Chapter Eighteen: Admitting Love
Hiei had watched Akamery during the night, but partway through; he leaned back against the wall and fell asleep himself with Akamery in his arms. At dawn, as the light came through her window, Hiei awoke. He realized what he had done and quickly looked down at Aka.
"Thank god..." Hiei breathed with relief. Aka was breathing normally, and she seemed to be in a deep sleep.
Hiei gazed dawn at Akamery. Her below-the-shoulder length dark-brown with red hair had been taken out of her usual high-and-tight ponytail so she could lay her head flat on the pillow. A small memory came back as he sat there with her in his arms.
It was of a long time ago, during the DT. The girls, Botan, Keiko, and his sister, Yukina, had joined them in Team Urameshi's hotel room with Kurama and Kuwabara. They had all soon started playing cards with the boys. Soon after, Aka had joined in.
…Flashback…
They played, laughed, and had lots of fun. When Yukina fell asleep, Akamery had been the one to put the Ice Maiden in Yusuke's bed since the detective was not going to be back that night. She played a bit more, until she fell asleep on Kurama's shoulder. Kurama smiled softly at Aka's sleeping face and looked at Botan when she spoke.
Botan giggled, "She looks so peaceful when she's asleep," she commented and the other two girls, Shizuru and Keiko, agreed.
Shizuru nodded looking at Aka, "Just like an angel."
…End Flashback…
"Just like an angel," Hiei looked at Akamery again. His expression softened, and he smiled warmly, 'That she is,' and he took her hand in his. 'I hope you know…' he thought to her, 'I love you. I will stay by your side, like you have been for me. I will never leave you.' Akamery shifted, a small smile spread over her lips, and she squeezed his hand in response.