Memoir
Summary: Sequel to "Forgotten." "Time really does change everything, doesn't it? Hard to believe I'm the same person." Hiei/OC
Author's notes: AHHHH! I always hate the last chapter. It means it's all over…. But hey, it's been great while it lasted. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this LAST chapter of Memoir. And since I won't be posting another fanfic for a good while, I want to wish all of my fellow authors the best of luck with their works.
And now, on to the end.
Part Twenty-one: Moonlight in Dreams
Akiko nursed a mug of coffee. It was nearing midnight; everyone else had gone to bed. She took a swig of the strong Columbian brew, inhaling its rich scent.
The silvery sphere of the moon hung heavily over the line of trees that surrounded Genkai's temple, illuminating the wooden table Akiko sat at. She closed her eyes, her mind drifting. Involuntarily, she began humming the lullaby from three years ago.
She didn't notice what she was doing until she heard someone else softly humming the tune along with her.
Her voice seized up in her throat, and Akiko turned to the doorway of the kitchen, where she saw a shadow-obscured figure that she knew could only be one person.
"Glad to hear your sense of pitch has improved," Hiei smirked, entering the kitchen and joining Akiko at the table. "What're you doing awake?"
She shrugged. "Couldn't sleep."
The yokai glanced at the mug in her hands. "And coffee helps that?"
Akiko glared at him, shoving her drink away. "What do you want? 'Cause if insulting me is all you're here for—." She rose from the table and started out of the room, but Hiei's hand wrapped around her elbow stopped her.
"I want to talk to you," he said; his gaze drifted to the window. "Stay a while?"
"You know, I really have nothing to say to you." She broke free of his grip and stormed towards the door.
"After three years, I thought you might understand," Hiei snapped, exasperated.
The girl turned back to him, eyes narrowed and arms crossed in front of her. "What're you talking about?"
"Do you realize hoe much you know about me? How much I've told you…."
Akiko looked away from him.
"You don't understand the danger," he said, rising from the table. His hands were clenched.
"Danger?" Akiko blinked. "Danger in what? Hiei, I don't give a damn about danger—this might be a bit much for you to get, but I care about you, you stubborn pain in the ass."
Hiei watched her face for a few moments; it was a mixture of frustration and sadness. He chose his next words carefully.
"You shouldn't," he said. "You shouldn't care. That's my point. It isn't safe. I'm not safe."
Akiko smacked her hand against her forehead. "So what does all that mean? God, I don't understand you, Hiei!" And she began to stomp to the door again. She bumped into another hindrance on the way to the door.
Hiei had crossed in front of her, blocking her passage.
The yokai grasped both of Akiko's elbows, holding her so that she couldn't get away from him.
"What is it going to take for me to get you to understand?" Hiei sighed. "What am I going to have to do?"
Akiko didn't answer him. She kept her eyes glued to the black fabric of his shirt.
Once again, Hiei studied her face. But this time, rather than speaking to her again, he leaned forward hesitantly and kissed her.
The girl's eyes widened and she pulled away from the yokai's now loose grip.
"What was that for?" she asked. She was blushing furiously; his action was totally unexpected.
Hiei's hand traveled to the side of her face; he held her gaze, the slightest hint of a smile on his face. She couldn't remember if she had ever actually seen him smile before.
"Danger or not," he said deliberately, "I'm staying in the human world."
Akiko raised her eyebrows in question.
"I have some family there," he continued. "I want to take care of them. Make up for lost time."
Akiko turned away from him. "Oh. Okay."
Hiei turned her face back towards his by sliding one hand gently under her chin. "Plus, I want to keep an eye on you. Maybe that way you'll stay out of trouble." He leaned down and kissed her once more.
"So… you're not leaving?" Akiko asked, smiling.
The yokai shook his head, sliding one arm around her waist and pulling her close to him. "No. Never again."
Akiko leaned her head against the yokai's chest. She took a deep breath, her eyes peacefully closed. "I'm glad."
His grip around her tightened.
"So am I."
Author's notes: Well, that's the end of another fic. Now for the final reviewer recognition (at this point, screw the rules).
ImParanoid
Mysadeyes
Animegurl007
Koji Jaganshi
Sillylittlenothing
Rahasia
Demon's Amaya
Ummei Genkai
Kate
BlueWater26
TriggerHappy666
MikoHatome
Brezzybrez
Yoru Inu
Kurayamihikari
Mysadeyes
Bec
Jingenji
Sakura Jazmine
AnonymousHieiFan101
The Shadows Hide All
ToCOrNot 77
EvilTwinKae
ParadisenDarkness
Dolphingirl32173
Baka Hanyou Rahvin
Miho
Seromans58
Yuki Amida
Pyro the dark angel
4-is-lovely
Song Of A Fallen Angel
Hiei's Shadow Tenshi
Stacey
Koji Jaganshi
And, as always, special thanks to Moojuice Nne of the Mayonaisse, loyal reviewer and BETA (got it right that time) reader. Thanks so much to all of you.
Sheepchi