Chapter 6 (part 2)

It was late in the evening by the time Hiei came home. He walked in to see Kurama asleep on the couch.

Walking over and studying the red head, who was not wearing a shirt, he couldn't help but notice the pale, flawless skin. After all the battles Kurama has been through, he was always able to heal the wounds, no matter how bad the injuries. He knew he had been a little harsh during their sparring and may have caused bruising, along with a few cuts, but there wasn't even a faded bruise to show that anything had happened. The red head had one arm above his head and his head was turned into the arm, covering a side of his face, making him look so…innocent. Kurama's body may be that of a twenty something ningen and his mind of a thousand plus spirit kitsune, but he still managed to look like an innocent child.

Kurama jerked, moving his head and opening his eyes, they landed on the fire demon.

"Hey." He said, yawning.

"Hey yourself, sorry to wake you." Hiei said, sitting on the couch next to the red head's waist.

Kurama shifted to his side to make room for him to sit. "It is okay, I did not even know I had fallen asleep." He said with an apologetic smile at the demon and added. "I guess you wore me out earlier."

"You could say that." Hiei smirked.

Noting the time, Kurama asked. "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah…I am…I'm looking forward to the special meal you have planned." Hiei said, taking off his cloak.

Red eyes noticed the look on the red head's face. "If you don't want to make it tonight, that's okay. I didn't plan on being gone so long, but I ended up helping Yukina in the garden." Hiei said.

Kurama moved around Hiei to get up and heading to the kitchen, said. "No that is fine." Giving a soft laugh. "I should have started it earlier and here I was asleep. If you do not mind eating late, I will start on it right now."

Hiei followed the red head to the kitchen and watched as he pulled various things out of the fridge. He then watched as Kurama opened each package and then seemed to be confused as to what was in them.

Thinking the fox was just tired and wasn't thinking straight, he walked over and started putting things away.

"What are you doing?" Kurama asked as the items were rewrapped and put back.

"It's late, you're tired and this will take to long. Let's just make something simple." Hiei answered and as he put the last of the items up, began pulling out bread and meats.

"Are you sure, it will not take that long." Kurama said, feeling like an idiot for not remembering the meal and starting it earlier.

"Tomorrow." Hiei said, handing him a sandwich.

They ate in silence. When Hiei was done, he said. "I'm going to go take a shower, care to join me."

"No, thank you, I will clean up down here and be up in a few." Kurama said, grabbing their empty plates and going to the sink.

Hiei wrapped his arms around Kurama's slim waist and kissed the still bare skin along the shoulder and spine.

"Don't take to long." He whispered.

"I won't." He heard back.

When he was sure Hiei was upstairs and heard the water, Kurama sat at the kitchen table and closed his eyes.

In his mind he knocked on Shuiichi's door, not getting an answer, he became flustered and tried again, still no answer. 'What the hell is with him?' Kurama thought as he went back to cleaning the dishes.

a)a)a)a

The next morning Hiei rolled over and was surprised to see red hair in his face. Turning and noting the time, 5 am and the sun not yet up. He snuggled against the lean body's back and buried his face into the red hair, falling right back to sleep.

When he woke again, the bed was empty. 'Figures.' He thought and got up scanning the area as always. His eyes though, went wide as he sensed the red head downstairs. 'Well at least he's still in the house.' He thought as he went to take a quick shower.

Making it downstairs, he saw the red head digging around in the trunk.

"Taking inventory?" He joked as he slipped a blue tank top over his head.

Closing the trunk, Kurama turned and looked at him with a look of someone who had gotten caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

"Uh, yes, just a habit." Kurama voice cracked as he turned back around and picked up the remote to turn on the TV.

Hiei went into the kitchen and rummaged around, but couldn't find anything he wanted to eat.

Heading back into the living room, he ran into Kurama in the doorway.

"Would you like to go to Yusuke's and eat?" He asked the red head.

"Sure, it has been awhile since you were there." Kurama said, turning and grabbing his keys as he headed to the door.

a)a)a)a

When they got to Yusuke's it was quiet. Saturday morning at the restaurant was never that busy.

Finding a corner booth, a young girl came over and took their orders. As she left to go fill them, Kurama saw Yusuke come out of the kitchen. The raven haired looked their way and gave a heads up in acknowledgement, but then turned and went back into the kitchen.

When their food arrived, they made small talk.

"So what do you want to do today?" Kurama asked, grabbing the ketchup and putting some on his hash browns.

"Before or after you help give Yusuke's bird his bath." Hiei said.

"Oh…um after that I guess." Kurama said and had to think back to when he'd said he would help Genkai.

During their meal, Hiei's communicator went off.

"It's Mukuro, I need to take this." Hiei said, standing. "Don't wait on me, I'll see you later." He then headed outside, no doubt going to the roof to have privacy.

Finishing, Kurama called the girl over and asked for his check.

"I'm sorry sir, but Ms. Keiko told me not to write it down, so I don't have a check to give you." The girl said.

"I see, thank you." Kurama muttered, understanding. He then went to stand and reached for his wallet.

"If there is a problem, you need to go….." The girl stammered, getting nervous.

"I will take care of it." Kurama said and handed the girl a bill. "You still deserve a tip, thank you for the service." He gave a big smile, to which she just about turned to liquid goo on him.

Leaving the girl standing in awe, Kurama caught Yusuke coming out of the kitchen again.

"Hello Yusuke, can I pay you for Hiei's and mine's meal?" He asked.

"Fine, whatever." Yusuke muttered and went over to the register.

"How much do I owe you?" Kurama asked, reaching back into his wallet.

"Whatever." Yusuke said again.

"Is something wrong?" Kurama asked when he noticed that the raven haired was tense and seemed to want to run.

Yusuke looked around before coming over and standing right in front of him.

"You could say I don't appreciate you letting Youko tell me to butt out." The raven haired hissed in his face.

"What…what are you…talking about?" Kurama stammered. His eyes going wide as he stepped back in complete confusion.

"Yesterday." Yusuke said, placing his hand on his hips and glaring.

"I am sorry Yusuke. If Youko did something, I apologize for him." The red head said softly with hurt in his eyes. He placed a bill on the counter and turned to leave.

Taking a deep breath and running a hand though his hair, Yusuke said. "Stop, wait a minute will yeah."

Turning around, Kurama just stood there. Yusuke walked over and grabbed his wrist, dragging him to the unmarked door. When he saw the girl looking at them, Yusuke held a hand up, indicating he'd be back in five.

Pushing Kurama through the door, Yusuke turned on him. "What happened yesterday at the temple?"

"What do you mean?" Kurama said, back against the wall and a little frightened at the tone in the detective's voice.

"You don't remember…then who the hell was it I was carrying up the stairs?" Yusuke tried to keep his voice calm, but was failing.

Seeing that Kurama was looking even more confused, he took a deep breath again and said softly. "Tell me what you remember about yesterday."

"I was in the forest doing a warm up and then Hiei showed up to spar with Youko, Youko told me to head to the temple after they were done." Kurama told him, his green eyes concentrating. He looked to Yusuke and his eyes widened as he seem to remember. "I was tired and I remember making it to the stairs, but then the next thing I remember was getting in the shower at home." The red head looked like he was about to cry.

"You passed out on the stairs." Yusuke said. "I thought you had…so it must have been Shuiichi that came out and covered for you."

"But, what did Youko do?" Kurama asked his voice almost cracking.

"I was asking if you were okay and he showed enough of himself to tell me to go fly a kite." The raven haired told him.

"I am sorry Yusuke, it will not happen again." Kurama said and went to leave.

"Hey, you need to stop this. Hiei might not know what's going on, but I do…and for sanity's sake you need to end this…now." Yusuke said, pulling the red head to him and giving him a hug.

Kurama let his head rest on the raven haired's shoulder. Closing his eyes, he thought. 'Yes, this time it has gone too far.' He needed to mentally break down some doors and get some answers.

End Chapter 6 (part 2)

Lyrics to the song: Breaking the Habit – by: Linkin Park

Memories consume, like opening the wound…I'm picking me apart again…You all assume, I'm safe here in my room (Unless I try to start again)

I don't want to be the one, the battle always choose…Cause inside I realize, that I'm the one confused

(Course)

Idon't know what's worth fighting for or way I have to scream…I don't know why I instigate and say what I don't mean…I don't know how I got this way, I know it's not alright…So I'm breaking the habit, I'm breaking the habit…Tonight

Clutching my cure, I tightly lock the door…I try to catch my breath again…I hurt much more, than anytime before…I had no options left again

I'll paint it on the walls, cause I'm the one at fault…I'll never fight again, and this is how it ends