Author's note: Time, time – it's something I don't have a lot of, but I'm sacrificing sleep in order to write these chapters down. I'm just so excited about the ways things are turning out. I hope you are, too.
Disclaimer: I own a lovely Akita named Britney who's sick right now
Mad Yu Yu Hakusho Men
Episode 10: Sleep with the Enemy
"Okay, guys, here's a new challenge we should all be up to," Shuichi began as everyone took their seats. It was looking to be a good meeting. First, it has been a while since their last successful campaign. The team was eager to flex their creative muscles again. Second, it was the first project with the creative director – Koenma.
You see, the team had been getting their asses kicked in awards shows since they didn't have a creative director. Now that they had one, there was a lot of hope and positive vibes in the air.
Shuichi looked at his team one by one. Yusuke was by his side, ready to take notes. Keiko and Shizuru were seated on the couch, looking at him expectantly. Hiei was by himself again standing by a corner, but his attention seemed to be focused on him. A smiling Koenma was waiting for Shuichi to begin.
"We have been approached by one of the biggest stars in the country to address a big reputation problem. Essentially, she's somewhat become of a worldwide joke and she wants to be taken seriously as a singer again."
Shuichi paused for measure and scanned his eyes. He knew the team would be intrigued.
"Well?" Koenma asked, prodding Shuichi to continue. All eyes were on him.
"It's Britney Spears."
The room erupted with squeals.
Shuichi let a huge grin appear on his face. He couldn't hide his excitement now. He and his team have just been presented with the opportunity of a lifetime. If he pulls this off, he could be promoted to account director easily.
He met Koenma's eyes and was reminded of one thing though. Tonight, he'd have to prove to Botan, Yusuke and Koenma that he wasn't crazy. That he was capable of handling this huge project.
Shuichi returned Koenma's gaze knowingly and held them. Accepting the challenge. That seemed to be enough for the creative director as he nodded a bit at Shuichi.
Shuichi clapped his hands. "Let's get this thing going."
They had just stepped out of the briefing, all with excitement in their eyes. Shuichi was about to walk away when he heard Hiei's voice call him back.
If Shuichi was surprised, he didn't really show it. However, he did ready himself. Hiei had been unusually quiet during their briefing. Shuichi assumed that he probably had a lot of reservations about the project and wanted to talk to him alone. He closed the door behind him.
"What is it?" he asked, keeping his voice light so as not to betray the doubts creeping into his mind.
"I just wanted to apologize for my behavior during the Mishomasho project."
Shuichi raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"I was an ass. I just want you to know that I'll do my best to make this next project smoother."
Shuichi seemed to have lost all coherent words to say.
"I-" he finally sputtered. "Thank you, Hiei. I have to apologize too, there were times where I'd been the one rude. I look forward to working with you again."
"Let me make it up to you."
"What-? You don't have-"
"I have two tickets to IMAX tonight. Come with me."
It was a command, not a request, Shuichi realized. Hiei. The art director whom he swore hated his guts and was out to get him. Commanding him to go to the movies with him.
"Sure. I just have to finish something at the park at around 7. Should be available around 7.30."
"Great. I'll just meet you at the park gate around that time. I'll get you dinner first. Italian fine?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Cool. See you then."
Hiei actually smiled a little. He smiled at Shuichi for about a second, before stepping out.
Shuichi was too shocked for words. He stepped out a little bit after Hiei did and quietly went back to his room, replaying the scene in his head and thinking how he could have answered better and made it seem like he wasn't an idiot.
Yusuke looked around the park and noticed the crowds thinning out. There were a few female joggers still coasting along the stone paths, but more or less they had the place to themselves. Nevertheless, he was cautious when he jumped over a fence and made his way towards the inner parts of the park where Shuichi had instructed them all to go.
Frankly, he thought this was a waste of time.
However, he wanted to see what tricks Shuichi would have up his sleeve just to prove his story. Yusuke felt a little guilty about betraying Shuichi's trust and ranting to Botan and Koenma, but he really was just concerned for his boss.
Yusuke moved a few branches out of his way, cursing a little bit as some snapped back and hit him across the face. Moving across a bit more slowly, after several minutes he reached the clearing Shuichi was talking about. He spotted Botan and Koenma quietly talking in the middle of it. No Shuichi in sight.
"Hey guys," he called the two to his attention. "Shuichi around?"
"He hasn't arrived yet," Koenma said, waving hello to Yusuke and smiling.
Botan, patient boss as she was, crossed her arms and shifted her feet. "If he's not here anytime soon I'll fire his ass off. The grass is destroying my shoes."
No sooner when she said that though, when Yusuke felt a strange breeze that gave him chills. The breeze smelled like dew. Calming, yet with a hint of danger.
"Glad to see you all here," a voice said behind them. The three turned around and saw a figure coming out of the shadows slowly. Yusuke recognized the voice immediately. It was Shuichi.
Yusuke raised an eyebrow as Shuichi stepped towards the light and was more visible. He wore an impeccable blue polo shirt and slim pants. His hair was tied in a high ponytail, swinging slightly as he approached them. He wore what Yusuke called his "dress-up" shoes – brown leather loafers that Shuichi reserved for important client meetings.
"You didn't have to get all dressed up, Shuichi," Yusuke called out, grinning. Shuichi grinned back.
"This is not for you, Yusuke. Anyway, shall we get this over with? I'm sure we're all excited to get out of this and get on with our night."
Koenma smiled at Shuichi. "Anytime you're ready."
Yusuke rolled his eyes. Does Koenma ever stop smiling? He sort of reminded Yusuke of that character in Card Captor Sakura that was forever smiling. The guy with the glasses.
Yusuke returned his attention to Shuichi and saw him kneel down and put his hand on the ground. Yusuke almost sniggered at the 'demon' (Youko Kurama, he recalled in the same whisper Shuichi gave him when he first told him), and what great lengths he'll actually use just to prove something.
Imagine Yusuke's surprise when, suddenly, the ground emitted a low rumble. Yusuke's eyes widened as he spotted the ground breaking up and a huge plant slowly crawled out.
"The fuck-" Botan said as the plant slowly crept towards her. She took a step back and almost stepped on Koenma.
Yusuke himself was almost frozen in place because of shock.
"Okay, that's enough," Koenma voiced out. "Thank you, Shuichi. Botan, Yusuke, I believe this is proof sufficient."
Yusuke's breath caught in his throat. He couldn't even speak and here Koenma was, calmly addressing Shuichi. Yusuke glanced at Botan. She had an equally dazed look in her eyes.
"Thank you. I shall be on my way now," Shuichi said in a friendly tone.
"What's the rush?" Koenma said.
"I, um, have a date," Shuichi returned as he started walking back towards the public path.
At that point, Yusuke found his voice. "With whom?" he called out.
"Hiei."
"Shuichi! Shuichi wait!" Yusuke called out after him. Shuichi kept walking towards the park gate. Finally Yusuke reached him and walked beside him.
"He's the one who asked me out," Shuichi said by way of explanation. The pair continued to walk towards the park entrance.
"I told you he has a crush on you," Yusuke said, teasing Shuichi. Shuichi frowned at his assistant.
"No – he's just taking me out to say sorry," Shuichi said slowly.
"Ya like him too, doncha?" Yusuke teased.
"I'm just… being polite," Shuichi said.
"That's fine. But aren't you still in mourning?"
"Ah. So now you believe me."
"You did prove it. And you're my boss. So I have to believe everything you say otherwise you'll make your plants eat me," Yusuke winked.
Shuichi let out a giggle. "You're impossible, Yusuke. I really should be mad at you, but I guess anybody would've reacted the way you did. It really does sound crazy. Anyway, I am in mourning, that's why I agreed to this."
"Oh?"
"I need the distraction."
"Well, there's your distraction waiting, plant boy," Yusuke said then, pointing to the distance towards Hiei waiting with his pants in his pockets. Yusuke let out a low whistle. "Wow, I can't believe you're doing this Shuichi. You need all the luck."
Shuichi nodded, noting what Yusuke was referring to. Hiei was wearing a very large frown while watching the two of them approach. A frown that seemed to be directed at Shuichi.
Shuichi gulped. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.
"Er-bye!" Yusuke said, running off in the opposite direction, leaving Shuichi alone to face the grumpy art director.
"Red or white?" Hiei asked, referring to the wine, to which Shuichi replied "Red please".
Hiei called out the order to the waiter, along with the salad and the main course. Hiei had duck while Shuichi ordered lamb.
After meeting up near the park entrance they went inside Hiei's car (a blue Honda City) and drove towards a restaurant of Hiei's choice. The place was expensive but Hiei picked it purposely. He knew that Kurama liked fine things. Whether or not Shuichi did doesn't matter – as long as Shuichi tapped into Kurama's memories, he'd feel the preference, too.
Hiei almost smirked at the way Shuichi fingered the fine tableware and eyed the China. It was so very Kurama, Hiei could almost imagine the thief sneaking a few of the trinkets inside his bag before they got out. Unfortunately, it served to fuel Hiei's anger even more. Shuichi's trespass over Kurama's characteristics.
Hiei had almost lost it in the forest earlier. When he saw Shuichi using Kurama's power to show off to Botan and Koenma, he almost didn't want to go through this whole charade and just kill the redhead right then and there. Wisely though, he remembered he didn't have any powers while Shuichi had, and so hurting the human in some other way was more preferable. So he kept his intentions and, in so much as his capacity, continued flirting with the redhead.
Much to his annoyance, however, Hiei found it far too easier than he thought. Shuichi was a smart conversationalist and Hiei found himself being drawn to the conversation. If he forgot about Kurama, Shuichi was probably someone he'd like.
Not to mention that his ponytail was one hell of a sexy turn on.
Okay, really like.
Hiei let out a small growl in frustration.
"What's that?" Shuichi asked.
"Nothing," Hiei brushed off. "You were saying something about college?"
"Yeah, but I've been talking about myself for the past hour."
"So?"
"Your turn," Shuichi said with a shrug. He forked a piece of lettuce and shoved it into his mouth.
Hiei glanced away. Perhaps being this close to Shuichi wasn't such a good idea after all. There were just so many cues. So many actions Shuichi did that reminded him of Kurama. The way Shuichi chewed. The way Shuichi forked. The way Shuichi looked at him. It was too much like the old days, Hiei's heart was beginning to feel like it was being hammered on again.
"Hiei?" Shuichi prompted.
Hiei gave him a stare in return. Shuichi seemed to do a double take, but pushed more.
"Okay, let's be more specific. Since when have you liked guys?"
"A long time. It doesn't really matter with me," he said.
"I see. How many boyfriends have you had?"
"It's not the quantity but the quality," Hiei snorted.
"Quite correct. I wish I can say the same," Shuichi returned with a smile, leaning back on his chair.
"You must collect relationships like stolen jewels."
"I'm afraid not. I do exploit my physical appearance sometimes to get what I want, but that doesn't mean I don't treat relationships seriously."
"How many have you had?"
"I'm afraid I have yet to have a real one."
"Oh?"
"It's hard to explain," Shuichi said. He then took a forkful of lamb. "Delicious!"
It better be, it's really expensive, Hiei thought. But when he took some of his duck in his own mouth he was pleased at the taste.
They continued the rest of the meal in relatively peaceful silence. Hiei insisted on paying even if Shuichi offered to go dutch. They headed to the movies afterwards and had a choice of "Dawn of the Dead" or "Up".
"I love zombie movies," Shuichi had said, deciding.
Hie should have known Shuichi liked the violent and gory stuff. He had been hoping to catch Up, he heard the animation sequence was breath taking. He actually had plans to shift careers into animation should his time on this world permit. But to please Shuichi, Hiei agreed.
The movie was going smoothly until one particularly shocking scene when a zombie suddenly grabbed the hero's leg (surprise, surprise). It wasn't really scary, but the Dolby Digital Surround sound made Shuichi jump, consequently spilling his Grape-flavored Hi-C on Hiei's lap.
The water was ice cold and Hiei glared at Shuichi as he picked the ice cubes up and dunked them back on Shuichi's paper cup. They endured the rest of the movie with Hiei wet and cold and Shuichi whispering apologies every five minutes.
After the movie ended Hiei insisted on bringing Shuichi home, even if things have become really awkward and they were barely speaking to each other. Shuichi agreed.
"Why don't you come up so we can dry you off?" Shuichi offered. He was no longer in flirting mood as he was in the dinner. The drink spilling ruined whatever playful mood he was in, and unlike other dates he was inviting Hiei up not for a nightcap but out of guilt. He felt like he at least owed it to Hiei to offer him a change of clothes.
Hiei nodded in agreement silently.
Inside his pad, Shuichi asked Hiei to sit on the couch. He then put the electric fan in front of the art director help the drink to evaporate. Still, it probably would be a bit sticky.
With nothing else to do and nothing else to say, Shuichi sat beside Hiei on the sofa.
Neither said anything for a while.
Finally, Hiei cleared his throat. "You live here alone?"
"Yes. I like my privacy."
Silence.
Suddenly, Shuichi felt something black cross his vision, bringing with it a soft pressure on his lips.
No sooner than when the lips landed when it suddenly pulled away. Shuichi blinked in confusion.
He was left staring at a pair of red eyes. Red smoldering eyes. He also suddenly realized he was being pinned by his arms with Hiei's tight grip against the sofa.
They stared at each other for a while when Hiei suddenly stood up. "Thank you for the night. I'll need to leave. See you at the office tomorrow morning."
Shuichi nodded, barely acknowledging the farewell. His mind remained with the moment that just transpired a minute ago.
His finger traced his lips. The kiss. It was brief, yet he felt… power. He felt his demon energy rise from within. Intensifying when he was staring at the pair of red eyes up close.
Kurama. The memories were from Kurama. The familiarity. But how could that be?
Something wasn't quite right. Something didn't fit. Shuichi usually had this feeling whenever something didn't add up.
He held his head by his hands and leaned back against the sofa. He pulled his ponytail off and let his hair loose.
Something wasn't right. Shuichi forced his mind to backtrack over the things that happened during the date.
You must collect relationships like stolen jewels.
Shuichi sat up straight with a start. Was Hiei insinuating something? Was it actually a coincidence? Never in his advertising had Shuichi wore a single piece of jewelry.
Kurama had, however. Shuichi recalled that in his previous life, he collected jewelry like there was no tomorrow. He stole them, hoarded them and stared and polished them as a way to pass time.
And that surge. When Hiei's lips touched his. That surge of youki.
The same surge he felt when he met Simran for the first time.
Shuichi's head reeled. Did Hiei know? Why did he feel that surge again?
He stood up and walked to the kitchen counter, reaching up to his cupboard to find some aspirin. One thing he liked about his pad was that unlike his cave, he had a high ceiling. One thing he didn't like, however, was that now that he's shorter reaching up was somewhat of a trouble. Funny, he only felt this after he awoke to the memory of him being taller in a previous life.
He had been so tall, he often had a hard time finding caves that he could fit in. The one he found and lived in for a long time was barely five inches taller than his ears.
Suddenly Shuichi had a realization. Shuichi dropped his glass and it shattered into pieces on his floor.
Next episode: The team work together to salvage Britney Spears career! But something else needs saving – what will become of Shuichi and Hiei's 'budding' romance?