The Significance of Cherries
Chapter 2~
Part II-
The Recklessness of Riddles
AN: After a long break of sorts I'm back again, and will hopefully update more often. Anyway enjoy the next parts to Significance of Cherries. P.S. Not that I'm any good with grammar, but this chapter had appalled me to the point of going over it again… I might just rewrite this thing, I really don't like it.
Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho is copyrighted to Yoshihiro Togashi.
It had been a week since Kuwabara had been wounded, and Hiei had not seen him since they'd dropped him off at his apartment. Not that Hiei didn't remember the human; more often than not the vision of pain etched across the tall boy's face haunted him. Hiei wasn't sure he was anymore ready to see Kuwabara on crutches, than Kuwabara was ready to use them. The thought of someone as athletic as Kazuma injured for life sent a chill down Hiei's spine. He told himself that that sort of thing didn't happen to Kuwabara. The fool was not the strongest, nor the most graceful, but he could take a beating well enough.
Hiei brooded as he wandered swiftly but aimlessly that night. Never having been a social demon by any standards, it had been a relief to have Kurama. Someone who could translate silence, and just plain knew when to shut up and leave Hiei alone for a while. He had almost never in the time he'd known Kurama, been driven to the point that he couldn't stand his company. This was one of those rare moments, and Hiei knew the fox was doing it on purpose.
Kurama had gone nearly every day to see Kazuma, and upon every return he was greeted with an inquisitive silence. For the first couple of days, he reported that Kuwabara was healing well. He'd say how Kuwabara was annoyed that Yusuke actually stuck around after his sister had gone, and other small traits that were annoying, but perfectly Kuwabara. After those first couple of days, the fox left the silence to inquire whom it may, and Hiei was left without answers. Kurama was only saying that Hiei should go see for himself.
Admitting that he cared was a simple enough task… It's not like it mattered anyway. The gears in his head ground slowly, as he tried to wrap his mind around the idea that it didn't matter. It didn't, Hiei was sure, but for some reason his mind wouldn't accept the idea. So Hiei shoved the annoying thoughts aside, and tried to clear his head. He had little luck, since clearing one's head, requires dealing with outstanding problems, which he couldn't seem to do. He sighed inwardly; this was all Kuwabara's fault. Kazuma had the most irritating habit of acting before he thought, fighting without a plan. That's what had gotten Kazuma hurt: a bad split second decision. The idiot was in no position to make split second decisions; he didn't have the brainpower for it. It amazed Hiei that the human was still alive, fighting like he believed he was invincible all the time.
"Humans have limits," he stated to the night air, as though stating the fact would make the thought more tolerable. Arguments tore each other to pieces in Hiei's mind as he searched for a peace he'd not enjoyed since before the incident. Hiei knew that humans were weak and fragile, even humans admitted it… What he had learned over time working with Yusuke and Kuwabara had changed much of his conventional thoughts towards humans. Yusuke, Hiei could deal with, Yusuke was at least part demon and justified in his unusual strength. Kuwabara had thus far been labeled a phenomenon of all natural law. This label would not serve as an explanation for much longer… Kuwabara walked a precarious line of doing exactly what was expected of him, and managing things that just couldn't be filed under human abilities.
As frail as his body was comparatively, Kazuma never thought of his humanity as a disadvantage. He was in fact in his own way, very proud of being the only human on the team. Kuwabara had been defeated many times, by humans and demons alike. Yet, he always got up after each defeat as though it had no bearing on the task at hand. Hiei told himself that Kazuma just didn't have the sense to learn from one battle to the next, that in each fight he was starting from scratch. There was truth there, as Kuwabara never backed down from a fight, no matter the odds. There was also a lie; the thought implied that Kuwabara didn't understand fighting. Hiei's experience told him otherwise, having seen Kuwabara grow more powerful and skilled, despite drawbacks.
Hiei had to quell a snort of disgust as he found himself outside Kuwabara's apartment building. Well it doesn't matter anyway right? He jumped easily up the side of the building, from tiny balcony to tiny balcony without so much as a sound. Once he reached the twentieth level, he had to check for Kuwabara. Most of the curtains were drawn by now; faint garbled voices identified the different occupants of the building. Feeling a little conspicuous being right on the front of the building, Hiei nearly abandoned his venture, when he heard familiar voices. The curtains were drawn on this window too, but as he listened he just could make out Yusuke and Kuwabara's argument.
"Your sure you'll-" Yusuke's voice was cut off by Kuwabara.
"Would you get lost already?" Kuwabara wasn't yelling, but his voice had an edge to it. Hiei quirked an eyebrow, Kuwabara was often more roar than fight, but when provoked he took a very cold tone. In all their constant and hackling, he almost never got upset enough to imply such a challenge. Hiei listened with interest.
"Okay, Okay!" Hiei could imagine Yusuke throwing his hands up in mock defense. A door clicked open. "Just don't hobble too far a-" The simultaneous sounds of a slamming door and a rather heavy object hitting that door rang against the relatively quiet night.
Hiei could make out Yusuke's snicker and his cocky hop step as he made his way down the hall.
"Stupid bastard," Kuwabara spat bitterly after his one-time rival and long-time friend. As often as he lost Kazuma still didn't like losing, not even these little battles. Hiei made out the odd sound of one walking on crutches coming closer to the window.
The sound of clattering dishes and opening and closing of cabinets told Hiei he was sitting on the balcony of a kitchen window. It was a small balcony though window was big enough for him to walk through without bending down.
"God it's hot in here," Kazuma said pulling the curtains and sliding the window back with a flick of his wrist. He made a choked cry of surprise, and tumbled back onto the small floor of the kitchen when he saw two blood red eyes staring at him. He lay like that for several moments, the wind having been knocked out of him. As Kuwabara's breath became more regular, Hiei dropped into the kitchen. He studied the figure on the floor before leaning over and favoring the human with a half grin.
"Happy to see you too." Kuwabara narrowed his eyes at Hiei as the demon made himself at home. Ah sarcasm…
"How did you get here? Did someone leave your cage open?" Asked Kuwabara as he propped himself up on his elbows and glared savagely at Hiei. He looked angry, embarrassed, and more than a little miserable. For some reason seeing the unhappy Kuwabara pushed all the dark feelings out of Hiei's mind, and he immediately felt better. He continued to smile as he stepped past Kuwabara and into the small living room.
"Make yourself at home why don't you?" Kuwabara spat coldly as he hoisted himself from the floor and propped himself against the counter.
"Thank you," Hiei quipped as he hopped on the futon. Turning and crossing his arms on the back of the futon, Hiei watched with definite amusement as Kuwabara's face colored with rage. Hiei had nearly forgotten how fun it was to rile the human. He couldn't suppress a grin as he watched pretend he wasn't affected and continued fixing himself something to eat.
He had to bite back laughter when Kazuma froze after opening the fridge. He could see the conflict of interests clearly written across the tall boys face. Did he offer his unwelcome guest something to eat or not? Hiei had learned a little of the humans' complex rules of etiquette that Kurama had told him kept the human race for tearing each other apart. Kuwabara didn't believe Hiei really fell under shelter of his thin patience, but if he wasn't polite, it would prove Hiei had gotten to him. So the real question was: how much did Kuwabara care that Hiei had affected him.
Kuwabara turned almost painfully toward Hiei, "You want somethin'?" The words dripped with venom, warning him not to take the offer. Hiei toyed with the idea of accepting the offer, just to see how far he could push Kazuma before he cracked. After observing that Kuwabara stood firmly between Hiei and his preferred exit he decided against it. In its wounded state it wasn't likely Kazuma's body would handle a skirmish. More importantly, Genkai wouldn't be pleased to find much of her work undone so soon.
Kuwabara growled involuntarily, growing weary of waiting for an answer. Hiei shook his head, waving off the offered food. He turned back around on the futon, planning his next move when he found a pair of incredulous green eyes staring at him. A rather fat cat was, if he wasn't mistaken, ordering him to move. He refused to move from his spot and the cat blinked. In that one motion it seemed to have deemed him too stupid to understand he was out of place and purposeful leapt into his lap.
Hiei stared unbelieving, as the furry little mammal turned around three times, lay down comfortably, and began purring. Hiei was aghast.
"Your in her spot," Kuwabara called. As though that excused everything. Hiei glared at him, and then at the cat. She continued purring blissfully, oblivious to the death glare being given.
"Eikichi, c'mere," Kuwabara called fearing for his cat. Looking at her master she didn't move, but mewed at him. "C'mon Eikichi," he called again.
"Nyaaa," she yawned in reply, still purring infuriatingly on Hiei's lap.
Kuwabara rattled the food dish, which put some life into her. She moved grudgingly from her perch, towards the kitchen. Not that she needed any more food.
Hiei watched her as she sniffed at the bowl and proceeded past it. She leaned lovingly against her master's leg and began to purr at full volume. Kuwabara's dark mood seemed to disappear, as he reached down to run his fingers through her soft fur. His eyes softened and he half smiled. Her apparent mission accomplished, she waddled back to the food dish.
Hiei wondered how such a small animal, could make the anger that had been so apparent only moments earlier, just disappear. His thoughts were jarred by Kuwabara's voice.
"Are you sure I can't get you some tea?" The tone was as close to apologetic as Hiei had ever heard uttered from Kuwabara's throat. He really didn't care for tea, but being as it was an apology and all…
"Yes." Hiei nodded wondering why he cared about being polite. It was only Kuwabara after all. Dishes rattled as Kuwabara put a kettle on the stove. A long silence arose between them, as they waited. One of them would have to say something eventually, and the other would snap replies, and sooner or later civilized conversation would take place. The silence grew thicker with each passing moment, and unspoken questions began to swim though it. Pressure grew to break the silence, and each looked to the other to start off. Neither was brave enough, Kuwabara's bravado had been stolen by his cat, and socializing was all Greek to Hiei.
Finally Kuwabara cracked under the atmosphere and sorted his thoughts. There was no nice way to say what he wanted to say and save his pride. So, he did what came naturally, speaking with honesty that was both forward and rude.
"Why'd you come Hiei?" He watched the kettle, praying it would hurry up. They had only spent a minute in silence, but when you break that down it's a long time. It's a whole sixty seconds of no sound what so ever.
As is apt to happen when one cuts to the chase, Hiei immediately got defensive.
"Why shouldn't I?" He asked, daring Kuwabara to deny Hiei's right as a member of the team to visit his wounded frie- err, teammate.
"Ch," Kuwabara shrugged. "You didn't show up for a week," he stated coolly, "I didn't think you'd come."
"Well I'm here," Hiei replied tersely. "I'm kinda surprised Kurama keeps showing up, with the way you treat your guests."
"It's not like I invited you," Kazuma snapped back now on the defensive.
"Then maybe I shouldn't have come," Hiei replied growing angrier by the minute. He didn't know why, but the idea that Kuwabara didn't want him there struck a nerve. 'It's not like it matters.' Mocked the tiny voice in his head. What's that supposed to mean? He thought back. His introspective moment was interrupted however.
"Yeah, I don't know why you bothered," Kuwabara snorted his eyes taking a livid gleam. Apparently Hiei had struck a nerve too. "I don't need your company."
"I'll bet Yusuke keeps you very happy," Hiei growled. Kuwabara's face went blank with confusion, and Hiei's stomach jumped up into his throat.
"What's that supposed to meant?" Something about the way he'd said Yusuke and very happy was implying more than… Well it was innuendo wasn't it?
Yeah! What's that supposed to mean? Hiei was pretty sure he hadn't thought that one up. He had suspicions that the little voice now cackling evilly had something to do with it. Now was not the time for analysis however, now was a time for running. Bounding swiftly across the room, he reached the window easily, but was held back by Kuwabara's voice.
"Hiei…" Just as Hiei turned to look at Kazuma the expression on the redhead's face darkened. "Do you have to leave so soon?" He drawled sarcastically, "I was just about to poison the tea."
"Hn." Hiei leapt out the window, and Kuwabara's heart leapt with him.
"Stupid," he chided himself softly.
"That was smooth," a familiar voice called from the door. Yusuke leaned lazily in the entryway.
"Hey! How long have you been there?" Kuwabara nearly yelled.
Yusuke shrugged, "Long enough to know you two need help." Kuwabara stared at him.
"What's that supposed to mean?" What was everyone's problem? Kuwabara wondered if they'd always acted like this, or if he'd gone nutty from staying inside for too long. Yusuke sighed looking around.
"Where'd he go?"
"He jumped," Kuwabara nodded at the window. Yusuke nearly fell over.
"I guessed that! I mean where was he going?" Kuwabara shrugged indifferently. Yusuke sighed; his best friend was way beyond hopeless.
"Suppose we oughtta check for street pizza?" Yusuke inquired, making Kuwabara smirk. "But I guess demons always land on their feet." At that moment Eikichi looked up at Yusuke indignantly.
"Naw that's cats," Kuwabara chuckled patting Eikichi affectionately. He smiled thoughtfully at his friend. "But I heard somewhere, that demons are supposed to bounce…"
A breeze ran through the formerly quiet evening, rustling leaves as the trees whispered secrets old and dark. Swaying, but only a little, they kept watch like silent sentinels, witness to all. Rumors carried lightly on the wind, and with the breeze, were gone…
Redragon: Bandaging himself up* That was completely uncalled for.
Megumi: Nursing a black eye* You're one to talk. It's improper to try and beat a girl with a stick.
Redragon: And biting someone is proper?
Megumi: Given the correct circumstances…
Redragon: Anyway, thank you all for reviewing. I know it's been a while-
Megumi: I'm sure they feel at a complete loss
Redragon: Ch!
Megumi: Don't 'ch' at me!
It seems as though the pair have had a draw of sorts… But who knows what may happen?? -_-;; Stay tuned for the final part of chapter two, in THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHERRIES.