The Significance of Cherries
Chapter 3
An Empty Heart
Kuwabara stripped his shirt off, and tossed it aside. He then cautiously began looking for a good place to sunbath. Days like today weren't to be wasted in the shade, no matter how comfy that shade might be. He eventually settled on a rock that happened to be well outside the shade line. Making a halfhearted mental note to get out of the sun before his fair skin crisped, he laid himself belly down on the sun-baked rock and sighed with pleasure.
Yusuke was watching all of this less than amused. Genkai hadn't found anything especially wrong with Kuwabara at all. Still, Yusuke remembered waking up to the absence of Kuwabara's ki. He'd nearly had a heart attack when he felt how cold Kuwabara was. It was an unnatural, almost deathly cold. The sinking feeling hadn't left his stomach yet either.
He spied Hiei out of the corner of his eye talking to Yukina. Hiei was sitting cross-legged with his hands on his knees staring at the bowl Yukina had just pushed in front of him. Yusuke had to turn his head a little to get a good look at what was in the bowl. It appeared to be, cherries, but Yusuke wasn't sure. He strained his ears to hear the conversation, but couldn't quite make it out. He wouldn't have been interested except for the look of confusion on Hiei's face. He tried to take a couple of innocent steps closer to them; sure that Hiei wouldn't be pleased to share their conversation.
It didn't help much; Hiei had already stood and was shaking his head. Yusuke watched careful to be discrete, as Hiei dismissed the container of cherries, and evidently whatever Yukina had just said. Yusuke had to take back those last small steps as Hiei started to walk in his direction. He held his breath as Hiei walked straight past him and toward Kuwabara. Yusuke half smiled to himself, and sat down to less than inconspicuously watch what was about to happen.
Yusuke hadn't seen or heard anything from Hiei since Kuwabara chased him out of the apartment. He idly wondered how Kuwabara was going to ruin this meeting. He gave the hopeless redhead one last contemptuous look before focusing on Hiei.
Hiei approached the carrot topped warrior cautiously. Wondering if there were any hard feelings about that other night they had confronted eachother. No signs of discomfort emitted from the seemingly slumbering youth as Hiei drew closer. He stopped short as an odd sound registered in his ears.
Kuwabara seemed to be emitting a low rumbling noise from the back of the throat. It was definitely not snoring, as it lacked the obnoxious, irregular quality. This seemed like a low, familiar growling. It took Hiei a moment to realize Kuwabara was doing the equivalent to human purring, if that was possible. It was no wonder he liked cats so much, he seemed to not only understand their actions, but was able to immitate them.
Hiei tilted his head to the side, not exactly knowing what to do. If Kuwabara wasn't paying attention, then Hiei would probably startle him if he spoke. Hiei came closer yet to the tall human, not making any sound as he walked. Curious he circled around in front of Kuwabara, and the purring faded.
One blue eye rose lazily open, and regarded Hiei with a glazed expression before slowly closing again. Moments passed, and Hiei wondered if Kuwabara had actually seen him. He nearly jumped when Kuwabara grunted a greeting, his voice thick with weariness. Another moment passed before Kuwabara unfolded his arms, which he had been using as a pillow and stretched them out straight in front of him. His elbows popped simultaneously in such a way, that Hiei wondered if it was healthy. Drawing his arms under him, Kuwabara arched his back fully, rolling his huge shoulder muscles. His shoulders also popped, but with a less alien sound.
Hiei sighed sharply. Kuwabara was in no hurry to do anything but lounge in the sun, which seriously compromised his agenda. Though this wasn't the first time Hiei had been introduced to the chaotic factor of humans' personalities, it didn't help the situation. Hiei had wanted to assert a sort of dominance. Needless to say, this half-asleep image made it clear Kuwabara wasn't intimidated in the least.
After yawning hugely, Kuwabara refolded his arms and regarded Hiei from his lax position. The rock was actually tall enough that this position put Kuwabara and Hiei at eye-to-eye level. This was not only, to say the least a rare occasion, but unique since Kuwabara seemed utterly unperturbed by the situation. Blue eyes stared expectantly out from under long, ruffled bangs. All of his hair was uncommonly out of place. It was as if someone had been repeatedly running their hands through the thick, copper locks, leaving them pointing in all the wrong directions. It looked like untidy red mane, haloing the thin angular face, the result being actually quite impressive.
"Well, runt," the orange haired warrior grunted, in not an unfriendly tone. It seemed to speak less of challenge, than of fondness. Though Hiei tried to ignore the welcoming tone, it cleared his entire arsenal of retorts.
He had to settle for an unsatisfactory, "Hn." It did all right though as Kuwabara didn't smirk, at Hiei's reply.
"Don't 'Hn' at me shrimp," Kuwabara yawned casually, "you came over here." Kuwabara settled himself comfortably again, apparently not in the least bit threatened by their proximity. Hiei supposed that could be a good sign; at least Kuwabara didn't seem edgy about the earlier incident at his apartment.
"I need to talk to you," Hiei stated in his usual superior tone. Kuwabara shrugged off the tone, and the statement in general.
"Talk," he murmured.
Hiei swallowed, not remembering where he was supposed to begin. He had talked to Kurama about this, though the fox was little help. Kurama had simply advised to approach the subject carefully, since people in the human world didn't cast a kind eye on males loving one another in more than a platonic relationship. Hiei cursed his foul luck, as he tried to rethink a way to divulge his feelings without offending the human.
Well he either does or he doesn't return how I feel, Hiei concluded. Sighing he fixed Kuwabara with a sidelong glance. "I like you." The words came harder than Hiei had thought they would. He was so much more accustomed to arguing with Kazuma, he hadn't had much experience dealing with him any other way.
It was Kuwabara's turn to look Hiei over critically. While Kuwabara seemed less than shocked by these words, he didn't trust them completely. He turned his head back to the temple, to catch Yusuke and Yukina dodging within, not quite quickly enough. The sound of love in spring can attract some unwanted eavesdroppers. Still, with their bashful retreat, he could regard Hiei again.
"You have some help in this?" Kuwabara asked in a low, almost aggressive tone. He indicated the temple with a jerk of his head. Hiei considered that direction, for only a moment before answering.
"I asked for a little advice," Hiei admitted. He could feel the human weighing his every word for any sign of treachery. Hiei felt a little indignant, wondering why Kuwabara had to doubt in him.
Kuwabara continued to take in everything about the demon, while Hiei remained virtually unperturbed by the open scrutiny. Hiei could see storms brewing behind the deceptively cool azure pools, which remained locked with his impassive red ones. He braced himself for when these storms were unleashed, but it never seemed to happen. Throwing another glance toward the temple, Kuwabara swung down from the short rock and bade Hiei to follow him.
Puzzled but not showing it, Hiei followed the fighter from the sun patch. Not sure exactly where he was going, Kuwabara slipped between the trees. Taking note of the vague familiarity of it, as he walked on. Hiei following silently behind him, he was tempted to turn around and explain himself, but found that explanation wanting. Still, silence seemed too alien for them, yet he dared not strike up a conversation, for fear of where it would take them. The situation seemed as delicate as the thinnest sheet of crystal, and Kuwabara didn't want to break it with his trademark inept social skills.
Figuring they were now, where they should be, Kuwabara rested carefully at the base of a tree. Not surprisingly, Hiei did no immediately join him. The shorter demon regarded him with an unreadable expression written across his face.
"Well?" The almost bored tone of Hiei's voice made Kuwabara's heart nearly freeze in place.
"So the wind doesn't carry our voices to prying ears," Kuwabara explained.
"Hn," Hiei shrugged. Kuwabara made an unintelligible sound, causing the hackles on Hiei's neck to rise. "What?"
"Why?" Kuwabara said more clearly, looking up at Hiei with a pained expression.
"Why what?" Hiei queried, dropping his guard only slightly. Kuwabara had the apprehension to blush at the question. "Oh," Hiei nearly smiled, finally feeling as though he were again in control of the situation.
Hiei sighed and took his place next to Kuwabara. "Why does anything happen the way it does?" Hiei questioned, not unkindly. "It has taken me a long time to see things this way," He continued, "It's simple enough though. It's too obvious to deny."
"Nothing is too obvious to ignore," Kuwabara pointed out.
"But that's not the way I do things," Hiei informed the human sitting beside him. "It's not the way you do things either."
Kuwabara nodded slightly at the last statement. He couldn't deny what he now knew was there. He wasn't in the business of lying to himself. He sighed mentally as he wrestled between two completely different desires. The first desire was to stay with Hiei, and give into his confusing though undeniable feelings. The other desire, being to push this offering away, and live as he always had. Both presented a unique problem to him. On the one hand, he would have to give up a part of himself to his former nemesis, and step out of the bounds of conventional love in many ways. Could he do that, and step over his own personal rules, which had taken a long time to develop, and still be happy? On the other hand, he could remain within the bonds of his ego, and most assuredly live unhappily, but safe from any hurt this might cause.
Of course this was all a jumbled mess in Kuwabara's mind. The most distressing part of this, was that he'd found love where he'd wanted it least. Well that wasn't completely true. He'd always wanted Hiei to acknowledge his strength, to gain his comrade's confidence. To have Hiei respect him, even if he was physically weaker, even if he was human. Yet, did that carry over to love, or was it as he had though, completely different?
Hiei put his hand on Kuwabara's shoulder, and the fighter flinched at the sudden contact. "You know," he said quietly. "For what it's worth to you, I'm serious about this, Kazuma." Kuwabara nodded, but didn't say anything. "And if," Hiei added, "you want to keep this a secret, I'll understand."
Looked up at the short demon, a look of shock written across his face. "Kurama explained that in your world, this relationship would shame you." Hiei looked away, "I'd understand if you didn't want others to know." When he glanced back, Kuwabara glared at him indignantly.
"I'm not ashamed of you, or how I feel for you," he barked, defensively
"I never said-" Hiei barked back.
"It was implied." Kuwabara stated clearly. He reached up and tugged at Hiei's hand, inviting him to sit. "I don't mean to be this way," he apologized as Hiei sat next to him. "It's just a little, unexpected that's all."
"It's that hard to think you'd like me?" Hiei asked tonelessly.
"Hm?" Kuwabara turned to his shorter companion. "That's not-"
"It was implied," Hiei mocked.
"It was not!" Kuwabara looked away and scratched the back of his neck. "It's just that I never thought I'd be…" He trailed off, not exactly knowing what to say.
"So," Hiei remarked nudging Kuwabara slightly. Kuwabara looked down at the fire demon. Hiei wrapped his arms around Kuwabara's neck, pulling himself closer to the tall fighter. "What do you think now?" He whispered, his lips barely an inch from Kazuma's.
"Um…" Hiei had a very unique scent. Like cinnamon almost. Kuwabara was at a loss for words. Suddenly Hiei pulled them close, thrusting his tongue into Kazuma's astonished mouth. It felt strange kissing another man, especially one he'd known for a long time. Still, it wasn't a bad sort of strange, in fact it was kind of nice. He continued to experiment with this new feeling, until Hiei slipped his fingers over Kuwabara's bare chest and played at his nipple. Kuwabara broke the kiss, and recoiled from the heat that sparked through his system.
"What's wrong?" Hiei's hoarse whisper carried a slightly worried tone.
"I've… I don't…" Kuwabara blushed, his ears turning bright pink. Hiei stared at the stuttering human in complete confusion, before he finally understood. An unhindered grin spread across his face and he poked the taller warrior playfully.
"Virgin," He smirked. Kuwabara's face turned an impossible red, confirming Hiei's words.
"Shut up!" Kuwabara whined much like a child would. But Hiei continued to poke fun at the humiliated human, wondering exactly how red he could get. Hiei felt he hadn't laughed so hard in all his life. The stuttering, indignant, and completely powerless human, was a picture he'd never forget. "It's not funny! Knock it off!"
Standing, Hiei ruffled the copper curls on Kuwabara's head. "Don't worry kitten," he teased. Kuwabara growled. He ruffled Kazuma's hair again, the long bangs impairing the vision of the taller youth.
"What?" Kuwabara questioned as Hiei continued to muss the amber mane.
"It's just so soft…" He said, brushing the bangs from Kuwabara's face. Kuwabara glared as Hiei immediately began ruffling it again.
~~--~~--~~--~~--~~--~~
THE END????
Maybe. I'm lazy this way. Yeah, I don't update for a month, and then I end the story early. Humph. Ah well, I wasn't liking where this was going anyway. I tried to fit too many story lines into one. It's better to just end the thing where I feel I lose the least. I might have a sort of epilogue, but I'm not sure. It wont be on ff.net if I do. 'Cuz it will probably be lemonish. Anyway 'till next time all!!
Oh! Y'all might want to know the "significance of cherries" wouldn't you? It's quite superficial actually. I was eating a bowl of cherries when I came up with this idea. Not very deep, but utterly true.
Redragon: *Collapses from boredom next to his computer.*
Megumi Jade: Hehe….
Redragon: This sucks, total writers block
Megumi: Why not just write a PWP lemon?
Redragon: It's not that easy!
Megumi: Sure it is.
Redragon: Yeah, so why don't you?
Megumi: Sure! *Pulls a pen and paper out of nowhere/yeswhere.*
Redragon: 0.o???
Megumi: *Writes on the front and back of the page* Here ya' go.
Redragon: That's short…
Megumi: *giggles* I don't waste time romancing the subject… *giggles again, and disappears down the hall.*
Redragon: *Begins reading the paper* …Yellow, very sour and bitter… Tastes good when squirted on fish… I like lemons, especially when…* MEGUMI!!!!