Chapter 6: Just the two of Us

Hayami's POV

"Are you sure you'll be all right on your own here in spirit world?" Ranumi asked as her eyes diverted towards Hiei who lying on the medical bed.

Currently, right now, we're in spirit world. Botan already returned the artifacts to the vault and told Koenma about what happened. Kurama is here with Ranumi, mostly just to accompany her in heading back to the living world.

"Yeah, I'll be fine, sister." I said to her, "After all..." I looked back at Hiei's sleeping form, "...I think me and him need to have a long chat."

Ranumi smiled in understanding. "I see. I'll just tell father that you'll be coming home late. Besides, I think you both do need to talk." She said,

"Right." I said,

"It's getting late. It's best if we head back before our parents start to question." Kurama said as Ranumi nodded,

"I'll see you back home, Hayami. Bye." Ranumi said as she and Kurama waved at me as they left.

I looked back at Hiei as I walked up to the chair beside the bed and sat on it with my arms and legs crossed. I glanced down at Hiei's sleeping face and just stared at him.

I always remember that he would always lean on me when he was going to take a nap. At first, I wasn't comfortable with it, until I got used to it. It somehow brought us closer the more we hang out back in demon world. No words were needed, but just each other's presence was enough for us to feel the comfort that we want.

'I guess this is why I'm attracted to you Hiei.' I thought as I gently moved some hair off his face. 'Even if I avoided you, you still decided to stay close to me. It's nice to know you still care about me.'

I saw his eyes twitch as I quickly moved my hand away, almost holding my breath. Hiei slowly opened his eyes as he scanned the room before noticing me. His eyes widen a little at the sight of me.

"Hayami...?" He hoarsely said before sitting up and noticing that his right hand was cuffed to the bed railings.

He sighed deeply before looking at my blood-stained shirt, to where I was stabbed. "Care to explain why you took the attack for the detective." He demanded, looking up at me.

"I did what I think was necessary. In order for Yusuke to be saved and for you to know that I will only be assisting him." I said to him, "The detective may be a rookie, but tonight he was just lucky that his spirit gun bounced off the mirror and hit you from behind."

"What do you mean 'lucky'?" He asked,

"Let's just say he wasn't sure. He's one lucky fool." I said with a slight smile.

We both stayed in silence for a good minute until he spoke. "Why, Onna?"

"Hm?"

"Why did you let me just stab you back there?" He asked, "I could've killed you if Ranumi wasn't there in time." There was a hint of guilt in his eyes when he said that.

"Let's be honest, it was bound to happen at some point." I said bluntly. "Of course, it wouldn't have happened if you didn't decide to suddenly kidnap me and brought me to the place where you were gonna kill the Yusuke. Not to mention turning his childhood friend into a demon." I pointed out with an annoyed look on my face.

"I didn't want you to get involved with the detective in the first place, Hayami." He said, raising his voice slightly. "I couldn't risk hurting you."

"Yet you did. Literally." I said,

Hiei sighed heavily looking at the ground. "Why did you decide to stay?" He asked, "I expected you to leave once I woke up, but this time you stayed. Why?"

I closed my eyes before looking at him again. "Because we need to talk...about us." I looked away, not wanting to see his face when I told 'us'. "I get that you only stayed in the living to find Yukina one day, but why do you keep telling me to stay by your side if you'd just keep your distance." I said looking back at him.

"I just can't lose you again, Onna." Hiei said, "When you first jump off the cliff that day, I couldn't see you with my Jagan eye, but I know that you weren't dead. But when I felt that sudden energy burst, I knew something was wrong. As words quickly spread throughout demon world that you and your family were said to be dead."

"And then what?" I asked,

"I kept searching for you, not believing that you were dead as I looked for the Glacial village. That's where I learned about Yukina." He explained, "For years I kept denying that you weren't dead until I nearly lost hope of ever finding you. Of course, that's when we crossed paths again along with Kurama."

"I'm guessing from that point, you never want to leave me alone, but have been trying to enter my mind." I said in which he looked away with guilt and embarrassment on his face. "I gotta admit, I'm actually not surprised how committed you are to staying just to watch over me. You've been like this back when we first met and up until now."

"You just had to throw it in there, did you Onna." He said as I smirked.

"Maybe." I replied, "To tell you the truth, I miss this."

"What do you mean?" He asked,

"You know, this. Just the two of us talking or just being comfortable with each other's presence." I slightly blushed at this, "And despite that, I kept avoiding you, I actually missed you."

Hiei's eyes widen at what I said as our eyes locked for a moment. Like how time just stopped then and there. There was a hint of longing as I stared at his crimson eyes. And I swear I saw a faint red on his cheeks. Is Hiei blushing?!

"Hayami I-" He tried to speak but was cut off by another voice that entered the room.

"Sorry to interrupt." We both turned to see a red ogre on the door. "But he must be brought to his cell until sir Koenma finds a suitable punishment for him." The guard said,

I heard Hiei growling as I sighed and stood up from my seat. "Very well. Just tell Koenma that I'll return in the morning. I'm sure he and Botan wouldn't mind." I said,

"Of course." He said as he went to take Hiei,

'You're coming tomorrow?' Hiei spoke through my mind catching me a bit off guard.

'I forgot about his telepathy powers.' I thought, 'I might as well see what punishment Koenma has for you, Hiei.' I told him through my mind as I looked back at him once more and said, "Goodnight, Hiei." I turned towards the door as I left the room.

A portal was already ready for me to go through as I gladly walked right in it and ended up in front of my house again.

"Home, sweet home." I said walking up to the door. "I hope Hiei would be all right."

Hiei's POV

I was placed in spirit world's prison cell with both my hands cuffed up. I sat in the darkness of the cell as my mind wandered about what me and Hayami spoken about earlier.

"Let's be honest, it was bound to happen at some point."

"And despite that, I kept avoiding you, I actually missed you."

"Just tell Koenma that I'll return in the morning."

"Goodnight, Hiei."

Her words repeatedly rang through my mind as I thought of what I'll do the next time I see her.

Hayami is someone who's open to people she trusts. Even if she's known them for a short time but has proven that they're capable of something more. She isn't too quick to judge, only by others' behavior and attitude.

'That girl has always caught me off guard.' I smirked at the thought, 'I suppose this is why I admire her so much.'

It was now the next day. I looked up at the cell door from the shadows, seeing it open as the ogre walked in and dragged me out of the cell. I still have the cuffs on my hands as he walked me towards that fool Koenma's office.

The large door opened to see the grim reaper and Hayami in the room, along with the toddler on his desk.

I couldn't help but gaze upon the half-water demon's beauty. Her natural beauty is unlike no other, but what made me even more attracted to her is the look in her eyes. Those eyes were fierce and not a single fear was caught in those eyes.

"Ah Hiei, I see that you're here." Koenma said, "Now then, we can now begin in choosing your punishment."

I just rolled my eyes and just listened to what he had to say.

"Given your records, you stole the shadow sword, nearly turned Keiko into a demon and hypnotized about 20 humans at once." He stated as he looked at me. "For your punishment, I'm confining you in the city until further notice. Which means you'll be staying with Hayami and her family in the home that I've provided for them."

All of us, except Hayami, were shocked that this. Not that I don't mind the punishment, but it's about how many times me and Hayami will be seeing each other.

"Koenma have you lost your mind?!" The grim reaper asked, "After what he did to Hayami, you can't possibly be letting Hiei come near to her."

"Botan, it's fine." Hayami said, "It's not a big deal, plus I'm just fine."

"How could you possibly say that?"

"Ranumi already scolded me since last night at the warehouse and father only got worried, but not as much as Ranumi." Hayami explained, "Besides, I'm only watching over Yusuke and assisting him whenever it is necessary."

"Of course, since Hayami's orders are to give Yusuke an assist, she pretty much doesn't have much to do other than help Ryuji with anything necessary. And so Hayami, you'll be watching over Hiei. Are you sure you're all right with this?" Koenma asked

She only nodded before moving her eyes towards me and then back to Koenma.

"Very well. Hiei, you'll be released by tomorrow and you must be with Hayami at all times." He said to me,

"Hn, as if I would leave her side. It's better than staying in the prison cell." I said to him,

"Then it's settled, two may go."

Hayami nodded once more we all exited the room.

"Anyways, I should be with Yusuke by now. I'm sure you can handle things on your own from here." The blue-haired said to Hayami.

"Don't worry, Botan. I'll be just fine." Hayami replied,

"In that case, I'll be off now." She said as he made her oar appear and flew off.

The ogre then started to drag me back to the cell. Hayami stopped him.

"I'll take it from here and don't worry, I will bring him back to the cell." Hayami said the ogre guard as he left us alone.

"You're alright with the punishment I was given?" I asked her and she nodded.

"Not that I don't mind, but I guess it's alright." She said, "I really don't have much to do, besides helping my father with things he needs and mostly just have the rest of the time to myself."

"Hn. Your human life has just made it dull for you, Onna." I said,

"Actually, I don't mind. It actually helps me calm down." I looked at her in confusion as she smirked, "You'll see once you get out."

"Hn...So pretty much once I got out by tomorrow, I'll be stuck with you." I said smirking at her,

Hayami narrowed her eyes and looked away as a faint blush was seen on her cheeks. "I suppose." She said crossing her arms, "Might as well bring you back to your cell before they think that I tried to help you escape." She placed her hand on my shoulder as we both started walking toward my prison cell.

Silence just filled our ears as we walked the whole way. I glanced at Hayami to see that her eyes are straight in front but looking at the ground. I knew something was wrong. I've seen this plenty of times. Especially when I was about to get my Jagan implant.

'Onna, what's wrong?' I asked her through telepathy,

'Nothing of importance Hiei.' She replied,

'Don't play with me, Hayami. I know you too well and just by the look in your eyes, I could easily tell that something is bothering you. So, what's wrong?'

'I'm just worried about father. He's going on another business trip for two months. He won't be home for a while, and he will be away from me and Ranumi.'

'You know your father can take care of himself, Onna. After all, he did also raise you and your sister.'

'I guess so.'

We both reached the prison section and Hayami stood by the door as I entered. I looked back once more at the water apparition that I have come to admire. She was smiling. That smile of hers would always make my demon heart beats faster.

"I'll see you soon." She said putting her hands in her pockets.

I have her a small smile, "You too, Onna." I said as she turned around and walked away while I turned to return to my cell.

The only joy I found was waiting for this day to end to stay by her side once more.