I slip on some shoes and ease open my window. With so little as a crack, a breeze crawls in and mobs me, leaving my skin raised with goosebumps. It finally feels like autumn, and for the first time, I'm a little disappointed. Where was this breeze when I was getting my ass kicked?

A question for the ages.

I consider slipping on a coat, but with my luck I'd fumble around and wake the whole temple. It was only one o'clock, but everyone appeared to be sound asleep.

I lifted myself over the window's ledge and gently placed my right foot on the other side. Finding sturdy ground, I pulled my other leg over and began walking around the enclosed porch with light steps. The end of the porch brought me to a small koi pond, lit by the moon above. The brightly colored fish made very little noise as they bobbed and weaved through the water. I took up residence on a rock, and brought my knees close to my chest.

So much was happening in so little time. It felt like just yesterday that it didn't matter that I had no desire to train. It wasn't a concern. Now, for days, that was almost all I did. Even as I slept, I dreamed about the training. Each blow, each move Hiei and Kyoko would demonstrate and I copied.

I feel myself slipping into my woe-is-me shtick, but I make little effort to stop it. If I keep fighting the feeling, it'll probably come back stronger later. I better just complain a little here, and just shove it back down.

Here goes.

I never wanted this. I still don't, but…once Hydra is returned to me—once I have him, it'll be back to normal. Everything will be as it was—it's not like I'm ungrateful, because I'm not, but….

I suck my teeth as a thought crosses my mind. I should have brought my journal out here. It was just light enough to be able to write my thoughts out…and it was so quiet too. No one was awake. I could sit out here all night, if I needed. But, then I'd have to slip back in and then walk all the way out here again.

Yeah, no dice.

"You have the senses of a gnat."

I jump straight off my rock, and rocket to my feet. "What the—"

Hiei stands before me, wearing his dark cloak, arms crossed. "I thought your senses had improved."

His red eyes stare impassively back at me, and I can't help but find the glow from his eyes distracting.

"I wasn't exactly expecting you." I say, knowing it was a lame excuse, but saying it anyway. I sat back down. "What are you doing out here?"

He rolls his eyes, but chooses not to address the terrible excuse. "I should ask you the same thing. You told me you'd like to begin training earlier and yet you're doing the opposite of what you should. You'll be next to useless tomorrow."

"I couldn't sleep."

His eyes soften just a touch, "Didn't Kurama give you a sleeping draft?"

"Yeah, but I stopped using it, because I stopped having those nightmares." I give him a smile as I notice his eyes narrow in question. "No worries though, this was just some freak thing. I'll be right as rain tomorrow and I won't even complain about your terrible idea of a break."

"Hmph." Hiei surprises me by stepping towards me and taking the rock to my left. "I never said I was worried."

I nod, watching his profile. "I agree wholeheartedly my friend. You sure didn't, but you don't have to."

His gaze flits over to me for a moment, the light from the moon making his skin appear almost silver. We don't speak, and we don't need to. I don't think he realizes he's still watching me, or he does and he doesn't care. He's taking to doing that a lot, almost like he's trying to read my mind just from staring at me.

"Hiei?" I whisper for some reason. I don't want to ruin the silence, and I know I have already by speaking, but whispering seems less intrusive.

"What?" He doesn't return the gesture.

"You can read minds, right?"

His brow furrows, like he's wondering where my head is. "I can."

"Have you ever read my mind?" I turn my head from left to right, "I'm not talking about that one time at Kurama's. I mean, any other time. It's cool, if you have, I'm just curious."

He considers me, his eyes not once blinking, "I find you…vexing. I can't always tell what you mean just by your words alone…or your expression. So I did…once."

That surprises the hell out of me, "Really? I swear everyone says its the opposite—oh, I get it. You still think I'm up to something, don't you?"

Hiei didn't reply, his eyes showed me nothing.

With a shake of my head, I take a deep breath. Might as well come clean. "Okay, look, you remember that day I forced my friendship on you?"

Hiei nods, the smirk appearing softly on his lips, encouraging me. There was something so nice about seeing his smirk, sort of like passing a monument or formation or sign to let you know you were almost home.

"Well, I did have a reason for that—not just because I think you're cool and I do, of course…"

He was quiet, suddenly still as a statue. There's almost this touch of panic in his eyes I quickly disregard as something I imagined. Nothing about my words should cause him to look like that.

Poor guy, I bet he thinks it's something interesting. I sigh. He'll be disappointed.

"Just so you know, I'm only telling you this because I don't want you thinking I plan to do anything weird or strange. Actually," I laugh, "after I tell you this you'll probably think, 'Is that it?' I know for sure you'll think it's completely out of left field and think nothing of it. Hell, you'll probably forget. But…we're friends and I want you to trust me."

"Go on." He says.

I take a huge breath, and…for some reason, I feel a weird wave of anxiety in my chest, which is…bizarre. Am I…nervous? Why would I feel weird telling him this? Don't know why, but I am, and I really don't want to touch this thing with a ten foot pole. Why the hell did I even bring this up?

Hiei said with a touch of impatience. "Well? You made it sound so utterly insignificant, and now you can't even bring yourself to speak. Typical."

I tear my eyes away to watch the koi swim, trying to force the words to come, to force this feeling away, but I can't. I'm afraid of what he'll think and I do not know why.

I could feel Hiei's eyes on me as he scoffed, "Don't concern yourself with it."

I glanced back to him, watching him in striking profile.

"We've entered into an alliance…remember?" Hiei sets his gaze on me, and that feeling slips away. "Besides, you're much too obvious. Any ill-intentions you may have had would have been easily discovered. You have no skill for deception."

Well, I don't know about all that. I think I'm pretty deceptive…at least a little, come on, now.

"Wow," I say, gesturing wildly with my hands. "Thanks for that. Even compliments sound like insults coming from you. Does that come naturally or something you have to work for?"

"If the way I talk displeases you so much, then why do you smile?"

I can't believe my ears, and struggle to contain my laugh, "Because it obviously doesn't, you dumb, dumb boy. I obviously love the way you talk, or I wouldn't talk to you."

Hiei rolls his eyes, his cheeks tinting pink, and then mutters. "…I know that."

I'm surprised he doesn't get mad I called him dumb, I wonder what else I can get away with? I throw my hands up, "Then why ask?"

"Have you never heard of a rhetorical question?" Hiei said in this sarcastic tone, that I hate to love.

I am speechless, but eventually, I just shrug and let him have it, "You're weirdly talkative tonight. Normally, you would have insulted me by now or started some random argument."

"I don't start arguments. You make the decision to get angry." He says like he's High King or something, "It has nothing to do with me."

"Uh-huh. Sure, Hiei." I laugh, just as he looks over at me. "By the way…when did you read my mind?"

When I look to him, he's looking at the moon, "Two days ago."

"Ah," What happened two days ago? "When?"

"When you approached me." Approached?

"Oh! Okay." Wait…what was I thinking about, again? Wasn't I checking him out? No. That couldn't have been it. "Do you remember what I was thinking?"

"No." Hiei replied quickly, tersely, "Why would I remember that?"

"Better question: why read my mind anyway?"

He declines to answer by way of silence and I just chuckle. I guess I got enough out of him for one day.

I stand to my feet, and stretch my arms above my head. "I guess I'll head in now. Good-night…or good morning or whatever."

He catches my eye as if to acknowledge I've spoken but doesn't return the phrase. I imagine it would sound weird slipping off his tongue, clumsy and foreign. I give him a last smile before I depart, a little thought sneaking into my head: why would he need to read my mind just for that anyway?

Who knows? He'll never tell.

()()()

"Thank you for the breakfast," I tell Kuwabara as he and Yukina join me. "I didn't know you could cook, Kuwabara. You're just full of surprises!"

Everyone else was still in bed apparently.

Kuwabara puffed himself up with the compliment, grinning. "A man's got to be a jack of all trades."

I fight my answering smile, choosing to chew on a piece of toast. I bet.

"Kazuma has been teaching me," Yukina says sweetly, dazzling the two of us with her smile. "He's very skilled."

"Shucks, Yukina, I'm not that great. You're just a quick learner." Kuwabara's face was bright red as he spoke to her, and for the first time, I felt like an intruder. She gave him her sweet little giggle, and he seems to lose all sense.

"Well, either way, it's very impressive, Kazuma." Yukina starts in on her meal, giving Kuwabara just enough time to recover from his goofy grin.

"You and shorty training again today?" Kuwabara sticks on a petulant frown I know is mostly for show.

"Yes, and please don't call him that." I wave my chopsticks around, "especially since he's taller than me."

Kuwabara shrugged, a weird grin on his face, "I mean he has put on a few inches. What is he? Five-two?"

"Five-fourish, not counting his hair. I'm five-two." I'm actually five-one and a half, but five-two just sounds better.

"Dang, Aurora. You sure have that height difference down to a science." Kuwabara chows down, but he's smiling with his eyes.

"Well, when you're an average height person like myself—you tend to notice these things, especially when mountains and bean stalks like yourself always throw around height judgements."

Kuwabara sputters with a barking laugh, and wipes his eyes, "This couldn't get funnier."

Just then, Hiei walked into the kitchen wearing a sleeveless pale blue shirt tucked into his signature black pants. "Heh, I thought I would have to drag you from your bed."

I frowned at him, "Don't sound so disappointed. I told you I'd get up last night, didn't I?" well, this morning.

"What you say and what you do seldom cross paths." Hiei stepped further into the room, standing on my left.

I laughed aloud. "Are you calling me a liar?"

"No. I just found you're nearly incapable of keeping your word, especially in regards to time," Hiei's lips threatened a smirk. "I'm more than surprised to find you here."

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever, Hiei. You want some breakfast? Kuwabara and Yukina are master chefs."

His eyes jumped over to the two sitting across from me at the table. His eyes narrowed slightly at Kuwabara's closeness to Yukina, but the tension went away almost immediately when he set his eyes on Yukina. It was cute.

"Good morning, Mr. Hiei. I do wish you'd join us," Yukina lifted her eyes at him like a angel. "For Aurora, Kazuma and I made a western breakfast. I'd love for you to try it."

Oh, that poor Hiei.

I bit my lip as I watched conflict war against his face. He didn't want to see them sitting beside each other, that much I knew, but he also didn't want to tell her no.

Kuwabara looked like he wanted to toss Hiei from the room, but, for Yukina, he held his tongue. I wonder if he knew?

"Fine." Hiei finally managed to say, walking behind me to take the seat on my right, in front of his sister.

She glowed as if he'd just brought her to life and scrambled to prepare him a plate. When she sat it before him, it was twice the size of mine, but I wasn't complaining. I knew Hiei could eat a whole table of food without much effort.

Hiei was mostly quiet during the meal as I engaged Kuwabara and Yukina.

"Oh, you never told me. How'd the training go with your cousin?" Kuwabara had finished his food, but wouldn't leave until Yukina was done.

I took a sip of water, smiling, "Well, actually, I was able to learn her barrier technique. She thinks it's unbreakable, but I haven't tested it against that many opponents. We went into the forest and let a bunch of demons try to attack me, but most of them couldn't even get close to it. I probably need to have you guys test it out, so I'll know how strong it is."

Kuwabara gave me a proud smile, "That's really awesome, Aurora. I'm glad. Your energy has gotten a lot stronger, you're actually able to hide it better now too. It only took a couple days."

"I know. My great-grandparents think it's because I already mastered the basics, but my spirit energy always has been a little weird. I'm glad though, or else, I wouldn't get to hang out with you the rest of the week."

Kuwabara crossed his arms smugly and leaned back in his chair, "I am gosh darn great."

"Yeah, you are." I reach over and pat him on the shoulder. For the first time, I notice Hiei's eyes on me and he isn't exactly smiling. He almost looks irritated.

"After you and Hiei are finished, we should train together. I probably need the practice anyway," Kuwabara suggested with a bright gleam. "I think it would be good for you anyway because our energies are so much more alike."

"Yes!" I clapped my hands together out of excitement. "It's done."

I turn my head to tell Hiei, but he's wearing this slightly pinched expression. I'm not sure why his face looks like that, but I try to fix it. With a grin, I try to sneak forward and poke his cheek. His hand strikes out and grabs my wrist. "Oh, hey, Hiei."

"What did you plan to do?"

"Poke your face."

"Why?"

"Because if you keep frowning like that, your face will get stuck. You don't want that, do you?"

He just shook his head at me, and dropped my wrist. "Nuisance."

I raised my left eyebrow, "Don't pretend you don't adore this nuisance. In fact, I'm your favorite nuisance. If you had to choose between me and anyone else to be your nuisance, you'd choose me: hands down. Nothing you say will convince me otherwise."

He cut his eyes at me, his lips curling at my answer. "How can one person afford to be so delusional?"

"When you save your delusions like I do, Hiei, after a while you acquire a large sum." I raise my other hand to the ceiling, "I have so much delusion to go around, I slip a little in your pocket every now and then. That's why you've convinced yourself that you don't want me around. That's all delusion, Hiei. You're welcome."

If Hiei's impressed by my long speech, he doesn't say much, only nails me with that excited glow of his eyes he usually only gives me when we're trading verbal jabs. "Is it your mission to irritate me?"

"Yes." I say emphatically, "Is it going well? I hope so. I do put a lot of effort into it, you know."

"You only have an answer for everything when it suits you."

"You're not wrong," I bite my lip, "But that's what you enjoy about me. Admit it, and I'll never ask you for anything ever again."

Hiei didn't respond, I didn't expect him to. "If you're done, we should begin your training."

I let my head flop back, "You're the worst."

He stood to his feet, and began walking from the room.

I poked my lips out in a pout before I stood to my feet to follow. Hiei waited for me at the end of the hall, standing with his arms crossed, that treacherous black bag down by his feet. He was so going to make me pay. He seemed to do that every time I managed to overwhelm him verbally. Make me pay for it.

I looked down at my feet as an odd sense of utter excitement rolled through my entire being.

"Uh—Aurora?"

I turned back around to look at Kuwabara wearing this slightly comical puzzled expression, his eyes wide. "What's up?"

Yukina wore a slight smile, her eyes looking from me to Kuwabara but said nothing.

His eyes dropped down to the table, scratching his head. "You and, uh, Hiei…nothing, forget about it."

"Okay," I throw my hand up, "By the way, since I've gone and made him mad, we probably won't be able to practice today."

Kuwabara said nothing, only nodded and finally glanced back up with me, wearing that same questioning expression.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"No. It's nothing. You guys are just weird." Kuwabara said in this odd tone, "It seemed like you guys were flirting or something which is…" he didn't finish, only shook his head.

I laughed, "Oh yeah? Well, no worries, we're just cool like that."

He didn't respond, clearly not believing me. It was enough to distract me though; it was just enough to call into question just what Darkness and I had been doing this whole time. Had I been flirting and not knowing? No. We act more like siblings than whatever Kuwabara was trying to make us out to be.

Only, Hiei actually has a sister…and he doesn't treat her the way he treats me. Does he treat any of the other girls the way he treats me? He's certainly known them a lot longer. Maybe I just never noticed?

A very, very, very, very, very miniscule piece of me, doesn't like that idea.

I don't have time to wonder long before Hiei and I go at it again and the spar takes it from my mind.

"What happened to all that talk of yours?" Hiei mocked as he pinned me down in what seemed like his favorite position. "You had such confidence before."

I looked to the side, ignoring him, especially the way his warm breath tickled my ear.

"It appears it doesn't translate to your fighting ability. How unfortunate." Hiei had a way of sounding maliciously gleeful, few people could pull it off as well as him.

"You're such an ass." I smile anyway, hating that I loved it.

This is normal, I think, there is nothing strange or flirtatious about this situation.

Hiei laughs, and I curse Kuwabara.

()()()

The last days past like so, waking up, training, hanging out. The very last day, Sunday, rolls around and we are not too excited for it to end.

The college kids anyway, Shizuru is actually excited to get back to work. Botan is the worst out of all of us, having to go back and forth to check in with Koenma. I felt the worse for Genkai and Yukina, I know it probably feels weird to get used to so much noise only to have it snuffed out.

For the last day, Hiei is forced to cut my training short because the girls organized a grand picnic, and everyone is given a job. Kyoko manages to come by, and she and Shizuru run into town for more food. Keiko and Botan clean up with the help of Yusuke and Kuwabara. Yukina starts preparing what we have already in the kitchen and Banriyu and I lend a hand, accompanied by Kurama and Hiei, of course, because they knew he'd have no clue what to do.

"What are you making Banriyu?" I ask his fully materialized form, feeling like a little kid as I peered around his arm for a better look.

"I'm teaching Yukina how to make a three-layer cake." He told me, measuring out ingredients.

"You want some help?" I offer with the smile he loves.

"NO! I mean, no thank you, Princess." He clears his throat. "Unfortunately, your culinary expertise…doesn't exactly extend to the…confectionary arts."

I frown, "Thanks."

Hiei chuckles from his place at the island, and I snatch up a mixing spoon and chuck it at him. "Careful. Had you aimed properly; you may have hit me with that."

I growl towards the sky before I prepare to strangle him, hands already thrust before me.

Kurama places his hands gently on my shoulders, holding me back, "Perhaps, the three of us should leave the baking to them."

Hiei just smirks at me. I cross my arms, "Fine. What do you suggest?"

Kurama gives me his look of innocence, I have since learned to distrust. "Follow me."

We pick flowers. Well, Kurama picks flowers, and I hold the basket while Hiei trails behind us. I almost picked something poisonous twice before Kurama gently determined it would be best if I just hold the basket.

Hiei chuckled at that undoubtedly about to make some comment, until Kurama said, "Tell me Hiei, since you find humor in this, perhaps that indicates that you would fare better?"

Damn! So few people could own someone the way Kurama could.

Hiei turned his head to the side at that, sufficiently reprimanded. He had no words.

I sneak a look at Hiei and gloat behind Kurama's back. Kurama manages to see and simply shakes his head. "Together, you two are the picture of maturity."

Hiei huffs as I say, "I try hard at it."

I can tell by the way Kurama looks toward the sky that he wishes he wasn't completely surrounded by children.

"Aw, don't make that face," I shove his arm playfully, and that calm smile returns. "You know you love us."

Kurama chuckles, all bright eyes, and I notice for the first time, it doesn't make my knees weak anymore. His voice doesn't even make me hold my breath!

That realization puts so much pep in my step, I almost pick up some blue—apparently poisonous flower—and Kurama makes me stand on the other side of him, out of reach of the flowers. Either way, I'm happy, because now I know I don't have to avoid him anymore. There's no reason. We can be best friends in name as well as actions. I don't have to keep my words or actions in check. I don't have to let them haunt me.

Nothing, not even Hiei's snide remarks, can remove my smile.

We all sit down in the grass about an hour later, food spread out on a large blanket Genkai pulled out of nowhere. We sit in a circle around it: Genkai, Kyoko, Shizuru, Botan, Keiko, Yusuke, Hiei, me, Kurama, Kuwabara and Yukina. Just like that. Banriyu only takes partial form so he can hover over my shoulder and still enjoy his meal. Nike steals from my plate.

"I don't know why no one's asked this, but…" Shizuru held her can of beer out to me, "How can they eat?"

"Once the spirit and it's master has a bond," Kyoko explained, knowing full well, I'd have no idea. "It can use it's master's energy to materialize fully. Once in full or partial form (while still using it's master's energy) the spirit can touch and interact with the living world. That includes food, of course, the food it consumes just turns into energy it can then stockpile to exist separate from its master or host. The same way Nike can easily be separate from Aurora. Once the bond is broken, this can no longer be. Naturally, only our family has the specific type of energy required for this type of transaction. Not only do you have to have an excess amount, but the energy must be extremely malleable, and the user must be adept and at least a little intelligent, otherwise it can go horribly wrong."

"How's that?" Shizuru asked.

"One of our cousins offered too much energy over to his spirit. He was in love with her, and he wanted her to live again—a full life. Even using our power, that is impossible. What we give our spirits is only temporary, or rather, it's only supposed to be temporary. He gave over all of his energy, that's true, but also his life energy as well. He died. She became human again…and then killed herself soon after. Unable to deal with the loss." Kyoko finished, "Long story short, don't fall in love with spirits."

"I didn't know that was the moral of the story," I deadpanned. In fact, not sure how that connected to Shizuru's question.

"There's a moral to every story, Cousin." She smirked at me, then glanced over to Kurama. "I think you should be all too familiar with that concept by now."

I raised my eyebrow, not quite following her logic. "Anyway…"

"Don't mind, Kyoko." Genkai said almost gruffly, "she just likes to hear herself talk."

Kyoko's shoulders slumped, "…Master Genkai."

"That was a sad story," Keiko commented, pulling on her knees.

"No, I agree." I say setting my gaze on Kyoko, "Good thing she doesn't have any more of them."

Kyoko rolled her eyes, "Yes, dear cousin, I get it. You guys are young. You haven't experienced that sort of love yet and it scares you."

I look around, taking in everyone else's gazes. "I think you're missing my point…"

Yusuke did us all a favor by asking, "How old are you again?"

"Twenty-Eight." She took a long sip from her can of beer.

"That's it?"

I know Yusuke, she sounded ancient.

She pouted, "Leave me alone, I'm tipsy."

We all pose together after dinner for pictures. It takes more time taking pictures than it does eating, but we manage to get it down. The girls take the most time. We all get individuals and then two at a time, and then the whole girl squad—Genkai included.

Wrestling the boys into the photos, and by boys, I mean one, and by one, I mean Hiei.

"Come on," I beg, "Don't be a brat. Take these pictures and I promise Banriyu will give you a week of your favorite foods."

His gaze sharpens, "Two weeks."

I roll my eyes with a smile, wrap my hands around his wrist and tug him towards everyone else. He walks at his own pace, refusing to hurry for my sake, but he lets me touch him which is enough.

Yusuke hid his laugh with a cough, making me glare daggers at him. "Sorry," he says with a smile, "Just a little parched."

"What are you talking about?" Keiko said to him, "You're the one who drank all the water."

"Yeah, and it wasn't enough apparently, geez, Keiko." Yusuke whined, "Gimme a break."

The average height people like myself and Genkai, stepped into the front as Banriyu prepared to take the photo. Giants in the back. Hiei stood off to the side, until I reached out to him. "Please?"

Looking away from me, and the camera, he stepped closer, standing slightly in front of Kurama. I faced forward and smiled for the flash.

()()()

Hiei and I continued to train, but only around my school schedule. Keiko and Kuwabara, now accompanied by either Yusuke or Shizuru when they could get off work, dropped by my apartment more and more. In fact, whenever Hiei and I would end our training for the day, it wouldn't surprise me to find the two of them with take-out waiting for me. It was nice. Also, Kurama invited me over for dinner with his family the week we returned, and it was so sweet! His mom was so cute and doting, but he doted on her too. He was the perfect son.

Hiei, I guess because of the new traffic I was getting, only seemed to show up for training and then disappear. Now that I'd had better control of my energy, and had in fact become noticeably stronger, he didn't always need to be around. Although I was glad the poor guy didn't have to stalk me anymore, it wasn't something I liked—seeing less of him, I mean.

I was finally beginning to agree with that crazy old saying, distance makes the heart grow fonder, or whatever, because I was definitely growing fonder. He'd been crabbier, but despite that, I managed to wrestle a smirk or laugh from him. With me, he couldn't stay irritable for long.

Knowing that, I found myself thinking about him sometimes, only in passing, but my thoughts had a habit of getting away from me, so I tried not to linger too long there.

"We need to go clubbing," Daichi told everyone at the table that Friday. "It needs to happen."

"This weekend won't work for me." Tohru said, her voice soft as it skipped through her words. Odds were we wouldn't be going this weekend even if everyone else was available.

I try to focus on her face as she speaks, but I'm a little sleepy.

Kurama's voice appears at my ear, "Late night?"

I nod, "The training went over the usual time and when we finished, I still had homework."

Kurama's brow furrows as he gives me a fatherly look of concern.

"I'm good. I promise. You saw us Wednesday; I think I'm getting better."

"You are improving, that much is certain. It's a little surprising…" Kurama balances his chin against his fingers. He's about to say something else when Karin asks.

"So, what do you guys think?"

I'm confused, and it probably shows as I blink like a sloth. "Uh…"

"About going out next weekend?" Kurama asks, giving me the hint. "Aurora? Would that work for you?"

"Oh, um," I pull out my phone and check my calendar. As long as Hydra's location isn't found before then, I may as well, "Yes...that's good with me. Would you guys mind if I invite some friends of mine?"

Touma grinned, "As long as you come? Invite a hundred people."

Touma was literally the best.

"Thanks, Touma. Unfortunately, I don't really have a hundred friends." I say.

"Not even on Facebook?" Momo asked, her eyes wide with pity. Jesus.

I shrugged, "I don't even have one. My mother thinks all social media is ridiculous."

Collective gasps sounded all around the table. Daniel didn't make a noise, but I also thought he wasn't paying attention.

"Would you like one?" Tohru asked in a way that made it sound like she was the Godfather or something. "I could help you if you have difficulties."

"No, that's-that's okay." I bring my hands up as a shield, waving them a little to ward her off. Once she sets her mind to something, it takes a natural disaster to sway her. "I'm fine."

"If you say so," she then directs her gaze to Kurama rather shakily, "Oh, and Shuichi? Would you be joining us as well?"

The hope attached to that question is so great it seems to quiet the very room. I don't want to put him on the spot, so I avoid looking in his direction.

But Kurama apparently, doesn't really have to think about it. He answers, "It is my intention; however, if something comes up before then, I may not be able to join you."

That's enough for her, she nods, accepting this and turns her attention to matters of lesser importance. "Momo, Karin, Daichi, after school we'll be meeting to discuss what to do about the Environmental Club's recycling event. I expect all of you to be in attendance. If you don't come, well, it'll disappoint me…"

Translation: Come or Die.

Kurama and I traded smiles. Tohru was a frightening girl.

After school, Kurama followed me to my apartment so I could grab a quick change of clothes and a snack before heading out to where Hiei had started training me. It wasn't completely out of the way of my apartment. But the area was quite a ways from civilization and Kurama had assured me no one would stumble upon us and freak out.

But, I wasn't really worried about that. I probably should have been, but I wasn't.

"You know something," I say as Kurama walked beside me, hands in the pockets of his long coat. "Tohru…she really likes you."

Kurama lulls his head to the side with a sigh, "I noticed."

"What are you sighing for?" I smack his arm, but he just smirks. "She's cute! Or is it because she's human?"

"Although that may be a small issue," Kurama mused, looking down at me, "That's not why I am not attracted to her. She's a very charming girl, but not exactly what I'm looking for."

I flexed my eyebrow, "But you are looking?"

Kurama gives me this tired smile, "Not intently. Why does this excite you so?"

"Because," I pause. The real reason? Oh, it's just that I've harbored this crush for you for so long and I'm finally over it and I feel like garbage because I knew she liked you but I kept flirting with you anyway, and keeping you to myself without even thinking about Tohru. Not once, but, that's how I am when I have a crush. It sort of consumes me. So I'm super excited to finally be able to push you onto someone else without having the urge to pull you back. "I don't know. I just thought that since you're cute and she's cute…" I weigh my hands back and forth.

Kurama's expression is impossible to read, which is odd considering the harmless subject matter. "I see."

"Yeah," I immediately regret my words and whack his arm again, "But…no worries. You don't have to date her. Just…make sure you keep her off my case. She's one wrong step away from banishing me into the Shadow Realm."

Kurama's chuckle is deep, and lightens my step. "Forgive me. I keep forgetting—"

"No, you don't!" I accuse. "You do it on purpose. If I've told you once, I've told you a million times: When Tohru is around, you don't know me."

His smile reaches his eyes finally as our pace slows, so I keep going.

"You don't look at me, you don't touch me." I wag my finger at him menacingly, "Aurora Benihime Allyn is a no-go zone. You're cut off." To push my point home, I drag my thumb across my neck and then direct it to the grass.

"Pity," Kurama says with that amused look in his eye, "Also, your middle name is Benihime?"

"Yeah," I say sheepishly, "I was so excited when I found out what it meant. I changed my favorite color to crimson and had everyone calling me Princess for months. It was epic. Banriyu's the only one who still does it though."

"I'm sure. Why that name I wonder?" Kurama takes his right hand and fingers a few strands of my hair, before brushing them out of my face gently. His fingers even caress my ear as it passes, and then slides beneath my chin before he pulls back.

I want to question his move, but I don't. We are not getting back into that can of worms. "In certain light my hair is red, but usually its just this red-brown color."

"It suits you." He says simply.

I snap my fingers, "I agree."

We continue walking until we come upon Hiei brushing up on his sword work…shirtless again. I am denied access to his chest, but his back is just….

My head flops back as I groan internally. I am literally allowed nothing. Nothing. I try to be a good person…what does the universe do to me? I mean, I pay taxes! I don't steal or anything. I may have lied a time or two, but doesn't everyone?

"Are you well, Aurora?"

I shoot my gaze over to Kurama, which is a saving grace because he is, indeed, fully clothed. "Yes, why?"

"You were just muttering to yourself." His eyes slid over my face in that way I hated, "you mentioned the universe…taxes and stealing. Is everything alright?"

"Yep, all good. Buddy." I try to give him a one-two tap with my fists, but he just watches me.

After a moment, Kurama speaks, "It's come to my attention that when everything is not alright with you…you tend to do rather awkward things with your hands."

My shoulders slump and I cross my arms, "Well, maybe you're awkward with your hands." And he is, touching my ears and what-not.

"Again…you've just proven my point."

I decide to ignore him. His ego doesn't need the attention anyway.

"Kurama," There's a hint of surprise in Hiei's voice as he whips his sword through the air and snaps it into its sheath. "You've come again. What? You think I'd damage Aurora without your careful eye to coddle her?"

I resent the implication that Kurama coddles me…even if he does, and I don't mind it. Still, "Oh, please, like you'd damage me. You wouldn't dream of it. What would you do without my company?"

"Test me and find out." Hiei responded with a smirk, his words challenging me. He didn't need to do that. I was going to attack him anyway.

I slipped off my bracelet with Banriyu and handed it to Kurama, "Take care of him, please. I've got to go slay a dragon."

The training is hard, but bit by bit, it seems to be paying off.

When Sunday rolls around, I spend a large portion of the morning on the phone with my family again. They wanted updates, updates, updates. I give them what I can.

For the most part, they don't even ask about Hydra, which I sort of understand, but I also don't. Hadn't he been with them for years? Didn't they care?

"Aunt Medusa…"

She pauses in her question to answer, "Yes, Dear?"

"Aren't you going to ask about Hydra?" If my voice betrays my confusion, she doesn't address it.

Her sigh is answer enough, "Hydra is older than you realize, Aurora."

And?

"He can take care of himself."

"Oh…"

"Have a good day, Little One."

"Have a good night…Aunt Medusa."

Just as I move to end the call, her voice calls me back, "Aurora…try not to let this bother you anymore. Your main focus is school, remember? Your parents and I didn't send you over there to become lost in a struggle."

"I know." I say quietly. "love you."

"Love you too."

I try not to let that thought distract me, but it does, and I pay for it when it's time to meet with Hiei.

()()()

I hit the ground and roll to the side before Darkness can step on me. I hear the ground shattered beneath his foot with an impressive boom! Did he think he was playing catch the butterfly or something?

I flipped onto my feet, and turned just to be pushed back to the ground.

His speed. His strength. All were beyond me, I knew this, but I got up anyway.

He stood still. I blinked. He was gone again.

I closed my eyes and searched for his energy. It was a thought playing around in the back of my mind. I could make it out, it was so familiar to me.

Focus. Breathe.

I moved only quick enough for his fist to brush past my cheek. He didn't touch me, but the answering pain told me differently. It was as if someone had taken the point of a pencil and drew a line across my cheek. It was the sheer force of it, the wind from his fist was enough to cut me.

I instantly recoiled, and tried to shove my foot into his stomach out of anger. He caught the foot and picked me up by the ankle. I could see the cut out of the corner of my eye bead with blood. He'd leave a scar.

I proceeded to go zero to a hundred real quick.

"I thought I told you to focus." Hiei snapped. "Where is your head?"

"Put me down, Jackass!" I screamed, I curled up to use both hands to unclasp his grasp. "You cut my fucking face."

I couldn't for the life of me even make him loosen his hold, but I had enough flexibility and strength to hold my self up to try to pry his hands away to no avail. "Well? You hard of hearing?"

I glared at him, the anger unmistakable on my face. He'd have to be blind to miss it. His expression was a mask to me, but he finally seemed to notice the problem. "What? That little thing. The bleeding has already stopped, it's barely a flesh wound."

"That's not the point. I told you I didn't want you taking any headshots."

Hiei rolled his eyes, "Your enemies won't be so thoughtful."

"I'll deal with that when I come to it. So, put me down—now!" I started to slap his hands, each hitting a lot harder than the last. I would break his fingers if I had to.

Not one to be told what to do, he let me start gathering some energy into my hand before he released me. Luckily, I managed to catch myself on my other foot, before righting myself and rubbing my thumb against my pendant.

"What are you doing?"

"Not that it's your business, but I'm having Nike heal me before I have a scar."

Hiei scoffed. "You're such a child."

Nike awakes, sees my face and goes to work without question, erasing the mark in minutes. She glares at the fire demon, and decides to lounge on my shoulder.

"What did you say?" I asked twisting my head.

"You are a spoiled child. One thing doesn't go your way and you throw a temper tantrum."

"Is that right? Well, what's more childish? Me asking you—very nicely I might add—not to do something, you saying you'll honor my request and doing it anyway? What the hell has gotten into you? You've been acting like this crazy person for days! This whole time we've trained together, you've never once tried to hit my face and all of a sudden you think it's a good idea? Well, fuck you, I'm done with this."

I started walking off, noticing for the first time that Kurama had started walking towards us, not sure when he had decided to join, but I was relieved. He always seemed to make himself available when I was in a mood. It was like he had a sixth sense for it. "Yusuke or Kuwabara could train me. They're not assholes for no good reason—"

"Aurora." Hiei appeared before me in a flash, arms crossed, looking irritated. "Are you done?"

Done with your bullshit. "Move."

"Is that all it takes to piss you off?" Again, he was certainly one to talk. His temper was just as bad as mine. But, to answer his question, yes. He lied.

I tried to step around him, but he didn't budge. He grabbed my wrist, making Nike stand to her feet. Both her Banriyu didn't like the idea of anyone touching me when I didn't want them to, even someone they'd actually come to like like Hiei.

His smoldering eyes calmed to a cinder, but that didn't make them any less intense. I'd say that they softened, but that wasn't the best word to use. They were still quite fierce, full of resolution, but they weren't mocking me. They held no malice or mirth either, "If you were paying attention at all during our spars, you would have noticed that I had only gradually increased my speed and as you advanced so did it. Also, I started low, near your feet, tripping you only. As you managed to better yourself, I moved up further…" he stepped toward me, his grip loosening as he stared directly into my eyes. "I didn't target your face because it was a fun thing to do. I targeted it because I thought you could dodge it. I didn't take into account the way you'd been behaving. My mistake for assuming you could handle it without bringing your outside feelings into this."

I stared at him; my breathing slowed now. He had a roundabout way of both complimenting you and making you feel like shit.

"Your Hydra demon resides in a place much darker than this one, held by demons even more bloodthirsty than I am." Hiei said sagely, "You're not doing yourself any favors by allowing them to coddle you. I expected better from the girl who slapped a powerful stranger the moment they met."

Well, when you put it that way…

"I didn't slap you the moment we met." I said before giving in with a smile. The way he said it, it was almost liked he looked back on that moment fondly. "Was that a backwards way of complimenting yourself?"

Hiei's lips curved in that familiar way I liked, "Can we continue now?"

I nodded, then, still feeling like I was owed something I stuck my cheek out, "Look at it though? Do you see the problem?"

Sucking his teeth, he dropped my hand and surprised me by cupping my face with his hands and angling it so my cheek hit the light. "There's nothing there."

"Right, but don't you remember how it looked though?"

"You don't have a single flaw," Hiei told me, all superior like. "Even if I did leave a mark, it wouldn't change that."

Even while giving a compliment, he was rather aggressive. I raised my eyebrow at him, "Aw, that's sweet, Hiei. You think my face is flawless."

He dropped his hands, turning quickly away from me. "Let's continue this later. You've obviously damaged your ears in our scuffle. They'll require recuperation."

"Sure, Hiei." I said, falling into step beside him, "Whatever you say."

He scoffs, but makes no move to run or quicken his pace to get away from me.

Kurama is in the distance, waiting patiently with his hands down by his sides. He had such a sweet face, pure innocence, delicate understanding. You almost had to pity the boy, to be so completely surrounded by crazy from each and every one of his friends. Between playing parent for Hiei and I, perfect son for his mother, referee for Kuwabara and Yusuke, and wise older brother for the rest of the gang, Kurama had almost too many responsibilities. If he was anyone else, he'd be consumed by it. I'd be consumed by it. It would snap my bones from the weight—

No, I would just run away before that happened—far away. I proved that today, didn't I? I couldn't handle the strain of Hydra so I focused my energy on Kurama. I couldn't handle Kurama and so I focused my energy on my friends and closing the gaps between us. Now, the beginning of my avoidance had reared its ugly head and I was back at square one. I either needed a new distraction, or I needed this one solved before I did something I would regret.

I'm lucky Kurama never reciprocated my feelings. Where would I be now, if he had?

I laughed to myself. There was no point wondering, but…I'd probably be beside him. He'd curb my urges and I would make him smile. I was good at that—

Damnit! I was doing it anyway. Oh, well, it's not like he ever felt the same. Thank goodness. He'd have me wrapped around his fingers, dancing to his tune with a smile.

And where would Hiei be in all this?

That was easy. Nothing would be different. Even if I was curled up with Kurama, Hiei would bark something snide across the room at me and I would take the bait, jumping over couches and turning over side tables to get to him. He did that normally. Even when Kurama and I were talking, he'd insert himself and piss me off.

Even this would be the same, this calm, this ease between us. Even though the fight was through, I could feel this odd turn of tension.

Huh. It was odd, this strange pattern. The quiet moments between us followed hand in hand with tension and melancholy. Our high, engaging moments together were laced with anger and edge—one thrill away from fall out—explosion. And the only way the explosion didn't happen is if one of us backed down. No.

I stopped walking, turning back to stare at where we had come from.

It didn't happen only if I backed down. I always give up the fight. Why is that? He never does.

Somehow that didn't surprise me. It's a dance I've done for so long, it's second nature to me—instinctive. I'm sure it's the same for him. Hiei and I were so different, but we did have that in common. We didn't truly like change. We like what we know, what's familiar.

Wasn't that what Kurama said all those weeks ago? I reminded him of someone—a few someones? It was all there, written in my attitude. True, I wasn't twins with any of the guys, but I echoed traits of theirs. Hiei, of course, echoed traits of people I loved—MJ, Vulcan, my mother, they were written in him.

I turn my eyes upward. The bleeding sky in a way gives me comfort, and the chill in the air makes me shiver.

Nike stares at me, I can feel her gaze, but she doesn't break this trance of mine. She lets me wander into it, let's me settle down into the grass to sit.

Oh, I hate this. I do. I hate living in this thought—this mind. But, as always, I let it drown me. I wanted it to pull me under, I wanted the water to come rushing where my head once laid. I wanted it to burn.

"Aurora."

I gasp. The sound of his voice thrusting my head above the waves.

Blinking, I spy Hiei beside me. His eyes are like crystals in this light. They are alive with their brilliance, dancing as if flames themselves. He's taken his usual position, one leg outstretched while the other acts as an armrest. His right hand is in the grass, the fingers spread out.

My fingers are a breath away, separated by a handful of blades. I look back to his eyes, focused, questioning. He doesn't ask where my head is this time. And I don't need him to. That's not how we do things.

"Never thought I'd see the day where you let your thoughts silence your tongue." He says, that smirk curling his lips, he leans toward me as he speaks. I doubt he notices it. I never really noticed, until now that is. I think it's magnetic, something that happens of its own accord. That's normal. Nothing feels strange here, or odd.

My pulse races anyway, and I grin wildly, all teeth, and dimples.

It doesn't matter what this is, or how it came to be. In the back of my mind, I've accepted it. In the back of my mind, I know that this is a pattern. That's fine.

All that matters is that I know what's next and I want it so much.

"Is that your way of saying, you miss my voice, Hiei?"

Hiei laughs, but doesn't correct me. My pulse spasms with that realization. His eyes are very distracting, "Heh, I knew it wouldn't last."

Author's Note: This last moment here was inspired by the song "Sober" by Selena Gomez. Give it a listen. It's not an obvious comparison of the pairing, but some lines match well with this moment. I'm trying to find the perfect song for them still (because I'm one of those). I'm thinking "Easy" by Camilla Cabello, but that that would be one sided.

Well, I needed to finish this part before it annoyed me to death. It's a better stopping point. Whenever I see a review, regardless of the length, I immediately want to update. It's an actual problem because I have work to do. But, this is the last one until June. Please let me know what you think by leaving a review, follow or favorite.

LadyEllesmere: There was quite a bit of tension, wasn't there? Lol

Damaged Forest Spirit: I'm glad you love this anyway, it's always good to hear.