“Kazumi-chan, are you coming to the sleepover we’re having tonight?” Keiko asked. “It’s going to be a lot of fun, I mean, it’ll be just us girls but...” The brunette trailed off as her close friend stopped in the middle of the street. “Hello? Kazumi-chan? Are you coming, or not?”
After awhile, the other girl snapped out of it and laughed. “Oh, sorry Keiko-chan!” she replied cheerfully. “It’s just that...I thought I heard footsteps behind me.” She looked around, trying to use her spiritual awareness to find the culprit. “I guess I was wrong. So, anyway, I’m sorry but I can’t come tonight. I have a lot of homework, plus there are some chores I need to do before school starts up again.”
To be honest, the reason why Kazumi didn’t want to go was because she was extremely cautious. Lately, it had seemed like someone had been following her everywhere and watching her.
Whenever she got up in the morning, it seemed like someone was outside her window watching her sleep. While she walked down the busy streets to the school, it was as if someone was tailing her. And as she sat in class writing creatively, there was a weird presence outside that seemed to be focusing solely on her.
Better to be safe than sorry, she thought to herself sternly, but still in her adorable tone. Keiko sighed dramatically.
“Honestly, Kazumi-chan. It’s not because you’re afraid of us, is it? I told you, you don’t have to worry. Besides, it’s not like the boys will be there.” After noticing her friend had zoned out once again, she gave an exasperated sigh and gave up.
She had met everyone only about six months ago. Keiko and Yusuke went to her school, as did Kuwabara. She didn’t know any demons personally until she saw Hiei and Shuichi Minamino (a.k.a Kurama) patrolling around the park for suspicious demon activity. Kazumi’s spirit energy was extremely low because she had wasted it all on trying to fend a demon that had sought her out and threatened to kill her mother...
“No!” Kazumi shouted as she tried to stand back up. “I never agreed to this! I never took the bet, please don’t! PLEASE!” she shouted, tears filling her eyes. “My mom is the only one I have left, don’t take her away from me! No!”
The demon chuckled and his slit-like eyes bore into her own. “You fought me instead of walking away when I asked for this challenge, ningen. You put this on yourself.”
He began to walk away when there was the sound of someone landing on the concrete. The demon turned, onto to catch Kurama’s Rose Whip in his hands. It was a good thing it was nighttime or the humans around would be getting quite a show.
“You two traitors,” the demon hissed. “Kurama and Hiei...I never thought I’d live to see the day where I would have the chance to slaughter you both by my hands! What a delicious surprise. And here I thought I would only be getting two kills this evening...” Dark laughter rang in the air as Hiei frowned.
“Hn. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s people who talk too much.” He shot off for the demon and in a quick swing, its head rolled onto the floor. Blood spurted in a torrent upwards as the body fell backwards onto the pavement. Kazumi watched this and her jaw hung open.
He got him with one blow, she thought to herself. It took me forever and I wasted so much spirit energy trying to beat him. Deep down, she felt saddened by the fact that she couldn’t have saved her mother by herself. Tears fell down her cheeks as the redhead walked over to her, bending down.
“Are you all right, miss?”
“Y-yes...thank you,” Kazumi whispered shyly. She wiped away the tears and glanced up. “Thank you for saving me...and my mother. I tried so hard to defeat him, and my spirit energy was almost gone. If it weren’t for you...” she babbled on until the shorter boy with the tall, spiked black hair glanced down at her.
With a slight sneer forming on his lips, he whipped around the other way. “Like I said, talking too much. Very annoying.” He jumped out of sight and left Kazumi with her jaw hanging open. Yes, she was a very sweet girl, but when someone pissed her off...well, there was no way of going back.
Over the next few weeks, she managed to get Keiko to spill the beans about Yusuke being someone with powers too. She saw Yusuke talking with Kurama one day, and things connected. Koenma saw that she had potential and agreed to let her in on the things the “gang” would do. Botan, Yukina, and Shizuru got to know her as well.
However, Kazumi was still peeved over what Hiei said about her the time they first met. When she went with him on a mission, she did everything in her willpower to irritate him. The two were sent to escort a human girl into the Makai to her fiancée’s kingdom. Hiei’s speed would help, and Kazumi’s comfort towards the girl along with her stamina made the two the perfect team. Or so Koenma thought.
All along the way, Kazumi did whatever she could to make Hiei angry. She would play pranks on him, comment on his height, make the human girl giggle at him, and make him look like a jerk. Hiei was growing pretty tired of her antics by the time they had completed the mission, and challenged her to a match.
After turning Hiei down, he called Kazumi weak. She was so hurt and embarrassed that she refused to speak to Hiei again. Of course, there was a reason why she was being so mean to him and only him. She wished that he could see her as something else rather than “just another stupid human girl”.
Once they got to Kazumi’s house, Keiko waved politely. “Ja.” She went down on her own way as the other girl entered her house...but not before taking a quick glance at her plants. She stooped down and inspected the progress. She loved gardening, so it wasn’t a surprise that she had her own.
“Wish I could go,” Kazumi whispered dejectedly to her flowers. “It’s not fair. I’m too scared to go and get them in trouble. Guess I’ll have to stay home for the weekend.” She sighed and entered her house. “Tadaima!”
There was a quick silence followed by a rushed voice. “Oh, Kazumi-chan! Good, you’re home. I have to leave for work, I won’t be back until Monday. There are leftovers in the refrigerator, and there’s some money for groceries if you need any.”
Her mother rushed out in her business suit and kissed her daughter on the forehead. Kazumi giggled while rubbing away the pink lipstick her mother had smudged. It was a little irritating, but she knew that her mom didn’t really mean to.
“Oops! Sorry, sweetie. If you’re going anywhere, make sure to lock up the house. I’ll see you later.” With a quick hug and her mother’s perfume tingling in her nostrils, the elder woman was out the door.
Kazumi shrugged and began to walk towards her room. She decided it would be better for her to change since the school uniform wasn’t very comfortable. She shut her window and closed the curtains, picking out an adorable outfit. She liked to dress original and cutesy, it was just the way she was.
After brushing out her hair, she sighed and drummed her fingers on the desk. She was getting somewhat hungry, since she and Keiko had stayed after school to help the teachers. While glancing at the clock, Kazumi decided she would head downtown to pick something up.
She locked the house up just as her mother had instructed, and began her way to the nearest ramen shop. It wasn’t much, but she wanted something simple but tasty. As soon as she sat down, she noticed someone else who was in there.
“Ah! Hiei-kun, nice to see you here,” she called out while smiling brightly. The boy with ruby eyes turned towards her and his face still held that expressionless look.
Some said that the two were almost opposites. Kazumi didn’t like to fight unless she had to protect herself or people close to her. She was quiet and shy when you first met her, but kind all the same. She liked to have fun, while Hiei was so...dull. But she couldn’t help but have this humongous crush on him.
She picked up her things and moved closer to that mysterious demon. Hiei frowned even more and was about to stand up when Kazumi wrapped her arms around his own. “Aw, come on. Stay a little, it’ll be fun, I promise.” She giggled and tried hard to contain her excitement. She was actually alone with Hiei!
Hiei shot her a blank look, his face still unreadable. “Tch, I don’t need you to tell me whether or not I can go, ningen.” He self-consciously knew that Kazumi would probably play another trick on him, so he stood up. Kazumi saw her chance slowly drift away and she stood frantically.
“Wait, don’t leave!”
He tugged away from her grip and she almost topped sideways off the barstool. Coldly, Hiei left the gaping girl without another word. He was such a jerk, but still...she couldn’t help but feel this for him. She knew there had to be more to him. Why was he so mean to everyone around him? She would spend her life trying to find out.
Dinner wasn’t so bad, but Kazumi still wished that the fire youkai had stayed. She really wanted to apologize about the pranks, or at least try to. Whenever she got the courage to talk to him, he would always say something simple that enraged her beyond belief. It wasn’t her fault that she hadn’t done it yet...
The food was paid for and Kazumi was extremely sleepy. She was pretty drained from school. They had a very tiring day in gym because the teachers thought it would be a great way for them to exercise in the hot summer sun. Kazumi wiped a few beads of sweat from her forehead and began down the road towards her house.
Suddenly the feeling came back. The feeling she got when she swore that someone was stalking her, watching her, yearning for her. She stopped in mid-stride and glanced at her surroundings.
Oh no! she thought to herself. I must’ve taken the detour again without even realizing it. Ugh, nooo!
This was the same place she was when she was attacked by that vicious demon who wanted to kill her mother. Kazumi winced as she heard footsteps behind her. They were light and discreet, but they were still there. She sucked in a huge breath and went on her way, hoping whoever was behind her would pass her.
Unfortunately, nothing happened. The footsteps echoed out of step with her own, and she was growing more nervous by the minute. Kazumi stopped, and after a few more steps, so did the person behind her. She wondered if she should turn around, or keep going.
I don’t want my back to him anymore, she thought to herself, wincing. She turned to face her stalker.
The man wasn’t what she expected. Instead of seeing a scary looking demon, it seemed to be a normal human. The spirit energy leaking from him, however, made her shudder. This was definitely not some random guy who decided to tail her for the hell of it. This demon was concealing himself for a reason.
“So you’re the one who’s been following me,” Kazumi stated aloud. It was meant to be strong and scary, but it came out as meek. The guy in front of her nodded slightly, blushing. “Okay then, so what do you want? A fight?” She was scared because she was extremely tired from the physical education class today. Would she be able to defend herself? Demons seemed to come at the most aggravating times...
The man bowed, a little nervous, and coughed. “I’m sorry, Kazumi-sama. I didn’t mean for you to find me out this way, but...I must confess, I’m in love with you.”
After seeing the look on her face, he decided to continue.
“I watched your fight with that demon here in this same park, and I wanted to protect you. But someone beat me to it. I’ve been following you ever since because well, you captivated me.” He sucked in a breath. “I would like to challenge you to a fight. If I beat you, would you please come with me to the Makai and marry me? If you win, I’ll leave you alone, but...I wish to have a chance.”
She paused. “Well, I would like to but—” Before she could continue, the demon attacked. Kazumi gasped and dodged as he sliced at her with a large scythe-like weapon. She landed on the soft grass as a slight ripping caught her by surprise. The demon boy had actually managed to give her a slice so that her shirt was cut off at the belly button down. She blushed and jumped up, putting her arms up for defense.
“I don’t want to fight, please! I never agreed to this bet, I don’t want to hurt your feelings!”
He ignored her, determined to win. Kazumi knew that he wouldn’t give up, but most of her spirit energy had been depleted earlier. She didn’t have a chance. If only there was someone...
Her trail of thought ended as she spotted someone drop down from a tree branch. Excitedly, she began to beam as she dodged the man’s attacks. “Hiei-kun! Oh, thank goodness! Help me out, please. This demon wants me to marry him if he wins, and I don’t have enough energy!”
With a perk of a brow, Hiei crossed his arms and leaned against a tree. “Hm. I should care why? If he wins, then it’s good riddance.”
That hurt deep. Kazumi looked away and managed to avoid the blade, which had plunged into a tree she was standing in front of.
“Fine, then...” she murmured slowly. “I won’t fight anymore. I...I’ll go away with you. There’s nothing left for me to fight for.”
She smiled sadly as a few tears bubbled down her cheeks. She really thought that Hiei would have told her to grow some backbone, but it seemed like his life would be much better if she was gone. Kazumi stood up and faced the demon, who looked shocked.
“Really, Kazumi-sama?! You’d...you’d give up the fight to come with me? Oh, I’m so happy. I could cry.” His lip trembled and he bit it down, muttering to himself that he promised he couldn’t cry. Kazumi watched him put his weapon away and start to walk towards her. “Koibito, my love...”
There was a slight noise as Kazumi turned her eyes away from the lovesick demon. Hiei had walked over, his face expressionless except for his eyebrows, which were furrowed somewhat. Kazumi was confused, and watched as Hiei suddenly shot off for the demon.
A crack resounded in the air as his fist met cheek. Kazumi gasped and almost fell over as she groped for something to hold onto. Hiei stood up straight, his fist covered in blood. He was sure that it wasn’t his own, and brought it up to inspect it. Nope, it was definitely the demon’s.
The nameless demon slowly got to his feet, his eyes dancing with fury. The demon blushed with shame and began to stomp over to Hiei. “H-how dare you!” He spit and blood was the only thing that seemed to come out. “Who-who are you?! Why do you interrupt my battle with my future wife?! Well? Answer me! I demand to know why you have burdened my presence with your—”
Another hit went off. The demon went flying into the air and skidded along the grass. Hiei smirked darkly to himself and began to walk towards him.
“If there’s one thing I hate,” he muttered coolly, “it’s people who talk too much. You’re no exception.”
He picked the demon up by the collar and punched him. Again, again, and again! Kazumi watched in horror as the demon tried to draw out his weapon or dodge, but Hiei was much too quick. Without mercy, he pounded upon this stranger and made sure to silence his cries with another attack that caught him off guard.
It was so brutal that Kazumi was wincing each time he landed a hit. “S-stop!” she burst, trying to recover from the fact that Hiei was actually protecting her. She limped over, completely worn out from the previous battle. “Please! Hiei-kun, calm down!”
Finally, she couldn’t stand it anymore. Kazumi reached up and grabbed Hiei’s arm, restraining him from hitting the poor guy anymore. Though her strength wasn’t up all the way, she managed to let him know how much she wanted him to stop. Her body pressed up against him and she rested her head on his shoulder.
There was a tense silence before anything happened. Then, Hiei started to lower his arms. The demon was whimpering now, and covered in blood. Hiei wasn’t looking too great, either. Blood had sprayed with every hit, so he was stained in that crimson liquid. Kazumi, being a human, was scared to see him looking so fierce, but deep down she knew that she had to be the one to let him know when enough was enough.
“Leave him alone now, please. You’ve done it, he won’t bother me anymore. Don’t fight, he’s hurt,” she whispered.
She could feel Hiei’s warmth, his toned muscles flexing underneath her delicate frame. It was a strange feeling, being so close to someone she could’ve sworn she hated when she first met him. Hiei let his arms drop down to his sides and she let go of him, wondering what he would say.
But he didn’t do anything. He just glared down at her stalker and the aura around him was still overwhelmed with anger. Kazumi walked in front of Hiei, breaking off his stare, and put her hands on his chest. She slowly bent down and pecked at his lips softly.
“Thank you,” she mumbled, suddenly embarrassed. “Thank you, Hiei-kun. You’ve done a lot. Come on, we have to get you home.” She turned to the victim. “I’m sorry, but...he won. I would heal you, but I don’t have enough strength.”
The other man slowly got up and put a hand up. “No, don’t pity me, I won’t have it. I came here to fight for you, and obviously, I’m not strong enough.” His eyes dropped down to the ground glumly. “Goodbye...Kazumi-sama.” He fled, leaving a bloody trail after him. Kazumi watched him go, then tugged on Hiei’s arm.
“We have to go to my house and wash your clothes, Hiei. Come on.”
The walk to her house didn’t take very long. Kazumi was on the lookout for anyone who might report Hiei because of his appearance, but no one seemed to be around. She sighed and unlocked the front door when they arrived, and let him in.
“You should take a shower,” she mumbled. “If you give me your clothes, I’ll wash it for you. Don’t worry, I’ll clean up the blood in the bathroom if you get it in there.”
He didn’t respond, but made his way down the hall to where the bathroom was. Kazumi watched him go. After a couple minutes, the shower turned on, and she decided to go grab the clothes and wash them while he was cleaning up. She opened the door, which he left unlocked, and took them to the laundry room.
When the dryer had gone off and the clothes were nice and fresh, she went to slip them into the bathroom to put them down for him. She opened the door and set them down on the toilet seat, and then realized something. The shower wasn’t on anymore.
Kazumi turned, and right when she did, she caught sight of Hiei. The only thing was, he was naked. Yep, not wearing a single thing, simply standing there, right out of the shower. It was awkward, for sure. Kazumi was too stunned to do anything, but eventually her face started to heat up and she tried to grope for the door handle, wanting to escape from this steamy prison.
She missed and ended up grabbing a towel, which slipped off the rack from her grip. As Kazumi tumbled down onto the cold bathroom tiles, she heard a low rumble behind her. It was the sound of...laughter? She tried to place the voice when a strong arm grabbed her underneath the stomach and lifted her to her feet.
Hiei was behind her, his body pushed against hers just as she had done to him not too long ago. Though he was shorter than her, he was completely dominating her. Kazumi shivered as his warm skin pressed against her, and he held her there. “You’re too much trouble.”
“Hey, no fair-!” Kazumi started to say, but Hiei had lowered her head and turned her sideways so that her lips were on his. She felt her whole body tense up and she finally relaxed, practically melting at the gesture.
When he had pulled away, she was going limp. Hiei snickered and pushed her forward to the door. “Tch, get out. I need to get dressed.”
Completely red from what had just happened, Kazumi stumbled to the door and opened it. “Y-yeah, w-well...I’ll get you back for this Hiei!” She dodged out of the bathroom with Hiei smirking at her figure.
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
