By Yume
Yu Yu Hakusho, HxK shounen-ai
(A/N: Hi! Still with me? Groovy. Hope y'all are comfy, this is gonna be a long fic. That's why it's been broken down into easy-to-enjoy bite-size chapters like this one. Anyways, I'm not going to bother giving the disclaimers again. If I owned Yu Yu Hakusho, it'd be a slightly different show, and if you didn't want a little cuddly shounen-ai you wouldn't be here, now would you? So enjoy chapter 2 and keep reviewing!)
Chapter 2
Come On, It'll Be Fun
Kurama woke the next morning, as he usually did, to the melodic chirps of the birds outside his window. He slowly sat up and gazed thoughtfully out the window in question. The tree's least vocal inhabitant had already left for another day of his exhausting self-training, he observed with a trace of a frown. What was it that had happened the previous night? Oh yes…he had been doing homework…and then he must have dozed off, because his next memory was one of Hiei standing beside him with an uncharacteristically concerned expression.
Hiei…That's right, it had been the nightmare again. After Hiei had sent him off to bed, he had fallen quickly to sleep, this rest uncluttered by dreams and instilled instead with the oddly comforting idea that Hiei worried for him. It was a nice thing, he mused as he pulled himself out of bed, to be cared about. It wasn't entirely unlike the gentle concern and love offered by his human mother, the feeling that had kept him here all these years. But from Hiei it was…different. He sighed as he stood before his mirror, buttoning the cream-colored shirt he had picked for the day, and wondered why it was that Saturday mornings always seemed to lend themselves to this sort of speculation. Another glance at the window reminded him…it was a beautiful day. That meant Hiei would most likely be down at the beach again; and then Kurama was struck with an idea. There was a carnival in town, which could be a welcome diversion from his studying. He could go and---no, better yet…the idea expanded in his mind as he carefully brushed out his hair…perhaps Hiei could be convinced to take a day off as well and join him. The idea of the ill-tempered little youkai voluntarily surrounding himself with loud humans and their amusements was a little hard to imagine, but it was at the very least worth a try- he could use the company and Hiei could use a break, even if he'd never admit it. Besides, he mused with a grin as he walked out into the sunlight, Hiei could always be counted on to become intently fascinated by sweet human foods, and if he could find some cotton candy…
Spin, slash, spin, leap, strike. Spin, slash, spin---"Hiei!" He stopped mid-routine and turned in the direction of the voice calling his name. There was Kurama, smiling pleasantly and walking towards the tall rock on which he stood. Hiei lowered his sword and nodded a greeting. There was a warm grin in response and Kurama hopped nimbly up on the rock next to him.
"Ne, I was wondering…" Hiei raised an eyebrow. The last time Kurama had started a sentence that way it had led to a visit to one of those moving picture theatres. The film had nearly put Hiei to sleep, but Kurama seemed to have enjoyed it. What sort of "entertainment" might Kurama be dragging him along for today? Before he could ask, he was handed a folded paper produced from Kurama's pocket. A few moments of scrutiny revealed it to be some sort of advertisement for…for some human thing or another. He eyed Kurama warily.
"A carnival…it's a sort of human festival, they're lots of fun…" Hiei rolled his eyes and handed the flier back to Kurama, who sighed and pocketed it. "There's food, games, rides, lots of things to…" He looked back to Hiei and trailed off again. The youkai's katana was once more whirling through the air, a fairly sure signal of Hiei's opinion on the whole idea. Patient as ever, Kurama smiled at him. "You could use a break…" At this Hiei paused and glanced over at him, but Kurama hurried on before he could be corrected. "…and I'd really like to go to this, but it's no fun to go alone…will you come with me?"
"Hn." Hiei lowered the sword, which seemed to be a good sign- at least he was listening. Kurama smiled hopefully.
"Please? You do this every day, coming to this will be fun…I'll make sure you have a good time, I promise, so…please?" He was rewarded with a raised eyebrow.
"Hn. So basically this 'carnival' is going to be loud, boring, and full of humans. Sure, that's a good time." Kurama sighed. He had truly hoped to somehow persuade Hiei to join him, but he knew it was a long shot from the start. An idea entered his mind and his smile developed a slightly mischievous glint.
"I bet I can beat you at any game there."
That did it. The reaction was perfect. Hiei looked briefly indignant, then he smirked and leaned on his katana.
"Che. I don't know what sort of games these are…hardly matters, I'll beat you any time." Score! Kurama tried hard not to laugh- when it came to his ego, Hiei was much more predictable than he probably realized. He grinned and nodded, tucking a few loose strands of hair behind his ear.
"I doubt it…but I guess we'll see. Here, come on…" Hiei blinked as he was suddenly grabbed by the hand and pulled off the rock. He looked over, an eyebrow raised. Kurama smiled sweetly back, keeping his hold on Hiei's hand and leading him through the rocky beach towards the boardwalk. They walked along like that for a while, Hiei distracted by irritation at the idea that he was letting himself get dragged along and Kurama quietly smiling and occasionally stealing a glance down to his reluctant companion.
The pier soon came into view, balloons drifting lazily overhead and the faint sound of carousel music lilting through the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter of the crowds. Something tickled Hiei's hand and he looked down to observe that Kurama had slipped his fingers between his own. He looked questioningly up at him, silently demanding an explanation, but Kurama just smiled to himself, his eyes trained on the fairgrounds ahead. This was daring…he was probably asking too much already and a small voice reminded him that he should be content with Hiei's presence. This clearly wasn't something the little youkai was looking forward to, and now he was really pushing it. He winced inwardly, expecting Hiei to pull his hand away or, worse yet, change his mind and return to his training. To his surprise, he received nothing more than a puzzled glance- and Hiei's hand didn't leave his. Inwardly thrilled, he grinned at Hiei and led him into the carnival.
(A/N: Whee! Chapter 2 up!
Yume: Aww, hand-holding, how cute. You're cute. Everything's cute! Hug meeee….
Yami: *sweatdrop* She's been into the soda again. I'll translate: Cuddly, ne? Hope you're all having fun. And it just gets cuter from here…until the angst and—
Yume: *puts a hand over Yami's mouth* Shhhhh! Don' spoil it…
Yami: *sigh*)