The kitchen and servant's quarters were mass chaos. Probably some of the midwives that had been in the room when Otome had been killed had ran here, to report. All of the slaves shied away from us, obviously afraid that we would kill them next. I tried to appear as harmless as possible, but I don't think it worked well, considering I was covered in Otome's blood.
"Miss Aya!" A small voice cried from somewhere in the midst of cowering servants. I caught sight of movement, and before I knew it, Wakana had threw her arms around my waist, hugging me tightly.
"You're safe!" She cried. "I thought for sure that Master would kill you!"
Smiling fondly, I bent down so that I was eyelevel with the little girl. "Otome's gone, Wakana. You never have to be afraid of him again."
Wakana looked surprised, and almost like she didn't believe me. I stood up again, keeping a hand on Wakana's shoulder.
"We've come to help you get out," I announced to the room of people. "Otome is dead, so there's no reason for any of you to stay here."
"But…" A timid voice called out. "Where will we go?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. You're free to choose."
Hiei snorted. "Sure, that's helpful." I glared at him.
"Just shut up and help," I snapped. I was grateful to have Hiei here, considering I thought I'd done something wrong on our trip together, but still. Sometimes he could be such a little brat!
The five…No, six of us led the slaves out of the mansion. I had no idea where we even were, but apparently, Hiei did. He stayed at the front of the group, sullenly ignoring the rest of us. I was starting to wonder if he was suffering some sort of male demon PMS, if that even existed. And people called me hormonal! Still…Was something my fault? Argh!
"What's up, Aya? You look…Upset." Kuwabara observed.
"Nothing," I replied, a little bit snippy. Kuwabara didn't question me further. He had been around me for enough years to know when to shut up if he knew what was good for him.
Sonata squealed, a noise that I think meant she was getting hungry. Hiei looked back to glare at her in annoyance. Was that it? Did he just not like children? I brushed my hand on Sonata's tails, and she cooed. Curious, I reached up and scratched her ears. She liked that too. I wouldn't have been surprised if she started purring. Kurama chuckled.
"Hey, hey, let's save the mushy for when we get home," Yusuke warned us. I rewarded him with an irritated glare. But nevertheless, I took my hand away from Sonata and my husband, and concentrated on the escape.
**************
"Fresh air!" I exclaimed when we were outside. During the whole time of my captivity, I hadn't been outside once. It was wonderful. I danced around in the sunlight, causing my friends and a few of the ex-slaves to laugh. Ah, the sweetness of a good frolic.
"You were only in there for little over three weeks," Hiei commented, as though he thought my moderately-wild frolicking was completely idiotic. Okay, I'd had enough of this!
I spun around, walking right up to Hiei and sticking my face in his. "Okay, whatever problem you have with me, you need to talk to me about it, instead of getting crabby about it, got it?"
Hiei snarled at me. "It's none of your business! Leave it alone."
"Umm…" Kurama said awkwardly. "We'll just go on. Catch up with us when you're ready." He and the others all walked right past us. I turned my attention back to a now very pissed Hiei.
"Look, just talk to me!" I pressed. Hiei looked away from me, his lips curling over his teeth angrily.
"Why should I?" Hiei hissed. "Why should you care about what's going on with me?"
I grabbed his arm to force him to look directly at me. His eyes were practically on fire (not too much of a stretch, considering he was a fire demon, after all) as he glared at me. "I care because you're my best friend, you moron! I'm sorry if I've done something, but no matter what, I'll always love you-"
Hiei tore his arm out of my grasp and leapt away. "Don't say that!" He snapped. Not so much with anger anymore, just fear and surprise. Curious…
"Look," He said quietly. "There's nothing you've done wrong. Nothing. So don't worry about it, okay? I'll be fine."
"I don't know that," I replied, taking a step closer to him. "I just want you to be happy again, like we used to be."
He sighed. "I don't think we can ever be the way we were again. It's just…Something. But like I said, don't worry. I'll get over it."
I hesitated, before pulling away from him. "Alright…Well, just…Be careful, I guess. And make sure you don't be a stranger. I'm sure Sonata will love growing up with you around."
Hiei smirked. "Of course she will." And then, before my eyes, he vanished.
**************
I jogged lightly to catch up with the others. I didn't think too much heavy exercise was good for a girl who'd just given birth, even if I was a badass demon.
"Where's Hiei?" Kurama asked when I trotted up to his side.
I smiled, certain that everything was going to be okay with my short-tempered little friend. "He'll meet us back in Tokyo." I answered. Kurama gave me a funny look.
"Is he alright…?" He asked slowly. I nodded, almost before Kurama had finished the question.
"Yeah, I think he is."
"If you ask me," Kuwabara grumbled, "he needs to pull his head out of his a-"
I smacked him on the back of his head before he could finish his sentence. "Be quiet, you twerp."
"Ow!"