Author's note: Thanks for all of the reviews to get off my butt and start uploading again. I ran into some difficulties that would take too long to explain and would be a story in itself to tell. To the reviewers who asked me what Kurama looks like I can't really answer that. To be honest I didn't really give it much thought because it's up to the reader to essentially interpret what would be more horrifying to them.
The pairing of course as always, is Kurama x Hiei or Hiei x Kurama whichever way you prefer and is YAOI.
So if I end up getting flamed for writing a YAOI story, you know what will happen to your review.
// signify thought.
This chapter took me awhile to write because it's actually a combination of two short chapters. I wasn't sure how I would've liked to end the chapter, but I think it's better than the other versions. I've also revised the chapter because some parts of it would require a change in rating, and I really didn't want to go that route.
-Maori
Day 3:
Kurama couldn't help but dream of Hiei that night. In his dream, Hiei would fall in love with him, kiss him, and end the dreaded spell that was placed on him. They would be married and live happily ever after. Or so Kurama wished. So he was ever so displeased when he awoke to the warm suns rays the next morning.
Sighing, Kurama slowly rose from the bed. Looking towards the dresser his eyes fell upon the black handkerchief that Hiei had left with him the previous evening.
/Perhaps I should return it/ he thought.
Kurama quickly got dressed and headed for Hiei's room handkerchief in hand.
Kurama first quietly knocked on the polished oak door. No answer. So he knocked a little louder. Still no answer.
"Your highness," Kurama started, "I'm sorry if I awoke you, but I wanted to return something that is yours."
Still hearing no response Kurama decided to try the door. Thinking that someone as reserved as Hiei would lock his door, you could imagine Kurama's surprise to find that the door swung wide open. Upon walking into the room, he was taken aback at the size of his room. As if Kurama's room wasn't big enough, Hiei's room had to be three times the size of his guest bedroom.
Kurama sat on the ebony feather comforter beneath the canopy of the bed. Black curtains adorned the windows, not letting much light in. Dressers and a desk sat opposite the bed, which was situated on the right side of the room. Taking in the scent of the room, Kurama could definitely tell that the inhabitant of the room was indeed Hiei. The wonderful smell reminded Kurama of a whole forest of pine trees after a gentle summer's rain. This scent which seemed to discretely emanate from everything that Prince Hiei had touched. The scent that made him shiver the day before when Hiei had visited him in his room. Blushing at the thought Kurama thoughtfully looked around the room once more before exiting and shutting the door behind him.
---
Hiei couldn't help but think about the events that had unfolded the day before. The mysterious guy in the marketplace, his run in with the village bully, and the "incident" that occurred later on that day in Kurama's room. He couldn't help but get over the fact that Kurama was hiding something very important from him. And for some reason the thought of such a notion was really bugging him, ok well, pissing him off were the correct terms at the moment."Hiei. Hiei. HIEI!"
"Ah, what?" Hiei replied as he awoke from his current state.
The instructor frowned and Hiei could read the displeasure on his face. Great he was going to get it again. He had spaced out when his instructor had tried to explain his long family history to him again.
"Are you paying attention?" The instructor asked fully conveying his annoyance towards his restless student.
"No," replied a rather bored Hiei.
The instructor sighed. It didn't seem like he was going to get far with Hiei today, with him being so distracted. Well actually, he hadn't seen Hiei this distracted before. And to have his student musing deep in thought was a rare occurrence, that is, if it ever happened.
"Well then, you are dismissed for the day Hiei," the instructor said at last.
Still in thought and without a word, Hiei slowly rose from his seat.
---
Since Hiei was no where to be found at the present, Kurama decided to explore the castle grounds. Since the first day that Kurama arrived, he had wanted to venture into the expansive grounds; however, it always seemed that his day was planned out for him leaving Kurama with little or no time to himself. Finally relieved that he could do as he pleased, Kurama stepped outside the castle breathing in the fresh air while basking in the sun's warm rays. His face lit up with a bright smile. He particularly didn't know where he was going exactly, but Kurama was satisfied with just following his own feet.
Kurama eventually found himself in a maze like garden. Walking towards the center of the maze, he was delighted to find a cherub fountain gushing sparkling white water. Sitting on the fountain's edge, Kurama let his hand glide into the refreshingly cold water. He watched as the pristine liquid distorted his handsome reflection. As far as he could tell he looked the same, except for the fact that maybe his hair was a bit longer.
Kurama sighed. Looking up from his reflection near the two entrances to the center of the maze, he was thrilled to find two lush and vibrant rose bushes. Ever since Kurama could remember the rose was his favorite flower. The delicate red petals seemed to match his crimson hair perfectly, and the soft fragrance of the rose reminded him of his own garden at home. Careful not to cut himself from the thorns, Kurama gracefully plucked one of the roses off of the bush. Bringing the red flower to his nose, he allowed himself to be intoxicated by its scent
---
"Where the hell did that stupid "royal companion" of mine go off to?" Hiei spoke aloud to himself. He was still rather annoyed by his lessons earlier in the morning. He spent most of his morning being bored to death by a man who focused his entire career on documenting the lives of Hiei's royal family blood line.
'Hn, what a life.'
Hiei was about to give up on his search for Kurama, when one of the guards approached him.
"My prince," the guard started rather nervous at the fact that he was talking to the Prince himself.
"Yeah, what do you want?" Hiei gruffly replied.
The guard winced. "If you were looking for your companion, my lord, he was last seen heading towards maze garden."
Hiei sighed. "Figures. You leave the guy for two hours, and he probably ended up getting lost, and outside for that matter."
With that Hiei dismissed the guard and proceeded to the rear of the castle where the garden maze was located.
---
/Why did they have to make the castle grounds so freakin big that it takes forever just to get anywhere?/ Hiei thought.It took twenty minutes before Hiei actually reached the garden. Hiei had only truly visited the garden perhaps only twice in his life. He mainly used it as a shortcut to the river bank that lay behind it. He didn't like the idea of being boxed in by shrubs, but pushing his discomfort aside he entered the maze.
Upon entering the center, he had finally found the person he spent the past hour looking for.
"Hey servant! I didn't tell you that you could wander around out here, what the hell were you…."
Kurama turned toward him.
Hiei blinked.
Then he blinked again.
Still not trusting the sight that his eyes relayed to him, he rubbed his eyes and blinked again. Nope the figure was still there, and for some strange reason his heart began to beat faster.
/No way./ Hiei thought. /I must have the wrong person or something./
Standing before him, was the most beautiful person that he had every seen in his life. Long red hair cascaded down this stranger's back, and vibrant green eyes met ruby red. The figure was holding a red rose which matched the stranger's scarlet locks. And the warm smile that the stranger's face held made Hiei feel funny. Really funny and for some reason an uncomfortable feeling began tugging at him.
Hiei blinked and was about to say something when in that instant the handsome figure before him was replaced by that of his royal companion.
"What the…" Hiei started.
"My lord I'm sorry," Kurama interrupted apparently not taking note of Hiei's bewildered expression. "I wanted some fresh air, and I guess I lost track of the time. I tried looking for you earlier, but I couldn't find you."
"…"
"My lord?" Kurama worriedly asked when Hiei did not reply.
/It must have been my imagination or I need some more sleep or something. I know, it's all of that damn "family history" that that damn teacher drilled into my head./ Hiei reasoned at last.
"Uh, yeah, well we have to go now. You're not supposed to be here." Hiei finally managed to say.
Still a bit confused Hiei headed toward the castle with Kurama in tow.
---
"So my lord what are we going to do today.""..."
"Well…"
"Hn."
For the past half hour royal companion and prince spent there time walking back to the castle. Kurama felt like he was in for it. But yet at the same time, he could not fathom the reason why Hiei would not look at him. At first he thought about perhaps his "looks" finally disgusted him, but that wasn't it. It hadn't really bothered him that much before, so why would it now? And the fact that Hiei wouldn't look at him, and would keep ignoring him, just irritated him further. It was Kurama's third day and he still felt like he had made absolutely no progress in the matter.
"Hiei…"
A previously confused Hiei was now a very mad Hiei. He didn't know who that person was in the garden or why for that matter his imagination conjured him up. All that he knew was that he got this funny feeling in his chest as though as if his heart fluttered with every breath. The sight in itself was mysterious because if the person had not been there the whole time, then how would he know to create such a person in his mind? He didn't know. He didn't get it. And when combined, Hiei became frustrated and then mad.
"Hiei…"
"WHAT!" Yelled Hiei as he whirled around to face his startled companion.
Kurama flinched back surprised at the sudden and loud reaction that emitted from the now very mad Prince.
"Uh…I just wanted to know if we had to do anything today together," Kurama once again stated.
Now entering the castle they made there way to their rooms, with Hiei leading and Kurama at his heels.
"No, leave me alone," Hiei replied gruffly.
Kurama frowned.
"Is something bothering you?" Kurama asked slightly concerned.
"..."
"If it was because I wandered off, I'm sorry, I won't…."
Hiei swiveled around so fast that Kurama had to stop short without bumping into him.
"No, will you shut-up! I really don't need a damn royal companion. All you do is annoy and frustrate me!" Hiei yelled, quite frankly not caring what Kurama had to say.
Kurama said nothing, but felt the pain course through him and tried hard not to show it. It hurt, and for some reason he didn't exactly know why.
Together they walked in silence until they parted. Kurama stopped before his bedroom door as he watched Hiei enter his and slam it loudly behind him.
---
He knew that he had hurt him.Even though he tried to hide it, it had shown in his eyes.
At that point Hiei did feel slightly guilty, and he didn't like it.
/Why do I care?/
Flopping down on his bed, he thought about the figure back in the garden.
"Who was that person?" Hiei spoke aloud to himself. "It couldn't have been someone outside of the castle because there would be no way that he could pass through the guards."
The more he thought about it, the more confused he became until finally he let sleep claim him.
---
Kurama lay on his bed. Red hair sprawled upon the pillow, his green eyes staring at the gold leaf ceiling deep in thought.He had absolutely no idea why Hiei had snapped at him like that, and quite frankly it had hurt when he had. Hiei hadn't been acting weird until today when he tracked him down in the garden.
/Maybe he doesn't like it there because I was trespassing on some sacred place or something,/ Kurama thought. /Or maybe he really is just fed up with me./ Kurama sighed. /I just hope it's not the latter./
His head was so full of these buzzing thoughts that he didn't hear a figure approach him until he was nearly over his bed.
"What the?!" Kurama sat up with a start.
"Hello beautiful," spoke Karasu as he stood over Kurama.
Kurama attempted to get up in order to stand so he could get away from him, but Karasu leaned in closer towards Kurama's face, forcing the red-head to sink farther into the bed.
"How have you behaving pet?" Karasu inquired; all the while his eyes seemingly stared straight through him enough to make Kurama's skin crawl.
"What are you doing here?" Kurama asked eyes narrowed.
Karasu leaned in closer this time enough so that Kurama had no chose but to lay on his bed.
"Just making sure things are going according to plan, or in your case not according to plan."
Oh how Kurama wished he could sink and disappear into his bed right about now.
"Get out," Kurama demanded.
"I don't think that you are in the position to be telling me what to do pet," Karasu purred as he stroked the silky red strands of the prince's hair. Kurama shuddered, he suddenly remembered the use of his arms and tried to strike at Karasu, but Karasu was quicker.
Using one hand he was able to pin both of Kurama's wrists onto the pillow that he laid upon. Kurama tried to shout for him to stop, but for some reason it came out as a mere whisper.
"What was that pet? You would like me to continue," violet eyes gleaming.
He felt powerless. It was as though as if he were immobilized. All he could do was close his eyes and pray that it was just a bad dream.
---
Hiei didn't know why, but for some reason he woke up with a start. He just had a bad feeling as though as if there were some evil aura that suddenly made the air too thick to breathe, enough to choke the life out and suffocate someone.His thoughts for some reason turned to Kurama, his royal companion. He had been rather harsh earlier that day. He hadn't meant it, but he was just extremely puzzled about the figure that stood in the rose garden earlier that day. He wanted to believe that it was just a figment of his imagination, but for some reason, something inside of him told him to believe that it was real. To believe that it was the truth, that that person held all the truths to all of the secrets that he was looking for.
Hell, Hiei couldn't even understand why he felt bad. He had never felt bad about anything, pertaining to anyone before, and he didn't like it one bit. It was as though as if something gnawed at his conscious and he just couldn't get rid of it. Sighing, Hiei knew what he had to do. He had to apologize.
"Oh great what the hell is this kingdom coming to?" Hiei said out loud. "I actually feel bad about something I did."
Shaking his head he thought that he might as well get it over with before his parents made him do so later on. Rising from his black satin sheets he exited his room and headed towards Kurama's room next door.
As he approached, however, the ominous aura was felt yet again. This time it was stronger as though as if it were emanating from Kurama's room.
Standing before Kurama's door he knocked.
No answer.
"Uh slave?" Hiei called out as he spoke through the oak doors.
No answer.
Now he was getting annoyed.
/Oh well/ he thought. /I might as well just try to open the damn door./ Hiei was about to turn the handle when he swore that he had heard voices.
He recognized his royal companion's voice. But that other voice, it seemed unfamiliar but yet familiar at the same time. He could barely make out what they were saying, but he caught bits and pieces of it here and there.
"What are you doing here?" Hiei heard Kurama say emanating a cold tone. Whoever he was talking to Kurama plainly showed a clear distaste for.
"Just making sure things are going according to plan, or in your case not according to plan." Hiei heard another distinctive male voice say.
"Get out," he heard Kurama demand.
"I don't think that you are in the position to be telling me what to do pet," Hiei heard the intruder reply in a rather seductive way.
Something about that other man's voice made Hiei shudder. He did not like the way that conversation was going, and if anyone was going to harass his royal companion it would be him. With that reason in mind Hiei opened the massive mahogany doors.
---
Kurama could do nothing, but hope that someone would come for him. He didn't know why, but all he could think of was Hiei.At this point Kurama felt his whole body go numb, and his mind almost go completely blank. His breathing became ragged. It was as though as if the air grew suddenly thicker. All he could do is lay and watch Karasu hover above him. Before he felt himself lose consciousness he let his last thoughts utter from his mouth.
"Hiei…help me…."
Don't you just love cliff hangers?
Review if you like.
