Chapter Four:

Great News and Friction

There was a knock on the door, so of course someone had to get it. Kuroko stood up and opened the door. Kurama and Botan were kissing, and Shizuru was standing there. "o.o Hey, Kuroko."

"Hi... Uh...Come in..." Kuroko stepped aside to let them in. Shizuru walked in, still a little shaken. Thus, Kuroko was forced to break the new couple's kiss. She tapped Kurama on the shoulder. "Uh…Kurama? Could you two stop and come in? It'll be worth it."

He pulled away from Botan, and blushed. "Oh, of course." He turned to Botan. "Shall we?"

"Sure." He escorted the ferry-girl inside, and sat down with her on a couch.

"Hiei, Yukina? Everyone is here now."

"Oh, okay. Let's go Hiei," Yukina said. The three of them walked to the front of the room. "Everyone!! We have something to tell you!"

The Koorime was shouting at the top of her lungs and still no one heard her. "Do you need my big mouth?" Kuroko asked. Yukina nodded. "OK, LISTEN UP, EVERYONE!!! WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY, SO SHUT UP AND LISTEN!!!"

Everyone's attention went to the front of the room. Kuroko nodded to Yukina. "Um....." Yukina lowered her voice, and asked Kuroko, "How do I word this?"

"Shall I say it?"

"Mhm."

"Ok, then." She spoke louder this time. "Ok, guys. Hiei finally told Yukina that he was her brother today, by means of a Cd, that I convinced him to do."

Kuwabara was gaping again. "Wait a minute... Cd? You sang, Hiei!?" Hiei glared at him, but nodded. "I wanna hear!!"

"Fine, baka. Put it in." Kuwabara did as he was told, and removed the Cd from its case, and put it in the player. He hit the play button and listened. Everyone followed suit.

***

The song had finished and everyone was showing some sign of shock: eyes wide, mouths slightly open, or both. Kuroko acted as if the carpet was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Hiei just stood, showing no signs of emotion (real shocker there…). Keiko broke the silence.

"One wouldn't think that you, Hiei, of all people, would sing and actually sound good."

"Really? Why wouldn't someone like Hiei not be musically talented?" Kuroko intervened. She was like Hiei in some ways, and she took this as an insult. Kuroko rounded on Keiko after she didn't reply. "Huh? Why?"

"Lay off, Kuroko. She didn't do anything to you," Yusuke said. Kuroko stormed over to Yusuke, who didn't flinch as others might've done.

"Didn't do anything? DIDN'T DO ANYTHING?! SHE INSULTED ME!!"

"How did she insult you?" Yusuke asked. The others sat or stood around watching the arguement, wondering if Kuroko would end up in a fight with the couple.

"She said, 'One wouldn't think that you, Hiei, of all people, would sing and actually sound good.' I am like Hiei in some ways!! So, she basically said that there was no way I could sound more than good. If what she says is true, then, good is the limit on what my talent or Hiei's talent could be, which means I'm not talented!!"

"I didn't mean it as an insult, I was just surprised!" Keiko cried. Guess I should step in before she kills the one of the ningens... But I'll have to give a little "speech" to get my point across. God help me... Hiei thought.

"I'm surprised at you. You seem to be a loud-mouthed person who lo-likes music, anime, and fighting. You have an attitude, use it to your advantage, and you're not the kind of person to let someone or what they think or say get in the way of you and your dreams," Hiei analyzed. He couldn't bring himself to say, "love."

"I guess you're right... Sorry, Keiko, Yusuke." Kuroko relented and plopped onto the floor. "Which is rare occasion..."

"Why I oughtta..." Hiei growled as he rounded on the fire demon. "I keep you from killing someone and this is how you repay me?!"

"That's a favor?" Kuroko said touchily, obviously looking for a fight.

"Yes, it is. Now, shut up, baka ningen."

"Baka? Ningen?! Allow me to refresh your memory, Hiei. When I came to this world I requested to be half fire demon. So I am not a ningen!" In her hand she created a fireball. "Ugh!! You're so weird!! First, you're all nice and buying me things, and now, you're a first-rate jerk!! Men!!" she exclaimed as she threw two fireballs at the boy. One hit him in the arm.

"Ugh!! Goodbye!!" With that, he left.

"Fine!! I hate you, Hiei!! I hate you!!" She ran out the back door, through the woods, to her favorite pool. This pool stood at the bottom of a small waterfall. Kuroko sat in the fetile position on the branch of an oak tree, letting tears stream down her face silently. She broke off a stick and threw it into the pool, while shouting, "Why'd I ever think he would like me?! Stupid, stupid, stupid!!"

"Too right you are," a familiar voice said from the shadows. Kuroko turned around on the branch. There stood Hiei.

"What are you doing here?"

"My spot where I go to think is nearby. I heard your shouts and came over to see if I could get you to shut up."

"Well, I won't unless I find it in my interest." She waited for him to turn around and go back. "You heard my answer, now go."

"No."

"Well, what do you want?"

"What did you mean by, 'Why'd I ever think he would like me?'?"

"Um..." She hadn't expected him to ask her this. "Well, Hiei, I l-like you, and was ho-hoping you would return those feelings."

"You're all right, now, that I think about it."

"That's an improvement, but that's not what I meant." After he had said that, she had enough confidence to get her point across. His eyes widened, once he had comprehended what she said.

"…" Crap! How do I say this? She means like date and become mates kind of thing. Ooh, stupid me... The words came to his head. Stop playing stupid, you don't love her. But do you? I'll wait a week or so. I can't say it now. I have no idea what I'm feeling, and I don't know how this kind of thing works. "I don't understand what you're trying to say."

"Hiei, I love you."

Oh shit! I didn't know she was going to say it. If I don't tell her now, she'll hate me and won't feel the same when I finally do tell her!! Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit! Another voice began to speak in his head. Since when did you need anyone? I thought you decided a long time ago you were better off on your own.

"I-I l-l-love you, too, Kur-Kuroko."

"Really?!"

"Yes." Kuroko leapt up and wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him into a tight embrace. He returned the gesture. She squeezed even tighter. "Kuroko--Can't--breathe--"

"Oh, sorry." She quickly released him. He took in a deep breath and then, let it out.

"It's okay."

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Bad stopping point, but I'm at a writer's block. Will anyone out there help me? You can send me ideas in your reviews. R&R please!