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Confessions in Ice

Chapter Eleven

It was a dark and stormy morning. The rain was relentless for about two hours, finally clearing to the most beautiful blue skies she had ever seen. The air was fresh and crisp, as it always was after a heavy rain, and the wind carried a gentle breeze. It was as if all the problems in the world had washed away with the water and all could start anew.

The rest of the day had been peaceful, though not without its chores. Today was cleaning day at the temple, which meant washing all the floors and dusting all the surfaces. The kitchen needed a good scrubbing as well as all the bathrooms. All the bedding was changed even if no one had used the extra beds. It helped keep the dust down and everything smelling clean and fresh.

She was finally done with her chores and stood outside enjoying the warm weather. She never liked it too hot, of course, but warmth was appreciated. She breathed in the wind and looked at the grounds. She was so thankful Genkai let her stay here. It was perfect. She couldn't imagine herself anywhere else and honestly didn't want to be anywhere else. This was home now and it gave her comfort in times of turmoil.

And she was glad for that. The whole day her thoughts hadn't turned to a certain redhead...well, either of the redheads she knew, really. Cleaning helped her focus on something else other than her internal problems but, now that she was done, she found herself becoming downcast again.

As if on cue, she heard footsteps and looked up to see one of the redheads her mind was plagued with, and the one she preferred the most. She smiled but then paused at his appearance.

Why was Kurama here? Did he come to visit her? What other reason could there be? Her core tightened at that realization and she now understood what "butterflies in your stomach" meant.

He came closer at his slow and steady pace. It was odd how he always appeared to be gliding along with his movements. He was tall and lithe and very musical with how he moved. Almost like a skater or ballerina. Of course she would never voice these thoughts. She was sure Yusuke would laugh and make fun of the fox demon for such thoughts. "Hello, Kurama," she greeted cheerfully.

"Good afternoon, Yukina," the redhead replied smoothly. "How are you today?"

The ice maiden smiled at his politeness. His voice sounded much lighter, too, completely different than when he was ill and even when they saw each other most recently. Maybe the nightmares had finally stopped haunting him, though she dared not bring it up. "I'm well," she chimed. "I actually just finished up some chores for the day."

Kurama's patient smile seemed to grow with her admission, though Yukina was not fully sure as to why. She still hadn't asked him why he was there. Though she hoped that he was there to visit with her, chances were he had come for other reasons. In the past, whenever the other demon visited, there was always some specific reason. "If you wait, I can go and find Genkai," she offered.

His smile never faded. "Actually, I came to see you," he told her, and Yukina could have sworn she felt her core jolt. "It has been a while since we were truly able to talk."

Yukina's whole countenance brightened at Kurama's words. "Why don't I make us some tea? We could sit outside. It's lovely out today."

"I agree," Kurama responded warmly. "Would you like some assistance?"

"I would love that."


Birds were chirping outside flittering around in the air also admiring the weather. Kurama couldn't help but watch in fascination as some of those birds flew over to Yukina and perched themselves on her. Yukina laughed lightly, her eyes full of joy before she sent the small animals away. She watched them fly off, but, as they went further and further away, a pensive, saddened tint filled the ice maiden's crimson eyes. It was not a good look for her.

"Is something the matter?" he asked cautiously. He didn't want to push her into discussing anything with him that she wouldn't want him to know. He just felt...worried.

"No," she assured him. "Just...bad memories, that's all. From back when I…"

Kurama blinked when she paused and looked away from him. "When you?"

"It's just, when I wouldn't cry...that man, they killed them," she whispered as if she was revealing some horribly kept secret. Her eyes met concerned emerald. "It was just not a good place."

Kurama's expression darkened slightly as he thought about what Yukina had gone through. "I can imagine," he stated, though deep down he wondered if he were any better. In a way, by pursuing her, wasn't he basically trying to steal her for himself? Sure, he would have never tortured someone the way she had been, but...his mind was starting to get off track. He wasn't here to focus on whatever illusions he saw or his issues. His purpose for being there was purely to spend time with the woman and possibly ask her to join him for the evening back in the city. "But thankfully that is in the past. You are free now, to do whatever you wish."

If only that were true, Yukina thought to herself, not wanting to worry Kurama further with her inner musings. "We should talk about something else," she suggested. "How have you and your family been doing?"

Kurama had no problem obliging her desire to change topics. To be honest, he was grateful for the shift. He had always detested the human that had tormented her, though more for Hiei's sake. He knew that had it been his loved one in Tarukane's grip, he would have killed. Now, though, as Yukina started to recount her time there, Kurama could feel it more on a personal level. She should have never been in that position, and Kurama could understand fully why Hiei had wanted the bastard dead. Luckily for the fire demon, his twin had prevented him from doing so. Truthfully, Kurama was the lucky one. He would have been sentenced along with Hiei had he broken Spirit World law.

"Everyone has been all right," Kurama told her. "My stepfather has been working a bit more, but that tends to happen around this time of year. Mother is well. Shuuichi is as curious as ever."

Yukina smiled. Kurama probably didn't know it, but whenever he spoke of his family his voice held a certain tenderness. She could tell he cared about them very much. Her mind reached back to the time when he had been poisoned, when they had first begun spending time together. Even then, even distraught, she could tell he loved his family. After what he had seen and his own nightmares afflicted him, he had admitted that he didn't feel worthy to be among them. Yukina had made sure to counter that statement really quick.

"I believe I owe you a walk in the park," his voice cut through her musings. "We could go today."

That's right. She had spent so much time avoiding him that she had nearly forgotten his invitation. "Oh, right. You invited me to go with you and your brother."

Kurama momentarily faltered before catching himself. "Actually, I was hoping that you wouldn't mind it just being the two of us."

Yukina blinked. "The...the two of us? As in alone?"

"Yes," Kurama responded feeling slightly nervous, though giving nothing away. "I am trying to ask you to go on a da-"

"Yukina!"

Both the fox demon and ice maiden felt the air around them shift as they heard the voice of Kuwabara ringing out in the courtyard. Kurama closed his mouth, not wanting to voice his desire now, not when his friend was so close by. His eyes took in Yukina's hesitant form. It seemed like she wasn't expecting the human vying for her affections. He honestly didn't know what to do for her.

"Hey, there you are, my love," Kuwabara called out as soon as he saw her sitting outside. He nearly ran onto the porch and was stunned to see his friend there. "Kurama? What are you doing here?"

He felt cornered. That was never a good thing. Still, he couldn't let on to whatever he was feeling. "I was free today, so I figured I would come for a visit and thank Yukina for all she did for me back when I was sick."

Kuwabara looked skeptical. "That was over a month ago. You're telling me you never thanked her?"

"He did," Yukina interjected, not really wanting Kazuma to scold the fox demon. It wasn't Kurama's fault that she couldn't just tell the other redhead what she felt...or didn't feel. "It's just that we…" Wow, she really couldn't think of anything. This was becoming habit.

"You?"

"I had promised to visit more as a thank you," Kurama replied with soft smile. "It seems we've all been very busy. I hadn't noticed myself that I had not been visiting as often as we all used to."

"I get it," Kuwabara replied, feeling guilty. He looked to the ice maiden and knelt down beside her. Yukina blushed in embarrassment. It was bad enough when Kazuma said all those things when they were alone, but he was about to put on a show. She could feel it, and what was worse was that he truly felt like she was this wonderful treasure and not the horrible person practically leading him on. "I'm so sorry, baby. This semester has been killer, but I promise not to schedule so many classes next semester. That way I could visit you more."

"Kazuma…" Yukina sighed before grinning awkwardly at the human. "I'm fine, honest. You need to do what you have to to graduate. Didn't you tell me only certain classes were offered each semester? Please, focus on your studies."

"I would stay in extra years if it meant making sure you didn't feel so lonely," Kuwabara stated sincerely, and it was breaking her heart. What she was doing...she was just awful.

"Please, Kazuma, don't do that for me, okay? I understand. It's better if you do what you have to so you could graduate on time. I have Master Genkai and all of our friends to keep me company. I will be okay."

"Well, if you say so…"

Kurama looked between the two not knowing what else to say. He didn't want to make things worse for Yukina, but if he brought attention to himself it would. It would also make things worse if he just left. There were no good choices in this situation, were there?

Well...here went nothing…

"Perhaps I should take my leave?" he questioned, and two pairs of eyes landed on him. Of course, he only noticed the sad and desperate glance Yukina flashed his way.

"That would probably be a good idea," Kuwabara agreed. "I think Yukina and I should talk about this more. Sorry you came up all this way to head back."

"It is fine," Kurama assured his friend, waving his hand to dismiss the notion. "I was planning on going back tonight, anyway." He looked over to Yukina and offered her a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure we'll talk to each other again soon."

"Wait," Yukina called out, earning the attention of the two men. Shocked by her own outburst, she grew slightly shy. "U-Uh...um...I have something for you," she lied. "It's in the kitchen. Come with me." She looked to Kuwabara and forced a smile. "Would you mind waiting out here for me?"

"I'd wait forever, my love."

Yukina had to force herself not to visibly react to his words.

Once away from Kuwabara, Yukina led Kurama to the front door of the temple. She looked up into his comforting, green eyes, her own emotions conflicted. "I...I can't go today," she informed him though he had already figured that out already.

"That's all right," he assured her, his hand reaching out to grip her shoulder comfortingly. "You can call my house later with a day if you want."

"Friday."

Kurama's brow raised. "Friday?"

"Yes," the ice maiden replied coolly. "Friday."

The fox smiled at her making those butterflies flutter around her tummy. "Friday it is, then. I look forward to it."

Yukina bid Kurama adieu and watched him descend the stairs, her eyes full of longing. She had really wished she could have gone with him for it really was a nice day. She shook her head. No, she couldn't think like this now, not when Kazuma was in the other room waiting for her.

It didn't matter, though, for she was already hurting him, going behind his back. Despite the fact that it would be a friendly outing, Yukina had taken advantage of Kurama asking for them to go alone. She had been hoping for a chance to be alone with him ever since the other night. Part of her wanted to ask him about the girl Yusuke had mentioned.

She had just hurriedly requested Friday without thinking, but now that she was she realized that that was the day Kazuma had classes all day. He would not be showing up at Genkai's for any reason, especially because he had exams that he was actually supposed to be studying for now. Yukina sighed. Once again, she felt like a terrible person.


The train ride home felt faster than usual. Perhaps that was because his thoughts were littered with how quickly she accepted his invitation. Of course he hadn't the chance to finish the question and actually get the word "date" out, but perhaps that was for the better. He wasn't even sure if this was a date or if he had the right to call it that.

Kuwabara clearly thought he and Yukina were a couple. So if he asked her out on a date, did that make him a homewrecker? Did that make her a cheater? He shook his head as he deboarded the train and began walking home.

As he walked he began to feel something else creep up on him. It was familiar and he knew it all too well. He sighed heavily. He had hoped he wouldn't have to deal with this part of the equation but it was inevitable, so he might as well get it over with now.

"If you're going to practice your stealth, I can assure you, I am not good target practice."

The dark figure appeared on the sidewalk in front of him. "That remains to be seen."

"Good to see you, Hiei. I haven't the chance to thank you for assisting Yusuke to retrieve the cure."

Hiei smirked. "You seem to be making a habit of 'forgetting to thank' people."

He wasn't sure how to respond to that. Obviously Hiei had been watching, but for how long?

It went silent between them, and the question went unasked and unanswered.

He stood a step forward, no threat behind it. "Well, I suppose I have." A pause. "Is there another reason you wanted to see me, Hiei?"

The swordsman shrugged. "I was just in the area checking on things. I'm returning to Demon World...but I will be back again...on Friday." And with that, the mass of black was gone and he found himself shaking his head.

Hiei all but told him he saw the exchange between himself and his sister. And that he would be watching again on Friday.

Well, he was never one to back down from a challenge, and that's what this was. Hiei was basically telling him "if you do something dishonorable, I will be there." He had never feared Hiei before and was not about to start now. If Yukina's brother had a problem with him spending time with her, he was just going to have to come out and say it.

Of course, Hiei rarely used words when he was angry.

~To Be Continued