Ritz's note: Ano~ Here's the continuation of my slow-moving fic. Hey, at least there's slightly more action here... Standard disclaimers, I WISH I own these kawaii characters but I don't. They belong to Togashi-sama. *smiles* I just get to play with them. ^.~
I glanced at the window again.
No sign of Hiei.
Groaning, I flopped down on my futon and clutched my pillow in my arms. He's not coming, I told myself, I blew it. I sniffled, feeling tears well up in my eyes. How could this have happened? I wondered. I've lost him...and it was going so well too...
***FLASHBACK***
My heart practically burst with happiness when he laid his hand on my shoulder that day in the bathroom. Hiei hadn't pushed me away, I reveled happily, he accepted my gesture and he touched my shoulder in response! I know I must have sat through the whole party with a goofy grin on my face but it was just all too good to be true. Perhaps he felt the same way...
Hiei remained in the shadows during the party, a warm presence as always. I had snuck quick peeks periodically at him and it nearly tore my heart to see the way he gazed at Yukina. In it was a mixture of anguish and grief. Grief, because he couldn't be by her side and anguish, because he was the one who made the decision not to stay by her side. I could tell he was slightly confused by Yukina's joy to see him but very happy about it. He glared at Kuwabara and the two had to be restrained from killing each other as usual. Though I knew that despite his glares and snide comments, he trusted Kuwabara with Yukina. And with Hiei, that was the best compliment he could ever give.
During the party, I often felt his gaze on me, briefly. I knew he was pretending that he didn't even pay the slightest attention but I could feel his hot burning eyes following my every move and I grinned inwardly to myself. When Botan had turned on some music and everyone began dancing, I noticed Hiei turning to leave.
You're not going that fast, little youkai, I thought determinedly as I stepped between him and the window.
"What the f*** do you think you're doing, fox?" He had snarled.
"Leaving so soon, Hiei?" I asked.
"Hn." He snorted, "Yes. This is boring."
"Dance one dance with me?" I offered, holding out my hand.
He crossed his arms and glared at me, "I don't dance."
"Come on." I urged, keeping my hand extended.
"No."
"Come on," I repeated, "don't be such a spoil sport."
He didn't move but at least he stopped glaring. A definite improvement, I cheered silently.
"Come on," I encouraged him gently, "don't you know how to dance?"
The glare was back full force with a small unhappy frown added to it.
I realized then that Hiei perhaps DIDN'T know how to dance. Though, the more I thought about it, the more it made sense...after all, you don't exactly learn dancing while you're killing someone. "I'll teach you how to." I suggested, pleased that I had made my voice relatively neutral.
"Hn." Hiei snorted, eyeing the others dancing. "What's the point?"
"It's fun." I told him. Then, realizing that Hiei perhaps needed more incentive than just fun, I added slyly, "Even Kuwabara-kun knows how to dance, you know." Not very well though, I added to myself, watching Kuwabara dance with Yukina, swaying out of beat with the music. Of course, Hiei didn't need to know that.
My comment had given me the reaction I desired, Hiei drew himself straighter and gave me a look of indignition, "I can dance better than that baka."
"Then why don't you show me?" I teased, "Right here." I took a step closer to him, holding my hand out, "Come on."
"Not in front of all of them." He said automatically.
I repressed my urge to grin, this was almost too good to be true. Now, if I can just play my cards right...
Leaning down, I deliberately brushed my lips across his cheek as I moved to whisper in his ear. "Well," I suggested, "why don't you show me in private? Meet me tomorrow in my room okay?"
I felt Hiei shudder slightly but he said dryly, "When?"
I couldn't help it, it was impossible to hide my grin now. "How about in the evening? 'Kaasan and the others are going to visit relatives over the week-end and the house will be ours." I suggested.
He shrugged, snorted, and then left in a displacement of air.
I looked after him and my grin widened. Gotcha, I thought mischeiviously.
---
Hiei arrived the next day and I felt my heart beat faster, overjoyed to see that small dark figure sitting on the windowsill, scowling as usual.
"Hiei, you're here!" I greeted cheerfully.
"Hn."
I lifted a hand out to him, "Ready for your lesson?"
"Hn." He replied, hopping off the sill, ignoring my offered hand.
Slightly dissapointed, I withdrew it. I couldn't really begrudge Hiei for not wanting to hold my hand. All in all, this was going very well. I led him downstairs to the living room.
"We're dancing to this?" Hiei asked, cocking his head, listening to the soft music I had put on.
I nodded. "We'll start with slow music. It's easier to dance to." Plus, it gives me a chance to hold you, I thought slyly. "Come on, Hiei," I urged, walking up to him. He just stared at me.
Slowly, so not to startle him, I slipped my arms on his shoulders, around his neck.
I felt Hiei gulp suddenly, nervously. Probably not used to being so close to someone, I observed. He remained still.
I sighed softly, "Hiei, put your arms around my waist." I instructed.
No movement.
Then, slowly, I felt strong arms encircle my waist and I grinned. Hiei had held me tighter than he needed to. "Great," I said out-loud. "Now, we just sway to the beat of the music...like this." I tightened my own hold on Hiei, bringing him closer and swaying gently to the music.
Hiei didn't reply but I felt him exhale noisily as he moved stiffly with me.
"Hiei," I coaxed, "relax. Just let your body loosen up and move to the music."
"I am relaxed." He shot back.
"Could have fooled me," I laughed. I slowly stroked a hand down his back, "Just relax," I whispered, "and enjoy this." He stiffened suddenly and for a second, I was afraid that I had lost him but then he relaxed and I couldn't help grinning again. "That's it." I crooned, "Just like that."
We continued swaying to the music and after three songs, I felt him press the side of his face against my chest, felt him snuggle a little closer to me.
In response, I stroked his back with a bit more pressure, hoping he would pick up on my intent. I moved my hand lower and I ran it lightly over the curve of his rear.
He looked up sharply, feeling the feather-light touch.
My heart beating wildly, I met his eyes, drowning in the crimson gaze. My body seemed to move on its own as one of my hands cupped his chin gently, and I bent down, brushing my lips against his.
He reeled back in surprise, his red eyes darting over my face. I pulled back, blushing. Damn stupid youko impulses, I cursed silently.
Then suddenly, Hiei's mouth was hot on mine and I gasped. Hiei...I thought joyfully as I returned his kiss estatically. He parted his lips and I slipped my tongue in his mouth.
He stilled in surprise when I did that and in an effort to encourage him, I teased the insides of his mouth gently and flicked my tongue against his own. That seemed to spur him into action and soon our tongues battled passionately.
I moved my mouth down to his neck, nibbling gently. He wound his fingers through strands of my hair, a slight moan escaping his throat when I nipped at the joining between his neck and shoulder. I tugged at his scarf, unwinding it from his body.
That's when something seemed to snap.
He pushed me away roughly, his eyes wide with shock and fear. I gasped, staring at him in surprise.
"Hiei..." I had started to say, reaching out to touch his shoulder.
He snatched his scarf away from me, evading my hand, and dissapeared like a shadow before the sun.
I sagged to the floor, burying my head in my hands. Oh Hiei...
***END FLASHBACK***
I squeezed my eyes shut, letting hot tears run down my cheeks. It still hurt to think of it. I was so close... What did I do wrong? What did I do to make him reject me so quickly? I thought... A sob escaped my throat and I buried my head in my pillow. "I thought..." I whispered out loud, "I thought...you loved me...or at least...you liked me too..."
Ritz ^.~ July 28-30, 1998.
Taking Chances, Part 6: Hiei--"Impossible to Ignore"
Taking Chances, Part 4b: Side Story--"The Love of Chocolate"