Three (sort of)

Shwaa! I am amazing. Say it, go on, you know it's true. I love reviews that tell me I'm evil by saying that they love this, because, me being the mean, nasty, persony person I am, they are so, so, so wrong about this fic it's hilarious. First person to figure out what I'm babbling about gets a cookie, and may request a fic. If I like the idea, I'll do it, and depending, I may make it a one-shot or a chapter fic. But anyway, I'm doubting that's how it'll work. The contest is over when I spill the beans. And I might give clues in the fic, but I think you have to be me to get them. Look at the reviews, and you could get it. Maybe. evile grin

Okay, so a friend of mine, after reading this says to me "How do you come up with all this . . . crap?" (I was not a fan of the use of that word.) Well here's the thing. I write the middle/end of the story for at least a half hour, then maybe I'll do a relevant chapter. So, here is the unedited, I-was-bored-and-decided-to-type-randomly version of chapter three.

But . . . I'm stuck. I hate this. Not even the little sister is helping. Stuck . . . stuck . . . stuck . . . don't know what to write . . . yet more midterms tomorrow . . . Bah. AP tests are the devil. AP History, and AP English. That right there is a total of five essays , 115 multiple choice and 6.5 hours of my life wasted. I ran out of ink for three pens. In two days. And I still have Trig/Calc. Bah.

Okay, so here's the deal, with this story I mean. I still have to decide what the heck happens in it. See, Hiei's not really SPOILER! And the two of them fall in "love", 'cause Hiei doesn't know and Kurama doesn't know. But eventually, you find out that SPOILER! But he didn't ask to be a vampire. It was be changed or die, and at the last minute, he chooses to live life as a damned creature. Naturally, Hiei hates his master, and is sworn to kill him, if he can. So of course, when Hiei finds out about Kurama, he freaks, SPOILER, so Hiei can stake him, but since he's his maker, he can't kill him. Vampire moral codes. Go figure. So Hiei fights him, but SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER! So what does the redhead do? The only thing he can. SPOILER! But the whole thing with the title comes from the phrase 'blood is thicker than water,' and there's an older saying that says 'blood is thicker than water, but love is thicker than blood.' SPOILER! In short, if SPOILER! So they love each other, and SPOILER!. The end. I win.

I wrote that stuff at mid-terms. Finals are now over, and school starts in about a month. Oops.

SHOUT-OUTS!

Hellious-rebellious- Oh, and I just love to read death-threats from my reviewers. It gives me the warm-fuzzies. -

Brass monkey- grins sheepishly Okay, you caught me. Yes, I am indeed a die-hard Anne Rice junkie. I've read all of the books and own copies of my favorites. And did I really use "the dark gift"! facepalms Where? I must fix it . . .

Taikai no za Kokoro- Not a stupid question at all. I recommend you re-read that part, and see if you get it. I love the insight and connections you put in there, I appreciate interactive reviews!

Storm31- Hey hon! Good to hear from you again! I'm glad to be back at my computer too. I have a secret. Wanna know? Remember the idea for a sequel for Tadaima? Well, I revamped it to stand alone, without that obnoxious OC, and am currently trying to write it. For you! - Happy un-birthday. Oh, by the way, the use of the word 'hoot' made me giggle.

To the rest of my reviewers- Thank you all so much, I know it's been a while and that this sorry excuse for a chapter isn't going to do much for you (I just threw it together because you are all so wonderful you deserve it). I'd love to leave each of you a message, but that would take too long and I have to be at work in about 15 minutes. So hugs and cookies to everyone, and try not to be too disappointed.

Extra disclaimer- I don't own Starbucks, but seriously, you can't walk 50 yards in NYC without passing one. It's like, you wake up, get your coffee at the nearest one because it's convenient, and by the time you've finished your coffee as you're walking down the street, there's another freaking Starbucks. Oh, look. I think I need a cup of coffee. Even though I just got done with one. Yup. Caffeine-fix. (It drives me crazy.)

Chapter Three (for real)

Uncertain light from a nearby lamp threw his form into relief against the wall of the ally just behind the bar called Nocturne's Nest. He gave a sigh of pure joy, his tongue caressing the syllables that flowed from his lips. Kurama . . . the name reverberated throughout his mind. Never had he seen someone so vibrant, so beautiful. The redhead intrigued him, made him feel alive again. Made him long for the hunt. After, he watched the red Honda pull out of the lot before bursting into action. He had dragged a boy, gifted enough to sense what he was, stupid enough to think that he could win against one as experienced as he, around the back and destroyed him. And enjoyed it.

Slinking back around to the parking lot, he swung his leg over the seat of his bike, settling the helmet on his head. With a final glance at the bar, he headed for a tall hotel building at the heart of the cold jungle of steel.

Time Change

A pretty brunette stalked up to the door of a little church, and drawing herself up gracefully, began to pound on the door. "Kurama! Dammit, wake up!" She hammered until her fists were red and sore, but the only sound she could hear was the traffic behind her and her own ragged -not to mention pissed off- breathing. "KURAMA!"

"Wha-at?" She turned to see the redhead holding his ears, wearing a pained and suffering expression. In his hands, seeming to dangle from the sides of his head, were a large Styrofoam cup and a paper bag that bore the label 'Starbucks.'

She glared at him dangerously. "'What?' You have the audacity to ask me 'what?'?" Stomping up to him, she planted herself directly in front of him and hissed, "I am sick of waiting around for you. So we are going to go into your little church thing and you are going to explain what the hell you think you're doing, and then beg for forgiveness!"

The redhead cringed visibly. Following the girl to his front door, he unlocked it with a meek "Yes Celia," before letting her in.

Ten minutes later . . .

". . . And the next time it happens, mark my words bucko, you will be knocked on your ass so hard you won't know what hit you." Having completed her venting session, she stood before a thoroughly chastised redhead, fists resting securely on her hips, waiting for some form of reply.

Hanging his head, he looked up at her through his bangs. "I'm sorry."

"Damn skippy you are," she told him confidently. "And to prove it to me, you're taking off work tomorrow and we're going to a nice restaurant and then a movie. It'll be your last chance, so you better not mess it up. You are in deep shit, so I expect you to be humble and considerate for once in your life. Kapeesh?"

"Yes Celia."

Switch

The black-clad youth rolled over, tangling himself further in the linens of his bed. Squinting his eyes shut, he fought against the inevitable waves of alertness that lapped around him. With an annoyed exhalation of 'hn,' Hiei tossed the covers off, swung his legs to the floor and glared at the clock on his dresser. 11:57 blinked at him accusingly. 'How dare you be out so late?' the numbers demanded. Turing the appliance so it faced the wall, he stood, grabbing his shirt from the floor on his way to the bathroom, leaving the clock to flash a red glow on the cream-colored wall.

Pulling back the nylon curtain and twisting the knob, he examined his shirt while he waited for the water to warm up. The boy last night had been a fighter; there was a long gash down the front and one of the sleeves ended a few inches shorter than the other in a mess of frayed black fabric. With a sigh of disgust, he tossed the garment aside, he'd do something with it later. His pants followed suit, landing in a heap on the ground.

Stepping into the shower, he let the warm water glide over his toned body, giving a small moan of pleasure as his muscles finally began to unwind and relax. His hair fell around his face, soaked, too heavy to stand up in it's normal style. Raising his arm to brush a strand from his eyes, he caught a glimpse of crimson, blood that had dried on his fingers. Red . . . red hair . . . exquisite. He couldn't have him, and that made him want him more.

The blood began to drain from his brain to fuel another part of his body, his stomach tightening as his member hardened. Wrapping his scarlet-encrusted hand around his erection he groaned softly, whispering the name. "Kurama . . ."