Disclaimer: Is in the first chapter. And will remain there.
Dedication: *has never dedicated stuff before* This chapter is hereby dedicated to Kuroi, who has offered to draw me pics, been an amazing friend, and did... some other stuff. ^_^ Here's to you! *burry's Kuroi in Hiei plushies*
AN Well... here's chapter two anyway. I'm mostly through planning this fic out. Just the ending chapters and editing and such. That's mostly how I've been spending my time. ^_^ I hope you don't mind that this chapter is mostly... blah. .() It will get better, I swear! Anyway, I'll try to update on Weekends, rather then sporaticaly. That should give me enough writing time during school. Eh-heh... just read.
Thanks to those who reviewed last chapter!
================================
Part 2: Secrets
Hiei took a brief moment to tell Yusuke to wait just a minute or two longer so that he and Kurama might get ready to go into public. And it took all of those two minutes to completely alter the two singers' appearances. With Yusuke watching, expression completely astonished, the red-head tied back his hair in a loose bun and hid it with a warm winter hat. The boy then pulled out a second hat, carefully placing it on Hiei's head.
The results from the hats alone were amazing. Hiei's whole appearance, including his expression and attitude softened. He seemed to become a small child, even going so far as to take hold of Yusuke's hand, enhancing the illusion. Yusuke was in too large a state of shock to protest. And Kurama, with his hair hidden, could become almost invisible in a crowd. His features sharped drastically, but without the frame of brilliant red hair, he became just another person taking his little brothers home from school.
Or at least, that's what Yusuke saw when he looked at them.
With an addition of mittens and scarfs the change had been completed and Kurama turned to look calmly at Yusuke. "Are you ready to go?" He asked, his voice holding a new note in it. He smiled at the boy before turning back down to make sure Hiei looked alright.
"Why do you do that?" Yusuke asked.
"Do what, oniisan?" Hiei said in a playful, child-like voice. He quieted when sent two warning glances.
Kurama didn't answer right away. It seemed as though he was looking for the right words to explain about the deception to Yusuke. "Surely you know how popular we are," he said finally, with a sad smile. "If someone were to recognize us in the streets we would be mobbed. However, we have found that by changing our appearances slightly, that can be avoided."
Hiei turned his large eyes first to Kurama, and then to Yusuke - offering them both a small, sweet smile. Then he spoke, breaking his illusion with his normal, deep voice. "Let's go find Yukina, Fox. I'm tired."
Kurama nodded with a smile before heading for the door. Hiei was pulled after them. Yukina, it turned out, was a girl who looked every bit as young as Hiei did. She wore a kimono that looked very similar to Hiei's, and a hat and mittens that matched as well. The two could pass as siblings. Without a word spoken, Kurama took the girls mittened hand in his own and began leading her down the street.
Yusuke just sort of drifted after them, barely aware he was still holding a famous singers hand. As they walked through the streets of downtown, he noticed that most people cast them only a curtsey glance before smiling and moving on. He also noticed that with the increasing darkness brought on by the setting sun, less and less people seemed to be on the streets. And while the sun set and the light slowly fadded from the sky, his three new companions seemed eager to reach their destination all the more quickly. He dimly wondered if he should be suspicious of the two people walking slightly ahead of him, and the third just to his side. He realized that following them home wasn't the brightest idea ever. He also realized that he knew nothing about them except their first names and that they could sing very well. Those were his vague, half concerned thoughts until Kurama and Yukina came to a stop outside of a cheap motel on the outskirts of town. The building was made of cheep brick and plaster, and it was very dirty. The other three didn't seem to notice this however, so Yusuke didn't comment. Hiei tugged Yusuke's hand and offered up a shy smile. The two stopped next to those in front of the door, waiting. Kurama was searching through his black duffle bag, which Yusuke's mind had just registered. Because of his sharp eyes, Yusuke could see some very formal, very clean clothes. But it seemed as though Kurama was carrying enough clothing for three people, most likely the reason that Hiei and Yukina weren't carrying their own bags. Either way, it was obvious Kurama was either looking for some sort of clearance card, or his Credits card.
The red-head slowly pulled out his Credits card, the newest way of carrying large amounts of money. Different currencies had been eliminated and the new, universal Credits had come out instead. So, instead of carrying cash that could be easily stolen - everyone at the age of nine or so, was issued a Credits card. Individual Credits were made of a green type of metal. Those Cretits were heavy and made stealing them or carrying them around a nuisance. The new system had minimized muggers, but brought out hackers, who were constantly hacking into bank files to transfer Credits to their own cards.
"This is where you guys live?" Yusuke asked, almost dumbstruck that two well known names were forced to live in such a dirty place. And what of Yukina? Why was she following these two around?
"No," Kurama said softly. "This is were we will sleep tonight. In a few days we'll be found and we'll have to take a train to another city." He sighed, "it's annoying but the only way we can keep safe." He inserted his card into the well lit "Pay-Pal" and hit the button for the room he wanted. He placed his hand on the fingerprint identifier - to confirm that he was the owner of the card - and waited for the confirming beep. With the beep heard, Kurama took his card back and waited for the doors to the motel to open.
They did so with a slow groan and the group of four entered the motel lobby. Kurama retrieved the key he had requested and began leading the two others down the hall for their room.
"We're in room one-thirty-two," the red-head told them. They nodded politely at the security guard standing opposite of the door to the lobby type of room and hurried off. They found the room and entered to see two double beds, a small cot nearly buried with extra blankets, a pay-to-view television set and a great view of the city. There was no bathroom, they would have to use the communal one at the end of the hallway. But there were beds with blankets and pillows, the door could be locked, and the window had no way of opening from the outside.
"Pretty good for thirty Credits." Hiei said softly - removing his hat and scarf before collapsing on one of the beds. Kurama let out a "Hmmm..." of agreement and followed his example - bouncing on the bed seconds later.
It was only when Yukina did the same, taking off her hat to display her almost teal colored hair that Yusuke began to realize that there had to be a hidden story behind these mysterious singers. It was obvious that they had known each other for a very long time - but where had they come from? The girl bounced on the bed with a giggle and immediately began pleading for a Credit to feed the television.
The two boys showed such familiarity and ease with each other that Yusuke quickly became uncomfortable. The two were obviously as close as brothers - and only as such. Even with Yukina, it was like they were a group of siblings. They had a dependency on each other that spoke volumes about their relationship and past together. Seeing them lying on the bed sent a wave of pain and loneliness through Yusuke. At least, until Kurama opened his brilliant green eyes and silently motioned the third boy over.
"Can you feel how alike we are?" He asked softly, green eyes following Yusuke's movements until he was perched on the bed.
Yusuke hesitated, not quite knowing how to answer. But somehow, he knew what Kurama meant. By just being with these three, his loneliness could be either eliminated or intensified. He knew that it was possible to share a closeness with them that he could never have with Keiko, or Kuwabara.
"We're kindred souls," Kurama continued. "We're brothers. I can see it in your eyes, in the way you talk and move. You're just as alone and hurt as we are."
Yusuke blinked, a feeling of anger rippling through him. He hated it when people tried to figure him out. He hated people prying into his life, his secrets. Two hot patches of anger appeared on his cheeks and he clenched his fists, opening his mouth to hurl hurtful words at Kurama.
Kurama abruptly lowered his eyes, obviously knowing he had offended the dark haired boy. Hiei and Yukina did so as well, knowing the words were not for them, but already being able to feel the sting. "Sorry," the red head said softly. "I didn't mean to offend you, or judge you. We don't even know each other very well yet, that was rude of me." He chanced a look back up at Yusuke.
"We've still got too many secrets Fox," Hiei said, his whole personality taking that of a sleepy child. "Tell him our secret and then let's get some sleep." Yukina nodded her agreement with a yawn, obviously as tired as Hiei.
Yusuke's anger completely disapated, as quickly as it had appeared. Those three people trusted him enough to tell him their secrets - just like that. He was at a loss for words. "You don't have to-" he started to say, trying to assure them that he trusted them, almost as much as they did him.
"I'll tell you mine and Hiei's secret," Yukina said boldly, sitting up and smiling affectionately at the boy nearly asleep on the bed. "We're twins."
Yusuke blinked, barely able to see the family resemblance. They were both small, almost child like. They both had red eyes, but that was about it. To his inexperienced eye, the two were complete opposites - not twins. Hiei seemed sure of himself, gruff, hardened. Yukina was a little more timid, innocent, quiet. Their whole personalities were nearly polar opposites, and their appearances did nothing to help the case. He blinked again when the tallest of those in the room moved into his field of vision.
"Don't you want to know my biggest secret?" Kurama asked with a mischievous smile. He didn't even wait until Yusuke answered - he stood up, still smiling, though it had changed from mischievous to grim. The red head slowly turned in a three hundred sixty degree circle, before his body outline started to blur. A moment later, a cloud of smoke engulfed him and swirled through the room. After the smoke cleared, Yusuke stared, dumbstruck, as a silver fox with golden eyes and five tails pawed at his leg.
Then, he fainted.
===
"Was the smoke really necessary?" Hiei asked the Fox, sitting up with a yawn. He wasn't amused when the animal nodded its head. "Well, make him comfortable on the bed - I'm tired... but I can't sleep without you." He reached up with one hand to untie the headband from around his forehead. With the strip of cloth gone, a third eye opened, looking completely out of place. The eye, his reason of running, was what granted him sleepless nights. Yukina, obviously knowing the signs of her brothers lack of sleep, carefully tucked him into the bed and moved to lay herself on the cot. She snuggled into the blankets and bid her brothers a sleepy good-night.
The Fox nodded again, first at Hiei, then Yukina - but this time he held no playfulness. The silver animal jumped onto the bed Yusuke was passed out on, nudged him until he was lying in a more comfortable position, dragged the top blanket over his body and turned to look over at his small companion. Poor Hiei, they really should have arranged to meet Yusuke some time the next day so that Hiei could get enough sleep. The little one was cursed with visions when he slept alone - and only by holding onto Kurama, or vise-versa, could he get decent, undisturbed sleep.
/I do feel sorry for him,/ Kurama thought to himself, knowing all to well that if he wanted to, Hiei could speak to him telepathically. /At least I can sleep at night./ Without a sound, Kurama jumped the distance between the two beds and curled up next to Hiei's half asleep form. Yukina couldn't sleep with him, she would freeze him to death. That is, if he didn't burn her first. For the longest time, it had been Kurama to hold the little one in his arms, helping him sleep, before that - he wasn't sure Hiei ever went to sleep unless he was drugged. Sure enough, two arms automatically wrapped around his furry body and hugged him close. After that, nobody moved until morning - when Yusuke woke up. The dark haired teen woke with only the thought that he needed to use the bathroom - until he spotted the two bodies lying on the bed opposite him. And the third lying on a cot coated with ice.
First to hold his eye was the small boy with spiky hair who had wrapped his arms around a very elegant looking fox. Both were still sleeping, and Yusuke was suddenly assaulted with memories of the night before. How he had met the two at the club, agreed to hear their story, and watched as Kurama had transformed into a fox. With a soft 'flump' Yusuke hit the bed in another dead faint.
The sound was enough to wake the Fox, who opened its mouth in a wide, toothy yawn, before wiggling out of Hiei's grasp. The movement woke Hiei, causing the boy to sit up and yawn, though not as wide. And that woke Yukina, who didn't look surprised in the least to find that her bed was covered in ice.
"Change back." Hiei said simply to the fox. The animal moved its head in what appeared to be a nod, before it blurred and became human. Or, almost human. It was Kurama, but with white in his hair and fox ears on the top of his head. The red haired half-fox slowly approached his newest friend (what he hoped was a friend, anyway) and carefully shook his shoulder.
"Yusuke?" He called softly. "Yusuke wake up, there are some things we need to talk about."
Large brown eyes blinked once, twice, before Yusuke managed to sit up. The boy rubbed his head. "What hit me?" He asked with a groan.
"A truth," Hiei said from the other bed, three eyes staring very steadily at the other. "And a secret, one of many. We can trust you with it, can't we?" Though his posture was that of confidence, there was a tiny hint of uncertainty laced in his voice. So faint that only Kurama and Yukina picked it up, having known Hiei for much longer than anybody else.
Yusuke stared, completely amazed at Hiei's three eyes. "You have..." he began, still staring at the third eye in Hiei's forehead. He was more fascinated then shocked, having had the night before to remain in a shocked state. "And Kurama's ears..." he reached out with a hesitant hand to stroke the fluffy tips.
To his surprise, Kurama's eyes fluttered shut and a deep purring sound erupted in his chest.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Yukina said, sounding amused. "He'll never let you stop."
Kurama opened one eye and glared at the girl with it. "No stop." He said firmly, twitching the furry ear a little closer to Yusuke's hand. He was like a big, human shaped kitten... except that he was a fox. The red-head sighed when the hand was removed. Yusuke grinned.
"Interesting." He said softly. "But, how do you have ears like that? How are you able to become a fox? Why does Hiei have three eyes? Why is she covered in ice? Isn't she cold? Are you demons or something?" His questions seemed endless. One brought forth another, and he spent nearly five minutes asking question after endless question.
"Enough." Hiei said firmly. He had long since retied his bandana over his third eye. Kurama had changed into his complete human form. And Yukina had removed herself from the cot so that the ice might melt.
"We're not demons." Hiei continued, looking down at the bedding he was twisting in his hands to avoid Yusuke's eyes. The sheets ripped neatly in two and he moved on to a different patch to receice the same results.
"We're runaway experiments."
================================
AN Eh-heh... well. Reviews are always nice. Leave me a couple and I'll update.
.
Dedication: *has never dedicated stuff before* This chapter is hereby dedicated to Kuroi, who has offered to draw me pics, been an amazing friend, and did... some other stuff. ^_^ Here's to you! *burry's Kuroi in Hiei plushies*
AN Well... here's chapter two anyway. I'm mostly through planning this fic out. Just the ending chapters and editing and such. That's mostly how I've been spending my time. ^_^ I hope you don't mind that this chapter is mostly... blah. .() It will get better, I swear! Anyway, I'll try to update on Weekends, rather then sporaticaly. That should give me enough writing time during school. Eh-heh... just read.
Thanks to those who reviewed last chapter!
================================
Part 2: Secrets
Hiei took a brief moment to tell Yusuke to wait just a minute or two longer so that he and Kurama might get ready to go into public. And it took all of those two minutes to completely alter the two singers' appearances. With Yusuke watching, expression completely astonished, the red-head tied back his hair in a loose bun and hid it with a warm winter hat. The boy then pulled out a second hat, carefully placing it on Hiei's head.
The results from the hats alone were amazing. Hiei's whole appearance, including his expression and attitude softened. He seemed to become a small child, even going so far as to take hold of Yusuke's hand, enhancing the illusion. Yusuke was in too large a state of shock to protest. And Kurama, with his hair hidden, could become almost invisible in a crowd. His features sharped drastically, but without the frame of brilliant red hair, he became just another person taking his little brothers home from school.
Or at least, that's what Yusuke saw when he looked at them.
With an addition of mittens and scarfs the change had been completed and Kurama turned to look calmly at Yusuke. "Are you ready to go?" He asked, his voice holding a new note in it. He smiled at the boy before turning back down to make sure Hiei looked alright.
"Why do you do that?" Yusuke asked.
"Do what, oniisan?" Hiei said in a playful, child-like voice. He quieted when sent two warning glances.
Kurama didn't answer right away. It seemed as though he was looking for the right words to explain about the deception to Yusuke. "Surely you know how popular we are," he said finally, with a sad smile. "If someone were to recognize us in the streets we would be mobbed. However, we have found that by changing our appearances slightly, that can be avoided."
Hiei turned his large eyes first to Kurama, and then to Yusuke - offering them both a small, sweet smile. Then he spoke, breaking his illusion with his normal, deep voice. "Let's go find Yukina, Fox. I'm tired."
Kurama nodded with a smile before heading for the door. Hiei was pulled after them. Yukina, it turned out, was a girl who looked every bit as young as Hiei did. She wore a kimono that looked very similar to Hiei's, and a hat and mittens that matched as well. The two could pass as siblings. Without a word spoken, Kurama took the girls mittened hand in his own and began leading her down the street.
Yusuke just sort of drifted after them, barely aware he was still holding a famous singers hand. As they walked through the streets of downtown, he noticed that most people cast them only a curtsey glance before smiling and moving on. He also noticed that with the increasing darkness brought on by the setting sun, less and less people seemed to be on the streets. And while the sun set and the light slowly fadded from the sky, his three new companions seemed eager to reach their destination all the more quickly. He dimly wondered if he should be suspicious of the two people walking slightly ahead of him, and the third just to his side. He realized that following them home wasn't the brightest idea ever. He also realized that he knew nothing about them except their first names and that they could sing very well. Those were his vague, half concerned thoughts until Kurama and Yukina came to a stop outside of a cheap motel on the outskirts of town. The building was made of cheep brick and plaster, and it was very dirty. The other three didn't seem to notice this however, so Yusuke didn't comment. Hiei tugged Yusuke's hand and offered up a shy smile. The two stopped next to those in front of the door, waiting. Kurama was searching through his black duffle bag, which Yusuke's mind had just registered. Because of his sharp eyes, Yusuke could see some very formal, very clean clothes. But it seemed as though Kurama was carrying enough clothing for three people, most likely the reason that Hiei and Yukina weren't carrying their own bags. Either way, it was obvious Kurama was either looking for some sort of clearance card, or his Credits card.
The red-head slowly pulled out his Credits card, the newest way of carrying large amounts of money. Different currencies had been eliminated and the new, universal Credits had come out instead. So, instead of carrying cash that could be easily stolen - everyone at the age of nine or so, was issued a Credits card. Individual Credits were made of a green type of metal. Those Cretits were heavy and made stealing them or carrying them around a nuisance. The new system had minimized muggers, but brought out hackers, who were constantly hacking into bank files to transfer Credits to their own cards.
"This is where you guys live?" Yusuke asked, almost dumbstruck that two well known names were forced to live in such a dirty place. And what of Yukina? Why was she following these two around?
"No," Kurama said softly. "This is were we will sleep tonight. In a few days we'll be found and we'll have to take a train to another city." He sighed, "it's annoying but the only way we can keep safe." He inserted his card into the well lit "Pay-Pal" and hit the button for the room he wanted. He placed his hand on the fingerprint identifier - to confirm that he was the owner of the card - and waited for the confirming beep. With the beep heard, Kurama took his card back and waited for the doors to the motel to open.
They did so with a slow groan and the group of four entered the motel lobby. Kurama retrieved the key he had requested and began leading the two others down the hall for their room.
"We're in room one-thirty-two," the red-head told them. They nodded politely at the security guard standing opposite of the door to the lobby type of room and hurried off. They found the room and entered to see two double beds, a small cot nearly buried with extra blankets, a pay-to-view television set and a great view of the city. There was no bathroom, they would have to use the communal one at the end of the hallway. But there were beds with blankets and pillows, the door could be locked, and the window had no way of opening from the outside.
"Pretty good for thirty Credits." Hiei said softly - removing his hat and scarf before collapsing on one of the beds. Kurama let out a "Hmmm..." of agreement and followed his example - bouncing on the bed seconds later.
It was only when Yukina did the same, taking off her hat to display her almost teal colored hair that Yusuke began to realize that there had to be a hidden story behind these mysterious singers. It was obvious that they had known each other for a very long time - but where had they come from? The girl bounced on the bed with a giggle and immediately began pleading for a Credit to feed the television.
The two boys showed such familiarity and ease with each other that Yusuke quickly became uncomfortable. The two were obviously as close as brothers - and only as such. Even with Yukina, it was like they were a group of siblings. They had a dependency on each other that spoke volumes about their relationship and past together. Seeing them lying on the bed sent a wave of pain and loneliness through Yusuke. At least, until Kurama opened his brilliant green eyes and silently motioned the third boy over.
"Can you feel how alike we are?" He asked softly, green eyes following Yusuke's movements until he was perched on the bed.
Yusuke hesitated, not quite knowing how to answer. But somehow, he knew what Kurama meant. By just being with these three, his loneliness could be either eliminated or intensified. He knew that it was possible to share a closeness with them that he could never have with Keiko, or Kuwabara.
"We're kindred souls," Kurama continued. "We're brothers. I can see it in your eyes, in the way you talk and move. You're just as alone and hurt as we are."
Yusuke blinked, a feeling of anger rippling through him. He hated it when people tried to figure him out. He hated people prying into his life, his secrets. Two hot patches of anger appeared on his cheeks and he clenched his fists, opening his mouth to hurl hurtful words at Kurama.
Kurama abruptly lowered his eyes, obviously knowing he had offended the dark haired boy. Hiei and Yukina did so as well, knowing the words were not for them, but already being able to feel the sting. "Sorry," the red head said softly. "I didn't mean to offend you, or judge you. We don't even know each other very well yet, that was rude of me." He chanced a look back up at Yusuke.
"We've still got too many secrets Fox," Hiei said, his whole personality taking that of a sleepy child. "Tell him our secret and then let's get some sleep." Yukina nodded her agreement with a yawn, obviously as tired as Hiei.
Yusuke's anger completely disapated, as quickly as it had appeared. Those three people trusted him enough to tell him their secrets - just like that. He was at a loss for words. "You don't have to-" he started to say, trying to assure them that he trusted them, almost as much as they did him.
"I'll tell you mine and Hiei's secret," Yukina said boldly, sitting up and smiling affectionately at the boy nearly asleep on the bed. "We're twins."
Yusuke blinked, barely able to see the family resemblance. They were both small, almost child like. They both had red eyes, but that was about it. To his inexperienced eye, the two were complete opposites - not twins. Hiei seemed sure of himself, gruff, hardened. Yukina was a little more timid, innocent, quiet. Their whole personalities were nearly polar opposites, and their appearances did nothing to help the case. He blinked again when the tallest of those in the room moved into his field of vision.
"Don't you want to know my biggest secret?" Kurama asked with a mischievous smile. He didn't even wait until Yusuke answered - he stood up, still smiling, though it had changed from mischievous to grim. The red head slowly turned in a three hundred sixty degree circle, before his body outline started to blur. A moment later, a cloud of smoke engulfed him and swirled through the room. After the smoke cleared, Yusuke stared, dumbstruck, as a silver fox with golden eyes and five tails pawed at his leg.
Then, he fainted.
===
"Was the smoke really necessary?" Hiei asked the Fox, sitting up with a yawn. He wasn't amused when the animal nodded its head. "Well, make him comfortable on the bed - I'm tired... but I can't sleep without you." He reached up with one hand to untie the headband from around his forehead. With the strip of cloth gone, a third eye opened, looking completely out of place. The eye, his reason of running, was what granted him sleepless nights. Yukina, obviously knowing the signs of her brothers lack of sleep, carefully tucked him into the bed and moved to lay herself on the cot. She snuggled into the blankets and bid her brothers a sleepy good-night.
The Fox nodded again, first at Hiei, then Yukina - but this time he held no playfulness. The silver animal jumped onto the bed Yusuke was passed out on, nudged him until he was lying in a more comfortable position, dragged the top blanket over his body and turned to look over at his small companion. Poor Hiei, they really should have arranged to meet Yusuke some time the next day so that Hiei could get enough sleep. The little one was cursed with visions when he slept alone - and only by holding onto Kurama, or vise-versa, could he get decent, undisturbed sleep.
/I do feel sorry for him,/ Kurama thought to himself, knowing all to well that if he wanted to, Hiei could speak to him telepathically. /At least I can sleep at night./ Without a sound, Kurama jumped the distance between the two beds and curled up next to Hiei's half asleep form. Yukina couldn't sleep with him, she would freeze him to death. That is, if he didn't burn her first. For the longest time, it had been Kurama to hold the little one in his arms, helping him sleep, before that - he wasn't sure Hiei ever went to sleep unless he was drugged. Sure enough, two arms automatically wrapped around his furry body and hugged him close. After that, nobody moved until morning - when Yusuke woke up. The dark haired teen woke with only the thought that he needed to use the bathroom - until he spotted the two bodies lying on the bed opposite him. And the third lying on a cot coated with ice.
First to hold his eye was the small boy with spiky hair who had wrapped his arms around a very elegant looking fox. Both were still sleeping, and Yusuke was suddenly assaulted with memories of the night before. How he had met the two at the club, agreed to hear their story, and watched as Kurama had transformed into a fox. With a soft 'flump' Yusuke hit the bed in another dead faint.
The sound was enough to wake the Fox, who opened its mouth in a wide, toothy yawn, before wiggling out of Hiei's grasp. The movement woke Hiei, causing the boy to sit up and yawn, though not as wide. And that woke Yukina, who didn't look surprised in the least to find that her bed was covered in ice.
"Change back." Hiei said simply to the fox. The animal moved its head in what appeared to be a nod, before it blurred and became human. Or, almost human. It was Kurama, but with white in his hair and fox ears on the top of his head. The red haired half-fox slowly approached his newest friend (what he hoped was a friend, anyway) and carefully shook his shoulder.
"Yusuke?" He called softly. "Yusuke wake up, there are some things we need to talk about."
Large brown eyes blinked once, twice, before Yusuke managed to sit up. The boy rubbed his head. "What hit me?" He asked with a groan.
"A truth," Hiei said from the other bed, three eyes staring very steadily at the other. "And a secret, one of many. We can trust you with it, can't we?" Though his posture was that of confidence, there was a tiny hint of uncertainty laced in his voice. So faint that only Kurama and Yukina picked it up, having known Hiei for much longer than anybody else.
Yusuke stared, completely amazed at Hiei's three eyes. "You have..." he began, still staring at the third eye in Hiei's forehead. He was more fascinated then shocked, having had the night before to remain in a shocked state. "And Kurama's ears..." he reached out with a hesitant hand to stroke the fluffy tips.
To his surprise, Kurama's eyes fluttered shut and a deep purring sound erupted in his chest.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Yukina said, sounding amused. "He'll never let you stop."
Kurama opened one eye and glared at the girl with it. "No stop." He said firmly, twitching the furry ear a little closer to Yusuke's hand. He was like a big, human shaped kitten... except that he was a fox. The red-head sighed when the hand was removed. Yusuke grinned.
"Interesting." He said softly. "But, how do you have ears like that? How are you able to become a fox? Why does Hiei have three eyes? Why is she covered in ice? Isn't she cold? Are you demons or something?" His questions seemed endless. One brought forth another, and he spent nearly five minutes asking question after endless question.
"Enough." Hiei said firmly. He had long since retied his bandana over his third eye. Kurama had changed into his complete human form. And Yukina had removed herself from the cot so that the ice might melt.
"We're not demons." Hiei continued, looking down at the bedding he was twisting in his hands to avoid Yusuke's eyes. The sheets ripped neatly in two and he moved on to a different patch to receice the same results.
"We're runaway experiments."
================================
AN Eh-heh... well. Reviews are always nice. Leave me a couple and I'll update.
.