Story Title: In the Eyes of Angels
Disclaimer: I don't own Yuu Yuu Hakusho.
Author's Notes: Special thanks goes out to DarkDragonDreamer, Carol Vaz, llittlelil1991, poochie2poochie33, thrashing-light and Azure Adena for reviewing.
The first seven chapters were all set on Hiei's first week at the Academy, so yea, a little time skip was due. Sorry for the wait. This chapter took longer to write than I expected.
Thanks for reading.
-o-
Chapter Eight: The Inevitable Comes …In Chocolate Flavor
-o-
Kurama Minamino plotted. Mostly during teacher's lectures. Well, more accurately, during the lectures of teachers who took their facts and lessons straight from the textbook chapters he had already read and memorized.
Kurama still pretended to listen attentively and did take notes, using abbreviations and coded memory triggers only he recognized and which also discouraged his classmates, thinking they could slack off and let him cover for their inattentiveness, from ever asking to borrow his notes.
The desperate souls who did always almost immediately returned Kurama's notes and gushed marvel and praise of his genius, which Kurama did not listen to but nodded appreciatively to whatever his classmates said anyway rather than object and instigate praise of his modesty as well. Frankly, he wished there was a courteous way of rolling up his pages into a bat and smacking his classmates on the head when they went on voluble, idolizing tangents of him. Alas, there was not.
But when Kurama did not need to listen to the teacher or had no other assignments to work on or other things to consider, Kurama Minamino plotted. Of lately on how to build a friendship with Hiei Jaganshi. So far after his first week of attempting to gain his amity since deciding the previous week to genuinely befriend him, Kurama's progress had been slow but stable. Kurama had, after all, never imagined gaining Hiei's friendship would be easy or quick.
In some ways, they were already friends. Kurama certainty felt that way, but knowing Hiei, the stubborn and proud-to-be-alone boy would never admit any sort of amiability towards him, or anyone, truthfully.
So Kurama plotted. Knowing it would be a challenging task and that it would be a slow, cautious process, Kurama plotted steps within steps, the microcosm within the macrocosm of his plans. He would act in gradual increments and make leaps only when he felt assured and right and that Hiei would not reject. He would build on forging their friendship but first, he would need to open Hiei's mind to the possibility. He would, hopefully, accomplish that today with the plans he had made at the first of the last week. Though he was optimistic on his chances, Kurama did not underestimate how difficult Hiei could be.
But Kurama liked challenges. And Kurama was patient. And if this idea did not work, Kurama had several more ready to chisel away at Hiei Jaganshi's walls.
-o-
With today being the start of Hiei's third week at the Academy, Hiei wondered if the possibility of improving his negligible future was really worth all the crap he had to put up with: Minamino, being on the track team, Takenaka's authority, stupid assignments, Yusuke's mouth, Minamino, being surrounded by idiots, his roommate, Iwamoto, having to behave, not being able to fight, Minamino…
Hiei questioned why he was acting better than he normally would. So far, the answer was to better his life, but what did that mean? Hiei did not know. Truthfully, Hiei did not expect to have much of a future in the first place, so how could he make an improvement on nothing? What was the point of all this? So some stuck-up university admissions office could see he had graduated from an equally stuck-up school? Did Hiei even want to go to college? Hiei did not know. The thought had never occurred to him before.
It wasn't an option, Hiei considered as he disturbed the neatly-cut grass on his way to the Science Hall. Before now.
Hiei supposed he had some things to consider or reconsider but now was not the time. He was already not pleased—Hiei was on his way to Minamino's tutorial class—so he wasn't feeling particularly open. At least the sky was overcast in a murky gray. It quite fitted Hiei's mind-set well and Hiei couldn't complain, not after last week consisting solely of perfect, sunny days and long track practices.
Yes, Hiei had redone the tryout in front of the track coach and he had complied with Takenaka and ran at his best. The coach had been astounded by his performance and immediately placed him at the top spot on the team. So it was official—Hiei Jaganshi was on the track team. The storymongers, eager for fresh news, passed on the information and now the entire Academy knew.
Students were staring at him again. All the old gossip found new blood. Whispers and quiet snickering followed Hiei wherever he went, along with the not-so-discreet comments on just how 'that weird kid was supposed to run on his short legs'. Sacred Heart Academy, bearing its track team's seven-year winless streak with apathy and ridicule, did not have much faith in their winning at all this year either and Hiei's top position on the team just seemed to serve as more fuel for the mockery.
Hiei shoved the left metal front door of the Science Hall open and stamped down the hallway.
He had seen much of Minamino last week, too much time of it spent outside his tutorial class and much of it spent sitting and studying in silence and with Minamino looking like his friend, which he was not. To break up the quiet and make a reason to appear annoyed by Minamino's endless chatter, Hiei talked a little bit, sometimes prompting Minamino with a question and other times relying on trivial topics to coax Minamino into a lengthy discourse.
It did not occur to Hiei until this morning that the more he encouraged Minamino to talk, the less work he completed and thus increased the time he stayed with Hiei to finish his assignments and that all this extra time Minamino spent with Hiei made him look like his friend. But sitting together and not talking also made them seem like friends. The quandary gave Hiei a migraine at breakfast (with Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Minamino) and the ache persisted even now and added to the foulness of his mood.
Hiei just wanted to get Minamino's tutorial class over with so he could get on with track practice and after that finally be able to hide himself somewhere and be alone for a while. Truthfully, though Hiei would never admit or let it show, track wasn't so bad, in comparison to worse and more annoying parts of his life, say dealing with his not-friendship with Minamino. Hiei didn't like being on the track team, of course, and could list several reasons why he disliked it and that if he had his choice, he would rather not be on the team, but there was one aspect Hiei could find tolerable about track. It was the running. Hiei liked running. More than he ever expected he would.
With the prospect of getting to run off some of his anger and frustration later, Hiei arrived at room 104, entered the classroom…
And was greeted by loud popping noises, and all of Minamino's tutorial class stood in an enveloping half-circle around him. Confetti, glitter, and odd spiral ribbons rained down on him.
"Happy Birthday, Hiei!" the class shouted, their faces bright and smiling.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Hiei growled and glared across the room. His eyes stopped and immediately sharpened on Minamino, standing away from the group and leaning with his arms casually crossed over his chest against the teacher's desk. Minamino merely smiled back at Hiei. His smile was placid, cordial and, from what Hiei faintly detected, was all-too-pleased about the unfolding events.
"Oh, come on, Hiei!" Yusuke said, stepping up, hands on his sides, and grinned gleefully. "Don't start that. We all know," Yusuke teased and smacked Hiei on the back.
To Hiei, the playful smack felt easily like a bolt to the back. Hiei, knocked slightly off balance by the shock, rapidly steadied himself. He would show no weakness, especially to this class of fools and Minamino. When recovered, he scowled at Yusuke. Disgust churned violently in his stomach. Hiei's skin prickled and itched, especially where Yusuke had touched him, as if his skin crept with the scratches of a thousand crawling insects.
Hiei took reassurance where he could in the fact a thin layer of clothes had separated him from true physical touch. While he reviled in any sort of contact with another person, on Hiei's scale of aversion and repugnance, being touched through a barrier (such as clothing) was infinitely more endurable than skin-to-skin contact. Unpleasant and despicable as Yusuke's smack was to Hiei, at least it wasn't to his bare skin.
"You know nothing," Hiei growled and bared his teeth.
"Aww, the runt's embarrassed," Kuwabara said, grinning, as he stood on Hiei's other side and across from Yusuke. "Never pegged you as shy, Hiei."
"I am not!" Hiei shouted as his mistaken flush of anger spread to his cheeks and he slipped away out of Kuwabara's grasp before his idiot roommate could wrap his arm around his shoulder. One unwanted touch was enough. Hiei would not have another.
Hiei pushed through the half-circle, avoiding all potential touch, and broke free of his classmates and their uninterrupted attention on him. If he could have, Hiei would have left the classroom entirely, but Kuwabara's tall, broad-shouldered frame effectively blocked the door from his reach. Second best seemed to be the open space between his classmates' half-circle and the teacher's desk—it at least offered Hiei more freedom and movement but not much defense from their stares. And it meant Hiei was closer to Minamino.
Hiei stood rigid and attempted to control his breathing. He did not like attention. He did not like being touched. Even in the wider space, Hiei felt closed in.
"Something wrong, Hiei?" Botan asked.
Hiei didn't know why she sounded concerned for him. They had never interacted outside of Minamino's class or inside his class for that matter. Hiei just assumed she was the type to worry about anyone in distress.
Which made Hiei realize he was showing distress.
Hiei did not reply. He kept his frown tight and worked on his breathing. He wanted to get out of there. He did not want to stay under his classmates' awkward stares. He wanted to run. But he couldn't. In lieu of that, Hiei wanted something he could focus on, something that could distract him from the attention on him or take away the concentration from him so he could calm himself.
I don't care what it is, Hiei shut his eyes and angled his gaze to the floor. I just want this to stop!
Minamino stepped away from the teacher's desk and stood beside Hiei.
"Pardon, but Miss Eriko was kind enough to provide a cake for our happy occasion. It would be a shame if we allowed her time and effort to be for naught," Minamino said, giving Eriko a nod and a smile.
The nervous-smiling first-year girl bowed her head and put her hands behind her back. Glare on her glasses masked her eyes but could not hide her blush that spread to her full body when Minamino smiled at her.
The influential power of cake took hold of the class and everyone immediately forgot about Hiei and his discomfort and talked and laughed their way over to a table set up near a window. Hiei breathed and restrung his composure. The sudden tightness in his chest unclenched itself. Hiei was less inclined to leaving the room, though the thought remained up for consideration.
Hiei realized Minamino was looking at him. Begrudgingly, Hiei met Minamino's gaze to see what he wanted.
"Surprise parties tend to be unexpected," Minamino said, his tone and usual placid smile not offering any indication of his point. Hiei found his words odd. And irritating. "Shall we?" he added, nodding to the table.
For reasons Hiei himself did not understand, he followed Minamino and stood near the rest of the class. After he had broke out from his classmates' half-circle, Hiei had noticed the extra table vaguely out the corner of his eye but had completely disregarded it. Now brought close to it, he could plainly see there was a small plastic milk crate full of milk cartons from the cafeteria on one side and on the other, paper plates and plastic forks.
But the centerpiece of this table was a large, thick triple-layer chocolate cake, heavy with icing and deliciousness. As Hiei peered closer, he saw the white icing piped out to clearly read, "Happy Birthday, Hiei!" Hiei could tell this cake was completely homemade—it didn't look like the birthday cakes at the orphanage that he knew were store-bought.
Not like Hiei was an aficionado of cake—after all, he could count the number of cakes he ever had on one hand. After his sixth birthday, Hiei stopped celebrating his birthday and never received another cake and Hiei never joined the other kids in celebrating their birthdays before anyway.
Hiei admitted to himself that he was at a loss, having never expected anything like this to happen or ever had something like this given to him.
While Minamino cut the cake, Hiei found himself the center of attention again. This time was less overwhelming than the first since each of his classmates approached him one by one while the others chatted amongst themselves and did not all focus on him at once.
Eriko stumbled at first and did not raise her head to meet Hiei but she timidly wished him a happy birthday and that he liked the cake. Reiji handed Hiei a hand-drawn card filled with messages from and signed by everyone in the class. Off to the side, Yusuke and Kuwabara audibly kidded about Hiei being 'a year older and not an inch taller'. Botan gave her birthday well-wish and tried hugging Hiei. Hiei stepped back from her and shot her a look of repulsion and warning. He didn't care if he had hurt her feelings. Hiei did not hug.
His classmates around him, Hiei did not understand why they were happy and smiling and wishing him a happy birthday. Half of the class Hiei had nothing to do with outside the classroom but they were being nice to him all the same. As for Yusuke and Kuwabara, situations forced Hiei to be around them when he would rather be alone, but even though they were hardly friends, the way they reacted to him when they thought it was his birthday…
Hiei refused the thought to finish. After all, it was not his birthday, so everything happening around him was not really real. It's all a lie… Hiei reminded himself and gritted his teeth in determination. He would tell and end their charades. "It's not—"
"Necessary. Why, yes, it is," Minamino interrupted, though somehow it did not seem like he had and that what he had done was politely glided himself into the conversation without cutting Hiei off at all (because that would have been rude and Minamino was never rude). "After all, today is a very important day," Minamino said as he plated the first piece.
"Minamino's got a point," Yusuke said wryly through his bitter smile as he sat perched on top a desk. He, evidently, did not like having to agree with Minamino but on this point, had to. He visibly brightened, though, as he met Hiei's scowl and grinned. "Lighten up and have a happy birthday, you jerk."
"It's not my—" Hiei began to say, his voice steadily rising in anger, until Minamino saw fit to interrupt him again—not with words—but with cake. Minamino placed a large bite of cake and icing into his mouth and efficiently quieted Hiei.
Outraged but having no other option, Hiei chewed while he shot Minamino a deep sidelong glare. He wanted to yell at Minamino. Something. Hiei couldn't feel such indignation and not yell. What exactly, Hiei had no idea. The shock of Minamino stuffing cake into his mouth had swept his mind free of words and much of his cognitive thinking.
And Minamino himself did not help matters. Something in his smile and green eyes—warm, pleasant, and sincere—caused the usual aggravated tension Hiei felt around Minamino to double and beat. Hiei didn't know what about his smile did this to him. Could have been anything. Minamino had a talent for pissing him off and that was a good enough explanation for him.
Minamino set the fork on the plate and handed it off to Hiei. Begrudgingly and while obscuring his reddened face from view, Hiei accepted the rest of his cake. Minamino, still smiling and all-too-pleased, turned and started plating the rest of the class's slices.
Hiei gave up trying to convince these idiots of the truth. They weren't listening to him—their mouths and ears were blocked by cake by now—and they proceeded on with Hiei's birthday party and stayed ignorant fools.
And Minamino… Hiei didn't want to think about him. That would only build the tension in his chest and Hiei had enough anger pressing his body already. Hiei had to admit, though, as he readied his fork with another bite of cake…
It was the best damn thing he ever ate.
-o-
After Minamino's tutorial class and track practice, Hiei returned to his dorm room and headed for the showers. Hiei chose an empty stall, quickly stripped down and tossed his clothes on the bench in the small ante-space, and stepped inside the actual shower. Hiei turned the faucet and shut his eyes as the cool water splashed his face.
Running, of lately, had always took away some of his anger but not today. Even after pushing himself hard through track practice, Hiei did not feel the clarity he usually felt after practice. Hiei was tired but his body felt heavy, not light like it typical did, and he ached, especially across his shoulders. Whatever anger and frustrations he felt earlier, his run did not relieve and the water was not washing them away either. Not that Hiei had expected it to—Hiei only expected the water to clean his body of sweat and stink and nothing else.
Hiei bent his neck down and let the cool water sluice down his neck and back for a while and then plunged his head into the shower spray. He knew the cool water would do nothing to ease his headache but Hiei didn't care—the water still felt good running through his hair and on his warm skin.
Hiei knew the source of the angry weight inside him dragging him down. He knew the solution to freeing himself of it as well. Neither he liked knowing and refused to do what he needed to do to feel better, rather he preferred suffering than facing whom he needed to face and asking what he wanted to ask.
Hiei decided the question would go away on its own or if not, he would bury it later and ignore it ever existed. After all, he knew he could not hold onto this question and avoid being around him. And if he held on, he would have to confront him about it. So it was best to wait and let the curiosity die of its own accord.
Hiei's stomach gurgled and grumbled. Hiei hoped the question killed itself before dinner.
-o-
Kurama Minamino sat in a metal folding chair at a small table and studied while he waited for his clothes to finish drying. Much to his relief and appreciation, the laundry room (located on the first floor) was empty and no other washer or dryers were in use so Kurama was and could be alone.
Pausing from memorizing his history notes, Kurama stared inattentively at the opposite wall, eggshell in color and texture, and thought. He gave a soft sad sigh at recalling dinner and finding Hiei nowhere to be found, leaving Kurama to sit in awkward, hostile silence with Kuwabara and Yusuke, the latter being the source of said hostility and an unrelenting glare at him throughout dinner. Kurama was not sure what to make of Hiei's behavior or how it cooperated with his overall plans. He hoped he had not without knowing pushed Hiei too far.
He is one to keep things interesting, Kurama admitted and smiled in amusement as he heard the dryer timer inform him that his clothes were done.
Unlike most students at the Academy, Kurama did not have the luxury of letting his clothes wash and dry unattended. If he did leave, even to walk down the hall and back, his wash would be tampered with. Nothing would go missing or be damaged. No, not that at all. What happened was much worse. And far more disturbing.
If Kurama ever left his clothes unwatched, after he finished drying and started folding, Kurama would find clothing that did not belong to him—panties, bras, lingerie, even the occasional set of unfamiliar boxers. Kurama supposed his admirers thought he would be flattered, even attracted to them, but no, that was never the case and whenever Kurama found such clothing, he tossed it into the laundry's lost and found box without another thought. Personally, he found the gesture a nuisance and disgusting. He had considered posting a signed note politely requesting that people discontinue placing their unmentionables in his wash, but Kurama doubted people would consider such a request, even from him, seriously or real.
And so Kurama supplied his own solution: He began guarding his laundry.
Kurama picked up one of his white dress shirts to his school uniform from the dryer and folded it in such a way that would leave no wrinkles but fine creases in their proper places and gently laid it in his circular hamper. He then took one of his normal shirts and repeated the same actions for the same results. Kurama did not mind the repetition—after all, physical repetition required the use and knowledge of the same actions to continuously produce the same effects and knowing what to do and getting the same results suited with Kurama just fine.
He went on folding without much thought, at least on what he was doing. Kurama wondered why Hiei had missed dinner and whether there was a connection, if any, to the surprise birthday party Kurama had arranged. Kurama had no doubt Hiei knew, or at least suspected, Kurama was the organizer. After all, Hiei had met Kurama's eyes early on and narrowed his glare as if he did suspect and Kurama had not acted as if he denied having a part.
But given his combative nature, Kurama accounted to himself, I had assumed he would have confronted me before, if not, then during dinner. Instead, he has appeared to withdraw. I may have to happen to come across him before we may have our necessary talk.
However… Kurama reconsidered as he heard footsteps approaching the laundry room and turned his head to see Hiei standing in the doorway. Perhaps I am too hasty with my estimations.
And perhaps Kurama was incorrect. Hiei did not appear that he had sought Kurama out and came to confront him. In truth, with the way he stopped in the doorway and stared at the sight of Kurama, it seemed that he had not expected to see him. Hiei stepped back, as if he considered walking away, but quickly decided against it. Hiei entered the laundry room, one hand clutching a black garbage bag slung over his shoulder, and walked up to one of the washers. He ignored Kurama's presence entirely.
Kurama continued folding and pretended to be absorbed in his task while he watched Hiei from the side. He watched Hiei pour the clothes from his bag and shut the washer lid. He watched Hiei put his hands in his pockets and stare at the machine. Kurama watched as Hiei kept staring at the washing machine.
Maintaining his facade of being busy and an impassive expression, Kurama smiled inwardly and waited and watched. Hiei kept staring and Kurama waited and watched until it was clear his help was needed and Hiei could not decline his offer.
"These machines are very simple to operate," Kurama said in a voice that blended in parts of his teacher's tone with his normal voice. Hiei said not a word and eyed him with a level stare as Kurama came over and stood beside him. "The standard cycle typically suffices for most washes." Kurama tapped his finger on the top-left button. "Here is what you were looking for."
Hiei, apparently, still was not talking. He averted his stare away from Kurama and brusquely huffed.
Kurama paid no attention to Hiei's cold show and continued on with his explanation with a smile. Kurama raised the washer lid. "In the future," he said, stepping back to his hamper and grabbing his bottle of detergent, "a cupful of this would be beneficial to your wash."
Kurama first orientated Hiei's clothes in the washer so that the machine could work and spin properly and then poured a cupful of detergent in and closed the lid.
"Your coins go here," Kurama pointed to the slots located at the top of the washer. "And you just press the button I showed you and that is all." Kurama paused and waited for Hiei to follow his instruction.
Hiei did not move toward the washer. He remained standing where he was and peered up at Kurama and shot him a long, emotionless stare.
At first Kurama did not understand what was wrong and then the problem became apparent.
Kurama put in the right change into the washer and, since he might as well, started the machine. "The dryer operates in an identical manner," Kurama turned to Hiei and said. "The start button is even located in the same position. Like I stated before, these machines are simple." Kurama flashed Hiei another affable smile and then went back to his folding and waiting.
Hiei looked away and stared at the timer. Kurama observed from the side and saw the deliberation he went through with his thoughts. There was something on his mind, something he wanted to say, but did not. Kurama surmised it was his stubborn pride holding him back, the same pride that also refused to simply ask Kurama for help with his wash. Kurama also surmised he knew exactly what was on Hiei's mind. It was precisely the kind of thought he hoped and planned Hiei would have. Kurama would wait until he asked. After all, Kurama was patient.
Hiei took a breath, held it, and closed his eyes. Then with a slow release of his breath, Hiei opened his eyes and faced Kurama.
"Why did you tell them it was my birthday?" Hiei asked, his voice part growl.
"Why do you think I told them?" Kurama replied, without looking at Hiei or pausing his folding. After all, he had only a bit left.
"Don't patronize me!"
Hiei hostile... Well, now we are in familiar territory, are we not? Kurama tipped his chin downward and stifled a restrained laugh. When he raised back up, he faced Hiei's harsh stare and wore an amused expression. "To serve as proof."
"Talk straight, Minamino," Hiei ordered, his frown a fine straight line across his face.
"Very well then," Kurama said brightly as he laid his last piece of clothing into his hamper. When he rose, Kurama put his hands into his pockets and met Hiei's eyes. "It was all a display. For you. To show you that you can have and do have friends. People who like you. People who like being around you. You can scoff at most of our class's cheer, true, but you cannot deny the comradeship shown to you by those who are around you the most."
"You're wrong," Hiei said.
"Oh?" Kurama said as he lifted his clothes hamper and supported it against his left hip. "Do explain."
"I don't have friends," Hiei said. "People just like free cake."
"So that was it," Kurama teased. "A bit difficult to tell with Yusuke and Kuwabara, but you might have a point."
Aside from a grunt, Hiei did not reply and angled his narrowed stare to the side. Kurama walked over and paused in front of him.
"Here." Kurama handed Hiei some change. "For the dryer," he explained and with a quick adjustment of his hamper against his hip, Kurama turned and walked toward the door.
"I would've figured out it all on my own, y'know," Hiei said as Kurama walked away. "And don't expect to get paid back."
"You are welcome," Kurama cheerfully replied without looking back as he left the laundry room.
It may not have gone exactly as Kurama had expected or planned but things had gone accordingly as possible and Kurama knew that he had succeeded. He saw it in Hiei's eyes that he had. Hiei was thinking. Yes, he needed time and space to contemplate and absorb the new thoughts, but the idea was there and Hiei was thinking.
This new possibility, like a vibrant dye, will spread and color his thoughts a new shade. He will think, he will consider, and he will learn.
And once he does, it will make my friendship easier to build, now that he knows and accepts he can have friends.
-o-
Hiei did not have friends. No matter what Minamino said. Minamino was wrong and he didn't know anything, to hell with his perfect scores. Hiei had no friends and nobody wanted to be his friend, which was fine with Hiei because he did not want any friends.
Comradeship, my ass, Hiei thought. They were only acting nice.
Up in his dorm room, Hiei lay on his bed, one arm on his pillow and cradling his head, and stared up at the ceiling. With his free hand, Hiei fingered a coin, a sole leftover from Minamino's given change, in his pocket. He turned it from one face side to the other, around and around, in an inattentive cycle as he thought.
They only wanted cake. Didn't matter if it was my birthday or not, which it wasn't. They would've been nice to anyone or anything. It doesn't mean I have friends. …Stupid Minamino, you've proven nothing!
Hiei lay thinking and brooded. He wished he had left the laundry room as soon as he saw Minamino there but had decided against it because Minamino had already noticed him. And the truth was that the question Hiei had to ask would not leave him and Hiei had seen no better opportunity to confront and ask Minamino than alone in the laundry room.
Not that it made Hiei feel much better after finding out the answer.
The angry weight was gone, yes, but Hiei was still very annoyed. If his anger could take shape, it would be a much smaller creature but capable of inflicting wounds and pain if further provoked. Less like a sleeping lion waiting to pounce, Hiei's anger was now more like an irritated housecat lashing its tail crossly about as it treaded its claws into the good leather couch.
Hiei rolled over onto his side and faced his bedside wall. Briefly, Hiei considered, what with the weight gone, a good evening run would probably ease his old and new anger and frustrations and tire him completely out before bed, but Hiei didn't feel like running. He wanted to lay and rest but not sleep, not until he had no other choice but sleep. Really, Hiei just wanted to be alone.
Which was something his idiot roommate could not pick up on.
Kuwabara sat at the furnished study desk and chair and worked diligently on his homework, oblivious to the fact Hiei wanted him gone. His heavy pencil scratching grated the air and Hiei's eardrums. Hiei ground his teeth in irritation—he didn't know which aggravated him more: his pencil scratching or the coarse sound of his voice.
Hiei knew he could leave—it was the simple and logical choice—but leaving his dorm room meant inviting the possibility of running into Minamino and Hiei did not want to see him right now. So it was best if he remained holed up in his room, even if he was stuck with Kuwabara and the endless list of things his idiot roommate did that annoyed him.
So Hiei lay and brooded. He lay and sulked and brooded and unsuccessfully ignored his roommate's quiet sighs, his pencil scratching, and the rough paper sounds of turning pages. As if to keep himself from yelling or merely to give himself something to do, Hiei continued playing with Minamino's coin in his pocket. Not that he wanted to—it was just…that he had to do something and all he had at reach was the coin. Minamino's coin.
Hiei heard their door creak open and, curious to see who had opened it without even an obligatory knock, Hiei turned over.
Leaning against the doorframe and his hands in his pockets, Yusuke Urameshi briefly met Hiei's glare and responded with his own and a hard frown. After that, he haughtily raised his head and acted as if Hiei wasn't there.
"Where's my money, Kuwabara?" Yusuke ordered, a tight irritation in his voice.
"You're askin' for that now?" Kuwabara said, his eyes widened, as he rose from his seat.
"Yea, I am. Gotta problem?" Yusuke said, narrowing his stare as he stepped into Hiei and Kuwabara's room. "You lost the bet, now pay up. Gimme my money."
Granted Hiei didn't know the details and didn't want to know, but something wasn't right and didn't make much sense with the way Yusuke was acting, that there was something off to Yusuke's anger. It was as if Yusuke's anger had nothing to do with why he was here…
Not my problem. If he wants to be pissed off, let him be. I don't care. I don't have to. I have no friends. Hiei turned and faced his wall again.
"Fine, Urameshi," Kuwabara sighed and rummaged through his pocket. "Geez, what's your problem? Keiko give ya an earful?"
"Shut up and hand it over," Yusuke said, snatching the crumpled yen from Kuwabara's hand.
Kuwabara blinked at Yusuke's curtness. "Seriously, Urameshi. What's eatin' you?"
"Nothing," Yusuke replied as he further wrinkled the money stuffing it in his pocket and turned to leave.
Just as Hiei expected Yusuke to slam the door shut and after hearing no noise, Hiei threw a glance and saw Yusuke put his hand on the doorframe and stop. Yusuke stood for a moment, his jaw clenched, thinking and ignoring Kuwabara, before he tightened his hand into a fist and pounded it against the frame. Yusuke circled around, his face hard, his eyes bitter, and stared at Hiei.
"How long you been?"
"How long I been what?" Hiei repeated as he sat up in bed and swung his legs over the side to sit on the edge.
"Buddies with Minamino."
Instinctively, Hiei scowled. "I am not friends with him."
"Liar," Yusuke said as he swaggered toward Hiei. "I was nice in class 'cause it was your birthday but afterwards I started thinking… I've been whoopin' Kuwabara's ass since kindergarten and I still don't know his birthday."
Yusuke shot a look at Kuwabara and Kuwabara reluctantly nodded, verifying his words, much as he didn't like admitting to Yusuke beating him.
Yusuke threw his harsh stare back on Hiei. "So how in the hell does Minamino know yours if you aren't close?"
"He doesn't," Hiei replied. "It wasn't my birthday. He lied. We. Aren't. Friends."
"Bullshit, Hiei," Yusuke sneered. "He fed you cake."
Hiei bolted from his bed. He stood tense and with his clenched fists shaking at his sides. "He didn't feed me! He shoved cake into my mouth to shut me up."
"Why?"
"To keep me from telling everyone it wasn't my birthday." Hiei paused and in that pause, Hiei remembered what Minamino had said, 'Second, you would never know I was planning revenge'. Minamino's quiet laughter afterwards did not seem to sound so sly then as it did now.
Hiding his surprise, Hiei stared down at the floor and said, "It was a ruse, a prank. …Revenge."
But Minamino had also said he wasn't planning on getting revenge on Hiei for assaulting him. Minamino's capable of lying, Hiei thought as he raised his head and met Yusuke's sight again. He's proven that already.
"Shitty revenge, don't you think?" Yusuke narrowed his eyes and regarded Hiei in disbelief. "You don't bake cakes for guys you wanna get back at, Hiei. You think I'm retarded? That I'll believe that bull?"
"Believe what you want," Hiei scoffed as he grabbed Frankenstein from his school briefcase. Not caring what other stupid things Yusuke had to say, he pushed past Yusuke. If he couldn't be alone here, he would find some other place. …And Minamino ought to be smart enough to let him be.
Yusuke circled around and faced the open doorway and Hiei. "Behind the gym, I believed you. I believed you weren't friends with Minamino. But I see now. You're not tough. You're not badass. You're like everyone else."
Hiei stopped in the hall just outside the doorway.
"—adoring our precious, polite, perfect Minamino blind to the fact he's just an overblown, stuck-up, ass-kissing nerd! All this fawning over him makes me sick. I hate Minamino and anyone who caters to him. I never will. And I thought you didn't either."
Hiei glared over his shoulder and said, "I don't. I'm not his friend."
"Like I'm gonna fucking believe you," Yusuke snorted. "Go on! Go be teacher's pet!" Crossing his arms over his chest, Yusuke began turning back around. "Be like everyone else and suck his c—"
Hiei carefully tossed the library's Frankenstein onto the carpeted hall and stormed back into his room. Hiei grabbed Yusuke's arm, spun him back around so he faced him, and hooked Yusuke's jaw with a hard right. Yusuke stumbled back, his shock brought on more by Hiei's sudden hit rather than the hit itself, but quickly recovered and threw his own left cross.
And then it was on.
-o-
Arms crossed defiantly over his chest, Hiei sat in the headmaster's office in the arched-backed chair in front of Takenaka's desk and smirked proudly at himself. His bottom lip was swollen, there were several thin scratches on his left cheek to his neck, and there was a large bruise right above his right eyebrow. His head ached and more than likely there was a bump from where Yusuke cracked him against the door but Hiei got back at him later on for that by putting his head through the wall.
Kuwabara had protested rather quickly and understandably, Hiei supposed, given the close-quarter nature of the dorm rooms, but even his loud and abrasive voice had gone unheard in Yusuke and Hiei's deafening flurry of curses, insults, and incoherent yelling. Kuwabara had tried breaking them apart but a not-so-rogue back-elbow from Hiei had laid him out cold at some point. It was only after their neighbors had alerted their house advisor, Sister Midori, and she came with half-a-dozen Academy security guards were Yusuke and Hiei ever successfully separated.
All in all, Hiei felt pretty good and was happy about the fight.
Father Takenaka was not.
The headmaster stood in front of the large window overlooking the center of the campus with his back facing Hiei and his hands placed in front of him. He had been standing there since Hiei first arrived in his office and had yet to say a word, not even to acknowledge Hiei when entered his office or offer him a cup of tea. Hiei had no doubt he knew he was there. The mood in the air alone told him that.
Father Takenaka put his hands behind his back. They were tightly bunched.
"It should go without saying but I will so as to make it absolutely clear to you, Mr. Jaganshi," the authoritarian Takenaka said and continued gazing out the window and into the late evening blackness. "I am disappointed in you. I am cross and I am disappointed."
Hiei didn't really see why. After all, Father Takenaka knew Hiei's record, he had told Hiei himself he knew, so it couldn't have been that much of a letdown when he found out about his fight.
"I had faith in you. And you were doing…better," Takenaka said, with a sigh. "Explain to me, Mr. Jaganshi. Was hitting Yusuke Urameshi really worth potentially losing everything you have gained here at the Academy?"
Hiei quirked an eyebrow. What I've gained? "Yes," Hiei replied.
"I should expect such a response," Takenaka said as he circled around and faced Hiei. His eyes, though strict, contained, to Hiei's surprise, compassion behind the severity as the headmaster regarded Hiei and wore a tight frown. "You realize you have given me little choice."
"You're expelling me?" Hiei said, trying not to sound hopeful.
"No," Father Takenaka said.
Hiei slipped down in his seat and scowled.
"But I am afraid I must place discipline on you where discipline is due," Takenaka said as he moved to stand in front of his desk. "As I have said, you have given me little choice. Frankly, as I have been and will remain with you, I do not wish to ever have the need to discipline you but where I must, I will."
"So?" Hiei flippantly said.
"Manners and respect, Hiei," Takenaka said sternly. "Do not add to your already serious offenses."
Father Takenaka shot Hiei a strong, serious eye. Hiei fought a bit before he begrudgingly muttered, "Yes, sir."
"In situations such as these, parental notification and involvement is required but seeing how that is not applicable in your case…other disciplinary actions must be utilized."
"You're going to hit me, sir."
Takenaka's frown upturned into a soft smile. More compassion than sternness shone through his eyes. "No. While the headmaster does have the power to use corporal punishment as a disciplinary action, it is my belief that such a means is neither necessary nor an effective form of correction. If I can prevent taking that course, I prefer to never strike any student." Father Takenaka tipped his chin downward, fixed his stern-but-sympathetic gaze on Hiei, and warned, "Do not ever force me, Hiei. It would hurt us both greatly."
Hiei nodded. Father Takenaka raised his head and briefly smiled.
"For fighting, our school policy does state that you should be expulsed from the track team or at least barred from participating," Takenaka said and at hearing that, Hiei gave his full attention. "…But I see more benefit in keeping you on the team than off. I have talked with Coach Niigano and he has agreed to my request and will permit you to race in the upcoming meet."
Hiei leaned back in his seat, tightened the cross of his arms, and sulked at the unfortunate news. Luckily, his bottom lip was so swollen Father Takenaka couldn't probably tell he was pouting. Hiei himself didn't want to know he was pouting.
"I have made much deliberation in how you will be disciplined and this is what I have decided. First, you will apologize to Yusuke Urameshi for fighting with him and to your roommate, house advisor, and your neighbors for being a disturbance and making a scene," Takenaka said, silencing Hiei's protesting with a firm stare. "I assure you that Yusuke will be making his apologies alongside you."
"Second, you will serve a daily detention, and that includes weekends, until you have worked off and paid for the damages you caused. That hole in your wall will not fix itself, Mr. Jaganshi, and since you have no parent or guardian to compensate your damages, you must be the one held responsible and provide repayment. In the future, I hope you take that into consideration before rushing headlong into recklessness."
"Okay, I break anything, I buy it. I get it," Hiei said derisively, as he rose from his seat. "Are we done, sir?"
"I know it is getting late, but I am almost finished, Mr. Jaganshi. Sit," Father Takenaka said.
Hiei sat.
"The final retribution I will order of you will be this," Father Takenaka made his way to his seat, sat, and rested his interlaced hands atop his desk. "You must spend all of tomorrow, and that means the entire day, in the Tower. Sister Midori will wake you at six a.m. and escort you inside."
Sister Midori…. First thing in the morning? Hiei made a quiet growl. She sings, she gets a tracheotomy.
"Have I made myself clear, Mr. Jaganshi?" Father Takenaka said. For the second time, apparently.
Hiei snapped back to focus and nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Very well. From now on, I do not want any more trouble out of you, Hiei. Especially fighting. No more, understand?" Hiei nodded again. "Good. Now I strongly advise that you head straight back to your room and turn in for the night. Given it is past ten-thirty, I see you having no problem following my suggestion. Goodnight, Hiei."
Having nothing more to say to the headmaster and simply glad to finally be dismissed, Hiei rose from his seat without replying and, ignoring the headmaster's kind smile, left Father Takenaka's office.
-o-
The sleeping lion form Hiei's anger sometimes took no longer needed his anger to appear. The lion was in his stomach now and it was awake, grumbling and growling and hungry. Hiei wished he hadn't skipped dinner. He wished he had gone and ate and ignored Minamino and crushed the question of why Minamino had told the class it was his birthday any time it tried to be asked. But he hadn't and Hiei was hungry.
Following Father Takenaka's strong suggestion, Hiei was back in the dorms and almost to his room. Hiei noticed right off that his library copy of Frankenstein was missing from where it had left it on the hallway floor. Hiei dug his fingernails into his palm. Even if it was in the hall, no one had the right to pick it up and take it—it was still his book, after all.
Hungry and now angry, Hiei just wanted to throw himself onto his bed and let the night end. Hiei hoped, along with just about every night, that tonight would be the night he dreamed lucidly so he could beat the man's ass. (Those were false hopes, however, and Hiei knew they were. The dreams he had of the man weren't dreams at all but memories and Hiei could not control memories. Hiei would know what really happened, in the end.)
Finding his room door locked, Hiei dug out his key and opened the door. Hiei found Kuwabara snapping awake as Hiei stepped inside. The oaf was still sitting at the desk and had been studying, though from the wet notebook briefly drool-plastered on the side of his face, studying had not been his sole accomplishment.
"Oh, you're back?" Kuwabara said, quickly wiping off the river of saliva on his sleeve. "How things go with the old man?"
Hiei faced his back to Kuwabara and started unbuttoning his white dress shirt. He did not deign himself to answer. It wasn't Kuwabara's business to know.
As Hiei stripped down to his black boxers and a sleeveless white undershirt and threw his school uniform onto the floor, a familiar font caught his eye. Hiei turned his head and, to his surprise, saw the library's Frankenstein resting comfortably on the middle of his bed.
No other source of information present, Hiei turned to Kuwabara. "Where did—"
"Minamino," Kuwabara said. "Came by after Sister Midori and security hauled you and Urameshi off to Father Takenaka's. Not because of the fight. He seemed surprised yet not when I told him what happened. He found the book, picked it up, and laid it there. Did it odd, though. He treated the book as nicely as he would a person. Kinda like you," Kuwabara flinched at first sight of Hiei's massive glare, "…if you were nice to people."
"Anyway…" Kuwabara said, once his shuddering stopped after Hiei's glare shrunk back to its usual intensity, "the whole reason he said he came by was to give you that. Said he thought you'd be hungry, missin' dinner and everythin'."
Hiei followed Kuwabara's nod and saw laying on his pillow and protected in plastic wrap the rest of the chocolate cake. Hiei didn't argue with his stomach. He threw himself onto the bed, grabbed the paper plate, removed the plastic, and dug into the chocolate slabs—Minamino had provided a plastic fork, of course.
"There's two pieces there, y'know…" Kuwabara said. "Big ones."
The look Hiei shot made Kuwabara retract and deny he had ever implied he had asked Hiei to share.
