Intertwined
By Christine Lennoire
Part One: A Dying Flower
Kurama sat almost perfectly motionless on the bed. His hair rested gracefully on his shoulders, not moving an inch without any wind to stir it. In his perfectly poised position, eyes showed no sense of discomfort, nor a sense of anything going on around him. A perfect peace fell on him slowly and calmly. But in his hand was a rose that no longer held the beauty and captivity of the living soul Kurama knew that it possessed. For short, he could sense its soul and spirit dying slowly. In-tune with the natural life around him, he couldn't help but feel sad, as if it were a real person was dying right before his very eyes. Even his peaceful world was cracked open as his face settled into a soft but sad frown.
Without moving much at all, Kurama began twirling the wilting rose within the confines of his fingertips. It rotated and moved gracefully as his fingers led it on a dance. The color was draining, and it had turned darker, preparing itself for death. Kurama could feel the weakness in the stem and petals as they brushed his skin on its path around his fingers.
If we could see the human soul before it dies, is this what we would see? Weakness everywhere and not an ounce of the greatness it once held? Are we all doomed to whither away to the same thing, no matter how strong we become? Should I be able to see my mother's soul… how strong would it be? All these things I do not know, I search for the answers. Is this beautiful thing to die so ugly and never be remembered for the light it once brought to the world? What a dismal and horrendous thought. But perhaps it is the cold truth that we refuse to let into our hearts heated by the fires of pride. We think that we make a difference, but perhaps we are just larger flowers in the balance of the world… disposable. More will come along, so we hold no sort of regard for these that are right here, right now…
His thoughts racked his mind loudly with accusing and terrible thoughts that screamed at him mercilessly. In his deep trance, he never noticed the demon that entered through the open window. Kurama opened the window earlier that morning, hoping for some air; however, it seemed that the summer was completely still. Eyes closed, Kurama couldn't see him, and his senses were so ensnared with his thoughts that he didn't become aware of the Ki of his ally and friend, Hiei, who just stared at him and the flower with vague and hidden curiosity. No one was better at putting up masks than the dark and tormented fire demon. He perfected it all his life as a way to protect himself.
Seeing the deeply pained look on the fox's face, Hiei tried to place the cause. Never one to be good with subtleness, he took the flower from Kurama suddenly and looked at it closer. Kurama felt the item being snatched away and his awareness came rushing back, startling him a great deal. It was also shocking to see Hiei right there, standing so close. Besides, he hardly ever came during the daylight hours unless something was really wrong. Kurama hardly knew what to say, struck with a sudden inability to be his naturally calm and poised self. For a moment, his movements were jerky, as if trying to regain the balance that Hiei threw off. "Ah." He stuttered. "Hiei… Is something the matter?"
Emotionlessly, Hiei snorted his usual reply: a simple "Hn" and continued looking at the quickly fading flower. "I should be asking you that." He said after a moment of silence, which was unusual for the quiet and stand-offish demon. Kurama realized that he must have looked depressed in his state of thought and cracked a small smile, glad to know that nothing else was seriously wrong. Taking the flower back from Hiei's prodding hands, he sighed.
"Really, it was nothing. Sometimes I just think too much." He said, sitting the flower on the bed beside him and putting it out of his mind. "But you know... you really did startle me. Though, it is nice to see you once in a while." Kurama said, lightly tapping Hiei's nose. Kurama wouldn't say any more to Hiei. He knew better than to ask him questions, because he would probably never answer them, unless he was in a really good mood. And he didn't look like he was in a bad mood, but Kurama couldn't remember more than one or two times when Hiei was in a really good mood… But his company was good enough. It made him… happy at least.
Glaring, Hiei leaned back against the wall. "Stupid fox…" he grunted, raising his eyebrows slightly. Kurama listened intently. Whenever Hiei chose to speak, he usually had something important or insightful to say. "Everything dies. Who cares? People nor objects can change the world." He said brutally.
I suppose he's right, you know. It's a waste to think that one person can change the world. Society changes the world, not people. And certainly, flowers can't either, or anything else of the sort, I suppose. What a dumb thing to worry about… Kurama didn't fully believe that… or at lease it still bothered him a little. Either way it sounded so dreary. What are we living for as individuals if we can't make a difference anyway? It seems to make life a pointless joke if you think about it that way…
Hiei growled. "There you go again." He said, simply speaking to knock Kurama out of his thoughts again. "No one can change the world. It would be too easy if such a small thing could make such a big difference. Life would become a cinch, or too hard, depending on how many people tried to create their own image of the world. You humans focus on the wrong thing. Instead of changing the world, it would be wiser to focus on changing someone's view of the world, or trying to change the world for people, because everyone's views are so different. It's much easier and more effective that way, if that's what you want to do."
"That flower made you question your entire view of existence. You could do the same for other people, for better or for worse, if you tried." Hiei tried to speak as unemotionally as possible, but Kurama could tell that he was just trying to mask his in-depth thought and emotional state. Kurama instantly smiled brighter, thinking about everything that Hiei said. Everything he said made sense and it seemed almost like Hiei had thought it over a great deal…
Kurama hugged him suddenly. "Thanks. You're right, you know." He said, wrapping his arms tightly around the person who had just changed his view of living with a few simple but profound words of wisdom. "But tell me… that seemed pretty deep down for you." He grinned. "What ever made you think of something like that, Hiei?" The small fire demon cringed at the contact but didn't push or shove, though he did sigh deeply in agitation. Show a little emotion and suddenly he gets all clingy… Whatever.
"Hn. Do you think that the idea was mine? Of course I learned it somewhere else!" he snorted. "My first vision of the world in general was that everyone deserved to die, human and demon alike. As my powers developed, I began to love demon life, and decided that humans were my true hatred. Still, I learned that it's not groups that I need to focus my hatred on, but singular beings. Some creatures aren't all bad. One even showed me a little kindness. Is that good enough for you?" he asked gruffly. Kurama's face slowly changed from complete shock to utter completion.
I think I understand now… "We are all, as beings, intertwined in the hands of some greater, divine object. Perhaps it is the world, or maybe some god… but we are twirled about on this string that represents our life. But is it so bad? We are not wrapped about so tightly that we cannot move freely. Choices we make are truly our choice." Yes… intertwined. Thank you, Hiei. For once it was I that had a lesson to learn from you. Now we have come full circle.
Fidgeting a little, Hiei make a small disgruntled noise. "Alright. That's enough." Kurama realized he was still holding the demon and let go. My stomach twisted just a little a moment ago… That's never happened before. But it wasn't unpleasant. Hiei… my views of you have changed as well as my vision of the world. Did you do that? Or was it me? I can't tell, but… I don't think I mind. Not really, anyway. You have always been precious to me, Hiei. As a friend, no matter how close or distant, you have stuck by my, and I wouldn't give those moments up for the world.
If Hiei seemed bothered before, he was practically jumping out of his seat now. "What's that look, fox?" he asked, looking at the emotion-stricken face of Kurama. The fox just smiled and leaned closer to Hiei's face, bending over so they were now the same height. "I don't like it at all."
"Hiei, I am uncertain myself, you know." But he continued to grin. "Still, I am willing to bet that should I follow these emotions, I shall end up intertwined in more than just the hand of the world." He said in a seductive tone. Hiei didn't know how to handle the situation cautiously, so he made a grunting sound and dashed out the window quickly. Kurama sighed and sat back on his bed, not really down about it, just curious. I wonder if I should have said that… I guess it's too late for that. I will just have to wait and see what is going to come of this.
On the bed, the flower had lost it's first petal and begun to fully wither away. Kurama spotted it and took it to the window. "Your life is over, but I will never forget how you have changed my life…" he grinned, dropping it out the window. The petals fell slowly and gracefully, as if showing it's former beauty in a small act of strength. Kurama smiled. "I can't believe I didn't see it sooner…" he said, closing the window and turning his back on it.
Whatever…
For a moment, their thoughts aligned. Hiei rested against the tree outside Kurama's house. What is this feeling? He looked up as he noticed Kurama standing with his back to the window. I don't think it's bad. That's what scares me the most. I don't want to get wrapped up…
Love. Where did that thought come from?
Unable to contain his curiosity, he zipped back up to the window. Kurama sensed him, and wondered what he would say now that he put everything together. Opening the window, Hiei pushed him backwards with a simple movement. His face was only centimeters away from Kurama's, and their lips… so close. Kurama was shocked. Not only by their position, but the cute look of curiosity plastered on Hiei's face. This was the first time he saw Hiei look so… sweet and innocent.
Even more so when he cutely leaned forward and placed a tentative kiss on Kurama's lips. Pulling back quickly, Hiei blushed and tried to pretend nothing happened. Kurama placed a ginger touch on his lips and smiled. It's a start… I want to heal you Hiei. You have been treated so badly, but you are not alone anymore. I will not leave you.
Kurama smiled and extended his hand to Hiei. "Come on. Let's go have some ice cream. It's so warm up here, and I've been having this craving for weeks." Hiei glared, but allowed Kurama to reach down and grab his hand as he led Hiei downstairs to the kitchen. If Hiei remembered correctly, he liked ice cream and it was pretty hot… Still, his mind couldn't help but wander… he looked down at their hands and smiled ever so slightly.
Their hands were beautifully intertwined…
Okay, well, that's part one. I don't want it to be a one-shot, so I'm going to probably continue this as soon as I can. Please review! Thanks.
Christine Lennoire
