A/N: Hm…I wonder if I should really be writing this while listening to Wicked. (Popular, Dancing Through Life and What Is This Feeling, to be specific. …Not the best songs for this kind of thing.) But oh well! laughs maniacally then begins hacking violently, falling out of her chair and choking on the ground Urgh…my evil laugh hasn't been used in a while…is rusty… (Is it bad that I've almost memorized Popular? It's possibly the most valley-girl prep-ish song you'll ever find anywhere. And I hate valley girls and preps. But I can't help it! It's a catchy tune. Eh, to make up for it, I've almost got What Is This Feeling memorized. starts humming Wicked songs)
anon: Score one for lemon and thanks for reviewing!
Jewelle2: Kudos to you! I'll assume that's a second score for a lemon, and thanks for the review!
rose in bloom8768: Score three for lemon! Thanks for the review!
Kuro Mizu-Kitsune: Hee hee. Glad you liked it, and thanks for the review. As for the OC's question, the ones you're describing are known as Mary-Sues and I cannot begin to describe my deep and utter loathing for them. But if the OC is balanced out and has its strengths and weaknesses (or is only there to make up for body count, like the guy that was in the BBC… cough cough), then I don't mind so much. Take Son for example. He's a badass fighter, smart, has a lot of political power (in the crime world) and is rich, but that's because he's in his mid-fifties and has been in gangs since he was very young (four, to be exact), so he's had tons and tons of experience. On the flip side, he's old and has been banged up all to hell. He also has a 'stunning' personality. As for your fanfiction, tell me when you write it 'cause I wanna read it!
gods sent angel: Yes, it's the British Broadcasting Channel where they sit around a pretty table, sip tea and inform their viewers on proper flower arrangement. X3 No, just kidding, but that did make me laugh for a few minutes. Glad you like it so much. Thanks for the review and watch the soda, that stuff up your nose hurts like all hell and back.
Gemenice: Glad you like it. As for Yoko, you'll have to find out. And as for how long it took me…erm…the first chapter? Three minutes. Second chapter? Five minutes. Everything else? …I'll tell you when I stop making it up as I go along. Thanks for the review!
Marikalay: Thank you, that was kind of you. But I like setting goals for myself, so this is fine. And if makes others happy, that's another win for me.
Lumberjane: Hm…I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for telling me that and thanks for the review!
Yuki Hi Hono'o: X3 I know, I'm evil that way. Hope you enjoy the update!
lala: Aw, I'm sorry! Hopefully new chapters will make up for it!
Kuro Mizu-Kitsune: Score four for lemon, and good idea. And sorry about fooling you all. I wanted to put in a new chapter, but I want to see how long I can wait too. (strain…ish…killing…me! wibble)
KaL KeY: I don't intend on dropping this any time soon. Thanks for reviewing!
Kurochan: Heh. Another score for the lemon scene. Thanks for reviewing.
Stelina Miko Kitsune: Technically Yoko's just Kurama's alternate personality in this story, since it's AU. However, if the readers want to believe he's the King of Thieves residing with Kurama's body, I don't really have any problems with is so long as they know that Yoko and Kurama are two seperate people. As such, it would have to be a seperate soul in Kurama's body. (Also, no, Kurama's not aware that Yoko is the King of Thieves. At least, not fully)
Chapter Ten
Kurama sighed and turned onto his other side to stare at the clock. It was almost three in the morning and he couldn't get back to sleep. He had woken up as a rather loud crack of thunder had startled him and now for some reason he couldn't fall back asleep. Growling a bit in frustration, he turned onto his stomach and buried his face into the pillow.
This is ridiculous! I should be fast asleep by now! Why can't I sleep? What the hell is wrong with me?
Sighing, he opted for resting his chin on the pillow. The window suddenly crashed open and he jumped in surprise, nearly falling out of the bed. Emerald eyes stared at the wall in fear, then narrowed in anger.
"Stupid storm." Grumbling, the teen pulled the sheets off his body and went over to close the window. As he did, he noticed someone standing in the garden below. The redhead frowned and shielded his eyes against the rain to peer down. The figure was female, from what he could see. She had long hair and wore a long, flowing skirt. He couldn't see their face at all since it was so dark, but she felt familiar for some reason. Leaning forward, he struggled to see her. A flash of lightning suddenly illuminated red hair, almost the same color as his. A second flash showed her staring up at him, face calm but eyes completely insane. Confusion ran through Kurama's mind and he leaned forward to try and see more of her.
Who…?
There was another flash of lightning and she was completely gone, as if she had never been there. Kurama blinked in surprise and searched around for her, wishing it was lighter. Suddenly, on the fourth flash of lightning, she was right there, reaching for him with bloody wrists and a murderous look on her face.
"Shuichi!" Eyes widening, the teen gave a cry of surprise and stumbled back, losing balance and falling to the ground ungracefully and painfully. Heart pounding so hard he thought it would explode, he looked back up at the window. There was nothing there except black tree branches. Sighing, he stood and closed the window, quickly locking it. He stepped back and ran his hands through his hair, trying to calm down.
"I thought the medicine would have started working by now." He turned around to go back to bed and nearly screamed as he came face to face with Karasu, blood pouring from infected gashes.
"Want to get rid of us so soon, aka-koi?" Clasping a hand over his mouth, Kurama tried to stop himself from screaming. He spun around to try and run and two bloody hands suddenly grabbed his neck, blocking his air. The redhead choked and grabbed the hands, trying to pull them off his neck. The woman in the rain gave him an insane, murderous smile.
"Poor pretty Kurama…we'll make you feel better…" Gasping for air, the teen stumbled and fell to the ground. The hands around his neck tightened as the woman continued to smile at him with that insane expression. Her words were forced as she used all her strength to strangle the boy.
"Mommy…loves you…so much!" Tears came to Kurama's eyes and he tried to pull the hands off.
"Kh! H-help…h-help me…s-some…one… H-Hiei…!" The woman gasped in surprise and let go suddenly, disappearing with another flash of lightning. Blinking in surprise, Kurama sat up and looked around. There was no one there. There was no blood on his neck, nor on the carpet, there was nothing to show that anyone had been there.
It was all…in my head?
Shaking his head quickly, the teen stood and flopped onto the bed with a tired sigh. He felt physically exhausted, but his mind was far too awake. He sighed again and moved so his head was on the pillows. He was about to fall asleep when he heard the door open. Sitting up quickly, he turned to face the door.
"Hiei?" He nearly screamed as he saw Karasu standing there, Hiei's head in one hand.
"Wrong. But don't worry, aka-koi, he won't bother you anymore. There's just me here to take care of you."
Kurama bolted up in bed, eyes wide with fear. He looked around frantically, looking for anyone there. The dream, unlike so many others, refused to fade away. Everything he had seen was branded into his brain. The woman, the look on Karasu's face, the hollow look in Hiei's eyes… Shaking his head almost frantically, he curled into himself and covered his ears, trying to force the images to go away.
It wasn't real it wasn't real it wasn't real it wasn't real it wasn't-
"Kurama?" Jerking up, it took the teen a few seconds to realize Hiei was standing in the doorway. He blinked in surprise and just stared at him, almost expecting him to be murdered or come at him with a knife. The crime lord looked confused and puzzled as he closed the door behind him and removed his soaking wet jacket.
"What are you doing still up? It's almost three in the morning." Still a bit shaken up, the redhead looked over at the clock and blinked in surprise again. The letters did in fact read two fifty-seven. Shaking his head, he tried to get rid of the images.
"C-couldn't get to sleep." Hiei raised an eyebrow at him as he removed his soaking wet T-shirt and reached for a new one.
"Bad dreams?" Kurama was about to speak, but it turned into a gasp as Hiei turned his back to him. The crime lord stopped and turned back to him, confusion on his face.
"Kurama?"
"Hiei your…I didn't realize…" It took the shorter male a few seconds to realize what he was talking about and when he did, he snorted a bit.
"It's nothing. I've had it for a while. Don't worry about it." Kurama bit his lip as his eyes ran over the giant scar. What surprised him so much was that it didn't look like an accident. The lines were too precise, the image too clear. It was almost like a tattoo, only much more permanent. It was a skull, mouth open in a silent hysterical laugh. The eyes had been 'colored' in except for two spots made to look like the irises. Biting his lip again, the redhead could only imagine the pain one had to go through to get that. He was broken out of his trance as Hiei came over and snapped his fingers in front of the boy's face. Jumping, he blinked in surprise for the third time in a few short minutes and looked up at the crime lord. Hiei raised an eyebrow again and pulled a dry shirt over his head.
"You all right?"
"H-huh?"
"I asked if you were all right. What, never had someone concerned for your health?"
"N-no, nothing like that! Just…"
"Didn't expect me to be."
"No, not at all! I-I just didn't…hear you…" The look on Hiei's face clearly said he didn't fully believe him, but he didn't press it. Instead he sat beside him on the bed and put a hand to his forehead.
"Bad dreams?" Miserably, the redhead nodded. Hiei removed his hand and gave him a serious look.
"Want to tell me about them?"
"I-I don't want to bother you…"
"It's not a bother. Bad for your mental health to keep stuff like that in anyway." Looking down at his hands, Kurama gave a grim smile.
"I can be more screwed up in the head than I already am?" This took Hiei by surprise and he growled, grabbing the boy's face in his hand.
"Don't say that. You're not screwed up in the head. I've seen people worse off than you, believe me." The look of surprise switched to Kurama's face and he looked back down at his lap.
"I…thank you, Hiei." The male snorted a bit.
"Don't mention it. Now, you want to tell me about your dreams?" The redhead hesitated for a few seconds, then began to spill everything he had seen starting from when he had woken up. When he finally finished, Hiei's eyes were wide with clear shock. It was silent for a few seconds before the crime lord finally recovered.
"Feel any better?"
"I…yes…a little…" The crime lord nodded and smiled a bit.
"Didn't I tell you?" Smiling weakly, the teen nodded. Satisfied, Hiei stood to leave. He stopped when someone grabbed his arm, holding him back. He looked down and saw the emotion in Kurama's eyes had changed from happy to frightened.
"Please don't leave me…"
"Leave…Kurama, I'm just going to sleep on the couch." Kurama looked a bit embarrassed and slowly released the crime lord, hands dropping slowly to his lap.
"O-oh…" Hiei regarded him for a few seconds before deciding on his next action.
"Do you…want me to sleep with you? Beside you I mean, not like-" The redhead instantly perked up.
"Would you?" This took Hiei by surprise a bit, but he nodded regardless.
"Sure." Kicking off his shoes, the crime lord slipped into the bed next to the teen. He debated whether or not to try and keep distance between them, eventually deciding to screw it all and pulled the boy into his chest. Kurama cuddled against him gratefully, eyes slipping closed as warmth and protection surrounded him. He fell asleep a few minutes later. Hiei, however, was up for a while afterwards. He was trying very hard to make his mind shut up, telling it that this was only a way to keep the kid from having anymore nightmares.
Sure it is. And if it had been anyone else, you would be gone by now.
Shut up. No one asked you.
Hey, I'm your mind.
Where's that good side?
Do you have any idea how immoral this is?! You're practically taking advantage of him!
Kami, put me to sleep now.
I AM A LINE PLEASE IGNORE ME BECAUSE I AM NOTHING MORE THAN A LINE SORRY FOR THE INTERMISSION FOLKS NOW READ THE STORY
"Boss, I really don't think this is a good idea." Toru ignored his crony, instead continuing to stride down the allies towards the one person he wanted to talk to. He could feel his blood pounding with anger. The image of his own son not remembering who he was kept repeating in his mind over and over, as did the image of Hiei giving him orders. Orders, like he was his personal slave boy.
I will wake to the gates of Hell before I let anyone in my family be a slave to that little cocky wet-behind-the-ears son of a bitch!
The male finally came to a generic steel door with mediocre graffiti painted across it and the walls. Not even bothering to knock, he flung it open and stormed in past the guards stationed there.
"Hey, you can't come in here!"
"Fuck off." Ignoring the cries of protest, he stormed through a rather crowded, rather shady club, heading to one of the backrooms. A few guards posted at the entrance there stopped him.
"Can't get back here without permi-" Toru grabbed the hand in front of him, nearly snapping the wrist in half. He growled dangerously.
"Back. The fuck. Off." Shoving past the other one, he threw open the door and stormed down the halls. One of the men from the door slipped ahead of him and ran to a door at the end of the hall, opening it quickly.
"Suzaku-sama! This guy, we couldn't stop him, he-" The man was flung into the wall as Toru stormed in, eyes burning with anger. A rather attractive male with violet eyes and short blonde hair, minus two red bangs, raised an eyebrow as Toru stormed up to him and stopped just in front of the desk before the man.
"You're Otsuko Toru, aren't you. Anything I've done that's made you want to kill you?"
"Whoever said I wanted to kill you."
"You-"
"I don't have time for chitchat. I came because we both have a common enemy that we both want taken down." Suzaku's eyebrow arched a bit higher.
"Do we now."
"Hiei took something from both of us, and now we both want him dead."
"An alliance then. Very well, but before I make any sort of agreement, what do you get out of it?"
"My son." Now Suzaku looked rather interested. He moved from his original position of lounging in his chair to leaning forward a bit.
"Fill my ears."
"I help you get whatever it is he took from you, no questions asked, no favors asked for, no pay, nothing like that, on two conditions."
"Tell me."
"Hiei suffers before dying. I don't care how you do it, pour acid on him, kill his second in command, I don't care, I just want him to suffer." Suzaku's lips twisted into a grin.
"I planned on doing that anyway. And condition number two?"
"He's got a kid with him. Not a toddler or a little brat, he's about fifteen or sixteen. Long red hair, emerald eyes." The drug-dealer smirked a bit.
"Sounds like a girl." Toru growled low in his throat.
"He's not to be harmed. At all."
"From what I hear, the boy Hiei has with him is pretty friendly with him." Toru smashed his fist into the desk, leaving a rather impressive dent.
"That cowardly son of a bitch has done something to my son! I'm not going to sit back and watch as he takes advantage of him!" Suzaku moved back a bit, his men reaching for their guns. The room was tense for a bit, everyone waiting for the next move. Finally, Suzaku grinned.
"All right. I'll help you get your son back. And crush Hiei in the process."
I AM A LINE PLEASE IGNORE ME BECAUSE I AM NOTHING MORE THAN A LINE WOW I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING ACTUALLY
Hiei gently stroked silky red hair, not sure why he wasn't tired, much less asleep. He had been asleep for two and half hours before waking up at a rather loud thunderclap. Now he couldn't get back to sleep. He didn't even feel tired. He was perfectly content to stroke Kurama's hair, enjoying the feel of it underneath his fingers. Looking down, he watched the strands of fire weave through each of his digits easily. It was like running his hand through water. The form in his arms shifted and twin emerald orbs blinked open sleepily. Hiei paused in his movements, an action that elicited a displeased sound. Grinning a bit, he continued to pet the teen.
"Feel any better?"
"Mm…yes…"
"Good. We should probably get up." Nodding, the redhead sat up a bit slowly and stretched a bit before fluffing his hair back to its original style. He still seemed a bit disoriented, but he was regaining thought. Stretching a bit himself, Hiei sat up and was about to ask the teen if he'd had any more dreams when suddenly a freezing chill ran over his entire body. He froze completely and looked around, eyes wide.
W-what…was that? A sudden…murderous intent…
"Hiei? What's wrong?" The crime lord didn't respond for a few seconds, eyes scouring the room for any enemies or any indication to something like it. Upon seeing nothing, he shook his head and rubbing his arms. His body felt like it was slowly freezing from the inside out.
"N-nothing." Frowning a bit, Kurama shifted closer and placed a hand on the other's cheek.
"Hiei, you're freezing!"
"I-it's nothing…" The redhead quickly pulled the other male to his chest, wrapping his arms around him and trying to warm him up. Gratefully, Hiei pressed against the teen in search of warmth. He hated being cold. He was much more partial to warmth. He gave a small sigh of pleasure as warm arms surrounded him and helped thaw the ice that felt like was inside his body. After a few minutes, he pulled back some and gave a bit of a grin.
"Thanks. I really hate feeling cold." Kurama smiled back at him.
"It's not a problem. I owe you for helping get rid of my nightmares." Hiei snorted and grinned.
"Hey, we've all got nightmares. Come on, I'm feeling starved." Chuckling, the redhead nodded and climbed out of the bed, searching around for clean clothes for both of them. Hiei just now realized how little Kurama was wearing and took a few seconds to admire perfectly sculpted legs, hips, and the area where his legs met his back. Kurama gave a small noise of triumph and Hiei decided to tear his eyes away long enough to look up at the other's face. Wouldn't do good to be caught staring. The teen handed Hiei a clean set of clothes and went about getting dressed himself. He glanced over at the crime lord and suddenly paused, face pulling into a bit of a frown.
"Hiei, where'd you get that ring?" Hiei froze and looked over to his hand quickly. There, standing out against his pale skin, was a silver ring with a black crystal engraved into it.
I forgot to take that off?!
"It's nothing." Quickly removing it, he dropped it into his pocket and went about getting changed as to hopefully deter the teen from asking any more questions. Though several burned on his mind, Kurama decided to let the subject go and instead grabbed a towel.
"I'm going to take a shower, Hiei. You can go on ahead without me." The crime lord cast him a curious look, but he shrugged and pulled a long-sleeved shirt (black) over his head.
"All right. Meet you down there." Kurama nodded and headed to the bathroom while Hiei headed downstairs. Once the other male was gone, the redhead paused and then went around the room looking for some indication as to what that ring meant.
Now that I think about it, Sakyo was wearing one as well…it looked a lot like that, too.
Frowning, he began looting through drawers and anything else in the room. There were quite a few miscellaneous shiny things; necklaces, bracelets, jewelry probably obtained through…less than moral actions. There were a few old letters between Hiei and someone named 'Son'. They were written on scraps of paper and the words looked as though they had been scrawled hastily. One of them had a splatter of blood on it, and another was a rather suspicious pink color. Shrugging, he put the letters back and continued to search around. He came across a little black light blue that was sealed with a lock. Frowning, he went back to the jewelry and located a hairpin. In a few seconds, he had gotten the lock open and the book lay open in his hands. He glanced at the door nervously and took the book into the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind him. Sitting on the counter, he opened the book and blinked in surprise. There was an entry number written at the top of the first page and a date, but the date looked like it had been added later on in life. The writing was nice and neat, not exactly looking like a style Hiei would write in.
Entry One – August 13
Hiei was nice enough to get me this journal, but he asked me not to ask how or where. Unfortunately, I assume this means he stole it for me. I feel bad about having something that's not rightfully mine, but since Hiei got it for me, I won't look a gift horse in the mouth. I've wanted a journal for a long time because I feel there are some things I need to say but I have no one to say them to. Most of the people around us are not the most moral of people and I don't doubt they would mock me for my beliefs and thoughts, may even use them against my brother and me. I've thrown away my cross. It was rather pretty; I found it one day while bringing food back 'home', if it could be called that. After I found it, I found a small pocket Bible. After reading it, I began to wonder if this was God's way of telling me to hold faith in him. I decided to give it a try, since Kami-sama wasn't answering my prayers. I kept both items secret, even from my brother. It went well for a long time. I prayed every night, I prayed whenever Hiei went out, I prayed almost all the time. Then God betrayed me. Hiei went out one night and I prayed for him to return safely. Well, he didn't. He was on his way home when he got jumped by one of the rival gangs. Son found him and had to take him to the hospital. The doctors refused to care for him and he almost died. Luckily, one doctor took care of him and kept him from dieing. After I stopped praying. If this is God treats those who don't worship him, then I don't want to have any part of the Christian religion. I went to the hospital and showed Hiei my Bible and cross and told him everything. Then I opened the window and threw both of them into the street. Hiei seemed surprised, but happy at the same time. He told me I shouldn't have believed that bullshit in the first place and I was better off without. And I do feel better. But now I have nothing to hold onto.
Entry Two – September 5
I finally gave in. I missed holding my cross so much, I asked Hiei to steal me a necklace I'd seen in a store window one day. He looked surprised and then grabbed his jacket, saying he doubted he'd be able to get it. He left with Son and the others to go to the rumble. I prayed to Kami, hoping I could make up for all I had done. I wished I hadn't asked Hiei to do such a thing, knowing he wouldn't be able to get it. But my nii-san continues to surprise me. He came back, bruised and scratched up and in pretty bad shape. When I went to tend to his wounds, he just growled at me and said religions and beliefs were stupid. Then he shoved the necklace I had asked for into my hand and grumbled how he didn't understand why I needed another necklace when I already had a perfectly good one. I was surprised for a few seconds, then I smiled and kissed his forehead. He growled and refused to look at me, but I know he was happy. Hiei just doesn't show affection the way most people do. This really isn't a healthy environment for him. But what choice do we have?
Entry Three – September 16
I was cleaning Son's room when I came across a black ring today. It was really beautiful, but at the same time it scared me down to my very core. I was so scared I dropped it and ran out as fast as I could. I must have dropped it on the floor because Son came to find me later, ring in hand. He asked me if I had been snooping around his room. I quickly told him I had just been cleaning up and must have knocked it over on accident. He gave me one of those looks that makes me feel like I'm completely naked and he can see my bare soul. It felt like all my hidden secrets, like everything about me was written all over my body and glowing brightly around me so he could see it clearly. I couldn't look him in the eye and looked down at my feet instead. He lifted my head up and showed me the ring. It was still scary, but somehow it seemed to pale in comparison to what Son could do. He told me that the ring was very special to him and made him part of something greater than himself. I know it sounds silly, but I was honestly shocked. I couldn't imagine anything greater than Son that was in the criminal world. He seemed like the king of it sometimes. I confessed my thoughts to him and he laughed. Not one of those mocking laughs, but one that said he was honestly amused. He pet me and then handed me the ring, asking me to hold onto it for him for a bit. It felt like a king handing a servant girl his crown and asking her to wear it for a bit. I slipped it into my shorts pocket and nodded. He smiled and pet me again, straightening to go look for Hiei. Later on I was looking at it more carefully and I noticed there was a small engraving on the side that revealed a new mystery to me: engraved near the bottom of the jewel so that it was barely noticeably were the letters BBC.
Entry Four – October 13
I haven't been able to write in so long because there's been so many things happening. Son's still letting me hold onto the ring, but lately he's started asking for it frequently and then disappearing for a while. I still have no idea what 'BBC' means, but I bet it has something to do with wherever he goes. Meanwhile, the other gangs have started acting up more so than usual. Hiei's got so many bruises now I'm afraid one of these days he'll come home and be so beaten up I won't recognize him. I almost don't. Things are getting scarier too. The night after I last wrote, Son suddenly handed me the ring and took Hiei and me, pushing us into the cellar and telling us to hide in there before closing the door. Hiei took my arm and we hid behind some of the crates down there, listening to what was going on just above our heads. We could hear someone break into our house and lots of shouting, even a gunshot. We were right underneath a crack in the floor and a lot of the blood fell into Hiei's eyes. I feel so bad about what I did, but I closed my hands over his mouth to stop him from crying out. I could feel him crying because the tears ran over my hands, but for both our sakes I couldn't remove my hands. There were loud footsteps and even louder shouts. Someone fell and landed on the crack, covering our only source of light. It felt like an eternity. We were both so afraid of being found. We didn't know who had broken in. If it were another gang, we'd be killed or worse. If it was the police, we'd be questioned and moved to another family, away from Son, who was like our father. Whoever had tripped was dragged away, giving us barely any light since the lights upstairs had been turned off. Finally, it grew completely silent. Everyone was gone, and I didn't hear anyone else in the house. I removed my hands slowly and as soon as I did, Hiei gave a strangled cry of pain and fell onto his hands and knees, crying and rubbing his eyes. I tried to comfort him, but there was nothing I could do. I knew the blood must have stung so badly and he had had to sit completely still for so long. I finally managed to get him upstairs to the kitchen and washed his eyes out with water. When he looked at me, I felt like crying. It was like his eyes were completely blood red except for his pupils. And I felt like it was my fault. He collapsed against the sink and began to cry. When I asked him what was wrong, he said it was because he couldn't see well. He said everything looked red. I looked around and felt something hollow in my chest. I told him that to me, everything just looked dark. We went around the house, trying to find out what had happened. There was blood on the floor and the door was smashed, but it didn't look like a rival gang. Decreeing it was the police, we quickly ran. Where police went once, they went again to check the scene. And we didn't want to be there. So we ran, trying to avoid the territories of other gangs. We hid out for almost three weeks, waiting for word from Son or anyone in our gang. Finally, earlier today, while we were swimming across the river, a black car pulled up on the side of the river we had just reached and Son stepped out, grinning at us. He said we looked like a bunch of half-dead, drowned sewer rats. I don't know if I've ever felt so happy. We both ran to him and flung ourselves on him, even Hiei who hates affection of any sort. Son laughed at us and gave us hugs before letting us get into the car. He sat in between us and let us hang onto him. Hiei fell asleep first, so tired from having to protect me those three weeks. Once he was asleep, Son turned to me with a serious expression.
He asked me if I still had his ring and I quickly pulled it out of my pocket to show him. He smiled and pet me, calling me a good girl. I should have felt stupid, but almost nothing in the world could have made me happier. We got home quickly and I've never felt so happy to see the rundown house. The weeds, the broken shingles, the cracked windows, it all looked familiar. It looked like home. Son took us outside and sprayed us down with a hose, telling us the shower was broken and we'd already gotten his car all dirty, we weren't about to track mud into his house. The water was freezing, but it shocked Hiei back to his normal state and he and Son began arguing rather loudly. I finished washing myself as they practically screamed at each other. Once I was done, Son took the hose and sprayed Hiei in the face. Toguro took me back inside, Hiei's shouts of protest and obscenities following me up to our room. I felt much better, like a warm blanket surrounded me. I found the necklace Hiei had stolen for me and put it on, thanking whatever gods there were that everything was all right. Hiei came up a bit later, completely soaked and in a pretty foul mood. But that was fine.
I'm going to sleep now. I just want to say it feels so good to be home at last.
"So what entry are you up to." Kurama jumped in surprise, nearly falling off the counter he was on. Hiei was leaning on the doorway, an amused look on his face. Blushing, the redhead quickly closed the journal and looked down.
"I-I'm sorry, i-it wasn't any of my-" Hiei cut him off.
"I asked you a question." The teen blushed even more and fiddled with the edges of the book.
"I-I just finished entry four." The crime lord 'hned' and shifted which leg he was putting his weight on.
"So, guess you know a bit more about us then." Face still red, Kurama swallowed nervously and nodded. He felt bad about having read the journal now. Hiei snorted and moved off the doorway, heading back into the room.
"Get dressed. Breakfast is ready." Blinking a bit in surprise, the teen slipped off the counter and headed back to the bedroom, peering out. Hiei was shifting through things on his desk, looking for something. Sighing, the redhead put the journal down and quickly got dressed in the clothes he had found for himself. He turned to leave when Hiei grabbed his arm and pushed the journal back into his hands. The crime lord gave a bit of a grin and pressed a small silver key into the teen's hand.
"You haven't finished reading it yet." Hiei smirked at the confused look on Kurama's face and turned to the doorway, heading out.
"You coming?" Recovering, Kurama nodded a bit and hurried to catch up. The journal was clutched in his arms, the key in his hand.
End of Chapter Ten
A/N: Next chapter will be reading through the rest of Yukina's journal. Just want to add that I've been listening to What Is This Feeling for the past half hour now (I can almost sing it without missing a line and I haven't look at the lyrics in four months) and I'm currently trapped in my room because we're having people paint our house and they're working on the hallway outside my room.