Sorry for not updating so long. I promise the next chapter will be up next week. Thanks for all your support for this story, although I would like more reviews glares. Or else don't blame me for not updating. The chapter names will be according to months, so if that month is your birthday, tell me.
Seasons Winter
December
People never notice the snow unless when they want to make use of it. Everyone was like that. They prayed for snow on Christmas day, but treated it like dust on other occasions. The snow was like that too. It fell when it wanted to, when it found the need to, acting all to its own wishes and completely ignoring the expectations other people gave it. What right did human have in controlling it, anyway? The snow was free.
At the bottom of a mountain, the now raging snowstorm promptly covered the ground with a soft layer of white icing, so fragile that it would disappear once the sun came out. Slowly winding the way up the mountain, more patches of white appeared, as the decreasing temperature ensured its survival at this height. At the very peak, it was covered with alabaster permafrost.
They raced their way up the mountain, their steps so light that they barely left prints in the snow.
Permafrost, is it really permanent? The snow certainly hoped it was, as it cast thicker and thicker layers, afraid what's permanent might vanish, afraid that what it was hiding would be shown. It did not want that to happen.
They were surrounded by a mad flurry of snowflakes. Finally, Kurama decided that he had enough of the speed and slowed down to a walk. This was where (after a great deal of fluster) he chose to bring Hiei. It was cold and snowy up here, and he hoped that this would remind Hiei of his birthplace; hoped that Hiei would disclose more of himself to Kurama. Now he wished that Hiei had better do that soon, because he was sure he would soon freeze up.
Or did it?
Kurama hugged his coat closer to himself, careful to not let his weakness show, and glanced at Hiei, who seemed totally oblivious to the below-freezing temperature. Not surprising, but somehow, it annoyed Kurama now.
"Hiei, are you cold?" he asked tentatively, but immediately realized his stupidity. How could a fire demon ever feel cold? He felt like bashing his head against the wall. Except that there was no wall on the spot.
"It seems that you are," he said and continued walking. "When had I become so transparent?!" Kurama cursed under his breath. That's when he found his eyes covered by some cloth. He removed it quickly, and found, to his surprise, it was Hiei's scarf. He couldn't have dropped it, which means . . .
"Just put it no, fox. It only makes me hot, anyway." He watched as Hiei went ahead, too shocked to move, and as the wind stirred more snowflakes onto his face, somehow he didn't feel cold anymore. But he wound the scarf around his neck anyway. It still had some of Hiei's temperature, which was warm enough to make Kurama blush.
He still stood there, eyes following Hiei as he moved further and further. With a deep frown, he shook his head hard, waking from the trance. "When have you become so sensitive that a scarf can make you lose yourself for such a long time," Kurama reprimanded himself, "but then, this is the first time he shows me such concern . . ." His eyes turned dreamy, and realized with a start that Hiei was already a black dot far away.
He quickly started jogging, but realized, when he got within two meters to Hiei, that he was still unnoticed by the fire demon. Such a good chance was hard to come by . . . Kurama dipped his hand into the snow.
THUD! The snowball hit Hiei square on the back of his head. He blinked at the sudden cold sensation dripping down the back of his neck and down his spine, giving him a chill. He turned, and saw Kurama, who was acting nonchalant by pretending to study the evergreen, with snow still clinging to his gloves.
"Well, two can play this game, Kurama," Hiei thought.
"Kurama," he called, and the fox turned, giving him a sunny smile. "What is it, Hiei â THUD! He watched, amused, as Kurama shivered and shook his head violently to get the snow out of his eyes and hair.
"Why did you do that?!" He accused, with a bit of false admonishment, a small put forming on his lips.
One hit him on the forehead, and another on his right shoulder, it wasn't that painful, and he recovered fairly quickly, only to find Kurama already out of sight. "Nice trick, fox," he thought, "but you've underestimated me." With that, he pulled away the cloth blocking his jagan, and at once, he found his attacker hiding behind a certain tree.
With a sudden burst of speed, he leaped and landed on the branch of a tree and rested a millisecond, before leaping again. He could sense that Kurama was distracted and confused, so with one last jump, he landed lightly on the tree where the fox was directly hiding under, he stamped down hard on the branch, and a huge clump of snow fell, burying Kurama under it. He could hear a muffled cry of shock, and it was only minutes later where a rather disgruntled looking red head emerged, wet and trembling all over.
"Still want to play, Kurama?" Hiei said and grinned triumphantly.
"Oh, of course!" he replied off-handedly, once he got his teeth to stop chattering so much. "It's hardly usual that you want to 'play' with me, so of course I won't be the one to stop this. Enjoying yourself?" as soon as he said that, he scooped up a ball of snow and aimed it as Hiei. He didn't even pause to see the results before turning and ran the moment the snow left his hand, but judging from the lack of noise, it messed. Too bad.
He heard the sound of something traveling towards himself, and without stopping, dodged slightly to the left. The snowball flew past him, barely centimeters from his face.
"You forget that I'm not a person who enjoys himself," Hiei said, and Kurama found his running just as fast a few meters away. "I'm merely paying back the respect. I keep my emotions to the minimum." With that, Kurama found a series of snowballs flying in his direction. He dodged and decked, but THUD! He didn't escape the last one.
"Is that so? Then what's your point of explaining? Afraid that I might misunderstood?" Kurama retorted, arching an eyebrow, and without missing a beat, returned five of his own snowballs. THUD! THUD!
"You're going to pay for that!" Hiei shouted threateningly, but any effect it would have was covered by a fit of giggles, as Kurama saw some not yet melted snow stuck in his hair and a very stubborn clump that absolutely refused to leave his nose.
"Make me!" Kurama yelled back in glee, all the time increasing his speed. He could sense Hiei coming towards him, and was rapidly catching up, when CRUNCH! What could be the cause of that noise? He turned and saw (to his shock or amusement) that Hiei had sunk waist deep into the thick carpet of snow, and was making futile attempts to free himself.
He walked back and kneeled down directly in front of Hiei, observing the frustrated and a little embarrassed look on his face. He should have brought a camera.
"Need a little help?" Kurama asked sweetly and innocently, as if it was most common to see a class A demon stuck in the snow and unable to get himself out. Hiei shot him a glare, and with a low growl, tried some other methods to get out, only to sink deeper. There was nothing he could exert his force on. Why was there so much snow anyway?!
Kurama stretched out his hand. "Now you owe me twice," he smiled mischievously, as ideas started popping into his mind as to how to make Hiei pay. The latter eyed the hand suspiciously, but took it in defeat. With a hard tug, Hiei was out, but the momentum caused him to pitch forward and bump into Kurama's chest.
Kurama could feel his temperature taking a great surge, and would not be surprised if his faced blended in with the colour of his hair. It wasn't a bad feeling though, but would have been better if Hiei hadn't jumped away so fast. He quickly turned around to hide his embarrassment. "So . . .um . . . Hiei, do you admit defeat?" he stuttered out. Just great.
THUD! Kurama blinked in daze. "That was my way of saying thanks," Hiei said smugly behind him. Immediately, Kurama started running again. THUD! THUD! Dozens of snowball came for him. THUD!
"Hey! That's hardly fair! I wasn'tâ The nest second, he found himself pinned into the snow with Hiei on top of him, hands on either side of his face. He suddenly found it hard to breathe.
"That's not my fault. I told you before that your alertness is dropping way too much," Hiei said with a smirk, watching the panting and flushed face below him. Emerald eyes sparking, crimson strands of hair spread out elegantly, bringing out the smooth complexion even more. Lips quivering, chest heaving fairly rapidly, as puffs of white vapour condensed from his warm breath. Hiei found himself entranced anew.
His body moved as if it had a mind of its own, and his hand slowly came to rest upon Kurama's cheek. It was warm, just like Kurama always was. He had absolutely no control now.
Kurama stared into the ruby irises, almost drowning in them, when he felt something cool brush against his face. It took him a while to realize that it was Hiei's hand. He leaned into the comforting feeling, as fingers began stroking his cheek in circles, somehow relaxing and sending him thrill the same time.
The new sensations totally overwhelmed Hiei. It was something he never felt before. He could feel the silky smoothness of skin under his fingertips; could see as Kurama gave a small sign of content and half closed his eyes. His thumb ran over the luscious lower lip. Those lips were slightly parted, as if inviting him. A new rush of emotions surged through him, and he couldn't really think now. He dipped his head down.
The snow had stopped a while ago. People were too busy to notice.
Kurama totally gave in to the comfortable feeling, closing his eyes, when he felt a pressure on his lips. He froze. Was Hiei . . .kissing him? He peeked and the reality sent his mind reeling. This was definitely something he did not expect, but dreamed of. This was just so . . . unreal . . .
The sun peeked out form behind the clouds, lighting up half the mountain, its golden rays winding into the branches of the pines, giving everything, especially the pure snow, a heavenly glow. But still, half of the mountain was in shadows, seeming gloomy and dark. Feeling bad, the clouds moved from obscuring the sun.
As soon as Kurama began to respond by opening his mouth a little, Hiei seemed to snap back to reality, and found with total shock and great embarrassment, what he was doing. He quickly pulled back and stole a glance at Kurama, who seemed . . .happy and disappointed? He jumped up and ran away, faster than he ever moved.
The sunlight was like hands, slowly reaching forward to reveal the shadows, embracing the whole mountain in gold. But he snow stay unmelted. Although the sun was warm, the temperature was still below freezing.
Grinning to himself, Kurama muttered, "Now I'm really behaving like a lovesick teenager. I hope that Hiei will come back for the scarf. Better if he come for something else . . ." he blushed deep crimson, and snuffed that idea away.
Just wait. Someday the snow will definitely be melted.