Hiei sat in his dark room, clutching a long dead bouquet of flowers in his arms. The rose petals were all dried out, yet somehow they clung to the stems. Kurama's magic probably had something to do with the odd nature. This very bouquet belonged to Kurama's wife, also named Kurama. It was a long story, one that Hiei was absent for most of.

But he did go to their wedding where one of the bridesmaids caught said bouquet and handed it to him.

"I find you fascinating little man." she had told him as she dropped it into his arms.

The memory plagued Hiei for a year. She had never seen her again. Oyuki, the mystery girl who had not only taken a liking to Hiei, but his sister as well. It was like the the two had formed a sort of bond while Hiei was out of the picture.

Good then.

Less for him to worry about.

However...

Hiei plucked a single petal and crushed it in his fist. He couldn't help but feel jealous of the stranger who knows his sister better than he does. He loathed Oyuki and he couldn't even tell her.

"What kind of person ghosts you for a year after tormenting you with baseless flirtation?" Hiei asked aloud. He narrowed his eyes into slits as he glared at the bouquet in his hand. "And yet," he continued, "I have kept this useless thing-"

Hiei hated to admit that Oyuki had piqued his interest as well. He knew that she wasn't a demon, but an alien. It was still hard to believe but in any consideration there was not a lot that surprised him anymore.

Even though he didn't have a photograph, he recalled Oyuki's visage in great detail. Her pale skin, her blue eyes, and her icy hair...

At the mere thought of ice, a chill befell the room which was odd because it was fairly cold already.

Hiei lifted his gaze and turned around with a jolt. A glittery mist was leaking out of his closet until the doors were flung open with a great force of wind.

Hiei drew his blade in his other hand, bearing it against this yet-to-be-seen enemy. "Who goes there? Show yourself or die. Or don't, I'll kill you anyway."

A soft clopping of what sounded like clogs entered the room followed by a tall figure. Taller than Hiei anyway. The mist soon cleared.

"Hello, Hiei." said a new but familiar voice.

Hiei squinted. "I don't believe it."

It was none other than Oyuki. She didn't smile at him, her eyes didn't even change, but he could sense amusement emanating from her otherwise cold demeanor. "I have come for you." she stated.

Hiei relaxed his blade bearing hand, having no desire to harm the girl. "Come for me?" he echoed with a scoff. "I don't have any wish to go with you anywhere."

Oyuki looked down at him, her eyes trailing from his down to his hands. "I have doubts." she gently dipped her head towards the bouquet.

Hiei stiffened. "So?" he asked. His demeanor was as cold as the room.

"Regardless of your reason for keeping that, it would mean you have a soft spot." Oyuki noted. "Memorabilia from your best friend's wedding? And don't tell me you aren't best friends. Or am I to believe you kept it because I caught it?"

Oyuki held up her long sleeve to cover her mouth as she let out a barely audible laugh.

Hiei could feel the hair on his arms bristle. She was laughing... at him! Anger coursed through his veins.

"Why are you here anyway. I haven't heard from you in a year and you decide to show up unannounced. In my room, no less." Hiei added the last part with a slight arch in his brow.

Oyuki started to approach him calmly, a breeze following wherever she went. "Is it not tradition for the one to catch the bouquet at a wedding to be wed next?" She didn't bother to pause for a reply and continued. "Well I choose to marry you."

Hiei scoffed. "Fat chance." he said hautily. "You can't just expect me to pick up and leave."

"So you wish to marry me after all."

Hiei clenched his fist. "I didn't say that."

"Exactly," Oyuki looked down at him with her red eyes. They were glinting humorously. "You didn't say that you didn't want to marry me either."

"You're a conwoman." Hiei accused.

Oyuki turned her back on him. Her ponytail didn't swish with the motion as it was made of ice and stayed stiff. "So I've been told."

"I despise you."

"How... scandalous." she said. She started walking back to his closet, her planet Neptune on the other side. The stopped right on the threshold and casted a glance over her shoulder. "Are you coming?"

For one of the first times in his life, Hiei felt fear. Fear of the unknown. What is this woman getting him into? Better yet, why was he inclined to follow?

She was taunting him with her expression. Goading him to come with her. Teasing him and calling him small.

Maybe she wasn't really but he could feel it in his bones.

Coward!

Coward!

He was going to put Oyuki in her place.

Faster than her eyes can see, Hiei moved past her onto the other side of the portal. All Oyuki saw was apparent teleportation. At one moment Hiei was gone from the middle of his room and suddenly behind her.

Once she realized she dipped her head towards him. "Come now," she beckons. "Let me show you my home."

Immediately Hiei was greeted with the sight of a bedroom. "Is this... your quarters?"

Oyuki nodded as she stepped inside and her own closet closed, leaving Hiei's room where it belongs on the other side of the galaxy. "Have not been in a girl's bedroom before?" she had asked him.

"Of course!" Hiei barked back, regardless if it was true or not. He just didn't want to be shown up.

"Very well then," Oyuki replied, now heading out of her room. "I'll show you the rest of the palace."