Chapter Three- Meeting Kurama

Hiei surfaced and floated there to think. He had found a merman and fell instantly in love. Of all the changes I've made, the notion of becoming a creature of myth never occurred to me. I wonder…can I become a merman? I should as I can change into another person. Hiei changed back to human and focused on his legs becoming a tail. He felt his legs draw together and feel as if they had become one leg. He took a breath, ducked down, and a smile appeared: A long black fishtail had replaced his legs and his feet were a pair of fins. The tail looked just like the one he had seen on the redhead. He let out his breath and breathed in as he admired the tail. Yes! I can become a merman! Of course, it'll only last twenty-four hours but I won't be one for that long.

Hiei swam about as he searched for the merman he had seen. He went down, marveling at the life he saw and the depths he was reaching. He had never gone this far down as he was usually a dolphin. He looked left and right as he admired the beauty he saw while searching. He had reached the ocean bottom and there was the boy he had seen, digging in the sand. He swam closer and said, "Hello." The boy looked back and Hiei felt his breath catch at the green eyes and delicate face. God, he's beautiful, he thought.

Kurama happily dug in the sand, finding gems that he wouldn't have found in the ground around his village's boundaries. I hope I find a special or rare jewel. It would be perfect for my future boyfriend. He dug further and a black gleam appeared. His heart pounded as he dug around it and then pulled out…a black pearl! Oh my, he thought in amazement. It's gorgeous and perfect for black pearls are rare. He tucked it in his bag, knowing he would clean and polish it when he got home. He continued to dig and found some sand dollars he could use to purchase items at the marketplace.

"Hello," said a deep voice behind him. Kurama looked back to see a black-haired and black-tailed teen with eyes the color of blood. Kurama was captivated by this merman's voice and face that made him look older than he was. He quickly shook off his amazement and rose to face the stranger. "Hi, I'm Kurama," he said, holding out a hand.

The stranger took the hand. "I'm Hiei."

"Hiei," Kurama repeated. "That's a cool name."

Hiei smiled, a little embarrassed. "Uh, thanks."

"So, where are you from?" asked Kurama as they sat.

"Actually, I live on land. I'm really human."

"You are? Then, how can you have a tail?"

"I was born with the power to shapeshift. I can change forms but only for twenty-four hours then I'm trapped in that form."

Kurama's eyes went round. "You're a shapeshifter. That is…amazing. I wish I could do that. I can trade my tail for legs but I tend to not do that."

"How come?"

"Well, to me, being human seems more complicated than living in the sea. Also, I know that money's required for food and such and I have none."

"You're right on both counts. Life on land is complicated and difficult. Money is needed to live and I have a job that gives me a place to live and money." It was true; despite being a slave, Mukuro did pay him as he sometimes spends his free day in town.

"So, you have a place. Is it expensive?"

Hiei shifted on his tail. "Actually, I live in my employer's house as do others."

"Are you a slave?" Kurama asked, sounding suspicious.

"Yes, but I lived on the streets and ate by changing forms to hunt. Believe me, all things considered, it's not so bad."

"But you have no freedom."

"I do in the form of off days and rewards for doing my job.

"Kurama, you're the first merperson I've seen and I'd love to know more about you and your race."

Kurama smiled in amusement. "You mean our race, yes? You're a merman right now, due to your power."

Hiei smiled back. "You're right. Our race."

"Well, I have already mentioned being able to be human. We live all over the world in places from large kingdoms to small villages. I live in one of the latter in that direction." He pointed to his right. "I live with my mother, my father died when I was young. I have a close friend called Yusuke and I am rather popular among most of the mermaids."

Hiei felt his heart sink. So, he likely has a girlfriend. Oh well; with my service to Mukuro, having a love life is practically impossible. "I imagine one of them is lucky to have you."

"Actually," Kurama said slowly. "I found I prefer males to females. I'm waiting until I meet a special merman."

"Too bad for them, then."

Kurama chuckled and Hiei smirked. He found himself liking Kurama more and more. I'm head over heels in love, but I shouldn't. However, I can have him as a friend.

"Hiei, is your life just serving your boss? What does he or she do?"

"Yes. I'm to serve her for life. Mukuro deals in selling potions and charms. I sometimes bring people to her who are looking for help that no one else can give them."

"That's nice of her, helping others I mean."

Hiei nodded, finding himself unable to tell Kurama the truth about Mukuro and his duties. Speaking of which…

"I should go. Mukuro will be expecting me to report back to her."

"Of course. Perhaps we can meet again another time?"

"Oh, we will. I like flying and swimming as opposed to walking. I'd like to see your village."

"And I'd like to see your city. I feel I would like being human while in your company."

Hiei perked up at that. "Maybe you could see it with me on my next free day. I could see you in your village to let you know. You said your village is that way?" He pointed.

"Yes. It is the first one you will see. It is hard to miss."

"Good. Until then, Kurama. Bye." Hiei rose and swam off toward shore while Kurama swam in the other direction. Hiei swam for land, enjoying his merman form. This is my favorite form now. I've made a new friend and learned a little about him. I hope to learn more in time and to show him my world when he takes human form. I wonder if it's his first time. Probably not as he knows about needing money.

I don't know when my next free day will be which is why I said I would come to him when I find out. I could meet his mother and look around his village before I leave it once we made plans for his day as a human. Hiei headed up and, once in the shallows, resumed human form and headed for the bus stop. He wondered what the conditions were for the woman to fulfill and if she had already failed. He felt bad that he had to break her illusion spell but if he didn't, he would lose his shapeshifting ability and be unable to see Kurama again.

I want to see him again. I want to know more about him and maybe eventually confess that I love him.