Hiei Jaganshi stalked down the hall of the school, frowning with irritation. He'd been summoned to the principal's office for the second time that term.
As he approached the door to the principal's office he noticed that someone else sat on one of the chairs outside the office. The person seemed to be about the same age as Hiei and was wearing the same dark blue uniform. They had to be a classmate but Hiei didn't recognize them. Hiei was not entirely sure whether it was a boy or a girl. Though the uniform was identical to Hiei's, the long, red hair rendered the person's appearance quite androgynous. He shrugged and sat down several chairs along from the redhead. The redhead's face turned in his direction, lips turning up into a soft smile.
"Hello," he/she said in a friendly tone.
"Hn," Hiei responded, not wanting to get into a conversation with the other student.
The redhead frowned, but much to Hiei's relief, turned to face ahead without any further comment. They sat for several minutes in silence until the door of the office opened.
"Mr. Jaganshi?" the principal asked. "Come in, please."
Hiei rose and followed Mr. Takanaka into his office. He slumped down into one of the chairs in front of the desk.
The principal of the school was a middle-aged man with thinning brown hair and thick eyebrows. He had a reputation for being firm but kindly. He took a particular interest in students with behaviour problems, something that had earned him Hiei's respect. Hiei was aware that he was not well liked by most of his teachers, but Mr. Takanaka always gave him a fair hearing.
"Mr. Jaganshi, I'll get straight to the point. You are on the cusp of being expelled," the principal told him. "You are constantly getting into fights and antagonizing your teachers."
Hiei rolled his eyes. "I don't start the fights," he grumbled. "I just finish them."
Mr. Takanaka's expression darkened. "Mr. Jaganshi, this is very serious," he said sternly. "This is your last chance. If your behaviour does not show improvement I will have no choice but to expel you. I feel that would be a shame as I think that you are actually a very intelligent boy under all that attitude. I've managed to convince the faculty to give you one last chance."
One last chance? Hiei frowned. His sister attended this school and he knew that she would be very disappointed if he were expelled. "What do I have to do?" he asked reluctantly.
"We have a new student arriving today," the principal said. "I've assigned him as your roommate and I expect you to show him around and watch over him."
"Do you mean that I don't have to room with that idiot Kuwabara anymore?" Hiei demanded. This might actually be a good thing.
The principal stared disapprovingly at him. "Mr. Kuwabara was equally as excited at the news, I assure you," he informed Hiei. "It seems that his opinion of you is as low as yours is of him."
"So you want me to babysit," Hiei said. "What's wrong with this guy anyway? Why does he need a babysitter?"
The principal frowned at him but rose and went to the door. He opened it and called out, "Mr. Minamino? This way, please."
A moment later, Mr. Takanaka was guiding the redheaded person who'd been waiting outside into the room. Hiei watched, puzzled, as Mr. Takanaka showed Minamino to the chair beside Hiei. The boy moved awkwardly around the chair, Takanaka hovering over him until he'd settled himself in the seat.
"Thank you for joining us, Mr. Minamino," Takanaka said. "Beside you is your new roommate, Hiei Jaganshi. He will be showing you around the school and helping you get your bearings. The two of you are also in the same class."
Minamino turned towards Hiei with a friendly smile plastered across his face. "I am Shuichi Minamino," he told Hiei. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
For a moment, Hiei couldn't speak. Out in the hall he had only caught a glimpse of the redhead's face. Now he could see that the boy's face was fine-boned and his eyes were an enchanting shade of forest green. Hiei would not have been surprised to learn that he was a model. He swallowed.
"Hiei?" The principal's voice cut through the air and Hiei jumped. He realized that he'd been staring at the redhead for far too long. The redhead now wore a look of confusion.
"Ah..." Hiei couldn't even remember what the redhead had said. Something about his name?
"Mr. Jaganshi, I mean it when I say this is your last chance," the principal snapped. "I do hope you take it seriously."
Minamino's head swivelled in the principal's direction. Hiei was surprised when the boy said, "Will that be all, Mr. Takanaka?"
The principal sighed. "Yes, you can both go," he said. "Please let me know if you have any problems, Mr. Minamino." He turned a pointed look on Hiei. There was a silent warning there, Hiei knew.
The redhead stood, edging around the chair until he was behind it, hand resting on the back of it. Hiei watched in confusion as the redhead reached into his bookbag and pulled out what appeared to be a folded-up cane. He held the black handle of the cane and let the rest of it drop. Each segment locked into place to form a rigid stick. On the end of it was a white ball.
"Shall we go?" Minamino asked Hiei with a smile.
Hiei turned back to the principal, one eyebrow raised questioningly.
"Mr. Minamino is blind," Mr. Takanaka explained.
Hiei resisted the urge to groan. No wonder he needed babysitting. He stomped towards the door, holding it open when he reached it.
"Hurry up," he told the other boy, ignoring Mr. Takanaka's disapproving frown.
Minamino walked through the door, the cane held out in front of him as he swept it from side to side, the ball rolling across the linoleum. He waited patiently for Hiei in the hall as the dark haired boy closed the door behind him.
Hiei took hold of the boy's arm and began to tug him down the hall towards their classroom. They were already late.
"Excuse me," Minamino said softly, after stumbling several steps alongside him.
"What?" Hiei demanded, stopping and turning to him.
"If you don't mind, I would be more comfortable if you allowed me to hold your arm," Minamino said.
Hiei frowned and released the other boy. Minamino reached forward tentatively, his hand gliding lightly up Hiei's arm. Hiei couldn't help the blush rising on his cheeks at the touch. He thanked God that Minamino couldn't see it. Minamino gripped his upper arm in a light hold.
"Ready?" Hiei demanded, his embarrassment at his own reaction making the word come out harsher than he'd intended. Minamino's head dropped towards the ground, long hair falling to cover his face.
"Yes," he said quietly. "I am sorry if I am inconveniencing you."
Now Hiei felt awful. He hadn't meant to make the boy feel bad but he didn't know how to respond so instead he began walking in the direction of the classroom, Minamino walking beside him in silence, head still lowered.
This sucks, Hiei thought.