I'm not very good at combating writer's block but I'm doing my best, while going over this plot line I thought I should give all readers a fair early warning that THIS MAY TURN INTO YAOI.

I understand everyone has their own opinions about sexual orientation, but if you don't like yaoi stop now. Don't read it.

Chapter 2

An hour later, Kazuma returned with what literally looked like a feast. For Hiei, used to living in the unforgiving forests of the Makai, seeing food like this in such abundance was a rare event; he did not try to mask his genuine look of surprise.

Kuwabara has placed the tray of food in front the fire demon.

" I just prepared this miso soup, it goes especially well with the domburi. There's also a fresh tray of wasabi on the side, with a glass of water, I wasn't sure if you liked soda. Tell me as soon as you're finished with this because I had already prepared the desert, but I needed to keep it in the freezer-"

Kuwabara briefly glanced over his work again, the napkin was folded perfectly, and the dish was displayed so elegantly a five star chef would have approved. He almost put an orchid flower floating in the water, but he decided it was a little too girly. Was this some super hidden talent of Kuwabara's? Well truth was he was actually a very good cook, his mother never being home, and Shizuru the anti-kitchen feminist; but no, this was the result of sheer and utter procrastination, with a hint of hospitality.

As soon as Kuwabara realized his distracting task of preparing food was finished, he stated to sigh and get up. Hiei mistaking Kuwabara's expression for disappointment in his own reaction quickly added,

"Thank you, Kuwabara."

"Oh, no problem, enjoy."

Kuwabara huffed back over to his desk, and Hiei, eyes never leaving Kuwabara's turned back slowly began to eat.

Long after the last drop of rice was consumed, Kuwabara had begun pacing the room, paperback book folded open in one large hand, the other hand moved around as he tried to remember the passage. His hand moved to the crook of his neck, to the shoulder, to out the side. He repeated the lines over and over in his head.

Hiei found this all incredibly amusing. Kuwabara would pace the room wall to wall while reading the book, then abruptly he would put the collection of poems behind his back and look straight up at the ceiling trying to recall the words he had just committed to memory.

Hiei was recalling different memories. He was thinking of the first time he had met Kazuma, and almost slit his throat instantly. The only thing that had stopped him was his honor code in which the young are not to be slain. Next to Hiei and Kurama, both Yusuuke and Kuwabara had been but children. Now at the age of 17 Kazuma had been growing into his body, and had grown much more mature.

"DAMN IT, POE!"

Well, a little more mature.

He remembered despising Kuwabara; so infinitely hopeful and optimistic. It was obvious this human had never been touched by a moment's despair in his perfect nigen world. Protected by everyone; humans were so mundane from their box of innocence. He internally grimaced at the teen's proclamations of honor, dignity, and manhood. In truth, he was baffled by how someone could be so naïve. So emotionally unmolested.

"Ermm," Kuwabara grimaced

Hiei's eyes rose to Kuwabara's face, this was new… he had never seen Kuwabara look defeated- bruised broken, and bleeding, yes, but not emotionally defeated.

"I really need help memorizing this." Kazuma thought

Kuwabara had called Keiko on the phone; she had been tutoring him claiming it in turn helped her to understand the material better. After a cursory glance over each stanza he asked Keiko which one she decided to memorize, and how BY GOD, had she done it.

"Well, I couldn't really decide which one I liked the most so I just decided to memorize the entire poem," Keiko responded matter of factly.

Kuwabara rubbed his eyes with his fingers,

"Of course you did,"

"Well, what was really helpful was reciting it to someone else, I had my mom listen and correct me, that way I couldn't cheat by looking back at the poem, you should try it Kazuma."

And so he had turned to poor Hiei, who had already had enough shock for one day, and begged him to help him memorize the passage. He said he could even pick which one, just please, please help.

"Will it stop your incessant pacing? You're driving me mad."

Kazuma bit back an insult, "Yes of course,"

Hiei held his hand out for the manuscript, which Kuwabara immediately produced.

Hiei quickly read through the poem, then read it again, and… even a third time. This poem was the antithesis of everything he imagined human thoughts to be. He had always thought humans to be superficial and monotonous, but this poem was beautifully written, juxtaposed to the tragedy of the words. He promptly picked his favorite passage, showed Kuwabara and they began.

"Again."

"But the raven still be-gulling,"

"BeGUILing,"

"Beguiling, my sad thinking into smiling, straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door,"

Kuwabara recited the rest of the stanza in its entirety, perfectly cleanly precisely. On the very last word, Kuwabara bounced up and fist pumped,

"YES! Mission accomplished, done for tonight!"

Hiei smirked and bent his head to look out the window; it had stopped finally stopped raining though it was 12:30 at night. He stood up and handed the collection of poems back to Kazuma.

"Hey, I know it's still wet outside if you wanna stay here you can take my bed, I'll snag the futon in the living room."

Hiei merely shook his head, propped open the window and disappeared. That was enough Kazuma for one night. He wondered if he would return the next time it rained, the shook off the thought was quickly as it had appeared.