The drive back to the hotel was a quiet one. Even the normally boisterous Yuusuke and Kuwabara seemed pensive. Kurama and Hiei sat in the back, where the fire youkai could keep a watchful eye on his kitsune lover. The redheaded youko was pale and shaken, and had taken a firm grasp on Hiei's hand as soon as they had sat down. The smaller youkai allowed the public display of affection only because no one else was watching; the road was hard to see, the streetlights being few and far between.
Hiei hesitated, glancing up at the others. Their eyes were focused on the road ahead, the monotonous scenery weaving a hypnotic spell over them. Deftly, he raised his and Kurama's joined hands and quickly looped the kitsune's arm around him, creating an embrace. Pressing closer to his partner, he raised his youki, channeling it into the cold body embracing his.
His actions were effective; Kurama's arm tightened convulsively and he stirred, coming out of his stupor. "Arigatou," came the whispered response, the breath of air shivering across Hiei's cheek. The dark youkai shrugged, opting to burrow closer to the fox.
"Sumi-chan, up ahead." Kuwabara pointed out the front window. A pale shape appeared, coalescing into the figure of an old Hawaiian woman walking alongside of the road. She was clad in a white mumu (Hawaiian dress) and her feet were bare, keeping a steady pace as the woman walked, seemingly unaffected by the slight nip in the air.
Yuusuke glanced at Sumireina's reflection in the mirror. "Sumi, doushita?" he asked, noting how the blood had drained from the vixen's face.
Sumi's only response was to slow down and pull over to the side of the road, stopping next to the old native. "Yuusuke-kun, open the door and move over." Puzzled, the young man obeyed nonetheless, scooting over in the middle seat of the van so the old woman could sit down.
Without a single word, the woman got into the vehicle and took the proffered seat. Ever the gallant, Kuwabara got out and shut the door, wondering at the same time just what was going on.
Yuusuke peeked surreptitiously at the old lady next to him; something about her felt out of place. Yuusuke could not quite pin it; she felt a little like Genkai, but different. One thing was for sure; this was no ordinary woman, and Sumireina knew her, whoever she was.
Kuwabara could not help himself; it was terribly rude, but he could not stop looking back at the old woman from the corner of his eye. There was a feeling of suppressed power radiating from her. What kind of power he could tell; it felt like neither reiki nor youki. In fact, the only person he had ever come into contact with that had Felt even remotely like the woman was...Koenma. Kuwabara stiffened slightly, darting a look at the blond youko in the driver's seat.
Sumireina had regained a bit of color, though she was still shockingly pale. She kept her green eyes fixed firmly on the road ahead, stubbornly refusing to look in her mirror - and perhaps at the old lady. Her lips were set in a thin line, a far cry from their normal fullness. Kuwabara was sure that if Sumireina's ears had been visible, they would have been laid flat against her head. Yuusuke could most likely tell that all was not what it seemed with this woman, given his own youkai blood and powers. As for Kurama and Hiei, Kuwabara could see that the redheaded boy was slumped in his seat, and the Koorime was absorbed in watching his lover.
With a soft grunt, the young psychic settled himself comfortably for the long ride back to the hotel.
The feel of the van pulling into the hotel's parking lot awakened Yuusuke. Blearily he looked about, rubbing sleep from his eyes, realizing with a start that someone was missing. "Wait a minute. Where's the old lady?" He would have know if Sumireina had stopped the van to let the woman off; years of fighting and being a Tantei had left him sensitive to such things. In the passenger's seat, he could see Kuwabara waking as he registered the woman's absence as well.
The orange-haired boy cracked a wide yawn, stretching as best he could in the cramped quarters of the van. "Aw, who cares, Urameshi? I'm beat. We can think about it tomorrow, after a good night's sleep." Kuwabara got out of the van, eager to find his bed. After a moment's hesitation, Yuusuke followed, the jetlag finally catching up to him. Neither noticed in the dim light how pale Sumireina was again.
Swallowing hard, Sumi turned to face the remaining occupants of the van. "Hiei-kun?" she called softly. "We're back."
One blood-red eye cracked open to peer at the vixen. Hiei nodded in acknowledgement and gently shook his partner awake, tugging at the arm still wrapped around him in a loose embrace. The fox jerked, then slowly opened his eyes, allowing himself to be groggily pulled out of the van.
Sumi hopped out and ran around to the side, helping Hiei as the dark youkai struggled to get both himself and his lover out of the vehicle. Together, they supported Kurama until he had gotten his balance back, then followed the path that Yuusuke and Kuwabara had taken back to their rooms, which were on the ground floor.
"Oyasumi nasai," Sumi told them as she headed for her own room. Her slender frame drooped as if exhausted; her features were ashen beneath her slight tan. Briefly, Hiei wondered if it had anything to do with the disappearance of the strange old Hawaiian they had picked up.
Leading Kurama into their room, Hiei secured the door and quickly undressed the kitsune, then himself. "Fox?" he whispered, pulling the covers over them and holding his lover close.
Kurama's voice was laced with fatigue. "It was horrible, Hiei. It was like being observed under a microscope - or like a bug in a jar. I could feel their eyes on me, watching my every move." The youko shuddered and snuggled closer, allowing Hiei's high temperature to warm him. "Arigatou again, itoshii. A youko could get used to this kind of treatment." The last was said with a trace of the youko's normal good humor.
Hiei snorted. "Hn. Go to sleep, Fox."
Kurama kissed him softly, then tucked his head into the hollow at Hiei's neck, already drowsing. With the dark youkai's warmth surrounding him, the unnerving experience in the forest seemed nothing more than a bad dream. He could feel himself relaxing, and in turn, Hiei as well. The two lovers slept in each other's embrace, putting aside their worries for the morrow.
Morning found Hiei already up, sitting quietly on a rock by the sea. He had awakened just in time to slip out and watch the sunrise, the golden expanse of beach being only a few feet from the patio door. Now, perched on his rock, he let the sound of the waves hissing on the shore lull his mind into a calm state, allowing his thoughts to wander where they pleased.
Lost though he was in his musings, Hiei was still aware enough of his surroundings to catch a glimpse of white out of the corner of his eye. Quickly turning his head, the youkai looked down the stretch of beach where he had seen the flash of color; it was abandoned, except for the odd bird and sand crab scuttling for cover.
A chill ran up Hiei's spine; he was certain that a few moments ago, there had been a feminine figure in white approaching. The dark Koorime shook his head derisively, scoffing at himself and his overactive imagination. Still...Hiei cast a last wary glance back at the beach. He could have sworn he saw a woman in a white mumu coming towards him.
A cool breeze stirred the curtains, fluttering by to caress a smooth, pale cheek. Kurama twitched, one hand groping through the sheets for his absent lover. Slowly, emerald eyes cracked open, taking in the slightly ajar patio door and the sunlit drapes swaying in the breeze. The youko pushed himself up, swinging his long legs over the side of the bed as he stretched. Rising, he pulled on a pair of jeans and a shirt, exiting the room out onto the beach in search of his lover.
He found Hiei in much the same position he had been in for that past half-hour or so. Kurama took a deep breath of the salt-smelling air before moving to wrap his long arms around the Koorime. "Ohayo, koibito." Not having bothered to button his shirt, Kurama pressed his bare chest against Hiei's cloth-covered back, reveling in the scent and feel of the seemingly indifferent youkai.
After a moment's hesitation, Hiei relaxed against him, much to Kurama's delight. "Hn. Don't call me that," he growled half-heartedly. Hiei hid a smile as he felt his lover's hands start to wander across his chest. Kurama was obviously feeling better if his libido was coming into play. His smile turned wicked; he was in the mood for a little fun.
Kurama suddenly found himself lying on his back, Hiei straddling his waist. The youko blinked a few times in surprise; Hiei was not usually so...impulsive - not that he minded, of course. He wriggled a bit, the sand beneath him soft and warm. Kurama gave his lover a sloe-eyed look. "What," he queried, "are you going to do with me?"
Hiei smiled, showing the tips of his fangs. "Oh," he said, bending his head to nibble at Kurama's bottom lip, "I have a FEW ideas."
Kurama opened his mouth, allowing Hiei's tongue to caress his. "Tell me," he purred, when they finally surfaced for air.
Hiei's eyes gleamed. "Well..."
Thankfully, no one else had decided to take a stroll along the beach that morning; other tourists would have gotten more than they bargained for in the way of sightseeing.
Hiei hesitated, glancing up at the others. Their eyes were focused on the road ahead, the monotonous scenery weaving a hypnotic spell over them. Deftly, he raised his and Kurama's joined hands and quickly looped the kitsune's arm around him, creating an embrace. Pressing closer to his partner, he raised his youki, channeling it into the cold body embracing his.
His actions were effective; Kurama's arm tightened convulsively and he stirred, coming out of his stupor. "Arigatou," came the whispered response, the breath of air shivering across Hiei's cheek. The dark youkai shrugged, opting to burrow closer to the fox.
"Sumi-chan, up ahead." Kuwabara pointed out the front window. A pale shape appeared, coalescing into the figure of an old Hawaiian woman walking alongside of the road. She was clad in a white mumu (Hawaiian dress) and her feet were bare, keeping a steady pace as the woman walked, seemingly unaffected by the slight nip in the air.
Yuusuke glanced at Sumireina's reflection in the mirror. "Sumi, doushita?" he asked, noting how the blood had drained from the vixen's face.
Sumi's only response was to slow down and pull over to the side of the road, stopping next to the old native. "Yuusuke-kun, open the door and move over." Puzzled, the young man obeyed nonetheless, scooting over in the middle seat of the van so the old woman could sit down.
Without a single word, the woman got into the vehicle and took the proffered seat. Ever the gallant, Kuwabara got out and shut the door, wondering at the same time just what was going on.
Yuusuke peeked surreptitiously at the old lady next to him; something about her felt out of place. Yuusuke could not quite pin it; she felt a little like Genkai, but different. One thing was for sure; this was no ordinary woman, and Sumireina knew her, whoever she was.
Kuwabara could not help himself; it was terribly rude, but he could not stop looking back at the old woman from the corner of his eye. There was a feeling of suppressed power radiating from her. What kind of power he could tell; it felt like neither reiki nor youki. In fact, the only person he had ever come into contact with that had Felt even remotely like the woman was...Koenma. Kuwabara stiffened slightly, darting a look at the blond youko in the driver's seat.
Sumireina had regained a bit of color, though she was still shockingly pale. She kept her green eyes fixed firmly on the road ahead, stubbornly refusing to look in her mirror - and perhaps at the old lady. Her lips were set in a thin line, a far cry from their normal fullness. Kuwabara was sure that if Sumireina's ears had been visible, they would have been laid flat against her head. Yuusuke could most likely tell that all was not what it seemed with this woman, given his own youkai blood and powers. As for Kurama and Hiei, Kuwabara could see that the redheaded boy was slumped in his seat, and the Koorime was absorbed in watching his lover.
With a soft grunt, the young psychic settled himself comfortably for the long ride back to the hotel.
The feel of the van pulling into the hotel's parking lot awakened Yuusuke. Blearily he looked about, rubbing sleep from his eyes, realizing with a start that someone was missing. "Wait a minute. Where's the old lady?" He would have know if Sumireina had stopped the van to let the woman off; years of fighting and being a Tantei had left him sensitive to such things. In the passenger's seat, he could see Kuwabara waking as he registered the woman's absence as well.
The orange-haired boy cracked a wide yawn, stretching as best he could in the cramped quarters of the van. "Aw, who cares, Urameshi? I'm beat. We can think about it tomorrow, after a good night's sleep." Kuwabara got out of the van, eager to find his bed. After a moment's hesitation, Yuusuke followed, the jetlag finally catching up to him. Neither noticed in the dim light how pale Sumireina was again.
Swallowing hard, Sumi turned to face the remaining occupants of the van. "Hiei-kun?" she called softly. "We're back."
One blood-red eye cracked open to peer at the vixen. Hiei nodded in acknowledgement and gently shook his partner awake, tugging at the arm still wrapped around him in a loose embrace. The fox jerked, then slowly opened his eyes, allowing himself to be groggily pulled out of the van.
Sumi hopped out and ran around to the side, helping Hiei as the dark youkai struggled to get both himself and his lover out of the vehicle. Together, they supported Kurama until he had gotten his balance back, then followed the path that Yuusuke and Kuwabara had taken back to their rooms, which were on the ground floor.
"Oyasumi nasai," Sumi told them as she headed for her own room. Her slender frame drooped as if exhausted; her features were ashen beneath her slight tan. Briefly, Hiei wondered if it had anything to do with the disappearance of the strange old Hawaiian they had picked up.
Leading Kurama into their room, Hiei secured the door and quickly undressed the kitsune, then himself. "Fox?" he whispered, pulling the covers over them and holding his lover close.
Kurama's voice was laced with fatigue. "It was horrible, Hiei. It was like being observed under a microscope - or like a bug in a jar. I could feel their eyes on me, watching my every move." The youko shuddered and snuggled closer, allowing Hiei's high temperature to warm him. "Arigatou again, itoshii. A youko could get used to this kind of treatment." The last was said with a trace of the youko's normal good humor.
Hiei snorted. "Hn. Go to sleep, Fox."
Kurama kissed him softly, then tucked his head into the hollow at Hiei's neck, already drowsing. With the dark youkai's warmth surrounding him, the unnerving experience in the forest seemed nothing more than a bad dream. He could feel himself relaxing, and in turn, Hiei as well. The two lovers slept in each other's embrace, putting aside their worries for the morrow.
Morning found Hiei already up, sitting quietly on a rock by the sea. He had awakened just in time to slip out and watch the sunrise, the golden expanse of beach being only a few feet from the patio door. Now, perched on his rock, he let the sound of the waves hissing on the shore lull his mind into a calm state, allowing his thoughts to wander where they pleased.
Lost though he was in his musings, Hiei was still aware enough of his surroundings to catch a glimpse of white out of the corner of his eye. Quickly turning his head, the youkai looked down the stretch of beach where he had seen the flash of color; it was abandoned, except for the odd bird and sand crab scuttling for cover.
A chill ran up Hiei's spine; he was certain that a few moments ago, there had been a feminine figure in white approaching. The dark Koorime shook his head derisively, scoffing at himself and his overactive imagination. Still...Hiei cast a last wary glance back at the beach. He could have sworn he saw a woman in a white mumu coming towards him.
A cool breeze stirred the curtains, fluttering by to caress a smooth, pale cheek. Kurama twitched, one hand groping through the sheets for his absent lover. Slowly, emerald eyes cracked open, taking in the slightly ajar patio door and the sunlit drapes swaying in the breeze. The youko pushed himself up, swinging his long legs over the side of the bed as he stretched. Rising, he pulled on a pair of jeans and a shirt, exiting the room out onto the beach in search of his lover.
He found Hiei in much the same position he had been in for that past half-hour or so. Kurama took a deep breath of the salt-smelling air before moving to wrap his long arms around the Koorime. "Ohayo, koibito." Not having bothered to button his shirt, Kurama pressed his bare chest against Hiei's cloth-covered back, reveling in the scent and feel of the seemingly indifferent youkai.
After a moment's hesitation, Hiei relaxed against him, much to Kurama's delight. "Hn. Don't call me that," he growled half-heartedly. Hiei hid a smile as he felt his lover's hands start to wander across his chest. Kurama was obviously feeling better if his libido was coming into play. His smile turned wicked; he was in the mood for a little fun.
Kurama suddenly found himself lying on his back, Hiei straddling his waist. The youko blinked a few times in surprise; Hiei was not usually so...impulsive - not that he minded, of course. He wriggled a bit, the sand beneath him soft and warm. Kurama gave his lover a sloe-eyed look. "What," he queried, "are you going to do with me?"
Hiei smiled, showing the tips of his fangs. "Oh," he said, bending his head to nibble at Kurama's bottom lip, "I have a FEW ideas."
Kurama opened his mouth, allowing Hiei's tongue to caress his. "Tell me," he purred, when they finally surfaced for air.
Hiei's eyes gleamed. "Well..."
Thankfully, no one else had decided to take a stroll along the beach that morning; other tourists would have gotten more than they bargained for in the way of sightseeing.