Matte, Koibito!
Hiei came to visit on the following Tuesday. I was quite surprised that he took me seriously when I told him that he had to visit me at least twice a week. I was happy to see him, though, so I gladly invited him in. I offered him something to eat and drink but he refused. We sat in the living room and talked for a bit.
"You remind me of someone and I don't know why," Hiei suddenly said.
"Really?" I asked as I put down my tea.
"As I said, I don't know why that is. You aren't nearly as stupid as she was or as hyperactive," Hiei admitted.
"So, who is she?"
"When I was growing up, there was another ice demon who used to pester me for entertainment. It was clear she just wanted to be 'friends' but I found her annoying. She never stopped following me."
"I knew I recognized you from somewhere," I murmured to myself.
"What's that?" Hiei asked.
"I was the 'ice demon who used to pester you for entertainment.' That was my last life - Hikari of Ice."
"Now I know why you remind me of her."
"You liked her, didn't you? You refused to admit it, but you really liked the idea that there was at least one person in the world who didn't fear you. You liked the idea that someone could see you as a regular person."
"I would have," Hiei admitted, "if it weren't for the fact that she always had that damned annoying grin on her face."
"She says... she smiled for you. She smiled for you, because you never smiled," I relayed the message to him with a small solemn smirk on my face.
"Ridiculous," he growled.
"So, Hiei, I was quite surprised when you admitted you liked me. Why do you like me?"
"I suddenly need a reason?" Hiei asked.
"Well, no, not really. It's just... well... I figured my feelings would be unrequited. After all, you're infamous and I'm just some Jane Doe from the human world."
"Just to let you know," Hiei looked me in the eye, "you're more infamous than the King of Thieves himself."
"Now that's a surprise," I sipped my tea. "I wonder why I'm so infamous when all I did was assist."
"It's also common knowledge that you used to work with the shinobi. They say you merely assisted them, as well, but you kept the shinobi in line."
"I did but since when does the great Hiei believe what he hears third-hand?"
"When I couldn't sense an end to your energy. When we first met, I tried to calculate your power. It appears to be limitless."
"Close enough. I've got very strong, varied powers. That energy is demonic, human, and even divine," I stated simply.
"Divine? What does that mean?" he blinked.
"I have the powers of my former goddess self."
"Talk about all the powers of heaven and hell," Hiei retorted.
"That almost sounded like a joke, Hiei," I giggled softly.
"Did it? It wasn't intentional," his crimson eyes shut as he rested his head on his hand.
"Hiei, I've been thinking... I practically told you my childhood and all you told me about was your sister," I admitted.
"There's not much else to tell. I was the Forbidden Child so I was pretty much thrown out. I survived and carried on and here I am today."
"Seems like such a shame. You really want notoriety don't you? And you just can't seem to get it..."
"I don't need you teasing me about it," he said gruffly.
"I don't mean to tease, Hiei. It's just a shame is all. Infamy fell right into my lap when I was trying to avoid it and yet you're striving to achieve it and you're not making much of a name for yourself."
"You still sound like you're mocking me," Hiei bitterly insisted.
I fell silent. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound like that."
Hiei looked up, surprised.
"I really shouldn't have phrased it like that. I'm sorry."
"You really don't want all that villainy, do you? You just want to be normal," he noted.
"Not quite normal. I'd never trade in my kick-ass powers for anything," I laughed slightly, "but I do somewhat want to be normal."
"You know... I suppose at one time I wanted to be normal too. I wanted to fit in. Then, I finally woke up to reality - no one would ever let me fit in. That's why I decided to change my goals."
"How do you feel about fitting in with the freaks?" I queried. He shot me a strange glance. "Well you damn well better know by now that I accept you... and I'm sure Kurama will like you. You can be a normal freak, just like us!"
"Normal freak - isn't that an oxymoron?" he narrowed his eyes.
"No, it's a paradox - something that looks like an oxymoron but is actually possible," I nodded, a scholarly tone to my voice.
"You're such a know-it-all," Hiei said. "You might be too smart for me."
"Too smart, hm? Who says I've gotta be the dumber one between us?"
"I didn't say that. Besides, I was only joking."
"Good, because I really was going to take this to my head a few times," I chuckled. Hiei finally noticed the huge flashlight I was holding. "Ha ha, I've lost so many brain cells this way that I've actually grown fond of the process."
"You certainly are an odd one," he stated bluntly.
"Likewise, Hiei," I responded.
"I'll be going now," Hiei got up and headed for the door. "I'll see you again on Friday."
"What? So soon? You'll really come back this Friday?" I blinked.
"Well that is a half a week away, right? Twice a week - you said that yourself."
"I did, didn't I? Oh well, I'm certainly not complaining. Goodbye Hiei."
