Of Demons and Roses
Chapter 3: The Best of Friends
That Friday was just like any other day. Nobara and Niji were almost late again, another uneventful school day, they walked home together. However, the two friends had something to look forward to that afternoon. Nobara loved spending time with her best, and only, friend, Niji. She always made Nobara feel happy and accepted, the two feelings Nobara wish she had more of.
"Just come over whenever. No particular time," said Nobara to her friend as they went their separate ways.
"Alright! I'll be over in a few hours then," answered Niji, walking in the direction of her house as Nobara went into hers.
Kurama was fixing up the house in preparation for Niji's arrival when Nobara walked in.
"Welcome home Nobara! When is Niji coming?" said Kurama upon seeing his daughter.
"She'll be here in a few hours. I'll go set up the guest bed in my room," answered Nobara as she went up to her room.
When she got there, Nobara realized that it was a total mess! So, she started with organizing the chaos in her room, then proceeded to get the guest bed. Another thing that made Nobara different from everyone else was her unusual strength for a person her size. Nobara is a thin, medium height girl, yet she almost has the strength of a 6 foot tall boxer. And she never works out! Her parents know that it is just another one of her demon traits coming out.
Before the demon family knew it, evening came, along with Niji. Kurama answered the door.
"Hello Niji. Come on in," Kurama said in a welcoming tone. "I'll go get Nobara. Just make yourself at home."
"Thanks," said Niji to a departing Kurama. She put her stuff down and sat in a nearby chair. A minute later, Nobara came down the stairs.
"Hi Niji! I was just cleaning up my room. Come on up," said Nobara, picking up one of Niji's two bags. She lead her up the stairs and into her room, which was much less chaotic than before. Niji was shocked at the room's neatness.
"Wow Nobara! You were cleaning your room! I haven't seen it this neat in months!" Niji exclaimed.
"Thanks! I realized the bed wouldn't fit unless I cleaned the room, so I did!" responded Nobara. Niji set her stuff down next to her bed and sat down on it. An awkward silence entered the room as both girls went into deep thought.
Nobara thought about her best friend. She knew that both of her parents died in a car crash when Niji was only 5 years old. They had just met a few months before that. Niji is an only child, just like Nobara. Niji now lives with her aunt and uncle and their son, who is 18, two years older than Nobara and Niji. Niji is about two months older than Nobara and a little but shorter. Nobara realized that Niji looked at her parents and saw the family love she never had.
Niji also thought of her best friend. About how she's been acting weird this past week. Nobara and Niji talked about everything. But this time, Niji felt that Nobara was keeping something from her. Niji doesn't blame her, since it almost looked like even Nobara doesn't know what's going on with her. Niji has always been very understanding of Nobara, even if she didn't know all the details about what's going on. A knock on the door interrupted the girl's thoughts.
"Awful quiet in here! Usually I hear you talking and giggling," Kurama said jokingly as he opened the door.
Niji giggled, "I guess we're both a little tired."
Nobara tried to smile and nodded her head.
"If there's anything you need, help yourself. Ok?"
"Sure. Thank you," said Niji politely. Kurama closed the door without saying anything about Nobara's current state. He could see that she was struggling within herself; her human form and her demon form. He knew that it is only a matter of time before he had to tell her, in order for her to control her demon self.
As he was walking away, he could hear voices and laughter coming from his daughter's room. Kurama smiled at the thought that at least Nobara could be happy and temporarily forget about her internal struggle.
"I like your mother, Nobara," said Niji.
Nobara smiled, "Me too."
"You know, when I look into your eyes, I can almost see him looking back at me on one eye, and you in the other. You look so much like him. It's cool, yet scary at the same time," Niji said as she looked into her friend's different colored eyes.
"I've never thought about it that way. I guess since one of my eyes is his color, it makes sense," Nobara said, smiling.
The girls stayed up late talking, like they always do at sleepovers. But, eventually, they went to sleep.
Niji had to leave early the next morning because she was going out with her family all weekend. They said their goodbyes and Niji was out the door.
"Nobara!" Niji called, "Remember: field trip Monday! You don't have to wear your uniform!"
"Thanks for the reminder! See you Monday!" Nobara called back.
She had this odd feeling again. A chill went down her spine and she felt as if she was being watched. Nobara stepped outside to check to see if someone was out. She didn't see anyone at first, but then she saw a black figure standing a few feet from her. She tried to figure out how he got there without her noticing, but he spoke before she could think.
"Hello Nobara," the figure said. He didn't look human. It was almost as if he was a shadow.
Nobara took a step back, "How do you know my name?" she asked.
"I know a lot about you. I've been watching you for quite awhile my dear," he said.
"What?" said Nobara in shock. He was really creeping her out.
"You'll find out in time," he said as he disappeared into the shadows. Nobara stood there for a minute, staring at the spot where the mysterious man stood.
"Nobara, did Niji leave?" called Kurama from inside.
"Yeah, I just wanted to get some fresh air," answered Nobara. After not being able to come up with a reason for this, she told herself that she hallucinated and went inside.
On the roof stood Hiei, who had just appeared there with no one noticing. He had a serious look on his face and almost appeared to be angry.
//He's back. I better keep an eye on him.// Hiei thought.
Throughout the entire weekend, Nobara kept seeing that same man's face wherever she went. She insisted that she was going crazy, so she never told anyone. But Sunday night, this feeling grew inside her. As if something was going to happen, but she wasn't quite sure what. An unexplained fear came over her, which just made her even more confused.
//What's going on? Who is this person following me? How does he know me? Does he know my parents? What am I afraid of? Why is this happening to me? What is happening to me??//
Nobara's thought wore her out, and she was soon asleep.