Chapter Six- Concerns

Hiei nibbled on another piece of food from a sampler plate he had ordered and he licked his lips. That was good, too. He tried a third item and found he like it too. He smiled at Kurama. "You were right: I do like this place. The food's good."

Kurama nodded and watched in slight concern. The sampler was a big plate and Hiei was practically devouring it as if he was starving. Does he not get a lot to eat? "Hiei, does Mukuro not feed you enough?"

"I get just enough to keep me healthy which is what the food is: Health food. I don't usually eat food that was made for the taste. Only on my off days do I get this kind of food." He took a gulp of the warm juice that seemed odd to him, but he accepted it as it was.

Kurama couldn't believe what he was hearing. Is this what humans do to their slaves? "So, you don't normally have good food, comfort food?"

"That's right." His tone was casual.

"Hiei. That does not sound right. Are all slaves treated that way?"

"I can't speak for all slaves, but those serving Mukuro, yes we all eat enough to live."

"Why don't you leave? What does she have over you?"

"I signed a contract to serve her for life. If I try to escape or disobey her, she will make me change forms and then use a spell to seal my gift so that I'll be trapped in that form."

"I see. I would do whatever was necessary to keep my gift if I was in your place, but surely you could leave."

"Kurama, Mukuro's a sorceress. She'd be able to find me and punish me. I hate her and having to serve her, but I can't get away. By tomorrow night, I will be doing her bidding again."

Kurama shook his head. "Hiei, what if you stayed here and let the deadline pass? As a merman, you'd still get to be human and that has no time limit."

"I hear what you're saying, but I like changing forms."

Kurama decided to change the subject. "So, will you stay the night with Mother and me? I'm sure Mother will not mind."

"Yes. I wanted to time my change so I could sleep underwater. I'm curious about what it's like."

Kurama got up and Hiei followed suite before following the redhead out the door. He dwelled on their conversation as they swam. Kurama thought it wasn't right that Hiei was a slave and not treated right. He advocated Hiei staying a merman to escape Mukuro and his enslavement. But I can't stay. Yes, I hate Mukuro and serving her but I signed an agreement albeit being tricked into it. I am bound by that contract to serve her the rest of my life. I value honor too much to violate or avoid an agreement I signed.

I also don't want to lose my gift. I love to fly, through the sky and swim through the waters. Kurama understands that about my power. He said he would do anything to keep it. That is another reason why I serve Mukuro: To keep my power. His eyes focused on Kurama and they softened. He really loved Kurama. He had never met someone like him. I should tell him by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.

Kurama also dwelled on their conversation and Hiei's refusal to try to escape Mukuro. He says he signed an agreement to serve her for life and that if he tried to escape she would find him as she is a sorceress and can punish him by trapping him in another form forever. I want to help him get away from her, but he refuses to try to leave. My suggestion of him staying here is a sound one and maybe he'll reconsider after a good night's sleep.

Hiei blinked as he opened his eyes. The water seemed lighter and he concluded it was morning. He looked inside at his clock and found he had about seven hours before the deadline arrived. I changed at about three yesterday afternoon so it must be about eight in the morning. Kurama and I should grab a quick breakfast and head for shore. He got up and swam out of the guest room to head to the kitchen but met Kurama just outside it. He had a pack on his back and some food in his hands.

"I already told Mother about where we're going and that you'll head home afterwards," he said, passing some food.

"Thanks. So, how do you change?" he asked as they swam for land.

"Once I am completely out of the water, my tail splits into legs and clothes will appear. Hiei, how much longer do you have with your clock?"

"A little less than seven hours." Hiei inwardly marveled at the fact that he had been in one form for seventeen hours. He had never spent so much time in one form before but it had been enjoyable. I will definitely spend my future off days as a merman and search for shells and stuff to pay for things and speaking of paying, today is my turn to treat Kurama.

Both surfaced and headed toward the shore, Hiei resuming human form when they got to the shallows. He offered his hands and helped pull Kurama onto land. The moment his fins were out, his tail became a pair of legs and a pair of black jeans and a green Chinese shirt cloaked his body. He rose to his ankle-booted feet, swayed slightly before stabilizing, and gestured for Hiei to lead the way.

"Kurama, what would you like to see?" he asked as they walked.

"The inside of a few stores, a place for lunch, and maybe the park," he answered.

Hiei nodded. "We can do all that."

"Perhaps, you can show me where you live? Then, I could come by and visit you."

Hiei hesitated. "I don't know. The people who come in are there for Mukuro's help. I would hate for her to think you're there for help when you're not."

"Well, you could introduce me and explain I'm a friend who would want to see you, nothing more."

"Yeah, I could. I would like to show you where I live."

"We'll make that our last stop. Right now," he pointed at one building. "Let's check out that place."

Hiei smirked. "That's a bank. That's where people deposit money to store it or withdraw some later to buy things." He checked his watch. "They're not open yet, but I can withdraw money from a machine called an ATM."

"I think I've seen humans use it," Kurama said as they headed toward it. "I just did not know its function. Money from a machine: Convenient."

Hiei smiled at Kurama being impressed as he fished out his wallet and got his card out before stepping up to the ATM to explain it in more detail.

Kurama listened and watched as Hiei put a hard rectangle he called his bank card into the machine and that he had to enter a four digit code to access his account. From there, Hiei pushed a series of buttons and the words, "Please wait," appeared on the screen. He heard sounds coming from the machine before a slot opened and money appeared. Hiei took it, pressed another button, and his card came out as did a piece of paper. "That's it," Hiei said.

"Amazing. It is simpler than I thought," he commented as they walked away.

"I bet a lot of things are simpler once someone explains it."

"I have no doubt of that." He gave Hiei a sweet smile and Hiei felt his heart beat harder. God, he is so cute and nice. I definitely need to tell him I love him and I believe I know the perfect time: At lunch. I just hope I don't lose my nerve and that he accepts my affections.