***Disclaimer!!*** First-off, I want to thank everyone who's sent me reviews, you've convinced me to actually finish this fic. But since I'm back in school and other activities, the updates will me *much* slower, I'm sorry. But hey, here's chappy 4!
p.s.~~ I DON'T OWN 'NUTHIN'! don't sue me.
Ningenkai--
Today was *not* a good day, Kurama sulked. I didn't see Hiei *once* all day, I'm still ki-drained, and I didn't see Hiei *once* all day! Wait, I already said that one...
The ki-drainage was taking a lot out of Kurama, more than usual. He'd been out of focus, and been having dizzy spells all day. The only thing that made him feel any better was...
:: Flashback to that morning::
When I woke, it was warm in my bed, and cool air was wafting in through the open window.
Wait...*Open* window? I'm sure I shut my window, last night. I would never lock it, but I *know* I shut it.
He'd just decided to open his eyes and get up for the day when he felt him. Hiei! Is he...*here*?
At first he thought it was the remains of his dream still lingering on his half-awake mind. But no... It's really him!
Hiei's fiery ki buzzed around Kurama, filling him with peace. Not wanting to stir and ruin the moment, he just laid there, enjoying the feel of being watched by someone he cared so deeply for. And maybe he cares for me right back.
A few minutes passed, but to Kurama it could have been centuries or merely seconds; Time didn't seem to exist anymore. But then, Hiei got up to leave, Kurama heard him move towards the window, Oh don't go so soon!
But Hiei didn't leave, not yet. His ki felt all scrambled, emotions coming and going too quickly for Kurama to decipher them. And then it happened.
Hiei walked briskly across the room towards the bed where Kurama lay, still pretending to be sleeping. Inari, does he know I'm faking?! A thousand excuses ran through Kurama's mind, none of them seeming even remotely good enough to cover his embarrassment of being caught.
Hiei paused by the bedside, his emotions still running wild, and Kurama tried desperately to keep his face passive and straight. Is he going to strike me?! Surely he's not *that* angry!
And then there were soft lips against his own. Kurama's heart stopped; and he began to fight a losing battle with himself to not smile or kiss back. He'd *kill* me if he found out I was awake *now*. Or die from shock... Hiei's kiss lingered for just a moment, and then he was gone, out the window to Inari-knows-where.
That was perfect, oh it was so good...
Kurama sat up, and touched his lips, Hiei's unnatural warmth lingering there.
Ah-ha, Kurama thought.
Today is going to be a *very* good day.
:: End flashback::
But today hadn't been a good day, not at all. At least it's nearly over.
He rounded the last corner on his way home, but when he saw the neat, orderly, very *Ningen* house, he realized he didn't want to go home yet, he felt too playful. Veering away, he headed for the park.
Dropping his bag on the outskirts of the small woods in the center of the park, Kurama made a beeline to the center, discarding trivial things such as his shoes, jacket, and socks along the way. Barefoot and happy he reached the clearing in the middle and breathed deeply.
If I had to pick any favorite place in the Ningenkai, this would have to be it.
It was just an ordinary clearing to the average passer-by, but to Kurama, it was much, *much* more.
This is where Hiei and I often talked and sparred. This is also where Hiei "lived" while in Ningenkai. Kurama smiled to himself, remembering the day he'd found Hiei sleeping here, and realized it was his "home."
Ever since Hiei'd left, this was the place Kurama came to when he needed to remember the irritable little demon.
I wonder...but no. Hiei wouldn't come back here. Not now anyway. I bet he's already left again, Kurama thought bitterly.
I just *know* he thinks that I've already left again, Hiei mentally muttered to himself from his perch on a high tree branch across the clearing. He'd been following Kurama all day, torn between saying goodbye or leaving abruptly again.
He's so clumsy, he's not even *trying* to sense ki! *Anyone* could ambush him right now! Hiei played with the idea of tackling Kurama, just to emphasize his point. He could just imagine the look of shock and terror on the Fox's face as some unknown being collided with him from behind, sending him rolling in the grass, red hair flying...
Kurama sneezed suddenly and Hiei almost laughed. At least he's not completely unaware of my presence.
I'm getting the creepiest feeling of being watched...Kurama was suddenly alert, becoming paranoid.
But Hiei was starting to have fun. On a whim he flitted to stand directly above Kurama, still carefully hidden by the foliage. Heh heh, he finally realizes something's up. He knows he's being hunted.
To calm himself, Kurama remembered the morning kiss again, unconsciously touching his lips-
Hiei froze. No...
-and Kurama smiled
No way, no goddamned way!
Still smiling and reaching his arm out, Kurama brushed his fingers against the tree trunk behind him, the tree Hiei was standing in-
Hiei was in a complete state of panic, He wasn't awake, there's no *way* he was awake! I would've noticed the change in his ki pattern! A cold, light sweat broke out on his brow, and his Jagan pulsed faintly under it's ward.
Suddenly he was falling, the tree branch he'd been crouching on had moved obediently out from under him--by Kurama's silent command.
He tried to grab another branch, or at least change the direction of is fall, but in his frazzled, panicked state, all he could do was land in Kurama's awaiting arms, "Why Hiei, what a pleasant surprise! I'm so glad you dropped by." He winked at the little Jaganshi, the pun purely intentional. You little *rascal*, how long have you been watching me?
He decided to voice his query. "Hiei, how long have you been following me? I haven't sensed you at all."
Ignoring the question, Hiei struggled against Kurama's rather loose grip, "Damn you, baka Kitsune!! Lemme go!"
"Fine, have it your way-" and Kurama unceremoniously dumped Hiei onto the lush grass.
Growling and spitting the little Koorime scrambled back to his feet, and sent a death-glare up at Kurama's grinning face. "Why the hells did you do that for?!"
"You told me to."
"Smart-ass." Hiei declared.
"You haven't answered my question, Hiei." Kurama pointed out.
"And I'm not going to, you damn Fox!"
"Why not?"
"It's non of your damn business."
"I think it's very much my business, considering *you* were following *me*."
"Hn."
"Hiei..." Kurama cooed.
"HN."
"Fine, don't answer, it's not a big deal anyway. Let's talk about something else."
"What makes you think that I would want to talk to you?"
"Well we don't have to *talk*." Kurama hinted.
Hiei's eyes widened the slightest bit, but he gave no further reaction to Kurama's sly remark.
Kurama tilted his head a fraction, "Now what could we *possibly* do out here, all *alone*, in the middle of your old clearing?"
Hiei glared at him.
What fun! He's so easy to tease. "Ne, Hiei, do *you* have any ideas?"
He glared harder.
"Hiei," Kurama's voice became softer, "Why do you glare at me so? I know you're not mad at me."
Damn you, you beautiful fox. "Kurama..."
"Hai?"
"You were awake this morning weren't you?"
Daring, aren't we? "Hai."
"You knew I was there."
"Hai."
"And you knew what I was doing."
Kurama's playfulness began to wane. "Hai."
"And you let me do it."
More softly, "Of course I did."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you allow me to kiss you?" Yet I already know the answer...
Kurama's playful mood vanished. "Because I've wanted it for so long. Because..." Will he leave if I say it?! "Because...I still..." Inari above, can I do this?
But Hiei interrupted him, "I love you too, Kurama."
They stared at each other for a few moments, then Kurama took advantage of their still close proximity, bent down, and kissed his beloved gently. And this time, Hiei didn't run away.
The End
***After re-reading my story, I've decided I like it the way it is. Yes, this is the end, but don't worry! There is going to be an epilogue. Thank you all for your wonderful reviews!! Ja na!***
p.s.~~ I DON'T OWN 'NUTHIN'! don't sue me.
Ningenkai--
Today was *not* a good day, Kurama sulked. I didn't see Hiei *once* all day, I'm still ki-drained, and I didn't see Hiei *once* all day! Wait, I already said that one...
The ki-drainage was taking a lot out of Kurama, more than usual. He'd been out of focus, and been having dizzy spells all day. The only thing that made him feel any better was...
:: Flashback to that morning::
When I woke, it was warm in my bed, and cool air was wafting in through the open window.
Wait...*Open* window? I'm sure I shut my window, last night. I would never lock it, but I *know* I shut it.
He'd just decided to open his eyes and get up for the day when he felt him. Hiei! Is he...*here*?
At first he thought it was the remains of his dream still lingering on his half-awake mind. But no... It's really him!
Hiei's fiery ki buzzed around Kurama, filling him with peace. Not wanting to stir and ruin the moment, he just laid there, enjoying the feel of being watched by someone he cared so deeply for. And maybe he cares for me right back.
A few minutes passed, but to Kurama it could have been centuries or merely seconds; Time didn't seem to exist anymore. But then, Hiei got up to leave, Kurama heard him move towards the window, Oh don't go so soon!
But Hiei didn't leave, not yet. His ki felt all scrambled, emotions coming and going too quickly for Kurama to decipher them. And then it happened.
Hiei walked briskly across the room towards the bed where Kurama lay, still pretending to be sleeping. Inari, does he know I'm faking?! A thousand excuses ran through Kurama's mind, none of them seeming even remotely good enough to cover his embarrassment of being caught.
Hiei paused by the bedside, his emotions still running wild, and Kurama tried desperately to keep his face passive and straight. Is he going to strike me?! Surely he's not *that* angry!
And then there were soft lips against his own. Kurama's heart stopped; and he began to fight a losing battle with himself to not smile or kiss back. He'd *kill* me if he found out I was awake *now*. Or die from shock... Hiei's kiss lingered for just a moment, and then he was gone, out the window to Inari-knows-where.
That was perfect, oh it was so good...
Kurama sat up, and touched his lips, Hiei's unnatural warmth lingering there.
Ah-ha, Kurama thought.
Today is going to be a *very* good day.
:: End flashback::
But today hadn't been a good day, not at all. At least it's nearly over.
He rounded the last corner on his way home, but when he saw the neat, orderly, very *Ningen* house, he realized he didn't want to go home yet, he felt too playful. Veering away, he headed for the park.
Dropping his bag on the outskirts of the small woods in the center of the park, Kurama made a beeline to the center, discarding trivial things such as his shoes, jacket, and socks along the way. Barefoot and happy he reached the clearing in the middle and breathed deeply.
If I had to pick any favorite place in the Ningenkai, this would have to be it.
It was just an ordinary clearing to the average passer-by, but to Kurama, it was much, *much* more.
This is where Hiei and I often talked and sparred. This is also where Hiei "lived" while in Ningenkai. Kurama smiled to himself, remembering the day he'd found Hiei sleeping here, and realized it was his "home."
Ever since Hiei'd left, this was the place Kurama came to when he needed to remember the irritable little demon.
I wonder...but no. Hiei wouldn't come back here. Not now anyway. I bet he's already left again, Kurama thought bitterly.
I just *know* he thinks that I've already left again, Hiei mentally muttered to himself from his perch on a high tree branch across the clearing. He'd been following Kurama all day, torn between saying goodbye or leaving abruptly again.
He's so clumsy, he's not even *trying* to sense ki! *Anyone* could ambush him right now! Hiei played with the idea of tackling Kurama, just to emphasize his point. He could just imagine the look of shock and terror on the Fox's face as some unknown being collided with him from behind, sending him rolling in the grass, red hair flying...
Kurama sneezed suddenly and Hiei almost laughed. At least he's not completely unaware of my presence.
I'm getting the creepiest feeling of being watched...Kurama was suddenly alert, becoming paranoid.
But Hiei was starting to have fun. On a whim he flitted to stand directly above Kurama, still carefully hidden by the foliage. Heh heh, he finally realizes something's up. He knows he's being hunted.
To calm himself, Kurama remembered the morning kiss again, unconsciously touching his lips-
Hiei froze. No...
-and Kurama smiled
No way, no goddamned way!
Still smiling and reaching his arm out, Kurama brushed his fingers against the tree trunk behind him, the tree Hiei was standing in-
Hiei was in a complete state of panic, He wasn't awake, there's no *way* he was awake! I would've noticed the change in his ki pattern! A cold, light sweat broke out on his brow, and his Jagan pulsed faintly under it's ward.
Suddenly he was falling, the tree branch he'd been crouching on had moved obediently out from under him--by Kurama's silent command.
He tried to grab another branch, or at least change the direction of is fall, but in his frazzled, panicked state, all he could do was land in Kurama's awaiting arms, "Why Hiei, what a pleasant surprise! I'm so glad you dropped by." He winked at the little Jaganshi, the pun purely intentional. You little *rascal*, how long have you been watching me?
He decided to voice his query. "Hiei, how long have you been following me? I haven't sensed you at all."
Ignoring the question, Hiei struggled against Kurama's rather loose grip, "Damn you, baka Kitsune!! Lemme go!"
"Fine, have it your way-" and Kurama unceremoniously dumped Hiei onto the lush grass.
Growling and spitting the little Koorime scrambled back to his feet, and sent a death-glare up at Kurama's grinning face. "Why the hells did you do that for?!"
"You told me to."
"Smart-ass." Hiei declared.
"You haven't answered my question, Hiei." Kurama pointed out.
"And I'm not going to, you damn Fox!"
"Why not?"
"It's non of your damn business."
"I think it's very much my business, considering *you* were following *me*."
"Hn."
"Hiei..." Kurama cooed.
"HN."
"Fine, don't answer, it's not a big deal anyway. Let's talk about something else."
"What makes you think that I would want to talk to you?"
"Well we don't have to *talk*." Kurama hinted.
Hiei's eyes widened the slightest bit, but he gave no further reaction to Kurama's sly remark.
Kurama tilted his head a fraction, "Now what could we *possibly* do out here, all *alone*, in the middle of your old clearing?"
Hiei glared at him.
What fun! He's so easy to tease. "Ne, Hiei, do *you* have any ideas?"
He glared harder.
"Hiei," Kurama's voice became softer, "Why do you glare at me so? I know you're not mad at me."
Damn you, you beautiful fox. "Kurama..."
"Hai?"
"You were awake this morning weren't you?"
Daring, aren't we? "Hai."
"You knew I was there."
"Hai."
"And you knew what I was doing."
Kurama's playfulness began to wane. "Hai."
"And you let me do it."
More softly, "Of course I did."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you allow me to kiss you?" Yet I already know the answer...
Kurama's playful mood vanished. "Because I've wanted it for so long. Because..." Will he leave if I say it?! "Because...I still..." Inari above, can I do this?
But Hiei interrupted him, "I love you too, Kurama."
They stared at each other for a few moments, then Kurama took advantage of their still close proximity, bent down, and kissed his beloved gently. And this time, Hiei didn't run away.
The End
***After re-reading my story, I've decided I like it the way it is. Yes, this is the end, but don't worry! There is going to be an epilogue. Thank you all for your wonderful reviews!! Ja na!***