The Sea Prince

Chapter 9

It's finally done! I'm so sorry that, once again, it took forever to come out. Also, special thanks To Samantha Fisher for helping me in this fic. She helped me with a new song. once again I'm really sorry for taking forever, but I must say something weird happened. in the last 2 weeks I suddenly got lots of reviews, thank u to those people who reviewed, and everyone else (bows).However, could it be possible if u all could look at my profile after this and answer my trivia question #2? I'd be really thankful if u did (u REALLY don't have to answer #1).

Now that I said what I wanted, on with the fic!

A hand slammed into the ground of a beach and a loud gasp of breath could be heard. The hand dragged 2 people up a little before the person collapsed on his side, to avoid landing on the smaller form beneath him. Kurama turned onto his back and started gasping for air. He had just swum over 800 miles nonstop, above water, as fast as he could while carrying someone. Such a task was difficult.

'Too…long…swim…paaaain!' Kurama thought as he panted. A wave of went up to their chests and started pulling Hiei back with it. Kurama screamed before grabbing Hiei and pulled him further onto the beach until the tide only touched their toes… and fin.

"Y-You're s-…such a… tr-trouble…troublesome thing. You know that?' Kurama asked before falling on his back next to Hiei. After 10 minutes, Kurama was finally able to breathe normally, but he still had cramps. Turning onto his side again, he finally had a good chance to study what he just saved. Blushing; Kurama looked at Hiei.

'He's hotter up close… but he looks so… so… adorable when he's sleeping!' Kurama thought blushing. Hiei looked much younger in his sleep, and he even breathed like a tired child. Kurama couldn't't hold back anymore, slowly, his hands started to gently caress above Hiei's brow, and went lower to his cheeks. (OMG intimidate scene) Grinning evilly, Kurama pinched Hiei's cheeks and tugged them a couple of times, stretching the koorime's face. (Never mind)

Hiei groaned in his sleep, and Kurama let go after a couple of minutes. Hiei's cheeks were pink from the 'torture' Kurama gave him, and a few nail marks were imprinted into his skin. Smiling Kurama started laughing hysterically. "I knew it, his cheeks and skin is so soft. Just like a girl's." He yelled and fell backwards. The fire demon had surprisingly plump cheeks, Kurama was shocked that he didn't't have dimples.

Kurama finally finished laughing after a while and got control of his self. Smiling he sat up, and bended his tail, so it went beside him. He then pulled Hiei closer to him, and aloud the fire demon to rest his head on his lap. "There, you should be more comfortable here then on the ground. If not then I'm sorry." Kurama said and he brushed Hiei's bangs out his eyes.

Youko and Kuwabara panted heavily as they made their way near the beach. They had been trying to catch up to Kurama for a while now. Even while pulling someone Shuichi was still the fastest person Youko had ever known, and he knew a lot of people.

"Damn that kid's fast…" Youko said tiredly as he clung to a rock. Kuwabara merely nodded and just floated on top the water. Youko suddenly saw something on the beach that caught his attention; he quickly grabbed Kuwabara and hid behind the rock. Kuwabara almost screamed profanities at him but Youko placed a hand over his mouth and pointed to the beach. Confused, Kuwabara looked around the rock to see what Youko was looking at. There was no need for anything to cover his mouth anymore because what he saw made his jaw drop.

He saw Shuichi gazing down at the fire demon with a light smile on his face, brushing the land walker's hair out of his eyes. But the thing that Youko and Kuwabara were both really shocked about, was the look in Kurama's eyes. Never had they saw that much care or love in his eyes; they were shining like gems as they gazed down at the little demon. Youko smiled, it was about time Shuichi fell in love with someone. He didn't't care about the legs, just Shuichi's happiness.

Kuwabara thought it was strange though. He never liked land walkers, due to their lack of respect to the ocean. He knew that they often killed whales for next to no reason, and they once threw chemical waste in the water. Those were times when only humans ruled the world, and now that demons and humans coexisted again for the 2nd time, things were going better. However, he just couldn't't forgive them, even if this kid was a demon. His jaw dropped when he saw the 2.

Youko rolled his eyes and closed Kuwabara's jaw for him while watching the 2. 'Whatever's good for you Shu-chan.' He thought as he watched the tender scene.

Kurama found he was having slight trouble breathing after a while and he knew why. Looking at the sea, he stretched out his hand and water immediately snapped out of the ocean like a whip and it wrapped itself around his arm. Using his hand, he manipulated the water so it was like a belt, then,removing his hands from Hiei, they went to his sides. Grunting slightly, he found the place he needed on his fin and lifted his scales up, revealing gills. Lifting his scales made all he water that was already under there fall out and splash on Hiei and the sand. Kurama couldn't't breath and started coughing. Being quick the water went around his waist and covered his gills; each becoming blobs of water covering his gills. Kurama was still gasping for breath until he lifted his scales over the water and closed them again. The gills were covered again and Kurama coughed a little more before he started taking deep breaths.

Sighing, Kurama realized that he was resting his head on Hiei's and he jumped back. Hiei grunted in his sleep and turned onto his side, trying to find a more comfortable position. Kurama smiled at the action and ran his hand threw Hiei's hair a few more times.

'His hair is surprisingly soft…' Kurama thought and he sniffed him a little. 'He smells nice too! Kind of like rain and… that smell when the wood was burning. Kin-dares (cinders) I think the land walkers call it.'

Youko watched from a distance and grinned while Kuwabara thought it was awkward. "Hey Youko, why is Kurama looking at a land walker like that," Kuwabara asked confused? Youko's brow twitched and he smacked him over the head. "OW, hey"-

"You twit!" Youko hissed cutting the carp off and making it sweat. "I knew you were dim but this takes the anemone jells!" Youko said. Anemone jells were sweet and a popular desert in the ocean.

"Well sorry for wondering why Kurama's so attached to this alien like person; BUT IT'S CREEPING ME OUT!" Kuwabara yelled and Youko rolled his eyes.

"Because I'm so nice and thoughtful"-

"I didn't't know you could be nice." Kuwabara said astonished and Youko punched him so hard that he hit the ground and got stuck in the mud under water. Youko went under and rested on his arms on the ground.

"Ahem, as I was saying before you fell and got stuck under water."

"YOU HIT ME!" Kuwabara protested but then coward under the glare that Youko gave him and shut up.

"Shuichi-chan has finally fallen in love with someone." There was a tense silence before Kuwabara said anything.

"No fucking way." Kuwabara finally said and Youko sighed again.

"Idiot, has Shuichi ever looked at anything like that before?" Youko asked.

"Well… actually no."

"But he is obsessed with land walker things and habits, am I right?"

"Well… yes but I'm sure it's only a hobby." Kuwabara said thinking about it.

"Now for the last question; has he ever sang one of his mother's lullabies to someone who was having a nightmare?" Youko said grinning.

"HELL NO! Kurama said he would only sing his mom's lullabies if he found someone he really liked, and that's imposs"-

Youko grabbed him and lifted his head above the water.

"Able…" Kuwabara's jaw dropped when he saw Kurama lightly singing his mother's lullabies to the young demon. The demon looked as if it was having a nightmare but was calming down by Kurama's voice. Kuwabara felt his jaw be pushed up, once again,and he looked up at a smirking Youko. "… You're right; he's hooked!"

Youko nodded and looked back at the 2 on the beach; his smirk turned into a smile as he watched Kurama sing. 'It's nice to know that Shuichi has finally fallen in love. It may not be with me but I'm okay; just be happy Shuichi… but I'm still gonna crash your first date!" Youko thought smirking evilly.

Hiei was having a dream about his past. He kept hearing the words of the elders as they threw him off the island.

'Do not pity the beast! He's a disgrace… a curse amongst all of us'

'They're stupid. I was just born, so stop saying those things' Hiei thought covering his ears annoyed.

'Kill him just toss him.'

'DON'T KILL MY SON!' he heard his mother cry out in vane.

'It's useless mom, you should know that! Maybe I should've killed them all when I returned to that forsaken place. Then maybe these damn dreams would leave me be.'

'Kill… stop… please…' Hiei's eyes widened as the words started to get softer, and soon indistinguishable; eventually fading away completely. In its place, was a song that made him relaxed! He couldn't't quite understand the words, for they were quiet, and muffled.

After a while, Hiei started understanding and his eyes widened as the song continued. The words were so sad, and for some reason, it was almost as if it was a tale of his own life.

"-Nobody knows your heart...

Pull out your sorrow, grief, and pain,

Locked away in the forest of the night!

A sacred heart belongs to the world-

Of the things that sigh in the dark;

All the things that cry in the dark."

The song ended, and Hiei was able to feel someone stroke his hair. He wanted to open his eyes, but couldn't't. He was still weak from the fight, the long swim, and using the dragon.

'Next time, I don't save the detective!' Hiei thought angrily, knowing that he was powerless in the arms of a stranger. A very comfortable, nice smelling stranger with really soft hands… 'Stop while you're a head!' Hiei thought angrily and mentally slapping himself. 'And such a nice voice-DAMN IT!' Hiei yelled at himself.

Kurama noticed Hiei's eyelids were twitching and he stopped running his hands threw his hair. Sighing, he knew his time with his new friend would be cut short.

"You're probably going be annoyed with this but the truth is Hiei, that I over heard you and your friend talking over on the boat. And for that, I wish to tell you something."

'He heard!" Hiei thought shocked. That was a personal conversation, and no one was around him… besides Yusuke of course.

"I know you don't like talking so much, but I promise if you ever wish to speak, I'll always listen. So one day, I hope we can become friends so you can tell me your problems and I can help you get around them." Kurama said. In his mind Hiei scoffed, he'd heard something similar before, only once, but they only wanted his money. Then, he heard the person hiss in pain and smelled blood.

Kurama lightly pierced the palm of his hand with a clawed finger. Most of the time, merpeople's hands only had normal, if not only slightly pointed nails. But they could transform into claws if they needed be. If they were in danger, the claws would grow 3 inches and become sharp like razors. Kurama clenched his hand allowing the blood to run across his hand. When his hand was completely covered, he held entangled Hiei's and his fingers to let the blood flow onto both of their hands.

"Now I have to keep that promise," Kurama said seriously. It was a powerful tradition for the merpeople, that when you shook hands in blood, you had to keep the promise, or deal that was made. However, the promise was not fulfilled until the other person cuts their hand and returns with their own vow, which was equally important to the other.This technique was usually used in extremely important situations like trades, marriages, and treaties within the ocean,

Hiei had no idea about any of that, but he did sense some importance in the hand shake. Whatever it was, he'd find out later.

"Do you need help opening your eyes?" Kurama asked politely. But no matter what tone he would've used, Hiei understood the actual message. 'I know you're up!'

"…Hn," Hiei muttered tiredly.

"Sorry, I don't talk grunt,care to elaborate?"

Hiei grumbled. How could one guy go from serious to jokes in 30 seconds? Then very slowly he started to open his eyes on his own. He winced at the sunlight at first then his vision started to focus.

He looked up in shock. Smiling down at him was a very handsome man, with crimson, red hair that shined in the sun. He also had the most enchanting green eyes, and beautiful skin. Just looking into those eyes Hiei felt his face turning red.

Kurama on the other hand, was staring into Hiei's eyes. He had never seen such a dark shade of red in any kind of species. They were even darker and more beautiful then his hair; but also damaged, dark, sad. Kurama sighed and smiled at Hiei.

"Nice to meet your acquaintance Hiei-sama." Kurama said politely.

Hiei blinked tiredly, and he nodded slightly. It was then that they both heard a cuing sound in the distance. "Puuu, pu PU!" It was the flying penguin Pu! It had been searching for Hiei when he spotted the merman again, with the prince resting on his lap. Kurama tensed when he saw the bird and gently placed Hiei's head on the ground.

"I'm sorry Hiei but I must leave now… I'll return something important in 2 days." Hiei wanted to ask what he meant when Kurama quickly put his hand over his face, shutting his eyes. A wave came down on them, Hiei didn't't move from his spot, but started to cough violently and sat up straight. When he looked around, there was no longer anyone beside him; just the wind, the waves, and someone calling his name. Turning his head, Hiei saw Yusuke emerge from behind a rock, and when he saw Hiei; his eyes went all childish and excited.

"HIEI, THANK FUCKING GOD!" Yusuke yelled and ran towards him; Pu flew down and also went close to Hiei. Hiei tiredly pushed Pu away and Yusuke punched him in the face, sending him skidding across the beach. "Hiei you little bastard! I was looking everywhere for you in the water before I finally decided you swam away on your own. I even went to the bottom when Pu saw Bui's weights that were stuck on you. In the end, since we couldn't't find you, at the bottom of the sea or floating around the surface, we decided you must have tried to swim back. Damn you and your macho attitude." Yusuke finished glaring.

"Yusuke, I'm glad to know you found my heir mostly unharmed and intact, but if you punch him like that again I might have to kill you." A woman said also emerging from behind the rock. She was kind of beautiful. She had a slim shape, nice orange hair, and a beautiful blue eye. However, one of her eyes was made of glass, her right arm was mechanical and so was half her right leg. Her right ribs were also covered by machinery, but all of this was covered by her loose fitting clothes, which looked totally brilliant on her. She wore light green pants and a very pale long sleeve shirt which was covered by her purple vest. She was also the lord of the country, which expanded far beyond the little island where she lived.

Yusuke laughed nervously. "Sure Mukuro, but really Hiei," He said, turning his attention back to the smaller form. "How on earth did you swim over here when you were so tired?"

Hiei blinked twice while he rubbed his cheek. It was sore before Yusuke had hit it… and he was sure he felt finger nail imprints as he rubbed them. "… Some one saved me…" he said tiredly. Yusuke's jaw dropped and Mukuro's normal eye rose at the statement. "He was cool looking… had nice hair… really sexy with nice voice…" Hiei was starting to fall asleep again, and if he wasn't't so tired, he would've never said all this. "…I think he pinched my cheeks" He finished and he fell onto his back, once again hibernating. Mukuro and Yusuke stood there; just staring at Hiei for a moment before bursting out in laughing.

"Oh… the things my boy says when he's asleep…" Mukuro said. Yusuke nodded and smiled.

"You know Mukuro, you should just force him to call you mom, no matter how much he'd oppose."

Mukuro shrugged and put Hiei over her shoulder. "I could, but I'd prefer if he did it on his own time, no matter how many centuries I'll have to wait." She said the last part annoyed. Yusuke laughed but nodded.

"Yep, he's a stubborn one- hey! Where'd Pu go?" Yusuke suddenly yelled and looked around.

"Not my problem you can't take care of your retarded bird." Mukuro said shrugging and Yusuke glared at her.

'Those 2 are definitely mother and son… still-' PUUU! WHERE ARE YOU?" Yusuke yelled at the top of his lungs. He then started to look around for the bird

A short distance away from where Youko and Kuwabara were hiding, Kurama was once again playing with Pu and his overly large, cute, floppy ears. He pouted when he heard Yusuke call the bird.

"I guess you'll have to leave soon." He said and Pu nodded with a cheerful smile. Sighing, Kurama thought of something before he let the bird go. "Can you… deliver messages?" He asked thinking quickly. Pu nodded but looked confused.

"Pu?" It asked and Kurama laughed.

"If you see me, please come over, I'll always have messages for Hiei." He said while smiling Pu smiled once again and nodded excitedly. "Thank you little one, now go on, before that man thinks you ran away." With that, Kurama lifted his arms and Pu flew off, going back to Yusuke.

Kurama smiled as he watched Yusuke give a lecture to the bird, which just seemed to brush it off like it was nothing.

He couldn't't see Hiei anymore, but he looked at the spot where they were just a few moments ago, just him and Hiei. Smiling Kurama closed his eyes and aloud himself lean against the rock 'Hiei… one day, let's try to be together.'

He sighed happily and relaxed, not noticing the golden eyes which sadly looked upon him. Youko then smiled and swam up to Shuichi, "Shuichi, thank god we finally caught up to you!" He yelled and hugged the smaller man from behind. Kurama screamed in surprise before he was pulled back into the water, making a huge splash. Youko laughed as he held Shuichi.

"Good job Shuichi, it's your first time falling in love, how do you feel?" Youko asked as if he was a host on TV. Shuichi turned his head and looked up questionably.

"I'm not in love… I just thought Hiei would be nice to befriend; since we both don't have many."

Youko stayed silent, registering what Shuichi just said; Kuwabara laughed though.

"Of course you don't love him, you'll just think about him all the time, and possibly wondering what it's like kissing him." Kuwabara said in a joking way.

Shuichi yawned and leaned into Yoko's embrace. "Precisely Kuwabara-kun," the young prince seemed to be falling asleep.

"Hey, Shu-chan, are you alright?" Youko asked worriedly and Kurama just nodded his head.

"Just a little tired… ne Yo-kun." Shuichi suddenly said, getting Youko's attention. He hardly ever used that nickname anymore. "Can you carry me home? I'm sleepy!" Youko snickered at Shuichi's use of vocabulary. There was no doubt now that the prince was tired.

"Of course Shu-chan, but just this once okay?" Kurama only nodded as he drifted asleep in the merman's arms. One of Youko's ears twitched as a smile spread across his face.

"Are you sure you're alright with Shuichi falling in love?" Kuwabara asked the taller one as Shuichi snored softly. Youko looked down and smiled.

"I don't think so, Kuwabara. You should know that I also love Shuichi very much, but if I stop him, I'll only show lust. Even if it's with another, I want Shuichi to always feel safe and happy with someone he loves. However- if that person hurts Shuichi, I'll tear their spleens out along with every bone in their body, before I kill them!"

Kuwabara stayed quiet for a moment and paled. "…Youko, you just ruined your love for Kurama tribute." Youko just shrugged and smiled.

"Oh well, maybe next time it'll be more romantic." Youko said and started swimming away with Shuichi in his arms, just sleeping peacefully. No one saw the 2 electric eels pull their heads out of the water and their red eye close to each other, watching the3 head closely.

Deep down in the darkest parts of the ocean, in his lair, Karasu was laughing hysterically, so hard in fact, that he had to hold a cupboard door to hold himself up.

"MY god, this will be too easy!" He almost yelled as he laughed. "The kid is in love with a demon prince. A hot and adorable prince, but still it's a land walker." He started laughing again and let go of the door and he fell to the ground, pounding away at it. After a while he stopped laughing and got off the ground, his eyes changed from a dark violet, to blood red gems. "My, and everyone knows how Yomi feels about their kind, I can't wait to see the reaction. Also Youko…" he looked into his black bubble, which showed Youko swimming away with Kurama in his arms. "You have made your self… extremely vulnerable to me. If my plan works out, I will not only have the youngest sea prince in my grasp, but Youko and another as well. Muhahaha." Once again, Karasu broke into his malicious laughter.

It had been 2 days and Hiei was strolling across the beach near his castle. He had a new bruise on his face and bandages wrapped around his head. His sparring with Yusuke had gone a little over board that day.

His mind went back to that person who saved him just 2 days ago. Yusuke and everyone else had told Hiei that he must have been dreaming and that real people did not just randomly swim through the ocean saving unconscious people, and that he must have subconsciously grabbed something and drifted to shore. Hiei didn't't believe them about the second part, but he was starting to consider that the handsome man was just a figment of his imagination. Sighing to himself, he couldn't't help but remember what the man said to him though: 'I'll return something important 2 days.'

'What on earth could that be…?' Hiei thought. Sighing again, he headed the place where he saw the red headed beauty only a few days ago. Hiei grunted and walked around the rock 'Whatever it is, it's not like it'll be there. Dreams don't give gifts after all.'

As he turned the corner, he gazed upon the spot where he and Kurama sat 2 days ago. As expected, there was nothing there. "Ha, I knew it…" He said smirking. He stood there for a moment before his smirk changed into an emotionless frown, 'as expected. No one really cared.' Hiei walked over toward the spot where he and the other laid. Bending down, Hiei couldn't't help but place his hand on the spot where they were.

"I guess… you actually didn't't exist after all…" he said and moved his hand across the sand. Hiei sighed one more time, and just as he was about to pull away, something sharp cut his fingers.

As a reflex, Hiei pulled his hand to his chest before looking down at the ground in shock. A small amount of his blood was on the ground, but there was also something there that wasn't't before; something shiny. Realization dawned and Hiei took his shirt off and started wiping the ground where his hand was cut, when the sand moved away Hiei was in shock as he saw the top part of his sword on the ground.

Wiping the ground some more, more pieces of the blade showed in order. When he was almost done, he saw all his blades pieces in order, still broken, but there. When Hiei was about to brush off some more sand away, a wave washed over his hand, and the hilt was shown with a note was attached to it. Hiei was in such a state of adrenaline, that he didn't't question his motives as he tore the not from the hilt, and took it out of a sealed envelope, which was apparently water proof. With trembling hands, Hiei straitened the folded note and started to read:

Hello Hiei-sama.

I'm sorry our conversation was cut short but it would have been bad if other people saw meat that moment. I'm not a criminal or assassin, but trust my judgment when I say, that it would've been shocking, and a most unfavorable position for us both. Get your mind out of the gutter!

Hiei blushed at that sentence because he was thinking down that way.

What I mean is that my species is very rare, and not many people know of us. So I couldn't't let them see me at the time. Please understand and forgive me when I say it would be impossible to tell you what I am in this note. However, if you are reading this, it must've been because you believed I was real. Thank you for that.

Hiei coughed uncomfortably and blushed slightly, knowing that he actually doubted this person.

I hope to see you soon, and please pay attention to the flying penguin; he might just give you things from me from occasionally.

From you're (hopefully) new friends, Kurama.

PS, was my grammar correct? I've been studying how to write and read your language for a while, but the writing is a lot different from my own kinds. It doesn't't help that I'm self taught…

Hiei gaped at that, someone who was self taught could write that well? The person had to be lying….hadn't't he?

PPS, I also have to be honest… I did pinch your cheeks.

"I KNEW IT!" Hiei yelled angrily and he clenched the paper in his hand. He almost yelled as he straightened the crumpled paper. "Oops!"

Sorry about that, but you looked so… um… let's just say you look much more relaxed when you sleep and that I couldn't't resist. (You were cute!) There I wrote it, I'm sorry but I have a hard time lying sometimes. However, I am really sorry; I'll refrain from doing so again.

From, Kurama

Hiei finished and blushed slightly. Without realizing it, he rubbed his cheek, and looked at the envelope and back at his sword that laid in pieces, he couldn't't help but smile.'Hopefully new friend hmm…? 'He thought and laughed "Maybe…" He grabbed the envelope and inside was… an old broken pen. It wasn't't nice, but he tested in on his arm to see if it could work before writing a note on the envelope.

I appreciate the effort you gave when returning my sword. I'll see if it can be fixed… and I'll consider becoming your acquaintance, however if you're actually just an assassin, I will kill you… until then, I won't judge you and…it was most appreciated… Kurama.

Hiei Jaganshi

Hiei placed the note on the ground where he thought the tide wouldn't't get it. He then carefully collected all the pieces of the sword on his shirt before smiling and tuning to face the water. "Thank you, Kurama." He kept smiling until he went behind the rock where it transformed into a smirk. 'I don't have to stop smiling until I get to the palace, then I can force the swords smith to work hard on repairing my blade. Then if he doesn't't do it well enough, he'll have to do it again.' Hiei snickered at that thought.

Kurama looked from around the rock and saw Hiei walk away. He smiled and used his water power to get the note. He transformed it into the shape of a whip and it went around the note and snapped right back to him. Kurama caught the envelope and read it. He laughed and held it to his heart. "I think that's the nicest thing I could get…" He rested his head in his arms and smiled. "Thank you Hiei…" With that he swam back into the ocean and head home, with a real smile blooming on his face.

END CHAPTER

(1) please tell me if that was clear.

Okay, so another chapter has been made, and I hope I did well. especially about grammar, I worked really hard on that this time (sighs) oh well. Please tell me what u thought, and comment if the people were in character or not please. That's really important to me.

Remember to take a look at my profile and answer question #2 please. And just so no one forgets, I don't own yu yu hakusho, or Princess Mononoke. Just to clear up, I only used part of that song to make it more accurate (also I don't know the whole thing ; ). Thanks and please review (bows.)