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Back home, the permanent, gloomy crimson hue of demon world’s twilight sky choked by swirling, ominous clouds soothed Kagura after having spent far too much time in the living realm.
It was a normal, uneventful day. Kagura, having picked up on and trailed Hiei’s energy, located him in the forest of fools high up on a branch and climbed to join him. It was good that they’d worked together before, being a part of team Urameshi when he was still a spirit detective, otherwise Kagura would’ve met her end the moment she came into Hiei’s view.
“You’re lucky I knew it was you. Is Koenma granting you a vacation?” Hiei’s cheeky banter earned him a sharp glare from Kagura, her pale cheeks tinted pink and puffed out in a slight pout as she settled in across from him.
”I’m sooo grateful.” Kagura eventually returned Hiei’s sauciness, a tiny grin replacing her moue, ”It’s possible. I’ve been good, so I deserved to come home for a spell.” Kagura grumbled, stretching her legs out and barely grazing one of Hiei’s limbs with hers.
The slight contact made both flinch, each not used to the touch of, well, anyone.
After a few seconds getting accustomed to faint pressure from Kagura’s leg against his own, Hiei found his speech again.
”Hn, you have a window of freedom, and you waste it looking for me? Foolish.” Hiei scoffed, a chuckle slightly shaking his shoulders.
”No, more like I came across and decided to join you.” Kagura fibbed, not wanting to give Hiei the satisfaction of being right as her arms folded across her chest.
”Right.” Hiei, completely aware of Kagura’s lie, let her feel as though she had the upper hand by keeping it to himself, ”We could be here awhile, I hope this isn’t a problem?”
Hiei’s forewarning came a bit too late as a drizzle began giving the land a much-needed drink, forcing the duo to hunker down – quite possibly for at least the next hour.
”I think it’s out of my hands. The real question is, do you have a problem with this arrangement?” Kagura innocently inquired, having already accepted her situation.
Hiei, unbothered by Kagura’s presence, though now sporting a blush similar to her earlier one, agreed to share space.
Silence was quick to nestle in between them, and when Hiei thought Kagura wouldn’t notice, he would peek open an eye to check on her.
Jet black, straight hair extending to Kagura’s hips gently swayed in the light breeze, making a pair of dull red horns normally hidden behind hair barely poke out. Eyes that matched Hiei’s in color were droopy, drowsiness now apparent on her face with Kagura believing Hiei to be napping and fully expressing how exhausted she was.
Feeling safe in Hiei’s company, Kagura gradually allowed her body to relax, the rigidness of her shoulders and back easing into the bark of the trunk behind her. Eyes finally fluttered to a close after having spent so long resisting rest, and shallow breathing ten minutes later let Hiei know Kagura moved past simply closing her eyes to actually sleeping.
Hiei, chuffed with himself for being a source of comfort and security for Kagura, mimicked her by drifting off, too. Unlike Kagura, Hiei wouldn’t go into a deep slumber. Not when he now felt obligated to keep Kagura safe until the storm passed and she was awake and able to fend for herself.