Well, I was going to start the side story today, but then I read over the
next chapter for this and realized that it was one of my favorite parts, so
I decided to do it next. Maybe I'll do the other tomorrow. Or later
tonight, if I decide to stay up late. Anyway, let's see, plot warnings. . .
um, there's some stuff about Hiei's past, his mother, ect. Um. . . some
more stuff between him and Yusuke. . . oh, and one more thing I almost
forgot to tell you. Kurama's situation. Yeah, he wants to protect Hiei and
Yusuke so much that he isn't exactly thinking clearly. I think he also
wants to prove to himself that he's changed, by sacrificing himself for the
people he loves.
Warnings: Just the usual. I own nothing and this is a yaoi fic. I guess I own whatever characters I happen to make up along the way, but who cares? Who would actually want to claim a bitch like Medu anyway?
~
Things had changed between Yusuke and Hiei after the day Hiei relinquished the story of his and Kurama's past. They talked more - about personal things, about big issues, and about nonsense - and they argued less. (A spat over whether or not cheese actually tasted yellow didn't really count as an argument, did it?) What neither was ready to admit was that a friendship and ease seemed to be developing between them. They reached a small town on their third week of travel, a town Hiei named as Ely'afreba.
"Stay close to me, detective. They don't like humans here." Hiei said under his breath as they passed through the gates.
"An they like us other places?" He mumbled back dryly.
Hiei grabbed his elbow and yanked him to his side, putting an arm around his waist. "Of course not, but this place is particularly bad. Pretend your mine and we shouldn't have any trouble."
"You're touching my butt again."
"Shut up and listen to me. . ."
"I think you do that just because you like it, not 'cause you haveta'. Ow! Hey! Don't pinch me! No Pinching! Ow! I said. . . HEY! STOP THAT!"
"Then shut up and listen!" The small demon snarled. "Keep your eyes down and don't meet anyone's gaze. You are property, do you understand? My property. If I tell you to do something, you will do it. Without argument. And stop complaining. Understand?"
"Yup. Got it."
"I said keep your mouth shut!"
Yusuke scowled and dropped his head, grumbling choice phrases under his breath as Hiei led him through the streets. The short demon had actually slipped his hand into Yusuke's back pocket, and used it to keep him glued to his side. Yusuke was not happy with the whole thing. Actually, it was a little humiliating. Make that very humiliating. Yusuke Urameshi didn't take orders from anybody, and he definitely wasn't meek.
However. . .
However, Hiei was looking out for his best interests, even if he did appear to be enjoying it more than he should, even if it was humiliating. He was protecting him in his own twisted way; as Kurama had said, Hiei wasn't nearly as bad as he thought he was.
"Hey! How much will ya take for the pretty human?"
"He isn't for sale."
"Hey buddy, you lookin' t' make some money?"
"No."
"Oh! Scuse me, son, didn't mean to bump into you there. Say! That's a good lookin' human you got there. Ever think about. . ."
Hiei rolled his blood colored eyes to the speaker and calmly told him to do something anatomically impossible to a porcupine before continuing on his way, hand on Yusuke's rear.
Time after time they were stopped by demons interested in Yusuke, and time after time Hiei told them no, level of rudeness increasing with each instance. Somehow, hearing Hiei tell a demon who wanted to borrow him for a few hours to go somewhere very very hot and do something extremely rude to the leader of that very hot place, and feeling the warm, comforting pressure of Hiei's hand on his rear made Yusuke feel more cared for and protected than he ever had except for when he was with Kurama.
As soon as they reached their room at an inn, Yusuke distanced himself as far from Hiei as he could, afraid of what he was feeling.
~
"Whoa, is that. . . ?" Yusuke blinked, rubbed his eyes, and blinked again. "Is that an island?"
"It is." Hiei grunted, unimpressed.
"But. . . it's floating! Weird enough that it would start snowing so suddenly, but an island floating above a forest???"
Hiei reluctantly glanced up at the island and scowled, memories he would rather forget washing over him. "This isn't your world. Floating islands are not such an oddity here. Now close your mouth and stop gaping before something vicious flies in there."
"Who lives there? Can we go see them?"
The small demon's mouth twisted bitterly. "The island is the territory of the ice demons, and they are not particularly happy with the idea of men on their land."
Yusuke couldn't pull his eyes from the island. "Should we go around the forest underneath then?" He asked vaguely.
Hiei considered it only a moment. "No." He decided finally. "It would slow us down far too much." He headed toward the dense forest as if to cement his decision. "They only care about their stupid island; they won't bother us. Are you coming or not, detective?"
"Yeah. . . Yeah, I'm comin'. Hiei. . . um. . . your mother was an ice demon. . . wasn't she?" He nodded to himself at Hiei's sour grunt, rubbing his arms to fight off the cold as he hurried to catch up. "Were you born up there?" He asked, making a motion with his chin toward the large land mass floating above them.
"Enough talk. We need to walk faster or you will freeze." With a motion of his hand, Hiei had cleared a path through the snow before them. He then grabbed Yusuke's arm and began pulling him roughly along behind him. The apparent reason was to make him hurry; the real reason was to depart some warmth to him through the touch of skin on skin, something Hiei doubted the human even noticed, although it had been keeping him alive for several days.
"I can walk!" Yusuke snapped, snatching his arm away with a scowl.
Hiei permitted it to happen; he had put in enough to disperse itself through the boy for the next hour or so at the least. He had been infusing his traveling companion with fire magic for some time to prevent him from freezing to death or catching cold, and he had to do it more often the colder it grew. However, he knew that the nights would now be too cold for one touch to suffice, and with using up so much power on the human boy, Hiei couldn't afford to stay awake long enough to ensure he kept Yusuke alive. If he put in enough to keep the boy warm all night in one touch, it would surely kill him. The human wouldn't survive the night if Hiei didn't sleep touching him.
As they walked, the sun grew lower and lower in the sky, and Hiei began to grow more and more agitated. He couldn't permit Yusuke to die; he would do whatever was necessary to keep him alive. Night came all too quickly, and Hiei reluctantly agreed to stop and make camp.
He watched coldly as, shivering, Yusuke crawled into his bedroll, wearing every article of clothing he had with him. Hiei took his time putting away the cooking utensils and letting the fire die. Such a measly flame would never be enough to keep Kurama's other lover alive. Besides, the colder he felt, the more likely the human was to accept his help.
He felt Yusuke's eyes on him, heard his teeth chattering. He smiled to himself as he undressed for bed - he usually slept only in boxers, unless Kurama was with him and they were alone, then he wore less. He took his time putting away the dark garments before turning to the brown eyed boy.
"Cold?" He asked uncaringly.
Yusuke scowled, lips already taking on a tinge of blue. Hiei's last infusement was already beginning to wear off. "A little." The human answered sarcastically.
Hiei crossed his arms smugly. "Want help?"
Yusuke stared at him a moment, then nodded, much to Hiei's secret surprise. Hiei hadn't expected him to give in so easily. Quickly, before the boy had the chance to change his mind, Hiei crossed to the human's bedroll. Yusuke didn't look very happy as he held it open for him, and Hiei smirked to himself as he crawled in, taking the boy into his arms.
Yusuke grew very still after only a few seconds within his embrace. "How did you do that?" He asked quietly.
Hiei closed his eyes, taking in the scent of the human he couldn't help but to care for. "Go to sleep." He ordered coldly. Yusuke still felt like ice; he had almost wasted too much time. "Sleep, and know that my power alone is what keeps you alive tonight."
To his surprise, Yusuke snuggled closer, eyes already drifting closed. Hiei heard a mumbled "thank you," and smiled to himself, stroking Yusuke's thick black hair. For the first time since he had been stolen away from them, Hiei's last thoughts before sleep were not of his fox.
~
"Still resisting? It is futile, you know. You, of all people, should appreciate the power of combining herbs with magic." A long-fingered hand caught his chin, forcing his head up. He opened his eyes weakly, fighting a groan. "Do you not feel flattered by the lengths I have gone through to acquire your delicious presence?"
Silvery hair fell into his eyes, reminding him yet again of his failure to escape once he had thought they were far enough from his loved ones. But he had been given something that had weakened him even in his youko form, and had not gotten far. He could not change back, his stronger form was all that was keeping him sane at the moment under Medu's malicious torture. But he would fight her to the end - he would!
"It would be much easier for you if you stopped fighting. I even think you could learn to enjoy it - being my devoted slave. You could sit at my side beside the thrown I will create, a faithful hound." She caressed his face and he shivered involuntarily, wrenching his head away.
"You have me here, Medu. Is that not enough for you?" He rasped. "Leave me my pride."
"But there's so much more I need to do with you, my darling Youko!" She laughed. Her dark mirth passed, and she regarded him a long moment before smiling coldly. "Were you aware that your little pets are trying to find you? Oh, yes. The forbidden child and the pretty human. What do you think I should do with them when they reach us?" With a dark laugh, she deftly wove an illusion of sight, the kind that depicted anything happening anywhere in the world. It showed a dark haired human and an equally dark demon curled around each other in a bedroll, surrounded by snow.
Kurama stared, caressing the image of the two he loved more than life itself with his eyes. Perhaps Medu had shown them to him in the hopes of filling him with jealousy and loss, to see them like that. But for Kurama the sight was the most beautiful thing ever. How he had longed for just one more glimpse of them. And he prayed they were in each other's arms for more than warmth, that they had turned to each other for comfort. He fought the smile curving its way onto his mouth. She must not know he was gladdened by the sight, or she would take it away, as she had taken so much already.
"They make an attractive couple, don't you think? The little traitors, it looks like they've forgotten all about you." She wound her fingers in his hair, giving it a painful tug. "I cannot wait until they arrive here. I should like to know why they're even searching for someone they obviously care nothing about. Of course, I could just go ahead and bring them here. If I have the power to watch them like this, I obviously have the power to take them now."
Kurama wrenched his eyes away. "What?"
"Oh, yes. You mean it hasn't crossed your mind? A simple transportation spell, not so difficult for someone of my standing. I could have so much fun with them, after all. Even just watching them will be enjoyable. After all, it isn't like you have offered me much in the way of entertainment, have you? I had no idea you'd prove to be so stubborn."
"No!"
"No?" She blinked innocently. "No what?"
"Medu, you must leave them alone."
Smiling, she reached up and unlocked the manacles that held his wrists up above his head. "Well, If I am to leave them alone, then I want some . . . compensation. Catch my drift? I expect you to be more cooperative." She tilted her face up to his, eyes wild and insane. "Kiss me." She breathed.
Glancing once more at the precious image of his sleeping loves, Kurama did as he was told. He did everything that was asked of him, keeping that one, sweet image fixed in his mind. For Hiei and Yusuke, any price was worth it. He would behave himself, be obedient and loyal, and when they reached Medu's stronghold, they would be turned away, and would eventually find a happy life with each other. They would be safe, and be happy.
When he was finally permitted to return to his chains, he stared blankly at the illusion. Medu smiled, satisfied, and changed it to an illusion of their faces alone. "I'll leave this up here as a reminder of your . . . motivation." She whispered.
~
Yusuke snuggled closer to the warm body beside him, smiling to himself as arms tightened reflexively around him. Something was different, he knew. He had only before slept in the arms of one person, and the arms that held him now definitely did not belong to Kurama. A hand ran through his hair, fingers tangling and then releasing themselves in the dark strands, a second hand reaching under his shirt and stroking the bare skin of his back.
He opened his eyes slowly and sat up slightly, peering down into the face of the man who held him so closely. Hiei's eyes were closed, a slight smile playing on his perfectly formed lips. Yusuke realized, as he peered down into the face that, for the first time seemed so peaceful, innocent, and utterly vulnerable, that he had never seen the small demon smile before. Not like that.
"Are you finally awake, detective?" Hiei asked without bothering to open his eyes. "Are you warm enough?"
"Yeah. Um, Hiei. . . thank you." There, it was out. He had said it. Yusuke prepared for the "I told you so's" to rain down on him.
Hiei shrugged, smile growing somewhat. "What choice did I have? You wouldn't have survived otherwise."
"Still. It means a lot to me."
Hiei opened his eyes, and their gazes locked. Yusuke felt lost in those deep pools of crimson, falling and falling forever. He felt Hiei's hand tighten in his hair, and allowed his head to be pulled down. Their lips brushed, just a faint, butterfly-light caress that sent shock waves through his entire body, set his mind spinning. Yusuke pulled away slightly, staring down questioningly at Hiei you lay regarding him through half lidded, never ending pools of liquid. Taking a deep breath, Yusuke pressed forward, covering the small demon's mouth with his won. Hiei's arms tightened around him as they kissed slowly, experimentally, leisurely exploring one another in a way neither had thought would come to pass.
Yusuke felt a small thrill, smiling to himself, as Hiei's lips brushed his neck, feather light, and . . .
He froze as something sharp was pressed against his back, eyes snapping open. A rough hand grabbed him by the hair, yanking his head up and forcing him to his feet. Hiei rose slowly, in a much more dignified manner. He kept a close, wide-eyed watch on whatever had interrupted them, lips curling in a silent snarl.
They were surrounded by thirteen women. Most wore skimpy leathers or furs, but a few were in breeches and light blouses - as if it were not freezing. Their hair colors ranged in different shades of blue, and they all held spears made of ice. Hiei hissed slowly though his teeth, attempting to glare everywhere at once, and doing a pretty good job of it.
"Who are these men that trespass on our land?"
"The forest is open to everyone." Hiei spat, backing away from the spears and closer to Yusuke, pure rage on his face. "We haven't gone near your thrice damned island."
"There have been many trespassers on our lands recently, outsiders trying to interfere in ice demon affairs. We will not be ruled by outside powers! All trespassers will be killed!" The speaker's mouth twisted in disgust. "If you leave now, however, your lives will be spared." She spat, plainly not liking the last.
Yusuke frowned. "The other trespassers. . . you're takin' bout that Medu chick, aren'tcha?"
The ice spears were thrust closer and the lead demoness scowled. "Silence, filthy male! That vile name will not be uttered!"
"No, listen! We're against that psycho-bitch, too! If you guys . . . er . . . ladies. . . came with us, I'm sure we'd have enough power t' ger rid of her forever. You don't want her takin over your worl, do ya?"
The woman's eyes her steel, frozen over yet boiling with hate. "We do not move against women, and we do not ally ourselves with men!"
"Jeez! What the hell is your problem, lady?" Yusuke demanded. Hiei tried to grab his arm, but he shoved him off, too angry to care. "No way, Hiei, I don't give a damn what these stupid bitches think. I've had enough with bein' treated like dirt, and I ain't gonna stand for it!"
One of the women lowered her speak slightly, crimson eyes widening a hair of a fraction. She was an attractive woman, light blue hair pulled up into a high, spikey ponytail. She whispered a name quietly. "Hiei?"
He cast his glare on her, frowning slightly.
"You have until midday." The leader stated coldly.
"We'll leave." Hiei agreed, eyes still locked on the woman. His voice was devoid of all emotion whatsoever. "But we're in a hurry, and don't have time to backtrack and go around these damned woods. We will go straight through, even if we must go through you to do it." An aura of black energy flared around him dangerously. Yusuke took his cue and slid into a fighting position, readying his own power.
"Then go, but be swift."
The other women stared at the one who had spoken, the one who held Hiei's gaze. His mouth twisted bitterly, but he nodded. "Get your things and come along, detective." He ordered over his shoulder, bending to pick up his pack, which he had packed up the night before. He rarely left a trace of himself anywhere. Yusuke hurridly threw his own things into his bag, wondering if Hiei was actually going to travel in his underwear, or if he planned to stop eventually and put on some clothes as he took his place at the smaller boy's side.
"Who is that woman, Hiei? Do you know her? Hiei?"
"Shut up and follow me, fool, before you get yourself killed."
~
"What did you think you were doing, Yameruki?" Suru demanded, rounding on the older demoness and planting her hands firmly on her hips, white-blue curls swaying. "You just permitted two men, two filthy, disgusting men, walk way alive! I was the leader of your expedition, or did you forget?"
"It was Hiei. My Hiei."
"Who . . . oh. Are you sure?" She glanced back in the direction the two males had gone. "It's been over six hundred years. What's he doing here?"
"When the forbidden child returneth to reclaim the birthright denied him . . ." Tao quoted quietly. She stopped and shivered. "He should have been killed long ago."
Her twin sister, Shao, frowned at her. "No, you're wrong. /we never should have thrown him out. I have said all along that we should have kept him where we could keep an eye on him. Look at how strong he's gotten."
The old argument broke out again, as arguments so often do when one is faced with prophesy walking right before one's eyes. Yameruki stared silently in the direction the two males had left, already out of sight among the snow covered trees.
~
To Be Continued
Okay, there it is. Um, yeah, couldn't find anything "official" about Hiei or his mother. If there is anything, I would like to hear it, but I'm not gonna change anything. Look, I even added in a little prophesy for flavoring. Let's just hope I remember to bring it into play later.
Warnings: Just the usual. I own nothing and this is a yaoi fic. I guess I own whatever characters I happen to make up along the way, but who cares? Who would actually want to claim a bitch like Medu anyway?
~
Things had changed between Yusuke and Hiei after the day Hiei relinquished the story of his and Kurama's past. They talked more - about personal things, about big issues, and about nonsense - and they argued less. (A spat over whether or not cheese actually tasted yellow didn't really count as an argument, did it?) What neither was ready to admit was that a friendship and ease seemed to be developing between them. They reached a small town on their third week of travel, a town Hiei named as Ely'afreba.
"Stay close to me, detective. They don't like humans here." Hiei said under his breath as they passed through the gates.
"An they like us other places?" He mumbled back dryly.
Hiei grabbed his elbow and yanked him to his side, putting an arm around his waist. "Of course not, but this place is particularly bad. Pretend your mine and we shouldn't have any trouble."
"You're touching my butt again."
"Shut up and listen to me. . ."
"I think you do that just because you like it, not 'cause you haveta'. Ow! Hey! Don't pinch me! No Pinching! Ow! I said. . . HEY! STOP THAT!"
"Then shut up and listen!" The small demon snarled. "Keep your eyes down and don't meet anyone's gaze. You are property, do you understand? My property. If I tell you to do something, you will do it. Without argument. And stop complaining. Understand?"
"Yup. Got it."
"I said keep your mouth shut!"
Yusuke scowled and dropped his head, grumbling choice phrases under his breath as Hiei led him through the streets. The short demon had actually slipped his hand into Yusuke's back pocket, and used it to keep him glued to his side. Yusuke was not happy with the whole thing. Actually, it was a little humiliating. Make that very humiliating. Yusuke Urameshi didn't take orders from anybody, and he definitely wasn't meek.
However. . .
However, Hiei was looking out for his best interests, even if he did appear to be enjoying it more than he should, even if it was humiliating. He was protecting him in his own twisted way; as Kurama had said, Hiei wasn't nearly as bad as he thought he was.
"Hey! How much will ya take for the pretty human?"
"He isn't for sale."
"Hey buddy, you lookin' t' make some money?"
"No."
"Oh! Scuse me, son, didn't mean to bump into you there. Say! That's a good lookin' human you got there. Ever think about. . ."
Hiei rolled his blood colored eyes to the speaker and calmly told him to do something anatomically impossible to a porcupine before continuing on his way, hand on Yusuke's rear.
Time after time they were stopped by demons interested in Yusuke, and time after time Hiei told them no, level of rudeness increasing with each instance. Somehow, hearing Hiei tell a demon who wanted to borrow him for a few hours to go somewhere very very hot and do something extremely rude to the leader of that very hot place, and feeling the warm, comforting pressure of Hiei's hand on his rear made Yusuke feel more cared for and protected than he ever had except for when he was with Kurama.
As soon as they reached their room at an inn, Yusuke distanced himself as far from Hiei as he could, afraid of what he was feeling.
~
"Whoa, is that. . . ?" Yusuke blinked, rubbed his eyes, and blinked again. "Is that an island?"
"It is." Hiei grunted, unimpressed.
"But. . . it's floating! Weird enough that it would start snowing so suddenly, but an island floating above a forest???"
Hiei reluctantly glanced up at the island and scowled, memories he would rather forget washing over him. "This isn't your world. Floating islands are not such an oddity here. Now close your mouth and stop gaping before something vicious flies in there."
"Who lives there? Can we go see them?"
The small demon's mouth twisted bitterly. "The island is the territory of the ice demons, and they are not particularly happy with the idea of men on their land."
Yusuke couldn't pull his eyes from the island. "Should we go around the forest underneath then?" He asked vaguely.
Hiei considered it only a moment. "No." He decided finally. "It would slow us down far too much." He headed toward the dense forest as if to cement his decision. "They only care about their stupid island; they won't bother us. Are you coming or not, detective?"
"Yeah. . . Yeah, I'm comin'. Hiei. . . um. . . your mother was an ice demon. . . wasn't she?" He nodded to himself at Hiei's sour grunt, rubbing his arms to fight off the cold as he hurried to catch up. "Were you born up there?" He asked, making a motion with his chin toward the large land mass floating above them.
"Enough talk. We need to walk faster or you will freeze." With a motion of his hand, Hiei had cleared a path through the snow before them. He then grabbed Yusuke's arm and began pulling him roughly along behind him. The apparent reason was to make him hurry; the real reason was to depart some warmth to him through the touch of skin on skin, something Hiei doubted the human even noticed, although it had been keeping him alive for several days.
"I can walk!" Yusuke snapped, snatching his arm away with a scowl.
Hiei permitted it to happen; he had put in enough to disperse itself through the boy for the next hour or so at the least. He had been infusing his traveling companion with fire magic for some time to prevent him from freezing to death or catching cold, and he had to do it more often the colder it grew. However, he knew that the nights would now be too cold for one touch to suffice, and with using up so much power on the human boy, Hiei couldn't afford to stay awake long enough to ensure he kept Yusuke alive. If he put in enough to keep the boy warm all night in one touch, it would surely kill him. The human wouldn't survive the night if Hiei didn't sleep touching him.
As they walked, the sun grew lower and lower in the sky, and Hiei began to grow more and more agitated. He couldn't permit Yusuke to die; he would do whatever was necessary to keep him alive. Night came all too quickly, and Hiei reluctantly agreed to stop and make camp.
He watched coldly as, shivering, Yusuke crawled into his bedroll, wearing every article of clothing he had with him. Hiei took his time putting away the cooking utensils and letting the fire die. Such a measly flame would never be enough to keep Kurama's other lover alive. Besides, the colder he felt, the more likely the human was to accept his help.
He felt Yusuke's eyes on him, heard his teeth chattering. He smiled to himself as he undressed for bed - he usually slept only in boxers, unless Kurama was with him and they were alone, then he wore less. He took his time putting away the dark garments before turning to the brown eyed boy.
"Cold?" He asked uncaringly.
Yusuke scowled, lips already taking on a tinge of blue. Hiei's last infusement was already beginning to wear off. "A little." The human answered sarcastically.
Hiei crossed his arms smugly. "Want help?"
Yusuke stared at him a moment, then nodded, much to Hiei's secret surprise. Hiei hadn't expected him to give in so easily. Quickly, before the boy had the chance to change his mind, Hiei crossed to the human's bedroll. Yusuke didn't look very happy as he held it open for him, and Hiei smirked to himself as he crawled in, taking the boy into his arms.
Yusuke grew very still after only a few seconds within his embrace. "How did you do that?" He asked quietly.
Hiei closed his eyes, taking in the scent of the human he couldn't help but to care for. "Go to sleep." He ordered coldly. Yusuke still felt like ice; he had almost wasted too much time. "Sleep, and know that my power alone is what keeps you alive tonight."
To his surprise, Yusuke snuggled closer, eyes already drifting closed. Hiei heard a mumbled "thank you," and smiled to himself, stroking Yusuke's thick black hair. For the first time since he had been stolen away from them, Hiei's last thoughts before sleep were not of his fox.
~
"Still resisting? It is futile, you know. You, of all people, should appreciate the power of combining herbs with magic." A long-fingered hand caught his chin, forcing his head up. He opened his eyes weakly, fighting a groan. "Do you not feel flattered by the lengths I have gone through to acquire your delicious presence?"
Silvery hair fell into his eyes, reminding him yet again of his failure to escape once he had thought they were far enough from his loved ones. But he had been given something that had weakened him even in his youko form, and had not gotten far. He could not change back, his stronger form was all that was keeping him sane at the moment under Medu's malicious torture. But he would fight her to the end - he would!
"It would be much easier for you if you stopped fighting. I even think you could learn to enjoy it - being my devoted slave. You could sit at my side beside the thrown I will create, a faithful hound." She caressed his face and he shivered involuntarily, wrenching his head away.
"You have me here, Medu. Is that not enough for you?" He rasped. "Leave me my pride."
"But there's so much more I need to do with you, my darling Youko!" She laughed. Her dark mirth passed, and she regarded him a long moment before smiling coldly. "Were you aware that your little pets are trying to find you? Oh, yes. The forbidden child and the pretty human. What do you think I should do with them when they reach us?" With a dark laugh, she deftly wove an illusion of sight, the kind that depicted anything happening anywhere in the world. It showed a dark haired human and an equally dark demon curled around each other in a bedroll, surrounded by snow.
Kurama stared, caressing the image of the two he loved more than life itself with his eyes. Perhaps Medu had shown them to him in the hopes of filling him with jealousy and loss, to see them like that. But for Kurama the sight was the most beautiful thing ever. How he had longed for just one more glimpse of them. And he prayed they were in each other's arms for more than warmth, that they had turned to each other for comfort. He fought the smile curving its way onto his mouth. She must not know he was gladdened by the sight, or she would take it away, as she had taken so much already.
"They make an attractive couple, don't you think? The little traitors, it looks like they've forgotten all about you." She wound her fingers in his hair, giving it a painful tug. "I cannot wait until they arrive here. I should like to know why they're even searching for someone they obviously care nothing about. Of course, I could just go ahead and bring them here. If I have the power to watch them like this, I obviously have the power to take them now."
Kurama wrenched his eyes away. "What?"
"Oh, yes. You mean it hasn't crossed your mind? A simple transportation spell, not so difficult for someone of my standing. I could have so much fun with them, after all. Even just watching them will be enjoyable. After all, it isn't like you have offered me much in the way of entertainment, have you? I had no idea you'd prove to be so stubborn."
"No!"
"No?" She blinked innocently. "No what?"
"Medu, you must leave them alone."
Smiling, she reached up and unlocked the manacles that held his wrists up above his head. "Well, If I am to leave them alone, then I want some . . . compensation. Catch my drift? I expect you to be more cooperative." She tilted her face up to his, eyes wild and insane. "Kiss me." She breathed.
Glancing once more at the precious image of his sleeping loves, Kurama did as he was told. He did everything that was asked of him, keeping that one, sweet image fixed in his mind. For Hiei and Yusuke, any price was worth it. He would behave himself, be obedient and loyal, and when they reached Medu's stronghold, they would be turned away, and would eventually find a happy life with each other. They would be safe, and be happy.
When he was finally permitted to return to his chains, he stared blankly at the illusion. Medu smiled, satisfied, and changed it to an illusion of their faces alone. "I'll leave this up here as a reminder of your . . . motivation." She whispered.
~
Yusuke snuggled closer to the warm body beside him, smiling to himself as arms tightened reflexively around him. Something was different, he knew. He had only before slept in the arms of one person, and the arms that held him now definitely did not belong to Kurama. A hand ran through his hair, fingers tangling and then releasing themselves in the dark strands, a second hand reaching under his shirt and stroking the bare skin of his back.
He opened his eyes slowly and sat up slightly, peering down into the face of the man who held him so closely. Hiei's eyes were closed, a slight smile playing on his perfectly formed lips. Yusuke realized, as he peered down into the face that, for the first time seemed so peaceful, innocent, and utterly vulnerable, that he had never seen the small demon smile before. Not like that.
"Are you finally awake, detective?" Hiei asked without bothering to open his eyes. "Are you warm enough?"
"Yeah. Um, Hiei. . . thank you." There, it was out. He had said it. Yusuke prepared for the "I told you so's" to rain down on him.
Hiei shrugged, smile growing somewhat. "What choice did I have? You wouldn't have survived otherwise."
"Still. It means a lot to me."
Hiei opened his eyes, and their gazes locked. Yusuke felt lost in those deep pools of crimson, falling and falling forever. He felt Hiei's hand tighten in his hair, and allowed his head to be pulled down. Their lips brushed, just a faint, butterfly-light caress that sent shock waves through his entire body, set his mind spinning. Yusuke pulled away slightly, staring down questioningly at Hiei you lay regarding him through half lidded, never ending pools of liquid. Taking a deep breath, Yusuke pressed forward, covering the small demon's mouth with his won. Hiei's arms tightened around him as they kissed slowly, experimentally, leisurely exploring one another in a way neither had thought would come to pass.
Yusuke felt a small thrill, smiling to himself, as Hiei's lips brushed his neck, feather light, and . . .
He froze as something sharp was pressed against his back, eyes snapping open. A rough hand grabbed him by the hair, yanking his head up and forcing him to his feet. Hiei rose slowly, in a much more dignified manner. He kept a close, wide-eyed watch on whatever had interrupted them, lips curling in a silent snarl.
They were surrounded by thirteen women. Most wore skimpy leathers or furs, but a few were in breeches and light blouses - as if it were not freezing. Their hair colors ranged in different shades of blue, and they all held spears made of ice. Hiei hissed slowly though his teeth, attempting to glare everywhere at once, and doing a pretty good job of it.
"Who are these men that trespass on our land?"
"The forest is open to everyone." Hiei spat, backing away from the spears and closer to Yusuke, pure rage on his face. "We haven't gone near your thrice damned island."
"There have been many trespassers on our lands recently, outsiders trying to interfere in ice demon affairs. We will not be ruled by outside powers! All trespassers will be killed!" The speaker's mouth twisted in disgust. "If you leave now, however, your lives will be spared." She spat, plainly not liking the last.
Yusuke frowned. "The other trespassers. . . you're takin' bout that Medu chick, aren'tcha?"
The ice spears were thrust closer and the lead demoness scowled. "Silence, filthy male! That vile name will not be uttered!"
"No, listen! We're against that psycho-bitch, too! If you guys . . . er . . . ladies. . . came with us, I'm sure we'd have enough power t' ger rid of her forever. You don't want her takin over your worl, do ya?"
The woman's eyes her steel, frozen over yet boiling with hate. "We do not move against women, and we do not ally ourselves with men!"
"Jeez! What the hell is your problem, lady?" Yusuke demanded. Hiei tried to grab his arm, but he shoved him off, too angry to care. "No way, Hiei, I don't give a damn what these stupid bitches think. I've had enough with bein' treated like dirt, and I ain't gonna stand for it!"
One of the women lowered her speak slightly, crimson eyes widening a hair of a fraction. She was an attractive woman, light blue hair pulled up into a high, spikey ponytail. She whispered a name quietly. "Hiei?"
He cast his glare on her, frowning slightly.
"You have until midday." The leader stated coldly.
"We'll leave." Hiei agreed, eyes still locked on the woman. His voice was devoid of all emotion whatsoever. "But we're in a hurry, and don't have time to backtrack and go around these damned woods. We will go straight through, even if we must go through you to do it." An aura of black energy flared around him dangerously. Yusuke took his cue and slid into a fighting position, readying his own power.
"Then go, but be swift."
The other women stared at the one who had spoken, the one who held Hiei's gaze. His mouth twisted bitterly, but he nodded. "Get your things and come along, detective." He ordered over his shoulder, bending to pick up his pack, which he had packed up the night before. He rarely left a trace of himself anywhere. Yusuke hurridly threw his own things into his bag, wondering if Hiei was actually going to travel in his underwear, or if he planned to stop eventually and put on some clothes as he took his place at the smaller boy's side.
"Who is that woman, Hiei? Do you know her? Hiei?"
"Shut up and follow me, fool, before you get yourself killed."
~
"What did you think you were doing, Yameruki?" Suru demanded, rounding on the older demoness and planting her hands firmly on her hips, white-blue curls swaying. "You just permitted two men, two filthy, disgusting men, walk way alive! I was the leader of your expedition, or did you forget?"
"It was Hiei. My Hiei."
"Who . . . oh. Are you sure?" She glanced back in the direction the two males had gone. "It's been over six hundred years. What's he doing here?"
"When the forbidden child returneth to reclaim the birthright denied him . . ." Tao quoted quietly. She stopped and shivered. "He should have been killed long ago."
Her twin sister, Shao, frowned at her. "No, you're wrong. /we never should have thrown him out. I have said all along that we should have kept him where we could keep an eye on him. Look at how strong he's gotten."
The old argument broke out again, as arguments so often do when one is faced with prophesy walking right before one's eyes. Yameruki stared silently in the direction the two males had left, already out of sight among the snow covered trees.
~
To Be Continued
Okay, there it is. Um, yeah, couldn't find anything "official" about Hiei or his mother. If there is anything, I would like to hear it, but I'm not gonna change anything. Look, I even added in a little prophesy for flavoring. Let's just hope I remember to bring it into play later.