Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho…they belong to its creator and such.
Summary: Picks up after Mending Fences, yet Burning Bridges: An enemy comes back for a chance at revenge.
Rated: M
Revenge: How Sweet the Sound
Chapter 1
"My Lord, we've just received word that his presence has been requested for Wednesday morning."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes…as you said, everyone has a price."
"Yes, they do…is everyone else ready?"
"Yes, my Lord…the forbidden one is scheduled to be taken care of as planned."
"Excellent…things could not be going any better."
"Is there anything else, my Lord?"
"Just make sure we will not be double-crossed and get a message to my love that we will be getting her out Wednesday… and that our pet fox will be joining us as well."
"Yes my Lord."
a)a)a)a
Two months. It took two months for Kurama to find the perfect house and he got it at a steal, but the cost of him getting it at a good price, was that it needed a lot of work. He managed to find a house out in the suburbs that sat on 10 acres with the house sitting right in the middle. It was a bungalow style, small, basically 4 rooms (square) with one full bath, right in the middle. It was perfect. Stepping in the house, from the wrap around porch, you came into the living room and open kitchen, with the back two rooms used as bedrooms.
The only problem the owners had selling the house was, no one wanted to deal with the repairs. Kurama however was more than willing to take the challenge and for that, they gave him a good price just to get rid of the place.
The red head kept his apartment while the plumbing and electrical were updated and reworked, after that was done, he had the bathroom gutted and all new items put in. The kitchen got all new cabinets and appliances. The floors got redone, tile in the kitchen and bath, hardwood in the living room and carpet in the bedrooms. Now the only thing left to do was paint. Kurama had no idea what colors he wanted, but knew the old baby blue and yellows had to go. He was going to prime coat all the walls and then go back later and decide the style he wanted after he had lived there awhile. With only a week left on the apartment lease, he decided to have a painting party to get it done in a day or so and then he could start moving in. The outside of the house had been in good shape, though he wanted to change the outside colors as well.
Kurama found himself painting alone on Monday morning, he didn't mind, just the job was going to take longer this way. He was painting the back main bedroom first and as he was rolling away, he was thinking if he could get the two back rooms done, he could place all his belongings in them until the other rooms were dealt with.
Working his way to the last wall, he heard the screen door slam shut and a "Hello" before Yusuke came walking in the room.
"Yusuke." He said, putting down the roller to acknowledge his friend with a hug.
"Sorry I'm late. I had to make sure the place could run without me." The raven haired said.
"That is okay. I know you have a lot to do." The red head said.
"Well, I know you need help and I'm here, I can't stay to long. I need to get back and help with the lunch rush." Yusuke said, going over and grabbing a fresh roller out of the bag of supplies.
"Thank you." The red head smiled, pouring paint into another tray.
"Yusuke?" Keiko's voice sounded from the front.
"Yeah." He yelled.
"Ask Kurama if it's okay to put the food in his fridge?" She asked.
Yusuke raised an eyebrow, looking to Kurama, who shrugged and nodded.
"Yeah…it's okay." Yusuke answered. "Why didn't she just ask you herself?" He muttered so only the red head could hear.
The red head shrugged again.
Keiko came to the back. "This is a great place you got here." She said looking around.
"Thank you and thank you for the food." Kurama said as he started back in on the last wall.
"Oh I'm going out on the porch, this paint smell making me nauseas." She said, waving her hand in front of her face as she left.
"How is everything?" Kurama asked when Yusuke started painting the other end.
"Fine, just about 3 to 4 weeks to go." He said.
"Well, it will all be over with soon and then the real fun begins." Kurama said.
"Yeah, don't remind me. The midnight feedings, the changes, the crying, the….." Yusuke had stopped rolling and was staring at the wall as he talked.
"Yusuke." Kurama stopped and looked at his long time friend.
"Sorry." Yusuke apologized and started rolling again.
Kurama had been noticing, the closer the due date, the more spaced out the raven haired was becoming.
They painted in silence and finishing the one wall, they were just about to move the paint and supplies to the next room, when Hiei popped in asking to speak with Yusuke.
The red head raised an eyebrow as the two walked out the sliding door to the porch. Hiei waited until Kurama picked up the floor covering and moved into the other bedroom before saying anything.
Kurama came back in and saw Yusuke smile then look at him. He picked up more items and left again. When he came back, Hiei nodded and disappeared into the woods while Yusuke came back inside.
He held his tongue. It was none of his business what the two talked about.
Yusuke didn't say anything either as he picked up the last of the supplies and came into the other room.
"Hey what are you going to do with this room?" The raven hair asked.
Kurama let a soft smile come to his lips at the boy's way of 'don't ask'. "I am going to make this the office and library." He said. Planning to also put in a twin bed, just incase someone needed to stay, maybe his step-brother would come and visit sometime.
"That's nice." Yusuke said, grabbing an end of the floor covering. After getting it into place, he grabbed the tape and started taping the baseboards.
They just started painting when Hiei came in again. "Fox, do you have any candles here?"
"Why do you need candles?" Kurama asked as he stood up and went to the fire demon.
"I just need them." The fire demon growled.
Kurama answered, confused. "There are a few in the kitchen drawer on the right."
Hiei pulled the taller figure to him and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. "Thank you." He muttered before disappearing.
Kurama stood there a minute, then shook his head and went back to painting. He noticed Yusuke smiling at him.
"Problem?" He asked.
Yusuke laughed, shaking his head 'no', before he too continued to paint.
They were just about done, when Keiko came in and said. "Look who's decided to join us."
Kuwabara and Shizuru came walking in.
"Sorry we're late." Kuwabara said.
"That is quite all right." Kurama said.
Shizuru was looking at the red head and smirked. "Finger painting?" She said.
"Pardon." Kurama asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing." She said, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.
"Hey sis, go out side, geez, with the paint smell, you're libel to blow us up." Kuwabara said, shooing her with his hands.
"Sorry, but do you mind going out back and away from Keiko, the paint's already making her sick." Yusuke said.
"No big thing." Shizuru said and went through the sliding glass door from the room, going out into the woods.
The three started painting and was just about done when Hiei came in, yet again. "Fox, do you have an extra table?" He asked.
"Now what do you need with a table?" Kurama said a little flustered as he placed his roller down and again confronted the demon. The fire demon refused to paint and he didn't mind that, because he didn't expect it, but the interrupting was getting old.
"Shizuru asked…she wants to play cards." Hiei said.
Kurama's eyes widened some, but didn't ask what he wanted to ask, instead he said. "I have a small folding table. It is in the kitchen…just take the stuff off of it."
Hiei pulled Kurama to him again, giving another soft kiss. "Thank you." He muttered again, disappearing in a blink.
Kurama turned to see Yusuke smiling and Kuwabara looking sick. He knew Yusuke didn't mind them kissing in front of him, but Kuwabara, though he accepted them, didn't want to see it.
"Sorry." Kurama muttered and went back to painting.
"Hey, why ain't the shrimp painting?" Kuwabara asked after a moment of silence.
"Just shut up, blockhead." Yusuke said, holding up his paint roller, wanting to wack the tall orange haired.
"Hey." Kuwabara put down his roller. "Don't tell me to shut up." He said.
Yusuke also put his roller down. "You want your ass kicked again." He threatened.
"Gentlemen." Kurama said, getting their attention. "Kuwabara, do you honesty want to see Hiei paint?" He asked, holding up a hand when the orange haired opened his mouth to speak. "Think about it first." He warned.
Kuwabara closed his mouth, nodding in understanding.
"Oh man look at the time, we got to go." Yusuke said and began backing out the door. "Keiko, let's go." He hollered.
"Thanks again." Kurama said.
"No big…let us know when you're ready to move the furniture." The raven haired said. "We can use the pickup." He offered.
Kuwabara and Kurama finished the room before taking a break. The red head decided if they could just get the living room done, then he would take care of the kitchen later.
It was late afternoon and the living room was prepped and ready when Genkai and Yukina came walking in.
"Genkai, Yukina." Kurama said laying down his roller so he could greet them.
"Yukina, my love." Kuwabara was on cloud nine.
"What brings you by?" He asked.
"I just wanted to see the place. You know at my age this will probably be the only chance I'll have." She said, looking around.
"It is a very nice place Kurama, you and Hiei will be happy here." Yukina smiled.
Giving a slight nod, he said. "Thank you."
Hiei came in. "Brother…nice to see you." Yukina bowed.
"Yukina." Hiei nodded, passing her to get to the kitchen.
"Well, we better be going." Genkai nodded to the ice maiden, who giggled.
"Hey, I need to go to, I have class tonight." Kuwabara said, dropping his roller.
"Okay." Kurama was getting confused by the way everyone was acting.
"Can I take you two ladies home?" Kuwabara asked, holding an arm out for each.
"Thank you Kazuma." Yukina smiled, taking the arm.
"What about Shizuru?" Kurama asked, now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen the woman since Yusuke left.
"She left with Urameshi." The orange haired said, leading the two women out the door.
"Oh."
After they left, Hiei came over. "Are you about done?"
"I am done. This will take sometime, so I will do it tomorrow and I decided to not worry about the kitchen right now." Kurama said and began to clean up.
Hiei helped with the clean up and after they were done, he asked. "Are you up for a walk?"
Kurama thought about it, he was stiff and sore, but thought a walk would be nice, it was a cool evening and a full moon lit the woods.
"Sure." He said with a smile as Hiei took his hand and led him out. They got just a few feet into the woods when they came to a small clearing.
Green eyes went wide at the sight that greeted him.
There was a small patio table with two chairs. The table was covered in a lace table cloth and held two wine glasses, already filled. The candles Hiei had asked for, four in all, were lit and sitting in the middle. The folding table held three covered dishes.
"You did this for me." Kurama said, moving towards the table.
"I thought since I would be leaving Wednesday morning that I at least owed you dinner." Hiei smirked at the glow in the green eyes.
They sat down and Hiei uncovered the first dish. Kurama's eyebrows went up.
"Oysters?" He said.
"I heard they were a good…" The small demon said, blushing.
"Oh they can be, but I do not think we need help in that area." Kurama mocked.
"What…I was going to say finger food." Hiei said with innocence on his face.
"Oh, sorry, I did notice there were no plates or silverware." Kurama said, hiding a blush.
"Are they not a finger food?" Hiei asked.
"Yes. Watch." Kurama said and picked up one of the shells. Placing it to his lips, he opened his mouth and let the slippery nub slide in. He let out the smallest sound of a slurp, before swallowing and looking to the fire demon.
Hiei watched the whole thing and licked his lips causing Kurama to chuckle.
"Here, try one." The red head picked up another shell and leaned over, holding it to the fire demon's mouth. "Open." He said and let the oyster slip into the small mouth.
Hiei went to chew, but made a face.
"Swallow it whole, it will taste better." Kurama said, watching.
Hiei grabbed his wine glass, drinking the whole thing.
"What else is there?" Kurama asked, hoping Hiei had brought something for himself.
He uncovered another dish, revealing two steaks, both rare.
Kurama let out a laugh.
"What now." Hiei tried not to growl.
"Who told you steak was a finger food?" Kurama asked.
"Yusuke." Hiei answered a little embarrassed. The raven haired had told him Kurama would really like it.
"Well, if I was in my fox form." Kurama said, still smiling.
"I'll kill him." Hiei muttered.
"Hiei, Yusuke was teasing, but I think I can handle eating one with no silverware." Kurama said and to make his point, he reached over and picked one up. He bit it and then ripped a chunk off it, causing the juices to start going down his chin, he darted his tongue out, trying to lick it up.
Hiei's mouth watered at the sight of the red head's tongue licking the red juice off his chin. 'Maybe he needed to thank Yusuke instead.'
The fire demon picked his up and began to eat. Kurama kept looking at him until they finished.
"You have room for more?" Hiei asked, as they finished there was a musky smell in the air. Apparently Kurama had been getting turned on as well as they ate the steak.
"What is left?" Kurama said with a smirk.
The fire demon uncovered the last dish, it held chocolate covered strawberries.
"Mmm." The red head licked his lips.
"You like." Hiei said, picking up one and holding it out.
"Yes." Kurama reached over and took the tip of the berry in his mouth, making a sucking noise as he pulled the chocolate covered part in his mouth. He bit down and took the bite, slowing chewing as the fire demon watched.
Hiei picked up another one, but this time moved to sit on the red head's lap, before letting him eat it.
Kurama ate that one and reached for one, offering it the fire demon. Hiei ate it and they continued, each getting louder in the noises until they were done.
Hiei stood up. "I have one more surprise."
"Really." Kurama was curious.
"Can you cover this stuff up and come in when I ask you to?" Hiei asked, already walking backwards towards the house.
Kurama nodded and watched as he turned, heading back.
Placing the covers back on the dishes, the red head stood, blew out the candles and then covered the card table with the table cloth. Grabbing the glasses and the rest of the wine, he stood there and waited. It wasn't long before he heard in his head. "Come to me my fox." Smiling, he headed back.
Walking in, the house was dark, night had settled as they ate. Making his way back to the main bedroom, he was again surprised, to see a futon covering the floor and candles lighting the space.
'That's why Genkai showed up.' He chuckled, smelling the scent of the temple on the futon. Then he thought again. 'The food was from Keiko and Shizuru had disappeared into the woods…to help with the set up no doubt.'
Kurama felt arms wrap around him and he turned into the embrace, noticing the fire demon was already naked as he was pushed down on the futon. Kurama barely managed to sit the glasses and bottle of wine down.
Nothing was said as they kissed and touched. Getting settled on the futon, things heated up, until the point they were both flat on their backs, panting for breath.
"I need to take a shower." Kurama said, getting up. "I am offending myself." He went to grab his pants and noticed paint on them. Holding them to the window light, he made out a handprint in paint on the seat area in the back and on the crotch area in front. The handprints were small, but Hiei had small hands and he had pulled him to him when they kissed. That's why Shizuru said something about finger paint and way Yusuke smiled and…….
"Hiiii….ei." He said, looking down at the fire demon.
"What." Hiei noticed the red head was looking at his pants. "I was just marking what was mine." He stated with a shrug.
End Chapter 1
There is a companion piece to this called Painting 101…it is a scene between this Chapter and Chapter 2.
