The hours of darkness had been long and sleepless, however wonderful and
needed. It had been a long time since Kurama had felt the wonderful and
loving touch of Hiei. The last time that Hiei had allowed himself to be
with in Kurama's presence like this was the night before they stole the
three artifacts from Koenma's father.
The night was actually much like this one, the stars were full and bright, and the moon was almost full and gave much light to the waxing sky. Kurama had been foreboding about the up coming day, and Hiei had spent the night. Shuchi's mother was in the hospital and therefore she was not home. Kurama had feared for her life. This was the only reason he had agreed to the demon's plan.
"Youko, why do you insist on doing that ningen homework?"
"I must pretend that I am a human Hiei, until tomorrow anyway." Kurama remembered saying, worrying about the day ahead, wondering if his human mother would last out long enough for the full moon to rise, so he could save her life.
"Kurama, you worry to much. Tell me, do you honestly love that ningen woman enough to kill yourself."
"Yes Hiei, I do."
Kurama remembered the look on Hiei's face when he said he was willing to give him life for a human, a human that showed the demon how to love, and be compassionate, caring, understanding, and all of which the great Youko Kurama had never been, up until now.
Shuichi rose out of bed and set his feet on the cold wooden ground, shaking the horrifying memories from him mind. The fire demon stirred a bit but quickly fell back into the dark sleep. Kurama spotted small almost unnoticeable scars down his back, reminding him of his strength, and taint. This was his true nature, the scars downing Hiei's back, the torture, the pain, all for pleasure.
"I'm sorry Hiei." The fox demon knelt down softly and kissed one of the scars. "You do not deserve this."
"Deserve what Fox?"
Kurama shot back in surprise, he had been certain Hiei lie asleep, but it was Hiei to sleep so softly. It was necessary for him to wake up at any slight movement, it meant he would live longer.
"It is only 6:30AM Hiei, sleep longer."
"Do not flee from the question Kurama. What were you talking about?"
"The scars on your back."
"You act as though I care about them Youko." Hiei leaned up. The sheet fell from his body revealing a well toned body, dark, and muscular, all have been touched by Kurama. He knew the body well.
"You may not care about them Hiei, but I do. Those scars are my doing." Kurama pulled the sheets off of himself, and stood up. His face a little red, because he had forgotten that he had no clothing on, and he was still quit aroused. That had to wait. He needed to go take a walk.
/I love Hiei, but he toys with me as though the nights we share are nothing, as though they are nothing more then just a stress relief. What if I said, I love you, what would he think. Would he retort my feelings, or would he express his for me? But then Serenity.../
"Where are you going Kurama?"
"I just need some time alone." Kurama quickly slipped on clothing and slid open his balcony door. "You can stay and sleep, I will be back shortly." He was just about to step off the railing, but he turned his view over to the fire demon.
/I couldn't just leave him like this, without anything. I had to show him I still cared./
Kurama stepped down and walked over to the bed. "Lie down Hiei."
"I am not some child like Serenity."
/ Right then I knew he understood my feelings for Serenity. That was not how I wanted it. I wanted them both. I still want them both./
Kurama slowly knelt down and pressed his lips against Hiei's. There was much passion, great passion. Hiei, pushed himself closer to Kurama and opened his mouth slowly slipping his tongue into Kurama's mouth. However Kurama quickly pulled away.
"Sorry Hiei, but I can't, not at the moment."
"I understand Fox." Kurama for some reason knew Hiei had understood. He had understood what Kurama was going through. Maybe he too was going through the same thing. But how, with who, why? "Go talk with Serenity. Tell her what is going on. She has a right to know."
"I will be back." There was a slight hesitation. "Hiei, I love you."
"Please Youko, that is a human emotion. Do not let yourself get involved in that."
Kurama sighed, that was just the reaction he had expected from Hiei. Kurama got up and jumped out the window to the near by tree, then to the ground. The dew on the grass made parts of his shoe wet. The sun had barely rose over the horizon, but all the trees seemed to beckon the warmpth of the sun. The rays beam worked so well with the water on the trees creating a wonderful light show.
The young demon walked down the road. A few lights still flickering not yet deciding to turn off. There was no wind to speak of, but Kurama took in the smell of morning, and closed his eyes listening to the beauty of the birds that flew past.
Serenity's home was not far from his own. She had gotten money for being an orphan, and was able to establish a place for herself, and keep it running, all the while still going to school. Kurama had to applause her for becoming part of the human world quickly, not even he, who was born again as a human in the human world had been able to adapt to the human ways so quickly, he was still learning.
He reached outside her door and stood there for a moment. This girl had once been so scared and alone, in a world full of demons who wanted to kill her but scared of her. But here she was, living, surviving, making something of herself. She had changed.
/But her eyes still hold that fear that she once held. She will never be normal, she knows that. Her eyes tell me that, yet, here she is, making the best of her life, and even helping Yusuke, and the rest of us, becoming a part of us. She has a right to know where we are going, and why. She needs to know./
"Kurama? What are you doing here? Its really early. Where is Hiei?"
/Her voice, her beauty of a voice singing out to me. I love her too./
"Hiei is at my place sleeping. He needs the rest."
"You all need the rest. Would you like to come in?"
Kurama nodded his hands still in his pockets, the wind throwing his hair aside, his emerald eyes confused and yet all knowing at times. "Thank you." He stepped forward and walked through the open door. It was weird to Kurama, but the open door seemed like an omen of some sort, maybe an opening between he and her, or maybe he was just thinking about it to much.
"Would you like anything to eat?"
"I wasn't expecting you to be up this early."
"I had an unexpected visitor. She woke me up. I was going to get back to sleep but then I sensed you coming."
Kurama shot her a glance then turned away. "I should have guessed. And no I just came to talk to you."
Serenity nodded and walked over to the stove and filled her kettle with water.
/Even her walk is beauteous, and swift, she was always swift. Always cunning. I am surprised she has not yet figured out the truth, she being so cunning, and intelligent. But what about Hiei, alone in my bed. Does he know, does he feel, does he understand?/
Kurama watched her carefully recalling the details of her movement, and her prison.
/This apartment was much better then that cell of hers, and the man, the man that took her from my sight, the man that had loved her, lusted for her, destroyed her./
Serenity was on the destroyed ring watching the crowed, with anger written all over her face. She was angry at the killing, angry at them for making her doing it, and angry for herself for allowing them to manipulate her into. Kurama recollected the moment in which her eyes meant his. They were a dark purple, angry, and scared, dangerous, and innocent, all together, all in one. However in that moment her eyes went back to their sage green, and her hair slowly turn strawberry blonde with green tips. Tears flooded her eyes, and a small scream escaped her lips.
Kurama's eyes caught a glimpse of the band on her neck lighting up with sparks. The water ran down her cheek as she fell to her knee in pain scratching at the band, willing to do anything to get it off her neck.
Out of the corner of the ring a man, human, tall, dark and handsome walked through the destroyed arena, two other men behind him wearing sun glasses, and suits. Kurama could tell they were body guards of some sort.
"Well done Serenity. Well done." He walked over to the fallen child and knelt down beside her. Kurama's heart sprang with jealousy at his touch, but at the time that hadn't made sense. He didn't know this girl, but as the human touched her face and turned her towards him and the smile of lust that split across his face, Kurama had to do everything to restrain himself from jumping over the wall and ripping him to pieces.
"You are making a good name for yourself Serenity. You will make a great asset to my team, with that move. Just make sure not to kill your own team."
"Fuck off..."
/Even as tears fell down her cheeks and you could tell she was screaming on the inside with pain, she still held her spunk, and never allowed that ass hole of a man to take that away from her./
"Kurama, lately you have been going in and out. I don't think that can be healthy." Serenity sat down next to Kurama and handed him a cup of steaming hot tea. "This might help you."
"Thank you Serenity." Kurama took a deep breath and took the tea in his hands and drank. The heat of the drink stung as it ran down his throat, but it was actually very refreshing. "Serenity..."
"I already know. The dark tournament, that's were you guys are off to next."
"You say that so matter a fact like."
"And how would you like me to say it."
Kurama gave an uncharacteristic shrug. "I guess there is no other way to say it."
"There are things you may need to know. Special invites take a ship there. Usually there are sixteen or seventeen other teams on the ship. You have to beat them all and be the only ones left alive, when you arrive. They play dirty. If you beat their team mates on the ring they will all attack you personally. So just take them out before you get there."
"How do you know this?"
Serenity raised a brow in sadness and her eyes looked glossed over in tears. "I was on the ship once before, and in the tournament, with Toguro and his brother."
"But..."
"This was a few years back, back when I was just a human kid with great control of my spirit energy, and I thought it would be cool, until I was on the ropes, I was so close to dieing, and then boom, my body changed and I had this huge mass of spirit energy running through out my body. I killed every single one of the members of the other team. When you first saw me I had had time to control my abilities better. Toguro will be in that ring. I am letting you know, him and his team members are the best of the best. I couldn't even beat Toguro, or his brother. All of you will have to be at your top to beat him. His main target however is Yusuke."
"How do you know all this?" Kurama asked stunned, surprised, confused. This was a part of her past that he had no clue about. It was something he didn't know about, until now.
"I am not that ignorant Kurama."
"I never said you were."
Serenity took a long drink of her tea and then lifted her head to the ceiling, her eyes closed in thought. Kurama had never seen her like this before. "I am scared to lose all of you. We are a team, ya know. I don't want to all of a sudden not ever seen you again."
"Serenity..."
"Hiei might be really worried about you."
"I promise you Serenity, we will be coming back, all of us."
"Never make promises that you don't know if you can keep. People may have other plans that you yourself are unaware of."
"We all will be coming back. But Serenity, promise me that you wont come. I don't think Makali will take kindly to seeing you again."
"I promise that if I am not needed I won't come."
/Serenity, shouldn't need to battle again. She does it because she wants to, but she shouldn't have to. She just shouldn't!/
Kurama watched her get up and wash the dishes, keeping his mind as clear as he could. She was right, Hiei was right. He needed his mind to be open, free of all things that could disable him in the tournament. This is how it had to be. Hiei knew it, and so did Serenity. Their where much similar then either one was willing to admit, out loud anyway.
"Serenity, stay safe."
She chuckled so softly and beautifully, and gave a wondrous smile dedicated to Kurama. "Me, stay out of trouble. I think you are talking to the wrong girl there Kurama." Serenity wiped her hands off on a hand towel and once again sat down next to him.
He saw the humor in his statement. Serenity was always standing up for herself or others, and that always some how got her into a fight. "Yes, I suppose that would be difficult for one such as yourself. I should be getting back. Hiei and the others are probably wondering where I am."
"Please stay safe Kurama." She rose to her feet and walked to the door opening it for him. Kurama still saw pain in her eyes, but it was much more relaxed, until now. Now she held fear as well.
"Things will work out Serenity. And we will win this tournament. If we don't, then we lose being able to see our loved ones. I don't think I could last in the underworld with out being able to see you and my mother again. Yusuke would go ballistic if he couldn't see Keiko again, and do I even had to start with Hiei and Kuwabara."
"I suppose you are right. But you all better be coming back, or else I will go down there and destroy all the demons in Makali myself."
They both chuckled, as Kurama stepped outside her door. He smiled. Having talked with her made him feel much better about going to the Dark tournament. Things were starting to look up. Slowly and without thinking he moved to her and kissed her. It was a simple kiss, but passion flew, and it was wondrous.
The night was actually much like this one, the stars were full and bright, and the moon was almost full and gave much light to the waxing sky. Kurama had been foreboding about the up coming day, and Hiei had spent the night. Shuchi's mother was in the hospital and therefore she was not home. Kurama had feared for her life. This was the only reason he had agreed to the demon's plan.
"Youko, why do you insist on doing that ningen homework?"
"I must pretend that I am a human Hiei, until tomorrow anyway." Kurama remembered saying, worrying about the day ahead, wondering if his human mother would last out long enough for the full moon to rise, so he could save her life.
"Kurama, you worry to much. Tell me, do you honestly love that ningen woman enough to kill yourself."
"Yes Hiei, I do."
Kurama remembered the look on Hiei's face when he said he was willing to give him life for a human, a human that showed the demon how to love, and be compassionate, caring, understanding, and all of which the great Youko Kurama had never been, up until now.
Shuichi rose out of bed and set his feet on the cold wooden ground, shaking the horrifying memories from him mind. The fire demon stirred a bit but quickly fell back into the dark sleep. Kurama spotted small almost unnoticeable scars down his back, reminding him of his strength, and taint. This was his true nature, the scars downing Hiei's back, the torture, the pain, all for pleasure.
"I'm sorry Hiei." The fox demon knelt down softly and kissed one of the scars. "You do not deserve this."
"Deserve what Fox?"
Kurama shot back in surprise, he had been certain Hiei lie asleep, but it was Hiei to sleep so softly. It was necessary for him to wake up at any slight movement, it meant he would live longer.
"It is only 6:30AM Hiei, sleep longer."
"Do not flee from the question Kurama. What were you talking about?"
"The scars on your back."
"You act as though I care about them Youko." Hiei leaned up. The sheet fell from his body revealing a well toned body, dark, and muscular, all have been touched by Kurama. He knew the body well.
"You may not care about them Hiei, but I do. Those scars are my doing." Kurama pulled the sheets off of himself, and stood up. His face a little red, because he had forgotten that he had no clothing on, and he was still quit aroused. That had to wait. He needed to go take a walk.
/I love Hiei, but he toys with me as though the nights we share are nothing, as though they are nothing more then just a stress relief. What if I said, I love you, what would he think. Would he retort my feelings, or would he express his for me? But then Serenity.../
"Where are you going Kurama?"
"I just need some time alone." Kurama quickly slipped on clothing and slid open his balcony door. "You can stay and sleep, I will be back shortly." He was just about to step off the railing, but he turned his view over to the fire demon.
/I couldn't just leave him like this, without anything. I had to show him I still cared./
Kurama stepped down and walked over to the bed. "Lie down Hiei."
"I am not some child like Serenity."
/ Right then I knew he understood my feelings for Serenity. That was not how I wanted it. I wanted them both. I still want them both./
Kurama slowly knelt down and pressed his lips against Hiei's. There was much passion, great passion. Hiei, pushed himself closer to Kurama and opened his mouth slowly slipping his tongue into Kurama's mouth. However Kurama quickly pulled away.
"Sorry Hiei, but I can't, not at the moment."
"I understand Fox." Kurama for some reason knew Hiei had understood. He had understood what Kurama was going through. Maybe he too was going through the same thing. But how, with who, why? "Go talk with Serenity. Tell her what is going on. She has a right to know."
"I will be back." There was a slight hesitation. "Hiei, I love you."
"Please Youko, that is a human emotion. Do not let yourself get involved in that."
Kurama sighed, that was just the reaction he had expected from Hiei. Kurama got up and jumped out the window to the near by tree, then to the ground. The dew on the grass made parts of his shoe wet. The sun had barely rose over the horizon, but all the trees seemed to beckon the warmpth of the sun. The rays beam worked so well with the water on the trees creating a wonderful light show.
The young demon walked down the road. A few lights still flickering not yet deciding to turn off. There was no wind to speak of, but Kurama took in the smell of morning, and closed his eyes listening to the beauty of the birds that flew past.
Serenity's home was not far from his own. She had gotten money for being an orphan, and was able to establish a place for herself, and keep it running, all the while still going to school. Kurama had to applause her for becoming part of the human world quickly, not even he, who was born again as a human in the human world had been able to adapt to the human ways so quickly, he was still learning.
He reached outside her door and stood there for a moment. This girl had once been so scared and alone, in a world full of demons who wanted to kill her but scared of her. But here she was, living, surviving, making something of herself. She had changed.
/But her eyes still hold that fear that she once held. She will never be normal, she knows that. Her eyes tell me that, yet, here she is, making the best of her life, and even helping Yusuke, and the rest of us, becoming a part of us. She has a right to know where we are going, and why. She needs to know./
"Kurama? What are you doing here? Its really early. Where is Hiei?"
/Her voice, her beauty of a voice singing out to me. I love her too./
"Hiei is at my place sleeping. He needs the rest."
"You all need the rest. Would you like to come in?"
Kurama nodded his hands still in his pockets, the wind throwing his hair aside, his emerald eyes confused and yet all knowing at times. "Thank you." He stepped forward and walked through the open door. It was weird to Kurama, but the open door seemed like an omen of some sort, maybe an opening between he and her, or maybe he was just thinking about it to much.
"Would you like anything to eat?"
"I wasn't expecting you to be up this early."
"I had an unexpected visitor. She woke me up. I was going to get back to sleep but then I sensed you coming."
Kurama shot her a glance then turned away. "I should have guessed. And no I just came to talk to you."
Serenity nodded and walked over to the stove and filled her kettle with water.
/Even her walk is beauteous, and swift, she was always swift. Always cunning. I am surprised she has not yet figured out the truth, she being so cunning, and intelligent. But what about Hiei, alone in my bed. Does he know, does he feel, does he understand?/
Kurama watched her carefully recalling the details of her movement, and her prison.
/This apartment was much better then that cell of hers, and the man, the man that took her from my sight, the man that had loved her, lusted for her, destroyed her./
Serenity was on the destroyed ring watching the crowed, with anger written all over her face. She was angry at the killing, angry at them for making her doing it, and angry for herself for allowing them to manipulate her into. Kurama recollected the moment in which her eyes meant his. They were a dark purple, angry, and scared, dangerous, and innocent, all together, all in one. However in that moment her eyes went back to their sage green, and her hair slowly turn strawberry blonde with green tips. Tears flooded her eyes, and a small scream escaped her lips.
Kurama's eyes caught a glimpse of the band on her neck lighting up with sparks. The water ran down her cheek as she fell to her knee in pain scratching at the band, willing to do anything to get it off her neck.
Out of the corner of the ring a man, human, tall, dark and handsome walked through the destroyed arena, two other men behind him wearing sun glasses, and suits. Kurama could tell they were body guards of some sort.
"Well done Serenity. Well done." He walked over to the fallen child and knelt down beside her. Kurama's heart sprang with jealousy at his touch, but at the time that hadn't made sense. He didn't know this girl, but as the human touched her face and turned her towards him and the smile of lust that split across his face, Kurama had to do everything to restrain himself from jumping over the wall and ripping him to pieces.
"You are making a good name for yourself Serenity. You will make a great asset to my team, with that move. Just make sure not to kill your own team."
"Fuck off..."
/Even as tears fell down her cheeks and you could tell she was screaming on the inside with pain, she still held her spunk, and never allowed that ass hole of a man to take that away from her./
"Kurama, lately you have been going in and out. I don't think that can be healthy." Serenity sat down next to Kurama and handed him a cup of steaming hot tea. "This might help you."
"Thank you Serenity." Kurama took a deep breath and took the tea in his hands and drank. The heat of the drink stung as it ran down his throat, but it was actually very refreshing. "Serenity..."
"I already know. The dark tournament, that's were you guys are off to next."
"You say that so matter a fact like."
"And how would you like me to say it."
Kurama gave an uncharacteristic shrug. "I guess there is no other way to say it."
"There are things you may need to know. Special invites take a ship there. Usually there are sixteen or seventeen other teams on the ship. You have to beat them all and be the only ones left alive, when you arrive. They play dirty. If you beat their team mates on the ring they will all attack you personally. So just take them out before you get there."
"How do you know this?"
Serenity raised a brow in sadness and her eyes looked glossed over in tears. "I was on the ship once before, and in the tournament, with Toguro and his brother."
"But..."
"This was a few years back, back when I was just a human kid with great control of my spirit energy, and I thought it would be cool, until I was on the ropes, I was so close to dieing, and then boom, my body changed and I had this huge mass of spirit energy running through out my body. I killed every single one of the members of the other team. When you first saw me I had had time to control my abilities better. Toguro will be in that ring. I am letting you know, him and his team members are the best of the best. I couldn't even beat Toguro, or his brother. All of you will have to be at your top to beat him. His main target however is Yusuke."
"How do you know all this?" Kurama asked stunned, surprised, confused. This was a part of her past that he had no clue about. It was something he didn't know about, until now.
"I am not that ignorant Kurama."
"I never said you were."
Serenity took a long drink of her tea and then lifted her head to the ceiling, her eyes closed in thought. Kurama had never seen her like this before. "I am scared to lose all of you. We are a team, ya know. I don't want to all of a sudden not ever seen you again."
"Serenity..."
"Hiei might be really worried about you."
"I promise you Serenity, we will be coming back, all of us."
"Never make promises that you don't know if you can keep. People may have other plans that you yourself are unaware of."
"We all will be coming back. But Serenity, promise me that you wont come. I don't think Makali will take kindly to seeing you again."
"I promise that if I am not needed I won't come."
/Serenity, shouldn't need to battle again. She does it because she wants to, but she shouldn't have to. She just shouldn't!/
Kurama watched her get up and wash the dishes, keeping his mind as clear as he could. She was right, Hiei was right. He needed his mind to be open, free of all things that could disable him in the tournament. This is how it had to be. Hiei knew it, and so did Serenity. Their where much similar then either one was willing to admit, out loud anyway.
"Serenity, stay safe."
She chuckled so softly and beautifully, and gave a wondrous smile dedicated to Kurama. "Me, stay out of trouble. I think you are talking to the wrong girl there Kurama." Serenity wiped her hands off on a hand towel and once again sat down next to him.
He saw the humor in his statement. Serenity was always standing up for herself or others, and that always some how got her into a fight. "Yes, I suppose that would be difficult for one such as yourself. I should be getting back. Hiei and the others are probably wondering where I am."
"Please stay safe Kurama." She rose to her feet and walked to the door opening it for him. Kurama still saw pain in her eyes, but it was much more relaxed, until now. Now she held fear as well.
"Things will work out Serenity. And we will win this tournament. If we don't, then we lose being able to see our loved ones. I don't think I could last in the underworld with out being able to see you and my mother again. Yusuke would go ballistic if he couldn't see Keiko again, and do I even had to start with Hiei and Kuwabara."
"I suppose you are right. But you all better be coming back, or else I will go down there and destroy all the demons in Makali myself."
They both chuckled, as Kurama stepped outside her door. He smiled. Having talked with her made him feel much better about going to the Dark tournament. Things were starting to look up. Slowly and without thinking he moved to her and kissed her. It was a simple kiss, but passion flew, and it was wondrous.