Kurama felt the touch of Hiei's ki and quickly ran home. He
entered the house to find Hiei screaming and convulsing on the couch.
Suddenly, Hiei stopped screaming. His eyes were closed and his body
jerked.
"Hiei!" Kurama cried out in horror.
He went towards the infected youkai.
"Don't!" Bingyow yelped, getting in Kurama's way. "Don't touch her,
you're the only one who can save her."
"What happened?" Kurama demanded.
"She accidentally touched me." Bingyow said. "You didn't tell me how
fast she is. I couldn't dodge her in time."
"Why did she try to hit you?" Kurama asked.
"I was bugging her about you." Bingyow admitted guiltily.
"What?! Why?" Kurama demanded.
"She kept insisting that she didn't love you." Bingyow replied
simply. "I bugged her about it until she admitted that she did love
you, and then immediately tried to deny it. Well, I kept bugging her
and finally she hit me. I didn't even see it coming."
"I forgot to tell you how fast she was." Kurama sighed. "And how
easily she loses her temper."
"I'm sorry Father. I really like her. She's funny. You have to hurry
up and find a way to save her." Bingyow said.
"You want me to save her?" Kurama asked incredulously.
"I want you to be happy Father." Bingyow said in a small voice.
Kurama stared at Bingyow in surprise, then smiled beautifully.
"Thank you." Kurama said simply.
"You're welcome."
"Fight it, Hiei. I know you can." Kurama whispered encouragingly.
He turned to Bingyow.
"Let's get started."
Meanwhile, in the Makai, Kuwabara, Yusuke, Yukina, Keiko,
Botan, Koenma, and Genkai were waiting for Kurama and Hiei to report
in on what was happening. So far, there had only been thirteen deaths
due to Bingyow, before he had met Kurama. Kuwabara and Yusuke wanted
to help but Koenma forbade them to leave. Everyone was grumpy and
irritable at having to wait while Kurama and Hiei took care of
things.
Kurama and Bingyow worked away frantically as Hiei convulsed
on the couch. It was their sixth day without sleep. They had been
testing and re-testing and experimenting like crazy. So far, every
attempt had failed. They worked at a speed that would've impressed
Hiei if he was able to see it. Kurama forced himself to not think
about Hiei's suffering. Every chance he got, Kurama would go over to
Hiei and whisper words of encouragement. Bingyow was dabbing Hiei's
brow with a cool cloth. Not that it did much good. Kurama went over
to them, careful not to touch either one.
"How is.....?" he trailed off, watching Hiei thrash about.
"I don't think Hiei will make it." Bingyow answered truthfully.
"Hiei has to...I lo-we need Hiei to live." Kurama said softly.
Bingyow nodded and continued to dab Hiei's brow. Kurama went back to
the serums and samples and started to work again.
Yusuke and Kuwabara approached the cave cautiously. According
to Koenma, an SS-plus demon lived here who was killing too many young
youkai. Unfortunately, Kuwabara stepped on a branch and the demon
heard him. Roaring, it came charging out.
"Great job, silent one!" Yusuke shouted angrily as they dodged the
demon.
The demon came back at them. Yusuke shot him and Kuwabara threw his
sword at him. The demon bellowed in pain and quickly ran off. Yusuke
and Kuwabara stared at each other in surprise.
"Not much of a fighter." Kuwabara commented.
"Yeah, I know what you-hey! He's getting away!" Yusuke exclaimed.
They went after the demon.
Bingyow had fallen into an exhausted slumber. He wasn't as
strong as Kurama, and had collapsed after the ninth day. Kurama took
a moment to watch Hiei. Kurama felt his heart constrict every time
Hiei would spasm. He had not thought that he was so attached to Hiei.
urama sat down and sighed. It was interesting how it took this to
happen before he realised that what he felt for Hiei was...something
more then friendship. Kurama was afraid to admit that he felt this
way about Hiei. He wanted to avoid falling in love so that he could
protect the ones that he cared for. Strange that it should be Hiei of
all people. Not Yusuke, who had helped him save his mother and seemed
to care a great deal about him. Nor Yukina, who was kind to everyone
and beautiful as well. Nor anyone else. Why Hiei? Why this hot-headed
little koorime who never seemed to show any emotion except scorn and
disgust. Then Kurama remembered the times that they had fought
together. And how Hiei had grown angry whenever Kurama had been hurt,
and vice versa. Perhaps there was hope for his love for Hiei. Bingyow
had said that Hiei had admitted that he loved Kurama. Hiei wouldn't
lie about something like that, he just wouldn't reply. Kurama leaned
as close as he dared to Hiei.
"Come back. You can." He whispered. "You will. I know you will. I-I
love you."
Embarrassed, yet glad he had admitted it, Kurama went back to his
experiments. Perhaps this time he would find the cure.
Yusuke and Kuwabara gleefully killed the demon. He had been
quite stupid for a SS-plus demon, using his strength instead of his
ki. Oh well. Yusuke and Kuwabara happily started on their way back, a
job well done.
Kurama shivered and shook with fatigue. Could it be? Was it
true? He quickly put down what he was holding and went over to
Bingyow.
"Bingyow." He called to the sleeping kitten. "Bingyow, wake up!"
Bingyow yawned and blinked sleepily at Kurama.
"What is it?" Bingyow asked.
"I think I've found it." Kurama said.
"What?!" Bingyow was alert. "Really?!"
Kurama nodded.
"Let's try it out." Bingyow said gleefully.
"I can't put it into the syringe." Kurama said.
"Why not?"
Kurama held up his hands. They were shaking with fatigue.
"Oh."
Bingyow frowned.
"I can't do it either." He said, glancing at his paws. "You rest for
a while and then you can inject her."
Kurama nodded and collapsed into an armchair, asleep.
"I'll watch over you. Soon Father, I will be able to touch you
again." Bingyow said solemnly.
Hiei moaned in pain and slowly opened his eyes to stare into
two green ones.
"Get out of my face." He grumbled, turning his head.
Suddenly he was half lifted into a big, warm hug.
"Let go." Hiei said irritably, trying but finding himself too weak to
free himself.
"It worked!" Bingyow crowed.
Kurama set Hiei back down with a big grin on his face.
"You're alive." Kurama stated happily.
"Hn. It takes more then a tiny cat to kill me." Hiei snorted.
Bingyow giggled and Kurama's grin grew wider.
"It's good to have you back, Hiei." Kurama said. "We missed your
surliness."
Hiei gave him a dirty look.
"How do you feel?" Kurama asked.
"Fine." Hiei immediately responded.
"It doesn't hurt as much?" Bingyow asked.
Hiei didn't say anything but the look he gave Kurama showed that he
really wasn't in a lot of pain anymore.
"The only way to be sure that cure really worked is to have Bingyow
touch you again." Kurama said gently.
Hiei's eyes flinched. He clearly remembered the agony of the first
time Bingyow touched him. However, he firmed up his resolve and
nodded. Bingyow went over and touched Hiei's arm tentatively with one
paw. It took all of Hiei's willpower not to flinch. Bingyow backed
away. They waited a breathless five minutes. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine.
Ten. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen. Fifteen. Kurama and Bingyow
broke into big grins.
"It worked!" Bingyow crowed.
Kurama just gazed at Hiei with a stupid grin on his face.
"Hn. Stupid grin on stupid human." Hiei deadpanned.
Kurama grinned even more, not at all fooled by Hiei's attitude.
"Hurry and take the cure, Father." Bingyow said.
"I can't." Kurama said.
Hiei and Bingyow stared at him.
"Why ever not?" Bingyow asked.
"The cure doesn't cure humans. It only works on those of the Makai.
Also, it doesn't make one build up an immunity. It completely stops
the disease." Kurama said.
"Which means I have to take it." Bingyow realised.
"But we won't know if it works or not that way." Hiei protested.
"Yes we will. All we need is a victim." Kurama said.
"But who wou-You can't be serious." Bingyow said, stunned. "No,
Father. I can't do it."
"You have to." Kurama said, smiling gently. "I'm willing to risk
it."
Bingyow gazed into Kurama's eyes and then nodded.
"Alright Father." He agreed sadly.
Kurama prepared the syringe. His hands were starting to shake again.
Bingyow had only allowed him two hours of sleep. Kurama carefully
injected Bingyow with the cure. Half an hour later, Bingyow shakily
touched Kurama. Forty minutes later, they realised that Kurama would
be alright. Bingyow launched himself into Kurama's arms and snuggled
against him joyfully. Kurama flinched slightly but was amazed to find
that he wasn't in pain. Kurama then laughed and hugged Bingyow
closer. Tears fell down Kurama's cheeks in relief.
"Hn. Only you would cry at a time like this." Hiei commented.
Kurama grinned, reached out, and gather Hiei into the hug. Hiei
squirmed in embarrassment but still wasn't at his full strength.
Finally Kurama set Hiei back down on the couch. Bingyow purred in
Kurama's lap.
Yusuke, Kuwabara, Keiko, Yukina, Genkai, Botan, and Koenma
looked up at Hiei and Kurama entered the room. Kurama was carrying a
small, fluffy pink cat in his arms. Keiko leaned over to Yusuke.
"That's Bingyow? He looks pretty harmless." She whispered.
"Appearances can be deceiving." Yusuke replied.
"What happened?" Koenma demanded, afraid to go near them.
"We discovered a cure for the disease. However, it only cures those
of the Makai." Hiei informed.
"And...?" Koenma encouraged.
"And it cured Bingyow of the disease, which means he doesn't carry it
anymore and can't infect anyone. He's perfectly safe." Kurama said
with a smile.
"That's wonderful!" Koenma exclaimed joyfully.
"And Hiei's alright too." Bingyow piped up. "For a while, we almost
lost her."
Everyone looked at each other and mouthed 'her'? Hiei scowled. Kurama
made a 'later' sign with his hand.
"The danger's over for now." Kurama said. "And no one will ever
become infected again."
"Good." Koenma said happily. "Now there's the matter of Bingyow's
punishment."
"Punishment? Why?" Hiei demanded angrily. "It's not his fault that he
carried a disease. He's only a child and didn't understand that he
was killing people. He does now and is sorry for it."
Everyone stared at Hiei, surprised that he was defending Bingyow.
Hiei scowled back at them but didn't back down.
"Well, um, if you say that he's sorry, well, we trust your word."
Koenma said. "So, I guess, er, that he doesn't need to be punished."
Kurama smiled.
"Does that mean we can return to the Ningenkai?" Keiko asked.
Koenma nodded.
"Good. I was getting bored. Let's go."
Keiko, Genkai, and Yukina walked off.
"So, what did you do while we were gone?" Kurama asked Yusuke.
"We killed an SS plus demon." Kuwabara bragged.
"He didn't know how to use his ki." Yusuke said, sotto voce, to
Kurama.
"Ah. Well, shall we leave too then?" Kurama said.
He turned to Koenma.
"Hiei and I are in need of rest. Hiei was infected and I haven't
slept in twelve days." Kurama said.
"Of course. Take as much time as you need." Koenma said quickly. "And
thank you both." He added sincerely.
Kurama and Hiei gave curt nods before leaving with Yusuke and
Kuwabara.
"I wonder what's gotten into Hiei." Koenma said to Botan. "You
wouldn't think he would've defended Bingyow."
"Perhaps he learned something from Bingyow." Botan guessed.
Koenma gave her a look. She scowled fiercely.
"I don't know. If you don't want me to answer, don't ask!"
Kurama was sleeping on the couch. Hiei slept in the armchair
beside him. Bingyow was nestled in Hiei's lap, sleeping.
Surprisingly, Hiei had not complained. They had been sleeping for two
days now. Hiei had only gotten up to eat once before falling asleep
again. Both Bingyow and Kurama hadn't really woken yet. They had
opened their eyes occasionally, but that had been it. Slowly, yawning
and stretching, Kurama opened his eyes. He wanted more sleep, but his
body was also demanding to be fed. Hiei opened his eyes and looked at
Kurama, who's stomach growled.
"Hungry?" Hiei asked.
Kurama nodded and yawned again. Hiei gently put Bingyow on the
armchair and went to the kitchen. He got some food, went back to the
living room, and gave it to Kurama.
"Thank you." Kurama said with a smile as he sat up slowly and
accepted the food. Hiei sat on the coffee table and watched him eat.
"I, um, I want to thank you for, ah, curing me." Hiei said with
difficulty
"You would've done the same for me." Kurama replied with a wave of
his hand to dismiss the thanks.
"Nevertheless, thank you." Hiei said finally.
"Was it horrible?" Kurama asked gently.
"Worse than you described it as." Hiei admitted.
"It's different for everyone." Kurama said. "I'm just glad you didn't
die."
"Hn. As if I would let a disease kill me. I'd never live it down. I
should die fighting." Hiei said gruffly.
Kurama grinned.
"Aye, you should." He agreed good-naturedly.
He ate some more food.
"Bingyow told me that he accidentally goaded you into hitting him."
he said.
"Hn. Annoying cat." Hiei said.
"He, um, told me what he said to annoy you." Kurama said quietly.
Hiei gazed at Bingyow in embarrassment.
"I'll have to kill him later." Hiei growled.
Kurama smiled to himself. Hiei noticed.
"I heard what you said to me when I was sick." He said.
"Oh." Kurama said very quietly, blushing. "I, ah, was, um..." he
trailed off, unable to say more.
He put down his food and lay down again.
"Good night." He said and closed his eyes.
Hiei picked up the food and took it back to the kitchen, muttering.
"What am I, your slave?"
Kurama heard however, and grinned slightly.
Two days later, Bingyow and Kurama awoke, fully rested. Hiei
was sitting in an armchair, polishing his sword. Kurama propped
himself up with an arm and looked at Hiei.
"You've been sitting here all this time?" Kurama said, slightly
surprised.
"Nothing better to do." Hiei replied shortly.
"Would you like something to eat?" Kurama asked.
Hiei shrugged. Kurama got off the couch and went into the kitchen. He
prepared some food and returned. He set a saucer of milk and a bowl
of fish in front of Bingyow, who dove in happily. Kurama then handed
Hiei and sandwich and munched on his own. Putting his sword away,
Hiei ate the sandwich. Bingyow glanced up when he was done.
"What are we going to do now, Father?" he asked.
"I don't know." Kurama admitted. "I could adopt you as a kitten here,
if you wish."
"Please." Bingyow said cheerfully.
"I'd have to talk to my parents about it though." Kurama warned.
"Don't worry. I'll charm them with my dainty attitude and cute
looks." Bingyow said smugly.
Kurama laughed. Hiei snorted.
"But first, I need to go to the Makai and make a formal apology to
all those demons that I hurt." Bingyow said solemnly.
"Who cares. They're demons." Hiei said.
"So are you, Mother." Bingyow replied.
Hiei glared at the kitten, who giggled.
"I thought you didn't want to call her Mother." Kurama said.
"I thought so to. But then I found out that I really like her a lot."
Bingyow admitted. "And she adores me to."
Hiei scowled.
"As if I would like a fluffy kitten." He growled.
Bingyow giggled again.
"See what I mean?" he said to Kurama, who grinned, then sobered under
Hiei's glare.
"Would you like me to go with you?" Kurama offered.
"No. This is something that I should do myself." Bingyow decided.
"Besides, I'm sure the two of you would like some time alone."
He went over and hugged Kurama goodbye. Bingyow went over to Hiei,
who gave him a hug-me-and-die look. So Bingyow leaned over and licked
Hiei on the nose. Hiei gave a growl of anger and swatted at the
kitten, who danced out of the way and giggled.
"Stupid cat!" Hiei yelled.
"Lovely Mother!" Bingyow called back cheerfully.
Hiei threw a pillow just as Bingyow disappeared out the door. Kurama
smiled.
"You like him, don't you?" he teased.
"Hn." Hiei replied.
"I don't blame him...I...like you too." Kurama said softly.
Hiei gave Kurama an unreadable look, then disappeared. Kurama
sighed."That's what I was afraid of." He said to himself.
entered the house to find Hiei screaming and convulsing on the couch.
Suddenly, Hiei stopped screaming. His eyes were closed and his body
jerked.
"Hiei!" Kurama cried out in horror.
He went towards the infected youkai.
"Don't!" Bingyow yelped, getting in Kurama's way. "Don't touch her,
you're the only one who can save her."
"What happened?" Kurama demanded.
"She accidentally touched me." Bingyow said. "You didn't tell me how
fast she is. I couldn't dodge her in time."
"Why did she try to hit you?" Kurama asked.
"I was bugging her about you." Bingyow admitted guiltily.
"What?! Why?" Kurama demanded.
"She kept insisting that she didn't love you." Bingyow replied
simply. "I bugged her about it until she admitted that she did love
you, and then immediately tried to deny it. Well, I kept bugging her
and finally she hit me. I didn't even see it coming."
"I forgot to tell you how fast she was." Kurama sighed. "And how
easily she loses her temper."
"I'm sorry Father. I really like her. She's funny. You have to hurry
up and find a way to save her." Bingyow said.
"You want me to save her?" Kurama asked incredulously.
"I want you to be happy Father." Bingyow said in a small voice.
Kurama stared at Bingyow in surprise, then smiled beautifully.
"Thank you." Kurama said simply.
"You're welcome."
"Fight it, Hiei. I know you can." Kurama whispered encouragingly.
He turned to Bingyow.
"Let's get started."
Meanwhile, in the Makai, Kuwabara, Yusuke, Yukina, Keiko,
Botan, Koenma, and Genkai were waiting for Kurama and Hiei to report
in on what was happening. So far, there had only been thirteen deaths
due to Bingyow, before he had met Kurama. Kuwabara and Yusuke wanted
to help but Koenma forbade them to leave. Everyone was grumpy and
irritable at having to wait while Kurama and Hiei took care of
things.
Kurama and Bingyow worked away frantically as Hiei convulsed
on the couch. It was their sixth day without sleep. They had been
testing and re-testing and experimenting like crazy. So far, every
attempt had failed. They worked at a speed that would've impressed
Hiei if he was able to see it. Kurama forced himself to not think
about Hiei's suffering. Every chance he got, Kurama would go over to
Hiei and whisper words of encouragement. Bingyow was dabbing Hiei's
brow with a cool cloth. Not that it did much good. Kurama went over
to them, careful not to touch either one.
"How is.....?" he trailed off, watching Hiei thrash about.
"I don't think Hiei will make it." Bingyow answered truthfully.
"Hiei has to...I lo-we need Hiei to live." Kurama said softly.
Bingyow nodded and continued to dab Hiei's brow. Kurama went back to
the serums and samples and started to work again.
Yusuke and Kuwabara approached the cave cautiously. According
to Koenma, an SS-plus demon lived here who was killing too many young
youkai. Unfortunately, Kuwabara stepped on a branch and the demon
heard him. Roaring, it came charging out.
"Great job, silent one!" Yusuke shouted angrily as they dodged the
demon.
The demon came back at them. Yusuke shot him and Kuwabara threw his
sword at him. The demon bellowed in pain and quickly ran off. Yusuke
and Kuwabara stared at each other in surprise.
"Not much of a fighter." Kuwabara commented.
"Yeah, I know what you-hey! He's getting away!" Yusuke exclaimed.
They went after the demon.
Bingyow had fallen into an exhausted slumber. He wasn't as
strong as Kurama, and had collapsed after the ninth day. Kurama took
a moment to watch Hiei. Kurama felt his heart constrict every time
Hiei would spasm. He had not thought that he was so attached to Hiei.
urama sat down and sighed. It was interesting how it took this to
happen before he realised that what he felt for Hiei was...something
more then friendship. Kurama was afraid to admit that he felt this
way about Hiei. He wanted to avoid falling in love so that he could
protect the ones that he cared for. Strange that it should be Hiei of
all people. Not Yusuke, who had helped him save his mother and seemed
to care a great deal about him. Nor Yukina, who was kind to everyone
and beautiful as well. Nor anyone else. Why Hiei? Why this hot-headed
little koorime who never seemed to show any emotion except scorn and
disgust. Then Kurama remembered the times that they had fought
together. And how Hiei had grown angry whenever Kurama had been hurt,
and vice versa. Perhaps there was hope for his love for Hiei. Bingyow
had said that Hiei had admitted that he loved Kurama. Hiei wouldn't
lie about something like that, he just wouldn't reply. Kurama leaned
as close as he dared to Hiei.
"Come back. You can." He whispered. "You will. I know you will. I-I
love you."
Embarrassed, yet glad he had admitted it, Kurama went back to his
experiments. Perhaps this time he would find the cure.
Yusuke and Kuwabara gleefully killed the demon. He had been
quite stupid for a SS-plus demon, using his strength instead of his
ki. Oh well. Yusuke and Kuwabara happily started on their way back, a
job well done.
Kurama shivered and shook with fatigue. Could it be? Was it
true? He quickly put down what he was holding and went over to
Bingyow.
"Bingyow." He called to the sleeping kitten. "Bingyow, wake up!"
Bingyow yawned and blinked sleepily at Kurama.
"What is it?" Bingyow asked.
"I think I've found it." Kurama said.
"What?!" Bingyow was alert. "Really?!"
Kurama nodded.
"Let's try it out." Bingyow said gleefully.
"I can't put it into the syringe." Kurama said.
"Why not?"
Kurama held up his hands. They were shaking with fatigue.
"Oh."
Bingyow frowned.
"I can't do it either." He said, glancing at his paws. "You rest for
a while and then you can inject her."
Kurama nodded and collapsed into an armchair, asleep.
"I'll watch over you. Soon Father, I will be able to touch you
again." Bingyow said solemnly.
Hiei moaned in pain and slowly opened his eyes to stare into
two green ones.
"Get out of my face." He grumbled, turning his head.
Suddenly he was half lifted into a big, warm hug.
"Let go." Hiei said irritably, trying but finding himself too weak to
free himself.
"It worked!" Bingyow crowed.
Kurama set Hiei back down with a big grin on his face.
"You're alive." Kurama stated happily.
"Hn. It takes more then a tiny cat to kill me." Hiei snorted.
Bingyow giggled and Kurama's grin grew wider.
"It's good to have you back, Hiei." Kurama said. "We missed your
surliness."
Hiei gave him a dirty look.
"How do you feel?" Kurama asked.
"Fine." Hiei immediately responded.
"It doesn't hurt as much?" Bingyow asked.
Hiei didn't say anything but the look he gave Kurama showed that he
really wasn't in a lot of pain anymore.
"The only way to be sure that cure really worked is to have Bingyow
touch you again." Kurama said gently.
Hiei's eyes flinched. He clearly remembered the agony of the first
time Bingyow touched him. However, he firmed up his resolve and
nodded. Bingyow went over and touched Hiei's arm tentatively with one
paw. It took all of Hiei's willpower not to flinch. Bingyow backed
away. They waited a breathless five minutes. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine.
Ten. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen. Fifteen. Kurama and Bingyow
broke into big grins.
"It worked!" Bingyow crowed.
Kurama just gazed at Hiei with a stupid grin on his face.
"Hn. Stupid grin on stupid human." Hiei deadpanned.
Kurama grinned even more, not at all fooled by Hiei's attitude.
"Hurry and take the cure, Father." Bingyow said.
"I can't." Kurama said.
Hiei and Bingyow stared at him.
"Why ever not?" Bingyow asked.
"The cure doesn't cure humans. It only works on those of the Makai.
Also, it doesn't make one build up an immunity. It completely stops
the disease." Kurama said.
"Which means I have to take it." Bingyow realised.
"But we won't know if it works or not that way." Hiei protested.
"Yes we will. All we need is a victim." Kurama said.
"But who wou-You can't be serious." Bingyow said, stunned. "No,
Father. I can't do it."
"You have to." Kurama said, smiling gently. "I'm willing to risk
it."
Bingyow gazed into Kurama's eyes and then nodded.
"Alright Father." He agreed sadly.
Kurama prepared the syringe. His hands were starting to shake again.
Bingyow had only allowed him two hours of sleep. Kurama carefully
injected Bingyow with the cure. Half an hour later, Bingyow shakily
touched Kurama. Forty minutes later, they realised that Kurama would
be alright. Bingyow launched himself into Kurama's arms and snuggled
against him joyfully. Kurama flinched slightly but was amazed to find
that he wasn't in pain. Kurama then laughed and hugged Bingyow
closer. Tears fell down Kurama's cheeks in relief.
"Hn. Only you would cry at a time like this." Hiei commented.
Kurama grinned, reached out, and gather Hiei into the hug. Hiei
squirmed in embarrassment but still wasn't at his full strength.
Finally Kurama set Hiei back down on the couch. Bingyow purred in
Kurama's lap.
Yusuke, Kuwabara, Keiko, Yukina, Genkai, Botan, and Koenma
looked up at Hiei and Kurama entered the room. Kurama was carrying a
small, fluffy pink cat in his arms. Keiko leaned over to Yusuke.
"That's Bingyow? He looks pretty harmless." She whispered.
"Appearances can be deceiving." Yusuke replied.
"What happened?" Koenma demanded, afraid to go near them.
"We discovered a cure for the disease. However, it only cures those
of the Makai." Hiei informed.
"And...?" Koenma encouraged.
"And it cured Bingyow of the disease, which means he doesn't carry it
anymore and can't infect anyone. He's perfectly safe." Kurama said
with a smile.
"That's wonderful!" Koenma exclaimed joyfully.
"And Hiei's alright too." Bingyow piped up. "For a while, we almost
lost her."
Everyone looked at each other and mouthed 'her'? Hiei scowled. Kurama
made a 'later' sign with his hand.
"The danger's over for now." Kurama said. "And no one will ever
become infected again."
"Good." Koenma said happily. "Now there's the matter of Bingyow's
punishment."
"Punishment? Why?" Hiei demanded angrily. "It's not his fault that he
carried a disease. He's only a child and didn't understand that he
was killing people. He does now and is sorry for it."
Everyone stared at Hiei, surprised that he was defending Bingyow.
Hiei scowled back at them but didn't back down.
"Well, um, if you say that he's sorry, well, we trust your word."
Koenma said. "So, I guess, er, that he doesn't need to be punished."
Kurama smiled.
"Does that mean we can return to the Ningenkai?" Keiko asked.
Koenma nodded.
"Good. I was getting bored. Let's go."
Keiko, Genkai, and Yukina walked off.
"So, what did you do while we were gone?" Kurama asked Yusuke.
"We killed an SS plus demon." Kuwabara bragged.
"He didn't know how to use his ki." Yusuke said, sotto voce, to
Kurama.
"Ah. Well, shall we leave too then?" Kurama said.
He turned to Koenma.
"Hiei and I are in need of rest. Hiei was infected and I haven't
slept in twelve days." Kurama said.
"Of course. Take as much time as you need." Koenma said quickly. "And
thank you both." He added sincerely.
Kurama and Hiei gave curt nods before leaving with Yusuke and
Kuwabara.
"I wonder what's gotten into Hiei." Koenma said to Botan. "You
wouldn't think he would've defended Bingyow."
"Perhaps he learned something from Bingyow." Botan guessed.
Koenma gave her a look. She scowled fiercely.
"I don't know. If you don't want me to answer, don't ask!"
Kurama was sleeping on the couch. Hiei slept in the armchair
beside him. Bingyow was nestled in Hiei's lap, sleeping.
Surprisingly, Hiei had not complained. They had been sleeping for two
days now. Hiei had only gotten up to eat once before falling asleep
again. Both Bingyow and Kurama hadn't really woken yet. They had
opened their eyes occasionally, but that had been it. Slowly, yawning
and stretching, Kurama opened his eyes. He wanted more sleep, but his
body was also demanding to be fed. Hiei opened his eyes and looked at
Kurama, who's stomach growled.
"Hungry?" Hiei asked.
Kurama nodded and yawned again. Hiei gently put Bingyow on the
armchair and went to the kitchen. He got some food, went back to the
living room, and gave it to Kurama.
"Thank you." Kurama said with a smile as he sat up slowly and
accepted the food. Hiei sat on the coffee table and watched him eat.
"I, um, I want to thank you for, ah, curing me." Hiei said with
difficulty
"You would've done the same for me." Kurama replied with a wave of
his hand to dismiss the thanks.
"Nevertheless, thank you." Hiei said finally.
"Was it horrible?" Kurama asked gently.
"Worse than you described it as." Hiei admitted.
"It's different for everyone." Kurama said. "I'm just glad you didn't
die."
"Hn. As if I would let a disease kill me. I'd never live it down. I
should die fighting." Hiei said gruffly.
Kurama grinned.
"Aye, you should." He agreed good-naturedly.
He ate some more food.
"Bingyow told me that he accidentally goaded you into hitting him."
he said.
"Hn. Annoying cat." Hiei said.
"He, um, told me what he said to annoy you." Kurama said quietly.
Hiei gazed at Bingyow in embarrassment.
"I'll have to kill him later." Hiei growled.
Kurama smiled to himself. Hiei noticed.
"I heard what you said to me when I was sick." He said.
"Oh." Kurama said very quietly, blushing. "I, ah, was, um..." he
trailed off, unable to say more.
He put down his food and lay down again.
"Good night." He said and closed his eyes.
Hiei picked up the food and took it back to the kitchen, muttering.
"What am I, your slave?"
Kurama heard however, and grinned slightly.
Two days later, Bingyow and Kurama awoke, fully rested. Hiei
was sitting in an armchair, polishing his sword. Kurama propped
himself up with an arm and looked at Hiei.
"You've been sitting here all this time?" Kurama said, slightly
surprised.
"Nothing better to do." Hiei replied shortly.
"Would you like something to eat?" Kurama asked.
Hiei shrugged. Kurama got off the couch and went into the kitchen. He
prepared some food and returned. He set a saucer of milk and a bowl
of fish in front of Bingyow, who dove in happily. Kurama then handed
Hiei and sandwich and munched on his own. Putting his sword away,
Hiei ate the sandwich. Bingyow glanced up when he was done.
"What are we going to do now, Father?" he asked.
"I don't know." Kurama admitted. "I could adopt you as a kitten here,
if you wish."
"Please." Bingyow said cheerfully.
"I'd have to talk to my parents about it though." Kurama warned.
"Don't worry. I'll charm them with my dainty attitude and cute
looks." Bingyow said smugly.
Kurama laughed. Hiei snorted.
"But first, I need to go to the Makai and make a formal apology to
all those demons that I hurt." Bingyow said solemnly.
"Who cares. They're demons." Hiei said.
"So are you, Mother." Bingyow replied.
Hiei glared at the kitten, who giggled.
"I thought you didn't want to call her Mother." Kurama said.
"I thought so to. But then I found out that I really like her a lot."
Bingyow admitted. "And she adores me to."
Hiei scowled.
"As if I would like a fluffy kitten." He growled.
Bingyow giggled again.
"See what I mean?" he said to Kurama, who grinned, then sobered under
Hiei's glare.
"Would you like me to go with you?" Kurama offered.
"No. This is something that I should do myself." Bingyow decided.
"Besides, I'm sure the two of you would like some time alone."
He went over and hugged Kurama goodbye. Bingyow went over to Hiei,
who gave him a hug-me-and-die look. So Bingyow leaned over and licked
Hiei on the nose. Hiei gave a growl of anger and swatted at the
kitten, who danced out of the way and giggled.
"Stupid cat!" Hiei yelled.
"Lovely Mother!" Bingyow called back cheerfully.
Hiei threw a pillow just as Bingyow disappeared out the door. Kurama
smiled.
"You like him, don't you?" he teased.
"Hn." Hiei replied.
"I don't blame him...I...like you too." Kurama said softly.
Hiei gave Kurama an unreadable look, then disappeared. Kurama
sighed."That's what I was afraid of." He said to himself.