Hello, hello, hello! Finally got Chapter 5 for ya! Hope ya like!
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho.
5
"Shuuichi, dear..." Shiori murmured, shaking Kurama gently. "Shuuichi..." Her voice didn't sound as calm as usual.
"What is it, mother?" Kurama asked, sitting up. He glanced at his clock, thinking that they'd overslept. It was 5:34 am.
"Um...Kuwabara said that he'd be here in about an hour..." she said. Kurama looked over at her, noticing that she was wringing her hands. She looked worried.
"Well, what's the matter?" Kurama asked, waking up a little more from her actions.
"There's something out back..." she said. "I don't know what it is..." Kurama stood up quickly, going over to his window. He looked out through the thin layer of frost, seeing something out there; just a blur of black that seemed to disappear and reappear at different spots in the yard. Kurama's face lightened up.
"It's alright mother," he said, pulling away from the window. He left the room quickly and slipped on his shoes in the front hall. He pulled out his coat and put it on, not bothering to zip up. He went to the back of the house where Shiori was still standing.
"Well, where are you going?" she asked, following him to the back door.
"Just out back..." he said.
"You'll get sick..." she said, reaching for him. Kurama was already out the door.
"Just for a moment!" he called over his shoulder. He spotted the black blur just as it stopped moving. "Hey, Hiei," Kurama greeted him, just as he sheathed his sword.
"Do I still have to go with you today?" Hiei asked, looking up at him with a worn expression.
"No...you don't have to. I just wanted you to get reacquainted with Kuwabara, but it's no longer necessary." Hiei breathed in deep. "Are you going to train today?" Kurama asked.
"No, fox. I may not be there right next to you, but I'll be there." Kurama smiled.
"Come in for breakfast?"
"Nah. I had enough yesterday. Tell that woman to put some clothes on." Kurama looked at his mother. She was standing in the doorway, looking towards them, still dressed in her nightclothes.
"I see you later, then, Hiei," Kurama said, turning to go.
"Yeah," Hiei said. Kurama went up to Shiori. She stepped back, letting him inside.
"Is that your friend?" she asked.
"Yes," Kurama said, closing and locking the door.
"He gave me half a fright!" she said, shaking her head with a smile. "Well...what do you want for breakfast this morning?" she asked.
"The usual," Kurama said. "I should go get ready." Kurama left his mother's side, heading for his room. He felt strange that morning, a little awkward. As he showered and dressed, he felt a warmth within him, and it made him nervous. Was he excited about seeing Kuwabara? Anxious to get out of the house? Whatever it was, he couldn't necessarily complain. He actually felt better because of it.
Kuwabara arrived just as Kurama was finishing the dishes. He set the last of the utensils in the rack, hearing the pitter-patter of feet running up behind him.
"Hi, Uncle Shuuichi!" Eiji exclaimed, jumping up and down excitedly. The girl, Eiko, stood next to him, looking expectant.
"Daddy says you're going to buy us some gifts," she said. Kurama smiled.
"Well, I hope so," he said to them. He dried his hands and tossed the napkin away. Kuwabara came into the kitchen.
"Hey, Kurama," he said, holding out his hand. Kurama shook it.
"Kuwabara," Kurama said. "You look well."
"Yeah," Kuwabara said, sitting down at the kitchen island. "So how's it been?"
"It's been good," Kurama said with a nod.
"Shiori-san tells me your car's in the shop. What's wrong with it? Maybe I can take a look at it for you."
"My car...? That's way back in the city," Kurama said. "It was making this weird noise, and when it comes to cars, I don't know tick from tack." Kuwabara lowered his eyebrows.
"I'm against taking cars to shops...unless of course, it's mine." He chuckled. "If things were different, I might have been able to take a look at it for you. You trust your mechanic?"
"I don't have one....do I?" Kurama asked. Kuwabara's eyes widened.
"You left you car with a stranger?" he asked. "Oh, man. Unless you were lucky enough to leave it with people like the ones at my shop, you're in for a big hole in your wallet."
"I knew that much before I dropped it off," Kurama said, shaking his head. Kuwabara pulled his wallet out of his pocket. Eiji went up to him, hopping up and down.
"I want some!" he said. "I want some!" Kuwabara chuckled.
"You don't even know what it is," he said to Eiji.
"Candy!" Eiji said excitedly. "Yummy!" Kuwabara laughed as he pulled out two cards. "Oh, man!" Eiji said, snapping his finger. "No candy."
"Nope, no candy this time," Kuwabara said. He looked up at Kurama. "Kid's addicted to sweets," he said. Kurama took the cards and looked them over.
"A lawyer?" he asked. Kuwabara nodded.
"There's a specialist there who can tell when your car's been tampered with, and when the mechanic is cheating customers. He calls this guy up..." Kuwabara tapped the lawyer card. "...and he sees if you might have a case to get your money back."
"Won't that just end up costing more in the end?" Kurama asked.
"Depends on what you sue them for." Kurama shook his head.
"I'll keep this in mind." Kuwabara nodded.
"Good. They always win. They know what they're doing. It gets all the crooked mechanics off the streets." Kurama nodded again, going over to the closet. Eiko followed him.
"You gonna buy me a doll?" she asked. Kurama shrugged.
"I'm not sure yet. What else do you like?"
"Teddy bears," she said, looking down. "Cars. Me and Ei race cars outside sometimes."
"Big ones or small ones?" Kurama asked, slipping on his coat.
"All kinds," she said, still looking down.
"Cookies!" Eiji exclaimed from inside the kitchen.
"Momma Nao said no cookies, Ei!" Eiko said, running into the kitchen. Kurama smiled at her. Before he could finish getting his things on, Kuwabara came out with the twins.
"We're just gonna go that mall," Kuwabara said.
"Okay," Kurama said, zipping up his coat. He led them to the front door.
"Have a good time, you all," Shiori said as they left.
"It won't take long, Shiori-san," Kuwabara said. "Just a few hours."
"Alright now. Will you join us for lunch, then, Kuwabara?" she asked.
"Nao wants us back as soon as possible, so we might pick something up on the way back. Long drive, you know?" Shiori nodded.
"Alright, then."
"Bye, mother," Kurama said, stepping out.
"Goodbye, Shuu-kun." The name made Kurama smile. Eiji jumped up.
"Yay! I want some toys, Uncle Shuuichi!" he said. Eiko shook her head.
"Be nice, Eiji," she said. "Ask."
"Can I get some toys, daddy?" Eiji asked as they went down the stairs, still grinning widely. "I want toys because it's Christmas. Me and Ei get toys on Christmas."
"Well, how can I buy them while you all are with me?" Kurama asked. "You'll know what your gift is."
"We won't peek," Eiko said, nodding.
"Car's down the block," Kuwabara said to Kurama. Kurama nodded.
"Momma Nao said that I can open a present tonight," Eiji said.
"That's because it's Christmas Eve, Eiji," Eiko said. "Momma Nao says all kids open one present on Christmas Eve."
"Yay!" Eiji exclaimed. Once they arrived at the mall, Kuwabara went off to get some last minute things while Kurama went to the toy store to buy some gifts for the twins. The toy store was large and upon entering, Kurama felt lost. But then he remembered what Eiko told him earlier and he looked for the toys cars.
Not too long into searching the aisles, Kurama realized he had to use the bathroom. He took a final look at all the cars, still not knowing which to pick. Perhaps if he went to the washroom and then returned, it would make choosing the cars easier for him. On his way out, he spotted other things the twins might enjoy, things he'd seen on television lately. But, still not sure, he headed for the washrooms.
He slipped inside just as someone passed him to leave. Just around the corner were the urinals and further back were the stalls. He only had to pee, but felt quite icky about using the urinals. He looked around, seeing that no one else was in there. He quickly went to utilize the one in the corner.
Then it hit him—that man was near. Kurama shut his eyes tightly, hating the idea of being caught so publicly. Quickly now he thought, attempting to go faster. He could hear footsteps behind him, and as they stopped, Kurama found he'd paused without finishing. He quickly zipped up and went to head for a stall, feeling creeped out enough to pee on himself if he didn't hurry up.
"Not so fast," the young man said, grabbing Kurama's arms and throwing him into the wall between the urinals.
"What do you want?" Kurama asked angrily.
"You know what I want," the man said, looking Kurama up and down. "And what I want is looking quite appetizing right about now."
"Back away from me," Kurama said, pushing the man out of his way. As he passed him, the man laughed at him. Kurama hurried into a stall and slammed it, the urge to use the bathroom subsiding as he pressed himself up to the door.
"I can smell your fear..." the man said. "You have nothing to be afraid of. At least not yet."
"Who are you?" Kurama asked, pulling out his cell phone. Blast! It wasn't charged. He put it back in his coat pocket. "I'll have you arrested."
"Yes...let the police handle me. Good idea. Do you really have a case against me, Shuuichi? Any proof? Really, all I've done for you is a good deed."
"Sexual harassment is by no means a good deed," Kurama said. The man laughed.
"Christmas is tomorrow, is it not? Last minute shoppers rushing the stores for that perfect gift?" The man chuckled. "Wouldn't it be a shame if...say...something terrible happened?"
"What are you saying?" Kurama asked quickly.
"What media frenzy would ensue if that toy store across the way were to say...blow up?" Kurama stood up straight, turning around and opening the stall door.
"What is the matter with you?" he asked.
"Do you really need to ask?" the man asked. He held up his hand. A small bomb materialized in his palm. It was only then that Kurama's suspicions about the man being a demon were made true. His face pained as he realized he had no other choice but to cooperate.
"What do you want, in exchange for their lives?" Kurama asked. The man entered the stall and closed the door. He locked it. "Put that thing away..." Kurama said, backing up a little. The man tossed it in the air and caught it.
"This...?" he asked. "This won't do much harm to this building. I had something else in mind. But now that you've obliged, I...just might..." He leaned forward and kissed Kurama on the mouth. Kurama backed away out of disgust.
"Please..." he said. "At least tell me your name first."
"Karasu..." the demon whispered, staring down at Kurama's lips. The bomb in his hand dissipated as he came closer to Kurama. He licked the side of Kurama's face. "Such a precious demon, Kurama..." he said, his voice raspy. He kissed Kurama again, slipping his tongue into his mouth. Kurama pushed him away again.
"Not here," he said, wanting to rid his mouth of the taste. "Please..."
"Very well," Karasu said, opening the stall door. "But the next time I see you, you will do as I tell you. Wouldn't want that precious mother of yours..." Anger rising as soon as he heard the word mother, Kurama reached for Karasu's hair and yanked him towards him.
"You will not touch my mother," he growled, staring down at Karasu with a fierceness that didn't seem to phase the chuckling demon. Kurama pushed him away again, this time hard enough that he hit the wall outside the stall. "Stay away from her!" Karasu laughed again, this time harder. He looked up at Kurama.
"Don't look so upset...it's not befitting." Kurama balled his fist up tightly. "I suggest you control that temper of yours. I do enjoy hearing the pitiful screams of dying humans." Karasu laughed, beginning to walk away. Kurama left the stall to follow him, but as soon as he stepped out, Karasu had gone.
By the time Kurama arrived home that afternoon, he was a bundle of nerves. No explosions went off in the mall, but all Kurama really wanted to see was that his mother was all right. Going through the front door, he saw her waiting there to greet him. He dropped his packages and threw his arms around her.
"Thank goodness you're alright!" he said, not letting her go. She tensed.
"Of course, I'm alright, Shuuichi....why on earth wouldn't I be?"
"I...I don't know, I just....thank goodness, mother. I was so worried about you." Shiori patted Kurama on the back.
"Well, I'm just fine, Shuuichi." Kurama reluctantly let her go, looking at her, trying to make sure that all was well. "You look horrible," she said. "Come on, we'll make sandwiches." In the kitchen, Shiori pulled out the bread and things and set them in front of Kurama.
"I was so worried..."
"You're scaring me, Shuuichi," Shiori said. "You...promise me you're alright..."
"I...I don't know."
"Kurama." Kurama turned around, startled to see Hiei standing in the doorway of the kitchen.
"Oh, hello, Hiei," Shiori said. Hiei nodded to her.
"I need to talk to you, right now," he said to Kurama.
"Um..." Kurama looked at Shiori.
"Go on. I'll bring you boys some sandwiches." Kurama came from the stool, walking over to Hiei.
"What is it?' he asked. Hiei didn't speak; he just kept walking until he reached Kurama's room. He opened the door, and let Kurama in.
"Hiei, what's the matter?" Kurama asked. Hiei nearly slammed the door shut.
"You know full well what's the matter with me, damnit!" Hiei said. "I can't take this Kurama. I just can't."
"I didn't know he was going to be there, Hiei, what was I supposed to do?"
"You're supposed to let me take care of this, damnit!"
"Lower your voice!" Kurama snapped. Hiei folded his arms.
"You have until tomorrow night to handle this Kurama, because that's the extent of my patience right now. I will kill him with my bare hands for putting his hands on you! He never should have laid a finger on you!"
"How do you know what happened, you...?" Hiei's jagan lit up.
"Tomorrow night, Kurama."
"No!"
"Damnit!"
"No, Hiei. That's enough. I don't need any ultimatums from you! This is my business, not yours!"
"Listen to yourself, Kurama. Suppose he had set off that bomb and killed those people? If it were up to me, as soon as I had a lock on him...just yesterday, Kurama, I would have killed him. He's a demon...that's my territory."
"Your territory?" Kurama asked.
"Yes!" Hiei said. "I couldn't kill him if he was a ningen, now could I?"
"No..." Kurama said, calming down.
"Just...just let me handle this."
"No." Hiei went over to the window.
"I never should have told you anything," he growled. "You're ruining everything!"
"Get out, Hiei! I don't need you in here making me feel worse than I already do. I was violated today, Hiei! No, I don't want you to go after him! I want to tear him apart limb from limb myself!" Hiei turned away from the window, staring up at Kurama. "He threatened to hurt my mother, of all people. He will pay for what he did to me by my hand, not yours."
"I understand Kurama, but...it hurts me, too. No, that woman out there is not my mother, and on the face of it, you're only my partner, but you two are my life and he trespassed my boundaries. No one messes with me or those who I hold dear. No one!" Kurama sat down on his bed, pulling his hands roughly through his hair.
"Inari," he muttered. Hiei went over to him. "These were supposed to be good times," Kurama said. "I've got a headache the size of Texas." Hiei sat down next to him.
"This is what I do, Kurama. Please...just let me handle this. You won't have to worry about it anymore."
"You've done enough, Hiei," Kurama said, sniffing. He sighed. "I just...I wouldn't feel good about having you do this for me." Kurama reached for Hiei's hand and squeezed it. "How about this...?"
"What?" Hiei asked, becoming more attentive.
"If he confronts me...and you're there...we can handle it together. That way, there won't be any secrets." Hiei looked up at Kurama.
"Ok," he said. Kurama squeezed his hand again.
"Good."
"Shuuichi? Hiei?" Shiori asked from outside the door. Kurama stood up.
"Coming mother." Hiei stood up also, turning to Kurama. Kurama opened the door. Shiori held up a plate with sandwiches, smiling.
"Is everything alright? I thought I heard some commotion..."
"Everything's fine mother," Kurama said, trying to ignore the worried look she gave him. Shiori looked over to Hiei, her smile faltering.
"Um...well...you should eat," she said, handing Kurama the platter. "I'll be in my room if you want to talk." Shiori looked at Kurama eagerly before walking away. Kurama closed the door slowly.
"You gonna talk to her?" Hiei asked.
"Truthfully, I'd rather talk to you." Kurama sat down, sitting the sandwiches on his lap. "You hungry?"
"No." Kurama picked up a sandwich half and bit into it.
"Mother makes great sandwiches," Kurama said, propping his feet up on the bed frame. Hiei went over and took a sandwich half. He sniffed it.
"Hm..." He ate a little and sat down. "Well, what's on your mind?"
"What do you mean?"
"You said you wanted to talk."
"Oh, yeah..." Kurama chuckled a little nervously. "You know...last night...when you opened up to me...it felt really good. Like..."
"Don't get sappy," Hiei said. "I swear if you start crying, I'll leave."
"Well, that's very comforting," Kurama said, taking another bite.
"I'm just warning you...I don't like the feeling I get when people cry."
"I wasn't going to...and I promise I won't."
"Good. Continue." Kurama chuckled.
"You're the worst."
"What?" Hiei asked. Kurama shook his head.
"You just have an odd sense of humor," he said. Hiei sighed.
"Is that why you keep laughing at me?" he asked. Kurama nodded. "Tst."
"Oh, Hiei," Kurama sighed. "Really...I just never noticed it before."
"What?"
"That...that...you..." Hiei stuffed the rest of his sandwich in his mouth. Kurama lowered his eyebrows, beginning to laugh at him.
"My, goodness," he said, covering his mouth. "Nevermind."
"No...what?" Hiei asked through his mouth full of sandwich.
"Nothing," Kurama said. He took another sandwich. "Told you they were good."
"Yeah," Hiei said, swallowing. "Your mother's not half bad. You feel better yet?"
"Yes, I do."
"Good. I don't understand how you can be so angry...yelling at me and all that and still not curse."
"I cursed for you," Kurama said, pointing a finger at him.
"Yes, you did. But, of course, you did it thinking about it. I want a natural curse out of you. A slip up." Hiei rubbed his hands together, grinning. He reached for another sandwich half.
"Never," Kurama said. "And just because you want one out of me."
"You will, kitsune. And I'll catch it with the jagan. That way, I can hear it over and over. Heh heh heh heh heh." Kurama shook his head at Hiei.
"You're evil."
"Yes, very evil. And don't you forget it." Kurama looked around, wondering what else he could talk to Hiei about now that the demon was talking so openly.
"So...how do you know when things go wrong?" Kurama asked. "It just pops up in your mind?"
"Something like that," Hiei said. "I've got a lock on each and every one of you. When you get scared or something, I can feel it. It's the worst when two of you have problems at the same time. I get all kinds of chills."
"Wow..." Kurama said. "So...what other things can you sense?" Hiei raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Like...let's say that mother and I danced without you being there. Would you have sensed our enjoyment?"
"Oh," Hiei said. He nodded. "Yeah. That makes me most happy." Kurama smiled.
"I've spent so much time thinking that you've never been happy, you know?" Hiei looked over to him, already finished with his second piece of sandwich and reaching for another. Kurama smiled at him. "I feel better now...knowing that you're happy."
"Good. You know...I know you think of this as a burden, but it's not. I like it, Kurama. So don't go moping about it. I seen the shows." Kurama laughed a little.
"You watch toooo much TV. No more for you."
"Shiori never watches TV...and neither do you," Hiei pointed out. "You only watch it when I'm there."
"Sometimes I watch it without you," Kurama said.
"Once or twice a month?" Hiei asked. He shook his head again. "Why do you even have a TV?"
"I used to watch it all the time. Once I got this job, that changed. That TV's really old. I'm surprised it hasn't busted down on me." Kurama wiped his hands on his pants and lied down. "I'm full."
"You didn't even eat."
"I did," Kurama said defensively.
"Eat the last one."
"I know you want it," Kurama said. "I'm not hungry anymore."
"I said eat it," Hiei said. Kurama closed his eyes.
"I refuse." Hiei looked down at it.
"Fine." He picked it up and stuffed it in his mouth. "There," he muttered, turning to sit on the bed more comfortably. He looked down at Kurama. "You tired?" he asked once he'd finished his bite.
"Very. Ei Ei exhausted me." Hiei nodded.
"They're a handful," he said. Kurama yawned.
"Lay down with me..." he said. Hiei raised an eyebrow again.
"What?"
"You ever been in a bed before?" Kurama asked. Hiei shook his head.
"I been in a cot..." he said. Kurama sighed, his eyes still closed.
"Try it." Hiei stood up.
"I don't want to."
"You'll like it. It's better than the corner. Here...I'll get up if it makes you uncomfortable."
"But you...said...with you..." Kurama nodded. Hiei sat back down. "I like my corner."
"Then don't lay down with me, then."
"But..."
"Hm?" Hiei sighed.
"You did that on purpose," he said, standing up again. Kurama chuckled, scooting back.
"Just try it..." Hiei sat down, looking around. Kurama patted the bed next to him. Hiei reluctantly laid down.
"When that guy kissed you Kurama, I swore I'd rip out his tongue." Hiei cracked his knuckles.
"You were jealous?" Kurama asked.
"A little," Hiei said, looking up at Kurama.
"Remember earlier...when I told you about how I never realized something before last night...?"
"Yeah," Hiei said, letting out a yawn. "Tell me."
"I...I've always known that I like you. You're Hiei, everybody likes you." Hiei looked confused.
"Doesn't that seem backwards to you?" he asked.
"No," Kurama said. "Not at all."
"Oh," Hiei said, his eyes closing heavily. "Go on." Kurama chuckled a little, scooting forward.
"I just...I never knew that I loved you. Holding on to you while you spoke...it dawned on me that I never wanted to let you go. It hurt to hear all that you wanted to say, but..." Hiei turned and laid down on his back. He shivered, and made a satisfied sound. He closed his eyes again. "Hiei...?" Kurama asked, leaning forward. Hiei didn't answer. Kurama sat up quickly. "Hiei?" Hiei began to snore. Kurama frowned a little and then chuckled. "I knew you'd like the bed," he said.
Doo dee doo! ::shakes head:: That Karasu ain't no good. Chapter six is coming soon, but I'm feeling a little discouraged. ::sniff sniff:: I'm sure you guys could cheer me up. I just love reviews! Good or bad, relevant or miscellaneous...all types! ::wink wink::
Thanks
J3