By Yume
Yu Yu Hakusho, HxK shounen-ai
Chapter 11
Flowers, A Hammock, And Truth
Hiei found Kurama relaxing in a hammock stretched between a pair of small trees near the edge of his backyard garden. Rather than approach, he hesitated at the edge of said garden, inches away from the impeccable sea of flowers. Tall sunny bursts of yellow, a carpet of miniscule blue-violet blossoms…and roses, so many roses, all of them seeming to stretch towards their redheaded caretaker…
It seemed wrong to disturb Kurama in this place, this botanical oasis that hummed with the ki he poured into his beloved plants and where he had apparently dozed off. But still…Hiei sighed as he carefully stepped along the stone paths laid through the garden, hoping against hope that he wasn't asleep; it had taken a while for him to get into the right mindset for this meeting, and he wasn't sure how well it would go if he had to try again later. Slowly, silently, Hiei made his way to the side of the hammock, half-expecting the plants that surrounded him to alert Kurama to his presence somehow. This didn't seem to be the case, though, and he stopped beside one of the trees from which the hammock was strung.
"I'm glad you came back."
Hiei almost jumped at the sudden sound of a human voice. Kurama's? No…the emerald eyes were still closed in sleep, and this voice was older, higher, that of a human female…He turned quickly to see a brown-haired woman he recognized as Kurama's human mother standing just outside the back door of the house. Unsure of what she meant or how this woman knew him, Hiei said nothing, eyeing her somewhat warily as he waited for her to continue. She did so, taking a hesitant step forward as she spoke.
"You're him, aren't you? Shuuichi's friend?" One thing Shiori knew, perhaps from her son's descriptions of the dark-haired boy and perhaps simply from his manner, the suspicion with which he looked at her, was not to expect an answer. She nodded, looking at him thoughtfully and trying not to be worried by what appeared to be a sword hanging at his side. "Yes…I'm very glad you're here…my son has been talking about you a lot lately." Hiei's surprise showed on his face, and Shiori laughed softly. "He said you have something important to discuss, so I guess I'll let you two do that…" She gave Hiei a polite smile as she turned back to the house, then hesitated. "Ne…" Her voice was soft, and the eyes that looked hopefully at Hiei were gentle.
"Please don't hurt him." The bewildered look that the little demon cast to her went unnoticed as she spoke on, half-smiling and turning her eyes to where Kurama lay in still-silent repose. "I don't know exactly what he wants to talk to you about, but my Shuuichi clearly cares about it a lot." There was a knowing twinkle in her eye as she returned her gaze to Hiei. "And I think I can safely say…he cares about you a lot as well." Hiei was once again without words, wide-eyed at this revelation. How did she know, how could she be sure? Shiori's smile grew gentler as she nodded, and Hiei's eyes turned to the ground. Kurama had always spoken so highly of this woman, of her care…he couldn't help but think that someone so close to the fox would have a sense of his feelings, and so he looked to her and nodded solemnly.
"I won't hurt your son."
The words were stern but not rude, firm without being harsh, and Shiori found herself full of respect for the mysterious boy. Her son spoke so highly of him, of the quiet little one with the cold eyes….and then she smiled, musing that Shuuichi's description wasn't entirely accurate. Those eyes, such a curious shade of crimson, weren't cold…sad, somehow far too old for the boy, but not at that moment cold.
"Thank you." She left him with a polite little bow, returning inside and leaving Hiei to his thoughts…and to Kurama. It was with a quiet sigh that Hiei leaned over, watching the sleeping redhead rock gently from side to side in the breeze. As Hiei drew nearer he swore he could see Kurama smiling…yes, that was definitely a smile…the little youkai was scarcely aware that in his study of his companion's countenance he had brought his own face within a few inches of the one he so carefully watched. Then he felt Kurama's soft breath on his cheek and froze, immediately self-conscious. Gently, slowly, he placed his hand on the kitsune's shoulder and nudged him a few times.
"Fox…hey…" Kurama's sleep had been light, and his eyelids fluttered open. Upon seeing Hiei, the smile that had been etched on his face as he dreamt grew broader.
"Hiei…" That voice was so warm, Hiei couldn't help being drawn in by it…but he was going to try. He had come here for information, for answers, and he stubbornly refused to leave, or to let…anything…happen, until he got them.
With a yawn, Kurama pushed himself into the closest thing to a sitting position the hammock would allow. "I hope you haven't been waiting long…" The mixture of apprehension and determination he saw on Hiei's face prompted him to skip the formalities, and he closed his eyes again for a moment before speaking. "…you came back…tell me…" He paused a moment to steady his voice. "…you've been thinking about what I said?" Hiei nodded once, looking thoughtfully down at him.
"And?"
"And I want a better explanation. Tell me clearly what you're offering."
Kurama blinked and sighed, leaning back a little and sending the hammock into a lazy swing.
"What I'm offering…" Every word had to be carefully chosen, he knew, the wrong phrasing could ruin everything, and now Hiei was so close…he wouldn't let himself miscommunicate, not about something this significant. "…is…myself. A relationship that could make us both more complete. And, Hiei…" He paused again, this part was important. "…I'm offering everything life hasn't given you. Warmth, happiness…" He felt his face grow warm under Hiei's intense gaze but forced himself to continue.
"And…love."
Love.
What a word.
What a thought.
What the hell?
(A/N:
Yami: FINALLY!
Yume: …
Yami: Took the kitsune long enough, ne?
Yume: *sigh* Er, yes. Cute. Fluffy. And reviewed! We're up to nearly 40 reviews, so, many hugs to all of you. And…if you don't mind me getting personal for a sec---
Yami: We do.
Yume: This fic is dedicated to anyone who's been going through trouble in his or her life lately. Stay strong, and if you need someone to talk to, I'm on Yahoo!IM as hiei_the_pyro. If this seems random, then…okay. Let it be random. But keep it in mind, ne?
Yami: Next chapter will be up soon, so stay tuned.
Yume: Oh right! Next chapter…it's gonna be the last one ^.^ Whee...)