Touring Oyuki's palace had to be one of the strangest things Hiei had ever done. Very quickly he realized that he was the only man on the premises. This was a kingdom of women, much like the village he was born and excommunicated from.

Oyuki had noticed his apprehension (not like he wasn't from the start) and turned towards him in the grand hall. "Is something the matter?" she had asked him.

Hiei lifted his eyes towards her and decided to just get in with his inquiry. "Are you sure you're not a demon?"

"Is that supposed to be an insult?"

Hiei shook his head. "It's just that your culture is... quite similar to one in demon world."

"Like Yukina's?" Oyuki questioned briefly before continuing."I understand. That is why we get along so well. We both come from a society of ice women. However, we are much more lenient with our contact with men."

Hiei had to hold back his scoff. "Clearly."

Oyuki nodded. "I have brought Yukina here a few times to chat. I enjoy her company quite so."

Hiei blinked. "Yukina was here?"

Oyuki tilted her head to look at him more clearly and read his expression. "Would you like me to invite her?"

"No," Hiei said quickly.

"I see," Oyuki turned around and began leading him toward the dining hall. "She obviously means something to you and yet you are reluctant to show your true feelings."

Hiei knit his brows together. "What are you suggesting?"

"Confess to her." Oyuki stated simply.

"It is not like that."

"Are you or are you not her brother."

Hiei's world froze. "Pardon me?"

"She knows, Mister Hiei. She's just waiting for you to admit it," said Oyuki, calm as ever.

Hiei panicked. "You conniving witch!" He grabbed her arm with the ferocity of an alley cat. "You planned this, didn't you? Is that why you brought me, so you can play family therapist?"

Oyuki shook her head softly. "No," she responded. "I'm just looking out for Yukina as a friend. But I do intend to marry you."

"I despise you."

"You like me." Oyuki's face remained unchanged, despite the whirlwind of emotions going around.

Hiei avoided confronting her statement because it was true. He did like her. But instead, he threw it back at her. "But why do you?"

"Do you believe in love at first sight, Mister Hiei?"

"I believe that you are being childish."

"Not more childish than keeping wilted flowers."

The two stood still with Oyuki's back turned towards him. Oh, how she vexes him. That wicked woman.

Hiei still had her arm and pulled her, forcing her to look at him. She whirled around to stare him down.

Mere seconds had passed before Hiei pulled her down towards him this time. Even Oyuki was surprised as a small gasp escaped her lips.

Their red eyes were locked onto each other.

For a moment, Oyuki thought he was going to kiss her because of how close they were. He even brought her down to his level.

Instead, Hiei had this to say; "You're looking for trouble woman."

"I like trouble."

Oyuki was a gambler at heart and was also fond of any sort of conflict. That's what drew her into Hiei.

Hiei chuckled and let her go. "You're a dangerous woman," he told her.

"I'm a sweetheart, really," Oyuki said dully. She stood up straight, ironing out her yukata with her hands. "As I was doing, I was going to show you the dining hall."

"I don't get hungry," Hiei retorted. "No need for me to see it."

"Then... that is the end of our tour." Oyuki couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. However it was a fact that she overlooked, she hadn't considered that certain demons didn't need to eat. "I assume that you would like to go back home then."

Hiei crossed his arms. "After this show? Why would I go anywhere?"

"Oh."

Hiei felt a surge of pride well up in his chest. "Finally run out of things to say?" Perhaps he had finally bested her. Her speechlessness was music to his ears.

However, the moment would not last long.

Oyuki held her head up high. "Would you like to go back to my room then? You would be sleeping there after all."

"Do I have a choice?"

"I might be dangerous but I'm not evil."

No.

He couldn't let her have this.

Without missing a beat, he responded. "Which side of the bed do you prefer?"

Oyuki walked past him, turning back towards the direction of her room. "The right side." She hid her smile from Hiei, grinning softly to herself. No, she wouldn't smile for him yet. He would have to earn it. "Come now. I will show you the way back and you can settle in."

"Settle in?" Hiei echoed. "I have no belongings."

"Do you wish to—"

"I have nothing." Hiei reiterated. That room of his barely felt like his own. It wasn't homey whatsoever. It was cold and dark.

Oyuki's room was— well it was still cold but it was bright and somewhat inviting. A bit like Oyuki's personality. Fortunately, Hiei was resistant to extreme cold and could weather down the cold temperatures of Neptune and Oyuki's exterior.

Oyuki didn't know how to react to the fact that Hiei had nothing. She felt... pity for him. As the princess she had everything she could ever want and more. Probably why she went as far as to gamble. The risky hand out her valuables on the line for more valuables. Whether it can be seen as a good thing or not, Oyuki hardly ever lost.

"You can clean yourself up then," Oyuki suggested alternatively. Once they made it back to her room, she offered to take his clothes for one of her handmaidens to wash.

She stood expectantly with her hands folded and Hiei gave her a look.

"Do you intend to watch me get undressed?"

"There is no animosity between finances."

Hiei scoffed at her. "You haven't even properly proposed."

Oyuki paused. "... you're right." With her cool demeanor, Oyuki often assumed her intentions came across naturally. It did dawn upon her that she simply told him that she was going to marry him. "Will you—"

"Don't ask me now," Hiei interjected.

"I hate that you interrupt me."

"I hate how you make assumptions."

Silence flooded the room.

These two were going to get along great.