Ch. 2
Yuusuke and the others had successfully crossed the opening into the Makai. They quickly ran in the direction that Botan had pointed out and it wasn't long before they came across the youkais carrying a big wrapped object towards a cave nearby. There was only about 6 youkais and they weren't exactly really strong so the team killed them within a matter of minutes without even breaking a sweat. Then they turned their attention back to the bundle.
"So.what'll we do with it Urameshi?" asked Kuwabara.
"Uhh, I don't really know.geez, I thought we were gonna save a Crystal Rose bud.but this thing's gotta be about as big as 7 basketballs put together.," said Yuusuke with a frown.
"Well, this does pose as a problem.we can't take it to the Human World, someone's bound to notice it," said Kurama, a small wrinkle forming between his eyebrows.
"Hn, why not just take it to Koenma right now? Or better yet, call Botan and get her to take it there?"
"Shut up shrimp, if it were that easy, we'd have done it!" said Kuwabara.
"HN, oh ya? Well, what's so hard about it? And don't say 'cuz it jus is'!"
"Uhh, well, there are plenty of things that's hard about it.like.uhh.help me out Urameshi!"
"Sorry Kuwabara.but I think Hiei's right, we should just take it straight to the Reikai."
"But didn't you have a date with Keiko? It's 5:45 now.," Kurama pointed to his watch.
"Oh shit.I didn't know that.great.now what?" asked Yuusuke.
Yuusuke was tough but when it came to Keiko.he was no match, even with his Rei gun.
"Well, how about you just go on to your date then? Hiei and I'll just take it to the Reikai, I don't think there'll be any need for all of us to be there now that the danger's gone," suggested Kurama.
"Huh? Yah! That'd be great! But what about Kuwabara?" asked Yuusuke.
"Well, if I'm not mistaken.I overheard that he had a date with Yukina, don't you?" asked Kurama as he whirled around to face Kuwabara.
"Uh, well, I ...you see...ya, you guys can manage getting that thing back to the Reikai without the help of me right? The great...," Kuwabara started to say from embarrassment and somehow turning the whole thing into his usual egotistic speech. His face was still flushed by the way, from the mentioning of his upcoming date with Yukina.
"Uhh, guys? Did it just get realllly hot out here or is it just me?" asked Yuusuke.
"JAOU ENSATSU KOKURYUUHA!!!" (Black dragon of darkness, the one from Hiei's arm)
"Uh oh..." the trio said together as they scattered to avoid the lunging dragon who seemed hungrier than usual.
"HIEI! STOP IT! PLEEEEEESE!" whined Kurama, he didn't want to sound like a spoiled child but he didn't want to risk breaking the crystal rose bud, he wanted to study it before returning it to the Reikai and hopefully take a seed or two from it for his collection. He stretched his use of "puppy eyes" to the max, putting whoever had first made it up to shame. No one could resist his puppy eyes, especially the girls at Miou High School, the school he goes to while still living as Minamino Shuuichi. One glance at Kurama and Hiei started to summon the dragon back into the tattoo on his arm.
Yuusuke poked his head up from behind a bush as Hiei was summoning the dragon back. Am I imagining things or is Hiei blushing? thought Yuusuke.
"Kuso shrimp! What the hell did you do THAT for?" asked Kuwabara.
"Hn, so you have a date with Yukina huh?"
"Ya, what of it? Come to think of it, why is it that everytime I mention going out with Yukina or ANYTHING AT ALL that I do with Yukina you freak out and get mad? Do you have a crush on her or something? Huh? Huh?" asked Kuwabara who obviously still hasn't figured out that Yukina was Hiei's twin that still doesn't know Hiei's her brother, though, at times, there were small things that Hiei did that would make her stop and think. She knows he's her brother but decided to play dumb until he thinks it's right to confront her about it, until then, she's just happy that she's finally found him and that he's so close by.
Hiei nearly choked and stared at Kuwabara with a disgusted look. Kurama and Yuusuke turned to each other and were going to burst out laughing if it weren't for the fact that Hiei was glaring at them. Almost everyone knew Yukina was Hiei's twin...that is, except for Kuwabara and supposedly Yukina, though she already knows.
"::Snort:: Sicko!" said Hiei.
"What? What? What's going on? What don't I know? Why are you two laughing and why did you call me a sicko?" asked Kuwabara, obviously confused.
"Just shut up you stupid moron!"
"What'd you say shrimp? You wanna fight for her?"
Hiei just glared at him and flitted away in an instant and rested up on top of a pine tree that loomed at least 13 feet up right next to where Kurama was standing. Kurama was doubling over, quivering and shaking violently, laughing like there's no tomorrow. Yuusuke wasn't doing anything different, except he was also rolling around on the grass. Since his uniform was green anyway, it didn't make a difference if he got grass stains.
"Ya.gasp.why.gasp.don't you.gasp.fight for her?" asked Yuusuke, playing dumb and trying to catch his breath. Hiei just stared daggers into him, making Yuusuke shiver, but the situation was so funny that the shiver turned into a violent quake of laughter. Kurama finally caught his breath and turned to Kuwabara.
"Kuwabara, you honestly don't know why Hiei's so protective of Yukina?" asked Kurama.
"Uhh, I don't really know what's goin on between them but I'm gonna fight for her if it goes to that!" exclaimed Kuwabara.
"Ok, then I'll tell you why."
"HN!!! Fox."
"You see."
"FOX"
".she."
"FOX! DON'T YOU DARE!"
".." with that, Kurama leaned in and whispered into Kuwabara's ear.
"What? Is that all? Jeez.I was all worried that you had a crush on her or something."
"What do you mean.," asked Hiei.
"Just because you don't want her to spill your secret to everyone, doesn't mean you have to be so protective."
"NANI??? What the hell are you talking about Kuwabara? What secret?" asked an exasperated Hiei.
"I mean.::snicker::.people don't usually care about that kind of stuff,.... ::snicker::.you don't have to be ashamed that..::snicker::."
"NANI??? I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO BE ASHAMED ABOUT!"
"Oh come on.you don't have to play Mr. Toughguy about it...it's nothing you should be ashamed of!" said Kurama, obviously trying to control his laughter. He went over to Yuusuke who had by now, finished laughing, but when Kurama whispered to him what he had told Kuwabara, Yuusuke started his second round of laughter, joined in by Kurama. Hiei never and still doesn't like being made fun of and patience was running dangerously low as he waited for Kuwabara to finish.
".::snicker::.just because you.you.you.BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" was all that came out of Kuwabara when he crumpled down to the ground, his red face matching his orange hair nicely.
"WHAT THE HELL?" boomed Hiei.
"because you.HAHAHAHAHA!....BECAUSE YOU WEAR BOXERS WITH LITTLE FURRY BUNNY RABBITS ON IT THAT SAY 'SUPER DEMON'!!!! HAHAHAHA!"
"NANI??? .K.I.T.S.U.N.E.!!!!!"
"Don't hide it.you can't deny it." sang the fox, as he helped Yuusuke up and they started dancing and singing it together. Kuwabara was still laughing at the fire demon.the one that was always so strong and tough.one of the most vicious thieves and murders in all of Makai.who wore.boxers with little furry bunny rabbits on them that have a caption coming out from each of them that say "Super Demon".
"BUT I DON'T WEAR BOXERS WITH BUNNIES THAT SAY 'SUPER DEMON'!"
Everyone was too busy laughing to even hear the little fire youkai. Too busy to notice the fumes coming out of his ears when he heard and repeated the lie that Kurama had told the gullible Kuwabara and Yuusuke, even though Yuusuke already knew the true reason to Hiei's protectiveness of Yukina. In fact, Yuusuke knew quite a lot of things, he was far more observant than he let on. He knew that Kurama and Hiei had feelings for each other, Kurama was the only thing that saved them from the dragon on Hiei's arm a moment ago. Yuusuke had expected Hiei to do as Kurama had asked but he hadn't expected Hiei to blush when he saw Kurama and his infamous "puppy eyes". So Kurama has an affect on the little fire youkai.mused Yuusuke. He knew that if he said THAT out loud, Kurama would turn a few shades lighter than his hair again and Hiei would probably release the dragon on him too.so to be on the safe side, Yuusuke kept his thoughts to himself. Wait, thought Yuusuke, can't Hiei also read minds? Yuusuke turned to Hiei and sure enough, he was staring daggers right into Yuusuke's eyes.
"::Gulp:: K..K..Kurama, could you stand in front of me?"
"Huh? Uh sure but why?"
"Because I don't want to become dragon-chow."
"And you'd prefer that I do???"
"Hiei wouldn't do that to you,.but I don't think he minds doing it to me!"
"Nani? Why would you think he wouldn't do that to me?"
"Umm.." Think Yuusuke, think Yuusuke...oh! I got it! "Because you're his best friend!"
"And friends mean WHAT to Hiei?"
"Good point...uh.but.I think that friends and best friends are a big difference to Hiei! Ya, that's it! See, I'm just a friend so I don't mean a thing to him, but you're his best friend and you mean.well.SOMETHING to him at least."
"Yuusuke, you're weird."
"Oh come on Kurama, just stand in front of me!"
"..." Even though Kurama didn't say anything, he stepped in front of Yuusuke, becoming the only thing that separated him from Hiei. Hiei's face got even redder, even more twisted with spite.
"Kuso!!!" exclaimed Yuusuke.
"What is it?" asked Kurama.
"I just realized.YOU'RE the one he's reallly mad at.you're the one who started that lie." Explained Yuusuke.
"Oh ya! I can't believe I almost forgot!" Kurama turned around and faced Hiei, who in turn, glared back at him. They look like they're having a conversation by just looking at each other's eyes, thought Yuusuke. Finally, after about 3 minutes of staring, Hiei seemed to relax a bit, his rage gone for the time being. Kurama relaxed as well and sighed in relief.
"He's not mad anymore?" asked Yuusuke.
"Ya, he says it's not worth wasting his energy on."
"He said that? But how could he? I didn't hear you guys speak for 3 whole minutes!"
"Umm, well." Kurama started playing with his sleeve. "You said Hiei and I are best friends and that best friends and regular friends mean different things to Hiei. Well, being his best friend, I have the privilege of having a bond with him telepathically."
"Oh really? I see."
"Ya, that's all there is to it."
"Really? Interesting."
"Honestly!"
"Sure, I believe you."
"I swear it!"
"I said I believe you!"
Kurama was now tugging at his sleeves with sweating palms and his face flushed. Had Yuusuke really figured out about me and Hiei? No way, he couldn't have.I've been using discretion and I've been careful not to make advances at Hiei in front of them, thought Kurama.
Everyone was too busy laughing to even hear the little fire youkai. Too busy to notice the fumes coming out of his ears when he heard and repeated the lie that Kurama had told the gullible Kuwabara and Yuusuke, even though Yuusuke already knew the true reason to Hiei's protectiveness of Yukina. In fact, Yuusuke knew quite a lot of things, he was far more observant than he let on. He knew that Kurama and Hiei had feelings for each other, Kurama was the only thing that saved them from the dragon on Hiei's arm a moment ago. Yuusuke had expected Hiei to do as Kurama had asked but he hadn't expected Hiei to blush when he saw Kurama and his infamous "puppy eyes". So Kurama has an affect on the little fire youkai.mused Yuusuke. He knew that if he said THAT out loud, Kurama would turn a few shades lighter than his hair again and Hiei would probably release the dragon on him too.so to be on the safe side, Yuusuke kept his thoughts to himself. Wait, thought Yuusuke, can't Hiei also read minds? Yuusuke turned to Hiei and sure enough, he was staring daggers right into Yuusuke's eyes.
"Well, I've got to be going now, I need to get to Keiko before she can think of the ways she can kill me if I'm late."
"Oh ya! Wait for me too Urameshi! I've got to get to Yukina too!" said Kuwabara.
Kuwabara had been laughing so hard that he got tired and had taken a nap. He had waken up right before Urameshi was walking off.
"See you guys later!" both boys called out to Hiei and Kurama.
"Say hi to Keiko and Yukina for us!" Kurama yelled back.
Turning back to Hiei, Kurama said, "We'd better get this to the Reikai before it gets dark here."
"Hn."
Yuusuke and the others had successfully crossed the opening into the Makai. They quickly ran in the direction that Botan had pointed out and it wasn't long before they came across the youkais carrying a big wrapped object towards a cave nearby. There was only about 6 youkais and they weren't exactly really strong so the team killed them within a matter of minutes without even breaking a sweat. Then they turned their attention back to the bundle.
"So.what'll we do with it Urameshi?" asked Kuwabara.
"Uhh, I don't really know.geez, I thought we were gonna save a Crystal Rose bud.but this thing's gotta be about as big as 7 basketballs put together.," said Yuusuke with a frown.
"Well, this does pose as a problem.we can't take it to the Human World, someone's bound to notice it," said Kurama, a small wrinkle forming between his eyebrows.
"Hn, why not just take it to Koenma right now? Or better yet, call Botan and get her to take it there?"
"Shut up shrimp, if it were that easy, we'd have done it!" said Kuwabara.
"HN, oh ya? Well, what's so hard about it? And don't say 'cuz it jus is'!"
"Uhh, well, there are plenty of things that's hard about it.like.uhh.help me out Urameshi!"
"Sorry Kuwabara.but I think Hiei's right, we should just take it straight to the Reikai."
"But didn't you have a date with Keiko? It's 5:45 now.," Kurama pointed to his watch.
"Oh shit.I didn't know that.great.now what?" asked Yuusuke.
Yuusuke was tough but when it came to Keiko.he was no match, even with his Rei gun.
"Well, how about you just go on to your date then? Hiei and I'll just take it to the Reikai, I don't think there'll be any need for all of us to be there now that the danger's gone," suggested Kurama.
"Huh? Yah! That'd be great! But what about Kuwabara?" asked Yuusuke.
"Well, if I'm not mistaken.I overheard that he had a date with Yukina, don't you?" asked Kurama as he whirled around to face Kuwabara.
"Uh, well, I ...you see...ya, you guys can manage getting that thing back to the Reikai without the help of me right? The great...," Kuwabara started to say from embarrassment and somehow turning the whole thing into his usual egotistic speech. His face was still flushed by the way, from the mentioning of his upcoming date with Yukina.
"Uhh, guys? Did it just get realllly hot out here or is it just me?" asked Yuusuke.
"JAOU ENSATSU KOKURYUUHA!!!" (Black dragon of darkness, the one from Hiei's arm)
"Uh oh..." the trio said together as they scattered to avoid the lunging dragon who seemed hungrier than usual.
"HIEI! STOP IT! PLEEEEEESE!" whined Kurama, he didn't want to sound like a spoiled child but he didn't want to risk breaking the crystal rose bud, he wanted to study it before returning it to the Reikai and hopefully take a seed or two from it for his collection. He stretched his use of "puppy eyes" to the max, putting whoever had first made it up to shame. No one could resist his puppy eyes, especially the girls at Miou High School, the school he goes to while still living as Minamino Shuuichi. One glance at Kurama and Hiei started to summon the dragon back into the tattoo on his arm.
Yuusuke poked his head up from behind a bush as Hiei was summoning the dragon back. Am I imagining things or is Hiei blushing? thought Yuusuke.
"Kuso shrimp! What the hell did you do THAT for?" asked Kuwabara.
"Hn, so you have a date with Yukina huh?"
"Ya, what of it? Come to think of it, why is it that everytime I mention going out with Yukina or ANYTHING AT ALL that I do with Yukina you freak out and get mad? Do you have a crush on her or something? Huh? Huh?" asked Kuwabara who obviously still hasn't figured out that Yukina was Hiei's twin that still doesn't know Hiei's her brother, though, at times, there were small things that Hiei did that would make her stop and think. She knows he's her brother but decided to play dumb until he thinks it's right to confront her about it, until then, she's just happy that she's finally found him and that he's so close by.
Hiei nearly choked and stared at Kuwabara with a disgusted look. Kurama and Yuusuke turned to each other and were going to burst out laughing if it weren't for the fact that Hiei was glaring at them. Almost everyone knew Yukina was Hiei's twin...that is, except for Kuwabara and supposedly Yukina, though she already knows.
"::Snort:: Sicko!" said Hiei.
"What? What? What's going on? What don't I know? Why are you two laughing and why did you call me a sicko?" asked Kuwabara, obviously confused.
"Just shut up you stupid moron!"
"What'd you say shrimp? You wanna fight for her?"
Hiei just glared at him and flitted away in an instant and rested up on top of a pine tree that loomed at least 13 feet up right next to where Kurama was standing. Kurama was doubling over, quivering and shaking violently, laughing like there's no tomorrow. Yuusuke wasn't doing anything different, except he was also rolling around on the grass. Since his uniform was green anyway, it didn't make a difference if he got grass stains.
"Ya.gasp.why.gasp.don't you.gasp.fight for her?" asked Yuusuke, playing dumb and trying to catch his breath. Hiei just stared daggers into him, making Yuusuke shiver, but the situation was so funny that the shiver turned into a violent quake of laughter. Kurama finally caught his breath and turned to Kuwabara.
"Kuwabara, you honestly don't know why Hiei's so protective of Yukina?" asked Kurama.
"Uhh, I don't really know what's goin on between them but I'm gonna fight for her if it goes to that!" exclaimed Kuwabara.
"Ok, then I'll tell you why."
"HN!!! Fox."
"You see."
"FOX"
".she."
"FOX! DON'T YOU DARE!"
".." with that, Kurama leaned in and whispered into Kuwabara's ear.
"What? Is that all? Jeez.I was all worried that you had a crush on her or something."
"What do you mean.," asked Hiei.
"Just because you don't want her to spill your secret to everyone, doesn't mean you have to be so protective."
"NANI??? What the hell are you talking about Kuwabara? What secret?" asked an exasperated Hiei.
"I mean.::snicker::.people don't usually care about that kind of stuff,.... ::snicker::.you don't have to be ashamed that..::snicker::."
"NANI??? I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO BE ASHAMED ABOUT!"
"Oh come on.you don't have to play Mr. Toughguy about it...it's nothing you should be ashamed of!" said Kurama, obviously trying to control his laughter. He went over to Yuusuke who had by now, finished laughing, but when Kurama whispered to him what he had told Kuwabara, Yuusuke started his second round of laughter, joined in by Kurama. Hiei never and still doesn't like being made fun of and patience was running dangerously low as he waited for Kuwabara to finish.
".::snicker::.just because you.you.you.BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" was all that came out of Kuwabara when he crumpled down to the ground, his red face matching his orange hair nicely.
"WHAT THE HELL?" boomed Hiei.
"because you.HAHAHAHAHA!....BECAUSE YOU WEAR BOXERS WITH LITTLE FURRY BUNNY RABBITS ON IT THAT SAY 'SUPER DEMON'!!!! HAHAHAHA!"
"NANI??? .K.I.T.S.U.N.E.!!!!!"
"Don't hide it.you can't deny it." sang the fox, as he helped Yuusuke up and they started dancing and singing it together. Kuwabara was still laughing at the fire demon.the one that was always so strong and tough.one of the most vicious thieves and murders in all of Makai.who wore.boxers with little furry bunny rabbits on them that have a caption coming out from each of them that say "Super Demon".
"BUT I DON'T WEAR BOXERS WITH BUNNIES THAT SAY 'SUPER DEMON'!"
Everyone was too busy laughing to even hear the little fire youkai. Too busy to notice the fumes coming out of his ears when he heard and repeated the lie that Kurama had told the gullible Kuwabara and Yuusuke, even though Yuusuke already knew the true reason to Hiei's protectiveness of Yukina. In fact, Yuusuke knew quite a lot of things, he was far more observant than he let on. He knew that Kurama and Hiei had feelings for each other, Kurama was the only thing that saved them from the dragon on Hiei's arm a moment ago. Yuusuke had expected Hiei to do as Kurama had asked but he hadn't expected Hiei to blush when he saw Kurama and his infamous "puppy eyes". So Kurama has an affect on the little fire youkai.mused Yuusuke. He knew that if he said THAT out loud, Kurama would turn a few shades lighter than his hair again and Hiei would probably release the dragon on him too.so to be on the safe side, Yuusuke kept his thoughts to himself. Wait, thought Yuusuke, can't Hiei also read minds? Yuusuke turned to Hiei and sure enough, he was staring daggers right into Yuusuke's eyes.
"::Gulp:: K..K..Kurama, could you stand in front of me?"
"Huh? Uh sure but why?"
"Because I don't want to become dragon-chow."
"And you'd prefer that I do???"
"Hiei wouldn't do that to you,.but I don't think he minds doing it to me!"
"Nani? Why would you think he wouldn't do that to me?"
"Umm.." Think Yuusuke, think Yuusuke...oh! I got it! "Because you're his best friend!"
"And friends mean WHAT to Hiei?"
"Good point...uh.but.I think that friends and best friends are a big difference to Hiei! Ya, that's it! See, I'm just a friend so I don't mean a thing to him, but you're his best friend and you mean.well.SOMETHING to him at least."
"Yuusuke, you're weird."
"Oh come on Kurama, just stand in front of me!"
"..." Even though Kurama didn't say anything, he stepped in front of Yuusuke, becoming the only thing that separated him from Hiei. Hiei's face got even redder, even more twisted with spite.
"Kuso!!!" exclaimed Yuusuke.
"What is it?" asked Kurama.
"I just realized.YOU'RE the one he's reallly mad at.you're the one who started that lie." Explained Yuusuke.
"Oh ya! I can't believe I almost forgot!" Kurama turned around and faced Hiei, who in turn, glared back at him. They look like they're having a conversation by just looking at each other's eyes, thought Yuusuke. Finally, after about 3 minutes of staring, Hiei seemed to relax a bit, his rage gone for the time being. Kurama relaxed as well and sighed in relief.
"He's not mad anymore?" asked Yuusuke.
"Ya, he says it's not worth wasting his energy on."
"He said that? But how could he? I didn't hear you guys speak for 3 whole minutes!"
"Umm, well." Kurama started playing with his sleeve. "You said Hiei and I are best friends and that best friends and regular friends mean different things to Hiei. Well, being his best friend, I have the privilege of having a bond with him telepathically."
"Oh really? I see."
"Ya, that's all there is to it."
"Really? Interesting."
"Honestly!"
"Sure, I believe you."
"I swear it!"
"I said I believe you!"
Kurama was now tugging at his sleeves with sweating palms and his face flushed. Had Yuusuke really figured out about me and Hiei? No way, he couldn't have.I've been using discretion and I've been careful not to make advances at Hiei in front of them, thought Kurama.
Everyone was too busy laughing to even hear the little fire youkai. Too busy to notice the fumes coming out of his ears when he heard and repeated the lie that Kurama had told the gullible Kuwabara and Yuusuke, even though Yuusuke already knew the true reason to Hiei's protectiveness of Yukina. In fact, Yuusuke knew quite a lot of things, he was far more observant than he let on. He knew that Kurama and Hiei had feelings for each other, Kurama was the only thing that saved them from the dragon on Hiei's arm a moment ago. Yuusuke had expected Hiei to do as Kurama had asked but he hadn't expected Hiei to blush when he saw Kurama and his infamous "puppy eyes". So Kurama has an affect on the little fire youkai.mused Yuusuke. He knew that if he said THAT out loud, Kurama would turn a few shades lighter than his hair again and Hiei would probably release the dragon on him too.so to be on the safe side, Yuusuke kept his thoughts to himself. Wait, thought Yuusuke, can't Hiei also read minds? Yuusuke turned to Hiei and sure enough, he was staring daggers right into Yuusuke's eyes.
"Well, I've got to be going now, I need to get to Keiko before she can think of the ways she can kill me if I'm late."
"Oh ya! Wait for me too Urameshi! I've got to get to Yukina too!" said Kuwabara.
Kuwabara had been laughing so hard that he got tired and had taken a nap. He had waken up right before Urameshi was walking off.
"See you guys later!" both boys called out to Hiei and Kurama.
"Say hi to Keiko and Yukina for us!" Kurama yelled back.
Turning back to Hiei, Kurama said, "We'd better get this to the Reikai before it gets dark here."
"Hn."