Title: Puzzle Box

Author(s): Maligner Rhae and Jynx's box

Rating: ?

Warnings: ?

A/N: Is this the moment you've been waiting for? I guess you'll just have to read.

xXx

Suppose you were to die tonight.
What would you say?

x

Kurama watched as the storm changed Hiei the way it had that night in the cave. His body tensed up, his face went completely lax, his eyes glazed over; it was strange to watch.

He wasn't the least bit concerned until Hiei's eyes rolled to look at the ceiling and his arms started to twitter.

Standing, he took long even strides around the extra bed and towards the other demon. Hiei didn't react when he kneeled to face him.

"Hiei?"

He didn't receive a reply. Partially to shock the smaller one awake and partially to feel that soft skin again, Kurama brought his hands up to trace his jaw. The fire demon's mouth parted slightly but outside of that,

Hiei didn't react.

Deciding that it was time for drastic actions, Kurama leaned even closer for a taste of those slack lips.

x

Do you believe in life after death?

x

A shudder passed through Hiei's frame. Tanned arms shot up and strong hands gripped Kurama's shoulders.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Kurama pulled back to look Hiei in the face. Garnet red eyes flashed at him.

"Giving you your first kiss."

"Don't touch without my permission." It came out as a terse growl. Hiei shoved Kurama away from him and walked towards the door, preferring to brave the storm in the lobby rather than near a horny kitsune. A sturdy and steady hand grabbed his elbow.

"So that was your fist kiss?" was the teasing reply. Hiei jerked his arm back with no result. Kurama didn't budge.

"Let go Kurama." He reached his free hand around to take hold of his sword when that one was grabbed as well. Roughly Kurama pulled Hiei's back up against his chest. He whispered softly into his ear.

"I know you want this." Hiei struggled, his hands tugging on the strong arms crossed over his chest, "You're reacting to me." With one last desperate pull he wrenched his body away from the fox's.

"Why are you running away?"

Hiei froze, the answer an obvious one.

"I don't want meaningless sex, you fucking lecher." The youko backed up and sat at the end of one of the beds.

"No one said it would be meaningless, Hiei."

"Bullshit." Kurama motioned for the smaller demon to come near him. Hiei didn't move.

"I think you want your first time to be special, right?" he didn't receive a reply. Smirking he leaned back heavily on his arms, watching Hiei through thick silver lashes, "You want it to be with someone you trust."

"I never said it was my first time doing things like this, you imbecile. I said you can't touch me without my permission."

"Maybe," Kurama paused, considering what he'd just learned, "this is the first time you've ever willingly wanted someone." He sat up to stare Hiei in the face. "I know you enjoyed that kiss."

"Everyone wants you, Kurama. It shouldn't be that surprising that I'm attracted to you as well." Kurama's smile broadened, "But it doesn't mean I'll sleep with you." This smile dropped quickly.

"You don't like being denied, do you?" Hiei analyzed. Kurama's smile was revived.

"You forget, Hiei, I've never been denied. Don't lead yourself on to believe you're my hardest conquest. We still have a long ways to go on our trip, in spite of your efforts to speed things up." Standing, the fox approached the fire demon and leaned forward to smoothly raise his chin with his finger tips, "Rain can make huge delays." He nodded his head towards the latched window.

Kurama gently pressed a kiss to the smooth skin of his forehead before pulling away.

"Goodnight Hiei."

xXx

Both demons slept in reasonable unease. Both were uncomfortable for completely different reasons.

x

Wondering if I will ever see you again

x

The entire town had been flooded out. Everyone unwilling to brave the torrid waters were stuck in whatever building they were currently in. Hiei was not willing to waste another day idling around until the flood receded. He had a plan to get the both of them out.

"I can go from tree to tree better than you can in this weather. The branches will be weak from the water and won't be able to stand your weight," Kurama huffed and Hiei ignored him, "All you have to do is stay in your fox form long enough for me to get us to a safer, higher elevation." Kurama frowned at the unintentional jab at his physique.

"I'm not big, I'm tall." Hiei rolled his eyes and nodded in a patronizing way, "And how do you know the branches will be able to stand your weight?"

"We don't." Hiei gathered up his cloak, "But I'd have a greater chance of recovering if they can't"

"Fine. How high do you think we have to go?"

"Not too high, thankfully. This valley will stream the rain to all of the nearby rivers. Within a few hours all of the excess water on the mountains will have drained away."

Kurama nodded, his attention more focused on the scarf Hiei was wrapping around his neck.

'Why am I allowing him to deny me?' Kurama had taken what he wanted many times before. Why now did he want to make Hiei want him back.

"Kurama? Are you even listening?"

xXx

They stood, adamantly waiting for the correct moment to move. The water was a torrent of waves and demons struggling to escape the flood. Hiei waited near the edge of the roof, staring down at the rush of rain water as if it had stubbornly insulted him over the past few days. Youko changed into his fox form and trotted towards the musing demon.

That storm was brutal.

Hiei nodded, knowing full well the fox wasn't just talking about the rain. A slideshow of memories filtered into his mind. Pale fingers sliding along his skin. Warm, soft lips sucking his own. Hiei shivered.

Thinking of me, Love?

Hiei scowled.

"Now." He murmured under his breath. He was almost sure the fox couldn't hear him over the rushing waves of the water below but the silver spirit stood on his hind legs and pressed his front paws to Hiei.

The fire demon made sure his belt was tight enough to keep his shirt tucked in place before lifting the Youko by his middle. The demon slithered like a fish out of his hands and into his shirt wiggling around for the acceptable position. His locationing in Hiei's shirt could be disastrous if wrong. He made himself relax before sending the demon a short thought.

I'm ready.

Hiei perched on the railing of the creaky old building before blurring out of sight.

Any of the demons in or near the flood were either hiding in some of the stronger trees or resting on the immovable boulders stationed along the paths leading up the mountains. They could sense others moving with reasonable speed towards the safer heights of the mountains. Not all demons had such speed, unfortunately and were trapped until the waters calmed. In such disasters fights and battles were minimal and but cheap entertainment to the masses of demons that littered trees and rocks. The losing opponent, more often than not, was dealt a despicable and low blow into the flood to be swept to far shores or to be pulled under the current and found weeks, maybe months later.

Hiei blurred passed them, unconcerned with the calls and yells his presence drew. Even in such weather and conditions they were territorial. Kurama wiggled against him when he paused to breathe. The tree he rested on was occupied by a small, bug-eyed demon and a fat blob of something he didn't feel like identifying. The small boy watched him curiously before staring pointedly at his shirt. Kurama tensed, as if sensing the boy's eyes. Hiei growled warningly at the demon child before hazing out of sight.

He moved quickly up the mountain, monsters of varying strength flashing in and out of his consciousness. He avoided the stronger waters and more dangerous and territorial demons when he could but found claws reaching out to him none the less. Kurama yelped when one swiped at Hiei's front and clipped his back. The shirt holding him ripped open and he almost tumbled into the waters below.

Hiei was quick to catch him and sped off; away from the dangers of the forest and flood.

xXx

That's as far as we feel like going. We are discouraged by the lack of reviews we received for the last chapter.

Silly rabbit! If I was going to make lemon juice I would have changed the rating.