The Demon Realm was not exactly the safest place for a human to be. Yet, here you are following Hiei on his mission because you wanted to be close to him after all the chaos. He didn't argued, he agreed that you come with him.

The road stretched endlessly ahead, quiet and untouched, far from the noise of cities or the chaos that once followed Hiei wherever he went. Traveling had always been something he did alone. It was easier that way, faster, without anything to account for but himself. And yet, you were there. Not quite beside him, but not distant either, moving in the same direction with a quiet understanding that didn’t need to be spoken aloud.

There had been no agreement, no moment where either of you decided this was how it would be. You simply stayed, and for reasons he never explained, he didn’t make you leave. He didn’t acknowledge it outright, but he didn’t disappear on you either. And with someone like Hiei, that alone meant more than words ever could.

The days passed in a steady rhythm, marked by silence that felt less empty the longer it lasted. You learned his pace without asking, adjusting naturally until keeping up with him no longer felt like effort. He never told you where he was going, but he didn’t hide it either. When night fell, he chose places to rest that were sheltered and safe, always positioned with quiet precision.

He never said it was for you, but there was always space left beside him, never too far, never exposed. Sometimes, when you slowed even slightly, his steps would pause just enough to let you catch up before continuing again, as if it had never happened.

And every so often, when he thought you wouldn’t notice, his gaze would shift back toward you for the briefest moment, sharp and quiet, just to make sure you were still there. He never asked why you followed him. Maybe because he already knew. Or maybe because he didn’t want to hear an answer that might make this feel too real.

The path ahead narrowed as the terrain shifted, the air growing heavier with something unfamiliar. Hiei slowed, his attention sharpening as he assessed what lay beyond, instinct already warning him of the risk. For a moment, he stood still, calculating, as if deciding whether it was worth the time to deal with it. Then, without thinking too much about it, his gaze moved back to you. It lingered this time, not just a quick check, but something quieter, more deliberate, as if measuring more than just your presence. A pause followed, subtle but real.

Then he turned away and chose a different path, one that curved away from the danger instead of toward it. It wasn’t the route he would have taken alone. That much was clear. He didn’t explain the change, didn’t look back to see if you followed. But his pace adjusted just slightly, slower than before, steady enough to match yours without making it obvious. And for the first time since this began, the distance between you felt a little less like space, and a little more like something chosen.