Yay! Very light homework load tonight, so I have time to type! Hooray! Just a few notes before I get started here. First off, I wanna thank all of my wonderful reviews. I don't do that often enough (or at all really) and even though won't let us respond to reviews anymore, I do want to say that Koori Tenshi Kurayami, dear, that was hilarious. :P
Moving on…secondly I want to say that the shadow on the fire escape DOES NOT have anything to do Karasu or Yomi, I promise! It's not that I have anything against stories where they are staged as the villain; it's just that in my opinion they are entirely overused. I'm hoping my big baddy will be slightly more original, if not obvious as I'm sure it will be when some of you look back later and realize all the hints I've dropped. I don't usually foreshadow, mostly because I don't usually plan ahead (Shh, don't tell), but when I do it is important and I hope you've all caught a few of the clues I planted in there. I think that's all for now. ON WITH THE FIC!
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"At least one the rumors is true," the shadow's rolling bass rang in the air as he bowed deeply before his masters. "He has taken a lover, though I do not believe they are yet mates."
"Which would explain why we weren't aware of it sooner," the cold voice of one of the assembled Elder's mused.
"And the other rumor?" another, the youngest of the group, inquired. The shadow remained bowed as he replied, eyes on the floor.
"I am not certain yet, though from what I saw it is highly probable."
"It should never have come to this," a third Elder spoke up. "We should have made certain the first time."
"I must agree," a fourth Elder rasped, the sound like sandpaper, "he should have been disposed of long before this. We knew of his survival and yet did nothing!" Murmurs broke out around the room, accusations and arguments rising between the bickering Elders.
"Enough!" the fifth and oldest Elder silenced the others. "Nothing will come of blaming each other for past blunders. There is yet time to amend our past mistakes." The youngest Elder cringed as three pairs of eyes flashed angrily.
"You were always too soft on him!" one accused, the youngest cowering slightly. "Ever since the day he was born! We wouldn't have this problem right now if it wasn't for you!"
"What did I say about naming blame?" the eldest spat. Silence filled the room once more. "As I said before," the old Elder paused, eyeing each of the other Elders in turn, "there is still time. We have months yet before any decisive course of action must be taken. I suggest we use that time to work out all the loopholes." The Elder's eyes fell on the youngest of the group. "He will not slip through our fingers again, I can promise you that."
"And," the shadow spoke up quietly, feeling a decision had been reached, "what are my orders?"
"Continue to follow him, though make no move to reveal yourself. Simply keep an eye on him, nothing more. We'll watch how things unfold for a while, shall we?"
"Yes," the shadow bowed even lower, nearly bending in half, and then disappeared from the Elders' presence.
(xxx)
Hiei grumbled and rolled over as the alarm clock's shrill cry rang through the predawn darkness. The sound was quickly silenced and the mattress bounced as his bedmate obediently stumbled from the bed. Hiei continued to cocoon himself in the sheets as he heard the shower start. Just because the fox had work didn't mean he had to get up. He was just about to fall back asleep when his stomach growled loudly. He returned the growl, trying in vain to hold on to the last threads of sleep that were quickly slipping away.
He was about a month along now and already sick of the whole pregnancy business in general. The constant hunger had escaladed even further to the point he would actually get hunger pains if he waited too long between meals. Kurama had finally been forced to ask his mother for a loan to pay for the grocery bills Hiei was racking up, something the fox was not at all happy about. Kurama's overbearing attitude towards Hiei hadn't let up either, and it was getting more and more difficult for Hiei to deal with it. Kurama had called the sudden hormonal rushes "mood swings" and, as with the morning sickness, Hiei had to wonder who came up with that name. On moment he was fine, the next he was angry and he couldn't understand why. Those moods were the most dangerous. His sudden dark mood made him extra sensitive to anything said or done to or even around him. More then once the fox had had to calm him from an almost murderous rage, usually brought on by someone "looking at him funny," an explanation that even Hiei deemed ridiculous once the mood had passed.
In truth, Kurama was having problems of his own and Hiei new it. He was constantly worrying over money, going over and over their budget and trying to find anyway possible to save here and there. When Hiei was in one of his more remorseful moods, he often found himself apologizing to the fox for causing him such financial pains. Kurama always shrugged it off and told him not to worry about it, but the truth was they were digging themselves into a hole and even Hiei could see that if things didn't change soon, they wouldn't be able to get back out.
All the constant worrying was wearing the fox down, and it was starting to show. Every morning it was harder for him to get up for work and every day when he came home he was more exhausted than the day before. He spent the weekends either sleeping or going over bills and was becoming almost as irritable as Hiei. Something had to be done, and soon.
They still had yet to tell anyone about the pregnancy, and Hiei wanted to keep it that way until their current troubles passed at least. Still, they would all have to know soon enough.
His stomach growled again, more insistently this time. He pulled the covers over his head. He still wasn't ready to get up. The shower shut off and he lay there silently, unmoving as Kurama re-entered the room. Tensions between them were starting to run high and the last thing Hiei need at the moment was an argument.
"Are you going to get up?" Kurama's voice drifted over him, more then slight annoyance laced in the undertones. Hiei sighed and fought the urge to retort back. He would keep the fox in a good mood this morning, or at least try at any rate. Obediently he kicked the covers off and got up. Kurama was dressed for work and waiting at the doorway. Once he saw Hiei was indeed getting up, he turned and walked off to the kitchen. Hiei followed wearily.
Without a word Kurama began to make breakfast, never even looking at Hiei as the half-Koorime took a seat at the table. Hiei looked down at the table cloth, taking an end of it and twisting it in his hands. There was something he'd been meaning to ask Kurama, that he'd tried to ask every morning for the past two weeks and lost his nerve every time. He wanted to ask Kurama to be his mate. It was highly irregular (as with marriage in the Ningenkai) for two demons who were not mates to have children. Truthfully, Hiei had never asked before because he never dreamed the fox would say yes. The fondness Kurama had shown after he found out about the child Hiei carried was almost enough to make Hiei believe he stood a chance. But with Kurama in this mood…
He jumped visibly as a plate of scrambled eggs landed in front of him none too gently. Kurama sat down next to him. Hiei noted that he didn't have any food.
"Aren't you eating?" Hiei asked. He immediately regretted it.
"We only have the money for one of us to eat from now on," Kurama answered curtly. Hiei nearly winced. The fox was definitely not in the right mood for the question on Hiei's mind. Feeling almost guilty Hiei picked up his fork and started to eat, turning crimson orbs on the plate before him and trying to ignore the feel of the angered fox's eyes on him.
As soon as he was finished the plate was snatched from him and washed. Once the dish had been placed back in the cupboard Kurama turned and briskly walked to the front door to retrieve his shoes. Hiei stared down at the table dejectedly.
'That went well,' he thought sarcastically. He heard the front door open and before he could stop himself was chasing after the fox.
"Kurama! Wait!" Hiei skidded to a halt in the front hall, staring almost desperately after the fox.
"Hiei, what is it?" Kurama blinked at him from where he stood in the doorway, a look halfway between worry and confusion on his face. Hiei opened his mouth but closed it again. He had no idea why he had just done that. Kurama's patience was wearing thin.
"I don't have time for this, Hiei," he sighed tiredly. "Whatever it is, tell me when I get home." And with that the door closed and he was gone. Hiei stared for a moment longer. Of course now that it didn't matter anymore his brain started to work again.
"My mate…" he whispered sinking to his knees and desperately fighting the depressed "mood swing" that was sweeping his body. "I…I want you…to be my mate…Kurama."
(xxx)
It took Hiei nearly an hour to get a hold of himself after the fox's departure, but he was finally thinking clearly once more. Sitting on the couch he stared at nothing, thinking. He had to fix this, their money problems were skyrocketing out of control and Kurama couldn't handle it so he would have to do something.
He had a small fortune in gold in the Makai. What was gold worth in Ningenkai? Would it be enough? The hardest part would be getting it. The fox would never let him go, not alone, and Kurama tagging along was not a good idea. The fox would never be able to fight properly with Hiei there to worry about, and Hiei would not tolerate being 'protected' like a weak child. No, if he was going to use that gold, he'd have to go get it and he'd have to do it alone. Kurama would NOT like that.
But what choice did they have at this point? This could not go on. They'd kill each other if this continued for much longer. Hiei sighed. Having the money would be nice. Not only could they pay off their debts, but they would be able to afford a real house too.
His hand began to rub gently, subconsciously at his stomach. If he was going to go, it would have to be soon, before his 'condition' became too obvious. He'd have to go when the fox wasn't home to stop him, and that meant leaving without saying good bye. And worst of all, he'd have to get his katana back and he'd have to do so the only way he could: by forcing the information from Kurama and thereby destroying the trust they had. But it was the only way.