Chapter 15: Mates & Invitations

Hayami's POV

Having Yukina around the house was actually enjoyable for the past two days. Koenma asked my father if it was okay for her to stay with us to help her mental state and we agreed. She isn't what any other ice apparitions are, she has a warm and kind heart and a very innocent soul. All this time, she has been looking for Hiei and now the siblings are back together. I was happy for them.

Hiei would often watch her from the window whenever she and Ranumi are in the garden. He'd even offered her to have a walk around town, which was very sweet of him to do that for his twin sister.

Ranumi would always spend time with Yukina and have grown very close in just a matter of days. Yukina would also insist on helping me and Father make meals at times, which was very sweet of her.

Right now, it was the weekends and usually, we would visit master Genkai, though we received a letter from her saying that she won't be at the temple for a few days, so we decided to stay home.

I was sitting on the roof looking at the sunset while holding Hiei's ring. I looked down at it, thinking of my decision in accepting to be his mate. I know what I said about the condition I told him and Hiei has been patiently waiting, much to my surprise.

It's been about three weeks since he gave it to me and I have been observing his presence, noticing that it is constantly near me, like Hiei doesn't really want me to go. Not to mention the possessive behavior that I've never seen from him, whether it's on missions with Yusuke or when we're alone. I will admit that I find his possessive behavior quite humorous.

When Yukina and Ranumi saw the ring, they told me that I should accept it without a second thought.

Ranumi's reason was for me to have a life with someone like Hiei. Mostly for her to stop worrying about me whenever I'm alone and for me to stop looking after her through my water mirror. Despite how many times she got upset about me being reckless, I could only be amused by her scolding. Yet she does have a point in me always watching over her. Also, Kurama is with her every day, and I have no complaints about it.

Yukina on the other hand was happy and excited for me. She told me that Hiei and I would be perfect for each other, considering how long we've known one another and that she noticed Hiei always stares at me without me noticing, which made me get flustered. Not only that, but she also already sees me and Ranumi as her sisters.

I sighed and I felt Hiei's presence beside me. I didn't have to look, knowing he would just stay to keep me company. I just want to know if he is serious about this, because I don't want to be made a fool of for being taken for granted.

"Hiei." I called his attention as I looked up at him to see that he was already looking at me. "There's just something I wanna ask. You should probably sit down," I said as he sat down beside me.

"What is it?" He asked as he saw the ring in my hand, "Have you made your decision yet?"

"About that Hiei, are you really sure you want me to be your mate?" I asked, looking at him seriously, "I mean, sure Yukina is okay with it, it's just I don't want to make a mistake in choosing-"

He silenced me by placing a finger on my lips as he leaned closer. "I don't want anyone else, but you Hayami." He said, "You're a beautiful and powerful woman. Don't compare yourself to others because I've already laid my eyes on you." He caressed the side of my face, leaning his head closer. "And you won't make a mistake in choosing me, because I will never leave the mate that has gone beyond my expectations for any woman. Hayami, I will never leave you if you were to be my mate for eternity."

"You're really committed to being with me." I said, "Much less, very protective and possessive."

He smiled, "That's because of how much I love you, Onna. That is...if you willing to accept me to be yours."

"You don't have to ask or wait anymore." I said smiling, closing my eyes as I leaned over, pressing my lips against his.

His honest answer was all I needed to hear in order to be sure that he was the one for me. Hiei loves me, despite me being a half-demon and I love him, despite of him being a rogue or a criminal. We may both be outcasted by what we are, but we didn't care. We loved each other for who we are and that is what matters most to us.

Hiei gently held the back of my head, deepening the kiss we both shared. There was a sense of desire and longing in the kiss we shared, and it just feels like time has just stopped. For what felt like hours was only a minute, we slowly pulled away. Just a few inches from each other's faces.

"Does this mean?" He asked as I nodded, seeing him smile softly was something he would only show me and Yukina. "Thank you, Onna. You have no idea how happy I am to hear that."

"I love you, Hiei." I said looking at his crimson eyes that were filled with love and desire. "No other man could ever make me feel like this the way you do."

"I love you too, Hayami." He said pressing his forehead against mine. "Even if it's for all eternity. As long as you're here beside me."

"I couldn't agree more." I smiled as he leaned forward, giving me another kiss. This time it was filled with joy as we both accepted to be mates for each other.

"Hiei, have you told father about this?" I pulled away and asked, knowing what must be done to be officially mates.

I blushed at the thought as Hiei smirked and tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Don't worry, Onna. I've already asked his permission before giving you the ring." He said as he grabbed the ring from my hand and inserted it into my right ring finger. "He's already aware, Hayami. I don't want to force you into mating with me." He caresses my cheek as he pressed our foreheads together.

I blushed furiously at the mention of 'mating'.

"It's alright, Hiei. I don't mind." I said as I kissed the palm of his hand that caressed my cheek. "I'd honestly feel pissed if anyone dares to flirt with you and I know you'd feel the same for me. I've seen it plenty of times with you." I chuckled lightly as I looked at him, only to see a playful glare.

Hiei only pulled me closer to him as he made a playful growl. I can only chuckle at his response as I felt a kiss on my head.

"If I ever see any man who will flirt or look at you pervertedly, I will kill them." He said as I'm still within his embrace.

"Possessive now, are we?" I teased, looking up at him,

"Only when it comes to you. I can't lose you now that you've accepted to be mine." He said,

"You know I could be a real handful, right?" I asked,

"I know and I don't mind." He kissed me again passionately,

We both stayed on the roof for a few more minutes before heading back inside for dinner. Of course, Ranumi and Yukina squealed in delight to finally see me wearing the ring Hiei gave me.

Father gave me big hug before telling Hiei to not make too much noise to which I yelled at him, feeling embarrassed by my own father. I saw Hiei smirk when father said that as Yukina hugged her brother in surprise and giggled. Father only chuckled and said that Hiei was perfect for me. I couldn't agree more.

Dinner went by quickly as we all rested for a while. Father excused himself for the night as he went to his room to finish his paperwork. Ranumi and Yukina both excuses themselves as well, leaving me and Hiei alone in the living room.

"They're really trying to give us some space, aren't they?" I asked Hiei who wrapped his arm over my shoulder, pulling me to lean on his chest.

"Either they want us to enjoy the night or just want to stay out it." Hiei responded,

"I still can't believe Yukina is okay with this." I said, looking up at him, "I mean, I've only known her for literally two days, and she was perfectly fine with the idea."

"I'm actually surprised. Though I'm glad that she's happy for me." Hiei said as he looked at me,

"So how about you?" I asked teasingly, "Are you gonna be okay if Kuwabara and Yukina ever got together?"

We've all noticed how Kuwabara acts around Yukina. Proving that he was strong and noble, even posing at her, much to Hiei's annoyance and to my amusement upon seeing this.

"Don't even remind me of the fool showing off to her." He looked away with a slight annoyance on his face. "Yes, he and the detective stopped the Toguros, but I doubt that it will happen at anytime soon."

I lightly chuckled and he suddenly carried me bridal style and walked up to my room. I blushed furiously at this as he entered my room and gently placed me on the bed he went to lock the doors and closed the curtains, before turning back to face me with love and lust in his eyes.

If this is a dream, I might never want to wake up.

Hiei's POV

I slowly opened my eyes to the sunlight shining from the window as I looked around to room before landing my gaze on the most beautiful woman lying next to me. Our last night's activity came flashing back as I stared at my new mate, who is sleeping in my arms.

I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and tuck a strand of her hair behind her ears, causing her to flutter her eyes open.

"Good morning, Onna." I greeted her as she smiled in her half-asleep state and came closer to snuggle at my bare chest and used the blankets to cover her chest.

"Had a good night's sleep?" She asked, still having her eyes closed.

I pulled her closer to me. "Best sleep I had in years." I said, giving her a morning kiss on the lips.

"Me too, Hiei." She said as went to give small kisses on my chest.

I smiled as I looked at the mark on her right arm. She was finally mine and I couldn't be happier to have her forever in my life.

"I'm gonna go take a shower." Hayami said as she sat up and grabbed her robe and headed into the bathroom.

I sighed with a small smile on my face as I laid back on her bed, staring at the ceiling. I still couldn't believe that the girl I have been longing for is finally my mate and that she is really mine.

I sat up and grabbed a spare bathrobe that she left for me and wear it for now as I walked towards her balcony door and opened it as I looked at the view of the early morning in front of me.

Few minutes later, Hayami finished showering and let me use her bathroom. I gave her a quick kiss before entering. When we were done fixing ourselves for the morning, we walked downstairs to see her family and my sister eating breakfast.

"Morning father." Hayami greeted him and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Morning to you too, my ocean." Ryuji said as he took a sip of his coffee. "Morning to you as well, Hiei." He said as I nodded at him.

"So, did you have fun last night?" Ranumi teased with a smirk on her face as Yukina just giggled,

"Ranumi." Hayami warned her despite the embarrassed smile on her face.

I sat beside Yukina while Hayami sat beside her sister.

"Anyways, Koenma sent a letter to me just this morning." Ryuji said,

"What does it say, Mr. Ryuji?" Yukina asked,

"Well, it pertains to you, Yukina, about returning you back to the ice world." He said, "Koenma said that it would be safer for you to return to the world of ice so that greedy humans like Tarukane could never find you again."

As much as I want to protest, I have to agree. I don't want Yukina to go through another torture of using her tears to make a fortune. She's suffered enough.

"I see." Yukina said sadly as I gently rubbed her shoulder. She looked at me and smiled sadly.

"We're all serious about this?" Ranumi asked sadly,

"Ranumi, it's best if Yukina returned to the Ice world." Hayami said looking at her sister. "I'm not saying that I don't want Yukina here. In fact, I really enjoyed her staying with us. But you must consider her safety. And after all the torture and abuse that those bastards did to her, we all know we couldn't afford to let it happen again."

"I... I understand." She said sadly,

"It's okay, Ranumi. I also believe that it is best for me to stay in the world of ice. After all, ice apparitions like me are supposed to stay hidden." Yukina said, "I'm just glad that I was able to meet such great people and finally reunite with my brother." She looked at me with a smile and I returned it.

"When will she be leaving?" Ranumi asked,

"Later today. Yusuke and the others will accompany her in going there." Ryuji said, "Just to make sure that she would be safe."

We all nodded as we all continued eating our breakfast. Later in the afternoon, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, Ranumi, Hayami, and myself went to accompany Yukina back to the land where she belongs. We said our farewell to her, but I know we'll see her again soon. Kuwabara then started to run after her, but Yukina politely explained to him that it was better this way as she disappeared in the snowy wind of the world of ice.

"Do you think we'll see her again?" Ranumi asked, shivering a little bit.

"I'm sure we'll see her again soon, Ranumi." Kurama said, "After all this is not the last time we'll ever see Yukina."

"Sounds like it for him." Yusuke said, referring to the fool.

"Yet it's for the best." Hayami said, "At least we know that she would be safer here. Away from greedy human hands."

"Is that why Hiei has that fake eye put in?" Yusuke asked, "To see her?"

"Nonsense." I said walking away in denial.

It had been two weeks ever since Yukina left to go to the ice world. I would often watch over her with my Jagan eye and I would see that she was doing quite well in that cold place.

During these 2 weeks, me and Hayami would often go for a walk around the city, and we mostly had our dates in the park. We were both happy being in each other's presence. Though during those nights, I would often see that she would have a sudden nightmare, even before we rescued Yukina or knew about the mission. Ryuji told me that I should sleep with her until her nightmares are gone. So far, it hasn't gone away.

It was now night, and I am once again sleeping with Hayami in her room. She was reading a book on her bed while I was on her balcony looking at the night sky. My thoughts drifted towards her nightmares.

So far from what I've seen, it was about the Toguro brothers and the tragic memory of Lady Wakumi getting killed by them. My one conclusion is that maybe her nightmares were a sign or a warning. Though I can't confirm if it is true, if it is, I do not want to lose my mate in their hands. Not after that I just made her mine.

The next day, I decided to take Hayami out for another walk around the city to get her mind off her nightmares. Just so happens that Kurama had the same idea as Ranumi but went to a different way.

"I really appreciate you doing this, Hiei." Hayami said as I looked at her. "But it really wasn't necessary you know."

"Hayami, I just want you to forget about your nightmares for today." I said, "I don't want you worrying over that, even if the Toguros are gone."

"Then why do I get the feeling that we won't see the last of the brothers." She said holding onto my arm tightly as if she doesn't want to let go.

I was about to reply until we saw a crowd of people. I kept Hayami close as we walked closer to see what was going on. I felt Hayami's hold on me tighten as I looked at her to see that her whole face showed fear and shock. I looked towards the direction she was staring and saw the younger Toguro alive and was with Yusuke. I sensed that Kurama was in the area and saw that he is comforting a crying Ranumi.

'Hiei, we must get the girls away from here.' Kurama said to me mentally as I nodded and took my mate away from human eyes and carried her directly towards the park.

I carefully put her down on the grass and sat by her side.

"Hayami..." I said as I gently lifted her chin up to look at me.

She was on the verge of tears as she immediately hugged me. I couldn't blame her. She had to witness the Toguros killing her mother in front of her eyes, and I could easily tell that it was a sensitive memory for her to remember.

"Onna, I'm going back to see what he will have to say to Yusuke. It's best if I bring you home." I said as she looked up at me in concern. "Don't worry, I'll be all right. I'm not going to leave you. I love you too much for me to do that." I kissed her forehead, as I carried her again and disappeared upon going towards the house.

It was nighttime, me and Kurama are on top of a building where we witnessed 60% of the Toguro's power destroy a floor building as it crumbles down. Yusuke froze in fear as Toguro left him. Speaking of the demon, he noticed us looking at him.

"I assume from your faces that you have been invited to the competition as well." Toguro said, "Demons who sided with humans will get no sympathy."

"Sympathy has never been in those fights." Kurama said,

"As you know, the team is made out of five fighters." Toguro smirked, "For your sake, I suggest you find someone useful. More preferably, Lady Wakumi's daughter." He said and walked away as I glared at him

"What is our chance?" Kurama asked,

"Don't ask." I replied,

"As you know Hiei, we need Hayami in this fight." He said and I glared at him, "I know you don't want her to be put in mortal danger after what Toguro did to her mother, but it would seem that we don't have much of a choice seeing as he is expecting to have her participate."

As much as I want to disagree, I must accept it. I can't lose my mate in this. If fighting is our only way out of this, then so be it.