DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own any of the characters in this story. NONE. Do you understand that? I don't make any money off of this, either, I just find pleasure in writing fan fictions. Thank you.

~Chapter Three: Strange Emotions~

(Hiei's point of view)

I couldn't BELIEVE that I was doing this. I almost decided not to come, but something... I still don't know what it is about her... but something about her made me unable to refuse. Why did I feel so strange about her? Why?

I folded my arms across my chest and frowned. Kurama was standing next to me, and I glanced up at him, noticing that he was staring at me. He had an amused look on his face.

"What!?" I demanded of him.

Kurama laughed slightly and answered, "You look upset. More than usual, actually."

Kurama was right. I was upset. But I wasn't really upset about coming to the movies with him and Hotaru; I was more upset that I couldn't figure out what the girl had done to me. Normally, I would feel no requirement to go anywhere without wanting to, but for some reason, I couldn't turn down this invitation. Could it be possible that I don't want to hurt her feelings? NO! I don't care about this human girl. I care nothing for her feelings!

"I am upset, Kurama!" I snapped at him. "I didn't want to come here, and I want to leave!" I lied easily. I didn't really want to leave. I didn't want to feel guilty about turning Hotaru down. But still, I had no idea WHY.

Kurama grinned. I stared at him, wondering why he seemed so amused.

"What are you smiling about?" I asked him.

"Hiei," He answered, still smiling, "If you want to leave, then why are you still here? Nothing has ever stopped you from not doing something that you don't want to do. Why are you still here if you don't want to be?"

I hate it when Kurama sees through my words. I hate it even more when he asks me a question that I don't want to answer. So I lied again.

"Because you're making me." I stated, and closed my eyes, leaning against the outside wall of the theatre.

"No I'm not."

Curse him. Why was he prying like this?

"Admit it Hiei." Kurama ordered. I knew what he was talking about. And I gave him the same answer that I had every other time he had brought this up.

"I. Do. Not. Like. That. Girl!" I said firmly.

"Sooner or later I'll get you to confess." Kurama said cunningly.

"Hn." I was going to end this conversation here and now.

*

(Kurama's point of view)

I could tell that Hiei liked her, no matter how much he tried to deny it. But what I wasn't sure of was whether or not he realized it. He had grown up living a life without love, and in his entire life the only person that he's loved has been Yukina, his sister, but he won't tell anyone that he loves her, or that he and Yukina are related. He has his reasons. But love for family is a different kind of love than what I knew that he was developing. I had to get him to realize what was happening to him. I knew that he would probably hate me for it, but I felt that I had to do it all the same.

I promised myself that I would get these two to be at least friends with one another, as Hiei and I are friends.

We were waiting outside the theatre for Hotaru to arrive. It wasn't long before she arrived, wearing a dark purple outfit and looking very cheerful. She looked even happier when she saw that Hiei had come. There was no doubt that she liked him, so now I felt even more impelled to get them to get into a relationship. She greeted both of us happily, and although Hiei only grunted, I said hello.

We went inside and took our seats. Hotaru sat down first, three seats from the isle. I made sure that Hiei took his seat next to her by slightly nudging him ahead of me, and sitting in the seat next to the isle. He had no choice but to sit in between us, as other people already took the rest of the row. Leaving it at that for now, I sat back contently to watch the movie.

*

(Hotaru's point of view)

I was a bit surprised when Hiei sat down next to me. I knew that he thought that I was okay enough to talk to, but I still didn't think he was anywhere near a friendship level. Although I couldn't stop wondering why Michelle, Trista and I all saw him blush when I was with him. Maybe we had imagined it?

Then I had a thought. Maybe Kurama was the one who had done this. Maybe he had somehow forced Hiei to sit next to me. But why would he do that? All the same, I decided to ignore it and watch the movie. Or at least I tried to ignore it. I was probably blushing, and I was glad that it was dark because if I really was blushing, no one could see it. I was really glad that Hiei was sitting with me, whether he had done it intentionally or not.

After the movie had ended, we left the theatre. I thought that we were going to say our goodbyes and leave, but it turned out Kurama had a different idea. He suggested that we all go for ice cream, and said that he's pay for it. I accepted gratefully, but I saw Hiei look angrily at Kurama.

"Hiei, come on, just a quick trip to get some ice cream." Kurama said in a pleading tone, "It won't take long." After a short silence, Hiei reluctantly agreed.

After we got ice cream, we talked as we each finished our cones. Well, to be honest, Hiei talked very little, but I could tell that Kurama was trying hard to get him to join in a conversation. I decided that I'd help. I wanted to talk to Kurama, sure, but I wanted to talk to Hiei even more.

"So Hiei," I began, "The other day you told me that you know how to use a sword." He glanced at me, and I knew that I had caught his attention. So I continued. "Is it hard? I've never used one before. A sword isn't really my style, I like glaives better." Both Kurama and Hiei stared at me in surprise. I guess that they hadn't expected me to be experienced with a weapon. Hiei answered my question, and it was the most words that I have ever heard him say since I met him.

*

(Normal point of view)

"It isn't hard for me." Hiei stated, "I suppose that it was when I was young, after all I was only just learning. But even then, I'll admit, I was a natural with a sword. How come you never told me that you know how to use a weapon as uncommon and incredible as a glaive?"

"I'm surprised that you even know what it is." Hotaru answered, "Most people have no idea what a glaive is. I didn't tell you that I could use one on our walk because I hadn't been thinking about it at the time."

"Are you good at it?"

Hotaru smiled. Hiei had asked the same exact question that she had asked him when he said that he liked sword fighting.

"Well, I suppose. I'm very experienced with it." Hotaru replied.

Kurama was staying silent, glad that Hiei was actually having a conversation with Hotaru, the girl that he had claimed so many times to dislike.

"That's very impressive. You don't look like you are the kind of person to use such a thing." Hiei said.

Hotaru giggled. "Well, looks can be deceiving."

"You'll have to show me your skills with it some time."

Hotaru had a problem now. There was no way for her to use her glaive without transforming, so either she'd have to show Hiei who she was, or make up a stupid excuse to get out of it. She'd try the excuse first.

"I don't know... I don't like fighting with friends."

Hiei stared at her.

"Friends?" Hiei asked.

"Yeah, we're friends now, right?"

Hiei stared at the ground, obviously wondering how to answer.

"I don't care if you consider me one of your friends. I still don't consider you one of mine." Hiei answered her, "But all the same, I want to see how well you can wield a glaive whether you use it in a battle with me or just show me tricks with it. I don't care, I just want to see what you can do."

Hotaru sighed. "Hiei," she said, "I don't like showing my talent. It's embarrassing to me... I'm just shy, I'm sorry."

"Hn." Hiei grunted, "Well, if you ever work up the courage to show me, I'll be willing to see."

"Okay... but keep in mind that it's unlikely to happen, though."

Hiei only grunted again.

Kurama, Hotaru, and Hiei all knew that that conversation topic was dead. Since none of them had anything more to say, there was a long silence.

"I'm going to get home now." Hotaru said, "If you'd like, you both can come over some time. You remember where I live, Hiei?"

"Yes." Hiei answered simply.

Hotaru smiled and said goodbye. She left right after that.

Once Hotaru was gone, Kurama looked over at Hiei.

"Don't start that again, Kurama." Hiei commanded.

"Start what?" Kurama asked.

"I know that you're going to try to get me to confess that she and I are friends. Listen, Kurama, the girl hardly knows me and she considers me a friend. It doesn't matter to me. I don't care what anyone thinks of me. I still don't like her. But, I will admit this: I'm interested in seeing someone use a glaive, even if it is someone that I don't like."

"Well, maybe we should accept her invitation and go over to her house tomorrow. Maybe you can convince her to show you."

Hiei didn't answer, but he did consider it.

*

When Hotaru got home, Amara asked how the movie was. Hotaru said that it was good and told her all about it. But Michele and Trista had other questions on their minds.

"And Hiei? Did he come? You said that you weren't sure if he was going to." Trista said.

"Yes, he came." Hotaru answered.

"That's good." Michelle said, "But I thought that the movie ended at four. You were gone a lot longer, did you do anything else?"

"Yeah, the three of us went to get ice cream, and I actually got Hiei to talk to me more than he usually has."

"What did you talk about?" Amara inquired.

"Well... um, I regret bringing it up, but I started the conversation by saying that I knew how to use a glaive. After that, Hiei told me that he wants to see me use it some time. So I had to come up with a reason for not wanting to show him."

"Why'd you have to bring it up?" Amara asked, "What if you couldn't think of a reason to refuse to show him?"

"I had no idea that he would say that, or else I wouldn't have said it. But I think that he's going to leave me alone about it."

"Why? What did you tell him?" Michelle questioned.

"I told him that I was shy about showing my technique. And he told me that if I ever did get the courage to show him, that he'd want to see. I think everything is fine."

"It sounds like you two have become friends, then, am I right?" Trista asked.

"Not according to Hiei." Hotaru answered, looking down, "He says that even if he's one of my friends, I'm not one of his. I don't think that he's used to being this social with someone. Except maybe for Kurama."

"Well, maybe you just need to help the friendship along somehow." Amara suggested, "The next time you see him, ask him if he'd mind if you join him. And after that, just see where he wants to go, and pretend you like it even if you don't."

"Amara," Michelle sighed, "Please, if he can't like Hotaru for who she is, then it won't be a good friendship."

"Still," Amara said, "If you go somewhere with him, make sure you aren't making him go somewhere that he doesn't like. That won't help your situation at all."

"That's true," Hotaru said, "I'll remember that."

*

The next day, there was a knock on the door, and Amara was the one who answered it. Outside were Kurama and Hiei, but of course, Amara had never met them until now.

"Hello," said Kurama, "Hotaru told us that we could drop by some time. I'm Kurama, and this is Hiei."

"Oh, so you're them." Amara said, "Well, hi. I'm Amara. Come on in, I'll go and get Hotaru."

So they did so, and Amara went and knocked on Hotaru's bedroom door.

"Hey, Hotaru, guess who's here?" She said. Hotaru came and opened the door, looking at Amara questioningly. "Kurama and Hiei are here to see you. They're in the living room."

Hotaru smiled.

"Really? They are? That's great!" Hotaru hurried to the living room, and saw Trista talking to Kurama, and Hiei staring out the window.

"Hi," Hotaru said, "Nice to see you again."

"Hello, Hotaru," Kurama said, "I hope that you don't mind us being here."

"Nope, not at all!" Hotaru turned her attention to Hiei, and Kurama continued his conversation with Trista. "Hi Hiei." Hotaru said kindly, approaching him.

"Hi." Hiei responded. Even though he said it in his usual emotionless tone of voice, Hotaru could tell that Hiei wasn't upset about being here like he had seemed to be at the theatre yesterday.

"So, what brings you here?"

"You said that we could come over some time, so here we are."

"Oh."

*

(Hiei's point of view)

She didn't seem to have anything to say. And neither did I. Except, I did want to ask about her glaive again, but I didn't want to bother her about it. I'm not the kind of person to nag.

I turned and looked out the window again. I wondered why I had even wanted to come here. What is wrong with me? Ever since I ran into Hotaru that day... something happened. But I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was. Did I really have feelings for her?

After some silence between us, she suggested that we go somewhere else, since there was nothing to do here. I said that I didn't care, but then she asked me where I wanted to go. I told her that I didn't care where we went. She just told me that there had to be somewhere that I would rather be. So I suggested we go to the park.

*

(Normal point of view)

Hotaru didn't mind going to the park, but she couldn't help but wonder why Hiei wanted to go there. What was there to do at the park?

When they got there, Hotaru had to ask why Hiei wanted to come here.

"So," she said, "Why did you want to come to the park?"

"I like it here." Was Hiei's reply, simple, as usual.

They soon came to the tree where Hotaru had met Hiei the second time.

"Have you ever been to the top of this tree?" Hiei asked her, looking up at the tall tree.

"No, I haven't." Hotaru answered.

"You should."

Hotaru looked up. This tree was really tall, and she wasn't very good at climbing. Hiei jumped right up to the first branch, and then jumped to the next.

"Are you coming?" He asked, looking down at her.

"Um, okay..." Hotaru answered. Hiei continued jumping up the branches.

With some effort, Hotaru managed to climb her way to the top. Hiei was already there long before her, sitting one of the highest branches. Hotaru sat down next to him.

The sun was setting. The view from this high up was incredible.

"Wow..." Hotaru said in awe, "This is amazing!"

Hiei smiled for a moment, but Hotaru didn't notice because she wasn't looking.

"This is my favorite place." Hiei told her.

Hotaru looked at him with a sweet smile.

"I can see why." She told him.

Hiei looked back at her and smirked.

"You know," he said, "It was entertaining to watch you get all the way up here. You're not much of a climber, are you?"

Hotaru giggled. "No, not at all. I'm surprised I actually did get all the way up here. But I'm glad I did, this view is beautiful."

"I thought that you'd like it."

It was then that Hiei had realized that again, he had been acting strangely. He didn't have the slightest idea why he was being so nice to her, but mentally scolded his self for bringing her here. This spot had been his alone for a long time, but now he was sharing it.

"Hiei," Hotaru said, "You're so awesome." She leaned her head on his shoulder, and closed her eyes. Hiei stiffened, and his eyes widened. He looked down at her peaceful face, and blushed slightly. At that moment, Hotaru jerked up and looked away, feeling embarrassed. She hadn't realized what she was doing. She was also blushing, but she was blushing a lot more violently than Hiei.

"You know," she said, "I bet that everyone's wondering where we are, we should get back, don't you think?"

"Yes, you're right." Hiei responded. Both of them got down the way that they had come up, and walked home in complete silence, each of them thinking about what had just happened.

*

When Hotaru and Hiei walked in the door, they saw Kurama and Trista were still in the same places and positions that they had been in when they had left, and they were still talking.

"Do you think that they've moved at all since we've been gone?" Hiei asked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Both Kurama and Trista looked up at them.

"Oh, you're back." Trista said.

"So, where have you two been?" Kurama asked, giving Hiei that 'go-ahead-and-admit-that-you-like-her' look. Hiei didn't answer, but glared at Kurama.

"We were at the park, that's all." Hotaru stated.

Hiei and Kurama stayed for a little while longer and talked (Kurama doing the actual talking part). After a while, they decided to leave.

"Bye, Hiei." Hotaru said sweetly.

"Bye." Hiei answered her, as emotionless as he had been when he had first arrived.

"See you tomorrow, Kurama," Trista said.

"Yes, see you tomorrow." Kurama responded.

Both Hiei and Trista gave them questioning stares.

When Kurama and Hiei left, Hotaru asked Trista what she had meant when she told Kurama that they'd see each other tomorrow.

"He's taking me to dinner tomorrow," Trista told her, "He's really nice."

Hotaru smiled.

"That's really thoughtful of him." Hotaru said.

"It is." Trista agreed.

(A/N: Well, there you go, another chapter complete. I'm having SO much fun writing this! I'm glad that you all like it, too! I'll update again as soon as I can. ~Starflash)