"Well, well," Chu said, looking at Kurama and Hiei from the bar as they stepped down the stairs. "Look who's finally up. Anything you want to correct about what you guys told me yesterday?"
Hiei scowled. "Chu, you are much less unpleasant when you are a drunk."
Kurama looked down on Chu's rather lecherous grin, and his good mood slowly evaporated. "I'm afraid I'm inclined to agree," Kurama said as he ambled towards Chu.
Chu pouted slightly. "Aw, don't be like that. Natsume-chan and Kujou like me sober, ya know?"
"I can't imagine why," Hiei muttered rather loudly. Kurama's lips quirked.
"Chika-chan…" Chu whined, whirling around towards the bartender. Chika's eyes flickered from Chu to Hiei and Kurama, before turning back to Chu.
"Stay sober," Chika said rather emotionlessly, before walking away to clean the rest of the cups.
Chu grinned victoriously back at Kurama and Hiei, while Hiei snorted. "So," Chu started, glancing at the two other immortals, "what will you two do now? Burst into court and steal your other third away?"
"What we do is none of your business, Chu," Hiei said. Chu noticed he didn't make a single comment about Chu's statement of Yusuke being Hiei and Kurama's 'other third.' Hiei turned to Kurama. "Let's go."
Kurama nodded and together, they headed towards the door.
"Wait," Chu called out, attention sharpening. "Does that mean you have a plan?"
"What do you think?" Hiei replied, raising a mocking eyebrow.
Chu frowned, unable to stand not having the information when the knowledge was right there. He wanted, needed to know. His nosy nature wouldn't let this opportunity go. He considered how he should phrase his words, but then Kurama turned.
On his face was a rather triumph smile and that was when Chu realized he fell for it hook, line and sinker. He wanted to frown, really he should except… damn upstarts, Chu thought with an amused grin as he looked from Hiei to Kurama. He bet anything that Kurama planned this out.
"All information comes at a price, Lord Chu," Kurama intoned deceptively softly.
Chu snorted at how innocent Kurama looked, although his grin remained in place. "Alright, alright," Chu said. "You two got my attention. What do you want?"
"Your corporation and persuasive skills," Kurama answered promptly.
Chu's eyebrows rose up. "Explain," Chu ordered and as the two relatively young immortals did, Chu's grin widened.
Damn, he thought. Yusuke attracts all kinds of interesting fellows, don't he?
When everything was planned out, they all went to prepare.
Xxx
"Well," Kurama said, looking over Hiei, "it looks like you are going to one of those inane celebrations after all."
"Shut up, fox," Hiei retorted without much heat. He looked at his own gaudy clothes and then at Kurama's rather formal ones. "We could still switch and make you go instead."
Kurama smiled. "No, it's fine," Kurama said, fixing Hiei's collar. "Besides, you don't wish to confront Mukuro, would you?"
"I'm going to anyway," Hiei said, glancing at Kurama. "But you're better at stalling."
Kurama quirked an eyebrow at him. "And you're getting better at sidestepping my questions," Kurama said as he tousled Hiei's hair a little.
Hiei scowled.
Kurama smiled at that. "She's one of your favorites, isn't she, being one of the rare kings to not be under King Koenma's care."
"Hn," Hiei said, letting Kurama fix his outerwear. "She wasn't supposed to be a king, but Fate had other ideas."
Kurama hummed. "People think you got rid of the possible heirs for her."
"I didn't," Hiei said.
"I know," Kurama replied. "You're not interested in politics anyway and interfering with the royalties is like walking on a tightrope for us. The line is blurred regarding our interaction with the powerful mortals such as kings and queens. The fact that people thought you helped Mukuro served her well, however. They fear opposing her."
"Mukuro for me is what Yuki is like to you," Hiei finally said. "I had a hand in guiding her to become who she is today."
"What happened?" Kurama asked.
Hiei looked at Kurama. "I'll tell you, but you're not using any of that against her on court."
Kurama smiled, a little sad, a little hurt. "I won't, Hiei."
Hiei's gaze shifted. "I had to make sure, Kurama. I –"
"You care for her a lot," Kurama filled in. "I understand. There's a thirty year gap between my knowledge of you from before and now. I just want to learn more about that time."
Hiei looked at Kurama for a long moment, before finally nodding. "I'll tell you then, Kurama," Hiei said. His gaze met Kurama's. "I'll tell you about Mukuro's past."