Sorry for the late update this time. There are things in this chapter that
I have never written before.
Kurama's POV
My heart was pounding vigorously and my mind was screwed into a mess. I shut my eyes, trying to calm myself. A sting sensation came form my palms, and I felt a sticky liquid seep through my tightly clenched fingers. Blood. A fist drop touched the ground, with a slight sickening splat. A second drop, a third drop.
"This type of poison is the most venomous, but most taboo in the Makai. Powerful as it is, very little people use it. The poison varies greatly, and none of it is the same, because it contains the blood of the maker. Once your blood is mixed into the solution, you will be cursed for life, and a punishment will befall, worse than your imagination. It cannot be made twice by the same person," I explained after I had found my voice, and some part of my sanity back.
"How does people get poisoned?" Hiei asked, staring hard at me.
"Normally the poison appears in the form of liquid, injected into the victim. If the person does not get cured in two weeks, then."
"How did Shiori get the poison?"
"I. don't .shit!" I suddenly became full aware of when the problem started. I dug my nails deeper into my palm, but I could no longer feel the pain. Ice ran through my veins and finally reached my heart. The sticky magenta liquid seeped out fast, eager to land. Splat, splat, splat. That was all I heard, not even my heartbeat.
"What is it?" the hidden concern in his voice lifted my spirits a little.
"Before the trip, she was called to the hospital for a flu vaccine. That must be the time. The chance for Karasu to possess one of the doctors and injected the poison. Why didn't I notice?" my speech soon rose in volume, repenting myself, releasing all the suppressed pressure and insanity, losing hold of all the self-control I had.
"I was even there with her, but WHY WASN'T I MORE CAREFULLY?! I promised to protect her, BUT THE ENEMY JUST DESTROYED HER RIGHT UNDER MY NOSE! If I had been more"
"Calm down, kitsune. You are losing yourself!" Hiei cut through my yelling and pinned my to the wall.
"observant, this would not have happened! IT'S ALL MY FAULT, I BROUGHT ALL THIS UPON HER! If only. if only I am not Youko Kurama. What's the use of all my powers? I CAN'T EVEN PROTECT MY OWN MOTHER!"
"Shut up, Kurama!!"
"I'm useless.." my sentence was cut in half and I found myself unable to speak. Hiei had pressed his lips on mine. What was happening? I slowly ceased to think about Shiori, indulging my self in the kiss, melting.
Hiei pulled away when I had just started to respond. I felt a little disappointed.
"Hiei, I'm sorry." but I was cut short again, his lips gently brushed against mine, however he had pulled away again before I had the chance to prolong the kiss. I was agitated, and it made want him even more.
"I told you not to speak, kitsune," he leaned over and whispered in my ear, his breath sent a shiver through me.
He made me sit on the bed while he went into the bathroom and came out carrying a wet towel. Sitting down beside me, he took my right hand, the one dyed red by blood, and carefully spread out my fingers. The wound was pretty deep, and blood continued to ooze out, though at a slower pace. Hiei wiped away the blood on my hand, the towel felt cool and soothing against my flaming skin.
"Don't mutilate yourself like this. You can't hold your rose whip this way."
Fresh crimson liquid seeped out of the yet to heel wound, and Hiei licked it away, mixing saliva into the cut to stop the bleeding faster. Some crimson stayed on his lips, making them seem fuller and tastier. I had not felt like that since I changed to Minnamino Shuuichi, and I know this desire could either be fulfilled or fought down, which was rather hard for a youko. In this case, I chose to let it run free.
I lowered my head and softly touched his lips with my own. Sensing no rejection, I slid my arms around his shoulders and pulled him closer. Although he had kissed me first, but I could feel he was not accustomed to this. I opened my mouth a little and licked away the blood on his lips, as well as asking for entrance. He was still a little hesitant, but yielded. Desire and passion was soon mixed into the kiss, and Hiei's reactions became more violent, pushing me towards the back of the bed, towards the wall, cornering me.
We broke away, gasping for air, and saw his face was flushed and his ruby irises had fire burning in then. The fire of lust, hungry for me, eating me up. I must have looked the same.
The heat of his lips ran down my neck and I threw my head back, inviting more sexual gestures. He teased one particular spot of flesh just above my collarbone, a ticking sensation crept through my body as he bit me lightly there. A soft moan escaped my throat, a protest as Hiei stopped.
"I will look for Karasu using my jagan, tomorrow at school," Hiei said staring at me straight in the eyes. A small chill ran though my veins, but it was much better than when I found out about the poison. Just knowing that Hiei will be there for me made me warm. I smiled.
"Thanks, Hiei. I guess we must go now. Shizuru's funeral," and giving Hiei a big hug, I went into the bathroom to tidy myself up. That's when I noticed the delicious red mark on my neck.
* We arrived at the funeral quite late. All eh others were there, Keiko crying on Yusuke's shoulder and Kuwabara had his arm around the weeping Yukina's small form. I caught Hiei scowling at the sight. Only Koenma was not there.
Suddenly, Koenma just appeared in the center of the room speak of the devil.
"Come on, guys, I have good news for you," he said as if ordering his servants around. Guess that was the way a prince must speak, but it gets on my nerves sometimes.
"What is it?" Yusuke asked rather glumly.
"Shizuru could be brought back to life."
"REALLY?!" Kuwabara and Yusuke shouted in union.
"Yes, because she died from the effect of the other dimension, her soul might be joined together again if the dimension is destroyed. I have got the special permission from my father to allow her to be brought back to life if you guys complete the mission. So work hard and you will get what you want. Also, keep Shizuru's body well."
"Yes! Sir! Thanks a million, Koenma," Kuwabara screamed in his high pitch voice and gave Koenma a bear hug, and I could see that the hug almost broke the poor prince's ribs. The whole gloomy mood of the funeral was shattered, and everyone became even more chatty and enthusiastic than they usually were.
"I thought that I could get some peace and quiet on a funeral, but guess I am wrong," Hiei remarked coldly and turned to leave. I prepared to follow him, but was pulled back by someone. From the strong smell of liquor, that should be Atsuko.
"Hey, Kurama, that's a pretty cute kiss mark on your neck. Who gave it to you?" she asked in her half drunk manner.
"Kiss mark?! Where?" Yusuke came rushing over, "Ooo! Who's the lucky girl?" by now, almost everyone's attention was drawn over, and was trapped in the middle. I looked at Hiei, asking for help, but he merely stood by the doorway, seeming unconcerned as he usually was.
"You've got it all wrong. It's just a normal bruise," I explained meekly, and I did not even sound convincing to myself, not to mention the never-give-up spirit of Yusuke.
"I've lived long enough to know the difference between a kiss mark and a bruise, and I believe you are too," Atsuko said, eyeing me lazily, "don't deny it. The mark's lovely, really."
"Come on, just tell us. Are you afraid that you popularity with girls will drop or is it." he squinted. Blood rushed to my face and I was sure the colour of my face matched my hair perfectly. "OH! I know it! It's him, right?" Yusuke exclaimed judging from my expression.
"Who? Who is it, Urameshi? And what do you mean by 'him'?" Kuwabara asked, wide-eyed,
"Hiei! Who elas? I saw them hugging this morning."
"WHAT?! THAT SHRIMP? Hey, Kurama, are you out of your mind? Nobody could even get near that shortie without getting burnt, plus he's bad- tempered, doesn't talk, expressionless and cold-blooded."
I glimpsed a black shadow and before I knew it, Hiei had made his way past the crowd and roughly pulled my head down. My lips met his, the fourth time that day, and he was completely in control this time, invading the cavern of my mouth instantly. I willingly gave up my domain, responding just slightly when I felt he was breaking away. My arms went around his waist naturally, and his firm hold on my neck eased. His fingers ran through my hair and down my spine. Who cares what others would say? Nothing mattered to me more than to wallow in the sensual pleasure at that moment.
We broke away just when I thougt I would die form lack of oxygen.
".did you let him kiss you?" Kuwabara finished his sentence weakly, and his jaws dropped open. His face was a pale shade of green and he looked even sicker than when he almost had his heart ripped out by Toguro.
"Now does that satisfy you?" Hiei snapped at the ill-looking Kuwabara. A second later, I found myself rushing out of the funeral with Hiei leading the way.
"Hey, Keiko, we should do that too sometimes, ne? Oww! What did you do that for?!" I caught Yusuke yell before the sound of the wind filled my ears and the form of my fire demon filled my eyes and thoughts.
Hiei's POV
Days passed by, and the ticking of the clock became louder and louder, almost deafening. Time was slipping away, so did our patience, calm exterior and sanity. Endless searching all proved futile, but what else could we do? I could see the hands of the clock pushing Kurama further and further out onto the cliff, the edge of breaking down. He pretended to be fine, but I saw him in his room once, with his arms hugging his knees, his head buried in the darkness, crimson hair flowed like blood.
It was Sunday, the last day for us to find Karasu. It was eight in the evening, four hours to find the way to cure the poison before Shiori would give her hands to death. We were out in the woods, searching even the obviously impossible places for Karasu's soul to hide.
Kurama's hand slipped into mine, but it had lost its usual temperature. I could feel him trembling.
"Hiei, let's go home after an hour. I want to."
"I understand." He had given up at last. His normally sparking emerald eyes had lost all their shine, and his soothing tone just became flat and dead. He was hurt, but made sure no drop of blood fell, bottling all his emotions and locked the doors of his half-open heart.
"Why so sad, my dearest youko? Need my help?" an icy voice rang out through the thick canopy. Our heads jerked up towards the place where the sound was emitted, and a Ningen jumped down from a tree with agility of a youkai.
"I have an offer to make, especially for you, my youko. Do you want to hear me out?"
Kurama's POV
My heart was pounding vigorously and my mind was screwed into a mess. I shut my eyes, trying to calm myself. A sting sensation came form my palms, and I felt a sticky liquid seep through my tightly clenched fingers. Blood. A fist drop touched the ground, with a slight sickening splat. A second drop, a third drop.
"This type of poison is the most venomous, but most taboo in the Makai. Powerful as it is, very little people use it. The poison varies greatly, and none of it is the same, because it contains the blood of the maker. Once your blood is mixed into the solution, you will be cursed for life, and a punishment will befall, worse than your imagination. It cannot be made twice by the same person," I explained after I had found my voice, and some part of my sanity back.
"How does people get poisoned?" Hiei asked, staring hard at me.
"Normally the poison appears in the form of liquid, injected into the victim. If the person does not get cured in two weeks, then."
"How did Shiori get the poison?"
"I. don't .shit!" I suddenly became full aware of when the problem started. I dug my nails deeper into my palm, but I could no longer feel the pain. Ice ran through my veins and finally reached my heart. The sticky magenta liquid seeped out fast, eager to land. Splat, splat, splat. That was all I heard, not even my heartbeat.
"What is it?" the hidden concern in his voice lifted my spirits a little.
"Before the trip, she was called to the hospital for a flu vaccine. That must be the time. The chance for Karasu to possess one of the doctors and injected the poison. Why didn't I notice?" my speech soon rose in volume, repenting myself, releasing all the suppressed pressure and insanity, losing hold of all the self-control I had.
"I was even there with her, but WHY WASN'T I MORE CAREFULLY?! I promised to protect her, BUT THE ENEMY JUST DESTROYED HER RIGHT UNDER MY NOSE! If I had been more"
"Calm down, kitsune. You are losing yourself!" Hiei cut through my yelling and pinned my to the wall.
"observant, this would not have happened! IT'S ALL MY FAULT, I BROUGHT ALL THIS UPON HER! If only. if only I am not Youko Kurama. What's the use of all my powers? I CAN'T EVEN PROTECT MY OWN MOTHER!"
"Shut up, Kurama!!"
"I'm useless.." my sentence was cut in half and I found myself unable to speak. Hiei had pressed his lips on mine. What was happening? I slowly ceased to think about Shiori, indulging my self in the kiss, melting.
Hiei pulled away when I had just started to respond. I felt a little disappointed.
"Hiei, I'm sorry." but I was cut short again, his lips gently brushed against mine, however he had pulled away again before I had the chance to prolong the kiss. I was agitated, and it made want him even more.
"I told you not to speak, kitsune," he leaned over and whispered in my ear, his breath sent a shiver through me.
He made me sit on the bed while he went into the bathroom and came out carrying a wet towel. Sitting down beside me, he took my right hand, the one dyed red by blood, and carefully spread out my fingers. The wound was pretty deep, and blood continued to ooze out, though at a slower pace. Hiei wiped away the blood on my hand, the towel felt cool and soothing against my flaming skin.
"Don't mutilate yourself like this. You can't hold your rose whip this way."
Fresh crimson liquid seeped out of the yet to heel wound, and Hiei licked it away, mixing saliva into the cut to stop the bleeding faster. Some crimson stayed on his lips, making them seem fuller and tastier. I had not felt like that since I changed to Minnamino Shuuichi, and I know this desire could either be fulfilled or fought down, which was rather hard for a youko. In this case, I chose to let it run free.
I lowered my head and softly touched his lips with my own. Sensing no rejection, I slid my arms around his shoulders and pulled him closer. Although he had kissed me first, but I could feel he was not accustomed to this. I opened my mouth a little and licked away the blood on his lips, as well as asking for entrance. He was still a little hesitant, but yielded. Desire and passion was soon mixed into the kiss, and Hiei's reactions became more violent, pushing me towards the back of the bed, towards the wall, cornering me.
We broke away, gasping for air, and saw his face was flushed and his ruby irises had fire burning in then. The fire of lust, hungry for me, eating me up. I must have looked the same.
The heat of his lips ran down my neck and I threw my head back, inviting more sexual gestures. He teased one particular spot of flesh just above my collarbone, a ticking sensation crept through my body as he bit me lightly there. A soft moan escaped my throat, a protest as Hiei stopped.
"I will look for Karasu using my jagan, tomorrow at school," Hiei said staring at me straight in the eyes. A small chill ran though my veins, but it was much better than when I found out about the poison. Just knowing that Hiei will be there for me made me warm. I smiled.
"Thanks, Hiei. I guess we must go now. Shizuru's funeral," and giving Hiei a big hug, I went into the bathroom to tidy myself up. That's when I noticed the delicious red mark on my neck.
* We arrived at the funeral quite late. All eh others were there, Keiko crying on Yusuke's shoulder and Kuwabara had his arm around the weeping Yukina's small form. I caught Hiei scowling at the sight. Only Koenma was not there.
Suddenly, Koenma just appeared in the center of the room speak of the devil.
"Come on, guys, I have good news for you," he said as if ordering his servants around. Guess that was the way a prince must speak, but it gets on my nerves sometimes.
"What is it?" Yusuke asked rather glumly.
"Shizuru could be brought back to life."
"REALLY?!" Kuwabara and Yusuke shouted in union.
"Yes, because she died from the effect of the other dimension, her soul might be joined together again if the dimension is destroyed. I have got the special permission from my father to allow her to be brought back to life if you guys complete the mission. So work hard and you will get what you want. Also, keep Shizuru's body well."
"Yes! Sir! Thanks a million, Koenma," Kuwabara screamed in his high pitch voice and gave Koenma a bear hug, and I could see that the hug almost broke the poor prince's ribs. The whole gloomy mood of the funeral was shattered, and everyone became even more chatty and enthusiastic than they usually were.
"I thought that I could get some peace and quiet on a funeral, but guess I am wrong," Hiei remarked coldly and turned to leave. I prepared to follow him, but was pulled back by someone. From the strong smell of liquor, that should be Atsuko.
"Hey, Kurama, that's a pretty cute kiss mark on your neck. Who gave it to you?" she asked in her half drunk manner.
"Kiss mark?! Where?" Yusuke came rushing over, "Ooo! Who's the lucky girl?" by now, almost everyone's attention was drawn over, and was trapped in the middle. I looked at Hiei, asking for help, but he merely stood by the doorway, seeming unconcerned as he usually was.
"You've got it all wrong. It's just a normal bruise," I explained meekly, and I did not even sound convincing to myself, not to mention the never-give-up spirit of Yusuke.
"I've lived long enough to know the difference between a kiss mark and a bruise, and I believe you are too," Atsuko said, eyeing me lazily, "don't deny it. The mark's lovely, really."
"Come on, just tell us. Are you afraid that you popularity with girls will drop or is it." he squinted. Blood rushed to my face and I was sure the colour of my face matched my hair perfectly. "OH! I know it! It's him, right?" Yusuke exclaimed judging from my expression.
"Who? Who is it, Urameshi? And what do you mean by 'him'?" Kuwabara asked, wide-eyed,
"Hiei! Who elas? I saw them hugging this morning."
"WHAT?! THAT SHRIMP? Hey, Kurama, are you out of your mind? Nobody could even get near that shortie without getting burnt, plus he's bad- tempered, doesn't talk, expressionless and cold-blooded."
I glimpsed a black shadow and before I knew it, Hiei had made his way past the crowd and roughly pulled my head down. My lips met his, the fourth time that day, and he was completely in control this time, invading the cavern of my mouth instantly. I willingly gave up my domain, responding just slightly when I felt he was breaking away. My arms went around his waist naturally, and his firm hold on my neck eased. His fingers ran through my hair and down my spine. Who cares what others would say? Nothing mattered to me more than to wallow in the sensual pleasure at that moment.
We broke away just when I thougt I would die form lack of oxygen.
".did you let him kiss you?" Kuwabara finished his sentence weakly, and his jaws dropped open. His face was a pale shade of green and he looked even sicker than when he almost had his heart ripped out by Toguro.
"Now does that satisfy you?" Hiei snapped at the ill-looking Kuwabara. A second later, I found myself rushing out of the funeral with Hiei leading the way.
"Hey, Keiko, we should do that too sometimes, ne? Oww! What did you do that for?!" I caught Yusuke yell before the sound of the wind filled my ears and the form of my fire demon filled my eyes and thoughts.
Hiei's POV
Days passed by, and the ticking of the clock became louder and louder, almost deafening. Time was slipping away, so did our patience, calm exterior and sanity. Endless searching all proved futile, but what else could we do? I could see the hands of the clock pushing Kurama further and further out onto the cliff, the edge of breaking down. He pretended to be fine, but I saw him in his room once, with his arms hugging his knees, his head buried in the darkness, crimson hair flowed like blood.
It was Sunday, the last day for us to find Karasu. It was eight in the evening, four hours to find the way to cure the poison before Shiori would give her hands to death. We were out in the woods, searching even the obviously impossible places for Karasu's soul to hide.
Kurama's hand slipped into mine, but it had lost its usual temperature. I could feel him trembling.
"Hiei, let's go home after an hour. I want to."
"I understand." He had given up at last. His normally sparking emerald eyes had lost all their shine, and his soothing tone just became flat and dead. He was hurt, but made sure no drop of blood fell, bottling all his emotions and locked the doors of his half-open heart.
"Why so sad, my dearest youko? Need my help?" an icy voice rang out through the thick canopy. Our heads jerked up towards the place where the sound was emitted, and a Ningen jumped down from a tree with agility of a youkai.
"I have an offer to make, especially for you, my youko. Do you want to hear me out?"
