Ikigai (Hiei x OC)

*SEMI-FINALS*

Airi stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel under her arms. Her skin was toasted from the day of sun, and a bone-deep happiness had settled in. All her life, she'd never had more than two friends, and for most of it, she'd had none. To be in the company of so many people she cared for was foreign and beautiful. She looked forward to the day they returned home, which they would, because they would find a way to win.

As soon as they'd arrived back from the beach, the skies opened up, torrential rain pattering the windowpanes. Glancing at her unmade bed, she could not help but think that this was the perfect weather to be rolling around between the sheets with Hiei. Dressed and ready to join everyone in the shared room, she opened her door, only to see him walking past at that exact moment. She blushed deeply, the daydream of him naked and on top of her still fresh in her mind's eye.

He kept moving and sat by the window, gazing out into the rain. Kurama and Kuwabara sat on opposite couches playing cards, and she joined them, getting the feeling that Hiei wished to be left alone.

"Hey Airi! Want me to deal you in?" Kuwabara asked, scooting over for her.

"Absolutely."

No sooner did she have a set of cards in her hand than the door burst open, the other four girls filing in.

"The cavalry has arrived!" Botan said, arms full of sodas and beer cans.

Airi felt Hiei tense when he noticed Yukina's presence, and more so when she took the seat right next to herself. She hoped he trusted her not to say anything. Sadly, she realized she no longer had any idea what he thought of her. It was incredible, and devastating, what just a few days could do.

They stayed up all night, an unwise decision, even if the boys did not think tomorrow's opposition much of a threat. Airi made the mistake of accepting a few drinks from Shizuru, and in her haze she spent long chunks of time staring at Hiei, hoping he might catch her gaze, pick her up, and carry her off to bed. She wanted him, in a debase, primal way. How she resisted sending those thoughts to him was unclear, but a miracle nonetheless.

She woke the next morning with a thundering headache and the realization that Yusuke had never returned home. There was not much time before they'd need to leave for the arena, and after donning a robe and stepping out into the common room, her fears worsened. His bedroom door was open, and only one bed was filled, Kuwabara snoring loudly.

Opening the door to the hallway, she pulled in the cart containing the morning coffee. The smell of it turned her stomach, but she drank it anyways. She stood in front of the window, admiring the smoky sunlight, fog still coating the ground from the storm the night before. Someone came up beside her.

"Morning," Hiei said, his voice crackly from sleep.

Considering this was the first time he'd voluntarily spoken to her since falling asleep in her arms four days ago, she was a bit flabbergasted.

"Uh, morning," she said. "How are you feeling?"

"Good. Ready to annihilate those arrogant fools."

She nodded, unsure of what to say, but relieved that he was doing better. He'd been out for so long, it would be nice to see him back in the ring. It was hard to believe how resistant she'd felt before that first fight, how scared she'd been. This tournament had awoken something in her. Something dark.

Kurama came up to them, taking a deep sip of his coffee.

"Fun night, huh Airi?" he said, hint of mockery in his voice.