Hiei felt his muscles relax as he lay on his stomach in the soft, down fabric of the sleeping bag. His cheek rested on his arms, his red eyes glistening in the light of Kurama's Indiglo alarm clock. He listened contently to his friend's breathing, and Hiei could not help but feel safe. He studied the redhead closely. Kurama's long scarlet hair fell across his peaceful face, his emerald eyes closed with his long lashes gracing his cheeks. His hand clutched the corner of his comforter, as though he was afraid it would fall away from him. His chest rose and fell rhythmically, soft snores coming from his lips. Something deep within Hiei's chest stirred at this serene sight, something that both excited and frightened him. He wanted to help Kurama, help him prove to those nasty little brats that not only was Kurama male, but he was not one to mess with. Kurama was a fighter; a demon for goodness sakes! Why should he endure such despicable torture from stupid nigen boys?



Hiei put a hand to his temple, massaging it with sharp, quick circular motions. "I've gone soft," He mumbled, his tone sluggish and groggy. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts.

Kurama grumbled incoherently in his sleep, rolling onto his stomach. His eyelids flickered, then his bright emerald eyes shone in the dark room. "What is it Hiei? Are you okay?" He asked, his words fringed with worry.



Hiei swallowed with difficulty and murmured, "No, I'm fine. Fox, how would you-you try to solve this situation?" He would have adored dropping dead at that moment, "gods, kill me now," He added under his breath. He felt the oh-so unfamiliar feeling of heat on his cheeks as they grew red in coloration.

"What?!" Kurama sat straight up in bed, his loose hair hanging, bedraggled, around his boyishly handsome face. He blinked as Hiei did earlier in the day. "Oh, you mean Oyu and Mizu?"

"Y-Yes," Hiei suppressed the urge to hide beneath his blanket and forced himself to sit up. He inclined his head to shadow his face so Kurama's penetrating eyes could not bore into his. "How is it that you plan to stop their incessant teasing?"



"Well," Kurama spoke with a thoughtful air, his words hushed so as not to awaken his mother, "I sopose all I can do is ignore them…" Kurama heaved a sigh, his eyes sparkling. "Hiei, what is it that you propose?"

Hiei's face jerked upward, his eyes locking on Kurama's. "I-I don't know…"

Kurama's smile was fleeting and rueful. "That is because there is no way to stop them. I see countless other children endure the same treatment. That is why teenage suicide rates have gone up so dramatically, they simply cannot take it any more. School is a horrible place, Hiei, children are vicious and cruel. They way they treat one another… I often wonder why there aren't more gun shootings in schools, it is the only way these kids can vent their pain and anger. I think Kuwabara is one that suffers little because he is so used to it, it was the only thing he knew in grade school. In order to avoid teasing, he became a bully himself. Yuskue may not show it, but the things said in his school cut straight into him… Keiko even suffers. Girls can be a lot more vicious than boys, you know. The things they've called her…"



"Kitsune…" Hiei trailed off, looking down shamefully at his sleeping bag.

Kurama cocked his head to the side, a slight look of perplexity on his face. He leaned over the bed, his hand outstretched to Hiei. Hiei blinked at the hand, unsure of what Kurama wanted him to do. Kurama's fingers gave a little twitch in his direction, and Hiei reached up and took his friend's hand in his own. He stood, his red eyes scanning the room for a distraction. Anything but looking into those gentle green eyes. At last, he took a seat beside him on the bed, the springs groaning in protest.



"Humans do not know the depths of their own cruelty. It scares me sometimes, Hiei, how human I've become… Getting upset over a child's antics! Will I become as nasty to them as they are me? It makes sense, owing to the fact I'm only human…"

"Kurama!?" Hiei snapped, his eyes flashing dangerously, his face pulled into an angry scowl. "How could you say such degrading things?! You are no human, you are a Yoko, one of the most powerful and feared in all of the demon world! You aren't one of these… These disgusting creatures!"



Kurama smiled, his eyes half closed as he fought sleep. He was beginning to lose that battle. "Look at me, Hiei. Do you see yellow eyes, silver hair, fox ears, and a tail?"

Hiei looked out the window with a stubborn snort. His arms folded acrossed his chest, "It does not matter what you look like… This body of yours is only temporary."

Kurama sighed again, starting to get annoyed with the small demon. "Hiei, you know that I have chosen to stay this way."

Hiei snorted again, lifting himself from the bed. He stood, back to Kurama, for a good three minutes, stewing in his own rage and frustration. Stupid fox! Did he really want to give up all his power… To be tormented in the school of heck? Kurama didn't deserve that, no fighter of his stature did! Hiei spun on his heel, planning to tell the redhead off, but when he saw him, his anger melted and he realized he didn't have the heart.

Kurama lay on his pillow, his serene face half hidden under his scarlet hair, his soft breathing oddly soothing. Hiei lifted a hand to the comforter, pulling it up to the Yoko-gone-nigen's face, tucking it around him.

"If kitsune won't do something about those imbeciles, I will." Hiei murmured as he lay his head on the sleeping bag. He closed his eyes, letting Kurama's breathing put him into a dreamless sleep.



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Yes, I know it was short, but I'm tired and this isn't the only story I have to update. Hope you enjoyed it… *Yawns* Oh, please review! I prefer it if you email me, that way I can answer with an email. I want questions, please! Make a girl feel happy, and review! [Hey, that sounded like an add! I think I'll use that on my Bio!]