Author's Note: Sorry this chapter took so long to get up…I actually began what I thought would be chapter 11, but realized it would be better placed a few chapters in the future. But that put me behind a bit, because I was about half way through when I had this epiphany… -_-; Well, on with the story!
Chapter 11
Hiei sat near Kurama as he had done for the past two hours. The night remained dark and had turned quite still, as though even the forest were sleeping. When he thought about it, maybe it was. Kurama always had a strange, and Hiei thought perhaps unintentional, effect on the surrounding greenery. The redhead had barely stirred. In fact, he had lain so still that Hiei had to fight off the urge to feel for a pulse. Even the sound of his breaths, which he noted sounded somewhat shallow, did little to calm the urge. His eyes narrowed at the sound. Kurama hadn't mentioned any trouble breathing, but he was sure his human lungs were suffering. Just like the damn, stubborn kitsune to not mention such a thing. He made a promise to himself that as soon as this fight was over, he was dragging Kurama back to Ningenkai whether he wanted to or not. If he had to knock the fool out himself, so be it.
He stood swiftly. If his calculations were correct, and they likely were, it was precisely one and a half hours from sunrise. He walked over to his mate's side soundlessly. He crouched down, gazing at Kurama's face. His lips were slightly parted, small breaths escaping them. His eyes were closed in a comfortable, peaceful way, his long, dark lashes barely brushing the skin beneath his eyes. His eyelids were partly hidden by red trusses which swept over his forehead and shoulders, flowing down to his shoulder blades and resting there gently. His body was slack, completely at ease. He lay on his side, his head cradled by his gracefully curving arm beneath it.
The hairs on the back of Hiei's neck were raised slightly, and he shivered. He glanced back at Kurama's face, though this time he came face to face with brilliant green eyes which met his own. The fire demon rocked back on his heels, startled.
"A picture would last longer," Kurama said, not moving.
Hiei looked away, a slight blush heating his face. "Hn. Vain fox."
Kurama pushed himself up and flexed his fingers. He moved his arms, testing whether or not the poison's effects had worn off. It appeared they had. He was fairly surprised considering how long the effects had lasted for Hiei, but then he had been treated much more quickly than Hiei. Who knew how long the poison had sat in Hiei's bloodstream before he came to Kurama. The thought chilled him. Too close. Makai would kill his stubborn little youkai, no matter how strong he was.
Hiei looked at him, following his every movement, one brow lifted.
"I'm fine. I'm simply ensuring there is no poison remaining in my system," he explained in a calm voice. "And as far as I can tell," he began, getting to his feet gracefully, "I am perfectly fine." A smile lit his face, likely, Hiei assumed, for his sake.
Hiei looked doubtful. Quicker than lightning, and with no warning given, he unsheathed his katana. The metal leaving the scabbard screamed out in a high pitched sound that rang out in the night. Birds above flew from their perches in the trees, abandoning eggs and babies too young to leave the nest. The cool metal whistled, deadly in the calm night air.
Kurama easily took a step back and raised his arm, effectively guarding his heart, neck, and face. The cold blade met an armor-tough gauntlet of leaves woven around Kurama's arm, bouncing off with a twang.
Kurama chuckled. "You were always much too fast for me to dodge, Hiei. Guarding is the best I can manage. Are you satisfied? Have I passed the examination?" His eyes gleamed in amusement.
"Che." Hiei sheathed his sword. "You're in adequate shape."
"High praise, no doubt, coming from you," Kurama said, the corners of lips fighting off a smile.
Hiei turned his back. At least Kurama was back to his normal physical standards…mostly. He still noticed that his breathing was shallow. That could pose a problem on a battle field. If he couldn't breathe, he wouldn't be able to work as efficiently as he needed to.… His thoughts were interrupted as Kurama called his name.
He turned, just in time to dodge a green blur coming his way. Hiei easily jumped to the side, evading Kurama's whip. "What the—" he began, but then grinned. Kurama was sparring with him.
"Alright, fox, if you think you can handle it."
"I think I can handle anything you throw at me and more," Kurama replied slyly.
"We shall see."
Then there were no more words. Cool metal sang and met with the plant whip that was so strong it may have well been metal. The two exchanged blows, neither able to land a wound. Kurama flicked his wrist, his rose whip responding with deadly flailing. Hiei dodged, jumping above the weapon and turning his sword, tip to the ground, ready to drive into its victim. Kurama sidestepped the attack gracefully and also leaped in the air. Somersaulting over Hiei, he snaked his whip around Hiei's katana, dragging it in an arc. With his free hand, Hiei called on flames, incinerating Kurama's whip and releasing his sword. Kurama, not to be disadvantaged, replaced the burnt whip with ease. Hiei was right next to him again, sword brandished. The small youkai leapt at Kurama, sword extended. In a flicker of a moment, he changed his position and was behind his partner, sliding on the dirt floor, knocking Kurama's feet out from beneath him. Kurama landed hard on his back, momentarily knocking the wind from his deprived lungs. It took him a fraction of a second longer to regain his breath than it normally would have. That fraction was all it took. Hiei's sword met his unguarded, pulsing throat.
Hiei stood up quickly and sheathed his sword. "You're having trouble breathing fox. Why did you hide this from me?"
Kurama sat up and nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. "No need to worry you."
Hiei's eyes widened in anger, and he bared his teeth, snarling. "No need to worry! That's all I've been doing with you since I claimed you as my mate!"
Kurama's eyes widened in return, his in complete shock. "You've chosen me as your mate?" he whispered. He knew how important the mating decision was to fire demons.
"Hn. Yes, apparently I have. But that's not what we need to be talking about right now. What if your lungs give out on the battlefield? What if you can't get enough air and you can't fight properly?"
Kurama's face softened. This was certainly a side of Hiei he had never seen before, even concerning Yukina.
Kurama stood, walking over to his chosen one. Gently he placed his hands on Hiei's shoulders. "Hiei, I promise that will not happen. If I thought I was in any real danger, I swear I would warn you."
Hiei snorted. He clearly gave little faith in Kurama's good word. His gaze met the kitsune's anyway as he said, "You'd better."
Kurama bent down and kissed Hiei lightly. "There," he breathed. "The promise has been sealed with a kiss." Smiling playfully, he decided to take advantage of the moment, but was beaten to it by Hiei, who pulled Kurama to the ground.
Kurama laid back, shocked at Hiei taking such initiative. Hiei climbed on top of him, straddling his hips. He leaned over Kurama's lithe form, lips brushing the fox's, lightly at first in slow, fluttering kisses, but gradually building in speed and passion.
"Hiei," Kurama gasped as Hiei moved to his neck. "It's…nearly dawn. What if Yusuke or Koenma…discovers us?" It was becoming hard to remain logical and coherent with Hiei nipping and sucking on his neck like that.
"Then I'll kill them," Hiei purred against his neck.
"Mm," was the only reply Kurama could manage. He arched his back slightly as Hiei's mouth and tongue moved to his collarbone while his small, deft fingers worked on the buttons of his shirt.
Suddenly Kurama sat up and embraced Hiei, trying to calm him down. "Hiei, stop."
Hiei wriggled out of his grasp and looked at him, his expression looking slightly hurt.
The redhead was breathing heavily. "Hiei, I swear I want to. It's just that now isn't the time. It's nearly dawn and we have to destroy this clan if we are to find the scroll and end this damn mission." He brushed his lips against Hiei's and embraced him once more.
Hiei took a deep, calming breath and laid his head against Kurama's chest. Kurama was right. He didn't know what he was thinking, what had come over him. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the pounding heart he heard, letting it resonate through his being. Slowly, the heart beat slowed, returning to normal, and Hiei calmed with it.
/
Yusuke clamped a hand over his mouth and walked away from what he had just witnessed. Even though he had truly suspected that the two were mates, seeing proof was still surprising. The demon in him had been fascinated and longed to stay and watch. The human in him knew he would be slaughtered if Hiei ever knew he had seen the display of such obvious passion and lust. Damn Hiei for being a telepath! He would have to watch what he thought about around him. Focus on Keiko…yeah! No…then he'd think about kissing Keiko and all the other things he was still longing to do to her, which might make him think about what he had seen Hiei and Kurama doing. No, bad plan. Too bad he didn't really take an interest in sports. Something so boring and human would be sure to make Hiei tune into someone else's thoughts. Even though he really didn't think Hiei invaded people's privacy like that often, it was still frightening to think about the consequences of him finding out.
Sitting back down to the fire, his thoughts were interrupted by Koenma asking, "Did you find them?"
"Uh…no! You know, I completely forgot I was looking for them. I just took a leak and…here I am. Yep, definitely didn't find them or see anything interesting!" Yusuke laughed a little hysterically.
Koenma raised one brow. "Okay…." His gaze returned to the fire.
Suddenly Hiei and Kurama emerged from the trees. Dawn was rising over the forest line. "It's time," was all Hiei said. They both turned and began walking away.
Yusuke and Koenma looked at each other, eyebrows raised. They stood together and followed the two. The walk through the forest was quiet. It was almost eerie. No sounds came from the forest, like it was expecting something big to happen and was simply holding its breath. Yusuke nearly ran into the back of Kurama as the two demons in front of him stopped abruptly at the edge of the forest.
"Is everyone concentrating on the two separate plans? Or, in Yusuke's case, no plan at all?" Kurama questioned.
Yusuke nodded, even though Kurama couldn't see him. "Yeah," he added. "Wait," he said suddenly. "How will you and Hiei know what the other's doing? I mean, you guys have the same plan to work together."
"I am a telepath," Hiei said dryly.
Yusuke laughed nervously, "Oh, right. I knew that." He ran a hand through hair. Geez, he needed to calm down and focus on what was important right now, which was the fight. Yeah, smashing in some ugly demons' faces was sure to calm him down. That's what he needed. He punched his fist in his palm. "Alright, let's do this!"
Together they stepped out of the trees.
2nd A/N: Okay, so they didn't actually start the fight yet. Well, obviously it will begin next chapter, and it will probably take up the whole thing. Hope you enjoyed it :) Ja, till next time around!