AN: This chapter switches from Kurama's POV to Hiei's POV. There's a divider like this ~~~~~ to let you know there's a switch.

Seeing Isn't Believing
by Yami Yue

Chapter Three



Hiei returned after work to accompany me to our apartment. I headed to my mother's house first for a shower and a change of clothes. Yusuke and the others insisted on throwing us a housewarming party and I didn't want to show up in my work clothes. When we arrived our friends were waiting for us. Apparently they had just finished setting up when we arrived since the food hadn't come yet. To pass the time I chatted with Yusuke.

"Things seem to be getting serious with you and Keiko." I said to Yusuke. "It won't be long before you're married." Yusuke held up his hands. "Woah, things aren't getting that serious." The spirit detective replied. " . . . besides I wasn't the one who caught the bride's bouquet at your mom's wedding." I frowned. "You're never going to let me live that one down are you?" Yusuke grinned. "Nope." He replied. "You caught the bouquet, which means you're the next to get married." He added with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Judging by the looks Hiei's been giving you all day, things are a lot more serious between you two than Keiko and me." "As a matter of fact I bet you a hundred bucks that if you and Hiei do get married you'll be the bride." I raised my eyebrow at that. "You're not gonna back down from a challenge are you?" he teased. I shook my head. Yusuke had led me strait into his trap. "Alright I accept your bet." I said as we shook hands. There was a knock at the door and I excused myself to go answer it. I wasn't surprised to find Sata at the door. "Hi Shuichi." She greeted warmly. "Hello Sata." I responded as I moved aside to let her in. "I brought you something. I figured since you like plants even more than I do one more wouldn't hurt." She said as she handed me a small potted tea rose bush. "Thank you." I responded. I nearly paled when I realized the roses were red. Sata merely smiled at me and joined the others who were in an animated conversation about Inari knows what, all except Hiei of course who was watching me. I set the miniature rosebush down on the kitchen table as I heard Kuwabara's footsteps outside the front door. I silently thanked Inari for the distraction, not wanting to face my lover's reaction to Sata's gift. He knew what giving someone a red rose meant and I knew he would confront me about accepting her gift.

I opened the door to find Kuwabara struggling with several bags. Quickly I took one from him. "Thanks." He said as we set the bags down on the kitchen counter. "Did you get everything on the list?" Yusuke asked as he headed toward the kitchen. "Yeah, and some extra stuff too." Kuwabara replied as I helped him to unload the bags. I wasn't surprised that it was all junk food, considering Yusuke was the one that made the list. I was surprised however, that Kuwabara had actually brought some take out as well. Yukina got the plates from off the dining room table and brought them to the counter. I thanked her as she handed one to me, then began dishing up some of the food. I then went to join Hiei on the couch. He said nothing, but the look in his eyes said volumes. "Since this is your home too, the plant is actually a gift for both of us." I said softly. "I think the message was meant more for you than me Fox." Hiei murmured. "If that's the case the poor girl is going to be heartbroken." I responded. " I've already given my heart to you." I began eating, watching Hiei's expression with satisfaction when it softened into a half smile. "Smooth Shuichi …" my yoko side said with approval. "Very smooth."

All too soon it was getting late and the party ended. Yusuke and Keiko left first, then Shizuru. Kuwabara offered to walk Yukina back to Genkai's temple. The ice maiden accepted much to Hiei's displeasure. "I'm following them." Hiei murmured to me. "Don't wait up." I nodded. He waited until Yukina and Kuwabara had made it outside before vanishing in a blur of movement. I looked around the living room glad there wasn't much to clean up. "Need help with cleanup?" Sata asked. I shook my head. "There's not much, just a few glasses." I answered. Suddenly, I felt dizzy and fell to my knees. "Shuichi are you alright?" Sata asked as she moved to help me up. I stood to my feet with her help, feeling lightheaded. I felt sick to my stomach. "I think I'd better lay down." I said. "Suddenly I don't feel so well." "Come on let's get you to bed." Sata suggested. Supporting me with her weight we headed into the bedroom. I sat on the foot of the bed. She watched me warily for a moment and I smiled at her. "Thank you. I think I'll be alright now." I said. "You sure?" she asked. I nodded. "Alright. I'll check on you in the morning." She said then began walking slowly toward the door. I grabbed the bottom of my shirt and pulled it over my head, tossing it to the floor to be picked up in the morning. Another wave of dizziness hit me and I pitched forward certain I was going to fall to the floor. Sata saw and grabbed me, pushing me backward. I landed on the bed on my back with her arm pinned under me. Before I could thank her, my world went black.

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I entered the apartment through the sliding glass doors Kurama had left open. I noticed the fox hadn't bothered to pick up the little mess that had been left from the party. I'd noticed he'd seemed a little tired earlier, not long after dinner in fact. He must have been more tired than I thought. Still, something didn't seem right. I could sense another's spirit energy besides that of my beloved. Silently I headed toward the bedroom. The door had been left open, Kurama never slept with the bedroom door open. I placed my hand on the hilt of my katana and stepped in the doorway prepared to face anyone who dared to break into my lover's home. I froze at the sight that greeted me. Kurama was fast asleep, even in the dim light I could see his face was flushed. Curled up beside him was Sata, her head resting upon his bare chest. I could see the outline of her arm underneath the blanket covering them lying possessively over his waist. I nearly fell to my knees in shock. My heart shattered to pieces. Kurama had betrayed me! My heart tried to tell me that it couldn't be possible, that he wouldn't betray my love, but I couldn't believe it. Not when I was seeing them cuddled up that way. With all the speed I could muster I turned and left the apartment.

I didn't go to the treehouse, there were too many memories there I didn't need right now. Instead I settled for a tree in the park. I closed my eyes trying to shut out the image that haunted me. It was no use. I kept seeing him with her arms around his waist, covered only by a thin blanket, which only brought to mind other images of what might have gone on before I'd found them. I felt something fall into my palm and I opened my eyes in surprise. There in my hand sat a small tear gem. In the dim light of the night it glistened. Two more fell to join it. My sorrow turned to anger. I'd trusted him and he betrayed me, the one person I trusted most.

With a sigh I pocketed the tear gems and ran my hands through my hair. I should have known Kurama would betray me, but I'd hoped he wouldn't. Like a fool I'd believed him when he'd said he loved only me when all the while the evidence of his unfaithfulness was right in front of me. He'd been spending much of his time with the human girl, and less time with me, then there was the little rosebush she'd given him with red roses. Hadn't he been the one that told me that giving someone a red rose meant you loved them? Two more teargems fell into my open palms. This is why I'd always kept my distance, this is why I rarely trusted anyone. I knew I'd be the one to get hurt in the end. "Never again." I vowed to myself. "Never again will I give my heart to anyone."