Disclaimer: Do I really need to tell you again? Well, okay. Once more. YYH does not belong to me.
Warnings: Shonen-ai smut (well not really (sorry), more like fluff) and angsty agony.
I realized that Hiei didn't really do much in the last chapter, and honestly he doesn't do much in this one either. I suppose it doesn't really matter though, since Hiei doesn't talk anyway and the focus is sort of how Kurama is all happy now that Hiei's back.
In a matter of minutes, the two youkai stood by the gate of Genkai's temple, not even out of breath.
"Did you really think you could beat me, kitsune?" Hiei scoffed.
"Well, no, but I can at least try."
"Hn." Hiei snorted.
"Let's go in," Kurama urged. "Look, there's Yukina now." He nodded towards the delicate koorime hurrying towards them.
"Kurama-san!" Yukina called. "Konnichiwa!"
"Konnichiwa, Yukina-san," Kurama greeted. "Look who I've brought with me." He gestured towards Hiei, slightly puzzled at the sudden closed look on Hiei's face.
"Hiei-san!" the ice maiden exclaimed. "What a surprise! You're back from the Makai already?"
Hiei nodded, face impassive.
"Come inside," Yukina ushered. "I'll make us some tea." She turned and started towards the temple, calling out, "Genkai-san!" as she went. The short psychic peered out from indoors.
"Ah, Kurama. And Hiei! Come in."
"Ohayo, Genkai-shihan," Kurama smiled.
"Genkai-san," acknowledged Hiei, startling Kurama. He's never called Genkai by name before, Kurama thought, confused. And Hiei never uses honorifics. How strange. He brushed the thought aside and followed Hiei into the temple.
Once they were all seated comfortably with their tea, Yukina asked, "What brings you two here today?"
"Ah," Kurama smiled. "As you can see, Hiei is back from the Makai. We visited Yusuke and Kuwabara this morning, and naturally, they decided to throw a party. We're here to invite you to Yusuke's house on Saturday night."
Yukina clapped her hands in delight. "A party! How fun!"
"Indeed," said Kurama. "I hope you will come. Genkai-shihan, if you feel up to it, you're welcome, too."
"Oh, I don't know. I have no interest in seeing that idiot Yusuke drunk," she responded dryly.
Kurama laughed.
"It will be interesting, to be sure." He sipped at his tea, surprised to find Hiei doing the same. Normally Hiei, like most youkai, avoided any drink other than plain water, yet here he was, sipping tea like any normal houseguest. Kurama shrugged this off as well, deciding that they probably just drank tea at Mukuro's. It didn't occur to him that with a stronghold full of youkai of all classes, it was highly unlikely that tea would be the principal drink. He set down his cup gently on the table.
"Yukina-san, may I have the pleasure of seeing your garden? As you know, I am very interested in plants of all kinds, and I'm sure your garden is spectacular."
Yukina blushed at the praise. "It's nothing special, but of course you're welcome to see it. Hiei-san, you're welcome, too." Hiei silently arose and followed Yukina and Kurama outside, leaving Genkai to clean up.
They spent the rest of the day in the small, well-cultivated garden, with Kurama and Yukina discussing the various plants and Hiei lingering behind. Several times Kurama noticed out of the corner of his eye that Hiei was staring at Yukina, face blank. He smiled inside to think that Hiei was still protective of his sister.
"Well, now we have extended our invitation, and we must be getting back. It's almost dark, after all." He nodded towards Yukina. "Thank you for the tea, and your garden is quite beautiful."
Yukina smiled and saw them off to the gate.
"Sayonara, Kurama-san, Hiei-san! I'll see you Saturday!" she waved.
"Sayonara," Kurama waved back. "Let's go back to my house now, Hiei."
They started their journey back to Kurama's house, at a much slower pace then before. This time the trip was accentuated by a comfortable silence, in which Kurama contemplated the day. Overall, he thought, it was near perfect. Nothing had gone wrong, Hiei was still here, and hopefully would stay until the party was over, at the very least. There were six days until the party, and Kurama meant to enjoy them while he could. There was only one thing that bothered him still, and that was Yusuke and Kuwabara's "secret" conversation in the kitchen. At the time it had been amusing, because it was indeed a rather humorous incident. Now, though, it was slightly annoying. The thought that even Yusuke and Kuwabara, not exactly known for being quick of wit, believed that there was something going on between Hiei and Kurama seemed to signify something. That made three of them, then, and the only one who didn't suspect was Hiei. Kurama mused over the situation, feeling a twinge of regret at his decision not to enlighten Hiei. It was for the best, still.
They reached the house in a shorter time than Kurama expected. He snapped out of his daze, and smiled at Hiei.
"Window, please. I'll meet you upstairs."
Hiei nodded and blurred away.
Kurama retrieved his house key from his pocket, and quietly slipped into the quiet house. It occurred to him as he passed the kitchen that neither he nor Hiei had eaten all day, but it didn't bother him. Youkai could and often did pass several days without food. He hurried up to his room, where Hiei waited outside the window. Unlatching the window, he stepped back to let Hiei inside.
"Okaeri," he said jokingly. Hiei snorted. Kurama sat down on the bed, and offered Hiei a seat, which he declined. Seconds passed.
"Are you hungry at all? I could get us something to eat," Kurama offered. "Would you like anything?"
"No." Hiei faced the window again, staring out into the night.
Silence fell between them once again. Looking at Hiei's back, Kurama found himself admiring the short, muscular frame, the fluffy black hair, and as he reveled in the sight, impulse rushed through him.
"Hiei…" The hiyoukai turned.
Kurama stood up, and in two steps swiftly closed the distance between them. He stopped for a second, then leaned down and tenderly kissed Hiei on the lips, enjoying the sensation but awaiting a reaction. Receiving none, he stepped back, confused. Hiei stood there, expressionless, for one second, and then he was gone.
Kurama sat on the bed in shock. Hiei was…gone. Just like that. And all because of that kiss. One stupid kiss. Kurama wasn't normally an impulsive person. How ironic that the one time he was would be the thing to chase Hiei away.
You knew he would run away, he berated himself. You knew he thought you were just fighting partners, you knew he would run away, and you promised yourself not to do anything, and then you had to kiss him and now he's gone!
Falling backwards onto the bed with a sob, Kurama wept in regret and despair.
Ah, don't hurt me. It's not over yet. Poor Kurama, though, ne? About the honorifics thing, I don't recall ever hearing Hiei use them, although it's also hard to remember him calling anybody other than Yusuke and Kurama by name. And about the tea, I don't really know what youkai drink, but it seems to me that they wouldn't bother with anything but water. Kurama drinks tea, but he's used to it since he grew up in Ningenkai. And since I don't remember ever seeing Hiei/Kurama eat in the anime (or any of them, for that matter), I'll just say that youkai don't need to eat as often.
Edit: 1/22/05 - I went back and edited some today. Nothing big. One thing I'd like to point out is, notice how this scene seems somehow similar to the dream? Maybe I'm giving away too much information, but it is significant. -mystery- xD
Youkai – demons
Koorime – Ice Maiden; Hiei is half-koorime
Konnichiwa - hello
-shihan (ie Genkai-shihan)– I'm pretty sure it means master, like
something you would say to a martial arts master (which Genkai is).
Anyway, I've heard them call her that so I'm using it.
Sayonara - good-bye
Okaeri - short for okaeri nasai- welcome home
Hiyoukai - fire demon (not an exact translation)
