Chapter 17: "You… what…?"

I fell asleep as Matt laid curled up by my neck. My eyes fluttered open and I stood up, shaking off. I didn't know why I excepted all these changes so fast but I did. I walked over to a small pool of fresh water and thought about home.

What would happen if I could change back but my eyes remained cat-like? Would it scare Naoko? Would I even be able to change back? I sighed… well if I was in my human looking form it would have been a sigh but it came out as a hiss-whine.

Matt started whimpering in her sleep. I walked over and curled up around her, laying one of my wings over her so it was like a tent.

I fell asleep pretty quickly.

When I woke up Sora was talking with Dlexus again. I stood up and stretched, again reminding myself of a cat. My wings flared as I dug strong claws into the rock beneath me. Matt opened her eyes and yawned.

/'Morning…/ I mumbled.

"Good morning, Hiei!" Sora said.

"Morning…" Matt said sleepily.

/Good morning, Young One./ Dlexus said.

/Anyone know what time it could be/ I asked.

"Um," Sora looked at her watch. "It's… a little past noon."

/What? Why the hell did I sleep in so late/

/Well, Young One, you did stay up for a little while last night, thinking. And you whimpered and twitched in your sleep./

I tried to recall my dreams but failed. /…must have had a nightmare…/ I said to no one in particular.

"Hiei," Matt started. "Vash will be worried if we're not home soon."

/You're right. Sora, we have to head home./

Sora suddenly got really quiet and stared at the ground. I had a sudden sinking feeling in my stomach. "Hiei…?" I remained silent, not moving for some foolish fear that I didn't even know or understand. "I want to stay here."

Suddenly I felt slightly empty. /…You…what…/ Even my mental voice was full of shock and… quiet.

"I'm staying. Please, Hiei, you have to let me stay."

I remained silent for a moment. I looked at Matt and she looked as shocked as I felt. I realized that Sora needed this for some reason or another that I wasn't aware of and nodded, drowning all my emotions in a cold empty part of me. I used a fake voice that sounded like everything was normal. /Okay. You can stay. I'll convince Mom./

"Thanks Hiei!" She threw her arms around my neck and hugged me. A quiet purring noise vibrated in my chest, which felt empty. My sister was staying behind…

/No problem./ I picked Matt up by the scruff and then swallowed her. I wanted to look back… my heart wanted me to but… I didn't. I for some reason couldn't. I felt like if I looked back it would be like she would be staying. She only wanted to stay for a while… right?

I folded my wings and dived into the water. I swam to the shore and shook off then took flight. /I'm gonna take the long way home, okay/

"Okay… Hiei? Are you okay?" she asked.

I started to answer then… heard a roar off in the distance.