Chapter Six- Learning

Kurama stood there in shock. His mother didn't accept him or love him. She accepted me when I told her I was a demon, but won't do the same now that I'm a vampire. He stifled a sob. Maybe I should kill myself. My mother has rejected me and I can almost feel my dead heart breaking. Kurama raced for the park, certain that Hiei was there. He would tell Hiei he was a vampire and ask to be killed. He headed for Hiei's favorite tree but didn't smell Hiei's scent. He sat under it deciding the wait for his boyfriend. He loosened his collar and his fingers brushed against a cord. He lifted it out of his shirt and gasped at the stone attached to the cord.

A Hiruseki stone!? Did Hiei give this to me when I 'died'? Did he possibly shed this himself? Kurama gazed at the stone cupped in his palm and was so caught up in it that he almost missed Hiei's scent above him. He tucked the stone back under before looking up at the fire demon who eyes were wide. "Hi, Hiei. Do me a favor and kill me."

Hiei dropped down beside Kurama, disbelief evident on his face. "Kurama? No, you're dead. I saw it."

Kurama shook his head. "I was not technically dead. Karasu bit me and poured vampire blood down my throat as he was revived as a vampire. I went into a forty-eight hour coma and woke up last night as a vampire. I went to see Mother a couple of hours ago, explained everything, and she rejected me. I mentioned to her wanting to be dead and she said I should."

"Is that why your hair's black? Because you're a vampire?"

"I imagine so. Please kill me, Hiei. I do not know what will work, but surely fire will."

"Have you killed anyone?" he asked.

"No, but it is only a matter of time before I do. Please."

"Hn, all right." He stood as did Kurama and they moved where no trees would be harmed. Hiei backed up and then fired a mass of fire at Kurama who stood there, head tilted up, and eyes closed. He felt the heat of the fire wash over his body, the flames licking at him. Yes. Soon, I will be gone, actual ashes. He waited to lose consciousness as he really, truly died.

"What!?" Hiei exclaimed, confused.

Kurama opened his eyes to see he was completely unharmed; even his clothes were uncharred. "What happened? I felt the heat and the flames."

"I know. It was a direct hit, but they just passed right through you."

"Perhaps normal fire does not work. Try the Darkness Flame. That should do it.'

"Let me something else first," Hiei said before charging forward, drawing his sword, and stabbing toward Kurama's head where the brain was.

Kurama felt the sword hit and heard Hiei's curse before the sword was pulled out. "Same result, Hiei?"

"Went right through you." Hiei sheathed the sword, went up to Kurama and was able to hold his arm. "I can touch you, but I can't harm you. That is strange."

"So, you cannot kill me?"

"It seems that way. Kurama, I hate to say it, but ask Karasu about weaknesses. Once you have the answers, find me, and I'll help you die."

"You have a point. Meet me here after sunset tomorrow and I will share what I learned." He raced off in the blink of an eye and Hiei raised an eyebrow in surprise. He's much faster than before. Hn, perhaps I could persuade Kurama to live. He still has his humanity.

Karasu sniffed as a scent like dying roses greeted his nose. Hmm, my student returns. He looked up from the bed to see Kurama leap onto the windowsill and enter. "What happened to staying with Mother?"

"She…rejected me. However, Hiei is still my friend."

"Not a surprise. Humans fear us as we drink their blood. I found out last night that demon blood is just as good. Perhaps as I was a demon, I can drink their blood."

"I see, but I only plan to drink from the blood bank. I still have my humanity."

"Of course. You awoke less than twenty-four hours ago. Now, is there a reason that you have returned?"

Kurama sat on the bed. "I have decided I rather learn about being a vampire from you than on my own."

Karasu smirked. "I'm glad you came to that decision. I learned a couple of things you wouldn't have learned alone. One is that once you have consumed some blood, your supernatural abilities will be unlocked."

"Super speed, for example?"

"Ah, so you've discovered that one. Yes, we can move faster than humans or demons. I found that we can jump higher, much more than two stories. The last one is turning into a bat."

"A bat. So, we can fly as bats."

"Oh, yes. I imagine it helps in making an escape. No one would think or look twice at a bat, especially at night which is the only time I use it." Karasu stood, gave a small jump, and instantly became a bat who fluttered in mid-air. An instant later, Karasu reappeared.

"As I am certain you already know, vampires have no energy or scent. You still have a lingering scent that will evaporate once the sun has set."

"I still have a scent?"

"Yes; like dying roses. Quite appropriate, to be honest." Karasu went right up to Kurama, leaned down, and began kissing him. Kurama jerked back.

"Do that again, Karasu, and I will kill you."

Karasu chuckled. "Dear Kurama, we cannot be killed. Any attack will just go through us."

Kurama stared at him, hardly believing his ears. "We cannot be killed?" he repeated faintly.

"Correct." He smirked in a smug manner.

Kurama saw the expression and wanted to wipe it off his face. He leaped upwards off the bed, seized Karasu's shoulders, and lunged toward the neck with the intention of sucking him dry. Instead, he felt his fangs pass through Karasu.

Karasu seized Kurama's hands and held the shorter vampire off the ground. "I told you any attack will pass through. We cannot die or be killed."

"All right. I believe you."

Karasu set him down. "Good. Now, I assume you have had blood today?"

"I have, but what would happen if I did not?"

"You would go on an uncontrollable blood frenzy for several hours, drinking every human or demon you come across."

Kurama swallowed hard. "That sounds scary and would draw undue attention to us."

"Precisely." He smiled as Kurama smothered a yawn. "You are welcome to stay here and rest a bit. I chose this house as it has furnishings that were abandoned. This room belongs to you."

"Thank you, Karasu. I appreciate the offer."

"Of course and once you have rested, perhaps we can go flying. I know you will enjoy it." Karasu left the room and Kurama settled on the bed to, once again, reflect on the day. Mother has rejected me most likely because she fears I would attack her. Hiei does not fear me, but was reluctant to kill me until I pointed out that I would end up draining people. He ended up agreeing only his attempts failed. Karasu shared a lot of things about vampires, revealing that we cannot be killed. That is not good; I am truly immortal and will roam this world forever. Tears welled up and spilled over as he drifted to sleep. He was trapped in his undead body and was staying with a vampire who clearly had strong feelings for him as those kisses would testify. But I do not return those sentiments. Hiei loves me and I do not see him stopping that anytime soon.