Love for Hiei Part 9
It has been 5 months since Hiei and I decided to start a relationship. We've had our fair share of arguments, but manage to work things out. As far as everyone knows, we're still just friends. They seemed to like the idea of us being in a relationship based on their reactions to different questions regarding the subject. Since today was a day off, we decided to enjoy it at a park in the Human World near where Yusuke lived with his mother in the apartment building. Hiei was sitting up against a tree while I was sitting beside him, holding his hand.
"Isn't this nice? Too bad all days can't be like this."
"Hn. It's tolerable if you like crowded parks and loud, annoying people."
"C'mon, Hiei. Not everyone is a lunatic. This isn't Spirit World, you know."
"I prefer that to this, Mai. You know I don't like big crowds."
"You fight in front of them all the time during the Dark Tournament."
"That's different. I have to do that."
I smiled and shook my head as I watched children playing kickball nearby. One small boy kicked the ball so hard that it landed right by us. Hiei picked it up and looked at the boy, who shyly looked back at him.
"Excuse me, Mister. May I have my ball, please?"
"Hn, here."
Hiei threw it back, and the boy smiled and ran off. I smiled at Hiei and he looked back at me.
"What?"
"You could've not given the ball back, but you did. Proves that you're not as cold as you used to be."
"I haven't changed at all, Mai."
"On the outside, no. You're still just as cunning and ruthless in battles and missions as you always are."
He smirked as if to agree with me.
"That's something that will never change."
"On the inside, you're much more different than that. You're understanding, good to talk to, and you always know what to say or do to make me feel better?"
"I thought comforting during hard times was a requirement."
"I guess you can call it that."
After a while of watching people walk by, I opened up the basket that we brought with us. I packed earlier this morning full of rice, fish, and salad greens. I had asked his opinion on bringing a picnic lunch with us, and he didn't seem to mind.
"Here, Hiei. Thought you might be hungry."
"Hn, thanks."
"I cooked it myself."
Hiei smirked at me and raised an eyebrow.
"Totally by yourself, Mai?"
"Well, Kurama walked me through it, but I did cook it myself. I'm still learning a few things."
"I have to admit, you did a good job."
As we enjoyed our food, we talked of when would be the best time to tell the others about our relationship. We agreed on telling them when we all got back to Koenma's.
Yusuke's POV:
Since we had the day off, I decided to visit my old neighborhood. Mom was still the same. She was still sleeping in way late, but surprisingly cut back on her smoking and drinking. Apparently, Mai met her a few times and somehow set her straight. Kurama and Kuwabara opted to come along since they didn't want to be cooped up all day.
"This place brings back memories, eh Urameshi?"
"Definitely. Hey, check it out, Kuwabara. That's the park where I picked my first fight with you."
Kurama smiled as Kuwabara and I began pointing out places in and around the park that we used to pick fights in.
"Is there a place you didn't fight in, Yusuke?"
"Uh, let's see. The only places I can think of are my old house, Mom's apartment, and the beach. Fights happened pretty much everywhere else."
Kuwabara looked around and pointed to a nearby apple tree.
"Hey, guys. Look over there."
I rolled my eyes, whacking him in the back of the head.
"Why are you so excited about pointing to an apple tree, Kuwabara?"
"It's Hiei and Mai. Looks like they're having a picnic."
Kurama smiled as he looked at them.
"That would explain, Kuwabara, why Mai left with a picnic basket full of food I helped her prepare."
"Uh, right."
I looked more closely, and was shocked to see how close together they were sitting.
"How odd."
Kuwabara raised an eyebrow as he observed Mai laughing at something Hiei said.
"Yeah. Shorty never likes anyone being that close to him. Says they're invading his personal space."
"You must remember, Kuwabara, that they are friends."
"Still, he never let anyone get that close before."
Mai then said something back to Hiei, who smirked back at her. What surprised me most was when Hiei took her hand and kissed it.
"Hold on a sec. Did he just-"
"Looks like it, Urameshi."
Kurama seemed more shocked than anyone.
"I'm surprised we didn't see this coming."
"Man, Urameshi. It's been happening right under our noses."
"Yeah. Why didn't they tell us?"
My eyes widened as they packed up the basket and walked off, holding hands.
"I can't believe we didn't notice this."
"That's because, Yusuke, they may not have wanted to reveal it yet. They probably figured knowing how you and Kuwabara, you'd give Hiei a hard time since he's not the type of guy to express emotions in public."
"That makes sense, but they didn't have to keep it from us. I wouldn't have made fun of them."
"Which is what we wanted to be sure of."
We jumped as we heard Hiei's voice behind us. Kuwabara put a hand behind his head and laughed.
"Hey, Shorty. How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough, fool. How long have you been watching us?"
"Long enough to see you were hiding a relationship from us."
Mai smirked and shook her head.
"Yusuke, we were planning on telling you when we all got back, but you ruined the surprise."
"You still could've said something."
Kurama smiled and put a hand on Mai's shoulder.
"Yusuke does have a point, Mai. We are all friends here. You didn't need to hide it from us."
"We weren't ready to say anything, fox. We wanted to hear your opinion on the subject, which is why we asked all of those questions."
Hiei's POV:
After getting back home, Mai moved her belongings to my room. Yukina was pleased that Mai's living arrangements were closer to her room now. I could tell they have gotten to be really close friends.
"Hiei."
I approached Mai, who was sitting on the windowsill in our room. I sat across from her and raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
"Nothing. Just wanted you closer to me, that's all."
I smirked and pulled her closer to me so that she was sitting in between my legs. She rested her head on my chest and smiled. Anytime I was with Mai, nothing else seemed to matter to me. All I knew was that I loved the angel I was holding, something I knew would never, ever change. I kissed the top of her head and held her closer to me.
"Mai."
"What?"
"There's something I need to tell you. I just don't know how to put it."
"Say it however you want."
I sighed heavily and put my lips to her ear, intending on whispering what I wanted to say.
"Mai, I love you."
That's a wrap for part 9. The rest of Team Urameshi discover Hiei and Mai's relationship and to the couple's relief, they all approve. After getting settled into Hiei's room, Mai hears Hiei whisper that he loves her. Her reaction will be in part 10. Also in part 10, Yukina asks Hiei for permission to ask Kuwabara out. Stay tuned to see what happens