I appreciate the reviews I received for this story, I still have my misgivings about it. I do like that someone said it was unique and you know you are. I hope there are more unique aspects in the coming chapters.

Chapter Four- The First Morning

The sky was starting to lighten as Hiei broke the surface and crawled out of the water onto dry sand.

I made it. Barely. Hiei watched the sky, wondering how much his change would hurt. There was no doubt in his mind that it would hurt to change into a human. He imagined that his tail would split in two, each one becoming a leg. Of course, his fins would become what humans called feet.

He stared at his tail. It didn't hit him until now that he was going to miss it for the seven days that he was going to be on land. But, it would be worth it for what he would have upon his return home: A brand new power.

His gaze trailed over to the dagger he clutched in his fist. It was the object that would kill Kurama, draw the power into itself before transferring it to Hiei. Of course, it wouldn't work if he didn't have Kurama's trust.

As the sun's first rays appeared over the horizon, Hiei began to writhe, toss, and turn on the sand. He felt glad that he didn't have a voice because the pain was unbearable. His tail flapped wildly up and down on the sand before splitting down the middle and becoming legs. His fins became feet while the ones at his waist vanished. As the transformation ended, so did the pain.

Hiei panted for a few minutes before examining his new limbs. He frowned at them. They seemed fragile, ugly, and…short. Great, he was a short human. He hated them. They were nothing like his tail. I already wish I had my tail back.

He shoved that thought aside and focused on the task of standing. It shouldn't be too hard. He had seen Kurama do it the several days he had watched him.

Slowly, he rolled so that he was resting on what looked like the legs' equivalent of elbows. He planted his hands on the ground and pushed.

What happened next appeared to be instinct. His feet planted themselves, one at a time, firmly on the ground. The upward motion from his hands helped him stand erect. He blinked in surprise. Well, that was-, he began to think.

Suddenly, his knees trembled and Hiei soon found himself sitting on the ground, one leg out to either side of him. easy, his thought concluded. He pounded a fist on the sand. How was he supposed to find Kurama if he couldn't even stand?

"Are you all right?"

Hiei's head whipped around at the voice and saw Kurama standing behind him wearing some kind of second skin.

Hiei shook his head and pointed at his legs, a mute answer to Kurama's question.

"Ah. Okay, I see." Kurama leaned down, grasped one of Hiei's hands and hoisted him to his feet with almost no effort. His knees trembled again and he fell against Kurama's chest.

"Whoa! Easy now. I guess you haven't walked in a while. Perhaps, you've been adrift in the sea before coming here this morning."

Not quite, Hiei thought.

"What's your name?"

Hiei couldn't answer and honestly he didn't want to. The only time he ever gave his name was when he met Yusuke. Oh, wait! If I pretend to be his friend, he'll trust me in practically no time.

He moved his lips soundlessly and desperately, knowing it was in vain. He saw Kurama's eyes, which he noticed were green, fill with sympathy.

"You can't speak. Oh, don't worry. I won't leave you out here by yourself. You'll come with me." Kurama pulled a cloth hanging behind him off and wrapped it around Hiei's body and helped him walk away from the beach.

Kurama was thrilled. He had found someone new who could eventually become a new friend. At least he hoped so. He had one friend already, but he was still rather lonely.

I wonder who he is. I've never seen him before. His eyes are most unusual, too. I've never met anyone with red eyes before.

They round the corner and an enormous palace came into view. His home. He felt his companion stop in his tracks and stare at the structure before looking at Kurama quizzically.

"I'm sorry. I didn't introduce myself. My name's Kurama. Prince Kurama."

The short teenager nodded. Kurama deduced that he was a teenager despite his height. His face was certainly not child-like nor did it have the mature look of an adult. He led his guest inside and straight to the bathroom. It would be breakfast soon and Kurama wanted his guest washed and dressed before introducing him to his parents.

As he scrubbed the boy's black hair, noticing the interesting white starburst, he said, "I wish you could speak. Then I would know your name. I guess I'll have to give you one."

No! he thought desperately. I don't want a filthy human name! I wish there was a way to tell him my name's Hiei.

Kurama suddenly looked around. "Who said that?" he said before turning to look at Hiei. "Did you hear that?"

Hiei shook his head. Kurama frowned. "That's odd. I could have sworn I heard someone. Well, I didn't actually hear it. It was more like a voice in my head. It said, "Hiei." What? What's wrong?" His guest was nodding and pointing at himself.

"Is that your name? Hiei?" An enthusiastic nod was his answer.

Hiei dwelled on what just happened as Kurama helped him dress. Kurama had said the he had heard a voice in his head. Hiei knew that he had a strong desire for Kurama to know his name.

Am I a telepath? he wondered. Why haven't I realized it before? Perhaps winning Kurama's trust won't be so hard after all.

"Mother, Father. This is my new friend, Hiei."

Hiei bowed at the waist, like he would if he was in the Sea King's presence.

The king and queen nodded at Hiei's greeting, but barely looked at Kurama. Even their younger son, Shuichi, didn't look at his brother. Hiei found this rather rude and oddly cold. Why didn't they look at Kurama?

Breakfast was a chilly affair. Kurama's parents chatted happily with Shuichi, but ignored Kurama as if he wasn't in the room. The redhead kept his eyes focused on his plate and had a sad look on his face. Hiei noticed this, but was far more interested in learning to use his utensils. Only when he had mastered their use did Kurama's demeanor really catch his attention. The mystery of his sadness was finally solved.

If he's unhappy because his parents are ignoring him, killing him will be easy. No one would miss him or care that he's dead.

Well, hopefully Hiei's telepathy is an interesting twist to the story and next time, the mystery of why Kurama is being ignored will be answered.