Ikigai (Hiei x OC)

THE FOREST

There was one full day until the next match, which for Airi, meant that they had twenty-four hours to figure out how to fix Hiei. She could not conceivably let him participate in another fight without the use of his dominant hand or the option to deploy his most ruthless attack. She let him sleep in, happy that he was able to rest at all with his arm in its current condition. The toll it was taking on his body was likely more than she knew – he was not exactly forthcoming.

She climbed over him and touched a gentle kiss to his cheek before tiptoeing across the room to get ready. Tugging on a black long-sleeve top and beige trousers, she tousled her hair in the mirror, brushed her teeth, and applied a bit of blush to her cheeks. It had been ages since she was not either held prisoner, living in the woods, or fighting demons. She'd forgotten what it was like to feel pretty. Of course, the physical developments in her relationship with Hiei helped, too. She glowed from within, carrying around the secret knowledge that she'd fallen for a gorgeous man who ravished her.

Airi wandered about the hotel lobby, dodging glances from elegantly dressed men and women, who had some of the nastiest auras she'd ever felt. Pulling aside a pair of rich velvet curtains, she found what she'd been looking for: a computer. While it wasn't Genkai's library, there was the smallest chance that she might find some useful information on the internet.

Pulling up a fresh search tab, she began to type, stopping almost immediately. Firstly, she doubted that the search engine would come up with results for "Darkness Flame injury", and secondly, it occurred to her that they were probably being watched. If the wrong people found out Hiei had been hurt, it could spell disaster.

Feeling foolish, she rose from the chair and headed towards the exit, thinking some fresh air might help her to think things through.

"Oh, Airi!" Botan's voice rang from across the lobby.

Shizuru and Keiko were in tow. It was nice to see the friendship they'd developed, and she was just a bit envious of it. She spent all of her time with the boys, talking of fighting and preparing to fight and watching them fight. Some feminine energy was something she craved immensely.

"We're headed to breakfast," Keiko said. "Why don't you join us? I feel like we haven't talked in forever!"

Airi hesitated. It did not seem right to be enjoying herself with Hiei in such bad shape, but it had been almost a day since she'd eaten anything, and she was no use to him hungry.

"I'd love to," she said, as Keiko took her arm.

A strange energy emanated from Shizuru. Airi tried to ignore it, but it was pervasive. After they filled their plates and sat down to a table, she finally revealed what had been on her mind.

"So, Hiei, huh?"

She felt her cheeks turn a deep shade of scarlet, and nervous sweat prickled her forehead. Quickly running through her list of possible reactions, she could only come up with feigning ignorance, which would likely be transparent, or telling the truth.

"WHAT?" Botan said, slamming the table with her hand.

"What are you talking about?" Keiko asked innocently.

"How was it?" Shizuru asked, ignoring her.

Airi's mouth fell open. She had not planned for an interrogation.

"That good?"

"I – I don't know..." She gave up. "How the hell did you know?"