Chapter 2: The Stranger
Preview: Kurama's been dealing with his social affairs with most of the humans that he almost forgot the feeling of being a demon. It had been years since his last visit at Mikai and he wanted the feeling of home. Then one night, as he pondered about his life, Hiei appeared and the fox felt he was home. He realized Hiei was his only connection to his old life and found his true feelings for the black demon. One sunset he took his chance and surprisingly acted on impulse as he kissed the nonplussed black demon. Hiei hit him and disappeared leaving Kurama alone. The fox was aware of what he did, but his next action was halted when he felt an unfamiliar aura. The sakura petals were hunting him.
continuation...
Kurama stared at the glass window of his room, watching the rain pour down from the dark sky. His room was very dark and cold. It had been three days since the incident between him and Hiei. The black demon did not show himself after that and the fox worried that he went back to Makai without hearing an explanation. Remembering the impulsiveness of his usually calm and composed demeanour, Kurama sighed and slump his back on the bed.
It was a bad moved. He should have taken it slowly. Hiei was Hiei and Hiei never tolerate those who betray him. Yes, it was a betrayal. Kurama knew he had betrayed the best friend he ever had. He hoped Hiei would consider his answer, since it appeared that he rejected him. He hoped someone would tell Hiei that it was normal to love someone. But somehow this hope didn't seem possible for the wilful Jaganshi never listens to anyone except to him- Kurama. But after the incident between them, this was hardly possible.
Calming himself and focusing, he closed his eyes and tried to feel for the black demon's presence as he had tried before.
Moments passed and Kurama did not stir from his position. In his mind's eye he could only see darkness…
Hiei… where are you?
A petal slowly fell out of nowhere and landed itself on the darkness, creating a disturbance to the pool of tranquillity in the fox's mind. Kurama's eyes shot open and he immediately sat up on the bed.
"A petal of sakura…again?"
*.*.*.*.*
Genkai was walking along his temple's hallway, looking weary as ever. The rain was continuously pouring from the sky and it was very cold. He was up to set the heater of the temple when he noticed Yukina by the front porch. She was staring on a large tree across the lawn, seemingly worried and upset.
"Yukina, you should leave him be."
Yukina turned to the old master. "Genkai…"
Genkai stood beside the girl and looked over to where she was looking. Across the lawn, up a tree branch was a spiky, black haired demon with a white strip of cloth covering his forehead. He was clad in black with a long sword hidden inside his black robe. He had his eyes closed and he seemed to be asleep, but everyone who knows him knew better.
Yukina smiled at Genkai but shook her head.
"I want to talk to him."
Genkai travelled her eyes to the snow girl.
"Just don't get caught up in the rain." And with that the master of the temple took her leave.
Yukina looked back at Hiei and called, "Excuse me? Hiei?"
To her surprise, the black demon took notice by turning his head to her direction and sitting up straight; allowing one of his legs to slid down and hang on the branch. "What?"
"Would you want a cup of coffee?"
Hiei stared at his sister.
Inside the temple, Yukina served Hiei with a cup of coffee she prepared herself and set up the heater they had on the house, before finally sitting up and looking at the red eyed demon.
"You've been here quite long."
Hiei took the cup and brought it up to his lips. Through his lips he remembered Kurama's face and almost toppled the cup down.
"Dammit." He cursed as he set the cup down.
"I'm sorry," Yukina apologized at once, "I thought you liked a hot coffee…"
"No- it's not that," Hiei didn't know how to say it, "I had something on my mind."
"Did you have a fight with a friend?"
Hiei looked up to his sister in surprise, "How did you-?"
Yukina smiled kindly. "It's in your eyes."
The black demon did not say anything for awhile, until finally he nodded.
"He's an idiot, that's why." he continued with a look of confusion in his eyes, "He changed a lot since I last saw him… doing reckless things… messing with me…"
Silence filled the siblings. Yukina continued to watch the Jaganshi until she made up her mind and said
"There's always a reason for change."
Hiei's eyes met up with hers.
"But before you judge him, why don't you consider all the things you've been through? Maybe it was just a misunderstanding. Maybe if you talk to him he can explain his side to you… That way you don't have to grow apart. You will feel much better if you talk to him now."
"I can't." Hiei said stubbornly, standing up and heading for the doorway, "What he did was condemning, even hateful."
"But you still like him, right?" Yukina called as he slid the door open, "He's still your friend."
Hiei stopped for a moment, before leaping up and disappearing in the clouds of rain. Yukina stared sadly at the spot where the black demon disappeared and stayed quiet for a moment. She was sure that Hiei still liked to be friends with his friend, judging by how troubled he looked, she knew it wasn't too late to make up.
Jaganshi watched as Yukina closed the door of the temple after a few minutes of staring blankly ahead. His sister never knew the real Kurama. The real Kurama was a sly devil, who liked nothing but to take priceless treasures. He was a legendary thief who liked everything to be his. Still…for the past years that he was in the presence of the red head demon, he felt nothing but goodness from his heart. A kind heart between the sharp edge of his whip and thorns of his rose, Kurama was a good person.
Hiei gritted his teeth in anger as his hands closed into a fist. Why did you do it? He demanded at the image of the fox in his mind's eye, Why did you have to kiss me? Kurama was a fool, doing something loathing as kissing him. Hiei raised his fist and slammed it on the tree trunk he was in. You unforgivable damn demon!
*.*.*.*
The red head, bishounen, Shuichi Minamino walked around the University campus looking preoccupied. He barely noticed the people around greeting him as he walked on while thinking hard if he should just go to the demon world and meet with Hiei and be done with it. It was the only choice he could think of.
Upon reaching his respected classroom for the hour, Shuichi did not miss the loudest scream he had ever heard.
Not again…
He looked up, expecting a crowd of people to block his way, but saw none. Curious, he looked inside his classroom to see a crowd of students gathering in the middle of the room, around someone he could not see.
"He looks like a prince!"
"He is a prince, dummy!"
"Look at his hair… it's so beautiful…!"
"He could run Shuichi for his money!"
"There's Shuichi!"
"Shuichi!"
The group of university student broke apart, revealing the most beautiful being Kurama had ever laid his eyes on.
There, sitting coolly on a chair, was a tall, handsome man whose long, golden and silky hair was tied into a pony. His eyes were the electrifying colour of amethyst, and Kurama had never seen something so precious, so rare, and so valuable. He was wearing their campus uniform that fitted his slender body. It made him somewhat out of place as well. Kurama just knew he did not belong there. The stranger looked him with his sharp eyes and the demon fox felt a wave of uneasiness.
"Hey Shuichi- looked at our new exchange student classmate!" called one of his classmates.
As Kurama walked near he felt the intensity of the amethyst that followed his every movement. It was unnerving. He took the seat that was farthest from the new comer and tried to settle himself.
What is this feeling?
"Shuichi Minamino?" A deep voice called.
Kurama shot a look up and saw the strange beauty was standing in front of him.
I didn't even feel his presence?
"Yes." he managed to say calmly as the students around watch with giggles.
"They're talking!"
"He went to meet him!"
"They're both so gorgeous!"
"I can't believe two beautiful people are in front of me now. This must be what heaven feels like!"
The stranger offered a hand and smiled charmingly. "Halvarid de Beaumont. It is a pleasure to finally meet a beautiful talent like you."
Kurama looked at the hand and reluctantly took it. They shook hands and the fox looked Halvarid in the eyes…
Talk about beauty…
Halvarid smiled once more. "Let's have a good relationship."
Kurama nodded but didn't say more. Halvarid turned and was talking with the group of students again that left the red haired in solitude once more. He followed the golden haired with his eyes and then went back in his own thoughts.
Later that day Kurama waited on the roof top, watching the same sun set he had shared last with Hiei before he disappeared. The demon fox remembered his sudden action and felt a little regret. But he would have to deal with Hiei later; right now he has to face the beautiful creature that suddenly appeared in his midst. Kurama just knew he was different.
And he wasn't wrong as he felt a different presence behind him. The green eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?" he whispered.
"I have told you," said the familiar deep voice. "I am Halvarid de Beaumont."
Kurama turned around and faced the handsome guy with suspicion in his eyes.
"I can feel you are not who you appear to be." He said in a casual tone as their eyes met. The sun between them was a background of fire.
"I am who I am." Halvarid said, his expression not changing, "But you…you are more than what you appear to be."
Kurama arched an eyebrow, "So I was right, you are not a normal person- with your looks and the aura you are emitting…Tell me what your purpose here is?"
Halvarid eyed Kurama, and there was something in his amethyst eyes that made the fox flinch. The amethyst eyes were serious and it was sending clear messages to him: Evil. Lust. Desire. He had seen that kind of look before…
"I am here for only one purpose, Shuichi, and that is to have you."
Kurama gritted his teeth and his suspicion grew.
"You are after me? Are you here to finish me?"
The gorgeous stranger disappeared in Kurama's sight and appeared inches away from him. Surprised and alert, Kurama jumped up and twirled in the sky, landing as far away from the stranger as he could.
"Don't fret." whispered the deep voice in his ear that made the fox froze, Halvarid was behind him already! "I am only here to have you and make you mine."
A lick on his neck made Kurama anything but calm.
"Stay away!" he shouted, pulling out his rose whip and striking it to the enemy. Halvarid easily distanced himself with a look of yearning in his beautiful, amethyst eyes. A short scratch appeared on his right cheek and blood seeped out slowly. Kurama watched him with caution. He knew nothing about the enemy, but judging by the way Halvarid moves, he was strong.
Halvarid touched his bleeding cheek and smiled.
"And here I was thinking we could get along well, maybe even go into a date." He said playfully.
Kurama smirked as he prepared himself from another attack, "Sorry to disappoint you but I don't go out with guys who are too aggressive. You can have yourself another one."
Halvarid licked the blood on his palm. "That won't do." He said, "I only want you."
And they started a long chase among the buildings, running like shadows with how fast they go. Kurama wasn't surprise Halvarid could make a chase and this confirmed that he was not ordinary. Thinking of a way to get rid of him, Kurama jumped down near the park and tried to conceal himself in the woods. Once on the ground he made an attempt to run again until he saw Halvarid blocking his way.
"What?" he muttered, making a jump for it but strong hands gripped his wrist.
"You can't run anymore. Give it up and accept me, Kurama."
Kurama's eyes widened at the use of his real name and he stared up at the amethyst eyes with question in his eyes.
"How did you-?"
"I know who you really are, and of your true form." Halvarid pulled Kurama close to him and grabbed his other wrist. "You are beautiful."
"Why are you after me?" the fox felt he was being pulled by the energy of the stranger, close and closer. He tried to resist but the hold of the man or whatever he could be was firm. He was being captured.
"Because," Halvarid whispered as their faces grew closer, "You are a treasure that must be possessed."
Their lips were about to seal. Kurama's eyes flashed.
"I'm sorry but I don't fall into traps easily!" he said loudly as his long, red hair shot upward. It was covered with the rose whip, making its end point sharp. It was ready to stab when-
"I know." Halvarid's deep voice caught Kurama and that moment he saw a rain of sakura petals falling from the sky.
Sakura? Could this person be-? His thoughts distracted him.
Halvarid's eyes narrowed. He pulled Kurama close and their final distance was sealed by a kiss.
Hiei…
*.*.*.*
Yusuke Urameshi yawned carelessly as he sat on his bed early that morning. His hair was messy and his eyes still sleepy. But he just knew somebody was calling him. Could it be a dream?
"Yusuke." Hiei said quietly.
Yusuke blinked sleepily and pointed at the black demon.
"Midget?"
*bam*
"Ouch!"
Hiei held his fist near him with a vein pounding on his head. He watched the half demon scratch his bump on the head looking pissed.
"Why the hell did you do that for?" Yusuke exclaimed angrily as he addressed the black demon, "And WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM?"
To Yusuke's surprise however, Hiei merely looked away, and did not move on his spot.
"Hey- what's the problem?"
Moments later found Yusuke nodding with his arms crossed and still sitting on his bed while Hiei was now facing the window. The black demon did his best to relay the story to the half demon, knowing that he could trust him no matter how stupid he may look like.
"I see," Yusuke said after awhile as he looked back at the Jaganshi. "It's something expected, isn't it?"
"What?" Hiei looked at the half demon, his red eyes round and surprised.
"Well, you and Kurama knew each other longer and you trust each other so much," started Yusuke, "You get along so well, and you fight for each other. You are the best match there is if you ask me. With the length of your friendship and the things you've been through, surely there must be something in there that binds you?"
Hiei looked out on the window.
"You can't blame him if he has fallen for you, Hiei." continued the half demon knowingly, "Kurama is a soft person (Hiei snorted) and his emotions sometimes get the best of him. Though it is a shame that he really fell for you (deathly glare from the black demon), we both know that Kurama is always true to his emotions. That is the kind of person he is."
"But we're friends." Hiei appeared in front of Yusuke in a flash.
"Friends who have fallen for each other." grinned Yusuke, "Geez, I can't believe I'm having this conversation- and of all people- with you."
Hiei took some time to think, before turning to the half demon again, "Have you ever fallen for Kuwabara?"
*bam* Hiei returned on watching the window with a small bump on his spiky hair.
"I have Keiko, goddamit." said Yusuke with an annoyed vein pounding on the side of his head. The black demon looked sideways at him.
"But if you don't have Keiko, would you fall in love with that weakling?"
Yusuke blinked and then turned blue, felt queasy and then goosebumps.
"STOP TORTURING ME!" shouted the half demon.
Silence filled the two as Hiei stared far away on the window. He felt Yusuke stood up and walked near him.
"Don't be so damn confuse, Hiei." he said causally, with his hands on the side of his hips, "This is Kurama we are talking about. Surely you can feel something for him? If you haven't fallen in love with him for these past years then you must really be a goddamn twit with bean sized emotion."
"Are you mocking me?"
"I'm talking here. Now go to Kurama and tell him how you feel. I don't believe you never liked him. Kurama is such a likeable companion."
Hiei glared at Yusuke and the half demon backed away a little.
"Hey- I don't like him that way, stop glaring. What I'm saying is, with Kurama's character and appearance many people would go after him. He wouldn't have to look farther if he wants to like someone. There are plenty on his plate!"
"Yes, I know." the Jaganshi remembered all the humans that had gone after the fox. It was annoying.
"See?" Yusuke continued, "Now he chose you- of all people- god knows why but he chose you. Kurama, choosing the midget you! Doesn't that prove how much he likes you? Be grateful. And even if you don't like him that way you can just go and tell him. Kurama is an open-minded person, he'll understand. So what would it be?"
Hiei considered and then closed his eyes. Yusuke smiled as the Jaganshi started moving toward the window to leave.
"Look after Kurama!" he shouted to Hiei who looked back with a smirk.
"I'll let your mocking go, Yusuke. For now." and the Jaganshi disappeared.
Yusuke blinked, and then smiled. "They are so much trouble."
*.*.*.*
Hiei ran in the air as swiftly as he could with seriousness on his face.
Whatever Yusuke said, it made sense to him, and somehow it made him less confused. Kurama liked him even if he wasn't likable. He didn't care if nobody wants him before, didn't care if everybody wants him dead. That was because he never relied on anyone except for himself. Until he found Kurama.
A thump on his heart made Hiei stop on his tracks and evaluate his feelings. Yes, Kurama was a special friend. A friend he could not afford to lose. Why didn't he think of that?
Hiei followed Kurama's aura and found him walking, as usual, around the University premises.
"Kurama…" he whispered as he made an attempt to jump in front of him but then-
"Shuichi!"
Hiei stopped on his track above a tall electricity pole. He watched as a tall, golden haired guy approached Kurama.
Who is he?
He watched as the guy held Kurama's hand. The Jaganshi gritted his teeth in anger.
"Who the hell…" he murmured, his hands closing down into a fist.
Kurama and the stranger walked together while holding hands.. Hiei never felt so much revolt in his heart.
Fuck.
-to be continued-
Already working on Chapter 3 and enjoying it ;)
Thanks for reading and review^^
Sorry for the errors!
Let's have someone get kidnapped next chapter ^O^