Disclaimer: the usual. I only claim ownership over the plot.
Thank you to Animefouryou, Captain StarSeeker and Mouko Ryu Twins 88. I'm glad you liked the story and I hope the rest of the chapters live up to your praise. Enjoy!
Comforting Heat
Chapter 3
"What do you mean there isn't going to be a funeral?"
Yusuke shrugged and continued his workout, trying to concentrate on the number of sit-ups he had accomplished, and not the horrified redhead hovering over him.
"I didn't know any of her friends," …275… "Doubt I would want to," …276….. "And there's no family to speak of." ….277…. Why would I have a funeral?" …278…279….280…
Kurama knelt down and watched his friend try to ignore the pain in his heart with sit-ups. Although he was worried, he couldn't hide his disappointment and the frown on his face and the judgmental tone of his voice told Yusuke exactly how Kurama felt. "But Yusuke….she was your mother. You should honor her."
Yusuke stopped, his elbows resting on his knees. "If you knew anything about my mother, you'd know the only way to truly honor her would be to get blitzed out of my mind. And I really don't want to do that, ok? So just drop it Kurama. Not everyone's mother is like yours."
He glared at the redhead for good measure, indicting the topic was closed, and went back to his sit-ups. Kurama had been his little shadow since this morning, showing up with coffee and breakfast and a sympathetic shoulder to cry on. Except Yusuke didn't want the shoulder, much to Kurama's disbelief. The coffee was good though. After trying unsuccessfully to rid himself of his well-intentioned friend in every polite manner he could think of, he had reduced himself to yelling at Kurama to leave him alone and racing off to the temple to find some peace and quiet. But the damn kitsune had tracked him and now he found himself faced with concerned green eyes once again.
Yukina had been easy enough to scare off, although he made sure to be as polite as possible. The last thing he wanted was for Hiei to have to kill him because he hurt his sister's feelings. Although it might be the only way to get him to come back from the Makai.
Kurama had told Yusuke that Hiei had stopped by to give him the bad news about his mother last night before heading back to the Makai and Mukuro. What he couldn't figure out is why Hiei told Kurama anything about his mother. Now he was stuck with Kurama, Yukina and Kuwabara doting on him and treating him like a fragile little flower when all he wanted was to be left alone. What the hells was Hiei thinking?
"Hey, Yusuke! After you're done with those sit-ups you can start your five mile run. After that I need you to carry some books down into the catacombs for me so get your lazy ass moving. I don't have all day."
"Whatever you say grandma."
Yusuke smirked at Kurama who was still standing there, a mixture of anger and concern in his brilliant green eyes. He stood up and stretched, pointedly ignoring his friend's look.
"Sorry Kurama, the boss has spoken. See ya!"
Yusuke waved goodbye as he gratefully raced into the woods. At least Genkai understands I don't need people fawning over me.
He was so thankful to sit down with Genkai when he got to the temple and just enjoy the quiet. But she had known something was wrong as soon as he showed up.
"Ok, spill it. You're never quiet."
"Heh. I suppose not." Yusuke sat there, intently concentrating on the cup of tea in his hand. "My mom….she….she was hit by a car." Yusuke took a shaky breath. I have to say it out loud sooner or later. "….she's dead."
Yusuke heard the quietest of gasps from Genkai and he braced himself for the reassuring words. Instead, he felt gentle arms embrace him and Genkai's whisper at his ear.
"I'm sorry Yusuke."
"Thanks. But I'm…I'm…ok….really."
That's when the dam broke. He curled up in his sensei's arms and cried until he started to feel tired. Then he sat up, wiped his eyes and offered Genkai a sheepish smile, looking like the teenager she met so many years ago.
"Don't tell anybody I'm such a wuss ok?"
"Your secret is safe with me Yusuke."
Genkai brushed Yusuke's bangs back and patted his cheek before going back to her seat and taking a sip of tea. She cleared her throat and Yusuke looked up to see a sight he knew well. The old hag is back.
"Since you've finally decided to come visit me you ingrate, you can get some training done. You look soft."
"Hmph." Yusuke tried to sound indignant, but between wiping away his tears, sniffling, and his shaky voice, it sounded like a nervous laugh.
"I want you to go outside and keep doing sit-ups until I tell you to stop."
"What? Are you serious?"
"Have you ever known me to joke you arrogant brat?"
"Fine. I'm going."
"Good boy."
Yusuke looked back and smiled before heading out to lose himself in sit-ups. And now he was running through the forest, even more thankful for Genkai's presence in his life. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost her. Again. At the thought of how many times he and Genkai and his teammates had died, or come close to death and survived, he let out a bitter laugh. We're a bunch of lucky bastards. Who deemed us worthy for second, third or even fourth chances? Yusuke stopped and looked up into the green canopy overhead.
"I guess I still have some work to do down here."
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Mukuro watched with narrowed eyes as her heir sat on the stony ledge in the practice fields, staring out into oblivion. What in the seven hells is wrong with him? She sent out a mental jolt to the fire demon and within seconds, he was in front of her.
"What."
She couldn't help but smile at the simple disrespectful statement.
"Why is it that you are the only one who refuses to show me the proper respect Hiei?"
Hiei just snorted and went to lean against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.
"I respect you Mukuro. That's why I treat you as an equal."
"I am more powerful than you and I rule the Makai. How can you possibly see me as your equal?"
"The day you chose me as your heir was the day you acknowledged that I am powerful and worthy enough to rule the Makai, thus making me your equal."
Mukuro laughed and went to sit in her chair. "Well spoken. Since we are equals Hiei tell me…..what has you so distracted?"
Hiei knew that Mukuro could not read minds, but she was spirit sensitive. Not that he felt the need to lie to her. He just didn't feel the need to tell her everything.
"I am concerned about someone."
"I see." She knew this to be a big admission for the reserved fire demon. Admitting his concern for someone revealed he actually cared and that was something the Forbidden Child wasn't supposed to do. "But you came back to me anyway." She watched the crimson orbs for signs of emotion, but found none. Amazing. "How long do you think it will take for you to assuage your concern for this 'someone'?" There. A flicker of emotion. Surprise? Hope?
Hiei didn't know why Mukuro was allowing him to leave after such a short time, but he knew she had no hidden motives. That much he could tell.
"One week Ningenkai time."
"Go. Care for this 'someone' and report back here."
Hiei bowed and disappeared in his customary black blur, leaving Mukuro to wonder who had managed to break through the barriers of the fire demon's heart. It wasn't his sister. He spoke about Yukina to Mukuro outright. No, this 'someone' had captured Hiei's heart in another way. How very interesting….
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Killing him with kindness
Yusuke heard the knock on the door and he groaned. Why can't they just leave me alone? He got up from his position on the floor and carefully made his way through the maze of boxes to find Kurama at the front door.
"Hey Kurama."
"Hello Yusuke. My mother insisted I bring you some food." He smiled despite Yusuke's less than enthusiastic greeting and held up a bag of food containers. "May I come in?"
"Sure."
Kurama looked around the box-cluttered living room and frowned. He's packing up his mother's stuff alone?
"Here, let me take that." Yusuke took the bag and headed for the kitchen. "Thank your mom for me Kurama. I haven't bothered going to the store for awhile. And it'll be nice to have some home cooking."
"You're quite welcome." He offered a warm smile but was only met with a blank face. "Would you like some help?"
"No, I think I have everything under control thanks."
"Well, would you like some company?"
Yusuke just shrugged as he made his way back to his original position on the floor, surrounded by stacks of photos and framed pictures. Kurama cleared some space on the sofa and sat down, determined to help his friend work through his grief.
"I spoke to Kuwabara yesterday and he said that you were going to be moving into your own apartment."
"Yeah."
"If I may ask, how do you intend---"
DING DONG
"Excuse me Kurama."
Yusuke sighed as he made his way to the door to find Kuwabara and Yukina.
"Hey guys. Come on in, join the party."
"Hey buddy, how's it going?"
Yukina gave Yusuke a slight bow and handed him a container of food.
"Uh, thanks Yukina." It took all his willpower not to glare at the sweet blue-haired Koorime. She means well. She means well. She means well. And Hiei will kill me if I make her cry. Observant brown eyes flicked to the tree across the street and he smirked. He knew Hiei had shown up a few hours ago and it made him feel good just knowing he was there. He just wished he would have come to visit instead of everyone else that was here. My invisible guardian angel.
Yusuke closed the door and turned to find Kurama and Yukina looking at photographs while Kuwabara made himself at home in the kitchen.
"Yusuke, is this really you?"
Yukina smiled at him as she held up a picture of a small boy crying over a spilled ice cream cone even as a little girl was offering up her own. Yusuke offered a lopsided grin as he self consciously rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah. Keiko was looking out for me even then."
"Hey, I saw her the other day. Did she--?"
"She was here last night." Yusuke slumped down on the sofa, his voice sounding more defeated by the moment. "She and Hachiro stopped by after the restaurant closed. They didn't stay long since it was so late."
Kurama's very keen senses picked up on Yusuke's frustration but he couldn't pinpoint the source. Was it the mention of Keiko? Was it their presence? Or was it something else? He watched as Kuwabara, his best friend sat down next to him and Yusuke pulled into himself.
"So how are you holding up Yusuke?"
Yusuke just shrugged, not bothering to look up at Kurama. "Well enough. I'm getting things packed up here and I should be moving by the end of the month."
"No, I mean……how are you doing? Do you want to talk about anything? You've been very withdrawn."
Amber eyes glinted at his friend. He was tired of this routine. For the past week his 'friends' hadn't been giving him a moment's peace. They kept showing up with food or boxes or lame excuses like 'you need some fresh air. Let's go for a walk'. All he wanted was to be left alone.
"We've been over this Kurama. I'm fine." He stood up and looked around at the three people staring at him with concern. I'm tired of being polite. "And I am perfectly capable of packing up this house myself. And I would be getting a lot more done if people didn't keep stopping by and asking me how I'm doing!"
Yusuke stormed out of the house and headed down the street, not knowing or caring where he was going, as long as he was left alone.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hiei's attention snapped to as Yusuke burst out the front door and down the street. He saw Kuwabara and Kurama come out into the front walk and yell after him, but he ignored them and quickly disappeared using his toushin speed. Hiei felt the presence and jumped down to face the green eyes of Kurama.
"Great job."
"You were right to worry Hiei. He's holding everything inside and it's eating away at him. He needs our help."
"I think you've done enough. I'll handle it from here."
"And how do you plan to do that?"
He heard the playfulness in the voice and the eyes glinted in the darkness. Before he could react, he found himself pinned against the tree, Kurama rubbing his cheek against his own, the smell of roses enveloping them.
"If I get depressed, will you help me too? I respond best to hands on therapy. Can you handle that Hiei?"
The fire demon growled and shoveled Kurama away. "Back off kitsune! I'll never be interested in touching you."
Hiei disappeared in a blur of black, leaving Kurama sitting on the ground, chuckling as he listened to the ranting going on inside his head as an egotistical kitsune cursed the fire demon's heritage and intelligence.
"You win some you lose some Yoko."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Out of the shadows
After wandering the streets for about an hour, Yusuke realized there was only one place he could go and get some privacy. The Makai. So he opened a portal like Botan taught him and he slipped into the demon world, heading straight to the nearest watering hole.
Yusuke sat at the end of the bar, hunched over his drink, enjoying his anonymity in the Makai. He took another drink and when he put the glass back down he sighed. His friends had driven him away from home. He knew they meant well, but they were smothering him and treating him like some fragile piece of glass that was going to break. I killed Toguro for Koenma's sake! What more do these people want!
He stared down at the red liquor in his glass, the color reminding him of a certain fire demon. Why can't they be more like Hiei? He was there for me, but let me do what I needed to do. He didn't smother me. He just…. Suddenly a familiar flicker caught his attention.
"I know you're there. Why don't you just join me for a drink instead of lurking in the shadows?"
Hiei materialized at his shoulder and sat down. A drink instantly found its way to him and he quickly drained the glass, another instantly appearing.
"I didn't want to intrude."
"You're never intruding Hiei. I like having you by my side."
Hiei stopped the glass just before his lips at Yusuke's comment and turned to the former Tantei, an eyebrow arched in question.
Yusuke saw the fire demon's hesitation and he knew he was getting a look, but he chose to ignore it. He knew what he said and how it sounded. And he had meant it. Not once had Hiei's presence ever been unwanted, or felt like an intrusion. On the contrary, he enjoyed Hiei's company immensely.
Hiei knew Yusuke was ignoring him, but for some reason, he didn't seem to care. He threw his head back and let the burning red liquor course down his throat. Perfect. Just what was needed to help him relax.
They sat in silence for several minutes before Hiei spoke up.
"Why did you run away?"
Yusuke sighed and shrugged his shoulders before turning his head slightly to face his friend.
"They were driving me crazy. I know they mean well, but they were smothering me and treating me like some child. I just wanted to be left alone and take care of my business."
"I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"What are you apologizing for? You were the only one who wasn't bothering me."
"I sent them…..Kurama actually….to keep an eye on you while I was away."
Yusuke sat up straight and completely turned to face the fire demon who now seemed to be trying to curl into himself and hide.
"You what? Why would you do that?"
Hiei steeled himself and looked Yusuke right in the eyes. "I was worried about you."
Large amber eyes blinked in wonder. "You were….worried? About me?" Yusuke saw the crimson eyes trying to hide their true feelings and just as they lost the battle, Hiei looked down at his drink, tracing the rim with a fingertip, seemingly fascinated. "Th-thanks."
Yusuke signaled the bartender and he turned back to face forward as another drink was set in front of him. Hiei actually cares about me. He was worried about me. Yusuke felt a smile pull at the corners of his mouth at Hiei's confession, but he made sure to keep it in check. He didn't want Hiei to get the wrong impression. He didn't think what the fire demon said was silly or stupid. He was not laughing at him. On the contrary, knowing how much Hiei cares about him, made Yusuke very happy.
"C'mon. Let's go."
"Where to?"
Hiei nodded towards the corner and Yusuke followed his gesture to see a dart board.
"So you're looking to get your ass kicked in darts, huh? Ok, I could use a good laugh."
Hiei just rolled his eyes, wondering how many drinks Yusuke managed to consume before he tracked him down to the dirty little drinking hall.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I will not kill him. I will not…kill him. I will…not….kill….
"Would you shut up!"
Hiei shoved the drunken toushin up against the wall, pinning him in place with a well placed arm across his chest. Purple flames danced around both of them and Yusuke stared in drunken fascination at the enraged fire demon.
"What? Keiko always said I had a pretty singing voice."
"Obviously she was lying Yusuke."
Hiei sighed and pulled his ki back in letting Yusuke slump to the floor, pouting. It had been easy enough to get him to leave the drinking hall, but ever since they left, he'd been singing songs at the top of his lungs which had attracted unwanted attention. He had to stop four times to kill some lower class demon who thought they would make easy prey. And Hiei also had to keep a close watch on Yusuke as they raced through the Makai to his fortress because the drunken toushin would start to go off course or stop to smell a flower.
He will pay for this. I will make him bleed for this. A small smile appeared on the fire demon's lips as he helped Yusuke back onto his feet and to his room. Hiei was too busy plotting Yusuke's punishment to notice amber eyes watching him intently.
I never realized how….attractive Hiei was before. His eyes roamed over the pale skin, the long black eyelashes, and the jet black hair that seemed to have a blue shine to it whenever the moonlight caught it from the passing windows. He watched as disobedient strands of hair fell around his ear and cheekbone. Yusuke suddenly felt the need to rub his cheek against Hiei's to feel whether or not his skin and hair were as soft as they looked right now. How drunk am I!
A loud thud broke Yusuke's thoughts as Hiei kicked the door open.
"Here." Hiei practically threw Yusuke into the bed. "Sleep as much off as you can."
"Hiei?" The fire demon turned at the door, almost completely hidden in the shadows. "Thank you. For everything." He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Hiei watched his friend and he held onto the wooden door just a little tighter as Yusuke gave him a sheepish smile then proceeded to take off his shirt and socks. The little bit of light filtering in through the windows created a backlight and Yusuke became a perfect silhouette. He never answered Yusuke. He just nodded and closed the door.
To be continued…