When Hiei returned to Kurama's house, the fox was waiting for him, sitting casually in the living room reading a book. Hiei wasn't curious enough about the title to ask, so he waited while the redhead set the book on the table by his side and gave him his attention. "Everything's all right?" Kurama asked softly, though they both knew that Hiei wouldn't have come back if it wasn't.
Still, the fire demon nodded. "Koenma's got various alarms set up nearby, just in case anybody thinks it's a good idea to try and get revenge for the death of their leader. How're things in the Makai?" he asked, knowing that the fox would have been keeping tabs on things there, especially where Yusuke's lands were concerned.
The delicate redhead shrugged. "They are as well as can be expected, I suppose. The toushin people are rounding up a few stragglers. Yomi and Mukuro seem content to wait and see what happens. Yusuke will need to go there shortly, though, and reassure his people. Right now, his advisors are telling them that their Lord was badly injured and may take a few days to recover." It was a bit of a stretch, but considering the boy would probably need the extra time, it was good that they were spreading such a rumor.
Hiei nodded, then glanced upwards. "He left?" he asked, a part of him snarling deep inside. He could understand wanting to be in your own territory, but the boy really wasn't in any condition to be leaving Kurama's hospitality. Besides, now Hiei would have to traipse halfway across town to meet up with the other boy at his apartment. Kurama's house was much nicer. And quieter.
Kurama's lips tilted upwards as he smiled innocently at Hiei. "Well, he said he wanted to go home. There was no reason to keep him here. Kuwabara went with him, just to make sure he made it home safely, of course," he added sweetly. Hiei bared his teeth at Kurama, his hand resting dangerously near his katana. A moment later, Kurama's expression fell serious again, and Hiei tensed up. "Don't hurt him," Kurama said softly.
Hiei stared at him in disbelief, trying to decide whether or not to be offended, then decided screw it, he'd be offended if he wanted to be. Hadn't they had this conversation already? Obviously, of the two of them, Yusuke trusted Hiei more than Kurama did. Answering with a low snarl, Hiei turned abruptly and left the house, letting the door slam satisfyingly behind him.
The nerve of that damn fox! What kind of insensitive jerk did he think Hiei was? True, he had no patience for idiocy, but the fact remained that he had been in a worse position than Yusuke, and he knew what the boy was feeling. He knew this might not be easy, but now that he had made his decision, he was determined to stick with it. If Yusuke really didn't want anything further between them, he'd discuss it with the boy, then. But for now, he had the all-clear.
Despite having never been to Yusuke's place before – Kurama's was always preferable, and Hiei had no interest in visiting a human apartment building – Hiei's feet led him unerringly towards the slightly poorer end of town. Yusuke was a king in his own right in the Makai, but that didn't translate to the human world. While he was able to afford to live on his own, he didn't have a job here in the human world and he didn't come from a rich family, so he had to be careful about where he lived. Keiko wouldn't even visit the boy in this part of town, despite the fact that it was actually a lot safer than it looked, being so close to the wealthier districts.
Hiei had never asked, but Keiko had once demanded to know why Yusuke didn't just use money from the Makai to live in comfort here. Yusuke had just shaken his head and told her, "I use enough to live off of, Keiko. I don't need more than that. Besides, that money is part of the treasury. I can't just take it as I see fit, even if I am king. That money belongs to the people."
Hiei and Kurama had both approved, and Kuwabara had nearly cried at how noble Yusuke was, but Keiko hadn't understood. Then again, she wanted Yusuke to be completely human, to stay here in the human world, with her. Yusuke would never be happy that way, though, and Hiei suspected that Keiko knew that, at least subconsciously, because she had never demanded marriage from him. She seemed content for now that they were friends, and that Yusuke trusted her with at least some of what went on in his life, even if he didn't tell her everything.
So, Yusuke had moved out of the house he had shared with his mother and into this apartment. Hiei wished the boy had spent just a little more money to have a place all to himself, but perhaps that could come later. For now, this would do, if only because Hiei had no other choice.
Leaping easily to the second floor, Hiei paced down the walkway until he came to Yusuke's apartment. The boy had at least spent the extra money to get a corner apartment, so he had more room than most of his neighbors. A quick check around, and Hiei realized that nobody lived under Yusuke right now, though he had next door neighbors. Pity.
Reaching out, Hiei tested the handle, finding the door unlocked. Either Yusuke had been expecting him, or he just wasn't that worried about bad guys waltzing in through his front door. Hiei rather hoped it had been the former, because the latter was just idiocy. Enemies didn't typically care about where they attacked, just that they were able to reach you. If he locked the door, they'd at least give him warning of an attack by breaking it down first.
Letting the door click softly closed behind him, Hiei turned the lock and pulled the blinds on the windows before padding silently into the living room, where the light of the television flickered, casting odd shadows across the room. Hiei highly doubted Yusuke was even watching the weather, as the volume was muted, and he was right. Yusuke was sprawled out across the couch, his right arm and leg over the edge and touching the floor. His head was tilted back, his eyes closed.
Hiei took a moment to enjoy the fact that Yusuke hadn't startled at his presence, even though he was making no efforts to hide his youki. The boy was dressed in a pair of dark blue sleep pants tied loosely and slipping halfway down his hips. His chest was bare, and Hiei realized that it was rather warm in the apartment.
Yusuke's eyes were closed as he dozed, but they'd flicker now and again under the lids, as if he was dreaming. Hiei wondered briefly if it was memories he was living through, but didn't pry. Instead, he stripped out of his own shirt, and removed his katana. He left on his pants, not interested in throwing the other boy into a panic.
He eyed the couch speculatively for a moment, trying to remember what Kurama had told Yusuke when he had convinced him to buy this one instead. Something about it folding out into a bed? Hiei grunted softly, deciding that it wasn't worth it to try and figure it out. Striding forward, he reached out a warm hand and touched Yusuke's bare shoulder. "Either change the couch, or move to the bed," he grumbled when Yusuke stirred, one eye slitting open to stare at him blearily.
Yusuke yawned, reaching his hands up to rub at his face as he levered himself into a sitting position. "Hiei? What're you doin' here, man?" he asked around the yawn, his voice heavy with sleep. Hiei repeated his earlier demand, and watched as awareness crept slowly into Yusuke's mind. The smaller youkai was rather gratified that his presence hadn't immediately set the boy into high alert mode, but watching his eyes turn wary was rather disappointing.
Pointedly, Hiei yawned. "I'm just as exhausted as you are," he grumbled. "And I don't feel like sleeping in a tree. You're here, I'm here. So I fail what the problem is." He didn't bother to point out that he had come here instead of just staying at Kurama's house, which was what he usually did; if Yusuke couldn't make the connection, that was his problem.
Yusuke frowned at him, but then nodded. "Yeah, okay. Bedroom it is, I suppose," he muttered, looking around. He fumbled around on the floor for a moment, while Hiei admired the curve of his back, and finally located the remote. Flipping off the television, Yusuke stood and stumbled off in the direction of what Hiei assumed was the bedroom.
If Hiei had had any expectations regarding the bed after seeing the size of the apartment, they were smashed to bits when he beheld the magnificent King-size bed sitting innocently in the middle of the bedroom. Yusuke had given up any space he might've had for a dresser and desk in favor of the bed, and there was a path on three of the four sides for walking. The bed's headboard was pushed up against the fourth wall, right below the window. Moonlight shone across a dark blue comforter, and when Yusuke climbed into the bed, settling down in the center with a blissful sigh, he sunk down so that only his head was visible above the covers.
Hiei grinned to himself; in this one thing, at least, Yusuke had given up expediency in exchange for utter luxury. Leaping lightly onto the bed, Hiei burrowed under the covers, allowing his body to slide down the dip Yusuke had made, pressing him up against the other male's heat. Yusuke chuckled at his slightly childish antics, and strong arms wrapped easily around Hiei, pulling his back against Yusuke's chest. Debating for just a moment, Hiei wriggled in Yusuke's grip as he turned around, his hair brushing against the taller boy's throat and making him giggle. Yusuke's hand swatted Hiei's hip lightly as the smaller youkai finally settled down, burying his face in the Mazoku's chest.
"Comfortable?" Yusuke asked, his voice amused, and Hiei just grunted in reply, his eyes slipping closed. That Yusuke had accepted his presence so readily was a good sign. Even better was the fact that he had believed Hiei when the fire demon had said he was just there to sleep. The boy was still a little tense, as if expecting Hiei to change his mind and push for intimacy, but Hiei had time. It's not like a youkai's life was short by any means, at least not compared to a human. They had plenty of time, and while Hiei's patience wouldn't last forever, he could afford to wait a week or two before trying for more, if that's all Yusuke would tolerate.
He allowed himself to doze, and felt the change in Yusuke's breathing as the younger male settled back into sleep. It wasn't long before he had fallen deeply enough asleep to start having dreams. At Hiei's back, Yusuke's hands flexed, and power whispered across both their bodies. Hiei basked in the warmth, curling further into Yusuke's embrace, a rumbling purr escaping his throat. Yusuke settled back down with a soft sigh, and Hiei smiled to himself.
"What do you dream of, Yusuke?" he breathed into the silence of the room. He hadn't really expected an answer, so he was surprised when he got one, in the form of a tug in his mind. Hiei realized that he had allowed the boy to get too close, that the connection between them was more or less permanent now. He could still sever it, but it would probably cause Yusuke to retreat further away from him, thinking that Hiei was rejecting him without really understanding all the implications. Hiei supposed he'd have to explain things to the other boy soon, and let Yusuke make a decision, but for now, he'd see where the pull took him.
Bracing himself, Hiei allowed himself to be pulled in Yusuke's dream, hoping that it wasn't anything too traumatizing this time around.
His enemy was there, right there, and Yusuke was determined not to let him escape. Moving faster than he had thought possible, fueled by his rage at the senseless deaths around him, Yusuke was in front of the toushin traitor and had him on the ground before he knew what had happened. He was pretty sure he had broken at least one of the bastard's bones.
Uragiri bared his teeth up at Yusuke, and the Mazoku snarled back, his fingers tightening as his claws dug into unprotected flesh, cutting off the other youkai's air. Still the other youkai smiled, and Yusuke's eyes narrowed, his sense of danger increasing. Behind him, Youko cried out. "Yusuke! Run!" Yusuke felt the fox running towards him, Hiei just ahead of him, quicker than Youko. Still, there was no time left.
Yusuke was already pulling back, moving on instinct at Youko's warning cry, but a part of him already knew it was too late. He had fallen for the trap, and now he'd have to pay for his impulsiveness. He didn't know what look was on his face, but he had a moment to see a sort of wild desperation on Hiei's face before he felt a sharp tug and the universe shifted around him, leaving him sick and dizzy.
Yusuke landed in the same position he had been in when he left, two steps away from Uragiri, who was sitting up, rubbing his throat. Yusuke felt the youkai surrounded him before he saw them, and before he had time to fire off a spirit gun, he was slammed to the ground, the weight of two dozen youkai pinning him to the ground. His arms were wrenched behind his back, and Yusuke snarled, his markings dark on his skin as his eyes glowed. He wasn't going down without a fight.
Tensing his body, Yusuke jerked himself forward, ignoring the screaming of his shoulders as he dragged half a dozen youkai away from the pile. They quickly fell beneath his fists. A spirit shotgun, and eight more crumpled to the ground. More youkai poured in from either side of him, and Yusuke wondered inanely why the bad guys always had more back-up.
Turning to face one of the oncoming groups, Yusuke felt the sudden increase of youki to his right. He spun in Uragiri's direction, slipping to the side just as a blast of amber yellow power shot from the toushin's hands. It clipped his shoulder and sent him in a half spin, and before he could recover his balance, his head smacked the stone floor as claws and teeth tore into him, more youkai pinning him down.
Memories flashed through him, of a dark cell and chains and a terrifying touch, and Yusuke bucked violently, cracking his head against the floor again, the bright spark of pain leaving him reeling. "Ow, shit, damn, ow, fuck!" he swore muzzily. He felt his body being dragged down the hall and into a room, where his arms were pulled out and over his head, uncomfortable but not painful yet. His legs were shackled as well, and then the youkai pulled away, leaving him sitting there, his injuries throbbing lightly, the stone cold against his bare back. He wondered when the attacking youkai had shredded his shirt.
"You really don't know when to quit, do you?" Uragiri spoke from the doorway. Yusuke glared up at him, blinking hard to try and make the stones on the walls stop warping. "I need you alive, my lord. So if you wouldn't mind terribly much, please do not cause any more trouble, or I just may have to kill you instead. And that would just be tragic."
Uragiri walked into the room, and Yusuke wondered if he'd get close enough for the Mazoku to bite him. It wasn't like he had many other options, he thought glumly, testing the chains on his wrists. They held firm, as he had known they would. Crouching in front of him, Uragiri sighed and gave Yusuke a look that was almost regretful. Almost.
"I was hoping not to have to do this, but it looks like you're determined to cause trouble. So consider this your warning," Uragiri said. His hand darted out and touched the center of Yusuke's chest. Instantly, white-hot fire flooded his veins, sending burning jolts of agony through his body. Yusuke's body arched in his bonds, his throat open as he emitted a terrible shriek, writhing against the pain but unable to escape it.
When Uragiri released him, Yusuke was horrified to feel the tears falling from his eyes. He swallowed roughly, tasting blood in his mouth. He must've run his fangs through his lips when the pain had first hit him. His body shuddered and twitched as he choked, trying to fill his lungs with air, his heartbeat frantic in his chest as if it was trying to escape from its cage.
"I trust we have an understanding now," his captor crooned. Yusuke wanted to spit in his face, but self-preservation won and he held his tongue, still gasping for air. The Mazoku watched as Uragiri's shadow stood, moving away from him and towards the door. "Just stay quiet for a little while. That's all I'm asking," Uragiri told him, before the door shut with a heavy bang.
Yusuke sighed, his body slowly recovering from the pain. He winced as his other injuries made themselves known, no longer masked by the agony of Uragiri's touch. His wrists were rubbed raw from his struggles, and his lip was pierced through on the right side. Various other cuts and bruises were clamoring to be felt as well. Overall, Yusuke was sure that being hit by that car had been less painful than this.
The Mazoku almost smiled. No doubt Hiei was searching for him now. Kurama, too. He'd be in for an earful once he got out of here. Especially if his friends had to come in and rescue him. Again. At least this time, though, the only one he had to worry about was himself. Settling in as comfortably as possible given his location, Yusuke closed his eyes and waited.
Hiei's eyes opened into darkness, but he was aware of Yusuke watching him. Shifting, he felt the seal around his Jagan slip, and Hiei sighed. He'd have to get Koenma to craft a stronger one again. His power had grown in recent months, and the current seal wasn't enough to reign in his Jagan anymore.
Yusuke hadn't moved, but his breathing was steady as he watched Hiei in the dark, the moonlight making his eyes gleam. The smaller youkai supposed that now was as good a time as any for an explanation. Maybe it would be more acceptable to Yusuke here, in the dark and intimacy of his room, without the bright sunshine to help make it real.
"When we were captured the first time," Hiei murmured, moving straight into his explanation, "something must have happened that helped to link our minds together. It could have been my Jagan, or some new use of your own Spirit Energy, but it hardly matters at this point. My Jagan is typically only used to see great distances, but I was warned that it might, on occasion, allow me to see much further, and much deeper, than I might expect. I…didn't understand at the time. Now I do."
Hiei fell silent, waiting for Yusuke to process the new information. The other boy didn't move from where he was wrapped around Hiei, though, and the fire demon was oddly warmed by that. "So what you're saying is that you can't really help being in my head?" Yusuke asked.
Hiei thought about that seriously for a moment, then shook his head. "Not exactly. Once I get a stronger seal for the Jagan, that'll help. Also, it's not just one way. I can find you with my Jagan, but I don't have to barge in. But you can pull me in."
Yusuke frowned down at him, shifting away a little so that he could see Hiei better. "Are you saying that this is my fault?" he demanded unhappily. Hiei shook his head and sighed, sitting up. It looked like he might be in for a long conversation, when all he really wanted to do was curl back up and sleep for the next several hours.
"I'm not saying it's anybody's fault," he clarified. "It happened, now we deal with it. You asked if I had a choice in whether or not to intrude. The answer is 'yes', but if you're going to open your mind to me, then I'm going to let myself fall, because you obviously don't want to talk about it. And if it's easier this way, then that's fine, too. Now, if you're done talking, I'd like to get some more sleep. I have to go see Koenma in the morning," Hiei scowled.
Yusuke just smiled up at him, that easy grin that Hiei was so used to seeing directed at himself and the others now. Warm arms reached up, and Hiei didn't waste any time curling back into the other boy's arms, sighing in bliss as he was held firmly, but not too tightly. Fingers combed lightly through his hair, and Yusuke murmured, "It really is as soft as fur." Hiei didn't deign to comment on the observation, closing his eyes determinedly, and Yusuke chuckled softly. "All right. I'll keep my comments to myself so you can get your beauty sleep," he teased, but he fell silent as promised, still stroking through Hiei's hair.
This time, when they fell asleep, neither one was disturbed by memories of the past. Instead, they felt safe, entwined together, warm and comfortable.