Chapter Seven- Yomi

Kurama looked up at the tall buildings and then at the one-story stores. This place is still so big, even with Hiei here. But, it's not as scary as it seemed before. Hiei's explained everything he does and any questions I have. I understand this human world better and Yusuke and I could definitely hang out here and have fun.

I plan to tell Hiei that I love him today and the park is the perfect setting. Hiei is special what with his shapeshifting power. He said he was born with it and that makes me wonder about his family. I have to assume they're dead, but how did it happen?

"Kurama?" The redhead blinked and saw Hiei looking at him, head tilted. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. I was just wondering about your family."

Hiei was silent for a moment as they walked. Finally, he said, "I'm an only child and my parents died when I was five. They also possessed my gift. We were in a meadow and chose to be deer. We were grazing and then my father sensed danger. All I remember was running and shots being fired. I changed back to human when I was in the trees and went looking for my parents. I found them dead and still in deer form. I've had to make my own way from then on."

"Oh, Hiei. I am so sorry."

"Thanks. You're the first and only one I've told that story to. It feels good to let it out."

"I imagine you've kept a lot of things to yourself. I would be willing to listen."

Hiei looked into Kurama's eyes and knew he could confide anything to him. Hiei began to blurt out everything he had held in for the past ten years as they visited stores and Kurama listened to every word.

"I know your suggestion of being a merman to avoid Mukuro is a good idea," he said as they sat down for lunch. "I would love to live with you but I fear Mukuro would find me." Hiei lapsed into silence at last and Kurama smiled at him. "Feel a lot better now that you've let everything out?"

"I do feel better but I haven't let everything out. Kurama, from the moment I saw you, I fell head over heels in love. The more I got to know you and the more time we spent together, I knew I could tell you anything and you would accept it." He took a deep breath and said, "I love you, Kurama."

Kurama blushed a few moments before it faded. "Hiei, I am very flattered to hear that. I was happy to meet you and get to know you. You know that I like males instead of females and was looking for a special merman. However," he brought up his pack and revealed a box. "I came to realize that you are the one I'd like to be with. Hiei, I love you too and would like you to have this." He opened the box.

Hiei gasped at the gleaming black pearl. It would easily fit in his hand and could be hidden in his fist. "Kurama, it's beautiful and rare, isn't it?"

"It is, but so are you. It is the custom of my people to present their beloved with a gift. When I found this, I knew it would go to the one I love."

"Kurama, thank you." Hiei closed the box and drew it toward him.

"I had planned to tell you in the park, but…" He shrugged.

"I always felt confessing over food was romantic but I can see how the confession would be just as romantic in the park."

"Well, why don't we go there now and I can tell you thing I have kept to myself."

Kurama leaned back on the bench, tilted his head to the sun, and closed his eyes. He had talked himself almost hoarse about anything he wished to say. When he finished, Hiei had gotten up, said he was going to get Kurama a surprise, and headed down a park path. He wonder what the surprise was but knew he would find out soon.

"Hello."

Kurama opened his eyes to see a man with long black hair and sunglasses. He had an air of friendliness combined with power and a bit of arrogance. Kurama smiled at him. "Hi, I'm Kurama and you are…?"

"I am Yomi, a sorcerer."

"A sorcerer. Like Mukuro?"

"Ah, so Hiei has mentioned Mukuro."

"How do you…?"

"I am a sorcerer. I also have the gift of foresight and to see one's true form despite what they look like now. For example, I know that you are a merman."

Kurama shifted uncomfortably and Yomi smiled before sitting beside him. "I have no intention of capturing you or making a bargain with you. That is not how I operate."

"How do you operate, then?"

"My foresight gift tells me who genuinely need help in the immediate future. You are one of those people."

"Oh?"

"I saw you and Hiei with Mukuro and decided to see you now and provide you with a means of protecting both of you from that sorceress' attempts to either bargain with you or threaten Hiei."

"Yomi, what do you know about Hiei or me?"

"I know that you are in love with one another and that Hiei wishes to be free of his slavery to Mukuro. I offer you this protective charm to protect you or Hiei from any magic but it can only be used once." Yomi reached into his coat and pulled out a necklace from which hung a mystical charm. He put it around Kurama's neck, the charm sliding under his shirt.

Kurama opened his pack. "I want to pay for this."

"It is not necessary. No one should be a slave to that witch."

"I insist." Kurama pulled out an emerald and put it in Yomi's hand.

Yomi's hands moved over the gem. "Oh, my. That is a big one, correct?"

"It is an emerald. Are you blind, Yomi?"

The sorcerer smiled. "What gave it away?"

"You have not looked at me and the cane beside you." He looked at the walking cane.

"You are very observant. I knew I would like you."

"Thank you, Yomi…for everything," he said as Yomi stood.

"And thank you for the emerald. I believe I will see you and Hiei later today. I have foreseen it." Yomi gestured and he vanished.

Kurama leaned back to collect his thoughts of what had just happened. I just met a sorcerer who is blind and has the gift to know who needs help, sees the immediate future, and sees people who they really are. He knows that Hiei and I are in love and that Hiei serves Mukuro which he feels is wrong. Clearly, Mukuro is a rival and their motives vary. He gave me a charm to protect Hiei or me, but only once. He did not want payment but accepted the emerald anyway. He touched his shirt where the charm sat. I hope I do not need to use it, but Yomi would not have given it to me if he had not seen a future where I would need it.

"Kurama!"

The merman looked up to see Hiei coming with a strange item in each hand and a big smile. "Here's your surprise. It's an ice cream cone. I got you vanilla, a basic flavor. I have chocolate, my favorite." He gave Kurama his cone and then sat down, licking the ice cream and smiling with contentment.

Kurama took a cautious lick and a cold pleasant tasted touch his tongue. He smiled as he continued to lick. This is good, really good. He looked sideways at Hiei and smiled at the happy look on his face. I want him to be happy always. He would be if he was not a slave. I cannot help with that, but I can visit now and then.