"No," Hiei said bluntly. Kurama had managed to ditch Yuskue and Kuwabara
back at Wal-Mart, so as to ask Hiei to come without the unnecessary hassle
that was sure to be if those two had came. Hiei's red eyes flashed with a
murderous light, and Kurama was fiercely reminded Hiei was a demon, not
just a friend with an attitude. "I will not surround myself with morons and
that tasteless noise you lot call music, and call it 'a party'. No, not in
all the days of my drawn-out life of misery, pain, and depression. I
refuse, and bid you good luck."
"Hiei..." Kurama begged softly, a slight desperateness to his tone. He knew this sudden change of character would catch the oni off guard. It was not like him to beg like that. He clasped his hands together and made the most comical face he had ever achieved. "Please? We'll have sweet snow! And, Yukina is coming." The Yoko-gone-nigen switched tactics so abruptly, it was only hours after that Hiei realized the redhead played his emotions like a puppet. "Are you sure you don't wanna come and keep and eye on Kuwabara?" He asked with emphasis. He hid a smug grin, only his sparkling green eyes held a glint of pride at convincing the Forbidden Child so easily.
Hiei's thoughts spun around in his mind like goldfish in a fishbowl after some little kid shook the heck out of it. First, he felt embarrassed at Kurama's preschool antics, then angry that Kuwabara for liking his sister, then he fell into a confused silence. Not one to sit around and contemplate his own emotions, Hiei relented with a soft, "Hn."
Kurama stood, his face holding the most radiant of smiles. "Well then, let's get going."
Hiei put a hand to his brow, as if to steady himself. Had he just agreed to go?! Irritated that Kurama could manipulate him with such buttery ease, Hiei followed the boy with long, scarlet hair, cursing him all the way to the house Kurama called home. Darn that clever little kitsune! He stowed his hands in the pockets of his robes, his ever present scowl burning with such ferocity on his face that the air around him sizzled. He found himself dully considering slashing Kurama in half with his katana, but again, was reminded of demon jail. He entertained himself with imagining Kurama struck in a burning building. Fire had always been Hiei's favorite toy.
Kurama's cheeks were flushed scarlet with guilt, and he wondered why he did that to Hiei. It wasn't like him to be so manipulative, and do it with such ease! He knew Hiei was ticked, he felt played, and Kurama couldn't blame him. But what would make the demon feel better? He had done it in the little fellow's best interest, it wasn't good to stick to that solitaire outlook like that. You'd end up talking to yourself out of pure boredom. And Hiei would not look good talking to himself, Kuwabara would never let him forget it, and his relentless teasing (not that Kuwabara wouldn't be just in teasing Hiei, Hiei was pretty nasty towards him) would drive Hiei into insanity, not a road he'd want to take. Kurama altered his course to stop by the ice cream parlor, hoping a little vanilla would perk the demon's spirit. Not that Hiei'd jump for joy, but he might loosen up a little.
* * *
Kurama was bribing him to be happy. Hiei could see in the redhead's eyes, such pools of emotion are easy to read. Hiei put the frosty substance to his lips, his tongue inching out just enough to timidly lick the vanilla taste into his mouth. He's eyes fell on Kurama, who sat just acrossed from him at a little, two person table. Kurama smiled, one of those sappy smiles he gave to his Mother. Disgusted, Hiei turned back to his food. Great, so now he had been classified in the same category as his mother. Though, Hiei felt pride in being held in such high regards of a pure person like the redhead before him. He felt his shoulders relax into a more laid back position, his posture gradually ebbing away and his back reclining into the slight curve of the chair. He began to devour his sweet snow with a passion, the taste making him throw his icy demeanor behind him for the present, as he fully enjoyed his treat.
Like a kid in a candy shop. Kurama watched with a smile and warm eyes as Hiei licked his cone, a rather childish expression coming over his usually demonic face. He looked almost adorable as he crossed his eyes, his tongue licking a small speck of icecream gone astray on the tip of his nose. His innocent manner was priceless. Kurama lifted a hand to his mouth to muffle his laughter, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. His shoulders shook as he attempted to it fight down.
Hiei blinked at him, perplexed once again at his odd behavior. "Kitsune, are you choking?" He asked, as though asking about the weather. He wasn't one to worry very much, he had no need of such human emotions. He was unaware of the fact that he had icecream just above his upper lip, giving him the comical look of one with a mustache. So he continued to stare, bewildered, at Kurama, who looked about ready to explode, his face red from lack of oxygen, his eyes streaming with tears. He appeared to be in great pain, or, at least to Hiei, who had never seen some one trying to hold down laughter.
Kurama stuffed his fist in his mouth to keep from laphing, now alarming Hiei worse than before. What was up with Kurama? Hiei watched as the desperate fighter leapt from his seat and rushed to the bathroom, his fist still in his mouth. "Weirdo." Hiei shrugged and went back to the remainder of his cone, only to be startled as hysterical laughter rang through the little parlor, alarming the other inhabitants as well as the short little demon sitting in the corner, devouring his icecream with such ferocity, one would think he was trying to kill it.
* * *
Kuwabara studied the singing systems, his expression solemn, as though he had to make a major, life changing, choice. Yuskue waited with a patient manner, though he seemed unaware of the stares he was receiving for dancing around the isle, headphones with sample music on his ears. He strummed an invisible guitar with the vigor of a heavy metal star, belting out the lyrics of a foreign song, deaf to his own words. Kuwabara ran a hand allow the box of the cheapest model, which included a microphone and ten CDs. But he rejected it with a simple glance. He was loaded, if you know what I mean. He had just gotten a hefty reward the day before from an elderly woman for coaxing her precious kitty out of a tree. So he moved on down the row, and let out a cry of triumph. The best one in the store, and if he and Yuskue put their cash together, he could rent it. It consisted of a platform with pads that lit up, so you could dance along to the song, a microphone, and thirty CDs, one of which was Linkin Park's. He beckoned to Yuskue, who dismissed it with a wave of his hand, "Whatever, man. Come on, we'll be late!"
Overjoyed, Kuwabara called for assistance, and with a broad grin, he and Yuskue left, oblivious to the snickers following them. "Party time," Kuwabara yelled joyously as they entered Kurama's neighborhood. He nodded his head at the little, cozy house that was Kurama's, and the race was on. He and Yuskue bolted down the street for all they were worth, which was quite a lot. Yuskue made it to the door first, his face a merry red, his breath coming in short, quick gasps. Kuwabara stumbled up beside him, breathing heavily, his shoulders slumped. Both grinned at one another, and Yuskue lifted a hand to rind the doorbell.
Shiori opened the door, a glad cry at her lips. She hugged each boy in turn, telling them how happy she was that they could come. "Kurama has such wonderful little friends!" She said, slightly teary eyed.
Yuskue beamed, "Nah."
"We're happy to be here, ma'am." Kuwabara explained that he was having a dance machine delivered in an hour or so, just for the occasion. As he described it, Kurama's mum's face lit up with excitement at the thought of her son singing, infront of thousands of adoring fans, all begging to date him. She smiled, and told them to come in.
"Now, Kurama went to get his delightful little friend, Hiei. He ought to be back in and hour or so. You're just in time to sample my cookies." The two snickered at her description of Hiei, and grinned. This woman obviously did not know Hiei.
The girls arrived just as the boys were getting restless, and had began to kick each other under the table. Their arms were laden down with bags from the mall; party favors, streamers, food, balloons, and an assortment if additional CDs. Kayco let out a joyous giggle as Yukina let her peek into her bag, one filled with various entertainments from the Makai, most of which were to keep Hiei busy. The boys cocked their heads and leaned back in their chairs, tipping so far back the front legs of the chair lifted a good foot. The girls stood at the counter, just out of their sight range. The girls scolded and hide the bags in Shiori's room, firmly stating the stuff was a surprise.
Disappointed, the two grumbled in hostile tones to themselves, devouring chocolate chip cookies by the handfuls. So much for manners. "I wonder what they got?" Yuskue said gravely as the two leaned closer to one another, to discuss the mystery of the party stuff.
"I bet it's a bunch of fire works," Kuwabara muttered, propping his face on his elbow with a grunt. After stuffing three cookies in his mouth, he added, "Hiei'd love that."
Yuskue amused himself with the image of Hiei terrorizing Kuwabara with fire works, and grinned with an evil chuckle. Kuwabara inched away, a slight look of nervousness on his face. After getting bored of reliving Kuwabara's death, Yuskue ate another cookie with a look of satisfaction, until he realized he had eaten the last one. "Aw man!" He whined, and tipped back in his chair again, assuming his laid back position, his feet on the table and his hands folded behind his back. "To bad he doesn't have a pool. That would be really cool."
"Whatever. When do you think him and shorty will get here?" Kuwabara uttered a startled cry as the people in question entered the room, Hiei looking rather sullen, and Kurama sporting a black eye.
"Hiei got a bit irritated," Kurama heaved a sigh, answering the unspoken question about his eye. He lifted his fingers to it, gingerly touching the blue-black skin. He winced and mumbled, "Hiei doesn't seem to have a sense of humor."
"Hn." He was wearing a human set of clothes; a thin undershirt, black leather jacket, and tight jeans; the typical biker look, which seemed to fit Hiei well. His manner was not a pleased one, like a boy who's just been invited to his first party. No, he was enraged. The room heated drastically as he entered it, going from comfy room temperature to some thing only experienced in an active volcano. This was not highly appreciated by the boys, who already thought that it was sweltering. Hiei boldly ignored their complaints, and "Hn"ed at their protests as he got angrier, the table now smoldering. Tiny wisps of smoke curled in a small spiral from the wood, Kurama promptly tossing a wet dishrag at the would-be fire.
"Would it kill you to chill?" Yuskue muttered under his breath, his words (luckily) going unheard by the demon who caused the small sparks. Had he heard the comment, the room might have been set afire, and Kurama's Mother would have flipped her lid, if that saying is familiar to you. Pardon me if it's not. "I mean, gee, you just got invited to a party with your best friends, right? Why are in such a sulky mood?"
Hiei cocked an eyebrow at the spirit detective, and spoke with a snarl to his words, "As I have told you before, Urameshi, I am not your friend. I have no friends. Nor do I want any. And I especially don't want a monkey," He waved in Kuwabara's general direction with his hand, and Kuwabara let out a growl, "A fool," It was Yuskue's turn to growl, "And some giddy fox, as friends." Kurama smiled ruefully, a soft sadness about him. Hiei had friends, he just didn't want to admit he cared for them. Pathetic, really, not being able to admit your own feelings.
"Giddy am I?" Kurama asked with a slight sigh. After returning from the bathroom, he had generously told Hiei he had icecream on his nose, and Hiei had attacked him out of pure embarrassment. "Kuwabara is ape like, and Yuskue is a fool? How would you describe yourself, Hiei?"
This caught the Forbidden Child off guard. How was he to answer that? He scowled at the redhead with the fieriest snarl he had ever uttered, but the Kitsune was not going to back down. "I am the only one sane in this sorry excuse for a team..."
"Oh? So, are you implying that I am not mentally stable now?" Kurama countered with a dull tone of voice, turning from the fuming fire demon to the sink, where he proceeded to wet a dishtowel and ally it to his eye. Still looking at the counter, he added, "Is that how you really see me, Hiei? If so, then I have some issues."
"Hn."
"Hey, Kurama, when are we going to party, man? We been waiting an hour!" Yuskue whined, oblivious as to the tension between the two ex thieves. Kurama did not answer him directly, instead, he spoke to Kuwabara:
"Kuwabara, would you kindly find the ladies and escort them to my living room? It s time, I believe, to relax, and," He lifted his face, spinning suddenly around from the sink. He lifted his hands, his scarlet hair framing his slightly flushed face, his eyes closed in amusement, his smile brighter than it had ever been. "Tell them it's time to party?!"
"YEAH!" Yuskue punched his fist into the air with a glad cry, and then proceeded to "do a victory dance", arm and arm with Kuwabara, chanting: "Part time! Party time! Party time! Party time!"
Hiei blinked, then shot Kurama a disgusted look. It had finally happened. Not that Hiei thought it wouldn't, he'd just expected a little more warning. He'd lost his friend, his only real friend, to the nigens... A wave of misery washed over him, and he looked wildly around for an exit. He could not stomach this foolishness any longer! He'd find some secluded place in Genkai's demon forest, and await the next portal to demon world. He couldn't believe he had softened up to this idiot, and now look what he got! With three swift steps, Hiei darted out of the kitchen, and into the hall, he sped towards the door, the light shining from the window his only guide. It's wrong, he screamed inwardly, it's wrong! His fingers had just touched the metallic surface of the doorknob when he heard her gentle, soft voice behind him. Her tone was so understanding, so loving. She knew him...
"Please don't leave, Hiei. Not yet." Yukina begged. Her hand fell to his shoulder, the warmth of her hand making her brother flush. Hiei did not move, but stood, his back to her, still grasping the doorknob. "I know how you feel, I do. You feel cheated, right? Like he's left you alone, in the darkness of your past. He's let his past of crime, murder, hate... He's let it go, driven it from his mind. But you can't do it." Her grip on his shoulder tightened, her voice becoming firmer. "Hiei, you just think you can't. I don't know all the details of you past, and I won't pretend I do. Every one has stains on their soul, I will also not pretend I don't..."
Hiei let out a chuckle, a smile at his lips. "You, have a dirty soul? Don't you ever say that, Yukina. You are as pure as they come." His face fell to a serious frown, his eyes glistening. "I have more than stains... More than a kind, pretty little koorime like you could possibly fathom."
"Kurama was a lot nastier than you, Hiei." Yukina let her voice fall, "I've talked to him. He described to me the deeds he's done in demon world... He needs you, Hiei. He's had to resort to talking to me to get it all out. He's no fool. He knows you can't just bottle up your feelings and label them 'deceased' and toss them on a shelf. You'll go insane if you do. But I'm not the kind of listener he needs. You are... And you need to tell him about what you feel."
"Hn. I have no feelings, Yukina. By now you should have noticed I'm nothing more than a selfish hole, void of life or need of life. It makes no difference to me whether I live or not. I have no need for friends, or emotions."
"Hiei! You're smarter than that! We all have a reason to live. Kurama lives to aid the human race, his mother in particular. He fells the need to atone for his sins here. Yuskue and Kuwabara live for life, they love each waking moment, whether they're fighting or sitting in their living rooms and playing those console games things. I live in hopes of one day finding my brother... Keiko and Botan love to just enjoy themselves. Not every one has one, specific detail in life they live for... But life is ALWAYS worth living."
"Even if you live to go to the High School of Heck to be tortured by some Japanese punks? Kurama told me the other night how cruel humans are... Why would he live here and endure that?!"
"Because, life is life. We live through the rough parts to pursue the good. This is difficult for you to digest, I know, but you have to open your mind a bit wider. Each day has its pain, its fits of hate, cruelty... But if you manage to live past that, then you find yourself doing something you love, and always will... Kurama goes through that to come home and see Shiori smile at him. He loves her, and is willing to die for her, as you saw when he stole the three Reiki Treasures. If you have even a small reason to live, then you have to much reason to die."
Hiei swallowed, his eyes closing. Was what she said true? Yukina did go through so much torture, yet she could easily forget it now, and joyously partake in the nigen's entertainments. But whenever Hiei tried to relax, he felt the wait of his past hold him back. He had done such sadistic things... What right did he have to enjoy life? And yet, he constantly added to his guilt, day by day it got heavier... He felt the need to end it, to wipe away his existence, to end his never-ending suffering. 'If you have even a small reason to live, then you have to much reason to die...' Was this true? Well, he didn't have to die, he could just go back to demon world. There he could live in black and white like he always had. There it was eat, kill, plunder, or become victim to someone else... The colors and borders between right and wrong were so firmly made. But here, there was so much gray... nothing made sense. Was it wrong to let go- or to hold on?
"W-what am I soposed to do...?" He asked her, his voice trembling. "What am I soposed to do?"
"Come to terms with your past. You were evil, dark and murderous. But now you stand in light, yet your soul remains black. So let it go, let the pain and memories go. And try the best you can to atone for what you did, with what you can do now. With what you have. With who you hold so dearly in that once-black heart."
"Yeah, Hiei, it ain't no good to sit around and sulk over a dirty past." Kuwabara's thick, throaty voice said from behind them with surprising softness. "We all got crud we done wrong, but we also got our whole lives to enjoy, why dwell in your past if it's so nasty, when your future is still ahead of you? For all you know, you're future's a great one!"
"What Yukina and Kuwabara said is true, man. You have to go on living, not going backward." Yuskue spoke with such a solemn manner it shocked Hiei. "If you go backward, you'll never get any farther ahead, and you'll never get away from the pain."
Hiei turned to see his companions smiling at him. Yukina released his shoulder, and backed up to stand beside Kuwabara. Kurama looked at him with those sparkling emerald eyes, and murmured, "I'd like to contribute to this too, but what can one say that would sink in deeper than the speeches all ready spoken?"
Botan, Shizuru, and Keiko joined the group, their smiles just as friendly. Hiei took a step back, his eyes widening, his mouth slightly open. His back met the door, and he pushed up against the wood with a look of perplexity on his pale face.
"Come on, Hiei, how can you be so sad with all these joyous nutcases around?" Shizuru laughed, giving her brother a cuff with the edge of her hand.
"Lighten up, and join us for a party!" Botan giggled, brandishing a liter of coke like a sword. It was evident she had already drank a great deal of the caffeine-enriched drink.
"We want you to stay." Keiko added earnestly, her liquid-brow eyes flickering, "Who else will keep Yuskue in line?"
"We're your friends, Hiei." Yuskue said with strong conviction. His face pulled into his evil grin, "If you take off, we'll hunt you down and drag you back, and force you to party with us!"
"...I- I'm sorry... I can't..." Hiei jerked around with such abruptness, his movements could not be followed, even by Kurama. He grasped the doorknob, and in one swift motion, he whipped open the door and with a light step, bolted out.
The watched the small, black blur speed off into the city. Yuskue made a move to follow, but Kurama lifted his arm, catching the hasty spirit detective in his middle. When Yuskue protested, Kurama murmured, "This is a lot for Hiei to sort through. We'll go find him when it gets dark, and he's done thinking."
* * * *
A/N Yeah, I know, I'm getting a bit off plot. But this scene was important! Trust me, Hiei needed this change of thought process in order to do what he has to. *Snicker* I bet you want to know what he needs to do, but there ain't no way I'm gonna tell ya, got it? Thank you guys for your reviews! I'm in the process of emailing those of you with an email address. Please give me one so I can send you my thanks and stuff. Those of you who haven't reviewed, do so now!!!! Thank you!
"Hiei..." Kurama begged softly, a slight desperateness to his tone. He knew this sudden change of character would catch the oni off guard. It was not like him to beg like that. He clasped his hands together and made the most comical face he had ever achieved. "Please? We'll have sweet snow! And, Yukina is coming." The Yoko-gone-nigen switched tactics so abruptly, it was only hours after that Hiei realized the redhead played his emotions like a puppet. "Are you sure you don't wanna come and keep and eye on Kuwabara?" He asked with emphasis. He hid a smug grin, only his sparkling green eyes held a glint of pride at convincing the Forbidden Child so easily.
Hiei's thoughts spun around in his mind like goldfish in a fishbowl after some little kid shook the heck out of it. First, he felt embarrassed at Kurama's preschool antics, then angry that Kuwabara for liking his sister, then he fell into a confused silence. Not one to sit around and contemplate his own emotions, Hiei relented with a soft, "Hn."
Kurama stood, his face holding the most radiant of smiles. "Well then, let's get going."
Hiei put a hand to his brow, as if to steady himself. Had he just agreed to go?! Irritated that Kurama could manipulate him with such buttery ease, Hiei followed the boy with long, scarlet hair, cursing him all the way to the house Kurama called home. Darn that clever little kitsune! He stowed his hands in the pockets of his robes, his ever present scowl burning with such ferocity on his face that the air around him sizzled. He found himself dully considering slashing Kurama in half with his katana, but again, was reminded of demon jail. He entertained himself with imagining Kurama struck in a burning building. Fire had always been Hiei's favorite toy.
Kurama's cheeks were flushed scarlet with guilt, and he wondered why he did that to Hiei. It wasn't like him to be so manipulative, and do it with such ease! He knew Hiei was ticked, he felt played, and Kurama couldn't blame him. But what would make the demon feel better? He had done it in the little fellow's best interest, it wasn't good to stick to that solitaire outlook like that. You'd end up talking to yourself out of pure boredom. And Hiei would not look good talking to himself, Kuwabara would never let him forget it, and his relentless teasing (not that Kuwabara wouldn't be just in teasing Hiei, Hiei was pretty nasty towards him) would drive Hiei into insanity, not a road he'd want to take. Kurama altered his course to stop by the ice cream parlor, hoping a little vanilla would perk the demon's spirit. Not that Hiei'd jump for joy, but he might loosen up a little.
* * *
Kurama was bribing him to be happy. Hiei could see in the redhead's eyes, such pools of emotion are easy to read. Hiei put the frosty substance to his lips, his tongue inching out just enough to timidly lick the vanilla taste into his mouth. He's eyes fell on Kurama, who sat just acrossed from him at a little, two person table. Kurama smiled, one of those sappy smiles he gave to his Mother. Disgusted, Hiei turned back to his food. Great, so now he had been classified in the same category as his mother. Though, Hiei felt pride in being held in such high regards of a pure person like the redhead before him. He felt his shoulders relax into a more laid back position, his posture gradually ebbing away and his back reclining into the slight curve of the chair. He began to devour his sweet snow with a passion, the taste making him throw his icy demeanor behind him for the present, as he fully enjoyed his treat.
Like a kid in a candy shop. Kurama watched with a smile and warm eyes as Hiei licked his cone, a rather childish expression coming over his usually demonic face. He looked almost adorable as he crossed his eyes, his tongue licking a small speck of icecream gone astray on the tip of his nose. His innocent manner was priceless. Kurama lifted a hand to his mouth to muffle his laughter, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. His shoulders shook as he attempted to it fight down.
Hiei blinked at him, perplexed once again at his odd behavior. "Kitsune, are you choking?" He asked, as though asking about the weather. He wasn't one to worry very much, he had no need of such human emotions. He was unaware of the fact that he had icecream just above his upper lip, giving him the comical look of one with a mustache. So he continued to stare, bewildered, at Kurama, who looked about ready to explode, his face red from lack of oxygen, his eyes streaming with tears. He appeared to be in great pain, or, at least to Hiei, who had never seen some one trying to hold down laughter.
Kurama stuffed his fist in his mouth to keep from laphing, now alarming Hiei worse than before. What was up with Kurama? Hiei watched as the desperate fighter leapt from his seat and rushed to the bathroom, his fist still in his mouth. "Weirdo." Hiei shrugged and went back to the remainder of his cone, only to be startled as hysterical laughter rang through the little parlor, alarming the other inhabitants as well as the short little demon sitting in the corner, devouring his icecream with such ferocity, one would think he was trying to kill it.
* * *
Kuwabara studied the singing systems, his expression solemn, as though he had to make a major, life changing, choice. Yuskue waited with a patient manner, though he seemed unaware of the stares he was receiving for dancing around the isle, headphones with sample music on his ears. He strummed an invisible guitar with the vigor of a heavy metal star, belting out the lyrics of a foreign song, deaf to his own words. Kuwabara ran a hand allow the box of the cheapest model, which included a microphone and ten CDs. But he rejected it with a simple glance. He was loaded, if you know what I mean. He had just gotten a hefty reward the day before from an elderly woman for coaxing her precious kitty out of a tree. So he moved on down the row, and let out a cry of triumph. The best one in the store, and if he and Yuskue put their cash together, he could rent it. It consisted of a platform with pads that lit up, so you could dance along to the song, a microphone, and thirty CDs, one of which was Linkin Park's. He beckoned to Yuskue, who dismissed it with a wave of his hand, "Whatever, man. Come on, we'll be late!"
Overjoyed, Kuwabara called for assistance, and with a broad grin, he and Yuskue left, oblivious to the snickers following them. "Party time," Kuwabara yelled joyously as they entered Kurama's neighborhood. He nodded his head at the little, cozy house that was Kurama's, and the race was on. He and Yuskue bolted down the street for all they were worth, which was quite a lot. Yuskue made it to the door first, his face a merry red, his breath coming in short, quick gasps. Kuwabara stumbled up beside him, breathing heavily, his shoulders slumped. Both grinned at one another, and Yuskue lifted a hand to rind the doorbell.
Shiori opened the door, a glad cry at her lips. She hugged each boy in turn, telling them how happy she was that they could come. "Kurama has such wonderful little friends!" She said, slightly teary eyed.
Yuskue beamed, "Nah."
"We're happy to be here, ma'am." Kuwabara explained that he was having a dance machine delivered in an hour or so, just for the occasion. As he described it, Kurama's mum's face lit up with excitement at the thought of her son singing, infront of thousands of adoring fans, all begging to date him. She smiled, and told them to come in.
"Now, Kurama went to get his delightful little friend, Hiei. He ought to be back in and hour or so. You're just in time to sample my cookies." The two snickered at her description of Hiei, and grinned. This woman obviously did not know Hiei.
The girls arrived just as the boys were getting restless, and had began to kick each other under the table. Their arms were laden down with bags from the mall; party favors, streamers, food, balloons, and an assortment if additional CDs. Kayco let out a joyous giggle as Yukina let her peek into her bag, one filled with various entertainments from the Makai, most of which were to keep Hiei busy. The boys cocked their heads and leaned back in their chairs, tipping so far back the front legs of the chair lifted a good foot. The girls stood at the counter, just out of their sight range. The girls scolded and hide the bags in Shiori's room, firmly stating the stuff was a surprise.
Disappointed, the two grumbled in hostile tones to themselves, devouring chocolate chip cookies by the handfuls. So much for manners. "I wonder what they got?" Yuskue said gravely as the two leaned closer to one another, to discuss the mystery of the party stuff.
"I bet it's a bunch of fire works," Kuwabara muttered, propping his face on his elbow with a grunt. After stuffing three cookies in his mouth, he added, "Hiei'd love that."
Yuskue amused himself with the image of Hiei terrorizing Kuwabara with fire works, and grinned with an evil chuckle. Kuwabara inched away, a slight look of nervousness on his face. After getting bored of reliving Kuwabara's death, Yuskue ate another cookie with a look of satisfaction, until he realized he had eaten the last one. "Aw man!" He whined, and tipped back in his chair again, assuming his laid back position, his feet on the table and his hands folded behind his back. "To bad he doesn't have a pool. That would be really cool."
"Whatever. When do you think him and shorty will get here?" Kuwabara uttered a startled cry as the people in question entered the room, Hiei looking rather sullen, and Kurama sporting a black eye.
"Hiei got a bit irritated," Kurama heaved a sigh, answering the unspoken question about his eye. He lifted his fingers to it, gingerly touching the blue-black skin. He winced and mumbled, "Hiei doesn't seem to have a sense of humor."
"Hn." He was wearing a human set of clothes; a thin undershirt, black leather jacket, and tight jeans; the typical biker look, which seemed to fit Hiei well. His manner was not a pleased one, like a boy who's just been invited to his first party. No, he was enraged. The room heated drastically as he entered it, going from comfy room temperature to some thing only experienced in an active volcano. This was not highly appreciated by the boys, who already thought that it was sweltering. Hiei boldly ignored their complaints, and "Hn"ed at their protests as he got angrier, the table now smoldering. Tiny wisps of smoke curled in a small spiral from the wood, Kurama promptly tossing a wet dishrag at the would-be fire.
"Would it kill you to chill?" Yuskue muttered under his breath, his words (luckily) going unheard by the demon who caused the small sparks. Had he heard the comment, the room might have been set afire, and Kurama's Mother would have flipped her lid, if that saying is familiar to you. Pardon me if it's not. "I mean, gee, you just got invited to a party with your best friends, right? Why are in such a sulky mood?"
Hiei cocked an eyebrow at the spirit detective, and spoke with a snarl to his words, "As I have told you before, Urameshi, I am not your friend. I have no friends. Nor do I want any. And I especially don't want a monkey," He waved in Kuwabara's general direction with his hand, and Kuwabara let out a growl, "A fool," It was Yuskue's turn to growl, "And some giddy fox, as friends." Kurama smiled ruefully, a soft sadness about him. Hiei had friends, he just didn't want to admit he cared for them. Pathetic, really, not being able to admit your own feelings.
"Giddy am I?" Kurama asked with a slight sigh. After returning from the bathroom, he had generously told Hiei he had icecream on his nose, and Hiei had attacked him out of pure embarrassment. "Kuwabara is ape like, and Yuskue is a fool? How would you describe yourself, Hiei?"
This caught the Forbidden Child off guard. How was he to answer that? He scowled at the redhead with the fieriest snarl he had ever uttered, but the Kitsune was not going to back down. "I am the only one sane in this sorry excuse for a team..."
"Oh? So, are you implying that I am not mentally stable now?" Kurama countered with a dull tone of voice, turning from the fuming fire demon to the sink, where he proceeded to wet a dishtowel and ally it to his eye. Still looking at the counter, he added, "Is that how you really see me, Hiei? If so, then I have some issues."
"Hn."
"Hey, Kurama, when are we going to party, man? We been waiting an hour!" Yuskue whined, oblivious as to the tension between the two ex thieves. Kurama did not answer him directly, instead, he spoke to Kuwabara:
"Kuwabara, would you kindly find the ladies and escort them to my living room? It s time, I believe, to relax, and," He lifted his face, spinning suddenly around from the sink. He lifted his hands, his scarlet hair framing his slightly flushed face, his eyes closed in amusement, his smile brighter than it had ever been. "Tell them it's time to party?!"
"YEAH!" Yuskue punched his fist into the air with a glad cry, and then proceeded to "do a victory dance", arm and arm with Kuwabara, chanting: "Part time! Party time! Party time! Party time!"
Hiei blinked, then shot Kurama a disgusted look. It had finally happened. Not that Hiei thought it wouldn't, he'd just expected a little more warning. He'd lost his friend, his only real friend, to the nigens... A wave of misery washed over him, and he looked wildly around for an exit. He could not stomach this foolishness any longer! He'd find some secluded place in Genkai's demon forest, and await the next portal to demon world. He couldn't believe he had softened up to this idiot, and now look what he got! With three swift steps, Hiei darted out of the kitchen, and into the hall, he sped towards the door, the light shining from the window his only guide. It's wrong, he screamed inwardly, it's wrong! His fingers had just touched the metallic surface of the doorknob when he heard her gentle, soft voice behind him. Her tone was so understanding, so loving. She knew him...
"Please don't leave, Hiei. Not yet." Yukina begged. Her hand fell to his shoulder, the warmth of her hand making her brother flush. Hiei did not move, but stood, his back to her, still grasping the doorknob. "I know how you feel, I do. You feel cheated, right? Like he's left you alone, in the darkness of your past. He's let his past of crime, murder, hate... He's let it go, driven it from his mind. But you can't do it." Her grip on his shoulder tightened, her voice becoming firmer. "Hiei, you just think you can't. I don't know all the details of you past, and I won't pretend I do. Every one has stains on their soul, I will also not pretend I don't..."
Hiei let out a chuckle, a smile at his lips. "You, have a dirty soul? Don't you ever say that, Yukina. You are as pure as they come." His face fell to a serious frown, his eyes glistening. "I have more than stains... More than a kind, pretty little koorime like you could possibly fathom."
"Kurama was a lot nastier than you, Hiei." Yukina let her voice fall, "I've talked to him. He described to me the deeds he's done in demon world... He needs you, Hiei. He's had to resort to talking to me to get it all out. He's no fool. He knows you can't just bottle up your feelings and label them 'deceased' and toss them on a shelf. You'll go insane if you do. But I'm not the kind of listener he needs. You are... And you need to tell him about what you feel."
"Hn. I have no feelings, Yukina. By now you should have noticed I'm nothing more than a selfish hole, void of life or need of life. It makes no difference to me whether I live or not. I have no need for friends, or emotions."
"Hiei! You're smarter than that! We all have a reason to live. Kurama lives to aid the human race, his mother in particular. He fells the need to atone for his sins here. Yuskue and Kuwabara live for life, they love each waking moment, whether they're fighting or sitting in their living rooms and playing those console games things. I live in hopes of one day finding my brother... Keiko and Botan love to just enjoy themselves. Not every one has one, specific detail in life they live for... But life is ALWAYS worth living."
"Even if you live to go to the High School of Heck to be tortured by some Japanese punks? Kurama told me the other night how cruel humans are... Why would he live here and endure that?!"
"Because, life is life. We live through the rough parts to pursue the good. This is difficult for you to digest, I know, but you have to open your mind a bit wider. Each day has its pain, its fits of hate, cruelty... But if you manage to live past that, then you find yourself doing something you love, and always will... Kurama goes through that to come home and see Shiori smile at him. He loves her, and is willing to die for her, as you saw when he stole the three Reiki Treasures. If you have even a small reason to live, then you have to much reason to die."
Hiei swallowed, his eyes closing. Was what she said true? Yukina did go through so much torture, yet she could easily forget it now, and joyously partake in the nigen's entertainments. But whenever Hiei tried to relax, he felt the wait of his past hold him back. He had done such sadistic things... What right did he have to enjoy life? And yet, he constantly added to his guilt, day by day it got heavier... He felt the need to end it, to wipe away his existence, to end his never-ending suffering. 'If you have even a small reason to live, then you have to much reason to die...' Was this true? Well, he didn't have to die, he could just go back to demon world. There he could live in black and white like he always had. There it was eat, kill, plunder, or become victim to someone else... The colors and borders between right and wrong were so firmly made. But here, there was so much gray... nothing made sense. Was it wrong to let go- or to hold on?
"W-what am I soposed to do...?" He asked her, his voice trembling. "What am I soposed to do?"
"Come to terms with your past. You were evil, dark and murderous. But now you stand in light, yet your soul remains black. So let it go, let the pain and memories go. And try the best you can to atone for what you did, with what you can do now. With what you have. With who you hold so dearly in that once-black heart."
"Yeah, Hiei, it ain't no good to sit around and sulk over a dirty past." Kuwabara's thick, throaty voice said from behind them with surprising softness. "We all got crud we done wrong, but we also got our whole lives to enjoy, why dwell in your past if it's so nasty, when your future is still ahead of you? For all you know, you're future's a great one!"
"What Yukina and Kuwabara said is true, man. You have to go on living, not going backward." Yuskue spoke with such a solemn manner it shocked Hiei. "If you go backward, you'll never get any farther ahead, and you'll never get away from the pain."
Hiei turned to see his companions smiling at him. Yukina released his shoulder, and backed up to stand beside Kuwabara. Kurama looked at him with those sparkling emerald eyes, and murmured, "I'd like to contribute to this too, but what can one say that would sink in deeper than the speeches all ready spoken?"
Botan, Shizuru, and Keiko joined the group, their smiles just as friendly. Hiei took a step back, his eyes widening, his mouth slightly open. His back met the door, and he pushed up against the wood with a look of perplexity on his pale face.
"Come on, Hiei, how can you be so sad with all these joyous nutcases around?" Shizuru laughed, giving her brother a cuff with the edge of her hand.
"Lighten up, and join us for a party!" Botan giggled, brandishing a liter of coke like a sword. It was evident she had already drank a great deal of the caffeine-enriched drink.
"We want you to stay." Keiko added earnestly, her liquid-brow eyes flickering, "Who else will keep Yuskue in line?"
"We're your friends, Hiei." Yuskue said with strong conviction. His face pulled into his evil grin, "If you take off, we'll hunt you down and drag you back, and force you to party with us!"
"...I- I'm sorry... I can't..." Hiei jerked around with such abruptness, his movements could not be followed, even by Kurama. He grasped the doorknob, and in one swift motion, he whipped open the door and with a light step, bolted out.
The watched the small, black blur speed off into the city. Yuskue made a move to follow, but Kurama lifted his arm, catching the hasty spirit detective in his middle. When Yuskue protested, Kurama murmured, "This is a lot for Hiei to sort through. We'll go find him when it gets dark, and he's done thinking."
* * * *
A/N Yeah, I know, I'm getting a bit off plot. But this scene was important! Trust me, Hiei needed this change of thought process in order to do what he has to. *Snicker* I bet you want to know what he needs to do, but there ain't no way I'm gonna tell ya, got it? Thank you guys for your reviews! I'm in the process of emailing those of you with an email address. Please give me one so I can send you my thanks and stuff. Those of you who haven't reviewed, do so now!!!! Thank you!
