This is a collection of one shots that can be read individually or all together, but since they are all connected I recommend you don't skip around too much so that you may fully understand.
Humans and their stupid traditions. Hiei glared at the group of humans and demons around him all gathered for Yusuke's and Keiko's wedding. It was a simple wedding with only their closest friends and family, but for Hiei it was far too crowded and loud.
"You would think a small wedding meant no more than ten people," a human woman comments as she leans against the wall beside Hiei. The fire demon was somewhat shocked by her presence since he didn't sense her. Merily too many people, he brushes it off as.
"Hn, the detective wouldn't know how to do small or undramatic." The strange woman laughs catching the demon off guard. He meant it half joking but no one ever found his sense of humor funny yet this human woman captivated him with her full hearted laugh.
"I'm Mindy by the way," the woman sticks her hand out to Hiei turning fully for him to see her face on for the first time. She didn't look as if she was from around here. She had blonde hair, white skin, green eyes, and freckles. To make things stranger for Hiei she had a strange accent.
"Hiei," he says snubbing her out reached hand. The woman frowns as if disappointed.
"I'm sorry if I said something odd. I've been here for a few years but I still make mistakes sometimes." The woman doubts herself for a moment since she has been known to mess up a few words despite all her years teaching English at the college level. She was certain she at least knew how to introduce herself though, but the look she was getting made it seem as if she mis spoke.
"What are my two favorite grumpy people doing in the back during this festive time," Yusuke shouts dragging Keiko over to their corner.
"Hi Mindy," Keiko greets her once English teacher but now close friend. Keiko never struggled in school, but English in the upper levels was not easy for her. Mindy happily helped her even on her own time.
"Congratulation, though what happened to a small wedding?" Yusuke laughs knowing Mindy hates crowds.
"Well it started off that way; just my mom, Keiko's parents, Kuwabara and his sister, you, Shuichi, and Hiei, but then baton heard and Keonma heard, and Jorge, and Shuichi's mom heard and we can't say no to those guys so they all came and as you know Shuichi's mom can't leave her husband and kid. As for everyone else they couldn't believe I was getting married." By everyone else Yusuke was referring to: Mukuro, Yomi, and the rest of his close friends in the demon world that could pass for human.
"If you told me it was this big I would never have agreed." She grumbles as she takes the black suit jacket off revealing her electric blue blouse.
"Don't say that," Keiko wines feeling dejected.
"I still love ya kid, I wouldn't be here if I didn't, " the woman says in English ruffling the top of Keiko's hair.
"I thought I was done with your class," Keiko protests causing the woman to laugh.
"When Japan comes up with a word to express the love between close friends and allows you to show it freely as they did in America I'll stop using English on you." the word love caught Hiei's attention. That word was only used between mates as far as he was aware.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, she is mine!" Yusuke shouts separating Keiko and Mindy. The woman didn't even seemed bothered by it.
"Where I'm from Yusuke there is one word for love as well, but many meanings based on who you say it to. I love Keiko but only as a dear friend, I love my family but only as a family nothing more, and as for the other kind of love I have no one but it is the love you and Keiko share." A small group formed around them, but Mindy just stands there letting it sink in. She knew in Japan that there was one word with one use for love which despite three years of living in Japan she still found odd. In America there are so many times she says I love you or love ya' growing up to different people that the idea of not saying that to friends and family growing up is just not normal. Anyone you care deeply for you tell them you love them unless it was your significant other because then it took on a whole new meaning.
"So you tell her you love her because she's your friend?" Yusuke asks seeming like he might understand but was still uncertain. Mindy nods her head though.
"Yes, we are friends and I'm very dear to her."
"Isn't that a little weird?" Yusuke continues but the woman just chuckles.
"Only in Asian countries really. For most others it is quite normal." Mindy notices Yusuke taking quick offense to her comment so she tries to defuse the situation. "I love you as well Yusuke like an annoying endearing brother." Yusuke looks over at his new wife. Keiko smirks knowing what the woman really said. The fire demon on the other hand let's out a harsh hn in amusement to the image of Yusuke compared to Mindy's younger brother.
"She says she loves you like a brother." The groom seems satated with the situation and heads off to enjoy the rest of the celebration.
"So you understand English? Where did you learn it from, if you don't mind my asking?" The woman asks the fire demon who just walks off, refusing to admit his lack of understanding to the strange words coming from her mouth and thoughts. In truth the demons rudeness offended her and upset her slightly as she has taken a liking to the strange red eyed man.
Not long after Hiei left the wedding all together Mukuro approaches the peculiar woman talking to Hiei and newlywed in interest as to what other person could enjoy Hiei's sense of humor.
"Mindy is it?" Mukuro asks having already known the woman's name, but knowing no other way to strike up a conversation. The woman's green eyes turn to Mukuro.
"marhabaan," the woman greets causing Mukuro to furrow her brows in confusion. Quickly realizing her mistake Mindy becomes mortified. "I am so sorry just the style of your outfit with the turnicic is very similar to a traditional style of a Muslim's headdress so i wished to show respect by greeting you in one of their traditional fashions." The woman averts her eyes down to the ground feeling ashamed of herself. "I did the complete opposite it seem and even offended you. My apologizes." As realization hits Mukuro she begins to laugh. This woman was strange indeed, but there was something caring and accepting in personality.
"I hadn't realized others wore these. I'm not from anywhere around here so I'm unfamiliar with customs of other places." Mindy nods, accepting this answer. She wondered why the women wore such strange clothes, but thought it better not to ask so as to not offend the woman any further.
"I'm Mukuro by the way. I saw you taking to Hiei earlier and if you could laugh at what he says I thought you might be someone I would want to meet."
"Oh, well thank you. I hope I don't disappoint." Mindy stretches out her hand in greeting. Mukuro was familiar with this human gesture after greeting several humans over the duration of this mating celebration, but the concept was still odd to her. Overcoming the miniature mental struggle Mukuro shook Mindy's hand.
"Not at all. Rather you're quite interesting for a human." Mindy looks at Mukuro feeling quite lost by her statement about being human. Sure some of the people are weird to Mindy, but they're Yusuke's friends -he sort of just attracts weird from what Mindy has seen. Trying not to think too hard about it Mindy chalks the statement up to whatever part of the world she came from.
"Well I hope that's a compliment so thank you. Unfortunately though I must get going I have a class tomorrow and I still haven't graded their essays from last week's tests." Mindy bows slightly to show respect before taking her leave.
"She's sharp and oddly charming," Mukuro states as she walks away from the main section of the celebration. She knew Hiei was hanging around watching that human. Her native language was frustrating to him yet he swore he knew that human girl somehow.
