Word Count: 731
Age: Kurama- 13
Tsuna- 11
"A hunted man sometimes wearies of distrust and longs for friendship."
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Hiei had always been fascinated with the legend of Yoko Kurama. It was a popular subject within the group of bandits he had grown up with. The Silver fox had only just disappeared into the Spirit Realm to terrorize them and there were still an abundance of rumors floating around about his exploits.
The Silver Devil.
Spirit Fox.
The Greatest Thief that Ever Lived.
Yoko Kurama.
The fox had been nothing, if some of the tales were to be believed.
A pale runt with a plant affinity. Which at the time was considered weak and only useful for healing.
But he grew stronger. He changed the way plants were used.
Not for healing.
But to fight. To kill. To win.
He drew people to him. Powerful people. And they became the most feared bandits in the entire realm.
He could have been a King.
He almost became one.
But, then he left. He abandoned his group and went solo for several hundred years. The only one seen in his company was a bat demon, who was definitely not as strong as Kurama's former alias.
Others thought that to be disappointing, but Hei only found it more fascinating.
What kind-of person was Yoko Kurama? The demon fox whose very name was still feared.
He had everything. All the riches, the fame, the glory. He had people bowing at his feet and a huge group of powerful demons following his every order.
Yet, he left.
He disappeared without a single word, leaving behind his second in command blinded and on the brink of death due to an assassination attempt. Then he went back to thieving, like nothing had happened.
It was very strange.
Though, Hiei could understand the sentiment behind simplicity. He hated crowds and people in general. Hovering around and expecting you to follow their script as if they own you.
He wondered if that's how Kurama felt.
They were similar in many ways, after all.
Abandoned at birth, yet strong enough to continue surviving despite the odds. Even when he searched for his birth place and those retched winter demonesses, he listened to those tales. When he started searching for his sister, he also searched for signs of the elusive fox.
Even when the Spirit Realm proclaimed his death.
He didn't believe them.
Someone like Yoko Kurama was a survivor. He wouldn't be killed by those hypocritical fools.
He had always kept an eye and an ear out on his journey for the fox. While his main priority was his sister he couldn't help but listen to some of the rumours. All of them led to nothing, of course. Just like his every attempt at finding his sister, but Hiei was nothing if not stubborn.
Somehow, however, he managed to stumble on the fox in a place he never even considered.
The Human Realm.
A red haired youth with eyes like green jewels. He held the hand of another smaller boy as they walked through a small park.
A human.
Weak.
Hiei was furious.
It was only when he had the infamous Rose Whip around his neck the small thorns digging into vulnerable skin that he realized the mistake he made.
Yoko Kurama was not weak.
He laughed then. A sharp sound, that was somewhat rusty from lack of use.
Yoko Kurama eyed him calmly. The whip tightened ever so slightly. The child he had been with was off playing on some colorful, oddly shaped pieces of metal in the distance.
It was an interesting introduction. Though, not the worst he ever had.
However, despite the fact the legendary fox refused to joined him and return to the Demon Realm Hiei was content.
He saw it.
The fierceness in his eyes.
The intelligence.
The power.
Even though he sided with the pathetic humans and even wore their skin, nothing could change the soul. While they had to agree to disagree on the subject of humans they still managed to work out an agreement involving trading some of the Demon Realms plants Kurama wanted for the information Hiei wanted.
He was so content that he even allowed the human women to strong arm him into eating dinner with them. Though he only put up with the younger child's questions due to the rather threatening look Kurama sent him.
It helped that the food was probably the best that he had ever eaten.
Honestly, I always saw Hiei as a fanboy of Kurama before they became friends. I don't know, it was just the way he would sort-of bragged about Kurama's skills. XD Anyway, for those interested. I always assumed Kurama was around a thousand years old and Hiei is about 400 to 500. So Hiei grew-up around the time Kurama was winding down with the banditing (Is that a word?). A bit of my head cannon shining through. Hope you guys don't mind.
Also! Someone brought it up in a review and I realized I hadn't really addressed it. Kurama isn't the heir for the Vongola. I had tinkered with it a little, but I eventually decided that he wouldn't not have any dying will flames at all which kicks him out of running. Honestly I think that would make him way to OP. I mean he already has an extremely versatile power by controlling plants along with his brains and experience. Adding flames would be to much. Also, Iemitsu is... shall we say disturbed by Kurama and definitely wouldn't agree to essentially making him his Boss.
Thank you guys so much for all the reviews! Every time I see a new one I squeal and do a little dance before I even read them. Then I squeal and dance some more. XD