Chapter Seven- Lessons Learned

Kuwabara ventured out early afternoon after a short nap. The use of his speed and fire last night made him curious about his Jagan and the fire attacks he had seen Hiei use. He untied the headband and opened the eye for the first time. He focused on calling up a fire attack and felt the eye glow before his fists were engulfed in fire. The Fist of the Mortal Flame, he thought as he punched forward, delighting in the crackling sound of the fire. Hiei's a lucky guy to have access to these kind of attacks. I'll be sure to tell him when next I see him. He extinguished the fire and closed his eyes to recall other attacks Hiei had used when the Jagan glowed and Kuwabara received a mental image of the area in front of him and some distance beyond. Whoa. I didn't know the Jagan could do that. Amazing. He heard a sound behind him and focused the Jagan in that direction. There, crouched in the foliage, was Vesta. He opened his main eyes, the Jagan no longer glowing, and said, "I know you're there, Vesta." He turned as the cheetah came out and smiled at him as she came closer.

She gently ran her claws along his jawline and he heard a soft purr as she did so. "Uh, Vesta? What are you doing?" Kuwabara had an inkling of what Vesta was thinking, but was hoping against hope that he was wrong.

"I like you, Kuwabara. You are fast, strong, and sweet; my ideal match. I would like for us to be mates."

Kuwabara stepped back, Kurama's suspicions confirmed and his hope dashed. "Whoa, whoa. We can't be mates. It won't work out."

"Why ever not? I'm a demon. You're a demon. I see no reason why we can't be mates."

"It's because I'm not really a demon."

Vesta tilted her head. "What?"

Kuwabara took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "Okay, look. I'm really a human who didn't understand demons so the Spirit World prince switched my race with a demon who didn't understand humans. Once we understand we'll change back and I am understanding our race."

"You're a human!?" Vesta spat.

Kuwabara recoiled at her tone. "Yes. I do like you and thought we could be friends."

"Why would I want to be friends with a human liar?" she hissed before sprinting away.

Kuwabara hung his head as he concealed the Jagan. He sensed a presence and glanced back to see Kurama. "She hates me," he said in a low voice. "I told her the truth when she spoke about being mates. I think I hurt her for lying to her. I didn't mean to upset her but I had hoped she'd accept that I'm really human and maybe be friends."

"Sounds like you have reached an understanding of demons."

"Yeah, I have. Could we head back and wait for Hiei at Genkai's?"

"Of course and we'll give our remaining food to any demons we meet along the way."

"Yeah. I think they'd appreciate that."

"Mr. Hiei? You look different today."

"I look different for a reason. I'm human right now."

"Human? How?"

Koenma used a spell to switch my race with Kuwabara and only by understanding the other's race can we change back. I now understand humans and came here to wait for Kuwabara to understand demons and to talk to you."

"Oh, thank you. I get lonely sometimes."

Hiei felt his heart break upon hearing that. I really am becoming more compassionate…or maybe it's because she's my sister. "Yukina, I feel awful about lying to you all these years."

"Lying to me? About what?"

"Yukina…I'm your brother. I didn't tell you because I was forbidden to tell and I thought you wouldn't like having a criminal for a brother."

"Hiei, I don't care what you've done. You're my brother and I love you. I understand that you couldn't tell me before."

"I can now as the one I made the promise to, had released me from it."

"You've changed. You seem kinder and more compassionate."

"I learned a lot in two days."

"So have I," came another voice. The siblings looked over to see Kuwabara and Kurama approach.

"Have you?" Hiei asked.

"Yeah. Not all demons are bad. Some act like humans do at times."

Hiei nodded. "I learned that humans are not inferior, just more compassionate than demons." Hiei then gasped and grasped his forehead as Kuwabara winced and sank to his knees. Hiei felt his energy grow stronger and a slit under his fingers as well as a burning along his right arm. I'm a demon again. Admitting what we learned to each other broke the spell.

Kuwabara felt his energy weaken but still strong and sensed the Jagan vanish and the dragon leave him. I'm human again. It was a little cool being a demon, but man, I'm glad to be human again.

Hiei looked up as Kuwabara stood, undid the headband, and handed it over. Hiei tied it on as Kuwabara and Kurama sat down. "I stayed with your sister at night and tagged along with Yusuke during the day. The detective had set me up on a blind date yesterday that I went on today, but it didn't end well or last long. I actually felt bad at upsetting her."

"You did?"

"Yes. I spent time at night talking with your sister about your race to understand why you do what you do and act the way you do. I was actually feeling human today. It was an interesting sensation. Your race is a very caring one."

"Thanks. I found that all demons fight to kill. Some fight to test their skills or see what others can do. I caught the interest of a cheetah demon who wanted me as a mate but when I told her the truth, she got angry, called me a liar, and ran off."

"Why did she want you for a mate?" Yukina asked and Hiei leaned forward to not miss a thing as he was interested in the answer.

"She was attracted to me because of your powers, Hiei which you are lucky to have them. I kept up with her during a race and she said a Jagan implant is a symbol of a strong demon and you certainly are strong. She was also impressed with my use of fire."

"Cheetahs usually seek out strong demons and especially fast ones. It's a desire to have children who are even faster. But, she was probably attracted to you yourself," Hiei explained.

"She did say I was sweet."

Hiei nodded. This cheetah had mostly likely been attracted to Kuwabara for his physical appearance. She probably sensed his strength as a demon before initiating a friendly race and when the race was over, she probably felt like Kuwabara could be her ideal mate. She didn't know she had fallen for a human in the disguise of a demon.

"You are sweet," Yukina said. "You're also kind, loyal, and compassionate."

Kuwabara grinned at Yukina's words. "I really like you, Yukina and I mean as more than friends."

"Kazuma?" Yukina tilted her head, confused.

"I'd like to date you, maybe marry you one day."

"Kazuma, I'm flattered." She smiled at Hiei hopefully and he nodded.

"I have no problem with that," he said.

"Why are you asking Hiei?"

Yukina beamed. "He's my brother. He told me today."

"Really?" Kuwabara was surprised. Two days ago, the revelation would have been horrifying, but now that he understood demons, he actually liked the fact that Hiei was Yukina's brothers. We're friendlier now and I feel we could be wonderful in-laws someday.

The End