When Sayomi woke up, she noticed a familiar warmth against her back. Instead of trying to pull away, she relaxed against Hiei. As if responding to her movement, his arm hugged her closer.

She noticed his breathing was a quicker rhythm than hers, so she turned to check on him. He was starting to build up a sweat and his expression looked troubled like the first time she saw him in Alaric. She shook his shoulder to wake him, but he didn't stir. Then she decided to try petting through his hair. It works for me, so maybe it'll help him, too.

Soon Hiei's breathing slowed down and his body relaxed. Sayomi sighed with relief and continued to pet his hair. She smiled as she felt its soft texture. Then she saw him staring at her with sleepy eyes.

"Was it another nightmare?" Sayomi asked.

Hiei stared at her for a moment, debating whether to tell her or not. Then he kissed her lips and said, "You can say that. It was a memory."

"Memory of what?" Sayomi couldn't help her curiosity.

"The day I was born." He looked her in the eye and asked, "Do you want to see?"

When she nodded, he removed his headband and opened his Evil Eye. Then he lifted her chin so she could stare directly into it. Sayomi fell into a trance as her vision started to blur and fade to black.

In Hiei's dream, Sayomi saw a view of the Demon Plane forests with a floating island high up in the sky. Angry female voices echoed in the wind.

"A boy... a cursed child!"

"During her reproductive period, she trysted with a man."

"The very thought of such a thing is appalling!"

Hiei projected his own thoughts so Sayomi could understand. "An ice maiden's lifespan is infinite. She bears one child every 100 years, by parthenogenesis, so it is always female... unless the mother has been intimate with a man."

A circle of four old women in kimonos came into view. They stood around a fire as they discussed their options. Meanwhile, a younger woman stood apart from the circle, cradling a bundle in her arms.

"A boy and a girl! Twins! This is unprecedented!" A tall, thin old woman spat in disgust. "Doyenne, what should we do about this?"

A hunched old woman with a deep frown, Doyenne, spoke with a cold, raspy voice. "The girl will be one of us, but the boy... I shudder at the prospect he presents."

A brief vision of a baby wrapped in cloth and talismans appeared. Sayomi recognized the crimson eyes that glared out from underneath.

"I could see and hear while still in the womb. I wondered what that meant," Hiei mused. "Did I, perhaps, have the power to roast them alive? I'd have enjoyed that."

The image changed to a close, outside view of the frozen island. "Ice maidens are cloistered in a floating castle (The Glacial Country) enveloped in dense clouds, avoiding interaction with the world below. The reason?" Hiei's tone became bitter. "When an ice maiden breeds with a male, the resulting offspring is always a male and takes on the characteristics of the father, which seems to explain why most end up vicious and ruthless. As for the mother, she never survives giving birth to a male. Clearly these factors are not conducive to the preservation of their kind."

The image zoomed in to a sharp cliff on the island. The young woman stood at the furthest edge with the bundle in her arms. The old women stood further back behind her at a safer distance.

"Rui..." Doyenne approached the young maiden with her arms clasped behind her back. "We know you were close to Hina. But this child, as with so many before, will be a plague upon us. Would Hina want that?"

The ice maiden, Rui, cried silent tears that turned to jewels as they fell.

Doyenne glared. "Do what you must!"

Rui hesitated a moment, then tossed the infant over the cliff. The bound baby fell down through the clouds into the forest below.

"I figured I could survive on my own. And I already had a goal in life. I would go back and completely justify that crone's fears." Hiei closed his Evil Eye and pulled away to look at Sayomi.

Sayomi opened her eyes and felt tears sliding down her cheeks. When she realized she was crying, she turned around and did her best to wipe them away. "Sorry... I just... That's just terrible."

Hiei frowned and climbed over to pin her to the bed. Before she could react, he leaned in and kissed her. She froze as he leaned down to lay on top of her and pin her hands down beside her head. Then he moved to lick a stray tear from her cheek.

When Hiei came back to her lips, Sayomi blushed and kissed him back. He smirked and grazed his tongue over her lips. She blushed and pressed her lips shut. He growled and licked again, gently biting her lower lip. She hesitated, but eventually granted him entry.

As he explored her mouth and brushed against her tongue, her hands clenched his until her nails started digging into his skin. Hiei groaned as he bit down into her lip. She relaxed her grip and gently teased him with her tongue as she arched her back. He growled and kissed her lips before pulling away. Sayomi opened her eyes and gazed up at Hiei.

He stared down at her with smoldering eyes and said, "You're a quick learner."

When he got up, he walked into the bathroom and closed the door. A minute later, the shower started running and Sayomi stared at the door in a blissful daze.

That was... She bit her lip and blushed. Was he trying to hold back?

She slowly sat up from the bed and took slow breaths. Okay... It's no big deal. If this is gonna become a normal thing, then I might as well get used to it.

She remembered the feel of his hard body pressed against hers. Though he kept her pinned close, his touch was gentle. Sayomi couldn't banish the memory while it was still so fresh in her senses. This might take a little while...

She listened to the running water and used it to distract herself. Her mind wandered to Hiei's dream. So he was abandoned as a newborn? I suppose that explains why he's so angry, but that means he was lying about his relation to Yukina before. They had the same mother, and...

She recalled the young maiden's sad expression and the tiny, warded infant in her arms. She was crying... Did she not want to do that?

When the shower turned off, Sayomi averted her eyes and looked down at the bed. Hiei walked out of the bathroom in his sweats with a towel draped around his neck. He noticed she was trying not to look at him again, so he said, "You should get cleaned up. We'll get some food when you're ready."

Sayomi nodded and got out of bed to go to the bathroom. As she started her shower, she used the chance to sort through her thoughts. She replayed his dream in her mind, but she wanted to know more. How did he survive such a dangerous drop? And does this mean he still hasn't found the island? But then how does he know about Yukina?

She stepped out of the shower with more questions than before. I'd hate to push him for answers, but now I want to know more. Hopefully, he'll be able to tell me when he's ready.

She got dressed in her spare clothes and stepped back into the room. Hiei was sitting on the bed and towel-drying his hair. She noticed a blue jewel dangling around his neck. It's beautiful...

Hiei peeked out from under the towel and noticed her staring. "It's Yukina's."

Sayomi snapped out of her trance and looked up at him. "Yukina gave it to you?"

Hiei nodded. "Just before we left the Human World."

A month ago...

"Take this..." Yukina held a necklace with a round, blue jewel in her palm. "It was my mother's. Ice Maidens giving birth shed a single tear. It solidifies into a crystal that's given to the baby. Yet my mother Hina, having twins, shed two tears."

Hiei said nothing as he waited for her to continue.

"One is mine, and the other should be my brother's," Yukina explained.

"That pig Tarukane didn't take it from you?" Hiei asked.

"I hid it in my stomach." Then she gasped and said, "Don't worry, I washed it!"

"Why give it to me?"

Yukina composed herself and said, "They say my brother was swathed in a flaming aura. Rui, my mother's closest friend, told me she couldn't hold him unless she wrapped him up in talismanic cloth. Even that barely protected her."

Hiei scowled at the mention of the ice maiden. Rui... She tossed me away.

"I think perhaps you're much like him," Yukina confessed. "If you ever meet a boy with a similar jewel, tell him I'm in the Human World."

Hiei took the necklace and inspected the jewel. "You think he's still alive? After being thrown from a flying castle?"

Yukina smiled. "I have no doubt of it."

Hiei scowled at her optimism.

Yukina's expression became solemn as she said, "Rui also told me he was aware of his situation, and will come back one day to take revenge." Yukina looked at Hiei with certainty. "I believe that will happen."

Hiei stared back. He remembered the woman, Rui, giving him a necklace as she cried her own tears.

"When you come back... Take me first. It will be my atonement to Hina."

He remembered taking the necklace in his fist and smirking up at the woman.

Yukina scowled. "If survival means being cold and hard as ice, then I don't see the point. That's my view, anyway."

"Hmph... So you ran away," Hiei concluded. "You weren't actually granted leave to search for your brother." He fixed a stern glare on her and said, "If you want this disaster to fall, summon it yourself. Don't depend on the whims of a brother who may or may not be alive."

Yukina stared at him with wide eyes, then stared down at the floor. "Yes... You're right." Then she looked up at him with a smile. "I believe my brother would tell me the same thing."

Present...

Sayomi bit her lip as she imagined Yukina saying something so dark. They are siblings, but is that why she has such a warm personality? Then she looked at Hiei and said, "So, she still doesn't know, but she does think you're like her brother. Is that a twin's intuition?"

"Who cares?" Hiei stood up and pulled a black sleeveless shirt over his head. "As long as she doesn't know, then that's all that matters."

Sayomi sighed and shook her head. Maybe one day...

"If you're ready, then we should go," Hiei said as he grabbed his cloak. "We start training again tomorrow so you should eat while you can. We don't need you passing out in the middle of the fight."

"Yeah, I know." Sayomi grabbed her cloak and followed Hiei out the door. "I'm just tired of being in this place. I want to actually go outside for a while."

"Why?" Hiei asked.

Sayomi looked around at the hallway of eyes and mouths. "Does this stuff really not creep you out?"

"You're being forced to kill demons to survive and this still bothers you?" Hiei walked straight down the middle of the hall with his hands in his pockets.

Sayomi did her best not to touch anything. "Only because I don't have a choice. I don't like having to kill."

"That's a childish perspective. If you intend to fend for yourself in the Demon Plane, then it's kill or be killed."

"I know that," Sayomi scowled. "That doesn't mean I need to enjoy it. I like fighting, but not killing."

"Then what's the point?" Hiei asked, glaring at her.

"Fighting is fun. But if you have to kill your opponent, then that takes away their chance to improve." Sayomi glared back at him and said, "Killing doesn't make you a better fighter. It just makes you a killer. If you really enjoy fighting, then why not let them live so you can enjoy a better fight another day?"

"So if someone tries to kill me, I should just let them walk away to try again?" Hiei scoffed. "That's ridiculous."

"Well, if he's trying to kill you, then that's another story." Sayomi tried to think of the right words so he could understand. "I understand self-defense, but I don't understand the need to kill your opponent."

"How did you survive your training?" Hiei asked.

"They didn't give me a choice," Sayomi defended. "That's why I understand self-defense, but the monks in Tourin didn't kill each other. They trained for the sake of improving. I don't see the point of training if you could die."

"If you don't win, then you'll die. It's the quickest way to learn." Hiei shrugged. "Not everyone grew up in a safe environment."

Sayomi bit her lip as his words struck a chord. He's right. It wasn't the best place, but it was pretty safe compared to the rest of the Demon Plane. She looked up and stared at his back. Being discarded the day he was born... I suppose he would know better than me in that regard.

"There's nothing wrong with being safe. It means you were cared for. You just need to understand not everyone is so fortunate. If you want to fight, then you'll need to realize the importance of survival. It's not all fun and games."

"So if you had to fight Yusuke or Kurama to the death, would you do it?"

"No," Hiei answered automatically. "It would be foolish to oppose either of them in a fight to the death. I can't say the same for many others."

"And if we had to fight to the death?" Sayomi asked, raising her brow curiously.

"That wouldn't be an option," Hiei said with certainty. "You can't kill me and I won't kill you. It's that simple."

"Yeah, but –"

Hiei stopped and turned to face her. He held her chin and kept her eyes on him as he said, "We are not in the Human World anymore. This isn't Tourin. The law of the Demon Plane is a matter of survival. I can't always be there to protect you, so you need to be able to fend for yourself, even if it means killing your opponent."

Sayomi stared at Hiei and said, "I get that, but why does it have to be that way?"

Hiei glared at her, but she glared back. Seeing that she wasn't going to change her mind on the issue, he let her go and continued down the hall. "You're a fool."

Sayomi frowned and followed after him. If the humans can coexist with each other, at least for the most part, then why can't demons? Are we really that different? The old man doesn't seem to think so.

The rest of the walk was quiet until they reached the mess hall. She could smell the food immediately after stepping through the threshold and it made her stomach growl. There weren't a lot of demons seated at the scattered tables. The few that were there kept to themselves and focused on their meals.

Sayomi followed Hiei to the short line to get their share. Soup again... Though I shouldn't complain. It's better than what the monks gave me.

Hiei led Sayomi to one of the small tables against the wall. It had become their spot over the past couple days and Sayomi didn't mind the privacy. They didn't waste time talking through their meal. They silently agreed it was better to save any conversation for when they were sure no one else was listening.

After they finished, they left their bowls and started walking back to the room. Sayomi glared down at the floor with her hands stuffed into her pockets. This is so boring. I'm tired of this place already.

You won't be saying that during training tomorrow. Hiei kept his eyes forward and his stride calm. It's our last day so you might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

Sayomi did her best to keep her expression neutral as they passed a couple demons in the hall. I want to enjoy it, but I'm not allowed to leave.

And what would you do if you were able to leave?

Sayomi almost shrugged. Maybe run or just enjoy being outside? I don't know how this place isn't driving you crazy.

Hiei smirked. If you want to go outside, then just sneak out.

Isn't Mukuro watching for that, though? She stared at an eyeball on the floor as she hopped over it.

If Mukuro's men are supposed to be the strongest in the area, then the demons outside should be no problem.

Sayomi scowled. No problem for you, maybe...

Which is why I'm going. We'll see how you do once we start training. Then we'll decide if you're ready to be out on your own.

Why am I being treated like a child who needs a babysitter?

Because you have childish ideals. Hiei glanced around to make sure there were no witnesses. Now are you coming or not?

Sayomi wasted no time merging with his shadow. Ready when you are.

Hiei used his Evil Eye and his speed to find his way out of the fortress. Once outside, Sayomi solidified from his shadow and took in a deep breath. She let out a big sigh of relief and smiled. Then she noticed the ground was rumbling beneath her feet. When she looked up, she noticed a giant bug-like creature moving through the trees.

"That is Mukuro's mobile fortress 'centipede,'" Hiei explained.

Sayomi stared after the giant bug in awe. "So we've been inside a living demon?"

"It's mobile, but it's not alive," Hiei answered. "It could've been alive once, but not since Mukuro claimed it as his base of operations."

"How do you know about this?" Sayomi asked.

"Its insides have been cleaned out almost completely. There are no organs to keep it alive, so we can assume it's just an empty shell. Mukuro probably found a way to keep it animated after death." Hiei turned to Sayomi. "We'll be fine as long as we can keep it in sight and make it back inside."

"That shouldn't be too hard, right?" Sayomi watched the fortress through the large dust cloud it raised behind it. No wonder I was going crazy in there...

"You're outside. Now what?"

"Huh?" Sayomi blinked and looked at Hiei. "Oh... I just needed a break from the creepy atmosphere. It feels like I'm constantly being watched in there. This feels better already." She started to stretch and jog in place to get her blood flowing.

"Hn." Hiei smirked. "Not even five minutes outside and you already let your guard down."

"Only because I have my babysitter to watch out for me," Sayomi teased. Then she covered herself with her aura and took off through the forest.

Hiei quickly chased after her. She stayed just within reach, then changed direction at the last second. He was quick to follow her dodges and he managed to keep her in sight. There were a few times he almost caught her, but his fingers only brushed through shadow.

As the game dragged on, Hiei got tired of playing. He picked up his speed and covered his hand in flames. As he closed in on her, the fire dissipated her aura and he managed to grab onto her arm and pin her to a tree.

"Ha ha ha ha!" Sayomi laughed as she tried to catch her breath. "Okay, you got me."

Hiei stared down at her. "You're giving up already?"

"Well, I suppose I could still slip free." She smirked as she started to meld in with the tree.

Hiei growled and ignited his hands just briefly enough to banish the shadows. "It won't be that easy."

Sayomi grinned and was about to try another escape tactic until a voice interrupted them.

"Release my sister, thief. She obviously doesn't want you touching her."

Hiei turned to glare over his shoulder. Sayomi peeked around the swordsman to see her brother glaring at them.

"Yasuhiro? Why are you out here?" Sayomi tried to step around Hiei, but he kept her out of her brother's view.

"Lord Mukuro ordered me to guard the fortress from assault." Yasuhiro kept his glare on Hiei as he crossed his arms. "Is there a reason the two of you are out here?"

"We have no obligation to tell you," Hiei said coldly.

Yasuhiro arched his brow, doubting the thief. "Is that so? I believe a brother has the right to know what his sister is up to."

"Guys!" Sayomi maneuvered her way around Hiei and jerked her thumb at herself. "I'm right here. You don't have to talk for me."

Hiei narrowed his eyes but kept his mouth shut. Yasuhiro kept his glare on Hiei, but spoke to Sayomi. "So, what are you doing out here, sis?"

"Just taking a breath of fresh air. We've been inside too long and needed a break." She crossed her arms and shrugged. "Besides, it's our last day off before we get back to training."

Yasuhiro shifted his glare towards Sayomi. "About your training..."

Sayomi felt her shadow twitch. She knew what he was going to say.

"She's training with me, per Mukuro's orders," Hiei said.

Yasuhiro glared back at Hiei. Meanwhile, Sayomi stared at the fire demon in shock. What happened to it not being his business?

Whether Hiei heard her or not, she couldn't tell. He only glared at Yasuhiro. When Sayomi looked back at her brother, she nearly flinched. His hands were balled into tight fists and his eyes were slowly getting darker.

"Then I will need to have a word with Lord Mukuro." Yasuhiro reached out to his sister. "Sayomi, come here."

Sayomi felt frozen. She couldn't turn away from Yasuhiro and she started to feel a heavy presence creep into her mind. She came back to her senses when Hiei grabbed hold of her wrist.

"I don't think so." Hiei stepped forward, glaring at Yasuhiro with his Evil Eye exposed and open. "I'm the one who told Mukuro to keep you away from her. I don't need a demon who lacks self-control to be anywhere near my mate."

"Hiei!" Sayomi looked back and forth between Hiei and Yasuhiro.

"Is that true?" Yasuhiro's bangs hung over his eyes, hiding them from view. His fists didn't relax, but they couldn't strain any tighter. "Sayomi... He's lying, right?"

Sayomi bit her lip and averted her eyes. Dammit, Hiei! Why did you have to tell him that?! Now he's really gonna get mad!

"Sayomi..."

Sayomi flinched when Yasuhiro called her.

"Tell me he's lying." Yasuhiro's shadow started to rise like smoke around his body. When he raised his gaze, his eyes were as dark as storm clouds. "You're not mates. Not my sister. Not with a traitor like you."

Hiei stood his ground between the siblings. His Evil Eye glowed as he prepared to counter whatever the shadow demon tried to do. His right hand twitched.

"Hiei?" Sayomi whispered quietly behind his back. "Let's just go back to the fortress." When Hiei didn't react to her suggestion, she silently melded with his shadow. Please, Hiei. This was a stupid idea. I know that now. Let's just go. Please...

Hiei shifted his footing, but Yasuhiro didn't hesitate. As soon as the shadow demon dashed forward, Hiei sprinted past him towards the giant centipede that was getting farther away. He kept running until they were back in their room.

Once they were safe, Sayomi manifested from Hiei's shadow and sank to the floor against the bed. She wrapped her cloak around her body and hugged her knees to her chest. She bowed her head against her knees and started taking deep breaths. After a few minutes she looked up at Hiei with wide eyes. "Why did you do that?"

"He was going to find out sooner or later." Hiei shrugged out of his cloak and tossed it on the bed. He kneeled down in front of her and looked at her directly. "If we keep it a secret, it would only make things worse. We're going back to training tomorrow and there's nothing he can do about it. If he can't learn to accept it with time, then there's no help for him."

"But... What if he loses control again?" Sayomi remembered the night she ran away. She shut her eyes and shook her head. "I don't know if I could..."

Hiei lifted her chin to look at him. "Then get stronger. Get strong enough to show him that you don't need him. If that still doesn't convince him to leave you alone, then I'll finish it for good."

"Would you really need to kill him?" Sayomi asked. Tears started building in her eyes, but she blinked them back.

"I can either kill him or let him fade on his own. Either way, I'm not letting him take you from me." Hiei leaned in and kissed her lips, pressing her back against the side of the bed.

Sayomi blushed and returned his kiss as a few of her tears slipped free. A brief memory of her smiling brother flashed in her mind. I just hope it won't have to come to either of those options...