Extra: Pearl

Mukuro is a pearl.

That's what she decided years after the elf placed the stones into her metal hand. They felt neither light nor heavy and were neither dazzling nor hideous. It puzzled her to no end, why this stone was accompanied with such reverence and high regard. What was it about the milky white color that differed from the others?

She had never been interested in precious stones. To her, they were a waste of time. Why did she need a sparkling clear or red trinket to denote status or wealth when she could prove herself by ripping off the demon's head? That seemed to work well enough. But when the stone was placed in her hand, she couldn't help but begin to compare them. It was an interesting notion, to be intrigued by something so simple that she shouldn't have cared at all. Of all the gems that had been handed to her that day, only this one was given to her and she was determined to find out why.

She sent her minions to the finest known jewelers in the Makai. She took her time in her search, she was in no hurry and had more important things to do. A few of her men came back and reported the person they were searching for was dead and others responded that they had no interest in helping her. She first visited those who had been receptive to her but they were of no use. They knew of the stone and others but only how to craft them and where to find them, not necessarily what makes them special and different.

She then visited those who had turned her men away. She found those visits to be entertaining as they cowered before her but still found them to be just as useless. The only one who had come close to giving her any sort of answers talked about the stones magic properties, which was useless. Just when she had started to give up on the search and keep the gems permanently in her drawer, Hiei barged in, as usual, and threw a book down on her desk.

Intrigued with what her favorite general had brought her, she examined it and realized it was of human origin. Her curiosity was only increased as she spent hours examining the multitude of stones and the information and pictures about them. It was no easy task, however, she did not recognize the terminology being used and her reading level was simple, there was no such thing as institutionalized education in the Makai, after all.

Hiei brought her more and more books and her curiosity began to turn into frustration. Finally, she demanded that he bring her something that she could understand and actually answer her questions or to not bother trying to help her at all. But as usual, the little demon did one better. He brought her Yoko Kurama.

The patient red haired Halfling, there was no other way for her to truly rationalize what exactly he was, talked with her and explained what the odd terms were. Slowly, she began learning about how they were created and what circumstances caused them. She found it to be fascinating, the way the earth moved and formed as though it was a living thing when it wasn't. After a few sessions with the fox demon he finally asked what had recently gotten her so intrigued with the subject.

She showed him the stones the elf had left for her and he had smiled softly, she remembered it clearly. He told her that she wouldn't find what she was looking for in the books Hiei had brought for her. He promised her at his next visit he would bring another book and show her what he meant.

The time waiting for the fox's return was irritating. She didn't understand how it could be different from the other stones at all. Were they not all made by the earth? She posed this question as she sat down with him but he only smiled at her. She was beginning to understand why Hiei complained so much about his "damned know-it-all smile."

Still, he presented her a book that seemed to be about fish. She watched him, confused, as he opened it and flipped to a page with a bookmark. He showed her a picture of a shelled water creature that he called an oyster, and explained that pearls were created inside of it. She didn't quite grasp the details of exactly how but there were two simple principles she understood:

One: A live being created something not alive. It was unintentional and had no reason for existence, only that it was.

Two: Oysters were an ugly blackish blue color and shape and yet they were somehow able to impart a luster of white, black, and even green and blue according to the book. Somehow, the result was unique, rare and beautiful.

And so, she announced that she was a pearl. The fox had raised an eyebrow, curious but he knew not to pry. Hiei had stared at her quietly and given her his usual grunt, but it was soft and understanding. The fox asked if she required anything else of him and she promptly replied that she needed him to pierce her ears.

From that day on, she proudly walked around showing everyone exactly who she was. With her questions answered, Hiei had stopped bringing her books, and the fox stopped visiting, but that didn't delay her newfound interest. She devoured the reading material and found herself stopping by any jeweler peddler or store they encountered, only out of pure curiosity. That wasn't enough however, and she demanded Hiei bring her more books. Begrudgingly and never failing to comment on how her hobby wasn't his responsibility to sponsor, he complied.

But eventually she moved away from the books and began exploring her land. She loved the Makai, despite the hardship and strife that came with it. She felt there was a unique and wild air to it, yet demons clung together trying to make sense of the world. It was an odd contradiction of pure freedom and a longing for structure. That was why she strove to keep the odd balance. That required her to build up some infrastructure and structure with the lords, more so than Hiei or Enki had. She also rooted out slave traders, but she supposed that was more of a personal issue rather than a ruling one. Still, she allowed the Makai to generally flourish on its own and now she was excited to discover what hidden gems it had for her.

She began to collect samples and made Hiei procure her the proper tools. She examined them and identified them. Some were in the books and some were not. Hiei ridiculed her but she ignored him, he couldn't understand. He was colder now, returning to how he was right around the time where she met him; accepting of humans but still highly guarded. She did not mind, she supposed she would be detached too if she intentionally forced her mate to leave her. And so, Mukuro made her decision.

Hiei is a stalagmite.

She encountered many of them as she explored caves, but it was his odd growth and life that was in the forefront of her mind as she explored one night. She came across an opening where the area was covered with the wet rock forms. She noticed how the stalagmite, though rooted firmly in the ground was patiently growing and waiting for the day it could join the stalactite slowly reaching for it and become one.

Of course it was more than that desire. The demon, unlike her, had roots and knowledge of his ancestors. His inexplicable dilemma of rejecting and accepting them made him loose and unstable. He grasped heavily for something to plant him firmly and yet he rejected those who had the potential to do so. The slightest tainted touch could halt or ruin his progress which was why no matter how hard he tried, he could never quite connect with his flesh and blood. That was why he would always be reaching upward, waiting for someone or something to connect with him.

As such, it is only logical that Mîrvana is a stalactite.

Her head was always concerned with her top layer; how she was perceived, how she perceived others, their moves, her moves. Yet, as she progressed in her relationships, the layers of her thoughts and concerns were protected and hidden. It took time to get to her roots and yet, even when her innermost layer seemed to be exposed, there was another one hidden underneath. She didn't know where to plant herself or perhaps how anymore. That was why she was reaching down, looking for something or someone to grab onto and hold her in place.

Together they made a column: One piece composed of two parts reaching for each other for long and finally united. It was strikingly obvious but Mukuro didn't see it until it was too late. That was why she sought her out after the fight. She needed to know the stalactite was still reaching downward for her stalagmite. Mukuro found her leaning against the wall, standing outside the room her general slept soundly in.

They stared at each other quietly, waiting for the other to speak.

Mukuro thought for a moment. Then, she knew exactly what she wanted to say.

"Welcome home."

The elf's stoic face warmed into a smile.