A/N:
OMG, people!! My story has hit the 1000 hit mark!! And has FIFTY-ONE reviews!! TIME TO CELEBRATE!! –throws confetti and hands out cookies to everyone that helped make this happen- I really want to cry…I'm so proud of my story!! –sniffs-
THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE!! I LOVE YOU!! XD
Okay, while I go off and cry in happiness, I'll let Hiei take over the story now!! HIT IT!!
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Chapter 10: The Gift of Music Part 3
I'd slammed a dish so hard onto the counter that it had shattered into tiny bits when I'd heard Astrid say that she was leaving with the Butterfly.
Three days! Three days was all I had left with her. And it was only now that I was coming to terms with my feelings for her.
It was all too fast - her rescue…falling in love…her leaving. I had never expected any of this to happen.
I sat in the nearest chair and cradled my head in my hands. I didn't know what to do. For once, I was at a loss. I breathed deeply in an attempt to calm myself.
I was vaguely aware of Astrid saying something about recording equipment, but it had never registered in my thought until the next day.
She sat at her piano and a microphone, other instruments surrounded her as she played one after another into the microphone. Sometimes, I heard her singing, but it always sounded so far away those last three days.
On the second day, as I was coming home from a particularly easy thieving job, Maykuh took me by the wrists and dragged me to Astrid.
"She wants you to do something for her, but I told her that she'd never get you to do it. Just a hunch, I guess, but I could be wrong." She blabbered on; I was only really half listening. All I could think about was her. I couldn't focus on anything else but her.
Astrid seemed to capture the very soul of me.
I was brought before her as she held out a few sheets of paper to me. I took them and saw that they were lyrics.
"Would mind singing for me, Hiei? I would like a couple songs that you sang. We could even do a couple of duets?" her voice was that of an enchantress. How could I say no?
I nodded and she smiled as bright a smile as she could. I could tell that she wasn't ready to leave either. But we both knew she had to. Nothing could be done to change it.
Maykuh sat on her chair; a look of shock crossed her face. I wasn't paying attention to her, though.
It was just Astrid, me, and the music. We went through the notes and the rhythms a few times before running the whole song. We went through it a couple times just to make sure.
"Alright, let's see how well you've got it down. No lyrics" Astrid plucked them from my hands and I let her. My memory was flawless. The repetitiveness was unnecessary for me, but I did it for her sake. To spend more time with her. She started the music.
Everything you say or do
I am always there for you
Whether you're laughing or you're screaming
No one else could take your place
I will always see your face
When I'm awake and when I'm dreaming
Cause I believe there's a place for you and me in this crazy world
If you come running back to me I'll be here waiting
Cause I still believe in a love worth saving
If you could see the sad look on my face
You'd be headed back to my place
Come back to me, I'll be here waiting
Cause I'm on my knees and my love's not fading
If you could see the sad look on my face
You'd be headed back to my place
I can't stand to watch you go
Cause in my head deep down I know
I don't wanna live without you
I love the way we stay up late
The way you laugh at your mistakes
I love everything about you
Cause I believe there's a place for you and me in this crazy world
If you come running back to me I'll be here waiting
Cause I still believe in a love worth saving
If you could see the sad look on my face
You'd be headed back to my place
Come back to me, I'll be here waiting
Cause I'm on my knees and my love's not fading
If you could see the sad look on my face
You'd be headed back to my place
No, don't wanna let you go
Girl, you belong in my heart, in my arms, in my bed
Girl, quit messing with my head
Say that you're coming back to stay right here with me
If you come running back to me I'll be here waiting
Cause I still believe in a love worth saving
If you could see the sad look on my face
You'd be headed back to my place
Come back to me, I'll be here waiting
Cause I'm on my knees and my love's not fading
If you could see the sad look on my face
You'd be headed back to my place
Come back to me
I still believe
If you could see the sad look on my face
You'd be headed back to my place
Come back to me
I'm on my knees
If you could see the sad look on my face
You'd be headed back to my place
Astrid certainly had a way of writing lyrics. She looked up at me with a bright grin that could chase away any shadows in the darkest heart.
"What?" I asked her.
"You have a great singing voice. I just wonder if you'd do well in other things related to music." She giggled at that. I, however, grimaced at the thought. I knew that if she wanted to teach me something, I wouldn't say no. I couldn't say no to her.
It was infuriating, but calming at the same time. It was so easy to please her and the rewards were considerably gratifying.
I made as much of every moment that I had with her before she had to leave. She continued working with me on other songs. I didn't mind, I guess, since it was her that wrote them.
Maykuh would often sit in and listen, but almost always she would have to leave after a half hour. I swear that girl was made of water on the inside to cry that much.
The day before she would have to leave, I lied down in the soft grass and looked up into the clouds. A tight pain clutched in my chest.
When I put my hand to the pain, I became aware that it wasn't my chest. It was my heart. I was worried about what would become of her, although, she was going home. She would be safe there.
I would miss her and I could never replace her. I would never try. I thought of her face and her smile, imagining it before me. That's when I realized that she was actually standing above me, smiling at me so innocently. I wondered how innocent she really was.
"Aren't you a little overdressed to be lying in the sun?" she giggled. I rolled my eyes. I'd always dressed in all black and heat never bothered me.
"I'm used to it. What does it matter anyway?" I turned over onto my side and away from her. I couldn't look at her. I was afraid that if I did, she would suddenly disappear and never return.
She sighed softly and I realized that I couldn't keep my back turned to her. I had to look at her; I didn't want to forget what she looked like. I rolled onto my other side to see that she had joined me in the grass.
Her blue eyes shifted onto me, a grin alighting her features. I thought she was so beautiful just lying there next to me. I couldn't help but to reach out a hand and intertwine my fingers in her dark brown hair that fanned out around her.
She caught my hand in hers and turned to face me, "Would you tell me something if I were to ask?"
My lips twitched, almost smiling. How could she know that I would answer any question she might have? Or answer any request she might give?
"What would you like to know?"
"Your Jagan…what – can you do with it?"
I frowned instantly. I was never willing to discuss that with anyone.
"I've heard that…" she hesitated, "That the one wielding the Jagan could seek out any one person that they wished. To find or watch over someone…is that true?" she was so timid that I drew her to me, holding her gently to my chest.
"Yes. It's true. Is there a reason you wished to know?"
"Well…I was hoping that maybe…you'd watch over me?" she turned her electrifying eyes on me and I swore that somehow she'd melted my heart.
I didn't say anything, but I pulled her closer, tipping her chin up so that her face was as close to mine as she could stretch. I leaned in and partook of her liquored lips. I was instantly drunk on her breath, euphoria spreading it's gentle heat through my body.
I felt her calm and relaxed against me. I wondered why she never fought against me, but rather allowed me to steal away her kisses. I could never understand why. Even if she did love me, I left little to be desired.
I could feel her hands resting lightly against my chest and I moved my arm around her waist. Still kissing her, I lifted her as I stood and carried her into the house.
I sat her on her piano bench and pulled away, breathing slightly heavier than usual.
"You're not done, little Falconess."
She smiled at me and surprised me as she quickly leaned towards me before stealing a kiss from my lips. I stared at her wide-eyed, not sure what to make of it. I'd thought that I'd been the one who was the thief. I shook my head internally and gave her a small smile of my own.
She turned to her music then, with the most angelic look and continued recording.
The rest of that day, I watched her as she wrote, played, and sang her music. It went by quicker than I was anticipating, and, before I knew it, it was time for her to leave.
Astrid handed me a stack of CD's, "I made these for you to listen to since I won't be around to sing for you," she smiled weakly, "I love you…Hiei."
I took the CD's and set them aside, never looking away from her face, and pulled her to me into a tight embrace. I rested my chin on top of her head.
"Take care of yourself, Astrid. I don't want to have to rescue you again. I would anyway, though. You know that though, don't you?" I felt her nod, "You will save those demons, I know you will. And you'll do just fine at it."
Astrid looked up at me with shining eyes. She pressed her lips to mine one last time before she wrenched herself away from me.
A few tears fell on my still outstretched hand as Astrid and Maykuh disappeared into the sky.
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A/N:
WOW!! O.O I never thought that I'd get this one finished!! X3 But, I did!! Yay me!!
From now on, I will switch between Hiei's and Astrid's point of view DURING the chapters since they are no longer together. DON'T WORRY!! They will eventually come back together and that is when I will return to the method I've been using for the points of view.
In order for me to update, I will need to get to FIFTY-SIX REVIEWS!! WE CAN DO IT, EVERYONE!!
THANK YOU FOR READING AND MAKING THIS STORY HAPPEN!! XD And now, you guys know the drill!!
Review or cookies, please!! Or both!! You know they all work either way! XD