A/N:

A/N:

Okay…many have been asking about the time lapse between the time that Hiei and Shikonei have seen each other, so this is just to clear things up a bit.

Hiei and Shikonei have known each other for 125 years!! Wow, that's a long time!! The first ten years were portrayed in An Old Beginning. In reality, Shikonei came back in the amount of time she said she would be, BUT…100 years after she left (being the end of An Old Beginning) she erases those 100 years, leaving him only the memories of their first ten years. SO!! After erasing his memories, Shikonei comes back 15 years later, which is right now in A New Beginning. Whew!! wipes sweat from brow I hope that makes sense!! Mostly everything else will be explained, either in this story, or the sequel to this story…which is the 100-year rift that has been missed.

Yes, I know. The stories are out of order. I did that on purpose so that you would want to keep reading on to the next sequel!! I like to think of myself as the Goddess of Mystery!! lol…not really…but I love mystery, so there you go! Hope that explains enough for ya!!

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Chapter 2: New Surprises

With Hiei's height completely restored, he seems to be in a much better mood than usual. He doesn't even complain during the discussing and preparations for the upcoming party.

One particularly boring day at school, the team and Shikonei sit in their desks listening to their teacher's lecture, when a red headed woman comes bursting through the classroom doors.

"Shikonei!" she yells, "It's…um…oh…sorry!" the woman bows to the teacher.

Shikonei stands, an angry look on her face.

"Kyramei! You can't just barge in wherever you please just because I am here."

The woman, now known as Kyramei, bows low to Shikonei. Instead of apologizing, however, she starts speaking in a melodic foreign language. Everyone's jaw drops as Shikonei nods and answers in the same language. Kurama frowns and shakes his head.

The teacher is too shocked to stop the odd exchange and just stands there with a dumbfounded look on her face.

Yusuke and Kuwabara have very similar looks on their own faces. Finally, Shikonei nods one last time and dismisses the energetic red head. Kyramei bows low to Shikonei and shortly to the teacher, apologizing to her one last time. She quickly departs.

The two human boys turn to the blind kitsune gaping, "What the heck was that

Shikonei doesn't say a word but instead takes her seat and waits for the teacher to start her lecture again. Yusuke turns around and leans around Kuwabara to look at Kurama.

"Wha-?"

Kurama's brow furrows, "Sh. We'll explain later."

Yusuke and Kuwabara spend the rest of the day in school squirming in their seats in anticipation.

As soon as school gets out, the boys wait outside. Kurama and Hiei walk out together, silently.

"Hey, where's Shikonei?" Kuwabara asks, looking around.

"She said she would be staying after school today." Kurama chuckles, "She's probably using their studio."

Hiei smirks and Yusuke cocks his head to the side, "The studio?"

Hiei looks up at the black haired boy, "Hn, let's just go locate her and find out. If she's in the studio, then you'll see."

The team walks back through the school looking for the studio. Eventually, the only one looking is Hiei, the other boys too engrossed in Kurama's explanation of the language he shares with his sister.

Hiei passes an empty room but doubles back as he catches a glimpse of moving color.

It turns out to be Shikonei. The room is, indeed, the studio and inside, she dances to music on her headphones. Hiei can't even move, but instead watches her longingly.

"…right, Hiei?" Yusuke says. Silence. Yusuke and the others turn around to see that Hiei is missing, "Hiei? Where'd you go?" He looks further down the hallway to see him entranced. They run back to him.

"What's going on, shorty?" Kuwabara inquires. Hiei jumps and turns his head towards his team members.

"I found her." Their eyes go wide as they look through the door window.

"What's she doing?" Yusuke opens the door and goes in, taking a seat on the top row of the bleacher-like seats. The rest of the team follows him in quietly.

"She's getting ready to dance. It's her warm-up exercises." Yusuke and Kuwabara stare at him intensely.

"How do you know this?" Hiei just shrugs and moves to the front row.

Shikonei's voice rings out in the silence, catching the boys off guard.

"What are you doing here?"

"We were curious, so we came to find you." Yusuke replies. He turns to Kurama, "What is he doing?" Kurama looks to where the detective is pointing to see Hiei leaning forward in his seat and bouncing his knees. Shikonei begins another dance.

Kurama smirks at Yusuke, "Actually, I think I'm going to join him down there."

Yusuke frowns, then yells, "You know, it'd be a lot more fun to watch you if we could actually hear the music."

Shikonei snaps her fingers and suddenly, loud, up-beat music fills the room. Kurama walks out onto the floor, grabbing his sister's hands mid-step.

"Mind if I join you?" Shikonei smiles.

"Of course not."

Yusuke and Kuwabara watch intently, occasionally casting a glance towards the fidgeting Hiei.

The dance ends and Hiei rises. Yusuke isn't impressed.

"That was dancing?"

Kurama looks at him apologetically, "Sorry, I'm not very skilled at it. Shikonei, however…"

A new song begins and Hiei strides towards her and pulls her into a spin. This catches the eye of the other boys.

He continues to dance with her. The two humans eyes practically pop from their sockets as they watch.

They dance the tango. Hiei would relax if he didn't have to be alert for the steps. Their dance takes a very seductive turn and Yusuke and Kuwabara's jaws nearly drop to the floor.

Shikonei's face breaks out in an overjoyed grin and she nearly stumbles. Hiei catches her, spinning her to his chest. The song comes to an end and Hiei and Shikonei just stand there facing each other.

Hiei places a hand behind her neck as he looks somberly into her eyes. She senses his emotions and her face softens. Hiei begins to lean in, but stops, distracted by a seemingly distant yelling.

"WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM? HIEI! Where did you learn to dance like that?"

A loud applause sounds from the doorway. Teachers and students that had stayed after school had heard the music and came to investigate. One of the teachers approaches Hiei and Shikonei and holds out her hands.

"I have never, in my entire career, seen students your age dance like that before. You must join our dance club! You would definitely win in the competitions."

Shikonei frowns, then smiles, "I'll only join if Hiei does and agrees to be my partner."

Hiei smiles at her, "And I'll only join if Shikonei does and agrees to be my partner."

The dance instructor is delighted, "Club is every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.! I can't wait to see you there!" She hurries out of the studio as students swarm in to barrage the two demons.

The rest of the team squeezes their way through the crowd and out the door.

"Whew, do I feel bad for those two. But, who knew that Hiei – Hiei, of all people – could danced like that? I'm impressed." Kuwabara says looking back into the crowd.

"Who are you feeling bad for, moron?"

The boys whirl around to face Hiei and Shikonei standing behind them. Yusuke cocks a grin at them, "Let's get out of here before they figure out you're not in there anymore."

They all nod and run for the entrance. They decide it's safe to stop a block away from the school. They walk quietly to Kurama's apartment for a while before they can't stand the silence anymore and everyone bursts into a clamor of unrecognizable questions.

Many people give them strange looks and a wide berth to avoid being caught in the excited thrall of teenagers.

"Geez, Hiei, why didn't you tell us that you could move like that?" Kuwabara throws an arm over the fire apparitions shoulders. Hiei shakes the taller boys arm off, giving a grunt.

"Like I would tell you, moron. Besides, I'd given it up a long time ago." Hiei throws his arm around Shikonei's shoulders and whispers something in her ear.

"I still think you two are dating." Yusuke says, pointing accusingly at them.

Shikonei shoots a glare his way and begins speaking in her foreign language.

"Hey, that's that language you were speaking when that girl came in our class today. What language is it?"

Shikonei continues talking in her own tongue, turning to Kurama. Kurama answers back with a grin, also speaking in the suave and seducing language.

Yusuke and Kuwabara gape at the twins, "Not fair! Hiei, what are they saying?"

Hiei shrugs, smirking, "I don't know. I usually hate it when they do this, but it's pretty entertaining at the moment."

Shikonei smirks at Hiei, "You'll be able to understand soon enough. When your memories are restored." Hiei gazes at her, frowning slightly.

Yusuke looks between the two of them, "Why do I get the feeling that I'm missing something?"

"Because you don't know anything about them." Keiko's voice sounds from behind.

"Keiko! Since when were you going to come over?" Yusuke hurries over to the girl. Shikonei lifts an eyebrow.

"His mate." Hiei tells her. Shikonei nods, understanding completely.

Kuwabara suddenly speaks up, "Oh! When are we having this party? I want to go and tell Yukina!" He laughs obnoxiously while Hiei sneers at him.

"Calm down, Hiei," Shikonei whispers to him, "It will be fine. He won't hurt your dear sister."

Hiei's eyes widen at his sensei's words. He turns to her, "How did you – " Hiei rolls his eyes, "Never mind. I'll just assume it's another part of my memory loss."

Shikonei frowns, "Not for long, Hiei. Not for long."

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A/N:

I'm so sorry!! I know my chapters have been short, but, again, I don't know where they are going and I want to keep you guys reading so I try to post as often as I can!! –takes deep breath after run on sentence-

ANYWAY!! Next chappie won't be up till 'A Falcon's Spirit' has been updated…so….keep an eye out for them!! Review and/or give cookies!! PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES!! YUM!! , ciao!