Here it is! What everyone's been waiting for: the first chapter of the final arc of Everybody Loves Shuichi! Yay! And there's a lot to look forward to: a play, the return of Hiei, Kurama in drag - seriously, what's not to love, right? LOL!
Well, just to respond to my super cool reviewers (thanks again for reviewing!) first...
Splout - Actually, I haven't seen Bleach or Slayers (save a couple episodes of each that I can hardly remember), so a story like that might be kind of difficult for me, lol! But, hey, you could give it a shot and write it yourself if you'd like - I'm sure it would be really interesting!
UltamiteAngstQueen - Thanks so much for your comments and I'm glad you've enjoyed the story so far; it's always nice to get a new reviewer, so I really appreciate you taking the time out to review!
Xiassen - Don't worry about the dub name thing - I just hope I didn't confuse you! I should have made explained it more clearly before.
Hidari - Truer words have never been spoken - Poor Kurama, indeed, especially after these next few chapters (and he certainly has resigned considering what he tolerates throughout the course of the final arc)!
Izzlebella - Just didn't want to leave you out, because even you've given me so many nice reviews so far! So thanks!
To all those who have read or have reviewed in the past - Thanks again! You all rock!
With that, I have nothing much left to say (the summary for this chapter pretty much says it all, lol) and thus I bring to you Chapter 21 and the fantastical final arc of Everybody Loves Shuichi! and, perhaps, more importantly, Kurama's class production of Cinderella! Enjoy and R&R!
Chapter 21: A School Play! The Most Beautiful Cinderella is Chosen!
The classes of 3-4 and 3-5 had gathered in Mieou Academy's auditorium, curious and anxious to learn why the location of their class had been unexpectedly altered for that day. In the front row of seats sat the nine members of the two cabinets, all shifting uneasily as they were certain whatever disastrous event was about to occur, they would be the ones who would have to endure the brunt of it. Miss Nagai stood in front of the stage on one side of strategically placed desk that had a large, mysteriously sealed box on top of it. Her glower was one of agitation and annoyance, eyeing her students and the students of 3-5 in disgust. Mr. Fukuda stood on the other side of the table, smirking excitedly and knowingly, which made the cabinets of class 3-4 and 3-5 all the more apprehensive.
Miss Nagai cleared her throat, preparing to begin. "Now, you must all be wondering why both of our classes have gathered together today in this auditorium," she started, rigidly straightening her back. "Allow me to explain the miserable circumstances that have lead us here." The students cringed, but attentively listened to Miss Nagai's explanation. "The headmaster has decided, our school being as illustrious as it is, that the graduating classes of this year will put on some sort of final event to showcase their large array of supposed 'talent.' That being said, each pair of classes was given an assignment of sorts. Classes 3-1 and 3-2 will be putting on a series of debates to discuss current political, economic, and social issues in Japan; Classes 3-3 and 3-6 will be putting out a literary magazine of their own collective writings; and, lastly, Classes 3-4 and 3-5 will be putting on…a play."
Upon hearing this, the two classes began to cheer excitedly, clapping and eagerly asking different questions and offering various suggestions. Miss Nagai's brow twitched slightly as she muttered, "I'd hardly call this a cause for celebration." Namiko raised her hand now as the class quieted down a bit. Spotting it, Miss Nagai asked, "Yes, Miss Tatsuya?"
"What play will we be putting on?"
Miss Nagai cleared her throat again. "That leads us to the second portion of our meeting, as well as the main reason for it. The play we will be putting on is Cinderella." A ripple of excitement passed once more through the eager students as a tic formed in Miss Nagai's eyes. Gesturing to the box beside her, she continued, "In this box you see before you are various slips of paper. Each paper has a different part that needs to be cast for the play. Each student is required to come up and select a part from this box at random; whatever part you receive you must keep. Any questions?"
The class grew silent now, looking at the ill-fated box that could either give them a starring role or shove them into the background as a mere "extra." However, as the class had nothing to say, Miss Nagai took no time to dwell, and said, "Good; we will begin with our two class representatives. Mr. Minamino, Mr. Kitajima, please rise and pick a piece of paper from the box."
Shuichi and Tasaka both rose, hesitantly ambulating over toward the ominous box while various girls whispered and cooed in their seats:
"I hope Shuichi gets the prince!"
"Wouldn't that be so cool?"
"And I could be his Cinderella!"
Shuichi frowned miserably; while the rest of the students seemed ecstatic about putting on a school play, Shuichi had the sinking feeling that it would end in disaster. For once in his life, he hoped that he would not be the center of attention - that someone else would draw the lead role and he would be gratefully cast as an extra. How happy his life would be, how calm and serene - so unlike the rest of his frenzied last year at Mieou Academy. Was it to much to ask that his last couple months of high school ended on a mundane and tranquil note?
Tasaka laughed a bit bashfully and nervously looked over to Shuichi when they finally reached the box. "You want to pick first?"
"No, no; you can go," Shuichi insisted with a feigned smile.
Tasaka tried not to grimace and looked back at the box. Taking a deep breath, he exclaimed, "Here goes nothing!" His hand dived into the box. After a few fearful moments, Tasaka finally got enough nerve to pull out a piece of paper. As soon as he unfolded it, his face turned bright red in embarrassment and his expression contorted in utter anxiety.
"Tasaka…?" Shuichi asked worriedly.
Miss Nagai, however, was unsympathetic and commanded flatly, "Mr. Kitajima, your role."
Tasaka sighed and bowed his head in defeat. Finally, he grumbled bitterly, "The prince."
The students of both classes clapped while Ritsuki and Hiroshi especially cheered lewdly. "Oh, Tasa-chan! You're going to look so cute in tights!" Ritsuki teased with a flirtatious grin and Tasaka let out a groan of self-pity.
Meanwhile, Shuichi felt a sudden wave of relief sweep over him. Could it possibly be that he escaped the lead role? It was an absolute miracle! Finally, he would be free to be a spectator to the chaos rather than a participator in it; someone else would be forced to suffer as the lead and he could take the much more relaxing position as a minor character. He smiled, knowing now that he was completely in the clear since Tasaka had regrettably chosen the lead role as prince, and went to select his own part.
Pulling out the piece of paper, he unfolded it and blinked in surprise. "Cinderella?" he read aloud in puzzlement. However, he let out a laugh with a shake of his head as he went to put the piece of paper back.
"Just what do you think you're doing?" Miss Nagai questioned fiercely, narrowing her eyes.
Shuichi let out a wary chuckle and explained calmly, "Oh, it's just that I pulled Cinderella so I was going to - "
"Do you not recall what I said? You must keep the part you receive," Miss Nagai reiterated harshly.
"But…Miss Nagai…wouldn't it be best if the part of Cinderella is played by a girl?" Shuichi argued as politely as he could, feeling a bead of sweat drip down his forehead as anxiety and desperation began to hit.
Miss Nagai, however, was not amused and answered sternly, "That decision is not left for you to decide; this is a democracy, Mr. Minamino."
"Actually, isn't it a lottery?" Kyoji pointed out.
"Mr. Hoshino," Miss Nagai snarled vindictively and Kyoji quietly retraced back into his seat. "Now then, fittingly, our class representatives have received the lead parts of the Prince and Cinderella." Tasaka grimaced, turning a sickly, pale green as he looked at Shuichi, who would be playing his love interest. Shuichi, meanwhile, winced himself and let out his own sigh of pity at his misfortune. Miss Nagai then barked, "Now take your seats!" Shuichi and Tasaka hastily complied and sat back down. "Will the cast selection please continue?"
The next two up were Seita and Kyoji. Seita grumbled bitterly to himself, muttering, "I don't see why stupid Minamino has to get the lead role for…" while Kyoji approached the box with an awkward step. The two reached in and pulled out their roles.
"What?!" Seita exclaimed fiercely. "I'm to be Minamino's ugly stepsister?!"
"Hey, that kind of works for you, Seita," Kyoji commented with a smile, much to Seita's disdain. He then said happily, "I get to be Tasaka's royal advisor."
Seita, however, turned savagely to Miss Nagai while pointing a finger directly at Shuichi. "I refuse to be a part of this abomination! Why does Minamino get all the glory while I must play his evil subordinate?!" Shuichi frowned, hardly seeing how he would get any glory from playing the part of a woman, but wisely chose to say nothing.
"Just sit down, Mr. Hachirobei," Miss Nagai flatly ordered in frustrated disgust.
Seita obeyed, mumbling a few profanities. As he slumped back down into his seat, he stubbornly crossed his arms and pouted, "That damn Minamino…I can't believe I actually have to be related to him." He shuddered at the horrendous thought.
Next up was Maya and Namiko. "Dear God, please let that idiotic child get a small part," Miss Nagai prayed under her breath as she saw Maya approach. Both girls reached into the damning box and pulled out their parts.
Namiko let out a shrill cry. "No, it can't possibly be! How am I supposed to play Shuichi's other evil stepsister?" she questioned in dismay. "It's just not right!"
Maya, on the other hand, frowned in puzzlement as she looked at her slip of paper. "I'm playing the Fairy Godmother…what play is she in again?"
Miss Nagai sighed in disgust. "Why must I be such a cursed woman?" she mumbled aloud before standing up straight and commanding, "Miss Kitajima, Miss Tatsuya! Return to your seats!"
Sulking, Namiko dragged herself over to her seat, followed by Maya, who whispered, "I just hope I remember all my lines!" And her friends all groaned.
Miss Nagai then instructed, "Mr. Kaito, Mr. Sunada."
Kaito, who had been reading his manga throughout the majority of the meeting, rose and disinterestedly made his way over to the box while Hiroshi jumped up and smirked as he strolled over beside him. "You go first, Yuu-chan," Hiroshi offered, gesturing toward the box.
Kaito glared at him, but then yawned and apathetically drew his own part. Unfolding the paper, he read, "I get to play the King." He shrugged and concluded, "It's a suitable role; not that many lines and yet one of prestige. I'm satisfied."
Hiroshi then pulled out his role. He grinned deviously and leaned closer to Kaito, revealing him his part as he jested, "Looks like for the next few weeks we're going to be married."
"'The Queen?'" Kaito read in surprise and than raised a brow, commenting, "That's almost too fitting for you."
Hiroshi laughed. "Isn't it?"
Lastly, as Kaito and Hiroshi sat down, Ristuki stepped up to pull out a part before the rest of the students. Grinning excitedly, she dug right in, sifting through the papers until finally pulling out her own. She eagerly opened it and grinned wildly when she read it. Beaming, she turned around and declared, "All right! I get to play the evil stepmother! I always wanted to play a villain!" She then let out a shrill cackle that made everyone cringe with worry.
With that, the main parts had been cast and the rest of the students got the opportunity to expediently pull out their own roles. As soon as they were done, Miss Nagai concluded, "That will be all for today. Rehearsal will begin after school starting tomorrow!"
And thus the preparations for the school play of Cinderella began.
"Um…where am I supposed to stand again?" Maya asked in confusion during one of their many rehearsals. She stood center stage with a nervously smiling Shuichi toward the right.
Miss Nagai's brow twitched feverishly as she sat in the front row of the auditorium. "To the left, Miss Kitajima," Miss Nagai answered through tightly clenched teeth.
"Oh, right!" Maya chirped, heading in the direction of Miss Nagai's left.
"Stage left," Miss Nagai corrected, becoming more aggravated. She rubbed her forehead, a terrible migraine coming on.
Meanwhile, Maya wandered toward stage left and stopped, glancing down at her lines (she was the only one still using a script). She frowned, however, and asked, "I'm sorry, but what part am I supposed to be playing again?"
Miss Nagai let out a frustrated shriek that caused the rest of the cast that lingered backstage to wince. Even Shuichi looked worried as Maya continued to stare on absentmindedly. Shuichi, however, bravely told her, "You're playing the Fairy Godmother, Maya."
"Really?" she asked and then grinned. "That's so cool! What part are you playing, Shuichi?"
"He's playing Cinderella, you nitwit," Miss Nagai snapped. "Now just read your damn lines!"
"Okay!" Maya exclaimed, completely oblivious to Miss Nagai's cruel insults. Scanning the page, she began, "'Dearest Cinderella, I have come to help you!'"
"'Help me?'" Shuichi then recited his own lines without the aid of a script. "'But I am just a poor girl; why would someone as beautiful and wonderful as you want to help someone as lowly as me?'"
"'Dearest Cinderella, I have come to help you!'" Maya then repeated with a proud smile.
"You already read that line, Miss Kitajima," Miss Nagai stated indignantly.
Maya blinked in surprise, glancing back down at her script. "I did?"
Miss Nagai let out a shrill sigh of frustration and hung her head, on the verge of defeat, insanity, or both. Shuichi frowned and suggested, "Perhaps we should take it from the top…"
Rehearsals for the school play had been going on for a few weeks now and while the rest were improving, Maya had yet to successfully master even her entrance. Shuichi, for the most part, had become well-adjusted to his role; his lines had been perfectly memorized, his mannerisms had been completely refined, his acting was a great deal better than the rest of his classmates, save for a vibrantly decadent Ritsuki, who glowed wickedly in her role as the evil stepmother. Tasaka also seemed to be fitting into his role rather well, except when Ritsuki and Hiroshi began hollering and whistling backstage at him, in which his face would turn beat red in embarrassment and he would break character, yelling back at both of them to stop. He also hadn't mastered being convincingly romantic with Shuichi, and their dancing during the ballroom scenes was decidedly awkward at best. Hiroshi played his part dramatically and with the same vigor as Ritsuki, despite his role being more low-key, while Kaito looked incredibly bored sitting on his throne for the majority of his scenes. Kyoji seemed to be enjoying himself, enthusiastically getting involved in his part, although he tended to overact a bit. Lastly, Seita and Namiko both played their parts rather well, Seita's bitterness and envy all too sincere while Namiko's strong dictation lent well to her fierce part; however, despite having memorized their lines, both had the inclination to ad lib, Seita to add cruel, long-winded jibes at "Cinderella" with Namiko often retaliating with her own monologue of defense that conflicted greatly with her actual role. Only a couple more weeks remained, however, until the play was to be put on, and still a lot of work was unfortunately needed.
"'Dearest Cinderella, I have come to help you!'" Maya repeated a third time.
"'Help me? But I am just a poor girl. Why would someone as beautiful and wonderful as you want to help someone as lowly as me?'"
"'Because, Cinderella,'" Maya read now from her script, "'I am your Fairy Godmother!'"
"'Fairy Godmothers? Are there really such things?'" Shuichi then asked.
"Are there really what?" Maya asked in puzzlement, scratching the back of her head as she read over her script for an answer before concluding, "You know, this script really makes no sense to me at all!"
"Just forget it!" Miss Nagai declared, standing up. "Let's just move onto the dance scene with the Prince - that needs work."
Shuichi frowned. "But Miss Nagai, don't you think we should really try and work on this scene?" he asked, glancing over at the clueless Maya, who had proceeded once more to space-out.
Miss Nagai narrowed her eyes and said coldly, "If you value your tongue, Mr. Minamino, I suggest you just keep silent."
Shuichi winced, but replied, "Yes, Miss Nagai."
"Mr. Kitajima!" Miss Nagai then called. "Come out on stage!"
A reluctant Tasaka sheepishly wandered on stage past where his sister still dazedly stood. Rubbing his shoulder, he began, "Um…Miss Nagai? I've been thinking about this, and I really just don't think I feel comfortable dancing with Minamino…"
"Do you really expect me to care what you think, Mr. Kitajima?" Miss Nagai questioned callously. "Unlike your brainless sister, you don't have ineptness as an excuse. Now just be grateful that Miss Yamagashi and Mr. Sunada are both absent at the moment and start dancing." She then glared over at Maya, who remained on stage pondering the confusing text of the script, and barked, "Get off the stage, Miss Kitajima!"
As Maya hurriedly scurried off stage and the music started up, Shuichi turned to Tasaka and said sympathetically, "Well, I suppose you should be grateful that Ritsuki and Hiroshi aren't here right now…"
Cheeks turning red, Tasaka retorted, "Just shut up, Minamino," before begrudgingly taking hold of his hands to start the dance, although he made sure there was a good few feet difference between them. They awkwardly stepped together toward the music, Tasaka more so than Shuichi, who actually glided quite gracefully despite his clumsy and thoroughly embarrassed dance partner.
"And your lines," Miss Nagai instructed, sitting down and crossing her legs.
Tasaka sighed in disgust, but forced himself to say, "'I don't believe I've ever seen such a maiden as fair as you in my court before. What is your name?'"
Shuichi smiled pleasantly and replied, "'Why must you hear my name? It is only a title other people give me. If you must call me anything, call me what you believe is most fitting.'"
Tasaka refused to look directly at Shuichi and opted instead to stare up at the ceiling as he said, "'Then I shall call you angel, or goddess, or my most beautiful fantasy.'"
Shuichi frowned a little at Tasaka's clunky delivery of his lines, but smoothly recited his own lines, "'I'm afraid those names will fail you, for I do tread on the earth and you are not in a dream.'"
"Oh, how so incredibly cute!" Ritsuki's voice shrilly called from the back of the auditorium with a squeal as she snapped a few pictures.
Tasaka, blushing wildly, immediately pulled away from Shuichi and scampered back to the far corner of the stage, crying, "I can't do this!"
Shuichi sighed and Miss Nagai groaned in disgust and disappointment. "Miss Yamagashi," Miss Nagai began bitterly. "I see you've returned."
Ritsuki grinned and nodded. "And we have all the costumes!" she declared, to which both Hiroshi and Mr. Fukuda entered the auditorium, each carrying a couple large boxes of different costumes. The students cheered excitedly and rushed on stage as Ritsuki, Hiroshi, and Mr. Fukuda walked down the aisle toward them.
"So much for order," Miss Nagai grumbled resentfully, glaring at the chaos that had been permitted to ensue as Hiroshi and Ritsuki began tearing through the boxes to hand out the costumes.
"Let's see…here's Maya's costume!" Ristuki declared, pulling out a sparkling blue dress with wings and a wand. "I made this one especially myself just for you!" she added, handing the costume over to Maya.
"Thanks, Ritsu!" Maya chirped excitedly pulling her costume close to her chest.
Meanwhile, Hiroshi beamed and pulled out his own lavish and bejeweled costume along with a long, flowing blond wig and crown. "Isn't it just spectacular?" he complimented his own work, running his hand over the fur lining of his purple velvet cape. "Oh, and here's yours, Yuu-chan!" Hiroshi said, pulling out a red velvet costume with the same white fur trim along with a golden scepter and a various array of elaborate gems and jewelry.
"It's a little much, don't you think?" Kaito questioned with a raised brow.
"You can never have to much when you're a king," Hiroshi countered with a smirk.
"Oh, and here's my Tasa-chan's costume!" Ritsuki exclaimed, pulling out a dark blue and gold costume. She giggled and added, "I made sure the tights were extra tight!"
Tasaka blushed once more and pulled the costume from her hands, snapping, "Just give me the stupid costume!"
"Then there's Kyo-Kyo's costume," Hiroshi now spoke up, giving Kyoji his own black and green tights.
Kyoji frowned, looking over his costume and said disappointedly, "I didn't know I had to wear tights, too…"
"And here's the ballroom dresses for Seita and Namiko," Ritsuki remarked, pulling out a ridiculously ostentatious bright magenta dress, followed by a similarly over the top canary yellow dress, both feathered, beaded, sequined, and trimmed with gold, with tall, elaborate headpieces and wigs to match.
"I can't believe I have to wear a stinking dress," Seita muttered miserably as he took the yellow dress.
Namiko, meanwhile, frowned worriedly and asked, "Um…Ritsu? Am I going to be able to even walk in this?"
"Of course, Nami!" Ritsuki exclaimed shrilly, with a quick wave of her hand, making Namiko feel all the more doubtful. However, Ritsuki was already pulling out her own costume. "And here's mine!" she declared, pulling out a tight, slinky, sparkling, wine-colored dress with plunging neckline and high slits. It came with matching shoes and gloves, black tights, and a black fur shawl. She then flirtatiously eyed Tasaka and asked, "Won't I just look positively wicked and seductive, Tasa-chan?"
Averting his eyes, he muttered, "What the hell do I care what you look like?"
"And last, but certainly not least, our very own Cinderella!" Hiroshi said, finally pulling out a gorgeous, shimmering pink and white off-the-shoulder gown with white glistening gloves, a fake diamond necklace, a matching tiara, and sparkling crystal shoes.
Shuichi blinked in surprise, almost not expecting to receive his own costume. He accepted it, however, and curiously glanced it over, feeling himself blushing slightly as he stared at the beautifully glimmering dress made just for him. He then frowned, lifting his eyes, and asked, "But…where's my wig?"
Ritsuki grinned now and said, "Well, we thought that your hair was just so beautiful that you didn't need one! Me and Hiro are going to curl it all ourselves!"
Shuichi winced, now certain he was blushing at such an embarrassing notion as having Ritsuki and Hiroshi curl his hair, followed by the even more embarrassing notion of actually having his hair in curls. And yet he didn't have much time to contemplate such matters further, for Miss Nagai soon called the classes back to order and rehearsal commenced once more.
It was only when he arrived home later that evening and went to his room for the night that Shuichi had a better chance to study his new costume. Lying out his costume on his bed and placing the silver-lined glass slippers on the floor underneath it, Shuichi stepped back and frowned as he examined it. After a few moments, he walked closer to it, each sparkle on the silk fabric glistening with a rainbow of light under the ceiling lamp of his room. Was this really what his life had all come down to? Playing the part of some girl in a silly fairytale? Yet this was the path he had chosen; to live his life as ordinary student Shuichi Minamino. He found himself frowning again at this recollection, before he picked up the dress from his bed and held it up and in front of him. He contemplated it still, trying to imagine how such a thing would look on him. He then walked over to his standing full-length mirror and placed it in front of him, studying how the gown looked against him. He turned a little, examining from the side, and then took another position, in deep concentration as he intensely looked over his reflection with the dress pressed against him.
"You should see what a fool you look like," the harsh, critical words came from the other side of his room.
Shuichi knew the cold voice well. He lowered his gown and turned to see his demon friend Hiei had appeared beside his open window, glaring detestably at the sparkling dress he held in his arms. "Hiei," he began in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I should ask you the same question," Hiei remarked in disgust. "Has the human world made you that pathetic?"
Shuichi frowned and then noticed his eyes were locked coldly on the dress he held. "Oh, this?" he inquired, holding up the dress for Hiei to see more clearly. "It's for a school play I'm in…I'm playing the part of Cinderella."
Hiei scoffed. "And you say it with such dignity," he jibed sardonically.
Shuichi smiled and jested, "Well, I am quite good, I must admit; you should come see me."
"Unlike you, such trivial and stupid human things hardly interest me, let alone satisfy me," Hiei derided. "When did you allow yourself to become so humiliated by such inferior creatures?"
"Well, I wouldn't say it's humiliating exactly…" Shuichi commented, trailing off as he looked down at the sparkling fabric of his dress. "Besides, Hiei, I thought you'd come to like humans."
Hiei snorted and remarked, "I tolerate them; that doesn't mean I would participate in their ridiculous hobbies and traditions." He glared menacingly at the dress again and added, "Or school plays."
"Such is the life of a high school student, I'm afraid," Shuichi answered, sitting on his bed with his costume and a frown. "I've been finding that it's a great deal more difficult than my demon life; I don't even think you could handle it, Hiei."
Hiei glowered and snarled, "Why would I want to lead such a petty existence, anyway?" Cocking his head to the side and staring fiercely at Shuichi with the corner of his eye, he sharply said, "This world has corrupted you."
"You think?" Shuichi asked casually with a smile. "How so?"
"It has made you a complete idiot."
"I'm afraid you might be right," Shuichi answered honestly, looking down at his dress once more. "And yet I've oddly grown fond of being an idiot."
"Then it's obviously also made you delusional," Hiei retorted.
"Perhaps," Shuichi replied lackadaisically, still smiling. He then grew more serious and said, "But, Hiei, you still haven't told me what brings you here."
Hiei scoffed again. "Do you really think I'd tell you now, after seeing how pitiful you've become?"
"Yes, I believe so," Shuichi answered with a knowing grin.
Hiei grimaced and averted his eyes, but reluctantly disclosed, "There's a rumor spreading in the demon world that an old enemy of yours is looking for you here in the human world."
Shuichi's eyes fluttered in surprise. "An old enemy?"
"I'm not certain who, as you've seemed to acquire so many over the thousand years of your once useful life," Hiei clarified, slowly returning his sharp eyes back to Shuichi.
"Well, I suppose it can be no worse that Seita Hachirobei," Shuichi quipped facetiously.
"What?" Hiei questioned with some frustration at his own puzzlement.
"Oh, he's just a friend of mine from school…sort of, anyway," Shuichi explained.
Growing annoyed, Hiei snapped angrily, "This isn't a joke, Kurama."
"I know, I know," Shuichi admitted. "I apologize. I suppose human life does tend to make you more reckless and less serious at times." He then rubbed his chin and lowered his eyes, a more pressing look in his countenance. "But who could it be?" he wondered aloud, narrowing his eyes gravely.
"Does it really matter?" Hiei questioned coolly with a cruel smirk. "Just as long as you kill him this time; unless this world has made you weak." Shuichi frowned, but did not answer. Hiei snorted and glared away, his expression becoming severe again. "I'll be around," he said flatly before disappearing from Shuichi's sight and into the night outside Shuichi's window with his incredible speed.
And Shuichi's worried and despondent eyes wandered back down toward the sparkling costume that sat in his lap with all its youth, luster, and innocence.