Pt III

It was a red headed boy playing with flowers. A boy... with flowers!? Stupid Ningen, probably didn't have any friends... Sort of like myself...

I watched him pick a red flower (I think a rose) and then I was amazed as the leaves and petals fell off in a whirlwind and left him with a long stem with thorns that could be used as a whip. It reminded me of a legend I had heard when I was young. This had something to do with Youko Kurama. Didn't he retreat into the Ningenkai when he was shot?

The redhead was very pretty... Well, for a Ningen anyways. He looked up, and that was the first time I saw those b e a u t i f u l e m e r a l d g r e e n e y e s. I was mesmerized by them.

"Hey you!" he called. I was shocked that he could sense me from so far away. The tree was a long ways from where he was standing. "I know you're up there in that tree! Would you like to come down so we can play? Unless sitting in a tree all day suits you better, that is." A small chuckle escaped his lips and I found myself scowling.

And to this very day, I'm not sure why I went down, but I did. I stood before the graceful boy and gave him my usual greeting, "Hn." Then I added, "What do you want?" as a sullen commanding question.

He smiled so sweetly and said, "I would like you to be my friend! The boy smiled and asked, "What's your name? My name is Minamino Shuichi."

I stared at him dumbly. "You made me come down to be your friend?"

Giggling the boy said, "Yep. So will you? Oh please! I've never had a real friend before! We could have fun and hang out. Only the girls like me, and that's why the other boys don't like me. I don't even like the girls that much because they always hang on me, but Mommy tells me to always be polite." He paused for a moment and added as an after thought, "You would be a good friend, so will you? Please?"

The emerald pools of his shimmered and sparkled with anticipation. "Hn." I hoped that he would get a clue, but I felt bad none the less because the poor boy seemed so lonely. But in the Makai, he'd have to get used to it. I wasn't here to find some soft hearted boy.

At any rate, I had gotten used to it.

Minamino's eyes filled with more tears and asked, "You will?" He had apparently taken my "Hn." for a yes. He reminded me of the lady I had met in the streets.

"Gosh, I'm so excited! You have to come over because I'm sure my mom would love to meet you!"

He was so happy that I agreed to go with him by nodding my head. Unexpectedly, he pulled me close and held me in his arms.

I was alarmed. Was he going to attack me? What was this strange feeling of closeness? Why did I want to hold on to him and not let go?

"What are you doing, Ningen?" was my cold response to his affection and kindness.

He let go in surprise and said, "It's just a hug. What, you've never had one before!?" His lovely face was a picture of disbelief for a moment, and then he continued questioning me. "By the way, did you just call me a Ningen? Where are you from? Are you from the Makai? Do you know any youko? I knew you were different because of your speed, but I wouldn't have guessed you were from the MAKAI! You are, aren't you?"

Shuichi seemed very interested about the Makai indeed. How would a Ningen know about it?

"Lots of questions... Yes, and that's because you are a Ningen, Ningen! And how do you know about the Makai? And what youkos are? You're not supposed to." I glared at him and crossed my arms in a pout.

Again, there was an easy laugh as he brushed away my rudeness. "You know, you don't have to act all tough around me. Though you are cute when you act like that." He smiled, and took my hand. "I'll explain everything when we get to my house."

We walked down the sidewalk... Together.