A/N: AHhhhh! I am back to this story after a much too long hiatus! Thank you to everyone who has bore with me! It means a lot! I feel like I must explain the reason for such a long absence-I was attempting to write another Hiei POV chapter, however I got... bored. Things were just moving so slow and I began working on other projects. Not that I'm not proud of what I wrote, it broke my heart to not publish it, but I am beyond excited to give you this chapter. Ok, enough from me... Enjoy! Leave a review if you like it!

Chapter 18: Heat

When we left, I may have been shaken with anxiety, but I was prepared for anything. Or… so I thought. I was prepared to fight, to die. I was prepared to travel through my weariness until I was safe. I was not prepared, however, for the immense amount of boredom that I felt. There was nothing to do here. Nothing to clean, Kurama did all the cooking. Hiei wouldn't let me train outside, he said it could draw attention to us. I couldn't even go for a walk! Too much risk for my scent to be picked up. Hiei… I blushed at the thought of him. At the thought of last night.

Thankfully he wasn't there when I had awoken this morning, though the bed was still warm—evidence that he had slept with me through the night. It felt odd… I thought sharing my bed with a male would be too much for me to handle. But, somehow it was… nice. Pleasant. I still had nightmares, though they were somewhat muted. It was like for the first time I knew that it was a dream. When I awoke, his scent was there to comfort me, and I took solace in the pillows that smelled of him.

Hiei didn't mention last night, we had barely exchanged more than a dozen words at all today, but I was thankful for that. I liked that he didn't hover. So here I was, sitting on the floor in the living room practicing my mental shield. It was mentally exhausting but there was nothing better to do. Hiei said nothing though I know it annoyed him.

Just try to keep me out, I heard in my head. The way his voice sounded in my mind made me shiver. It wasn't hostile or wicked it was more… mischievous. I suppressed a grin as I flexed my shield. I knew it was working when I heard a humpf from the corner of the room. We kept up this game for awhile until I felt a sharp pain in my temple.

"Agh!" I groaned and massaged my head. "Hiei!"

"You've been practicing a shield, but what have you really been shielding? Thoughts?" He materialized in front of me and gave a short laugh, though he spoke softly to me. He sat cross-legged before me and gently touched my forehead where he must have attacked. There are demons far more powerful than me. With mental weapons that could turn your beautiful mind into mush."

I stared at him, surprised by his words though he spoke with a finality. I nodded, dumbfounded, as memories from last night flooded my mind—His heat. My own heat. I bit my lip and he smirked.

" If you two are quite done oogling at each other, dinner is done." Kurama announced playfully from the kitchen.

./././

"I'm bored," I announced aloud. Dinner had been quiet. Too quiet. It did nothing to help my anxieties or my growing apathy. Dinner had been delicious though I couldn't bring myself to enjoy it.

"Bored is better than dead," Hiei retorts.

"I disagree…" I muttered to myself and saw Hiei glare at me.

"Why don't we play a game?" Kurama suggested slyly

"Pass," Hiei and I spat at the same time. We looked at each other, and I couldn't help myself. I laughed. I laughed harder than I think I ever had before. Hiei joined in, and then Kurama, and that made me laugh harder. I laughed so hard I cried and then I laughed even harder. I laughed at how insane everything seemed. I laughed until I was delirious and my sides ached. And just when I thought that I was done I would look at Hiei guffawing and that would bring me back to where I started.

Our brief moment of spontaneous insanity was interrupted by the phone.

"I'll get it!" I pushed away from the table so hard my chair fell behind me though I didn't stop to pick it up. I made my way rather clumsily to the counter where the phone rang and fumbled with it to answer.

"Hello?" I breathed.

"Chiyo!" I heard Yukina and knew she was safe and, relatively, happy. It made me grin.

"Yukina," I smiled.

"How is it where you are?"

"Boring. So. So boring."

"Well I called to tell you that Koenma has set us up to be relocated tomorrow."

"So soon?" I asked, though I wasn't exactly sad about leaving. The home was beautiful, but there was really just nothing to do.

"Yes, he says that, for the time being, we should relocate often to throw off anyone who might be following us."

"Mm," I nodded.

"Did he say…" I started, feeling a lump in my throat forming, "When we could see each other again?"

"No…" she said, solemn.

"Alright,"

"I have to go; the wires could be tapped."

"Right,"

"See you soon."

"See you soon."

./././

I lay in bed, looking up blankly at the ceiling. I tried to ignore the fact that I was waiting for Hiei. After my bath I had half expected him to already be in my room. I couldn't ignore the disappointment I felt when he wasn't there. I had kept up my mental shield during my bath, afraid that he might be watching. However, I was more afraid that I didn't particularly detest the thought of him watching me bathe.

I knew that I was being childish, that I could lower my shield and he would hear me and come to my side at once. However, I wanted him to come here on his own. I wanted him to want me. And though I knew that he cared for me for some reason I needed reassurance. Whether it was due to the past few days experiences, or even last night, I was feeling vulnerable. And I hated it.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and my mood instantly lightened. I hurried to go and answer it however, I was visibly disappointed at who was behind the door.

"Sorry to disappoint," Kurama smirked, "I came to inform you that we will be departing at six in the morning so you better get some rest."

I nodded though I didn't meet his eyes. I heard him smirk and looked up to see him pull a rose from under his hair with a mischievous look about him. He tucked it behind my right ear. He smiled what looked like self-pleased congratulatory smile. Before turning away without another word.

I stared after him a moment before shutting the door. Instantly though I felt the familiar heat behind me and heard a low growl in my ear. My breath hitched.

"I'm going to kill him," I felt his breath against my neck and the hairs on my arms stood up.

"Why?" I breathed. I still hadn't turned around. It felt so strange how good he felt against me. I have never felt like this. Even last night—I was so nervous. Now, I just felt… heat.

"This," I heard his husky voice and I unconsciously lulled my head towards it. I felt him take the rose from my ear and place it on the left.

"Right ear means that you are… available," I slowly turned around to face him. He didn't move so my front was flush against him.

"And left…" He continues, eyes burning into mine, "Means…"

"I'm yours," I breathed and he looked at me, eyes wide, before instinctively I pressed my lips to his. For the first time, I felt every single one of my walls crumble. I had been fighting more battles than I realized. A battle against myself, to feel what I am feeling now.

Hiei was stunned at first at my actions. And, to be honest, I was too. But he was a fast learner and he returned my kiss fervently. He picked me up and held me against the door and I wrapped my arms around his neck. It felt so natural. No longer were my instincts screaming at me to push him away. Now, all I wanted was for him to be as close as possible.

I gasped out the faintest whimper when he moved to kiss my neck, and his returning groan only made me want more. Chiyo… I heard him in my mind. I raked my fingers through his hair and he returned to my lips. Our tongues danced and he bit my lip, which didn't hurt. It felt… good. Everything felt good.

He carried me to the bed and laid my down beneath him. He pressed into me and I used my legs to try and bring him closer. In all honesty I had no idea what I was doing. But instinct was slowly taking over and I let it. I felt wild and when he paused to gaze down at me I couldn't help but whine in protest. He smirked.

"Don't stop," I whispered, shocked at my own words. I bit my lip and he groaned.

"Not yet," Hiei murmured.

"Hiei," I breathed, and ran my hand down his torso. He stopped it at his belly and held my hand.

"Chiyo…" He breathed. He looked so odd, restraining himself. I had never seen him look so… vulnerable. And all at once our situation came to the forefront of my mind. Why we were here… Where we were… Kurama could probably hear us and the thought of him listening made my face heat up more so than it already was.

I smiled up at him, and he smiled down at me. He kissed me once more on my forehead, and once more on my lips, before lying beside me. We lay in silence, allowing our ragged breathing to become even, before I finally spoke.

"That was… Unlike anything I've ever experienced," I murmured. He smirked.

"I have wanted to do that for some time," Hiei admitted and I looked up to him. There was a light blush across his cheeks. However, he looked as beautifully arrogant as ever. We lay in silence, and it was wonderful. Despite my situation I felt so completely at ease. I didn't feel nervous, anxious, or, thank god, bored. I was content. For the first time in days. And in my blissful state I drifted to sleep.

./././

Fire.

Fire…

It licks my flesh and stings my eyes. It's light is blinding but I cannot look away.

I choke on it's smoke.

I scream but I am silent.

I cannot run fast enough. I can't run at all.

I am lying on the ground in the slush and ash, and I can only see my sisters screaming in terror.

Mom…

Yukina…

A shadowy figure engulfed in flames.

Flames…

Fire.

Hiei?

No…

This fire is filled with hate.

And I believe one day, he will come back for us all.

And I believe one day, he will come back for us all.

And I believe one day, he will come back for us all.

He…

He…

Come back…

A crescendo from the deafening silence.

Slowly…

Gradually...

I can hear my sister's screams.

I can hear their terror.

I can hear sobs that can only be my own.

I can hear my world burning.

And him.

The shadowy figure.

Roaring.

His words reach my once deaf ears with a force that reverberates throughout my entire being, echoing off invisible walls.

"You killed her! You killed her! Where is my son!? Where is Hiei!?"

A/N: Yes! I am so freaking pumped! I really hoped you liked this chapter for various reasons. The nightmare scene was what inspired this entire fic. Also, yes lawd some action between these two! I'm not sure if I want to raise the rating and include an eventual lemon... let me know what y'all think. I'm not really used to writing them but I will try my best! Let me know what y'all think if you're still with me! Love y'all! Thanks for letting me write this!