I don't own 'em, so don't sue me. I'm just one little, starving fic author in the great expance of things after all.
Hiei struggled to move. He could feel everything—every hit, every slice, every jolt of pain; but he couldn't do anything at all. He didn't know how long he lay there before he felt Kurama come. He could feel stabs of pain that meant the kitsune was treating his wounds. His thoughts were hazy. He felt his breath slowing, felt Kurama press against his lips. He tried to stay awake, but it was so hard . . .
Hiei awoke to total darkness. Slowly, he raised a hand to his head, trying to shake the groggy feeling. He felt bandages and realized why I was so dark. "Kurama?" he asked quietly, he could smell roses. When he got no response he sat up. He was definitely in Kurama's apartment, sitting on the bed. It had been a long time since he'd been here . . . What was the layout? He stood slowly and reached his hands out in front of himself. Yes . . . the door would be this way.
He found the wall and worked over to the door, opening it slowly. Suddenly he was overwhelmed. The sound of food sizzling on the stove, the smell of bacon, the warmth of the air. It was as if he were seeing for the first time—except he couldn't see at all. But he could smell, and hear, far clearer than he ever had.
Hiei walked forward until he felt kitchen tile under his bare feet. He didn't want to go any further unless he could see. Perhaps the bandages were just a precaution. He reached up, trying to find and end to undo it.
"Hiei, no!" The fire demon felt Kurama grab his hands. He winced at the injury in his arm. "You're still hurt, leave those on for now. I couldn't find Yukina, but she'll come to heal you soon. I told Kuwabara -"
Hiei pushed his hands away. "You told that idiot hat I'm hurt?"
"I had to Hiei. We both know he's most likely to see Yukina." There was a waver in his voice and Hiei knew he'd hurt the fox.
"Kurama, you never reveal weakness. Especially to someone like him." Hiei winced as he was wrapped in a tight hug.
"He's not your enemy, none of them are. You need friends, right now more than ever. Until you heal you're. . . ."
"I'm what, fox, blind?" He scowled and pulled out of the embrace. "How bad is it?"
After a long pause, Kurama led him to the table. "Breakfast is ready now, you need to eat."
Hiei snapped at the fox in response, "How bad?!"
"N-not bad...Yukina can fix it." Hiei sighed. Kurama was lying, or at least not telling the whole truth. But he didn't say anything more about it. He reached out for chopsticks, but found none. "Now what good would utensils do you? You can't see the food to pick up!" The fox forced a laugh. "I made some western food. Finger food."
Hiei gave him a strange look—made stranger by the bandages across his face—and breathed in the unfamiliar aromas. "Finger food?"
"Hai! Bacon, toast, and some muffins. Just pick them up with your hands, they shouldn't be very messy." He smiled and set a plate in front of his love. "I hope you like it all."
***
Kurama had thought an American breakfast would be easy for Hiei to eat. None of it was messy, none of it seemed complicated. But Hiei proved more of a challenge than expected. After nearly choking on a piece of muffin wrapper, he'd knocked over his juice, covering everything in a sticky, orange flavored goo.
Kurama had tried to make breakfast a success, even offering to feed the fire demon by hand. But Hiei had gotten upset. Now he was sitting over on the couch, pouting. Once everything was clean, he stood looking at his little demon. Hiei looked smaller than usual, curled up like that. He was miserable like this—unable to see, or fight, or really do much of anything. Kurama came over and wrapped him in a hug.
"Fox, what did they do?"
Kurama was shocked by the sudden question. "I don't really know, koi, I didn't see them."
Hiei's hand shot to the bandages around his head. Not to his eyes though, a little higher. The wraps went up nearly to his hairline . . . right over the ward covering his jagan. Kurama flinched. "It's fine, Hiei. There are some deep cuts around it, but the eye itself isn't hurt. I had to wrap it, so the cuts don't become infected."
Hiei visibly relaxed and Kurama followed suit. He knew the price his love had paid for the third eye. Slowly, he began to rub his neck, getting the youkai to unwind further. The two were just getting comfortable when the doorbell rang. Kurama rose reluctantly and went to answer it.
Yuusuke and Kuwabara stood there, grinning slightly. "Hey, I called Yukina and she's on her way now." Kuwabara kicked off his shoes and came in.
"How'd you get a hold of her, she's not at the temple, right?"
"Oh, umm..." Kuwabara began to blush.
"He bought her a cell phone." Yuusuke smiled and slapped his friend on the back. "We'll get you guys the number. Hey," he added in almost a whisper, "how's Hiei. Is he really, you know."
"Yes, baka! I'm blind, not deaf!" All three jumped at his sharp tone.
There was silence. That is, until Kuwabara said something stupid. "I guess it'll be easier to pick on you now, huh?" He caught himself immediately after he said it. "Er, that is, I mean . . . Man, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean it. I mean, you could probably still beat me up!" Yuusuke was dumbstruck at the boy's insult to himself. It was a complete lie, of course, Hiei was helpless right now. But the fact the Kuwabara was willing to say something like that . . .
"Nice one, baka." Kurama frowned as the tall boy went over the couch where Hiei sat. "Leave him alone, don't push your luck."
Kuwabara ignored him. "Hiei," the short demon visibly jumped from the voice so close to him. "Really man, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking."
"No, you never do, baka" Hiei swung at the ningen, but missed badly. He struggled as Kuwabara caught him from falling off the couch. "Let go of me, I don't need your help!" He swung again, managing to hit his shoulder this time.
In the entryway, Kurama was fighting back tears. He's miserable. He's depressed, and so afraid of this. Oh, Yukina, please hurry. And hold on, Hiei . . . help is coming.
***
Yukina fumbled with the small machine in her hands. She hadn't gotten used to it yet and was trying to answer the persistent ringing. The display showed Kazuma's number and she frowned . . . he knew she was busy today. "Moshi moshi, Kazuma-kun. I can't really talk. I have to finish the shopping, and the temple's a mess, and—"
"Yukina."
The girl stopped. "Kazuma-kun? What's wrong?"
"It's Hiei. Kurama just called and said he's hurt. He wouldn't say how bad, but he wanted you over right away."
Yukina dropped the apple she had been examining. "Hai. I'll be right there." She hung up and rushed out of the store. Oh no, I left my shopping bag in there. It cost me $30 for that new dress . . . but Hiei's more important.
She hadn't gone more than a block when she was stopped by a tall boy with messy black hair. He was holding up the dress she'd just left behind. "Now, now, this is far to pretty to just forget. What's so important that you had to run away so fast?"
Yukina shivered. This man was a demon, a strong one. And he obviously had an interest in her . . . But she had to get to Hiei.
***
***
uggh, now I know Hiei-kun is going to hurt me. First I start picking on him, now I'm letting his sister get kidnapped? I must have a death wish. Well, anyway, what do you think? Keep it going? Give it up? R&R PLEASE!!!