CHAPTER TWELVE

Yusuke bit his nails as he sat, fidgeting, in the uncomfortable chair of the hospital waiting room. It smelled of iodine and starched sheets. He wondered if it was to cover up the smell of death. 'Stop it,' he said to himself, 'He's not going to die!'

"Mister Urameshi?"

He nearly leapt out of his skin, eyes wide as he looked at the woman in the long white coat. "My name is Doctor Saraya. I'm treating Suichi," she shook his hand, "He seems to have collapsed from dehydration and exhaustion. I don't know what's happened, but we've also found evidence of abuse." Yusuke bristled immediately, "What, do you think I did it?!" Silence. Yusuke sighed heavily, sitting down in his chair and resting his head in his hands, "When can he come home?" "In a few days. We're keeping him overnight for watch, and then he'll need to stay here to rehydrate and heal some of the more severe injuries. Then Suichi can go, but I suggest someone keep an eye on him for a few days afterward just to be safe." Doctor Saraya paused, tapping her blue pen against the clipboard, "Do you know of anyone who might want to hurt him this way? Anyone he's mentioned causing him any trouble?" "No," Yusuke sighed, "He lives alone...far as I know, everyone loves him." She nodded, "He's in room 204. You can see him now if you want."

Yusuke bit his lip as he opened the door to reveal the room his friend was staying in. The long red hair was a startling contrast against the white bed sheets and pillow, the only other color in the room aside from the violets set on the nightstand. "One of the nurses brought that," Suichi said softly, "She said I looked like I needed to be cheered up." A metal bracelet with his name and room number was around his wrist, and he was wearing one of the hospital gowns. The redhead laughed softly, "I always have hated hospitals...ever since my mother..." His voice grew low, pained. It made Yusuke want to hug him, but he figured that would be a bit awkward. He instead pulled a chair to the side of the bed, crossing his ankle over his thigh and putting his arms behind his head, fingers interlaced, "I'm gonna stay with you overnight. Someone's gotta keep you company, you know?" Suichi couldn't help smile, just a little, "Of course. But...Hiei? Won't he worry about you?" Yusuke cocked an eyebrow, "Which Hiei are you talking about? He knows I'm up here; he'll probably stop by later tonight anyways. He's cool like that, y'know." Yusuke was rewarded for his optimism with a small smile from the redhead.

Hiei sighed, stretching and groaning in relief as his stiff back popped from the movement and his cramped legs were stretched. He was seated at the sear of Suichi's bed, sword between his head and shoulder. He had, with his Jagan, 'persuaded' the doctors and security guards to let him take it in. He didn't feel safe without it. 'And I need to protect Kurama' he reminded himself. He also reminded himself that it wasn't Kurama anymore; it was Suichi. A whole different person that he had first fought with, first befriended...one of the first people he trusted.

"Hey," Yusuke walked into the room quietly, shutting the door behind him and standing next to Hiei, "How's he doing?" The fire demon shrugged, "He was awake a little while ago," he kept his voice low, "We talked a little but about his past schooling...and how he's doing now," Hiei sighed, "It was all a lie, of course. We all know damn well he is certainly not fine." The last word was all but dripping with sarcasm. Hiei softened, however, when he looked at the sleeping face of the human, "Why didn't he trust us...why didn't he go to somebody for help?" Hiei made sure to keep his voice soft, but you could still hear the anger.


I'm skipping Suichi's stay in the hospital because that's boring...

Hiei walked the human home after he was released from the human hospital. The doctor told him that Suichi was healing, but he would still have some muscle weakness and that he was, currently, vulnerable to illness. 'She said something about his immune system being too weak' he reminded himself. He couldn't remember the exact term for it; he didn't often make a habit of talking to, listening to, or even looking at most humans. "You know Hiei," a soft voice broke him from the thoughts, "You don't have to walk me home..." Hiei gave his trademark snort, furrowing his brow, "Like hell I don't. You just had a seizure due to malnutrition and dehydration, you stupid fox...I'll be damned if I'm leaving you alone, let alone letting you walk such a distance without someone with you. And I don't trust Kuwabarra any further than I can throw him...which isn't far." Suichi gave a smile that did not reach his eyes; you could see the tension around his mouth at the thought of Hiei going home with him. "It's not as though I haven't taken care of myself before..." "Which is exactly why you're in this mess," Hiei's snappish tone ended the conversation then and there.

Suichi was painfully tense when they walked in the house, beads of sweat glistening on his brow. He didn't even remove his shoes when he walked in; merely plopped down on the couch and curled up against the soft, black leather. "Have a seat Hiei," he sighed, "I'll make some tea after I've caught my breath some." The red-eyed demon gave another snort, "How about this; you rest and I'll make the damned tea." Suichi didn't argue. Hiei walked into the kitchen, feeling cold sweat as he walked further into the dark home; he was being watched. The back of his neck burned as he set the kettle on the stove, the blue flames licking the underside of the metal.

Golden eyes practically burned as he watched the shorter demon walk about the house. He was crouched in the dark stairwell, a cloak over him to hide the luminescent white of his skin and hair. Being albino had its negative sides. Yoko watched his little Suichi collapse on the sofa, his chest moving more than normal, and his eyes half-lidded, glazed. And he knew that Suichi could sense him. 'You know I'm watching you, don't you?' He knew that the demon could very well come out of hiding and murder him right there and then, regardless of Hiei's presence. But that wasn't his style, not how he played the game; he wanted Suichi so tense, so nervous it actually hurt. He wanted his hikari to suffer...

It was working. The redhead was breathing raggedly, chewing his lip as he looked into the teacup. The green liquid had ripples across the surface from the shaking of his cold hands, feeling the burning on the back of his neck; the eyes locked on him. He could see the smirk behind his eyes; hear the screaming and laughter as he writhed and suffered before him. Yoko was God here; he was the one who decided upon Suichi's fate and there was not one who could or would challenge him in anyway. Of course...that's what made it fun for the demon.

The tea was long cold, barely touched by either demon. Hiei, despite his jagan and keen senses, was blissfully unaware of the other presence within the house. He had shrugged off the feeling from earlier, assuming it was because of how adamant he was about protecting Suichi that it made his senses go into a painful overdrive. 'Great...now I'm sensing things that aren't there.' He sighed, casually stretching his arm out to caress the bright-red strands of hair that rested on the human's shoulder. Their owner did not move; Suichi merely stared blankly at the demon, lower lip slightly sore where he had bitten it so many times. He knew Yoko was still in the house...the threat not yet gone.

As the seconds and hours ticked by, as the sun slowly sunk and the moon rose, the tension increased. Hiei was sitting on the sofa, eyes on the television but not taking any of the information in. You could see the tiredness in those eyes, the color of dried blood, and the way his shoulders were so relaxed. Suichi smiled softly, mouth tense, as he took the afghan off the back of the couch and draping it over Hiei's slim shoulders.

"Go on and sleep, Hiei," he whispered, "I'll be here when you wake up. I'll be fine..." The demon didn't hear anything else after that; his eyes closed and his breathing became deep and even as he fell into the arms of exhaustion and unconsciousness. Suichi tensed immediately, hearing a dark chuckle from somewhere behind him.

"Nice to see your out of the hospital, Suichi...did you enjoy your stay there?" The human licked his lips, which had gone dry and bowed his head, running his shaking hands over Hiei's black hair, surprisingly soft despite the spiked look. "I...I don't..." He couldn't form the words; no matter what he said, it wouldn't do him any good. Yoko was enraged, though still in a state of calm, of control. Just like always.

"Go to your room," came the whispered command, "And take those clothes off. I'll be up in a moment to deal with you..." Silently, the order was followed. Yoko smirked as he smelled salt. 'Yes...this will be a fun night.' The white-haired demon leaned over to kiss the child-like cheek of their sleeping guest. "Dream well, Hiei," he whispered, "Sleep and dream while your love suffers at my hands..."

Hiei did not stir...


And that's the end of the chapter! I hope it was worth the wait and worth reading. That last paragraph came from nowhere but I liked it so it stayed I really hope you guys liked it! Leave a review and tell me what you think, please! Just no flames because they make Yoko-chan sad. pitiful face

I'll try to get another chapter up soon!!