I couldn't run fast in my condition, so I really wondered how far I would get before Hiei get suspicious and alert Kurama. I considered stealing a car (I had never hotwired a car before, but I was sure I could manage it) and speeding out of range of Hiei as fast as possible…But with my lack of driving skills, that presented more of a possibility of death than any S Class demon. As I considered my options on the roof of that building, I worried so much I was afraid I would pop the baby out five weeks premature. I had to try something soon.

After sliding awkwardly down the ladder, I began to hobble off towards the city limits as fast as I could. I'm sure a turtle with two legs could have beat me in a race. Sweat dripped down my forehead as I stayed wary of any sounds that could announce the presence of a murderous demon or a furious husband, both equally dangerous.

A hand grabbed my shoulder, halting me in my tracks. My suppresses human scream-reflex shot into full gear and I opened my mouth to shriek. The hand quickly left my shoulder to cover my mouth. My body was getting ready to panic, but my eyes recognized the hand wraps…

"Mmmm-mmm?" I mumbled against the hand. My captor released me, and I turned to face him.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Hiei asked. I couldn't tell whether he was angry or just curious. And I didn't know how to answer so that he would let me go without telling anyone.

"I'm going to Shi-Odori Hospital to discover who's after me." Honesty was always the best policy. Or so they said. "I didn't want anyone to know so that no one else gets hurt."

Hiei raised his right eyebrow. "You're going alone?" He asked in disbelief.

I bristled. "Of course! I am a grown woman, you know."

"I can see that," he replied, eyeing my bulging stomach. I rolled my eyes. Must everyone poke fun at the pregnant lady?! Before I could say anything else, Hiei walked past me, in the direction I had been running in a minute ago. Curiously, I began to follow him.

"Where are you going?" I asked in confusion. I would've thought he was going to haul me straight back to Kurama.

"Mmmm?" Hiei replied. "To Kyoto, of course."

In my surprise, I forgot to look when I was walking, and stumbled, nearly belly-planting it. Hiei caught my waist, and easily swung me up in his arms.

"It'll be quicker and far less dangerous this way," He explained, before taking off running. I smiled, and snuggled against Hiei's chest to keep myself and the baby warm.

"You are the best friend ever," I told him, "and when we get back, I am going to buy you a badge or something that says exactly that."

"Please don't," Hiei replied. But as I laid my head back against his chest, I could hear him chuckle softly.

**************

I fell asleep in Hiei's arms, and when I woke up, he was slowing down. We were in a forest, and dawn had come and gone. Hiei looked a little tired, so I assumed he was looking for a place to rest. Guiltiness washed over me as I realized he had been carrying me for so long.

"We'll rest during the day," he explained. "It's too hot to run for long and it'll be easier to spot us."

"Alright, sir," I consented instantly. Considering how much he was doing for me, I wanted to be as agreeable as possible.

Hiei soon dropped off to sleep. I felt at ease. He would sense the moment anything meaning us harm came anywhere near. If that did happen, I hoped that this time he would be able to fight whatever it was off.

Despite the fact that I had slept for who knew how many hours, I found myself drifting off into sleep.

A few hours later, I was woken up when the wind rustled through the trees, making me shiver. It looked like a storm was coming in, and right now, I was too weak from the pregnancy to keep myself warm. I considered my options. I could try to start a fire, but I could probably burn the whole forest down in the attempt. While thinking, my eyes fell open the little fire demon, propped up against a tree, snoozing peacefully. I smiled wickedly. I'm sure Hiei wouldn't mind…

I crawled over to him, careful not to make a sound that would wake him. The closer I got to him, the slower I moved, taking a small enjoyment in my little game. When I was right next to him, I cuddled against him, soaking in his natural warmth. He didn't wake up. Now comfortable, I once again lapsed into slumber.

**************

I re-entered wakefulness in stages. By the time I was fully aware of what was going on around me, I remembered I had fallen asleep snuggled up against Hiei. I looked up at him, cautiously. I was surprised to see him with his arms folded behind his head, his red eyes looking up into the tree canopy. I didn't know how long he had been awake, but I suddenly felt ashamed that he had been forced to stay here with me.

He noticed my movements, and looked down at me. He gave me one of his rare smiles.

"Good evening."

"What?" I squealed. "It's evening already?!" No wonder I felt so hungry.

"Apparently we slept all day." From how he phrased that, I hoped it meant he hadn't woken up too long ago.

Hiei scooted away from me slightly, a clear indication that he meant to get up (which triggered the guilty factor yet again). I leaned away from him to support myself, and he gracefully got to his feet. Then, I noticed the fire burning and two rabbits that were roasting over it. So he had managed to get up without me noticing. I was temporarily impressed by that feat before the hunger replaced all other emotions. The rabbit smelled delicious. Hiei picked up the stick the rabbits were speared on, obviously not bothered by the fact that the stick must be extremely hot. He waited for the meat to cool off, before breaking the stick in half between the two rabbits, and handing me one of them. I tore into the charred flesh, savoring the taste. I ate like I had been starving for weeks until I began to feel my stomach calm down and stop rumbling. I looked up at Hiei, who was eating his rabbit slower and with more dignity than I.

"I'm sorry," I apologized. Hiei gave me a strange look.

"For what?"

"For…You know…Using you as a pillow without your permission." Wow, that sounded awkward. I may be twenty-two, but sometimes, I felt like I still had the disposition of a teenager.

Hiei bit off a strip of rabbit meat, and shrugged. "I didn't mind," he said with his mouth still full. "Feel free."

I smiled to myself. In the years that I had known Hiei, he had sure changed. In my opinion, it was purely for the better.

Warning: There is going to be a lot of Aya nad Hiei fluff. I'm a big Hiei fan...Sorry Kurama fans!