I tousled my long wet hair, thinking of letting it air dry. I slipped on jeans and a t-shirt, which was something easy to run in. Might as well be prepared, although the attacks were usually spread out by more than two days.

I paused in front of the bathroom mirror, studying my image. I didn't really like what I saw. I was too short, and too skinny, and far too pale. I had silky black hair down to my waist, which was usually worn in a braid. I had a more curve-less figure than most women my age. Not that I exactly knew how old I was, but whatever. My features were dainty, and I was the kind of girl that looked cuter pouting than smiling. But my eyes…Were my most intriguing - and embarrassing - feature I had.

My left one was a deep brown, which could be as clear as honey, or as dark as mud, depending on my mood at the time. The right one was a bright gold; so dazzling that it seemed to shimmer like a diamond. It was where my psychic powers came from, I was sure. My brother's left one had been gold, and his right blue. I can't remember all the times I had gotten teased when I was younger. But now, people just stared as if I was horrifically deformed. I slipped on sunglasses, and stepped outside the apartment complex.

I didn't know where to go. It wasn't exactly like I had friends. I had already eaten, but the sun hadn't set yet. I sauntered to the bookstore, thinking I might check if they had anything of interest in. My favorites were mythology.

They did. A new one about the Greek gods. And unfortunately, it was on a shelf just barely out of my reach. I strained, standing on the tips on my toes, trying to reach it. Just a few more inches…

A pale hand wrapped in cloth reached above mine, sliding the book out. I dropped back down, turning around to face the owner of the hand. He was only a few inches taller than me, and I think he was slender, although a large black cloak covered his body. He was pale, with deep red eyes and black hair There was a curious 'starburst' of white hair above his forehead. Below his spiky hair was a white headband, wrapped around his forehead. His features were very angular, but they had quite an attractive air to them. I bowed, thanking him as he handed the book to me.

"No problem," he replied, turning to walk away. Just as he turned, a beyond-gorgeous redhead walked out from between the aisles, carrying several books under his arm. He looked at us, and smiled.

"Make a new friend, Hiei?" The redhead asked. I assumed that meant that 'Hiei' was the dark-haired one's name. Although he was taller than me, he was still rather short compared to the redhead.

"Hn," Hiei replied. He didn't even look back at me.

The redhead approached me, and smiled. "My name is Shuichi Minamino." He said politely. "Who might you be?" His amazingly green eyes penetrated mine.

I bowed deeply at him to hide the flush spreading across my cheeks. "Amaterasu Okami." I said, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Hiei scoffed at the sound of my name, and I considered being insulted, but it seemed like Hiei was the type to just act cold and distant to everyone. Maybe I shouldn't take it so personally.

"That's an interesting name," Shuichi scrutinized me, staring into my eyes. Embarrassed, I looked down, but Shuichi tilted my head up so I was forced to look at him again.

"You have amazing eyes," he commented, "I don't think I've ever seen a pair quite like them."

"They're rare," I agreed. I was hoping he wasn't going to make some awful crack about the color having been bleed out of my right eye.

"It's lovely," Shuichi replied. He turned to look back at Hiei. "Don't you think so?"

"Hn," Hiei said. I frowned.

I leaned closer to Shuichi. "Is that all he can say?" I whispered quietly. Shuichi laughed, while Hiei shot me an annoyed look.

"He's shy," Shuichi replied, his voice full of mirth.

"Kurama," Hiei snarled. I blinked in confusion. Kurama…The mountain?

Shuichi chuckled, and began to lead Hiei out of the bookstore. "We'll see you later, Amaterasu," he called back to me. I smiled and waved, not bothering to correct him on my name. Would I ever see them again?

I looked down at the tile floor of the bookstore after the two of them left. There was a length of white cloth. I think it was the same one that Hiei had been wearing around his forehead. Puzzled, I picked it up, and looked around for the two boys. They were nowhere in sight.

**************

I thought about the two strange boys quite a lot over the next few days. As far as I can remember, Shuichi had been the first person since my own family to say my eyes were 'amazing' instead of 'freaky.' I must admit, it had made quite an impression on me. I'd really have liked to see them again.

Besides, I had to return Hiei's headband. I glanced at my right arm. I had tied the headband around my right arm in a crisscross pattern from my elbow to my wrist, so that if I did even run into Hiei by accident again, I could give it to him.

I opened my fridge, to find that I was running quite low on food. I sighed. I didn't much enjoy grocery shopping, but what else could I do? Grabbing my coat, I walked out the front door.

I didn't even own a house key. It's not like I needed one. I closed my hand around the doorknob, and it clicked as it locked. I stepped out to the sidewalk, heading down the street to the grocery store.

**************

I walked through the aisles of the store, picking up the items I needed. My mind wandered randomly, my thoughts passing from the two boys, to my shopping list, to my brother, and so on. I reached up for a box of rice crackers. It was on a high shelf, but not so high that I couldn't reach it. But before I could, once again, a pale hand wrapped in cloth took it off the shelf for me. I spun around in shock.

"Hiei!" I cried in surprise, as he handed the box to me.

"Hn," he replied. I saw Shuichi walking towards us.

"Amaterasu! It's a pleasure to see you again," he said amiably.

"Oh, the pleasure's mine!" I bowed. "And please, call me Tera. 'Amaterasu' can be quite a mouthful."

"Tera?" Shuichi asked. "That's pretty." He looked over at Hiei. "Don't you think so?"

It was exactly like when Shuichi had asked Hiei about my eyes. I expected Hiei to reply with his signature 'Hn,' but instead, he nodded. I could tell that Shuichi was just as surprised as I was. A moment later, he quietly laughed, and leaned towards me.

"I think you're a good influence on him," Shuichi whispered. I could almost feel Hiei's fiery glare aiming at the two of us.

"Oh!" I said, suddenly remembering the cloth I had wrapped around my arm. Shuichi drew away from me in surprise as I pulled up the sleeve of my coat. I began to pull the white cloth off my arm.

"Here, Hiei, you dropped this the other day…" I started, before Hiei's pale hand stopped my own from unwinding the cloth.

"It looks better on you," he said. I noticed that he already had a new cloth tied around his forehead.

His touch ignited something in me, something bad. I knew the feeling.

"Demons!" I shrieked, leaping back. I smacked into a shelf, and boxes of crackers came tumbling down on me. I slid to the floor, feeling new bruises spring up all over.

"Tera!" Shuichi yelled in shock. He and Hiei began to push the boxes off of me. "Are you alright?"

I flinched away when he reached out a hand to help me up. "Demons!" I gasped. "You're demons!"

"How do you know that?" Hiei snapped. His voice was full of danger, and I was terrified for my life. But somehow, I felt obliged to answer.

People were looking down the aisle, muttering and wondering if we were okay. I tried to keep my voice low. "I'm a psychic. My brother used to be a demon slayer. What do you want from me?"

Shuichi looked alarmed. "Nothing!" He glanced over at the people milling about. "Look, let's get you out of here. We'll explain everything."

He grabbed my arm, ignoring my gasp of fright as I cam in contact with his demonic aura. He began to pull me from the store, leaving the mess and our groceries behind.