Chapter Six- Humanity

There was much laughter and talking as the group sat around a roaring fire that Kuwabara had made. Vest snuggled up by Kuwabara. "So, you're a fire demon," she said, admiring the flames.

"Kind of," he mumbled. He hated lying to such a nice demon, but if she knew the truth, she'd probably kill him. That'd be a shame as I'd like t be friends with her. Apparently, not all demons are bad. Some are friendly and nice.

Vesta smiled up at Kuwabara as he stared into the fire. He was so handsome and was able to keep up with her. No other demon had managed that and she knew she had found her match. She tilted her head as she looked at his forehead. "Why do you war that headband?" she said, fingering it.

"I…have a Jagan," he said softly, sounding as if this was a bad thing.

Vesta's eyes, however, widened in delight. "Really? That's so cool."

"You think so?"

"I do. Jagan are also symbols of strong demons, particularly if they're implants. Is yours an implant?"

"It is," he replied, feeling respect for Hiei. He got the Jagan and became a strong demon. Hiei is a whole lot cooler than I give him credit.

Hiei moaned as he flopped on the couch. He hated the arcade! It was too noisy for his tastes. The only good thing were the games and he did enjoy playing them. It was a relief when they left and had a quiet dinner at Yusuke's before he headed for Shizuru's to go to bed…after talking to the woman.

"So how was your first whole day as a human?" Shizuru asked.

"I shouldn't have to be human."

"That wasn't the question."

"Hn." A small smile appeared. "I enjoyed the arcade thought it was a bit noisy."

"Arcades usually are."

"Dinner was better; it was quiet even with Yusuke chattering on."

"Talking is how most humans interact and sometimes it lets them vent frustration."

"Hn. Well as I can't fight demons like this to let off steam, I might as well talk. You didn't answer my question last night about what's so great about humans."

Shizuru was quiet as she pondered this question, an expression Hiei recognized and so he waited for her to respond. "I think it would have to be our compassion for one another," she said at last. "We tend to help those who are suffering even if we don't know them."

"You help strangers because of compassion?"

"Yes. Take my brother, for example. He refused to fight those mind-controlled people in the tournament because he felt sorry for them and he didn't really know them."

Hiei nodded. He hadn't seen the entire fight, but had seen the injuries he had sustained from it. He stared at the floor and didn't see Shizuru leave as he was lost in thought. He had seen humans laugh, work, play, and be nice to each other but he had also seen humans murder, rob, and steal from others. Demons are like that, too. There are nice ones and there are bad ones. It's hard to survive in Demon World as you mostly have to fight for your life whereas here, one can relax. I suppose that's why Yukina lives here.

"Hiei?"

The human looked up to see Shizuru holding out a bowl and spoon. He took it and saw it held the ice cream he had picked out. He licked his lips before grabbing the spoon and proceeding to gobble it down.

"Careful, Hiei," Shizuru warned, eating her own. "If you eat it too fast, you'll get-,"

Hiei suddenly gasped and put a hand to his temple, wincing. "Brain freeze," she finished.

"Ow," he moaned, hand still to his temple. "I didn't get brain freeze before."

"Well, you were a fire demon before. Now you're human."

Hiei growled as the pain faded. He returned to his dessert, eating it sedately to avoid another brain freeze. Brain freeze aside, I still love ice cream and Shizuru's explanation of the human compassion does explain some of the things they do. Hn. I'm starting to understand them. I wonder if Kuwabara is learning respect for demons.

"Kuwabara, what did you think of our companions last night?" asked Kurama as they headed home.

"They were really nice. I had no idea how much like humans demons could be. Vesta was really cool."

"Yes and she seemed a little too friendly in my opinion."

"She did?"

"Yes. Did you not notice? Be careful, Kuwabara. She might have love on her mind in regards to you."

Kuwabara frowned thoughtfully. "If I see her again, I'll make it clear that I'm not interested in love, that I'd rather be friends. Maybe I could tell her the truth."

"Maybe; if you see her again." Kurama felt it was likely that they would see Vesta again. She'll likely track us by scent, but not find our home. At least Hiei doesn't have to worry about girls being interested in him.

Hiei sighed and stirred his drink with a straw while Sandy would alternate between blushing when she looked at him and looking around the shop. Neither one had said anything despite the discreet head tilts from Yusuke as he served customers. Hiei gave him a glare as the detective returned to the kitchen.

"How's the date going?" Keiko asked as she cooked.

"Not moving. Neither one is talking. It's obvious Sandy likes him from what I've seen."

"Yusuke, you had no right to set Hiei up on this date. It won't help him understand us if he's doing things he hates."

"Yeah, all right. I'll let him choose what he wants to do. I had planned for us to go swimming, but I guess that's out."

"Only if he doesn't want to go swimming," Keiko said as she put food on a tray.

Yusuke nodded, gathered up an order, and brought it to the customers. He turned and saw Hiei sitting by himself with a slightly stunned look on his face. He went over and sat opposite him. "Where's Sandy?"

"She left. I told her I didn't want to be on this date. She went red, said I was an insensitive jerk, and stormed out. Yusuke, I actually feel bad about upsetting her, even though I'm not interested in her."

"Wow. Hiei, it sounds like you're getting some actual humanity."

"Just a little, yes. I talked to Shizuru last night and I believe I'm starting to understand humans. I may not like humans, but I'll understand them and respect their decisions."

Yusuke nodded. "If you want to head for Genkai's, go ahead. I think you've learned enough."

Hiei slid off his seat and ambled out the door while Yusuke returned to the kitchen to tell Keiko what happened.

Hiei headed down the sidewalk, thinking about yesterday and this morning. He hadn't done much over the last day and a half, and yet it seemed he had learned his lesson. Humans were not as annoying and inferior as he had thought. Yes, they were weaker than demons but they had strengths that demons didn't. For one thing, they were more compassionate. They tended to talk about issues instead of fighting to resolve it…for most part.

He looked around and saw he was near an ice cream shop. He looked through the window and felt his stomach growl. He hadn't had lunch and he still had the money Yusuke gave him for the date. I think I'll buy a sundae and a drink. While I eat, I'll watch human interaction and apply it to what I learned. I'll head for Genkai's afterward and maybe speak with Yukina. It might be my new humanity, but I actually want to tell her the truth.

He went inside and ordered a sundae of chocolate ice cream, chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream along with a soda. He sat down to enjoy his food and watch humans talk with each other.