27. A slice of happy pie.

I returned home, exhausted, to find my door open.

Immediately I went on high alert, reaching for my taser, as I crept up to the door, back to the wall.

I didn't hear Kuribo in there, and he's very sharp. Which means that either he is down or he's dead.

Either way, whoever is responsible will be pounded into the ground!

Sliding past the door, I glanced in.

The corridor was clear.

I stepped in, tiptoeing on the wooden floor by the balls of my feet, towards the kitchen.

Clear.

Next, I laid a careful hand on the bathroom door, and gentle opened it.

A soft click gave way to a full view of an empty room as I let put a quiet sigh of relief.

Wiping the sweat off my forehead, I moved to the living room, where a soft yapping could be heard.

At least Kuribo was still alive. That's good.

But it was what happened next that was a pleasant surprise.

"Aren't you good baby boy~" I heard a familiar voice coo.

My tension washed away like sand in rain, and my shoulders drooped in relief.

I walked into the living and snuck behind the intruder, grabbing her by the chest.

"Up you go!" I said, plopping them onto my lap as I crashed onto the couch.

"Wooey!" She cried, and let go of Kuribo, who fell to the floor in a whimper.

"I almost tased you, you know that Himiko?" I chastised.

"But you didn't!" She chirped, happily.

"I could have." I insisted, "And how come you are back already? Did you miss me that much?"

She looked at me, acting offended and huffed.

"Who says I'm here for you? I came because I missed my cute little baby, Kuribo! At least he isn't a meanie who sent me away!" She pouted.

"Oho, is that so?" I asked, nuzzling up to her neck, planting a kiss on it, sending shivers down her spine.

"Uhmmm~" Himiko moaned softly, her upset facade cracking.

"You didn't miss me, even a little?" I asked, putting on a sad expression.

"Nope!" She insisted, crossing her arms.

"I see." I said, dropping her off my lap and got up, leavening the creases off my pants.

"Then I'll just go to bed. Alone." I added, ignoring her.

"Uh huh?" She muttered, confused.

"And I'm taking Kuribo with me!" I teased, grabbing him off the floor, smirking.

"Hey! That's cheating!" Himiko cried, reaching for our resident fluffball, only seconds too late.

"Umu!" She pouted, settling back down on the couch.

"So...." I poked, dangling Kuribo in a hug, stroking his back.

"..fine." She smiled, flushing red, "I missed you. A lot."

"That's my girl!" I said, coming level with her, looking her in the eyes.

Himiko reciprocated, grabbing my face, leaning in for a kiss.

"I'm home, darling~" she said, parting from the kiss, resting her head on my chest as I stroked her head.

"Welcome home." I replied, and Kuribo whined jealously, begging for more headpats, poking my cheeks with his cold nose.

"Yes, yes. You too." I placated, scratching his ears, as he yapped happily.

After a while, once Kuribo fell asleep, I got up and prepped for dinner, as Himiko sat beside me, watching the news.

"So..." I asked, "what brings you back?"

"Can't I just come back because I miss you?" She asked.

"You can, of course." I said, kissing her forehead, as she giggled cutely.

"But I also know that you wouldn't jeopardize the mission for no reason." I added, taking a serious turn.

"Couldn't you just find out by reading my book?" She asked.

"I could, but I'm a bit preoccupied as you can see." I said, gesturing to the vegtables on the table before me

"Besides, I want to hear from you. I trust you more than scribbles on magic paper." I lied.

Himiko's eyes sparkled like stars, and her ears perked up at this, as she smiled from ear to ear, foot tapping away happily.

So cute! Just like a puppy.

"Really?" She asked, lovestruck.

"Yep." I replied, giving her a affectionate gaze.

"Oooh!" She cried, throwing her arms across my neck.

"Woah! Hold it there. I have a knife in hand, Himiko! I might cut myself." I exclaimed in alarm.

"I would love to see some. It's been weeks since I've tasted your blood, darling~" She begged, eyes glazing over.

I sighed, cutting a wound open on my thumb, as she leaned in, and began sucking on it, relishing every drop with soft moans and giggles, turning me on.

Once she was done, she licked her lips, before plunging into a deep kiss, the taste of iron lacing my tongue and echoing in my nose.

"Hwaah!" I braced for breath, gulping down air like there was no tomorrow, after the long, passionate makeout she had put me through.

Can't say, I hated it though. Crazy girls are a stereotype for a reason after all!

"....thanks." Himiko said, putting her arms around my back, and nuzzling closer.

"It's okay. So what happened?" I repeated, putting down the knife.

"It's the league of villains. They've started recruiting. I was offered a place. And the pay is decent too. A lot of villains will flock to them at this rate." She explained.

"That's fine. Let them. It'll be easier to round them up in one go this way." I said, nonchalantly.

"Should I join? Whatever they're up to seems important if they're spending money like wine. This could be our chance, you know?"

"No." I insisted, "Let's not rush into this. We'll wait and watch for now. See what they do, how capable they are. After all, if they are planning on upturning the current order, they're bound to recruit again."

"Uh huh. What makes you so sure?" She asked, miffed.

"Just a hunch." I answered, shrugging my shoulders.

"And I know." I continued, with an understanding look, "Just hold on a little longer. Then we can be together. Start a family. Our family."

Himiko sighed, downcast, falling into thought, before she piped up suddenly.

"But I need my daily dose of darling to keep me going ~" She said, in a sultry tone.

"Do you now? Then we'll get you a dose large enough to last a couple of months!" I replied, smiling mischievously, "But before that, it's time for dinner!"

"Umu! Spoilsport!" Himiko pouted.

"Patience, baby!" I said, giving her a kiss, as I stood up to make dinner, and Kuribo perked up, jumping to his feet.

"Yes. Wake up for dinner, why don't you, you little glutton!" I said, scratching his fluffy little head.

Following dinner, and a happy night, Himiko left again, without tearful goodbye this time, just a kiss, sending butterflies aflutter in my stomach, as she skipped away.

I didn't know then, but somehow, somewhere in my cold dead heart, the seeds of love were beginning to sprout. For better or for worse.