After the accident


The young girl picked up the newspaper and walked back inside her empty apartment. A few weeks ago her mother would have greeted her as soon as she opened the door, but that won't happen again. She dropped the paper down onto the small table in front of her TV and went to make herself a cup of strong, black coffee. Minutes later she was sitting by the table. She wanted to read the newspaper, but as soon as she saw the head line, the main article her tears started running down her face once more.

"After the fatal accident

The accident that happened five weeks ago was a tragic one as we all know. Mrs. Tanaka, kind teacher and loving mother, lost her life when a drunken driver ran into her car, when he crossed the red light while going 100 km/h. Mrs. Tanaka's funeral was held in the old Japanese style, since she always kept to our traditions. Her daughter, Hana Tanaka, the 18 year old college student, who was also in the car when the accident happened, still lives alone in their old apartment. She refuses to move to any one of her relatives, saying that she will not leave her home. She still has to take some medication, since the scars she received were almost also fatal to her body, and the fact that she only learned about her mother's death was after she woke up from her coma, two weeks ago wasn't helping her process the information as the doctors would liked it. Some of her classmates stated that since she's back in school she keeps to herself, unlike before when she was a happy, carefree young woman. This journalist only hopes that young Miss. Tanaka will get herself together and after this small back- out she'll continue her life from where she dropped out."

She didn't read the article of course, she only had to look at the picture of their old car to know that it was about their accident. She hated it that the media was putting it's nose into her business. She didn't need all the attention, she only needed a nice, warm bed and some time to calm down. But she had to go back to school, her so called family forced her, the only one who stood beside her was Shiori Minamino, Shuichi's mother. She said that she should rest for a while. She even offered that Shuichi and one of his friends, some kind of Hiei or something, would stay with her until that happens, but again she refused. The young girl didn't want to be a burden to others, but even after she told her aunt all that the woman insisted for the boys to visit her every afternoon. A knock came from the door and soon it opened. Shuichi stepped into the apartment followed by his friend.

"Good afternoon Hana!" he greeted her smiling. "How are you doing?"

"How do you think!?" the girl snapped back, even though she didn't want to be rude with him.

She just learned to lock away her emotions, it was easier that way. The red haired boy didn't get offended by her comment, he knew the rough stage she was going through, he himself loved Mrs. Tanaka as much as he loved his own mother. He quickly said something to his friend, Hiei and disappeared into the kitchen to unpack the lunch Shiori made for the three of them. The short, dark haired boy, dressed in a long black cloak sat down on the couch, but his eyes never left her form. He had grown to kind of like this girl. She was like a broken toy that can be repaired; you just need to work with it for a little while. Sure Hiei wasn't exactly what people call a sociable person, heck, he hated most of the humans and he didn't plan to change his mind just for one mortal female.

"Get yourself together, woman!" he growled at the pink haired young girl, who still kept watching the television in front of her.

She didn't answer, she never did. No matter how many times the demon growled at her, mocked her, once even a compliment left his mouth, but she didn't pay attention to either of them. Suddenly the kitchen door opened and Kurama/Shuichi walked back into the room with two full plates of his mother's best meal. Hana glanced up at him from the corner of hes eyes and silently watched the two boys while they were having their conversation.

"They called me from the school, I have to leave early." said her cousin. "Hiei you stay here and keep a close eye on her! Okay?"

Well it wasn't really a conversation since the black haired boy didn't answer his friend, he just nodded silently and turned his attention to the plate placed in front of him. He was always silent; that was the main aspect Hana liked in him. He was the only one who (almost) completely left her to be in her own little world, remembering her past, suffering in the present and thinking of the future. The redhead threw a goodbye towards the two of them from the front door before it closed up behind his back. That was it, they were left alone, but Hana just couldn't think of it at the moment, the picture was still glued into her thoughts.

"Eat, woman!" said Hiei glaring at her.

"Not hungry!" she replied lazily.

"You didn't have a bite all day! Eat or I'll force it in you!"

Just how in the world did he know that she didn't eat that day? Was he psychic? Can't be! They don't exist! She was getting a bit hungry so she took the chopsticks and started to finish up the food. Hiei watched her, he watched her movement like always when he was at her house. Kuruma always caught him staring and smirked but the black haired, fire demon just glared at him every time... but now... Now he was alone with the girl, Shuichi no where in sight or hearing range, there was no way for him to appear again, out of thin air. The demon leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees as he kept secretly watching her. Hana was too wrapped up in her thought to notice him.

"Why do you want to kill yourself?" he suddenly questioned in a dark voice.

"Whaa?!" he glanced up at him, clearly surprised. "Where did you get that from?"

"You thought about it!" he snapped at her.

She thought for a moment. The only time she wanted to die was right after she found out that she lost her mother. That was the only time and even than she only thought about it, she never considered doing it... but back then she didn't know Hiei, she didn't know that he was Shuichi's best friend. She wasn't even attracted to him until her cousin forced them to spend an afternoon together. Well that went pretty well, okay... it was a bit surprising that it went so good considering the facts about both of their lives. Hana took a deep breath as she continued to finish off her food when suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. Glancing up her eyes met Hiei's. She was taken a back a bit, she never expected him to be so close to her, ever. She tried to lean back to get away from him, even if she felt comfortable, but fire demon's hand on her shoulder prevented her movements.

"What the hell, Hiei?" she questioned, not really understanding his actions.

"Shut up, Hana!" he snapped back at her before he leaned down to her level and deeply kissed her rose red lips.

She tried to push him away from her face, she struggled to get free, but all of her attempt was in vain. Hiei kept up the kiss until she relaxed somewhat, and then he pulled away, but he pulled her into a thigh hug, keeping her still for a second.

"I should sue you for sexual harassment!" she growled up at him.

"You can't!" he laughed bitterly. "I'm a demon, I don't even exist officially in this world!"

"I know!"

"You're stupid woman!"

She got fed up at that comment and punched him in his chest. Well she tried to at least, he caught her arm way before she could do it. Hiei glared down at Hana, almost daring her to make a bad move again; which she happily did. She pushed herself away from his body and jumped up onto her legs. Heading to the kitchen she didn't even glance back at the fire demon. She knew that he was watching her, keeping a close eye on her as always. The door slammed shut behind her and Hana slowly let her guard down. Her eyes glow in an unnatural purple color as she opened them after exhaling deeply. The only good side of that God damned accident was that her father's powers awoke inside her body, even if that meant that her human mother died. One last tear fell down the side of her cheek as she leaned on the counter.

"What are you doing in here?" the male demon questioned opening the door.

He felt her energy change, he thought she did something to herself. Luckily no, the only thing that happened that a new chapter in her life started, and this time the main character in it was stronger in every way. Hiei's eyes widened at the sight of her new form. He could hardly believe that it was her when she stared back at her with those wonderful purple pupils. She slowly turned her head and stared at her reflection in the mirror.

"No wonder I always had pink hair!" she laughed before turning back to the black haired demon. "What was that kiss about?"

"I felt like it!" he shrugged.

"Do you feel like you want another one?"

she stepped closer to him, leaning her body into his. He held back a growl when she kissed him, her arms wrapping themselves around his neck, keeping him in place. A smirk soon appeared on his face as he too started to enjoy the kiss.

"I need to fix my bandages!" she purred when she broke their kiss.

"I'll help!"

That was probably the only time when Hiei wanted to help someone, but hey... maybe he can get a reword from the new demon afterwards. After the accident indeed a new chapter begun. She lost her family, lost her humanity, almost lost her entire live but at least she can learn about the father she never met and live a strong life, with the man that was following to her room at the moment. Hopefully it will turn out right. She knew that he would never say that he loved her, he knew that the fact was true for her too. They didn't need to say the three words, they already knew they were true.