Hatsu convinced Yami to let him take a break for breakfast. So far, Hatsu hadn't asked many questions about his training. He was sure all of it would come in handy at some point, and he didn't want to seem ungrateful, especially because he really appreciated all the help he was getting managing his powers. But there was still something he'd always been curious about, and now seemed like a pretty good time to ask.<br/><br/>"Yami?" Hatsu said, after a bite of his sandwich. "We're going to meet Vaan tomorrow, right?"<br/><br/>Yami looked at his vessel and nodded. "That's correct."<br/><br/>"What was he like?" Hatsu asked, his eyes distant. From what he'd seen, it wasn't very common for a demon to switch hosts. But... He was the demon's second host... There was just something about being the second. On one hand, Yami had a bit more experience with picking a proper host, so Hatsu trusted that they were well-matched. On the other hand... He wasn't the first pick. If he and Yami were such a good pair, then why not pick him first? It was just something that had always bugged him.<br/><br/>Yami looked at his host. He'd been avoiding answering that question since he met the boy, which granted was only four or five days ago. Now though, they were going off to meet Hatsu's predecessor... that was probably weighing heavily on the boy. Yami sighed. It was finally time to answer that question. "Vaan was... really a good kid. He was a protector by nature, and stopped at nothing to keep safe what was important to him. He was eager to learn and very talented. At first, we were very compatible. Then... over time... he started to change. I'm not sure what exactly happened, but his personality went completely in the opposite direction." Yami trailed off and sighed.<br/><br/>"The process of binding to a human is complicated. More so that I'd care to explain to you right now. To make a long story short I wasn't prepared to compensate for any abrupt personality changes like that and we became incompatible. Likely, my separating from him has actually made him more unstable. He's nothing like he was when I chose him, so don't expect a warm welcome."<br/><br/>Hatsu gulped, then continued eating his sandwich, enjoying his breakfast break before training was to be continued.<br/><br/>-------------------------<br/><br/>After several minutes, Hiei could feel the slow sensation of movement on his forehead, symbolizing that his third eye was open again. As if to confirm this, Alastor muttered a slight,<span style="font-style: italic">"Whew. Done."</span><br/><br/>Hiei stood up silently, and moved toward the edge of the rooftop. He pulled up his headband and was relieved that he could in fact see out of his third eye again. Hiei began scanning the city below.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"You're looking for that girl, aren't you?"</span>Alastor asked. Annoying and nosy as usual.<span style="font-style: italic">"Why? Are you feeling lonely after finally making a friend?"</span><br/><br/>"Don't be absurd," Hiei responded. "We're not friends, I just owe her. And I'm not lonely."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"You're in denial,"</span>Alastor responded smugly.<span style="font-style: italic">"As far as I can tell, she's the closest thing you've <span style="text-decoration: underline">ever</span> had to a friend. And you're lonely."</span><br/><br/>Hiei sighed blankly. "And you were being so useful just a moment ago. I shouldn't have expected it to last long."<br/><br/>There was a pause before Alastor spoke again.<span style="font-style: italic">"Alright, then why <span style="text-decoration: underline">are</span> you looking for her?"</span><br/><br/>Hiei remained silent for a moment. "I don't know."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Well what do you know?</span>Alastor thought to himself.<span style="font-style: italic">He has feelings after all.</span>The demon wondered what it was like for his host to have to cope with feelings for the first time... probably in his entire life. The demon stayed quiet as Hiei located Anaka and rushed off to join her. In moments, he was standing outside the gas station, looking at her through the window. Typical Hiei. He didn't say anything; just stood there and sort of waited to be noticed.