Disclaimer: No, I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho; otherwise yaoi would be canon.
Delicate
~monday afternoon~
"Homework is not an option, Kurama. My bed is sending out serious nap waves. I can't help myself." It was hard to believe that it had been nearly nine years since he'd met the smartmouthed Spirit Detective; today was a perfect example. It might have only been a few months after Yusuke had upset his little heist with Hiei and that atrocious ogre, and shared his life energy with Kurama in order to save the kitsune's human mother. To that end, Kurama still felt, deep down, that he owed the younger man an enormous debt...but unfortunately, that debt did not extend to allowing him to skip his homework, yet again. Kurama stood up from the detective's bed as Yusuke plopped down, stretching out in his trademarked 'slacker' pose.
"Yusuke, you do realize that I've been taking time away from my business in order to tutor you, correct?" There. Guilt the little bastard into doing his work as Kurama assumed a stern, vaguely angry expression. It was amazing how just hinting that his time was being wasted made most people shut up and get on with what they were supposed to be doing. He blessed Genkai a thousand times over for teaching him that particular trick, and reminded himself that she liked lilacs; if anyone deserved a winter bouquet, it was the master spiritualist. Green eyes glittered a little as the young man squirmed under his glare, and finally Yusuke sat up on his bed, apologetic.
"Alright, alright...how about this? We go down to the shop, you get caught up on your orders and I'll study in your office. That way, if I get too bogged down, I can water the plants or somethin'. That okay?" He grinned placatingly, hands up in a gesture of goodwill. Kurama pretended to muse over it, looking for any loopholes or other ways that Yusuke might use to get out of the arrangement before his evening release. Not that Yusuke wouldn't make sure that he was paid back, oh no. For all his faults, the boy...young man, was far more honest then most everyone his age, and more than a few older than him. No, Kurama wasn't worried about that, but he really did not relish Keiko's disappointment if Yusuke didn't make it into the police academy this time around. The poor girl had to wait on a wedding long enough; there was no point in seeing her suffer through her lazy fiance's lack of ambition too. Seeing nothing that could either concern him nor upset him, he nodded, and smiled warmly.
"Very well, Yusuke. And if you need me, you can simply ask. This way, we both get work done. I'll go down and get the car. Would you do me a favor and leave Hiei a note on your desk? He knows about your tutoring, and as he is supposed to visit this evening, I would appreciate it if he wasn't left waiting." Yusuke paused a little as he gathered up his school books, book bag in one hand. He'd grown quite a bit taller, but he was no less handsome, most of the baby fat that had lurked in his face long since gone. He had his father's rakish smile and powerful build, and no few girls had been throwing themselves at him since his return from Demon world. Those mischievious brown eyes held a touch of concern at they turned upwards to Kurama, though.
"Okay...but Kurama, he can just track our energy patterns like he usually does, can't he?"
"Normally, yes. However, Genkai called me yesterday with news that Hiei, while as always in good health, received an injury to his Jagen eye that makes it difficult for him to read energy patterns. He's on leave for a few months, and for some reason, he chooses to come visit us." Yusuke huffed a little and smirked, shoving his feet in his sneakers as he hoisted his bookbag, his height just barely topping Kurama's for the first time in their friendship. It was a little strange to behold, but the kitsune just smiled wistfully, thinking back to a time when they were all just a little younger...he shook his head to dislodge the old memories.
"He's just anxious about Yukina. You know how much he hates Kuwabara and humans in general, doubly so whenever they and Yukina cross paths. That and I think he's got a thing for older women, if his relationships with the old bat and Mukuro are any indication." Kurama rolled his eyes and held open the door, tossing the hastily written note he'd ended up writing onto the desk.
"Doubtful." He replied, following the detective out to his small car. "Hiei is simply a person who, having had little respect for his abilities in the past, treasures those who respect him now. Genkai helped to make him stronger, and has never once been afraid of him for it. Mukuro also aided him in that regard, and understands him on a level that I think even he doesn't quite yet comprehend. Even Hiei needs a little TLC, Yusuke." He started the car, and before long they were motoring out to the small flower shop that Kurama had opened shortly after he had returned to the human realm for good. He noticed that Yusuke had quieted for a change; staring out the window at the world passing them by as the kitsune drove. Snow had started falling this morning, and now there was a light, pretty frosting over the city; a delicate reminder that winter was in control. Soon enough, though, he was pulling into the tiny parking lot, and heaved a sigh at the mass of customers inside. Oh, joy. He hoped that poor Keiko wasn't too overwhelmed; Yukina was usually his helper on the days he tutored, but the ice maiden had asked for a day off to go out shopping with Shizuru. He sighed, and glanced at Yusuke.
"I have a request of you, Yusuke. Will you help Keiko while I tend to the arrangements?" At the detective's swift grin, he laughed a little, and forgoing the safety of the car, they both entered the fray, Yusuke making a beeline for a very overwhelmed Keiko at the register. He dropped his bag behind the counter, gave her a swift kiss, and took up a post bagging and boxing the flowers and vases being passed his way. Shaking his head at the mess his store already was, Kurama tied back his hair with a tiny rose vine and headed into the back of the store, where his greenhouse opened invitingly. He sighed a little, then set to work arranging the many long-stemed roses tossed around willy-nilly. Of course he'd forgotten about the onset of Christmas, and New Year's not long behind it. And as always, the neighborhood's annual blind-one-another light displays and holier than thou parties were in dire need of floral arrangements.
"Only in the human world..." He muttered, finally done caring for the lone flower buckets. He turned to his workdesk, and blinked. Standing there, examining an ivy wreath with all the curiosity of a child, was a small figure, dressed head to toe in a black uniform that hugged his wiry body. Impecably polished black boots, a silken white scarf around his neck, and that tell-tale white bandage poking out of his right hand sleeve. And of course, the shock of black hair that defied gravity in all worlds...Kurama felt a smile tug at his lips, a real one, as he held his breath, content to watch Hiei show that rare side of himself, that was a child only half-grown, alone and lost. Of course, the koorime knew exactly what he was doing; Kurama had never doubted that. Hiei did not relinquish control to anyone. In that respect, he and Kurama were identical, though he was far more impressively impulsive than even he would admit. But in this instance...it was that trust that made Kurama pause and wait, patient, even with the hordes outside demanding new and more impressive work of him. Not a one of them, save Keiko and Yusuke, could command his respect more than Hiei.