HEY PEOPLES!!!!! ^-^
Sorry if there's been confusion. *sweatdrop* Guess I wasn't exactly clear . . . ANYWAYS in the summary when I said this 'will be a Kurama & Hiei fic' I meant IN THE FUTURE . . . sorry!!!! My fault!!!! Ok, but it'll get a little more interesting, I have a few chapters where it gets fun . . . then in, like, ch 5 we see a little bit of the shonen ai stuff . . . ok, well, hope you guys still want to read my little Kurama fic!!! ^-^ -Kita
Kurama: Oh, yes and by the way, Kita doesn't own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Kita: *gets all teary-eyed* He speaks the truth . . . please don't sue.
The Roots of a Rose by Kita — Part Three: Three Demons
The girl stood stock-still in the Ningenkai forest, her short black hair rustling in a light breeze. A quarterstaff was clutched in her right hand and the purplish chinese-style training outfit she wore was torn in many places. Then she suddenly moved to the side and a thorny whip lashed out where she had been a moment ago. In an instant she rushed to the source of the attack; catching a fleeting glimpse of red hair before it disappeared into the trees. Again she stood, the girl's left hand rising to jet black sideburns. The fingers came away in a fist, grasping something unknown. There was a rustle to the front and above her, and in a moment's time she had flung the objects to the spot. They transformed in the air to leaves, as sharp and round as any metal. Kurama read the path and dodged the lightning-fast razor-leaves easily, instead looking around him for a sign of Kashi. She came at him from above, tangling his whip up in the staff she was twirling above her. The thorns cut deep into her hands, and she cried out, letting both weapons fall to the ground; where they reverted to their less-deadly forms. She landed with a thud on the branch below, Kurama appearing above her, shaking his head.
"That wasn't smart. I'm surprised y—" He stopped abruptly when a razor-leaf shot past his face, leaving a small scratch in its wake. Kurama turned, now realizing what her plan had been all along. He'd never expected the leaves to return. Baka! He cursed himself, quickly raising his arms up to shield his face in an attempt to block the barrage of deadly foliage. He expected to feel the razor plants slice his arms, but when there was no pain, he looked up to see that they had gone. Then he was aware of Kashi chuckling below him.
"Hahaha. Baka kitsune. You didn't see that coming at all." He looked at her until she stood, meeting his gaze, then took hold of her injured hands with a small smile.
"Perhaps—but I'm not the one with the cut-up fingers." She smiled in return, taking her hands back and raising a finger to her remaining earring. The greenish liquid oozed out of the bead onto her hand and she carefully applied the cream to her cuts. The fresh scratches disappeared as the cream dissolved into her hands, there were now only smooth patches of milky green where the scratches had been. She held her fingers before her face with a mischievous grin.
'What—these? They'll be gone in a few hours." Kurama laughed softly as he pulled her hands down to her sides, running his fingers up her bare arms, causing small bumps to form.
"And what are we supposed to do now, nazo kitsune?" She embraced him gently, resting her head against his chest.
"Use your imagination, Kurama . . ." He drew her to him . . . her scent . . . not quite Shika, but still . . . it was so close . . . so familiar . . .
"Kashi—"
"Hm?" She replied from under his chin.
"That name—it doesn't suit you." He heard her laugh, though it was muffled by his shirt. She raised impish grey-blue eyes to equally amused green ones.
"I've often wondered, kirei kitsune—why do you call me that?"
"Because—" He leaned down to her, their faces a breath away. "Shika had ears—" He caressed the top of her head with one hand, the other sliding lower, until . . . "—and a tail." She started when his hand tightened in the spot just under where her tail would have been. The girl's cry of surprise was cut short by the kitsune's mouth, which had aggressively attacked hers just as she had opened it. She relaxed into the sweet caress of his tongue. After a few minutes they parted, their lips quivering at the contact and both panting slightly at the temporary loss of air. They slid to their knees on the wide branch and she leaned in toward him, causing Kurama to sit up and press his back against the trunk of the tree. She put her head on his chest again, hearing the steady cadence of his heartbeat and feeling the fox's warmth seep through the fabric. His arms encircled her, pulling her close . . . and she felt sleep come upon her, weighing down her eyes even as she sought to keep them open.
"Kirei kitsune?" She asked in a faint voice.
"Hai?"
"Ai shitteru." Just before she gave into the weariness, she heard him respond softly.
"Ore mata."
Kurama watched Kashi's breathing become slow and even; then looked up at the sky. The sun was setting; they had been sparring since the early morning. The kitsune-girl was resting peacefully in his arms. Of course she would be exhausted by now . . . to tell the truth he was hardly able to keep *himself* awake. As the twilight turned to night, the fox let his thoughts drift back to when he had first met this very unique girl . . . when they were both rei in Makai—
His silver ears twitched as youko Kurama sensed the presence of something drawing near. The three tails he had earned over the centuries straightened and he swiftly turned to where the spirit was emerging. It was a yon'na in vixen form, this one a light gold color with three tails like himself. He could tell by her scent that she was very old; perhaps even a rival to *his* age. Then, bold eyes had fixed on his own icy ones. Without fear the vixen had trotted up to him, her ears erect so as to hear the slightest sound; those silver eyes never leaving his golden gaze. A few feet away she had stopped, cocking her head in silent question. Then she had reverted to her two-legged form, though still retaining the fox ears and tail. Next she had bent down to him, her strangely light, golden hair short and the yellow half-kimono she wore hanging loosely about her.
"Well?" She disrupted the stony silence in an impatient tone. He just looked at her, and the silver eyes flashed. "What politeness, youko! The least you could do is show me who you are." She had then straightened, gazing over the tops of the Makai trees. "I don't recognize your scent—you must be some lowly fox spirit who has an overpowering ego." Then she had looked down at him condescendingly for a moment. Smirking mockingly, she went on. "I'll just have to defeat you, then—perhaps you will talk to me when you're on the ground begging for mercy, hmm?" Not being the rash type, he had simply held his temper in check at the arrogant vixen. The last straw had been at her mocking his abilities. To think that he, youko Kurama, could have encountered such an ignorant fool! She took out a seed from her temple and let it sprout. So . . . she was a plant-wielder like himself. The vixen grasped the stem of the ivy and leaves shot out from between her fingers, straight at him. He jumped aside nimbly and easily got in back of her. She didn't even turn . . . his speed was too great for the arrogant girl and soon she wouldn't be around to annoy him anymore. He pounced, biting deep into her leg, wrenching his teeth this way and that before releasing her and landing on the ground without effort. Expecting to see her crippled with pain, he was surprised to see the ivy from her hand wrapping around the wound and leaking a greenish liquid into it. The rips in her skin disappeared into nothingness and she spun around to face him, the arrogant smile still on her face.
"My, my—you're a barbaric one, youko. Why don't you let me see your face? Then I'll at least know who I've defeated." He emitted a low growl and she laughed. "Then show me your weapons, kitsune!" She came at him, brandishing the ivy-tree attached to her arm; the wood as sharp as metal. He watched her approach him calmly, then stepped to the side as she rushed past, swiping out, waiting for the feeling of her flesh giving way to his claws . . . but it never came. Right before his eyes she disappeared, he realized too late that there was no scent and was quickly struck from behind with the wooden sword. He registered as he fell that the image had only been a ploy to capture his attention. The fox landed with a thud on the ground, the sharp wooden sword at his throat. Kurama couldn't believe that a vixen with such cunning existed in Makai . . . she was one mysterious girl, to be able to defeat the great bandit so easily . . .
"*Now* will you let me see your face?" He looked up at her to see an amused silvery gaze. "I've no real urge to kill you, though if you *still* won't talk to me I'll just leave you to talk to yourself—in death." He pretended to swallow his pride and bowed his head. He was intelligent enough to accept defeat from a worthy opponent (until she took the sword away, at any rate) and, though no other would find out, the clever bandit that was youko Kurama had at last been out-foxed. So he slowly transformed to his other form though the wooden blade remained at his throat. Planning to use his physical attributes to the advantage, he raised a sideways glance consisting of half-closed golden orbs to the girl's face. Slowly youko Kurama repositioned himself so that she could see the muscled chest partially covered by his open tunic. A few strands of silver hair were draped over his shoulder as he began talking to her in his most seductive tone.
"Why don't you put that down. I don't believe you've told me *your* name, vixen." She smirked, but withdrew the weapon, calling the plant back to the small seed she had started with. Her eyes flickered over him as he lay back on his elbows, gazing at her indiscreetly with intense golden eyes. She met his stare after a moment. "Well, youko, I'll admit you've got looks." He stood, his tall frame just dwarfing her by a head, and stepped closer to the vixen.
"Do you wish to know my name?" Now she laughed.
"Still haven't figured it out yet, eh youko?' She shook her head in
mirth. "You're a dense one. To think I searched all over Makai for the 'legendary bandit' to only find that he's an arrogant fool. Hah!" His eyes widened slightly, but otherwise Kurama managed to keep his face expressionless. She then looked up at him, her silver eyes again sparkling with amusement.
"What a shame, Kurama. I expected so much more from you than just a pretty face." Then the youko found *himself* chuckling—mostly at being so utterly beaten by this—this—
"You're a mysterious vixen. I'm afraid I don't know *your* identity, though." She smiled.
"I am yon'na Shika. And I think—" she stepped up to him, silver eyes still shining with mirth. "*You're* going to need my help, kirei kitsune." His amusement mirrored hers.
"Perhaps I will, nazo kitsune . . ." / Hah; I'll use you until you're so blinded by 'trust' you'll no longer be so mysterious . . . and *then* you'll pay for this. / He thought with a smirk.
" . . . perhaps I will . . ."
Kashi stirred in her sleep and Kurama looked down at her fondly. On that day, so very many years ago, he had jumped into Shika's taunting game. The kitsune brushed away an ebony strand from her face. Back then he would have never imagined himself falling for *anyone* . . . let alone that quirky little vixen. Somehow she had tricked her way into his heart . . . and in the end he had done everything in his power to keep her alive. Fatigue at last stole away Kurama's conscious thought and he drifted off—too tired to register the swiftly approaching ki of a certain fire demon.
Hiei swept easily through the ningen forest, searching for the two rei kitsune that would be training here. Unable to find them, the short demon uncovered his Jagan for a moment, pulling the headband down with two fingers. The unnatural eye glowed red as it searched for the other demons . . . and found them. Hiei covered it once more and in a blur of shadow had disappeared into the darkness of the trees in the direction where the two foxes lay.
He came upon them after a while, finding a strangely peaceful scene below him. On a sturdy branch, Kurama and the girl were sleeping. Hiei felt a tinge of . . . something . . . some emotion . . . as he gazed upon the two sleeping demons. Shika was snuggled up against the kitsune's chest, and the redhead held her in a protective embrace. The sun was nearly spent as the last lingering shadows cast themselves upon the two oblivious lovers.
"Hn." Finding nothing else to say, and for once not wanting to play the antagonist, Hiei gathered some wood and set it down in the nearby clearing. The ground was marred by the footprints and weapons of the two bandits; and under the branch where they slept he found a single rose and a circular wooden bead. In an instant he had picked them up and stored them in his pocket. Or the bead, at least. He stood staring at the rose in his hand, transfixed by how, with but a small burst of ki, Kurama could turn the delicate flower into his weapon of choice. The fire demon started to lightly touch the soft petals of the flower, tracing his finger down to the stem and carefully around the thorns. Kurama . . . a bird taking flight alerted him to his surroundings and the rose was dropped in an instant. Jumping up a tree close by, Hiei found a spot hidden from the two kitsune and situated himself for the night. He may not have been training, but even the fire demon need to rest every now and then. Staring straight through the foliage at the two foxes he leaned against the trunk of his tree and stayed that way until the moon was quite high. Of course, he neither blinked nor moved, but he felt no discomfort. No enemy would ever suspect that the fire youkai had taught himself to sleep with his eyes open. And even then Hiei slept lightly, always on guard for the unexpected.
Kurama woke to find Kashi sleeping peacefully against him. At first he wondered what had caused him to wake, but then noticed the illumination of the early morning sun filtering through the leaves. After a few minutes the light had found the kitsune-girl's face as well, and she winced in her sleep at the sun. Soon, though, she opened her eyes and slowly pulled away . . . those silver orbs finding his own.
"Ohayo, Kurama." She smiled sleepily.
"Ohayo." She covered a yawn with her fingers and stood, stretching.
"Well, I'll go about and find us breakfast." She took something from her hair and in an instant the girl was holding a very leafy-looking sword. Slightly more awake now, she bent down to kiss him on the cheek. "I'll be back soon, so don't you go back to sleep, kirei kitsune." Upon receiving a small smile from him, she jumped down easily from the tree and disappeared into the forest, running lightly over the dew-topped grass. Kurama sighed and brought his left knee up, holding it steady with both hands as he tilted his head up against the trunk to watch the sun light the surrounding trees.
Hearing a soft thud, Hiei started awake just in time to see Shika run off into the woods, the glint of a sword in her hand. The demon blinked and brought his gaze back to the tree where the two had slept. A breathtaking sight met his eyes. Kurama was staring up into the tree, a satisfied smile on his face. The emerald eyes sparkled a deeper shade of green when placed in front of the bright leaves behind them. Hiei caught his breath when the bandit stood, the sun shining off his red locks as he shook them free of bits of leaves and tree bark. The kitsune tilted his head and placed his right hand on the bark of the tree briefly, then turned completely away from Hiei, the long red hair looking silky and full. Kurama was so . . . beautiful . . . he wanted to—no! Hiei stopped himself. What was he thinking?! Baka! Falling back into his usual gruff personality the fire demon skitted over to the branch where the kitsune was standing, the redhead still admiring the beauty of the forest.
A dark breeze rustled next to him. Kurama closed his eyes to the sun and spoke before turning to face his short friend.
"Hiei . . . you're late."
"Hn." The fire demon snorted. Kurama went on, undaunted.
"We've been waiting since yesterday, you know." His tone became playful. "Kashi and I were beginning to think you had found someone else to train with. Perhaps . . . Kuwabara?"
"Hn. Baka ningen." He scoffed. Kurama went on, emerald eyes sparkling amusedly.
"Well, when you say you'll meet us at sunrise to train we suppose you'll be there on time."
"Hn." Hiei turned his gaze away from the fox, not wanting Kurama to see what was in his eyes. / Baka! Why am I having all these confusing thoughts . . . I've always known that Kurama looked a bit . . . feminine . . . but it's never been like this . . . what's *wrong* with me!? /
"Hiei?" Was it him . . . or did the fox's voice sound a bit . . . concerned . . .
"Hn." The fire demon turned away from the kitsune. He would just ignore Kurama for the moment, wait for the confusing thoughts to recede and . . . he felt a warm hand on his shoulder.
"Are you injured?" He jerked away from the touch, not meeting Kurama's puzzled gaze.
"Hiei—" In the corner of his eye he saw the kitsune take a step toward him. The fire demon backed away from the fox. Kurama stopped, his voice carrying a slightly greater tone of concern this time.
"What's the matter? Did something happen with Yukina?" Hiei's temper was beginning to simmer . . . the confusing thoughts, Kurama's attentive concern for him . . . it was all building and the fire demon was afraid he would end up saying or doing something he would regret.
"Hn." He finally responded. "I'm fine." Keeping his eyes away from Kurama's face, Hiei sprang up into the branches high above the two demons.
"Hiei!" Kurama called up after him. The fire youkai practically snapped back his reply.
"Leave me alone."
Taken aback by his friend's unnaturally grouchy disposition, Kurama at last resolved to respect the little youkai's wishes and leave him alone. Hiei was clearly distraught about something, but . . . if Kurama had learned *anything* about the fire demon, it was that he would . . . eventually . . . open up. Contrary to the fire youkai's impatience with others, he himself would take a while to reveal things. Sighing, Kurama jumped down from the tree to start a fire for when Kashi returned with her catch. He smiled to himself. At least he had *someone* that he knew would always be there for him . . .
Kita: Well..............what do you think?
Hiei: You really want to know.
Kita: *nods eagerly* Yes!!
Hiei: It sucks.
Kita: -_-.................Gee, thanks a lot. Well, hope you guys keep reading!!! ^-^ (Even if it sucks........*glares at Hiei*)
Hiei: Hn.
Sorry if there's been confusion. *sweatdrop* Guess I wasn't exactly clear . . . ANYWAYS in the summary when I said this 'will be a Kurama & Hiei fic' I meant IN THE FUTURE . . . sorry!!!! My fault!!!! Ok, but it'll get a little more interesting, I have a few chapters where it gets fun . . . then in, like, ch 5 we see a little bit of the shonen ai stuff . . . ok, well, hope you guys still want to read my little Kurama fic!!! ^-^ -Kita
Kurama: Oh, yes and by the way, Kita doesn't own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Kita: *gets all teary-eyed* He speaks the truth . . . please don't sue.
The Roots of a Rose by Kita — Part Three: Three Demons
The girl stood stock-still in the Ningenkai forest, her short black hair rustling in a light breeze. A quarterstaff was clutched in her right hand and the purplish chinese-style training outfit she wore was torn in many places. Then she suddenly moved to the side and a thorny whip lashed out where she had been a moment ago. In an instant she rushed to the source of the attack; catching a fleeting glimpse of red hair before it disappeared into the trees. Again she stood, the girl's left hand rising to jet black sideburns. The fingers came away in a fist, grasping something unknown. There was a rustle to the front and above her, and in a moment's time she had flung the objects to the spot. They transformed in the air to leaves, as sharp and round as any metal. Kurama read the path and dodged the lightning-fast razor-leaves easily, instead looking around him for a sign of Kashi. She came at him from above, tangling his whip up in the staff she was twirling above her. The thorns cut deep into her hands, and she cried out, letting both weapons fall to the ground; where they reverted to their less-deadly forms. She landed with a thud on the branch below, Kurama appearing above her, shaking his head.
"That wasn't smart. I'm surprised y—" He stopped abruptly when a razor-leaf shot past his face, leaving a small scratch in its wake. Kurama turned, now realizing what her plan had been all along. He'd never expected the leaves to return. Baka! He cursed himself, quickly raising his arms up to shield his face in an attempt to block the barrage of deadly foliage. He expected to feel the razor plants slice his arms, but when there was no pain, he looked up to see that they had gone. Then he was aware of Kashi chuckling below him.
"Hahaha. Baka kitsune. You didn't see that coming at all." He looked at her until she stood, meeting his gaze, then took hold of her injured hands with a small smile.
"Perhaps—but I'm not the one with the cut-up fingers." She smiled in return, taking her hands back and raising a finger to her remaining earring. The greenish liquid oozed out of the bead onto her hand and she carefully applied the cream to her cuts. The fresh scratches disappeared as the cream dissolved into her hands, there were now only smooth patches of milky green where the scratches had been. She held her fingers before her face with a mischievous grin.
'What—these? They'll be gone in a few hours." Kurama laughed softly as he pulled her hands down to her sides, running his fingers up her bare arms, causing small bumps to form.
"And what are we supposed to do now, nazo kitsune?" She embraced him gently, resting her head against his chest.
"Use your imagination, Kurama . . ." He drew her to him . . . her scent . . . not quite Shika, but still . . . it was so close . . . so familiar . . .
"Kashi—"
"Hm?" She replied from under his chin.
"That name—it doesn't suit you." He heard her laugh, though it was muffled by his shirt. She raised impish grey-blue eyes to equally amused green ones.
"I've often wondered, kirei kitsune—why do you call me that?"
"Because—" He leaned down to her, their faces a breath away. "Shika had ears—" He caressed the top of her head with one hand, the other sliding lower, until . . . "—and a tail." She started when his hand tightened in the spot just under where her tail would have been. The girl's cry of surprise was cut short by the kitsune's mouth, which had aggressively attacked hers just as she had opened it. She relaxed into the sweet caress of his tongue. After a few minutes they parted, their lips quivering at the contact and both panting slightly at the temporary loss of air. They slid to their knees on the wide branch and she leaned in toward him, causing Kurama to sit up and press his back against the trunk of the tree. She put her head on his chest again, hearing the steady cadence of his heartbeat and feeling the fox's warmth seep through the fabric. His arms encircled her, pulling her close . . . and she felt sleep come upon her, weighing down her eyes even as she sought to keep them open.
"Kirei kitsune?" She asked in a faint voice.
"Hai?"
"Ai shitteru." Just before she gave into the weariness, she heard him respond softly.
"Ore mata."
Kurama watched Kashi's breathing become slow and even; then looked up at the sky. The sun was setting; they had been sparring since the early morning. The kitsune-girl was resting peacefully in his arms. Of course she would be exhausted by now . . . to tell the truth he was hardly able to keep *himself* awake. As the twilight turned to night, the fox let his thoughts drift back to when he had first met this very unique girl . . . when they were both rei in Makai—
His silver ears twitched as youko Kurama sensed the presence of something drawing near. The three tails he had earned over the centuries straightened and he swiftly turned to where the spirit was emerging. It was a yon'na in vixen form, this one a light gold color with three tails like himself. He could tell by her scent that she was very old; perhaps even a rival to *his* age. Then, bold eyes had fixed on his own icy ones. Without fear the vixen had trotted up to him, her ears erect so as to hear the slightest sound; those silver eyes never leaving his golden gaze. A few feet away she had stopped, cocking her head in silent question. Then she had reverted to her two-legged form, though still retaining the fox ears and tail. Next she had bent down to him, her strangely light, golden hair short and the yellow half-kimono she wore hanging loosely about her.
"Well?" She disrupted the stony silence in an impatient tone. He just looked at her, and the silver eyes flashed. "What politeness, youko! The least you could do is show me who you are." She had then straightened, gazing over the tops of the Makai trees. "I don't recognize your scent—you must be some lowly fox spirit who has an overpowering ego." Then she had looked down at him condescendingly for a moment. Smirking mockingly, she went on. "I'll just have to defeat you, then—perhaps you will talk to me when you're on the ground begging for mercy, hmm?" Not being the rash type, he had simply held his temper in check at the arrogant vixen. The last straw had been at her mocking his abilities. To think that he, youko Kurama, could have encountered such an ignorant fool! She took out a seed from her temple and let it sprout. So . . . she was a plant-wielder like himself. The vixen grasped the stem of the ivy and leaves shot out from between her fingers, straight at him. He jumped aside nimbly and easily got in back of her. She didn't even turn . . . his speed was too great for the arrogant girl and soon she wouldn't be around to annoy him anymore. He pounced, biting deep into her leg, wrenching his teeth this way and that before releasing her and landing on the ground without effort. Expecting to see her crippled with pain, he was surprised to see the ivy from her hand wrapping around the wound and leaking a greenish liquid into it. The rips in her skin disappeared into nothingness and she spun around to face him, the arrogant smile still on her face.
"My, my—you're a barbaric one, youko. Why don't you let me see your face? Then I'll at least know who I've defeated." He emitted a low growl and she laughed. "Then show me your weapons, kitsune!" She came at him, brandishing the ivy-tree attached to her arm; the wood as sharp as metal. He watched her approach him calmly, then stepped to the side as she rushed past, swiping out, waiting for the feeling of her flesh giving way to his claws . . . but it never came. Right before his eyes she disappeared, he realized too late that there was no scent and was quickly struck from behind with the wooden sword. He registered as he fell that the image had only been a ploy to capture his attention. The fox landed with a thud on the ground, the sharp wooden sword at his throat. Kurama couldn't believe that a vixen with such cunning existed in Makai . . . she was one mysterious girl, to be able to defeat the great bandit so easily . . .
"*Now* will you let me see your face?" He looked up at her to see an amused silvery gaze. "I've no real urge to kill you, though if you *still* won't talk to me I'll just leave you to talk to yourself—in death." He pretended to swallow his pride and bowed his head. He was intelligent enough to accept defeat from a worthy opponent (until she took the sword away, at any rate) and, though no other would find out, the clever bandit that was youko Kurama had at last been out-foxed. So he slowly transformed to his other form though the wooden blade remained at his throat. Planning to use his physical attributes to the advantage, he raised a sideways glance consisting of half-closed golden orbs to the girl's face. Slowly youko Kurama repositioned himself so that she could see the muscled chest partially covered by his open tunic. A few strands of silver hair were draped over his shoulder as he began talking to her in his most seductive tone.
"Why don't you put that down. I don't believe you've told me *your* name, vixen." She smirked, but withdrew the weapon, calling the plant back to the small seed she had started with. Her eyes flickered over him as he lay back on his elbows, gazing at her indiscreetly with intense golden eyes. She met his stare after a moment. "Well, youko, I'll admit you've got looks." He stood, his tall frame just dwarfing her by a head, and stepped closer to the vixen.
"Do you wish to know my name?" Now she laughed.
"Still haven't figured it out yet, eh youko?' She shook her head in
mirth. "You're a dense one. To think I searched all over Makai for the 'legendary bandit' to only find that he's an arrogant fool. Hah!" His eyes widened slightly, but otherwise Kurama managed to keep his face expressionless. She then looked up at him, her silver eyes again sparkling with amusement.
"What a shame, Kurama. I expected so much more from you than just a pretty face." Then the youko found *himself* chuckling—mostly at being so utterly beaten by this—this—
"You're a mysterious vixen. I'm afraid I don't know *your* identity, though." She smiled.
"I am yon'na Shika. And I think—" she stepped up to him, silver eyes still shining with mirth. "*You're* going to need my help, kirei kitsune." His amusement mirrored hers.
"Perhaps I will, nazo kitsune . . ." / Hah; I'll use you until you're so blinded by 'trust' you'll no longer be so mysterious . . . and *then* you'll pay for this. / He thought with a smirk.
" . . . perhaps I will . . ."
Kashi stirred in her sleep and Kurama looked down at her fondly. On that day, so very many years ago, he had jumped into Shika's taunting game. The kitsune brushed away an ebony strand from her face. Back then he would have never imagined himself falling for *anyone* . . . let alone that quirky little vixen. Somehow she had tricked her way into his heart . . . and in the end he had done everything in his power to keep her alive. Fatigue at last stole away Kurama's conscious thought and he drifted off—too tired to register the swiftly approaching ki of a certain fire demon.
Hiei swept easily through the ningen forest, searching for the two rei kitsune that would be training here. Unable to find them, the short demon uncovered his Jagan for a moment, pulling the headband down with two fingers. The unnatural eye glowed red as it searched for the other demons . . . and found them. Hiei covered it once more and in a blur of shadow had disappeared into the darkness of the trees in the direction where the two foxes lay.
He came upon them after a while, finding a strangely peaceful scene below him. On a sturdy branch, Kurama and the girl were sleeping. Hiei felt a tinge of . . . something . . . some emotion . . . as he gazed upon the two sleeping demons. Shika was snuggled up against the kitsune's chest, and the redhead held her in a protective embrace. The sun was nearly spent as the last lingering shadows cast themselves upon the two oblivious lovers.
"Hn." Finding nothing else to say, and for once not wanting to play the antagonist, Hiei gathered some wood and set it down in the nearby clearing. The ground was marred by the footprints and weapons of the two bandits; and under the branch where they slept he found a single rose and a circular wooden bead. In an instant he had picked them up and stored them in his pocket. Or the bead, at least. He stood staring at the rose in his hand, transfixed by how, with but a small burst of ki, Kurama could turn the delicate flower into his weapon of choice. The fire demon started to lightly touch the soft petals of the flower, tracing his finger down to the stem and carefully around the thorns. Kurama . . . a bird taking flight alerted him to his surroundings and the rose was dropped in an instant. Jumping up a tree close by, Hiei found a spot hidden from the two kitsune and situated himself for the night. He may not have been training, but even the fire demon need to rest every now and then. Staring straight through the foliage at the two foxes he leaned against the trunk of his tree and stayed that way until the moon was quite high. Of course, he neither blinked nor moved, but he felt no discomfort. No enemy would ever suspect that the fire youkai had taught himself to sleep with his eyes open. And even then Hiei slept lightly, always on guard for the unexpected.
Kurama woke to find Kashi sleeping peacefully against him. At first he wondered what had caused him to wake, but then noticed the illumination of the early morning sun filtering through the leaves. After a few minutes the light had found the kitsune-girl's face as well, and she winced in her sleep at the sun. Soon, though, she opened her eyes and slowly pulled away . . . those silver orbs finding his own.
"Ohayo, Kurama." She smiled sleepily.
"Ohayo." She covered a yawn with her fingers and stood, stretching.
"Well, I'll go about and find us breakfast." She took something from her hair and in an instant the girl was holding a very leafy-looking sword. Slightly more awake now, she bent down to kiss him on the cheek. "I'll be back soon, so don't you go back to sleep, kirei kitsune." Upon receiving a small smile from him, she jumped down easily from the tree and disappeared into the forest, running lightly over the dew-topped grass. Kurama sighed and brought his left knee up, holding it steady with both hands as he tilted his head up against the trunk to watch the sun light the surrounding trees.
Hearing a soft thud, Hiei started awake just in time to see Shika run off into the woods, the glint of a sword in her hand. The demon blinked and brought his gaze back to the tree where the two had slept. A breathtaking sight met his eyes. Kurama was staring up into the tree, a satisfied smile on his face. The emerald eyes sparkled a deeper shade of green when placed in front of the bright leaves behind them. Hiei caught his breath when the bandit stood, the sun shining off his red locks as he shook them free of bits of leaves and tree bark. The kitsune tilted his head and placed his right hand on the bark of the tree briefly, then turned completely away from Hiei, the long red hair looking silky and full. Kurama was so . . . beautiful . . . he wanted to—no! Hiei stopped himself. What was he thinking?! Baka! Falling back into his usual gruff personality the fire demon skitted over to the branch where the kitsune was standing, the redhead still admiring the beauty of the forest.
A dark breeze rustled next to him. Kurama closed his eyes to the sun and spoke before turning to face his short friend.
"Hiei . . . you're late."
"Hn." The fire demon snorted. Kurama went on, undaunted.
"We've been waiting since yesterday, you know." His tone became playful. "Kashi and I were beginning to think you had found someone else to train with. Perhaps . . . Kuwabara?"
"Hn. Baka ningen." He scoffed. Kurama went on, emerald eyes sparkling amusedly.
"Well, when you say you'll meet us at sunrise to train we suppose you'll be there on time."
"Hn." Hiei turned his gaze away from the fox, not wanting Kurama to see what was in his eyes. / Baka! Why am I having all these confusing thoughts . . . I've always known that Kurama looked a bit . . . feminine . . . but it's never been like this . . . what's *wrong* with me!? /
"Hiei?" Was it him . . . or did the fox's voice sound a bit . . . concerned . . .
"Hn." The fire demon turned away from the kitsune. He would just ignore Kurama for the moment, wait for the confusing thoughts to recede and . . . he felt a warm hand on his shoulder.
"Are you injured?" He jerked away from the touch, not meeting Kurama's puzzled gaze.
"Hiei—" In the corner of his eye he saw the kitsune take a step toward him. The fire demon backed away from the fox. Kurama stopped, his voice carrying a slightly greater tone of concern this time.
"What's the matter? Did something happen with Yukina?" Hiei's temper was beginning to simmer . . . the confusing thoughts, Kurama's attentive concern for him . . . it was all building and the fire demon was afraid he would end up saying or doing something he would regret.
"Hn." He finally responded. "I'm fine." Keeping his eyes away from Kurama's face, Hiei sprang up into the branches high above the two demons.
"Hiei!" Kurama called up after him. The fire youkai practically snapped back his reply.
"Leave me alone."
Taken aback by his friend's unnaturally grouchy disposition, Kurama at last resolved to respect the little youkai's wishes and leave him alone. Hiei was clearly distraught about something, but . . . if Kurama had learned *anything* about the fire demon, it was that he would . . . eventually . . . open up. Contrary to the fire youkai's impatience with others, he himself would take a while to reveal things. Sighing, Kurama jumped down from the tree to start a fire for when Kashi returned with her catch. He smiled to himself. At least he had *someone* that he knew would always be there for him . . .
Kita: Well..............what do you think?
Hiei: You really want to know.
Kita: *nods eagerly* Yes!!
Hiei: It sucks.
Kita: -_-.................Gee, thanks a lot. Well, hope you guys keep reading!!! ^-^ (Even if it sucks........*glares at Hiei*)
Hiei: Hn.