AN: I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond to your reviews lately. It's been hetic with school nowadays since I'm nearing the end. Though I don't get to respond to reviews like I used to I do read and appreaciate every one of them. :) And now on to the next chapter...
Chapter Three
Hiei and Kurama continued to meet as often as they could. Sometimes Kurama would play one of his instruments or dance for Hiei, but usually they would spar. After discovering that Hiei was an expert swordsman Kurama asked if he would teach him the art of swordsmanship. Hiei agreed, and in return Kurama cooked for him, teaching him to cook at the same time. In this way three years passed. Kurama and Hiei grew to be close friends.
Kurama smiled as he looked up from the rosebush he was tending to. "Hello Hiei," he greeted softly. He noted the troubled look on his friend's face as he stood to his full height. "What's wrong?" Kurama asked. Hiei shifted his gaze away from his friend. "Kurama, do you think you could teach me to dance?" he asked. He had spoken so softly that if it weren't for Kurama's excellent hearing he would have never caught it. " I'd be delighted to teach you," Kurama answered. Hiei let out a deep breath. "Mukuro will be throwing another one of her parties in a few weeks, but this one will be more formal," He informed his friend. "You always managed to get out of Mukuro's formal parties before, why is she making you go this time?" Kurama asked. "She's going to name me as her heir at the party," Hiei said. "Why Hiei, that's wonderful. You've been working towards that for so long," Kurama said. "I just hope she doesn't try to set me up with one of those fool females in her court," Hiei groused. Kurama just chuckled softly. "You know Mukuro sees you as her son, I bet she wants you to settle down before you take the throne so you'll be sure to give her grandchildren," Kurama said. Hiei rolled his eyes. "It won't be with one of those irritating twits. I want a mate much better than that," he said, meeting his friend's eyes with his own. Kurama didn't comment but his eyes twinkled with amusement.
In truth, Hiei had eyes for only one person, Kurama, his best friend. He had never told the redhead this because he had no idea if his feelings would be returned. In the three years they had known each other, he never once saw Kurama give a second glance at anyone, male or female. Hiei had decided to wait until he could gauge whether or not Kurama would return his feelings, before divulging this secret. He loved Kurama madly and it would hurt him deeply if he revealed it to Kurama only to find that the redhead didn't feel the same.
"Would you like to start right away, or spar for a bit first?" Kurama asked. "Let's get this over with first," Hiei replied. "Alright, just let me get changed," Kurama agreed. Hiei waited patiently out in the garden while Kurama went inside to clean up a bit and change clothes. When the yoko emerged from the house he took hold of Hiei's hand and led him out to one of the shady grassy areas of the garden. "Since you suspect Mukuro may try to set you up romantically, I thought it best if I teach you to dance to slower music," Kurama said. He paused momentarily, looking his friend up and down. Hiei raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" Hiei asked. "Nothing, I just noticed you're eyes are level with mine now," Kurama replied. "I have grown quite a bit since I met you," Hiei agreed. Kurama smiled mischievously. "You're going to have trouble keeping the ladies away during this party. Since you've gone through this growth spurt, you've begun turning quite a few heads," he commented. Hiei's cheeks turned red. "What about you? Have I caught you eye as well?" Hiei thought as Kurama composed himself and the lesson began.
Hiei was attentive as Kurama taught him how to hold his hands where to move his feet and how to move his body. After a few clumsy attempts, Hiei caught on and they began to actually dance. Hiei was in heaven with Kurama's body so close to his. He had to fight the urge to close the slight distance between them and claim the redhead's silky looking lips. The dark haired warrior nearly sighed with contentment. He had never been this comfortable with anyone, even Mukuro. At first, it had frightened him to no end, but the longer he knew the redhead, the more he longed to get closer to him. Hiei hoped that one day he would get what he so earnestly desired, but for now he was content to have the redhead in his arms in a dance lesson he wished would never end.
Unknown to Hiei, Kurama's thoughts were no longer on the lesson. "It feels good to be held like this again," Kurama thought a wistful sigh nearly escaping his lips. "if I closed my eyes I would swear Kuronue was alive again and holding me lovingly as we danced under the light of the moon," he mused. "I dare not close my eyes though. I could get caught in my own illusion," he thought solemnly as his eyes focused on Hiei's lips. "I wonder what it would be like to have those lips upon my own," he wondered idly. Kurama quickly averted his eyes. "Sweet Inari, why did I just think that? The last thing I should be thinking about is kissing my best friend," Kurama thought wildly. "Especially after that vow I made,"
Still, Kurama could not deny that he enjoyed the feel of being in another's arms. He could not deny that he was beginning to grow weary of waking and going to bed alone each day. Though Makino was great company and a good friend, Kurama was starting to long for a different sort of companionship. Strangely, being with Hiei had not pacified that hunger, but intensified it. Kurama had found himself wanting to be in the fire apparition's presence more and more these days. He had even started adjusting his schedule just so he could spend a whole day with him as often as he could. Now he was in Hiei's strong arms, dancing slowly to music that didn't exist. Kurama was enjoying every moment of it. He loved the way Hiei's arms felt, loosely wrapped around his waist and the feel of their fingers intertwined. To Kurama it felt so completely right that it scared him.
He decided to bring an end to the lesson before he panicked and did something stupid. "I think we've done enough for one day," Kurama said softly. Though Hiei was disappointed that the lesson ended so soon, he didn't let it show. He simply stopped and released Kurama from his embrace. "You did marvelously well for your first lesson," Kurama praised his friend. "I have a good teacher," Hiei responded, making Kurama blush. "Let's spar, " He suggested. Kurama nodded with agreement and went with Hiei to retrieve their swords that both had set aside to make the dance lesson easier.
They sparred for a long while. Kurama had come quite far under Hiei's tutorage. The fox learned quickly. Hiei wasn't sure if they would ever be equals when it came to skill with the sword, but he was sure that Kurama would come as close as possible to him. Just as the sparring session was getting good Hiei realized how late it was getting and called a halt to the sparring match. He bid Kurama farewell and headed back toward Mukuro's palace.
Kurama was already looking forward to Hiei's next visit as he watched his friend vanish into the forest. He could feel that longing within him grow stronger now that Hiei was not near. Sighing with frustration Kurama removed his clothes and waded into the river he and Hiei were sparing beside. Kurama's form shimmered and shifted, revealing his true form. He was deep in thought as he bathed in the cool water. Was he beginning to feel more than the love of friendship for his best friend? Or was he simply longing for someone to fill the void Kuronue had left in his heart?
Kurama was so deep in thought that he didn't sense Hiei return. Hiei had realized he had forgotten to invite Kurama to the party. He had been so wrapped up in the dance lesson and the sparring session he had completely forgotten to tell Kurama he was a guest. He had just reached the river when he spotted a tall silver haired yoko bathing in the stream behind Kurama's home. Hiei paused on a branch. He knew that he shouldn't be watching him, but he couldn't help it. The silver haired yoko was gorgeous, like an exotic forest god made mortal. Hiei couldn't help but wonder where he had come from. As far as he knew there were no yoko tribes in these woods. Hiei's eyes widened as the fox began to wade out of the water. He couldn't help himself and allowed his eyes to wander over the beautifully sculpted nude form in front of him. Suddenly the yoko grew blurry, indistinct. It lasted only a moment, but to Hiei's shock there in the water was not the silver haired yoko he had been admiring, but the red haired dancer that was his best friend.
Kurama suddenly caught Hiei's scent and looked up into the trees. He quickly spotted a pair of shocked ruby eyes looking down at him. Kurama swallowed hard. He knew Hiei had seen him switch forms. "Come down Hiei, I know you're here," Kurama said softly. A heartbeat later, Hiei was on the bank, an unreadable expression upon his face. Kurama grabbed his tunic from the bank and wrapped it around his waist like a towel. "I know I owe you an explanation for what you just saw, come inside with me and I will explain," Kurama said. Hiei turned and headed for the temple.
Kurama entered behind the dark haired apparition and quickly ran to his bedroom where he dried himself as fast as possible and dressed. He rejoined Hiei who was sitting at the kitchen table, waiting expectantly. Kurama sat down in the chair directly across from him. "As you saw, this isn't my real form. I'm actually a yoko," Kurama began. "I thought there were no yoko tribes in this part of the forest," Hiei said. "There aren't," Kurama responded. "I was falsely accused of a crime that I did not commit and cast out of my clan," He continued. "Outcasts do not last long in our territory. No other clan will take them in and are usually killed if they are found," He informed his friend. "This is why I journeyed so far away from my people's lands. I took on this shape for fear of being caught by slave traders," He explained.
"So I take it Shuichi isn't your real name," Hiei stated. "No, my name is Kurama," Kurama responded. "Why didn't you tell me this before?" Hiei asked. "Did you not trust me?" Kurama's eyes widened. "It wasn't that at all, I trust you a great deal Hiei," He answered. "The truth is it never really crossed my mind to tell you," Kurama confessed. "I've become so accustomed to this new identity that I hardly give my real identity any thought nowadays," Hiei nodded. "Please Hiei, do not reveal to anyone, not even Mukuro what I really am. It could cost me more than you know," Kurama said softly. Hiei gently cupped Kurama's face and turned it so that they were staring into one another's eyes. "You needn't ask my silence. I will not betray your secret," he said earnestly. "Thank you," Kurama responded, relief flooding through him.
"Since you have told me a great secret of yours I will share one with you," Hiei said. Hiei raised his hand, brushing bangs out of his third eye. "I got this in order to find my sister," Hiei began. Kurama's eyes widened for a moment. "Did you find her?" Kurama asked. Hiei nodded. "She is well, and safe and sound," Hiei answered. Kurama's eyes dropped a bit, clouding with sadness. "Why isn't she at Mukuro's palace with you?" he asked. "It would be safer for her if no one knew she was related to me. The last thing I want is for her to be used against me," Hiei answered. Kurama nodded in understanding.
Hiei noted his friend's melancholy expression and laid his hand atop Kurama's quickly catching the yoko's attention. "Something troubles you," he stated simply. "No, I was just thinking of my own sister," Kurama responded. "She was just a kit when I was forced to leave home," he told Hiei. Kurama sighed and closed his eyes, a sad smile adorning his lips. "She'll be all grown up soon, in only a few months she will go through the rites and be counted as an adult," He said. Hiei did not like the sad tone in his friend's voice. Though Kurama had never seemed truly happy, Hiei had never known him to be so somber. It frustrated him that he did not know how to cheer the fox up.
Kurama opened his eyes and gently squeezed Hiei's hand. "You'd better go," he said. "Mukuro will throw a fit if you are late," Hiei hesitated, unsure if he should leave the fox alone. "Go on, I'll be fine," Kurama insisted. "I'll see you in the morning," Hiei said. Kurama nodded. Hiei stood and looked his friend once more before vanishing.
The moment he was gone Makino padded into the room. "So you finally decided to tell him," she commented. Kurama nodded. Makino padded up to him and laid her head in his lap. "Your family is doing well dearheart," she assured him. "They miss you as much as you miss them if not more," "Even Sata? Is she not angry with me?" he asked. Makino chuckled. "Sata's heart is much to gentle for such a thing. She loves you very much and has not given up hope that you will return someday," Makino answered. Kurama's heart was lightened at this bit of news. It had always been a fear of his that his little sister would be angry at him for leaving. It did him good to find that his fear was unfounded.
"Rise and eat something dear, you need your strength and your rest if you're going to keep up your lessons with that fiery young man of yours," Makino said. Kurama blinked and raised an eyebrow at her in silent question. Why had she called Hiei his young man? Makino only nudged at him to get moving and so he did, puzzling at her strange words.
Over the next few weeks Kurama continued to teach Hiei to dance. Hiei learned well and had even learned several more dances. As the days passed Kurama began to feel the longing to be with the fire apparition increase. He found himself thinking about Hiei constantly whenever they were apart. Kurama had come to crave the touch of Hiei's hand upon his. His wandering thoughts about how those rough and callused hands would feel elsewhere on him began to increase. Kurama valiantly tried to hold back such thoughts as well as other random wonderings that had increased as the days passed.
Two days before Hiei was to be named Mukuro's heir, Kurama was forced to face the truth, that he could not bring himself to think let alone speak aloud. He had fallen in love with Hiei.
Kurama looked out the window as he put the last of the dishes in Hiei's hands for him to dry. They had just finished a light lunch after a long morning of sparring. "It's raining," He informed his friend. "I suppose more training is out of the question then," Hiei said. "Is there enough room for us to have another dance lesson?" He asked. Kurama nodded. "My room is large enough," he said. "I sometimes practice there when the weather is bad like this," "lead the way," Hiei said.
Kurama led Hiei to his bedroom, which was quite spacious. Hiei took Kurama's hand in his right and the left he placed around Kurama's slim waist. Hiei began to lead a slow dance that Kurama immediately recognized at the first dance that he had taught him. Once more Kurama couldn't help but feel right in Hiei's arms. Hiei felt the same. As the pair glided around the room Hiei wanted nothing more than to tell Kurama that he loved him and for Kurama to tell him he was loved in return. With Kurama Hiei felt complete. As they danced, Kurama couldn't help but wish it were a dream that he would never wake from. It was a moment so wonderful and so romantic that it just couldn't be real.
Perhaps it was the romantic nature of the dance they were dancing that emboldened Hiei to do something he had greatly desired to do for a long while. Maybe it was the feeling that this was too right for him not to do it. It could have been the feeling of Kurama's body so close to his or the look of contentment in the youko's eyes. Whatever it was about that moment, Hiei finally gathered his courage, closed the minute gap between them and kissed Kurama tenderly.
At first the redhead was shocked that Hiei had kissed him. Fear began to well up in him, for he knew that if he wasn't careful he might very well give his heart away again. The fear only lasted half a heartbeat. Kurama wasn't sure why but he returned the kiss. Perhaps he had simply hungered for a kiss like the one Hiei had given him. In truth Kurama had grown tired of waking every morning alone, and returning each night to a cold bed. He had begun to long for someone to hold and to be held by someone. He had grown tired of being alone.
Kisses were gently and lovingly exchanged, revealing the feelings that neither had voiced aloud. Soon the gentle kisses had given way to hungrier, more needy and filled with desire. Before long, they began to strip each other of their clothing and soon were completely uncovered before one another's eyes. However, neither took the time to admire the other, lest the spell be broken. Hiei dropped between Kurama's legs, spreading them a bit for more access and began to pleasure him with his mouth. Kurama's moans were like music to Hiei's ears, arousing him further.
Kurama closed his eyes, his body singing Hiei's praises as he was pleasured by the man he loved so dearly. Not wanting to disturb the fox's pleasure induced euphoria, Hiei spotted a bottle of oil on the beside table and quickly snagged it, putting some on his fingers and began to prepare himself. Awkward as it was, he was focused on pleasing his fox. His moans only added to Kurama's pleasure, but before the fox reached his completion Hiei released him from his sweet torture. The fire apparition lowered himself gently onto Kurama's impressive length. Both moaned as their bodies were joined for the first time.
They made love madly, hotly, wildly, at a fevered pace. Their moans of pleasure filled the air as their bodies moved in tandem with each other to a wild, frenzied rhythm. Their feral dance of desire continued to build toward it's crescendo until they both reached the peak of their pleasure. Hiei collapsed atop Kurama, both were breathing fast and their hearts beating wildly. Exhausted Kurama quickly fell into a dreamless sleep.
When he awoke again, he did not hear the rain. A full moon shone in through the window in all it's glory. Kurama realized there was a weight atop him and lowered his eyes. "Sweet Inari," he cried in surprise, waking Hiei. The raven haired fire apparition was awake at once. He looked up at Kurama and was alarmed to see the horrified expression on his face and that the color had drained from him completely. "Fox, what's wrong?" Hiei asked. "We shouldn't have done this," Kurama murmured. Hiei caressed Kurama's cheek gently. "Why not?I love you," he responded.
Kurama stared at Hiei in shock. Despite the fact that they had made love, it had not dawned on him that Hiei loved him. It was then, at that moment that Kurama had to face the fact that he loved Hiei too. That frightened him to his very soul, for it meant that he had broken his vow never to love again. "You don't feel the same do you?" Hiei asked, his voice for once sounding defeated. Kurama could not lie to him and say that he didn't for he knew that he did. However he was afraid. He had already lost his family due to Leiko's deception, he had lost his first love to a brutal assassin, he did not want to loose Hiei too.
Hiei did not realize this. He thought Kurama's silence meant that he had been right and the fox did not love him. Hiei's ruby eyes hardened and he disentangled himself from Kurama. "I should have known better than to fall for a whore," he spat angrily. Anger welled up in Kurama at Hiei's venomous words. Before he knew what he was doing the youko backhanded his lover, sending Hiei sprawling to the floor. Hiei gazed up at Kurama in shock as he raised his hand to his bruised cheek. "Get out," Kurama growled, his eyes ablaze with fury. The fox's eyes were glowing menacingly and Hiei knew it was best to do as he was told. As fast as he could he dressed and dashed from the house.
To Kurama's eyes Hiei's dressing and leaving were a blur. His anger faded just as quickly as it had overtaken him. Guilt and shame overwhelmed him. Kurama sank to the bed with tears in his eyes. "Inari, what have I done?" he moaned. "What's going on in here? I heard shouting," Makino inquired as she trotted into the room. "I made a real mess of things Kino," Kurama said softly. "Hiei told me that he loved me, but I didn't say anything at all, I was too afraid," he explained. "Why were you afraid?" Makino asked. "Surely what happened between you two last night is testament that he loves you," Kurama didn't need to ask how she knew, for the scent was still heavy in the air and she wouldn't have helped hearing their moaning. "I don't want my heart broken again Kino. I can't bear to lose someone else I care for like I lost my family and Kuronue," Kurama answered.
"Kurama, you have not truly lost your family, they live and thrive and await your return eagerly," Makino said. "…and although Kuronue's season has passed the time you spent together will always be a part of you and so you have not lost him completely.," she continued. "However, you will loose Hiei if you do not do something to fix the mess you made," she warned. "Makino, I promised myself I wouldn't let this happen again. I don't think I could take it if my heart is broken once more," Kurama said. "That was a foolish promise made in grief and destined to be broken," Makino responded. "Surely you are not foolish enough to believe that your heart will not be broken when Hiei is lost to you. Listen to me Kurama, though Hiei loves you, you have broken his heart. Do you not realize that your foolish hesitation was betrayal in his eyes?" Makino scolded gently. "He feels that you have rejected him, that you used him. You must put things right and let him know how you feel," she said.
Kurama knew Makino was right. He had been too afraid of loosing Hiei in the long run to see that his hesitation would have cost him not only Hiei's friendship but perhaps his love as well. He loved Hiei dearly, even more so than Kuronue and did not want to live the rest of his life without Hiei in it, even if just as friends. He got up and went to the desk. He grabbed a clean sheet of parchment and began writing a letter. When he had finished he set aside the pen and folded the parchment. "Inari please don't let it be too late already," he prayed. He then handed the letter to Makino. "You are much faster than I Kino, please take this to him," he asked. Makino seemed to smile fondly at him. "Of course dearheart," she replied as she took the letter gently in her teeth. "Now get yourself cleaned up and rest," she instructed. Kurama nodded, not sure how he was going to get any rest. He was afraid that Hiei would not want him after what he had done.