Step One
Ok, not dead! And still working on this story, though I'm sure it doesn't seem like it. I realize this means absolutely nothing to most people, but I really am very sorry, and I promise to try to be a little faster with my future updates.
Ok, so now that I've finished begging for forgiveness, I found the name of the artist who drew the picture that inspired this story. So, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, lets have some clicking of keyboards for the talented ninjamaster123! It really is a wonderful picture, and I hope any of you out there who haven't already seen it will take a look. I found it when browsing through the HieiBotan Club on deviantart.
Now please enjoy the next few minuets of your life, and remember to tell me what you think.
An hour, several gallons of extremely hot water, and an unprecedented amount of soap later, Hiei found himself sitting stiffly among the thick, sturdy branches of his favorite tree and probably cleaner than he'd ever been in his entire life. Even so, he couldn't seem to rid himself of the slimy feeling of blood and innards oozing down his body and sticking to his hair. He even found himself running his hands through his hair and across his body repeatedly simply to reassure himself that there was nothing slimy, soft, sticky, or otherwise unidentifiable clinging to the unruly locks of blue-black silk or barely tanned skin.
His clothes, however, had been a lost cause. The dark blue sleeveless shirt he'd been wearing was now a permanent sickly yellow color and smelled as such. The fire demon had been previously unaware that colors possessed scents, but this one certainly did; there was simply no other way to describe it. It was just…yellow. And not the pleasant sunny color advertisement artists seemed so fond of using.
His black fighting pants had retained their onyx color, and only caught the brunt of the smell, but that was more than enough. He was only glad he'd removed his long black cloak beforehand; he was somewhat attached to the garment. The beautiful black and crimson material was as soft as silk, but as strong as steel, and despite its confining appearance, the most comfortable piece of clothing he'd ever owned. He would have hated to have to burn it.
Pushing these thoughts aside for another time, his crimson eyes landed on the book sitting on his lap. It didn't appear to be powerful in any sense of the word. Actually, it was a somewhat tattered and pathetic little thing, with use-worn pages and tears in the paperback cover. It wasn't even a thick book; certainly no more than ten pages long and easily slipped into a coat or even pants pocket.
The cover itself was a light purple with randomly arranged bands of deeper violet circling it in various spots. In the very center of the thin paperback cover was what would seem to be a likeness of a human male sitting across from a human female, drawn like shadows at a small table with a candle between them. Set as their background was a large deep red heart outlined in a thick black line. The words 'Three Easy Steps to a Perfect Date' were printed in elegant gold script just above the heart.
All in all, it seemed…almost comical.
Staring suspiciously at the torn and faded cover, Hiei wondered what could possibly be so sinister about this 'Dating Guide'. Yusuke had been adamant that no one, especially Kuwabara, was to know that he had used it, despite the fact that he readily admitted that it had helped his…unique…relationship with Keiko.
So what could possibly be so threatening about it that made the typically cocky and arrogant Spirit Detective fearfully hide such a useful item from his best friend?
Perplexing.
Sadly no answer presented itself, and Hiei began to wonder if perhaps it would be wiser to pay the 'oaf' a visit.
Quiet taps echoed softly amid the emerald leaves surrounding him, his nimble fingers drumming distractedly on the cover causing his confusion as he considered the idea. It did have possibilities.
While the fire demon expended a great deal of time and effort in insulting the 'oaf' in terms of intelligence, ability, and general name-calling, and meant every one f them, he was well aware that Kuwabara did not call himself the Warrior of Love because he thought it sounded cool. No, while the loudmouthed carrot top was certainly no Cupid, he did have a certain talent when it came to matters of the heart. Hell even Kurama had gone to Kuwabara for advice!
Even better, as he had shown earlier that day, he took the title, and the responsibility that came with it, very seriously. Hiei knew that if he went to Kuwabara, his ally would listen quietly to his concerns and questions before giving him the best advice and help he could without laughing or mocking him, despite their well-known clashes.
To get the necessary assistance, however, he would have to ask. That was something Hiei wasn't sure he could lower his pride enough to do, regardless of the haziness of the alternatives.
Biting his lip in an uncharacteristic expression of uncertainty, he opened the book.
Hiei wasn't sure if he was disappointed or relieved to find that a decent portion of the few pages of this mysterious book were blank and the first one with any print at all was surprisingly short:
Step 1. Take your sweetheart for a stroll around your local park.
Below that was a picture of a couple walking contentedly through what appeared to be a public garden, disappointing in its lack of detail, but appearing to be an intentional setback.
Hiei frowned but didn't wince as his left fang pierced his lip, though he did quickly switch to tapping his fingers in thought again. He couldn't take her to the park, he basically lived there. And besides, Botan came to the park all the time. He'd spent several hours each day sitting in the tree above the old stone bench near the entrance where she liked to sit and read. Not that he'd ever admit to that of course.
But…a walk didn't seem like a bad idea. He'd often watched as the pretty ferry girl simply gazed dreamily at the scenery with that…wonderful smile resting on her lips. A walk would give her a chance to bask in her background as she was so fond of doing, only this time he would be a part of that. The barest hints of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips; he liked that thought very much. Yes, a walk would be perfect.
But that still left him the question of where to take her. The park was simply out of the question; he couldn't take her somewhere so…familiar.
His eyes skimmed over the picture again, the flowers were pretty, if poorly drawn, with many colors ranging from soft pinks and blues to vibrant yellows and reds. Such a place would be perfect…
Hiei placed a finger to his chin in thought. There was a valley back in the Makai, not far from the barrier that separated the two worlds. It was quite a lovely place; even he had to admit, with shallow pools full of the most intriguing fish that glowed like aquatic fairies. The Makai's version of the 'firefly' was often attracted to the many sweetly fragranced flowers, far more extravagant and breathtaking than anything he'd ever come across in the Human or Spirit Worlds. A little dangerous perhaps, but his reputation was well-known, more so back in his homeland than even the Spirit World records would convey; it was doubtful that any demon would make an attempt to so much as look at Botan, not with him there.
It was settled then; he would take her there, and she would be quite pleased, he was sure.
But…when was he supposed to take her out? He'd been less than specific with the timing, he realized now, as 'tonight' meant simply that. He didn't want to go to her too early as she would still be working, but if came too late she might feel he had forgotten about her.
So many questions.
Thinking back to the valley he planned show her, around dusk seemed most appropriate. The fireflies would just be arriving, their enchanting lights giving the place a magical appearance. If she felt that was too late, he'd simply have to find some way to make it up to her.
That decided he was left with one question. What the hell was a 'sweetheart'?
Well, there you have it. Originally I'd planned on going into the first part of the evening in this chapter, but I decided the chapter had a main focus and that wasn't it. I'm fairly happy with the way it turned out, but, as I have stated on numerous occasions, your opinion matters, mine does not.