KHR: The Inheritance Project - Prelude

The Homework Project

"Why?" His sudden question brings me from my musings.

"Why what?" I counter lightly; I can totally see where this is going.

"…" he narrowed his eyes at me irritably. "Why don't you defend yourself?"

Called it. "Because I made a promise." I wince at the pain in my gut and I stumble slightly.

"Humph, not fighting back just makes you weak, small animal." He stated flatly as he spun around and stalked briskly towards the aquarium. I trailed after him limping lightly.

"Non… it makes me better than them." I murmur to his back causing him to pause, his shoulders stiffening. I couldn't see his expression so I don't really know what he was thinking. He shook his head lightly before continuing on at a slower pace.

We walk in comfortable silence to entrance and payed to get in. The lady eyed us strangely, probably because you don't see kids at these kinds of places without their parents accompanying them. But when Hibari glared at her she paled, apparently recognising him, and let us go through without any questions.

It was nice and cool inside and the walls and floor were all different shades of blues and greens giving it a calm atmosphere. There weren't many people here today, probably why he picked this place since he hates crowds so much. When we got to the first room my jaw dropped in awe.

This place was amazing! The walls were made of glass with all manner of sea life on the other side. A school of brilliantly coloured fish swam past us, brightening the dimly lit room. I ran up to the glass and just gaped at it all.

"Hibari look! It's a Dory!" I point at a blue fish, jumping up and down excitedly. "Oh, oh! And over there's a bunch of Nemos!"

"A Blue Tang or Blue Surgeonfish. Paracanthurus Hepatus." He said with a nod to the Dory. Then he tilted his head to the Nemos. "Anemone Clownfish. Amphiprion Oscellaris."

"…!" He left me speechless at his unexpected, extensive knowledge of fish species.

"…What?" He demands, a little unnerved by my analysing gaze.

"Could it be that…" I search his facial expression carefully. "You like 'Finding Nemo' too?"

"Okay, even I didn't expect you to say that."

He whacks me hard on the head and twirls around so I can't see his face. As I nurse my sore head I can see his ears are red and he's gripping the handrail along the glass pretty tightly. Hmmm, so he gets flustered surprisingly easily… the beast is human after all.

With a huge grin I grab his arm and drag him to the next room. "Come on let's go! Ooooo, what kind of fish is that?" He was still blushing and struggled lightly as I dragged him deeper inside. Who knew he had such a cute side?

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After a while he calmed down and went back to his usual blank expression. He knew the names of most the fish and a bunch of other facts about them. It was probably the most I've ever heard him talk, even if they were only three or four word sentences. Come to think of it this is probably the most I've ever talked with someone too.

We took our time looking in each room. My favourite has to be the glass tunnel we went through with all the fish swimming around above us. Hibari took his revenge on me with the touch pool. Let's just say starfish thoroughly freak me out now.

That's another thing I learned about Hibari today; he's unexpectedly cheeky when he wants to be… and a cazzo too, seriously, I'll never look at a starfish the same way again. I shudder again just thinking about it…