Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story, except for the whole entire Dragon Realm and everything in it…except not Hiei…and not the black dragon, obviously…mmrrrph…

SIDE NOTE: Mmrrrph…I like that word. Mmrrrph!!! Sorry I haven't upidated in so long, minna…but I'm updating now!!! Romancin' should be coming along and being WAAAAAYYYY more hinted at than any other chapters. But there's still not much in here. But there'll be some serious hints…well, read on!!!!

Several more days went by. The queen continuously called Hiei back to her palace to see what progress Hiei had made. He wasn't sure about what was going on with Hebidoshi…but she seemed so irked whenever her sister called him off. And to make matters worse, the black dragon on his arm was growing larger and had grown nearly up to his shoulder. He had to wrap his entire limb in wards and bandages to keep it from escaping. He was afraid it was going to get worse. This, however, was forced entirely out of his mind one morning just as he was waking up.

"What do you think of my sister?"

Hiei leapt about five feet in the air and almost hit the ceiling. "GAAAHH! What the hell are you doing, woman?!" You see, he had opened his eyes at just the right moment to see Hebidoshi hovering inches from his face. She now peered at him with some curiosity and some hopefulness.

"What do you think of my sister?" she repeated.

"Why the hell would you ask me a moronic question like that?" he asked, standing up and straightening the covers on the bed to try and calm himself.

"You've spent so much time at the palace lately, so you must have gotten to know her better," the cat-girl replied. "What do you think of her?"

Hiei shrugged. "I don't know. She's…interesting, I suppose."

Hebidoshi raised one thin eyebrow. "Interesting? What kind of answer is that?"

"Personally, I think she's…an idiot," Hiei tried again. "She seems confused easily. And she's very different from you."

"But…?"

"But…but nothing." Hiei shrugged again. "She does seem to have some authority of herself, though. And that's honestly all I can say about her."

"Do you think she's attractive?" Hebidoshi suddenly asked, perching herself on Hiei's bed.

"Hell if I know."

"A lot of men do here in this realm. I've heard talks of the next king amongst them. Hasn't been much else to hear about her from the guys except for what a gorgeous bust she's got." She cocked her head and stared up at Hiei. "What do you think?"

Hiei turned slightly red and began to scan the room for any sign of his shirt. "I don't spend time staring at a woman's breasts."

"Her ass, then? What do you think about that?"

Hiei turned even redder and ducked down under the bed still under the pretense of finding his shirt. "I don't like to think about that."

"Yes, you do," Hebidoshi insisted, rolling her eyes. "I saw your face turn into a tomato just now. You're a guy. Hard-core cold and friendless or not, you know you get a kick out of watching a woman's body."

Hiei popped up from under the bed to glare at her. "You can't prove that."

The kitten-girl sighed and leaned forward. "Hiei, please…just answer my question?"

Hiei stared her down for a minute before giving up and sighing as well. "Why the hell do you want to know so badly?"

"I want to know if you're really different, or if you're just like everyone else I know."

That statement confused Hiei a bit, but he decided to let it go. "Alright, fine. I'll answer your question. First of all, I am not very attracted by large breasts that pop out of clothing and bounce all over the ground. Your sister has a pair of the most horrendous breasts I've ever seen. Secondly, her ass is too damn flat. Not enough there to stare at. You wanted to know? Well, I told you. Are you happy?"

Hebidoshi, by this time, was giggling insanely. She nodded, turning a bright red. "Y-yeah…wow…I've never heard my sister being described like that."

Hiei shrugged. "I prefer a woman that isn't so overdone. Although…I will say one thing about her looks." Hebidoshi's giggling halted. "Her hair. I'm not sure why, but I like women with short hair." Again, he shrugged and rose. "I'm hungry." He announced mostly to himself, and walked off to find the kitchen. Hebidoshi simply sat there staring at the limp strands of her long hair.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

"Good morning, Hiei!" came a bright, cheerful voice that sent him sailing up to the ceiling again.

"DAMMIT, WOMAN, WHAT IS IT THIS TIME?!"

The kitten smiled. "Notice anything different about me?" Hiei sank down slowly on the bed sheets and blinked at her. He stared and stared until Hebidoshi got frustrated and yelled: "My hair!! Look at my hair!!"

Hiei looked from the top of her bronze-colored head and began working his way down, down past her shoulders, down…hold on a second, there wasn't anything past her chin! He gaped at her. "You…you cut your hair!"

The vampire-demon grinned and twirled the hair around on her head. "Do you like it?"

"Why did you cut your hair?!" Hiei cried.

Hebidoshi frowned. "I thought it would be cute…don't you like it?" Hiei didn't say a word and stared, still gaping disbelievingly. "Hiei…?"

Hiei snapped out of his shock and took a good look at her face. She was frowning, biting her lip, a look of worry in her eyes. Then he looked again at her hair and saw that…he actually thought it was adorable.

And then he knew what her sister had been talking about. He knew what kind of influence he had on her.

Hebidoshi was in love with him. He wasn't sure why, but she was. And because of that, she had been jealous and suspicious of her sister. And she'd cut her hair just so he would think she looked nice. He sighed and gave her a weak smile.

"I was just…so surprised," he told her. "It looks adorable." That was it. That brought a smile to her face.

"Oh, I knew you'd just love it! Thanks, Hiei!" She then bounded off out of the room, humming happily to herself. Hiei sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

Damn…I've got to see her sister…

SIDE NOTE: Okay, I lied!! The romance comes NOW!!! Well, not really…but at least Hiei figured it out. And the funny thing is, I actually cut my hair. Yes, me. Funny, huh? Well, sorry for the wait, and plz review!!