that the sour conversation had caused his sweet snow to be less appetizing. When they finished Hiei thanked the owner again, and she stayed silent as she followed him into a park where they were able to leap through the trees towards Genkai's temple.

When they reached the main sitting room, Hiei was relieved to see Kurama, Yusuke, and Kuwabara already there. He could use a break of this tiresome woman.

"Have a good date?" Kurama asked her politely.

"Date? Humph, yeah right," she said, her voice full of contempt. Wordlessly, she took the bags from Hiei and walked around the overhang. Hiei shut the door behind him.

"Sounds like things are going well," Kurama said dryly.

"She is a bitch," Yusuke muttered.

Hiei glared at him. "It's true!" he said.

"I kinda feel bad for her. I mean after all she got stuck with that runt, "Kuwabara said shooting a glance at Hiei. Hiei turned his glare from Yusuke to the oaf.

"I do too, Kuwabara, to some extent. She is going through a rough time. I think once she settles in more and gets used to living with Hiei she won't be as rude all the time," Kurama mused.

"You mean as bitchy?"

Hiei smirked as Kurama shot him a look. "Alright, alright, I'll lay of," Yusuke said, pouting slightly.

Hiei allowed himself to settle into small conversation until the door opened. They turned to see Genkai, followed by the woman.

"Yukina is still out with Keiko and Boton so I showed her to your room, Hiei,"

Hiei nodded a thanks to her, unhappy. He was hoping Yukina would be here and so she would be distracted. Genkai sat down next to her pupil and Kurama moved over so the woman would have a spot next to Hiei. Wonderful.

The group sat in silence awkwardly until she spoke. "Okay, so then we are supposed to talk about this Hideki guy, right?"

"What makes you think we want to talk about this with you?" Yusuke said, eyeing her angrily.

"What makes you think you have the right to say so?" she said haughtily. "And I sat on the war council at home, do you know what it took to get there? I may have been the enemy, and I may be a bitch, but I know what the hell I'm doing in battle. Since I'm for the 'home' team now, I might as well jump in and play."

"I have every right to say so," Yusuke said evenly.

"Really? I don't think a human of all species has the right to tell me, a being they don't even know exists, what to do," she sneered. Hiei frowned, if this didn't stop now, they would end up fighting each other now. Not that he would mind them fighting but now was not a good time.

"That is enough," Hiei said. When she didn't respond, he began to reach up to her shoulder to turn her to face him but she swatted his hand away.

"Don't touch me," she hissed.

That was it. He was through with her today. She had been nothing but a snot-nosed princess all day long and he was done trying to appease her. Moreover, he was being humiliated in front of his friends. That would not be tolerated.

He grabbed her shoulder, jerked her around, and grabbed her chin, roughly forcing her to look into his eyes. "Do not push me woman, I have had enough of you today. You will stay silent or leave, because I do have the say so," he growled in a low voice, ignoring Kuwabara's gasp.

Her eyes were unreadable as she jerked her head out of his grasp. Without warning, her fist shot up and struck him across the cheek. "I will choose to leave," she snapped and stormed out of the building.

Hiei began to stand to go after her but he felt someone grab hold of his arm. "You have humiliated her enough for one night, Hiei," Kurama said quietly. He ignored his friends disapproving gaze as he sat down.

"I told you so, she's a bitch," Yusuke mumbled.

Hiei couldn't agree more.

It's really frustrating that I can't use my usual break icons ~*~ without having something in front of it. The document manager deletes it which is really annoying. So for now breaks in the story are being detonated by 0's. If you know how to fix this, please let me know. Sigh