8/30/06

Summary: The wise with their melancholy philosophies sometimes get too absorbed in pessimism. Fortunately, friends may ease their troubled minds.

Summer Nights

The night had descended slowly across the sky. A soft breeze fluttered through the air. The tranquility of such a late summer night was a peaceful moment to cherish in and or itself. Any world was a fast moving and turbulent place to belong to, so he knew it would not last. It would not last like all the other peaceful moments, and the ones that weren't. Of course it would be useless to think that anything ever truly stayed the same in one place, in one person. If not, then there would be no sense of Time, no way to grow, no way to understand. Although he had to admit, it was nice to revel in the moment before it could be passed. Some of the most simple things could be the most beautiful of all.

A sudden but not disturbing displacement of air ruffled the last remnants of the heat of the summer day into the room. Of course he knew what had happened, this occurred every now and again, taking turns in becoming frequent and infrequent in their appearances. His small smile detectable in the glow of the light, he faced the cause of the disturbance.

"Konbanwa Hiei. I trust you are well?" he asked.

"Hn."

A small chuckle escaped him at this response, so typical. The half-hearted glare he got in response to his titters only proved to fuel them more, but he refrained from his continued teasing being so early in the visit.

"What brings you tonight my friend? Urgent matters or the usual reason that only I may entertain you in this extreme time of boredom?" The small smile grew bigger; maybe his teasing wasn't as controllable as he thought. Foxes have their games after all. Another smirk.

The unchanged stare from his guest meant that he would not waste the breath on an answer already known between the two of them. Hiei's slightly laid back and less stiff posture signaled not only his familiarity with the place but reflected his desire for a more or less calm night with his companion.

"I think I might know of something to cheer your spirits up a bit Hiei." This sentence brought a questioning look to his guest's face, "Would you care for some sweet-snow? I've stocked up since your last visit." The laughing little smile never left the kitsune's face.

"Hn." The amusement was present even after the teasing jibe. Sweet-snow was involved tonight, making it more worthwhile to indulge the kitsune and put up with his little jokes. If he wasn't prepared to do that already, then there was little reason for his presence this night. Not to mention he actually liked the kitsune's company.

"I'll return shortly then Hiei. Do make yourself comfortable." Kurama was in a state of high spirits this evening, and clearly even his firm resolve to hold onto himself was shaken. The hiyoukai was just so fun to poke at. Then again, playing with fire come with a chance of getting burned; he'd been singed before, but that just added to the game. Hiei could also be a sport when he wanted to be.

Kurama made his way downstairs to the kitchen and pulled the tub of ice cream from the freezer. Giving his friend a very generous portion and himself a more standard one, he placed the tub back into the freezer and began to head upstairs. He halted halfway up as his thoughts from before came back to him unbidden and certainly unwanted.

How many more nights like this will there be? He knew all good things come to an end just as all bad things must, the balance must always be realigned, but how many more nights? Missions have already become few and far between; many close ones have already begun moving on with their lives. Of course he knew that the bonds forged between them will never fully disappear, but no one ever wants to lose something that they love. And one of the things this kitsune loved most was to have a nice relaxing day with his family and then get a very appreciated visit by his best friend and companion. Time goes on, as it always does, his family will grow older and change and he will outlive them. His close friends will be spread out among the worlds. But where would he be then? He didn't know if he would still be in contact with anyone, especially Hiei and his new position with Mukuro.

He shook his head and resolutely topped the stairs and re-entered his room. His friend was right where he had left him. Hiei had been sitting on the windowsill, eyes closed taking in the night, but opened them when Kurama came back in. Hiei detected turmoil within the kit and searched inconspicuously for the cause.

Kurama's thoughts refused to be banished once again. It weighed down on his soul and therefore weighed down the atmosphere, taking away from it's pleasantness.

"Say it," came a gruff command from the small visitor on his windowledge.

Somewhat startled, "Nani?" came unbidden from his lips in slight confusion.

"The question, baka. Say it."

Understanding came to Kurama. It appeared to be his turn then.

"Ano…Hiei, you need not concern-"

"Kitsune no baka," he interrupted firmly.

"Aa." Kurama sighed, very well. He took a breath and released his frustrations in a short sentence. "Nothing lasts, and when it goes, I don't want to miss what's going."

"You miss things because you don't want them gone." Hiei. Concise. To the point.

"You're right Hiei. However I don't want to miss them because they happened, or because I don't want them to go. I don't want my longing to have what is gone to be present so that my appreciation for those moments, the memory of them can be untainted by the sorrow that I feel for no longer experiencing them."

"You can't stop it," he said.

"Hai, I know. But I wish I could."

"You shouldn't."

"Nani? What do you-"

Hiei interrupted, "Is it gone yet?

"Is it-?"

"Is it gone yet?" He interjected again.

"No. Not this particular thing. Not yet, but there is no telling when-"

"Then quit sulking and enjoy it like you know you should baka!"

Kurama straightened a little from the soft force of the statement. Of course he knew, just sometimes it's easy to get lost in what you want and forget to follow what you know. He'd been so immersed with the facts that these things will pass, that he blinded himself to what he knew had to be done. Kurama smiled softly in acceptance and appreciation of his friend's words, and for opening his eyes again.

"Arigatou goziamasu Hiei," Kurama's smile turned more into a smirk as he prepared to tease, "and your reward is this!" He handed the bowl of ice cream to the hiyoukai.

A few silent moments of happy thinking and considering passed for the kitsune when he heard Hiei grumble slightly irritable, "Kurama…"

"Hai, Hiei?"

"You took too long you baka kitsune! It's half melted!" He stared down at his bowl in an almost pitying way. Kurama peered into the bowl as well and indeed found it half-melted. He looked at his bowl and what used to be ice-cream was just a thick soup of melted dairy product.

"Oh dear…" he said faintly to the air, sweat-dropping. Then he began to softly giggle at the situation.

Of course, these nights were precious to him. He would enjoy them as they come and appreciate them as they go. There is no need for sorrow yet. He will take it one step at a time, and although they will not last, there is no need to mourn something that has not passed yet. He will forever enjoy and love all those times but, on this particular tranquil and peaceful summer night he had a slightly grumpy fire demon on his hands, and that left little room for anything else.

Owari

Author's note: Thank you for reading my first piece of fan fiction. Reviews, comments, and insights are all greatly appreciated and welcome. I enjoy the feedback from those who take the time.

To all: Oyasumi nasai