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Standard disclaimers apply!

Chapter Twenty-One

(Hiei)

When I heard that the next day was Reiko's birthday I left as soon as possible because I knew exactly what I wanted to get her. I knew that what I wanted to get would be the hardest thing to get but it would be the most worthwhile. Since it was obvious Koenma would be preoccupied with the whole mole problem, I arranged a few things and got to work.

Walking into the house I found Reiko reclined on a sofa dressed in a pair of black sweatpants and a black sports bra. Next to her sat Yukina, the two of them were talking with Yukina doing most of it. Taking the very important gift I had procured I slipped it into one of my hidden pockets until I was ready to give it to her. Not bothering to knock or give any other signal to show I was here I walked into the room.

"Oh, Hiei! Right on time!" Yukina cried jumping up and giving me a hug. Reiko on the other hand jackknifed up and snatched a nearby blanket. Quickly and effectively she draped it over her shoulders and held it closed over her front so no skin besides that on her face and feet showed. A not too subtle way to way to say: I don't want you to see me! Reaching out I lightly touched her mind to get her uppermost thoughts. I can't let him see my scars.

"You ready to go?" I asked knowing that she was yet giving her the out she wanted to leave us alone. She couldn't help trying to play matchmaker with Reiko and I she found it fun. Why? I don't know.

"Yup, Shizuru should be here any moment." Yukina smiled patting me on the shoulder before exiting the room. "Have fun tonight Reiko!"

"Sure…" Reiko looked as if she would have rather had Yukina stay.

"I hear that we have a movie to watch?" I sat down where Yukina had previously been and observed Reiko. Looking down at her feet I realized they weren't bandaged up and they appeared to be healed, quite nicely too.

"Yeah, uh, it's called…" Reiko trailed off as she searched for it and tried to keep the blanket on at the same time. "While you Were Sleeping and she also got….The American President." Since it was seven-o-clock I assumed that she had already eaten and decided that after the first movie I would give her, her gift.

"Which one you wanna watch?" I asked and she instantly responded to The American President. Shrugging I agreed and watched her struggle to keep covered, it was quite humorous. I tried but couldn't stop a snort of laughter.

"What?" She looked back at me and I gave her an innocent look but she didn't fall for it. "Don't laugh at me!" She flopped down on the couch next to me the remote clutched in her hands.

"Did I laugh?" I questioned and she scowled at me before hitting play. The movie was rather entertaining but it was more fun to watch Reiko watch the movie. Her face was so expressive it was a real treat. After the first ten minutes the blanket dropped and she was leaning forward completely absorbed. It was easy to see that the movie was a romantic comedy but since I wasn't really watching it, it didn't matter. At this one point in the movie Reiko was laughing to hard she almost went into hysterics. Seeing her having such a good time was liberating, plus the fact that she had to lean on me as she held her sides. I had watched a few movies with the other spirit detectives but none of them watched movies like this. Reiko would talk to the T.V., she would actually talk to it. She'd yell at the actors and actresses, telling them what to do, how stupid they were or what she was feeling. I guess it ended well because she was all smiles when the credits began to roll, glancing at the clock I saw it was past nine.

"So what was your favorite part?" Reiko demanded looking at me and I knew that there really wasn't a way out of this.

"I didn't watch the movie." I stated this matter-of-factly.

"If you didn't watch the movie, what did you do?" Reiko raised her eyebrows in question.

"You." Instantly she blushed bright crimson and wracked her brain for a response. Her mouth moved but nothing came out so I decided to see what wasn't coming out. He was watching me? Oh lord! How embarrassing! I must have looked like a complete fool! What is he thinking?

I'm thinking that you are very cute when you think no one is watching. The response was hilarious. Reiko started and gasped loudly her eyes widening.

"You scared the crap out of me!" She shoved me hard and I swayed slightly to one side and back. "At least give me some warning next time!"

"Why? So you can throw up defenses?" I was hit again but not as hard. "Was that supposed to hurt?"

"I'm not answering that." Reiko stood up and stretched. "Want some ice cream cake?"

"Ok." I got up and followed her into the kitchen where she pulled out a cake from the freezer. While she cut the cake I got two plates and some forks and placed them on the counter next to her. Carefully she placed a slice of cake on each and we retreated to the living room to eat it.

"How was your birthday?" I actually started a conversation first and it was interesting.

"Oh, it was great! I got lots of cool presents and did lots of fun things." Reiko spoke around the fork in her mouth. I couldn't help but watching her, she was so, and I hated to use the word, cute. "Except there was this really strange pervert who's stalking me." She gave me a meaningful look.

"Did you get everything you wanted?" I knew she could answer either way so I had a response prepared for both.

"Almost, there's only one thing I wanted but didn't get," she admitted polishing off the rest of her cake.

"I bet I can guess what it is without looking in your mind." I challenged softly.

"Oh, really? Go ahead and try," she egged me on even though I didn't need it.

"Better yet I can give it to you." She raised her eyebrows in disbelief. "But you have to close your eyes." Looking at me curiously for a moment she tried to figure out what I was planning but soon gave up and closed her eyes. Pulling out the box I placed it in her hands. It wasn't wrapped but knowing what it was I didn't think it needed paper.

"Can I open my eyes?" Reiko questioned and told her yes. Opening her eyes she examined the box trying to decide what it was. Slowly she pulled the top off and gasped loudly as her gaze flew to mine. "How?" She touched what was in the box tenderly shock in her voice.

"I got a few minutes with him and got him to tell me where it was." I dismissed it; it wasn't like it had been hard.

"Thank you so much," Reiko breathed lifting her doll out of the box causing the miniature manacles on it to jingle. Now she could be free. From everything. "I don't how to tell you how much this means to me." Something was wrong. Abruptly she buried her face in her hands and began to cry. Women.

"What's wrong?" I would never understand why females had to cry about everything. It was quite frightening when it happened because there was nothing you could do to stop it.

"I don't know!" Reiko exclaimed throwing her arms up. "I should be so happy but I feel awful! It doesn't make sense!" Muttering angrily under her breath she scrubbed at her cheeks and I waited knowing that she would eventually continue. "I don't know if I'm ready to handle it again! When I get everything back that means I'm on my own! I enjoyed being able to just let someone else take care of all the problems for a little bit. Now that I'm able to protect myself…I'll…lose…this…" Reiko motioned to her surroundings. "I'll lose my home."

"Why do you think that?" I understood what she was saying but if she just looked at it from a different angle she'd see that there was another way for it too end.

"Because no one wants me! As long as they are obligated to take care of me I'm ok, but as soon as I'm alright I'm out of luck!" Reiko turned to meet my eyes. "Don't you see?"

"No," I replied and she closed her eyes as more tears leaked out. "What I see is an insecure woman who can't see how much she means to those around her. Yukina, since the moment she first met you, loved you. She never stopped talking about Hikari. When you got back here as you are now she was so worried about you and whether you liked her or not. Genkai, once you cleaned up and started acting like yourself, came to enjoy your sense of humor. You have made me see a few things in a different light as well and I'll never forget that." Reiko was watching me as I said this and I knew that I was getting through to her. "Just because you get your abilities back doesn't mean that we won't be your friends. It just means we won't be waiting on you hand and foot."

"Wanna help me get rid of this thing?" Reiko offered this as she picked up the doll, it was her way of saying: 'I hear you.' Reaching out I brushed a stray tear off her face with a thumb and she relaxed. That was one of the things I loved about her, I didn't always have to speak, I could just touch her and she understood. Gently I drew her into my arms and cradled her against me as she slipped her arms around me and sighed softly. Just being there together, with her holding me and I her it was the most perfect moment. Absently I stroked her hair and savored the moment.

"You were wrong." Reiko stated this suddenly and out of the blue a few minutes later startling me.

"About what?" I was only slightly confused. Reiko could be so random at times.

"What I wanted that I didn't get wasn't my doll, it was something else." She murmured and I wracked my brain trying to think what she could have wanted. Nothing came to mind.

"I give up, what did you want?"

"A kiss, from you." Reiko said this so quietly I almost missed it but I didn't. She wanted a kiss from me? It was hard for me to think of anyone as wonderful as Reiko liking me even that much.

"Ask and you shall receive." I told her, the same five words that I had said that brought me into her case. Tilting her head up, Reiko gave me the perfect opportunity to capture her lips with mine.

(Genkai)

Walking through the living room I found Reiko and Hiei entangled in each other's arms fast asleep. Reiko looked so peaceful in her sleep as did Hiei. Yukina had been right, they were meant for each other. Making a soft sound Reiko burrowed closer to Hiei gripping his shirt harder. As if sensing she was in trouble, even though he was asleep, Hiei's arms tightened around her. Smiling I headed off to my room glad I had left them alone.


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