Chapter 29 The Game has Changed
Hiei stared out the window quietly, watching a breeze rustle the flowers in bloom down in the garden below. Hiei enjoyed going to the library, it was usually a quiet place that also enabled him to spend time in the company of his wife as she read or cataloged. Today however, she was playing a card game with Shana, Maria, and Claudia. He could hear their giggling and sometimes bursts of loud laughter. Normally Hiei did not like the place to be so noisy but with the impending threat of Mitage looming over the fortress, the cheeriness was welcome.
He cast the four women a glace as sudden exclamations went into the air, signaling there had been a surprise victory. Slightly curious, he leaned forward to see Maria gathering the small multi colored spheres triumphantly. He leaned back against the wide stone window frame and resumed his gaze back outside. He found that staring outside was a lot easier than thinking. Thinking involved remembering the constant arguments between he and his wife, the restless feeling within the fortress, and the frustration at feeling like his hands were tied without a way to burn the rope off.
Closer to the fortress, he could see the guards changing posts on time. Further out past the gardens was the small orchard Mîra organized. The trees were too small to bear fruit but his mate still made sure they were well taken care of, excited to one day taste their yield.
Past the orchard was the forest. Some of it he had destroyed in sparring matches but realistically, the forest was so vast and wide it would never truly be in danger. Mîra seemed more relaxed in the presence of the large trees. To him, they were a source of comfort in the night, a place to rest and he always felt slightly more secure when he was in their midst. In addition to sparring, they sometimes took a walk or went for a swim in the nearby lake but now it was too dangerous. A month had slipped by since they last saw Mitage. Hiei didn't know what he was preparing but he wasn't going to take any chances.
Hiei was drawn out of his observance to the sound of his name. He listened back to the women chatting.
"Hiei-sama would be great at this, I'm sure!" Shana said confidently.
"Hiei-sama does not like games," Maria commented.
"He has no desire to waste his time with such trivial matters, or so he says," Claudia added mischievously.
"Oh, now let's not rag on him when he's not here to defend himself. Besides, I think card games of more of an issue of pride." Mîra's oh-so-smooth voice rang warning bells in his head. What was this woman up to?
"Pride? What do you mean Mîra-hime?" Shana asked. Hiei couldn't tell if her innocence was genuine or not.
"Well," Mîra began in a hushed tone. Hiei narrowed his eyes. "The real reason he doesn't like to play card games is because Kuwabara always beats him."
Immediately Hiei was on his feet and in a flash was standing by the table. "I do NOT always loose to that incompetent, idiotic, unintelligent, moron!" Hiei snarled. Shana hid her face behind her cards while Maria and Claudia seemed surprised, but his mate simply raised an eye brow at him.
"Oh? Is that so? Was that the time you did or did not use your Jagan?"
Snarling, Hiei pulled a chair up to the table and plopped down. He pulled some money out of his pocket and slammed it on the table. "Deal me," he growled.
"Of course, Herven. Also, we are playing blackjack, in case you aren't aware," Mîra said simply as she shuffled.
"Of course I know!" he snapped. He glared at the twins who cast each other a knowing smile. He had no idea what they were playing and the dog demons knew it.
"Don't worry Hiei-sama! We'll go easy on you!" Shana grinned, baring a fang. He sent his glare towards her but it had no effect. His eyes slid to his wife who was looking exceptionally smug as she cut the cards, Claudia restacked, and she dealt. What was with that look on his mate's face? Damnit, he was going to win and wipe it right off!
Ten rounds later, Hiei realized that was not going to happen. At least he wasn't last, like Claudia who seemed helplessly unlucky or incompetent in the game. Conversely her sister was constantly winning. Still, it wasn't comforting to know that even Shana was better at this damn game than he was. His wife was faring okay, just above Shana but she still looked as though she had won. Hiei hated that expression, it reminded him of a look Kurama gave him when he had overlooked something completely obvious.
"Well," Maria said proudly as she scooped the large amount of her winnings into a small coin pouch. "I think my next trip to the market will be quite enjoyable."
"Yes, yes," Claudia huffed slightly. Hiei was entertained at the small disdain. Normally the twins got along so well it was interesting to see them not to.
Unfazed by her sisters irritation, Maria continued, "Next time we should play mahjong. Since the weather is so agreeable we can play outside."
Instantly Claudia perked up. "Mahjong would be perfect!"
"Well that settles that! Mahjong it is," Mîra said brightly.
"Aw, I hate mahjong," Shana mumbled.
"Next time, you can pick the game," Mîra said kindly. Shana puffed her cheeks.
"Oh, alright," Shana sighed. She scooted from the table and yawned. "I'm going to get a snack, see you later!" She curtseyed to Mîra, nodded to Hiei and disappeared into the shadows. Maria and Claudia also stood.
"We must be getting back to our duties," Maria said bowing.
"It's always a pleasure, Hiei-sama, Mîra-hime," Claudia bowed.
"Of course ladies," Mîra said and Hiei nodded at them. They turned and as they walked out, the two sisters talked quietly about what Maria was going to spend her winnings on. The large doors closed behind them and it was just Hiei and his mate.
"Well that was a good game," Mîra said. She stood and shuffled the cards in front of her in place. Hiei glared at her. She still had the superior air about her, damnit. Why?
"Don't worry, Herven, I won't tell anyone you are terrible at counting to twenty-one," she said slyly. He scowled at her. It wasn't his fault she didn't properly explain the rules and so he ended up busting half the time.
"I know how to count," he snapped. "The game is simply idiotic."
"Oh don't act like you didn't enjoy spending time with your favorite ladies," she said grinning. He watched her lean over slowly, across the table to pick up the other cards. He noticed that her blue dress hung to her bosom quite well and her hair was up, not preventing his view as it normally would have. Her eyes flickered to him briefly and then back down at the cards as she straightened. His gaze was locked on her as she set the neat stack of cards in the middle of the table.
"Enjoy it? All you damn women do is cause problems for me," he growled. She picked up a small stack of books and turned to him with a feigned expression of shock, her free hand placed delicately at the top of her bosom.
"Why, Hiei. What could I have possibly done to give you such an outlandish opinion?" Then she turned and Hiei swore there was a smile on her face. He smirked as he watched her move to the shelves, placing the books back. Now he knew exactly what she did.
"For one, Shana thinks that by staring at me with her wide eyes I'll give her anything she wants."
"Well that's because it works," Mîra replied. Then she moved out of his vision, behind another long bookshelf. Hiei stood and walked slowly towards his wife, taking his time with their little game.
"Maria and Claudia always seem to know everything."
"That's because they do," his wife's simple reply came. He could smell her moving, the lavender gliding to a corner. He moved silently.
"Koku has a damn song for everything."
"Well, she is your dragon. What else is she supposed to do?" he could hear her chuckling but it soon died and her could smell her movement. He moved swiftly, zipping around the corner to see her face turn to him right before he grabbed her wrists and pinned them to the shelf. The book she was holding fell out of her hand and he stared up at her. He relished the sight of her, her bosom rising and falling heavily, the upward curl of her flirtatious smile, and the way her lavender eyes danced at him. Damn those eyes… he could already feel himself being sucked in by them.
"You," his voice was low and heated, "are the worst."
"Is that so?" she asked softly.
He stared up at her. "You manipulate me."
"A misunderstanding I'm sure."
"No," he said. He could see her impatience start to settle in as the hunger set into her eyes. She may have manipulated him into playing cards but he knew how to fire it right back. He was already winning this round.
Hiei broke their gaze, stood on his toes and pressed his cheek against hers. "I know exactly what you are doing, woman. I won't tolerate it," he breathed into her ear. He felt her inhale sharply and he knew he won. He released her wrists roughly and stepped back from her. He turned to walk away when he felt her grab his wrist and pull him back to her, wrapping her arms around his neck and bring her lips to his fervently.
He enjoyed her taste as he deepened the kiss. Making sure he had a strong hold on her, he picked her up and darted to their red couch, placing her down gently. He kissed her briefly before breaking it, pulling off his cloak and the shirt underneath. He moved to return to his mate's embrace but she was staring up at him with an amused smile.
"I just thought of something Shizuru told me. Apparently Keiko complains that we are all over each other and, quote un-quote, do it like rabbits."
Hiei frowned. "What does that mean?"
"I have no idea." His mate grinned smugly up at him. "I just think it's humorous Keiko is jealous of me because my husband gives me more attention than hers does."
Hiei leaned forward and kissed his mark on her neck. "Of course I do. I don't like my mate to be a dissatisfied, annoying woman." Then remembering something Yusuke said he added, "Yusuke said he's surprised you are not with child yet."
As soon as he said it, Hiei regretted it, knowing the can of worms he had just opened. He didn't move but he didn't say anything either. He felt her inhale and exhale deeply.
"Well," she began, her voice terse, "the reason Yusuke and Keiko do not lie with each other as much as we do is because they have children. They take up that intimate time. That or they interrupt the small chance of intimacy they get."
Hiei pushed himself up to look at her face. "Vesse-"
"Don't 'Vesse' me!" she snapped. Her eyes were frustrated and Hiei was irked that he let himself ruin their nice moment. Now she wouldn't talk to him at least until the next morning. "Just get up, I'm not in the mood anymore." Her hands pressed against him but her effort felt halfhearted to Hiei.
"No."
"Damnit, Hiei! I'm tired of you brining up children every chance you get!"
"That was not my intention," he frowned.
"Oh really? Tell me how exactly did you mean it?" she snapped.
"It was meant to be a positive indication towards my prowess which you," he placed a kiss on her cheek, "enjoy."
He could visibly see the fight in her as she tried to find a reason to stay angry. If only she would ignore her pride every now and then he wouldn't have to work so damn hard…
"So basically you're just inflating your already large ego?" She asked, her eyebrow raised.
"Hn."
"Not a word. But I can live with it," she said. Hiei, relieved she wasn't mad anymore, took his cue and resumed his work on her neck. He heard her sigh and he moved his hand along her leg, pushing her dress up. She pushed him up and kissed him fervently as they fumbled with the ties in the back of her dress. Hiei let his instincts take control as he fell under the heated spell only she could weave for him. He was lost to everything but her when suddenly there was an odd sound. Hiei paused and the looked up to see the door opening.
"Hiei-sama some letters just arrived! It seems that-"
Shana stopped talking mid-sentence, her mouth open. Hiei blinked at her, trying to process what was happening.
"Oh dear," he heard Mîra mutter right before Shana exploded.
"EW, EW, EW MY EYES!"
"Damnit! I told you to knock!" Hiei snapped angrily.
"You're supposed to LOCK THE DOOR!" Shana screamed. "I'm only fifty-three! I don't want to know about this stuff yet!"
"GET OUT!" Hiei bellowed.
"I'm officially scarred for life, AGAIN!" Shana wailed, rushing out of the room. She slammed the door behind her and Hiei immediately got up and locked it. Furious he turned to his mate whose face was contorted, as though she was trying to keep something in. Then it broke and the library rang with her loud, merry, laughter.
"Damnit, woman, this isn't funny," he said as he made his way back to his mate. But even he could not prevent the small upturn of his mouth at the sight of tears in Mîra's eyes. Then, when he thought about how ridiculous the entire encounter was, he couldn't help but join her in her laughter. He didn't laugh with her often and he enjoyed the sound of their mixed tones echoing off the stone walls.
When the laughter finally died down, Mîra stared at him, her eyes sparkling. "She'll be fine, after all I'm still clothed!" He noticed that it was true, he had just finished releasing the ties on her dress. He watched her as she pulled the pins out of her tussled up-do and the white rivulets lightly fell. She slipped the dress off and began to fumble with the rest of the corset ties. He moved closer to her to help.
As he undid the ties he ran his fingers down her back, over the small ridges of her scars. He kissed her back lightly as she set the corset down on the ground. She turned to him, her eyes tender. She placed a hand on his cheek and she rubbed her thumb slightly against his skin.
"It feels so long since I've laughed like that, alone and with you, at something silly and absurd. Her voice was soft and he could see the worry settling in.
"Stop that. We will be fine." His words did nothing to soothe her.
"I feel like a deer in the middle of a hunt." Her visage looked pained. Hiei did not like that expression on her face.
He placed a hand over hers and brought her palm to his lips. "You have no reason to fear. Mitage will not win."
She stared at him for a long moment before she moved closer next to him and kissed him gently. "Hiei, I- I-" Her voice broke off and the words seemed caught in her throat. She sighed slightly, her shoulders dropping. "I really care about you. I don't want anything bad to happen to you because of me. I couldn't bear it."
Surprised he drew back from her a little. Her words struck him deeply. Those words seemed like they belonged to him, rather than her. The pure emotion, that he had yet to name, filled him. He kissed her gently for a moment and said,
"Vesse, you are mine. I will not let anything happen to either of us, I swear it." Hiei drew her in and it seemed that even though he was picking up where they had left off before, his mating with her was far more intimate and sweeter. He was relieved that despite the bickering that had been occurring between the two of them, they were still able to connect so deeply. Hiei didn't know what he would do if he lost her and he was going to ensure that it didn't happen. He intended to keep his oath, no matter what.
0~*~0
The papers in front of Hiei rustled making a restless noise as he rifled through them, trying to reconfirm what he just read. Or rather, what he wasn't reading. Out of all his sources, not one of them was able to find anything on Mitage. No reports on army size, movements, anything. How the hell did this happen?
"Shana!" Hiei barked. Immediately the small shadow demon rose from the shadows in the chair in front of his desk. He dismissed the other guards and made sure the doors were closed completely before speaking to the girl in front of him.
"Tell me you have something better for me than these imbeciles," he snarled. In his anger he swiped his hand across the desk, sending papers flying.
"Well…" Shana began. "I do have information but only by luck."
Hiei frowned at the hesitation in her voice. "What do you mean?"
"I- well I was making my rounds as usual when a demoness came up to me. She was badly injured and said her name was Kikyo. She said to give this letter to Mîra-hime as soon as possible and then she collapsed. I took her to a nearby village but by the time we got there it was too late."
Why would this demoness be giving a letter to Mîra and not him? "Give me the letter."
"Hai." Shana reached into the leather sack at her side, pulled out a thin envelope, and handed it to him. He opened it quickly and frowned at the contents.
Mother,
How are you? I hope you are doing well. I miss you and I long for your company and the comfort of your arms. I am adjusting to my new life but I would much rather spend my days under your roof. I miss the garden the most. I remember the garden being large and full of many flowers. Still, you were always looking for more and continued to add more. Why the plot we have is not enough, I do not know but I can only imagine how many plots of land you have absorbed with your colors. Now is the perfect time to be planting, the wind will carry the seeds far to other new homes where they can germinate and grow, no matter what is already there. I suppose it could be any day now that the seeds spread, I miss seeing them swept up into the wind. On day I will come home to visit and see it. Do not worry about me, as I know you will. Keep up your health and good spirits.
Love,
Your Faithful Daughter
Hiei set the letter on the desk and allowed Shana to examine it. What the hell did it mean? It was clearly a hidden message, someone died to get this into Mîra's hands. Unlike Kurama, these sorts of puzzles made his head hurt and want to burst the damn thing into flames.
"Should I go get Mîra-hime?" Shana asked.
Hiei stared at the letter again before folding it and tucking it in his pocket. He had a feeling that the conversation resulting from this letter was not going to be good. Before he could answer Shana, however, there was a sharp knock at the door.
"Enter," he grunted.
The door opened to reveal one of his captains, Honjo, a large muscular wolf demon. Yusuke called him a werewolf due to the fact that he could turn fully into a wolf. As much as it fascinated Yusuke, Hiei did not care for human lore. Honjo's skin was a leathery grey and his sharp eyes and long shaggy hair were a charcoal color. Hiei found the demon to be agreeable and useful before, after, and during the war. In fact if his general, Kujo, met an untimely end Hiei would name Honjo his successor.
From the way the wolf demon entered the room, Hiei could tell something was wrong. Honjo was looking unusually anxious as he marched up and saluted, thumping his right arm diagonally across his chest.
"Heika," his deep voice rumbled, "Kujo and Mîra no Kimi are having rather heated verbal exchange with each other right now. I'm afraid Kujo will lose his tongue and cause the Lady to lose her temper." His eyes grew dark. "I would not like her make an example out of Kujo."
Hiei was immediately on his feet and leaving the office, Shana and Honjo behind him. "Where are they?" He growled.
"The training grounds," Honjo responded.
"Shana, get there now. Stay hidden," Hiei instructed. He felt her disappear as soon as he pushed open the door that led outside to the training grounds. Good. He might need to know the whispers. Hiei slowed and motioned for Honjo to do the same just before they would have come into view. Hiei wanted to do a little eavesdropping first.
Mîra was standing with her arms crossed in her usual hunting attire, Víraserce at her hip. Kujo was talking loudly and pacing back and forth in front of her, his arms making extravagant gestures to the upper ranking soldiers as he spoke. The soldiers were standing in a semicircle facing Hiei and Honjo. Hiei glanced around noticed that other lower ranked members were watching with concern or curiosity. He caught the eye of an eavesdropping demon and the demon paled and quickly disappeared, dragging his companions with him. Smart move. Hiei moved his attention back to his officers. Some of them looked uncomfortable, including Honjo's younger brother, Fudo. Others were excited by Kujo's words.
"Why should we listen to an elf? Someone who fought against us and killed our own brethren! I fight for our Heika, not a general who became a prisoner of war!"
Hiei frowned at Kujo's words. He could see why Honjo was worried. Mîra did not take kindly to insult against her authority. It was showing as she calmly wrapped a hand around Víraserce's hilt.
"The Lord and I have reconciled our differences on that matter and has been stated clearly for some time now. I serve our Heika and my mate dutifully and faithfully. I have sworn my allegiance to him and it will not waver." Hiei watched her speak to the men, rather than Kujo. Ignoring him, she stepped forward, her free arm making a sweeping gesture to all of them.
"I have trained you, taught you, and educated you because our Heika knows I have more experience in training soldiers. He has put his faith in me to help you become strong, proud, and fierce warriors. Warriors, who are renowned for their strength and power!" Her voice was powerful and commanding. It was no wonder as to how she was such an effective general; the effects were obvious as his captains began to murmur amongst each other approvingly.
"Stronger? You think we are more powerful and more respected because of you? Think again!" Kujo pointed a finger accusingly at Mîra. "We are weak because of you! Everyone laughs at us because we are forced to answer to you! I tolerated it while my Heika ruled the land but no more!" Kujo turned to the men. "No more I say! There is a new king in power, what right does this prisoner have to order us around?"
"Heika…" Honjo whispered warningly. Hiei signaled him to be quiet. If he intervened now, it would make Mîra look bad. She needed to redeem herself in front of their men.
"I was a prisoner. I will not refute nor gloss over that fact. However as soon as your Heika married me, I was no longer a prisoner. I became his wife, his mate, his partner. We had a rough beginning, yes, but now we are untied and continue to stand untied in all aspects, including the threat Mitage presents to all of us!" Mîra thundered. "An attack on one is an attack on all. We are a family and each one of us has a specific and important role, no matter how small or great! This is why we-"
"United? Don't make fools out of us, elf," Kujo interrupted snidely. "We aren't deaf. These walls have ears whether we want to hear your senseless bickering or not. You think you are special coming in here and ordering us around, but do you know how the entire Makai views you?" He paused for effect. "Nothing. You are nothing, a nobody, to us, you are hated by us, and you will never be anything to us! Nothing! That's what you are, nothing!" Kujo roared.
Hiei saw the immediate break in his mate's reserved demeanor and the lightning switch of the grasp on Víraserce's hilt. In a flash, he was standing in between them his arms extended.
"This ends now," he snarled.
Hiei looked at his mate. She was furious and Víraserce was almost out of her scabbard but she took a step back, and slowly sheathed the sword. He turned to Kujo. Immediately the demon fell to his knees, arm across his chest. He flickered his gaze to the other officers in front of him and saw that they were in the same position.
Hiei lowered his arms and turned to his mate. "Come here," he commanded her. Silently and proudly she walked over and placed a kiss on his cheek. She moved to stand next to him but he stopped her. "In front." She complied but her hand went around Víra's hilt again, she was not happy with him. Mîra did not look at him as he reached up, pushed her chin to the left and pushed her hair to the side exposing her neck.
Hiei could smell his scent in hers, it was intoxicating just focusing on it. He pushed the feeling aside to what he needed to do.
"I wasn't aware that I had insubordinate idiots working for me. Are your noses too dull to smell my scent in hers?" There was a silence. "Well?" he snarled.
Immediately the group responded, "No, Heika."
Hiei looked down at Kujo. The demon stared up at Hiei, his beady obsidian eyes simmering.
"Yes, I can smell your mark, Heika," the demon said forcefully.
He shoved Mîra around, somehow she managed to turn with a sort of grace, so she was facing the officers. "For the last time this woman is my mate. She is my eyes, my voice, and my hand." He narrowed his eyes at them. Then he looked down at Kujo. "Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Heika!" The group responded.
"Very clear, Heika," Kujo snapped. Hiei growled, he should just run his sword through the demon now… but Kujo had served him for a long time. He turned to the group of men.
"Get go back to your duties. Now," he snapped. The group quickly dispersed. He saw Honjo join them and the demon saluted him silently before walking away with his brother. Kujo remained on his knees. Hiei looked up at his wife. "Go to the office, wait for me there." She nodded and stalked away. As soon as she was out of ear shot.
"Stand up," Hiei snapped. Kujo rose. Kujo was a tall, large lizard like demon with dark green skin and a large tail but Hiei felt he was domineering over the demon, as it should be. "If you undermine my mate like this again, I am going to slit your fucking throat, no questions asked. Do you understand me?" He growled menacingly. Kujo visibly trembled from rage but said nothing. Hiei moved his hand towards his sword.
"Yes," Kujo said with gritted teeth.
Hiei paused. Then, in a whiplash movement, he drew his sword and cut Kujo's cheek. Hiei's eyes locked with Kujo's and Hiei would love to have the demon move against him, to just try and think he could take him but Kujo was like a statue. Without bothering to sheath his sword, Hiei walked away.
What was the stupid phrase Yusuke used once? Out of the frying pan and into the fire? More like out of the fire and into hell. He dealt with one situation and now he had to deal with a bigger one. Hiei stopped just short of the door leading into the office.
Marriage is hard. Marriage requires work. Marriage is rewarding. Marriage is hard. Marriage requires work. Marriage- oh screw Kurama's mantra. Hiei threw the door open. Shana looked up from a chair and his wife paused in her pacing.
"Herven, I-"
"I don't want to hear about what happened outside. I saw enough, it's done." Hiei brushed by her and sat down in the chair.
"Well we should at least send Shana to tail him," Mîra said. She sat in the empty seat next to Shana. "You never know what that bastard might do," she exclaimed angrily.
"Shana, out."
At his word the shadow demon disappeared. Hiei pulled the letter out of his pocket and unfolded it.
"What is with you today? I get deeply insulted and you have no words of reassurance for me? No words of support? I know you aren't in touch with your sensitive all the time but this is cold, even for you."
Hiei didn't say anything as he held the paper out to her. "I want to know what this is. I want to know why you have contacts that I don't know about. I want to know now."
Shocked and outraged she snatched the paper from him. "How dare you address me like this! You probably don't even know what you're reading and I find it to be even more insulting that you are presenting this to me in an accusatory way!"
"You're right, I don't know what I'm reading. It's coded," he said coolly. "I hope the information is worth Kikyo dying for."
Mîra's eyes went wide. "What? Kikyo? She…" The woman looked away for a moment before quietly turning to the letter. He watched her as her eyes moved back and forth. Those were the eyes that bewitched him and that he could never grow tired of, but yet it was those same eyes proving her guilt in this matter now.
After some time, she set the letter down in her lap. She did not look at him as she spoke. "Mitage is on the move and has a large force with him. He is absorbing other territories or planning on doing so. We need to tighten fortress security and evacuate Tomeda village. If we get attacked they are bound to get caught in the crossfire."
Hiei narrowed his eyes. "What? How are you sure this is reliable information?"
Mîra looked up at him her steady mask in place. "Kikyo was a spy for me during the war. I kept her on my service after as well. I have a contact with someone in Mitage's palace; Kikyo was in contact with her. Or rather had. If Mitage knows about Kikyo then he probably knows about Nanae."
Hiei stared at her. She- what? He couldn't have heard that right. "You… have spies?"
"Of course I do," she snorted arrogantly. "Do you really think demons just let you marry me peacefully? Do you know how many times Kikyo's information saved my life?"
"She is a traitor!" Hiei snarled. "You consorted with traitors!"
"To save my life! I don't know how you commanded an army, this place was an open book before I came here. Do you know how easy it was for me to slip in and out those first few months? Your security was ridiculously weak!"
Immediately Hiei was on his feet. "Watch your tongue, woman."
"Oh please," Mîra rolled her eyes, "Don't act like you know how to properly rule. Apparently Mukuro didn't teach you anything about training or managing men. You're fortunate Kujo was so faithful to you, he kept them together. Although now his opinion seems to have changed…"
How dare she speak to him that way! He won a war, didn't he? "Since you seem to not bother to trust me with anything, there is no need for you to sit here any longer. Get out," he growled. She frowned at him.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me, get out."
Mîra rose slowly. "You want to know what your problem is?" You can't stand the fact that I continuously provide information where you can't." She set the paperback down on the desk and leaned forward, her cool gaze staring into his simmering one. "You can't stand the fact that have saved our lives, again. But guess what? I am not nothing. I am not a nobody. I am somebody, do you hear me? I am SOMEBODY!" she screamed furiously. Hiei stared at her as she breathed heavily for a moment, her eyes lost in her swirling, angry thoughts. Then she drew back and turned swiftly on her heel. "Now up the defenses! I'm sending Honjo and Fudo to evacuate Tomeda," she called. She left the room, slamming it behind her.
Hiei stared at the doors for a long time before sitting down. He wanted to block out her words, just like he did every other time he forgot, but it was getting harder and harder to just forget. Her words played again in his head, the subtle hurt in tone now screaming at him. The odd thing was he knew he wasn't competent in raising his men. He never really cared to pay attention when he was under Mukuro. While he was angered by the observation hurled at him as an insult, he could easily get over it.
What really bothered him was why she thought he was jealous of her. What was the point to the comparison? She was trained to be a ruler, he was not. I am somebody… He frowned, feeling he was on the edge of unlocking whatever she was thinking but he could not pinpoint it. He stared down at the coded paper and picked it up. He rose, opened the window, and set the paper on fire. He allowed the ashes to be taken by the wind and he closed the window. There were more important matters to deal with. Mitage was coming and he needed to be ready. So for now, he could forget again but after Mitage was dealt with, no more. He was going to make things right again, even if it meant spending an obscene amount of time in the human world. Mîra had prattled on about wanting to visit the country of a great desert queen once…
Hiei exited the office and opened his Jagan. Finding who he was looking for, he darted to the entrance hall. Fudo and Honjo were about to leave, packs on their shoulders. Honjo seemed to be talking with Maria while Fudo waited quietly from a small distance. Fudo noticed Hiei first.
"Heika," the younger wolf demon said, thumping his arm against his chest. Honjo followed suit. Maria bowed to him and turned to leave, but Hiei did not miss the forlorn look she gave Honjo before turning. The wolf demon briefly looked past Hiei before snapping his attention back in place.
"Fudo. Do Mîra's bidding as she instructed," Hiei commanded. Fudo nodded and with a glance to his brother, the younger brother left.
"Honjo, there is something else I need you to do," Hiei said. He telepathically communicated the message and when he finished, Honjo was off. Hiei turned towards the armory, where Shana was. They had work to do.
Hello Readers! Sorry this update took so long! I decided to insert a new chapter in between preexisting ones. The end of the second arc is also morphing slightly again and I am learning as to why authors don't release their stories chapter by chapter, there is so much I end up changing! If I really wanted to, I would go back to the beginning and redo four or five chapters. However, I really want to focus on finishing the fic and if I go back I'll never finish lol! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please be sure to leave a review, especially since it's so easy to do now!
Translation Notes (According to Wikipedia)
Heika: A sovereign title akin to "Majesty." Considering Hiei was king for over a decade, I thought this might be appropriate. Shana, Maria, and Claudia do not use this term because they have a much more personal relationship with him.
"Name" no Kimi: A suffix used to denote a lord or lady, mainly in the Heian period. today is used when someone is acting like a prince or princess from ancient times but the term is still uncommon. I figured this is appropriate for Mîra who is of an "old world" culture. I feel the Makai is also somewhat an "old world" culture, despite the technology.