By Nijuukyuu and Hiei Joro (Monday, August 29th, 2005)
(Sha's P.O.V.)
Hiei...
Why... why, Hiei?
Why are you leaving without saying goodbye?
I felt an eerie coldness, and lost feeling as I watched Hiei, who was just staring back at me... as if, he was guilty... now, was he going to run away without a trace; as that would suit his character?
Or was I just being paranoid to think like this...?
"Hiei." I called out softly, and at the sound of his name, Hiei stiffened up; then turned directly facing me, with an unreadable expression as his eyes were fighting to lower themselves... was he tired? or ashamed?
I slowly walked down the porch steps; the wood cold to my bare feet, and the air was chilly as well, but didn't affect me; as I ran forward to the fence around the pasture, just as he disappeared.
"Hiei... Iie..." In my lost and confusion, as I sank to the ground on my knees; it didn't accure to me I was mumbling in Japanese. "Hiei, wakarimasen... koi shiteru..."
'Hiei... no... Hiei, I don't understand... I love you (affectionately)...'
"Fukanou desu..."
At the sound of his deep voice, I lifted my head to look up at him staring down at me... I didn't even care that he had heard me, hence he had said 'Impossible...'; and I stood up, hugging the surprised demon who let out a small cry.
"Hiei..." I softly murmured, pulling back to look at his face; which looked like it might've been flushed, but it was still too dark to tell out here.
(Hiei's P.O.V.)
"How could you...?" Sha asked quietly, looking at me with her beautiful dark and sad eyes, as her lower lip trembled slightly.
"'How could I' - what?" I asked slowly, pretending I didn't know what she meant.
"Leave... without a note, or telling me 'goodbye' first..." She now stood back from me, but her arms still rested around my shoulders, and I acted to be annoyed, but for some reason... the closeness of her body to mine was comforting, as I closed my eyes, sighing.
"I just came out here for some fresh air..." I opened my eyes to see her still obviously hurt by my betrayal. "Believe me." I told her, yet she didn't look convinced, but took a few steps back from me.
We stood there for an uncomfortable amount of silent minutes, as she was staring at the ground, with a troubled look; and making me feel worse and worse each second.
"Sha..." I spoke gently, and she looked at me sideways; her hair falling over her face, seemingly black in this darkness; and a strange feeling filled my chest - a puzzling warmth as I began to feel nervous, and sweat slightly... but it was so cold out... why was I so warm?
"Is... is there anything to do out here...? ...you and me?" I added the three last words as quietly as possible, as my heart was pounding very quickly, and making me feel more jumpy.
She lifted her head, gazing up at the stars, then slowly nodded.
"Come." was her short command, as she led me to the barnhouse; and into it, where there were stables of different animals, but she let me to two horses.
"This is Midnight - he's my first horse..." Sha gently stroked the nuzzle of a large, black horse, who whinnied but let me gingerly pet his nose for a minute. "...and this is Moonlight, she's a gift from one of my uncles."
In the stable next to Midnight, was a small black horse who looked perfect enough for me to ride... but only if I knew how.
"She's a pony, so no riding her until she's older, but she can come out with us into the pasture to watch me teach you to ride on Midnight."
What?
Sha wanted to teach me...?
"Alright..." I murmured, and helped take Moonlight by the reins to lead her out while Sha was ahead of me with Midnight; once outside, she told me to just let Moonlight go about freely, so I let go of the reins, and walked up to her little head, and began to stroke the young mare between her ears.
(Sha's P.O.V.)
As I was brushing my horse, Midnight; I watched Hiei as he petted Moonlight, who was enjoying the attention; I giggled as Moonlight had a burst of energy and began to run around, as Hiei fell back in surprise... the expression on his face was so adorable and priceless.
He stood up, brushing off the dirt on his pants, then he looked at me; and I could've sworn I saw him begin to smile but it vanished so quickly, so I wasn't so sure...
I called him over once I had Midnight near the fence, and Hiei looked curiously at Midnight, then at me.
"It's a bit hard to teach you to ride actually, but I can take you for a ride... it's only because I can't be wasting so much risky time outside when we could get caught..." I climbed up onto Midnight, however, when I offered my hand to help Hiei up behind me; he looked hesitant.
"C'mon." I said smiling, then he let me pull him up behind me. "Just hold onto me..." I told him, and he placed his hands onto my hips, and asked: "Like this?"
"This is okay, but if you feel afraid, don't be shy to just put your arms around my stomach; lest you should fall off." I laughed as I said that, then we began to ride around the pasture at a steady pace, and Moonlight ran alongside us, and around the edge of the fence.
(Hiei's P.O.V.)
As we began going faster and faster, I let my hands slip down around her waist; but she didn't notice or mind... the breeze was blowing through both of our hairs; and felt wonderful on my face, as I was looking around at everything, with a feeling of true freedom about myself.
Another short hour passed, and I bit my bottom lip as I realized the sun was beginning to rise, but we didn't stop yet; instead, we got faster, and it was then I wrapped my arms around her waist, as I knew it would be dangerous if I did fall off... I couldn't risk my neck when I wanted to get out of here, get back to training and hunt down my enemy; to finally satisfy my revenge.
We continued to ride, although now Midnight was slowing down a bit to a trod; but suddenly, I was laying on the ground with Sha on top of me; and Midnight was running off, as Sha got up with a gasp... I looked up to see the one whom had defeated me the day I arrived here...
The tall, shadowed demon sat on it's large horse; both of them were completely black shadows, and had flaming red eyes; giving off the most disagreeable demonic aura.
No... I growled, standing up - I thought that monster had left!
Sha just stood there in fright; as I dashed forward in front of her just as I was struck aside by a blow from his iron sword; which left a cut on my arm and cheek.
I glared at the monster, as it cackled, and rode towards Moonlight; then to my shock, as it began to strike at her; Sha got in the way, and was thrown against the pasture fence.
"No!" I shouted, preparing to withdraw my sword, but realized I didn't have it with me; so I just ran forward, jumped into the air, and kicked the helmet of the demon; knocking it off to reveal it's disgusting, decaying skeleton face; with the mock smile imprinted there; as I was landing, the demonic horse took a kick at me; giving me only a second to react, as I lept out of the way, landing on the fence exactly.
Moonlight and Midnight both had made their ways back into the barn, I noticed as I happened to look that way; then when I turned back to the demon rider; I saw them riding off into the darkened forest...
But what made my heart sink in fear; was that the monster was riding off with Sha, whom was unconsiously hanging over the sides, looking helpless; as I stood there; but I knew that if I chased now, it wouldn't do any good... I needed my sword, and I could use my Jagan to seek my friend out... but would it be too late?
.:.To be continued.:.