Kurama wiped the trickle of blood off his chin before turning from the window. Slowly, painfully, he got up and shut it before pulling the blanket up over his wounded body. I have to go to school tomorrow…ugh. Kurama was not looking forward to trying to explain the bruise marring his lower jaw. He curled into a ball and heaved a shaky sigh. Depression threatening to overwhelm him, the fox could only bite his lip and tremble as the tears came thick and fast. Why me? What have I done to deserve this? And why am I so passive? Why can't I stop him? What's wrong with me!? Why can't I fight? I can't even bring myself to get help…I know what I have to do and yet I can't do it! He did not sleep that night. His tormented mind allowed him no rest.
"Minamino-san, could you come into my office for a moment?"
Kurama groaned inwardly. Figures the headmaster of the school would notice… why can't they just leave me in peace? With a sigh he followed the man into the office, aware of how terrible he looked.
"Is everything alright at home, Minamino-san?"
Kurama lied with a straight face. "Everything is fine. Why do you ask?"
The headmaster studied him for signs of lying, but Kurama was a master of deception. "I ask because you haven't been looking well these days. Are you getting enough sleep?"
That, at least I can answer honestly. "No. I've been so busy that sleep has become somewhat of a myth," Kurama managed a smile, though it did not reach his eyes.
The headmaster sighed. "Well, I can't make you tell me what's wrong, Minamino-san. But I can tell you that keeping it secret will do nothing to solve the problem."
"I assure you, nothing is wrong," Kurama got to his feet. You and your stupid pride, Kurama… but even if you could muster the courage to tell someone it wouldn't be him. The fox almost let out a rather hysterical laugh. Gods I need help….
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"Whoa, Kurama, have you lost weight?" Yusuke hadn't thought Kurama could get any thinner.
"Hello to you too, Yusuke," Kurama said with a small laugh. He shrugged. "Possibly. I never really check.
Hiei shot Yusuke a contemptuous look. Suddenly, the fire demon threw a punch at Kurama's face. Surprised, Kurama barely managed to jump out of the way, tripping and landing on one bent knee.
"You never let down your guard, Kurama; you should have had no trouble dodging that. Obviously something besides weight loss is the problem here," Hiei glared at the fox as he rose, his concern not completely hidden behind his angry red eyes.
Kurama sighed and brushed himself meticulously off. "I… haven't been getting much sleep lately. I'm afraid I am a little drowsy."
"Well, you had better wake up, Kurama, 'cause we're going to need your brains on this one!" Koenma poofed into existence inches behind the fox's head.
Kurama swore his heart had stopped. "Koenma!" He spun around in surprise.
Something is definitely wrong with him. Yusuke frowned and took a closer look at his friend. He's much thinner, and his hair isn't as silky as it usually is. Also…is it just me or is he favoring his right leg? The Detective's frown deepened and he glanced at Hiei.
Hiei was also examining the fox, but his eyes were sharper and noticed a few things Yusuke hadn't. He's moving stiffly, as if in pain. His back muscles are extremely tense and he's leaning far too heavily on his left leg. Hiei's ever-present scowl intensified as Kurama raised his hand to rub his eyes. The sleeve of his shirt pulled back, enough to reveal the edge of a faint bruise on the inside of the fox's wrist. What the hell…?
The fox in question was painfully aware of his two teammates' eyes scrutinizing his every move. It's hopeless… they're sure to notice… Kurama looked up as Kuwabara arrived, blissfully oblivious to Kurama's physical state and Hiei and Yusuke's stares.
As they started out for the trouble spot in the woods, Yusuke caught up to Kurama, whispering, "If anything's wrong, Kurama, you can always tell me," before passing him and taking point.
It took great self control for the fox to continue walking. Of course… Yusuke… if I can bring myself to tell anyone it would be him. He gazed absently at the Spirit Detective's back. Yusuke…whatever happened? You never knew it, but I loved you…once… Kurama felt his spirits rise and straightened a little, lifting his head and even managing a small smile.
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"I'm your little secret, aren't I, Kurama?"
"Y-yes, Karasu," Kurama managed to whisper, lowering his head as shame overwhelmed him.
Karasu grabbed his chin and tilted the fox's face towards his own. He smiled, almost sincerely. "You hate yourself, don't you? Poor, foolish Kurama…" Karasu pulled Kurama to him and kissed the fox tenderly. The raven was so gentle it was almost loving, almost as if Karasu actually cared.
Kurama's knees buckled and he fell into Karasu's arms, trembling. The raven held him, stroking his fiery hair so lovingly that Kurama almost started to cry. This is why I'm afraid to tell… he can be so gentle and tender, like he is right now. Even though I know he's mocking me, I can't help but love him during moments like this…Why, Karasu? Why can't it always be like this? Despite the fox's restrain, a tear leaked out his closed eye to dampen the front of Karasu's shirt. Damn… Kurama felt the raven's arms stiffen around his shoulders and braced himself for the blow.
It was a shock when Karasu dragged his tongue up the fox's cheek, licking away the saline trail. "Don't cry, Kurama. Unless, you want me to give you something to cry about?'
Kurama flinched. "N-no… please don't…" The raven's hands gripped Kurama's shoulders hard enough to hurt as Karasu growled deep in his throat. Kurama closed his eyes. I forgot how much he loves it when I beg for him to stop… To the fox's confusion and relief, Karasu still did not strike him.
The raven loosened his grip, but the bruises had already started to form under the cloth of Kurama's shirt. He chuckled and kissed the unresisting fox again. "Don't worry, my pet. I'm not really in the mood… I just dropped by to say hello." Kurama knew not to trust his word by now.
"K-Karasu…" he whimpered, still clinging to the slim figure. Suddenly the raven pulled away and looked him over. He frowned.
"You need to take better care of yourself, Kurama," he growled. "You used to look so nice all the time…"
Kurama tensed. "I-I'm sorry. I'll try." Just please, don't hurt me anymore….
Karasu's frown remained. "See that you do," the gaze softened, "I don't like seeing you like this, my fox," he kissed Kurama again, a little harder than necessary, before disappearing through the window.
Kurama sank down onto the bed, a little dazed. That's the first time in a while he hasn't gotten angry… I could almost say I would prefer it if he had... The green eyes filled with tears. At least when he beats me I know its how he really feels. It hurts so much more knowing that all his tenderness and caring is a lie… The fox fell back onto his bed with a sigh. I don't understand how I can still love him… How is it possible to love someone so heartless…so cruel and controlling?
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"It's Karasu."
Yusuke blinked sleepily and opened an eye. "Hiei? Wha--?"
Hiei's fist clenched on the hilt of his sword. "Karasu, Yusuke. He's not dead. He's what's wrong with Kurama."
Yusuke was awake now. "What the hell do you mean, Hiei?"
The fire demon glared at him. "I followed Kurama home to see if I could determine what was wrong with him. He's injured, Yusuke. I don't know if you noticed the bruises on his wrists and neck, or his limp, or the tension in his muscles, but Kurama is in pain. Then that… that… bird came in through the window and had Kurama pinned against the wall before I had even registered who it was."
The Spirit Detective stared at Hiei. "Why didn't you kill him?"
Hiei's eye twitched. "I was going to. I was about to when he pulled Kurama into his arms and kissed him. And for a moment," Hiei paused, "there was such a look of wild happiness in Kurama's eyes," He glared at the look of incomprehension on Yusuke's face. "Idiot. Kurama has fallen in love with Karasu."
Yusuke couldn't believe that. "But he hates Karasu!"
"That's what I thought too, Detective. But Karasu has somehow tricked Kurama into falling in love with him. And I will bet my life that he feels nothing for Kurama in return."
Yusuke gathered his scattered wits. "C-could you hear what they were saying?"
Hiei shrugged. "Not much. Neither of them are exactly what one would call loud people. I couldn't hear a word that came out of Kurama's mouth; everything I did hear was Karasu."
"Well?" Yusuke prompted.
Hiei looked irritated. He did not like having to speak for so long. "I heard Karasu ask Kurama if he hated himself. He said something like, 'Don't worry my pet, I'm not in the mood.' And then he told Kurama to take better care of himself. That's all I heard."
"… 'my pet'!?" Yusuke said incredulously. Hiei nodded. "Did Kurama do anything?"
"Not really. He sort of lay in Karasu's arms and looked terrified for the whole hour he was there. It didn't even seem like it was Kurama," Hiei looked away from Yusuke. "When I left, Kurama was curled up in a little ball in his bed, sobbing. He kept asking why," The fire demon was silent.
Yusuke stared at the wall. Kurama, crying? Kurama, in love? Something close to anger rose in him at that thought. He shoved it away. And Karasu's still alive? I don't get it. Am I missing something here? The Detective's overtired brain could not comprehend the enormity of what Hiei was telling him.
"Do me a favor, Detective," Hiei said, sounding more like his usual self. "Don't tell Kurama I've been spying on him."
"You got it, Hiei."