Love for Hiei Part 4
Mai's POV:
One week has passed since I began living with Team Urameshi, and I've found common interests with all of them. I get along with Yusuke because he has been teaching me to use the Spirit Gun technique, Kuwabara because of our love for kittens, and Kurama because I now enjoy cooking as much as he does. Hiei talks to me more than he used to, which I feel is a good sign that he meant what he said about trusting me. Another sign that he trusts me is that he allows me entrance to his room, something he has only allowed Kurama and Yukina to do.
"Yo, Mai. Come here."
I entered the living room to see Yusuke and Hiei standing near a portal. I raised an eyebrow at Yusuke, and he smirked at my confused expression.
"It's a portal. Our boss, Koenma, summoned one so we can take you to meet him. Follow us."
After Yusuke disappeared, I looked at Hiei and he smirked.
"He likes to think he's in charge. Just do what he says; it enlightens him."
I giggled and we followed after Yusuke. I found myself standing in front of two giant, red doors which I assumed had Koenma's office behind them. Yusuke knocked on the doors loudly as soon as he approached them.
"Hey, Binky-Breath! We got Mai!"
"No need to yell, Yusuke. I can hear you just fine. Come on in."
We entered as the doors automatically opened. I saw who I assumed to be Koenma standing on top of the desk. I looked closely at him, and Koenma seemed to know what I was thinking.
"Don't let my appearance fool you, Mai. I am Koenma. Did Yusuke happen to fill you in on why I summoned you here?"
I shook my head and Yusuke laughed while putting a hand behind his head.
"Kinda neglected to tell her."
"I swear, Yusuke, it's a miracle how I've managed to put up with you for so long. Anyway Mai, Yusuke has mentioned to me about how you put your life on the line to help Yukina escape from that tiger demon, and he also tells me your Spirit Energy is quite strong. It'd be an honor to have you join Team Urameshi."
I looked at Hiei confused, and he sighed as he looked at Koenma.
"Koenma, it may help if you tell Mai exactly what it is we do."
"Ah, right. Well, Team Urameshi is a group of Spirit Detectives. What they do is make sure to bring back demons that have illegally entered the Human World, and to keep an eye on criminal activity here in Spirit World. Is this something you'd like to do?"
I smiled and nodded my head at the thought of helping my new friends. Koenma shook my hand and smiled.
"Welcome to Team Urameshi, Mai."
"Sorry sir, but you have to be taken to Spirit World Prison. You've been charged with illegal entry to the Human World, and as such must be taken into custody immediately."
We all stood up as we saw what appeared to be a couple ogres fighting off a red-headed fire demon. Obviously angry, the man was trying to pick a fight with Koenma for him noticing his illegal entry to the Human World. Yusuke approached and was able to help get the guy to the hall. After Koenma's doors were locked, Yusuke confronted the fire demon, who was now known to be Sora.
"Look, man. You got caught, and the rules say you have to be taken into custody. They're just doing their job."
Sora tried approaching Yusuke, but I got in front of him. Sora simply laughed as I did this.
"You really think a puny human girl like you can take on a fire demon like me? I'd like to see you try."
I smirked and decided to teach him a lesson by kicking him where the sun doesn't shine. Yusuke and Hiei flinched slightly at this action, not expecting me to do it. As guards took Sora away, Yusuke shuddered as he looked at me.
"Damn, Mai. Remind me not to get you mad."
I waved it off, as if to tell him he didn't need to worry about that. Just as we were leaving, I saw Sora coming at us from the corner of my eye. This time, he had a small knife in his hand.
"No one makes a fool out of Sora!"
He tried swinging it at Hiei, but I got in his way, taking the blow. I cringed in pain as the knife cut my stomach. I felt myself grow faint, then I passed out as I fell to the ground.
Hiei's POV:
I managed to catch Mai before she hit the ground.
"Mai..."
"Hiei, you take Mai to the infirmary. I'll stay with these guys when they take him into custody to make sure he doesn't try and escape again."
"Hn."
As quickly as I could, I took Mai to the infirmary, and was immediately greeted by a group of doctors. One of them placed her onto a bed.
"Koenma told us you'd be bringing her in. We'll take care of her."
I was about to leave when I felt Mai take my hand. She looked up at me weakly, and my eyes widened as I saw tears fall down her face.
"Hiei, please stay."
I was shocked beyond belief at finally hearing her talk. Her voice sounded as innocent at Yukina's voice, but Mai's words sounded like they came from the mouth of an angel. I looked at one of the doctors, and she smiled at me.
"You may stay if you wish. There's a chair beside the bed."
I sat as I watched them work on Mai's stomach wound. I sensed that the others have arrived, and I was about to stand up when I felt Mai place a hand on my shoulder.
"Where are you going?"
"The others just showed up. I'm going to inform them of how you're doing."
"Promise you'll come back?"
I smiled slightly as I placed a hand on hers.
"Of course I'll come back. I never break a promise to a friend. As soon as they give me the word, I'll come back in."
"Okay."
I exited the infirmary and saw Kurama, Yusuke, and Koenma sitting on a bench in the hall. They stood up as I approached them. Yusuke spoke up first.
"How is she?"
"They're working on her right now. The cut on her stomach looked pretty bad."
"Damn."
Kurama narrowed his eyes as a doctor emerged.
"How is she?"
"She'll survive, but must refrain from heavy activity because there's always a chance of her wound reopening. Hiei, you may go in and see her now."
Koenma smiled and looked at Mai.
"Took a lot of guts to do what she did."
"Yeah, Binky-Breath, you're right about that. Got the guy really good down below, if you catch my drift."
I smirked as Koenma and Kurama shuddered. I reentered the room to see Mai was sitting up on the bed, smiling.
"How can you be smiling after what happened today?"
"The doctor said the cut wasn't deep enough to prove fatal. Also, I saved the life of a friend today."
"You didn't have to, you know. I could've easily dealt with Sora."
She smiled at me again as I helped her off of the bed.
"I know, but I acted on an instinct, Hiei. I already lost someone once to a wacko, and I didn't want to see it happen again."
I looked away as I recalled seeing her father die in her memory. I can understand why she acted on her instinct now. After we got her home, Yukina was there to greet us.
"Just place her on the couch, Hiei. She shouldn't move around too much."
"Hn."
Mai looked at me weakly, and I smirked.
"I'll see about making you some tea."
She smiled at the idea, and I joined Kurama in the kitchen. As I heated the water, Kurama smiled.
"I saw you talking to Mai in the infirmary. How does it feel to be the first person she talked to since arriving here?"
"What's it to you, fox?"
"I can tell you looked slightly surprised when we showed up, and the only thing I can think of was that Mai talked to you."
"She trusted me, and that's why she talked to me. What's it to you whether she did or not?"
Kurama placed the tea bag into the hot water and shook his head.
"All I'm saying, Hiei, is that I've noticed the two of you getting quite close since you became friends with her."
"That may be, Kurama, but whether she has talked to me or not is not your business. She asked on the way here to not tell anyone of what we discussed in the infirmary, and I plan on holding to that agreement."
I gave the tea to Mai, who gratefully drank from the glass. I picked up her legs so I could sit down, and she responded by placing them on my lap. She smirked at me as she did so.
"I intend to relax on this couch, even if it means using you as a leg rest."
"Is that so?"
I took the cup of tea from her and she narrowed her eyes at me.
"Give it back."
"Why should I?"
"I said so, that's why."
"Give me one reason why I should, Mai."
"Remember what I did to Sora back at Koenma's office? I could repeat that with you if you don't hand it over."
"Fine, take it back."
She stuck her tongue out at me as she took back the tea. I smirked and shook my head as I walked away. Thinking of all that she did for me since she got here made me pleased to know I'm doing the right thing by trusting her.
That's a wrap for part 4. Mai is injured at Koenma's office while protecting Hiei, and Hiei is relieved to see her wound isn't life-threatening. She is due to make a full recovery, much to the pleasure of the others. Part 5 will feature Mai having made a full recovery from her stomach wound. Also in part 5, Hiei decides to take Mai to the place of his birth, the land of the Ice Apparitions. Stay tuned to see what happens