Love for Hiei Part 14
As I showered, I smiled at how much I was enjoying this vacation. Hiei didn't have to go through all this trouble, but he did it anyway. I guess Kurama was right in saying I changed him for the better, and how we feel about each other is proof of that. After stepping out of the shower and drying off, I slipped into a strapless red dress that fell to just above my ankles. I dried my hair with the hair dryer provided and decided to put curls into the remaining 4 inches of my hair, and I was pleased with how well it turned out. I heard a light knock at the door, then Hiei's voice followed.
"I'm ready, Mai. Hurry up."
I giggled and put on black 1-inch heels that I had gotten from one of the shops on board.
"Almost ready, Hiei. We still have a couple of days left on this vacation, so there's no need to rush."
"Hn."
I decided not to apply makeup because last time I did, Hiei said I looked a lot better without it, that I didn't need it since I had natural beauty. I exited the bathroom to see Hiei had put on a nice black shirt and pants to match. His eyes widened as he looked at my appearance, which is understandable since the dress was new. I wrapped my arms around my fiance and smiled.
"This isn't too much, is it? I could always pick something else to wear."
He smirked and wrapped his arms around me tightly, closely looking at me.
"Mai no matter what you wear, you'll still be the beautiful angel I fell in love with."
"Hiei, do you really mean that?"
After he nodded, he lightly placed a kiss on my forehead, then held out an arm for me to take. I took it and we used the lift to get to the deck where Sabatini's was. Upon entering, a waitress greeted us and showed us to a table that was near a window, giving us an ocean view while we had dinner.
"Hiei, look at this view."
"I am."
Realizing he was looking at me, I blushed slightly and lightly touched the engagement ring Hiei gave me. He saw what I was doing and took my left hand, smiling at me.
"The ring looks great on you, Mai."
"I would've liked it whether or not it was covered in jewels, Hiei. What matters is the thought you put into finding one for me. I'll like anything you get for me."
"Is that a fact?"
After I nodded, a waiter gave us menus and smiled.
"Here are some menus for you. Feel free to look through them. I'll be back shortly."
Hiei's POV:
After the waiter left, I reached into my pant pocket and pulled out a small box. Mai looked at it curiously and I smirked.
"I know I already proposed and gave you a ring, but I wanted to give you something else. Open it."
Mai opened the box and her eyes widened as she saw the necklace inside. It was a 14k gold necklace that had a charm that looked like the symbol for "infinity". Mai looked up at me, smiling slightly.
"Hiei, this looks like it was custom made. I don't think the jewelry stores on board carry these."
"They don't. When I bought the ring, I also put in an order for a necklace at the same store. They said the design would take a while to make, but they had no problem with doing it."
"Hiei, that's so sweet of you, but what's the infinity symbol for?"
I took the necklace from Mai and put it around her neck, smirking as she slightly shuddered from the cool touch of the jewelry.
"It means that no matter what happens, I'm never, ever leaving you."
"Hiei, really?"
I sat down at my place at the table as the waiter came back.
"Are we ready to order?"
Mai nodded and reopened her menu.
"Yes, we are. I'll take the four cheese ravioli with grilled chicken."
"Excellent choice. What kind of salad would you like to go with it?"
"Caesar, please."
"What would you like to drink?"
"Hmm. I 'll try the white zinfadel."
After the waiter wrote down Mai's order, he looked at me.
"I'll take the lasagna with a side of garlic bread."
"What would you like to drink with that, sir?"
"I'll also have a glass of the white zinfadel."
After the waiter walked away, I looked at Mai. She really did look beautiful, no matter what she wore, but sometimes she never agreed with me. She saw me staring and blushed.
"Something wrong, Hiei?"
"No, Mai. Just admiring the view."
She smiled and looked out the window, smiling at the view outside.
"Hiei, look. The sun's setting."
"Hn. It does look nice."
As our food and wine came to the table, I looked at the ring that rested on her left ring finger.
"Mai, how will be telling the others about our engagement?"
After taking a bite of her salad, Mai smiled.
"I've been thinking of that, too. I think we should just let them see the ring on their own. They'll figure it out."
"Good idea. More than likely, either Kurama or my sister will notice first and say something."
"Very true. They always did have a knack for quickly noticing things."
After our meal was over, we changed into long-sleeved shirts and pants before heading for the Princess Theater, where I promised Mai I'd take her to see a magician perform.
Yusuke's POV:
I nervously paced around in my room, fiddling with what was in my pant pocket. I planned on doing something that would change my life forever, and I wasn't sure of how everyone would react. Kuwabara smirked at me as I took a deep breath.
"Relax, Urameshi. Everything will go fine."
"How do you know, Kuwabara? For all I know, I could be walking right into a rejection here. What if I screw up?"
"You've screwed up many things, but this won't be one of them. Trust me, Urameshi. You'll do fine."
As we walked downstairs, my heart began pounding as I thought over my plan. Hopefully, Keiko won't react negatively with what I plan to do. Keiko smiled at me as she and Yukina finished a movie.
"Hey, Yusuke. What have you been up to?"
"Just...planning a surprise."
"Oh. What kind?"
I held up a DVD and put it into the DVD player. Immediately, Kuwabara, Botan, and Kurama gathered around the screen as an image of me appeared. I pressed play, and my image on the screen began to speak.
"Hey, guys. I got something important to say. I know I could've done this in person ,but thought otherwise. Staying at my mom's, so I thought I'd make a video to pass the time."
Keiko looked up at me, confused.
"You made this when you stayed at your mom's to care for her when she was sick,didn't you?"
"Yep."
"I never thought I'd be a part of something like Team Urameshi or fighting off criminals, but I'm doing it. Kuwabara, Kurama, you guys, Mai, and Hiei are the best damn teammates I could ask for, and thanks for all of your help all this time. Yukina, thanks for all you've done for us over the years. Your healing abilities have done wonders for us. Keiko, well, what can I say? We've known each other since kindergarten, and you've become a real pain in the ass as we grew up."
Keiko narrowed her eyes at me, clearly annoyed. I nodded my head back to the screen, and she looked back at the image of me.
"Despite all of that, you've been a hell of a good friend and because of your help, I managed to pass high school. As a result of you helping me all this time, I thought I'd repay you in a way you'd remember. Turn around and you'll see what I mean."
As Keiko turned to look at me, her eyes widened as she saw me get down on one knee. Judging from everyone else's silence, they weren't expecting to be doing this. Kuwabara didn't look the least bit surprised since he was the only person I trusted this proposal with. I held up a gold engagement ring that had a ruby on it, her favorite jewel.
"Keiko, you've been by my side for as long as I can remember. Through good times and bad, you've always had my back and helped me through some pretty tough stuff over the years. We've had our share of arguments over the years, but we always manage to talk through them. Keiko, will you please marry me?"
I put the ring on Keiko's finger, and she smiled softly down upon me.
"Oh, Yusuke. Of course I'll marry you."
Everyone cheered as I hugged Keiko tightly. All the worrying, all of the nervousness I felt, disappeared. Knowing Keiko had said yes made me the happiest I've ever been. It's a shame Mai and Hiei couldn't have been here to witness it, but I'm sure they're having a good time on their cruise.
That's a wrap for part 14. Hiei and Mai enjoy an ocean view with a sunset during their dinner, and Hiei surprises Mai with a necklace symbolizing their decision to never part. Meanwhile, Yusuke had a surprise planned of his own: a proposal to longtime friend and love, Keiko. To his delight, she said yes. Part 15 will feature Hiei and Mai returning from their vacation and telling everyone what had occured, including Hiei's proposal. Also in part 15, Keiko and Mai have a little girl talk regarding their engagements. Stay tuned to see what happens