AN: Thank you to all who reviewed the last chapter. Those reviews brightened my day. The Kurama vs Karasu scene from last chapter seemed to be quite the popluar one. lol. It's one of my favorites in this story too and it was great fun to write. Hope you all enjoy this next chapter.
Until next time,
Yami
Chapter 5
Kurama awakened to find himself back in his bed with Hiei lying beside him. He noticed that his wound had been carefully bandaged. Before he could dwell on it however, Hiei awakened, blinking sleepily. "How did I get home?" Kuama asked. "I brought you," Hiei replied. "How do you feel?" the dark haired apparition asked. "the wound is a bit painful, but fine otherwise," Kurama responded. "You saved my life tonight you know," Kurama said softly. "As you saved mine. What made you push me out of harm's way and go after Karasu?" Hiei responded.
Kurama smiled softly at him. "I love you Hiei, I couldn't let you get killed if I could stop it," he said. "That assassin took my first love to his grave, I was not going to let him rob me again," Kurama continued. "Is that why you were so brutal in slaying him?" Hiei inquired. Kurama's golden eyes hardened. "He killed my first love right in front of me with those damned bombs of his. He hemmed Kuronue in just as I did him tonight, piercing my beloved's ankle before killing him with his bombs," He informed Hiei.
Hiei gently took Kuama's hand in his. "It surprised me to see you like that. I would have never expected such brutality from the gentle fox that I have come to know and love," He said. "I was beyond anger at seeing him again, and the fact that he dared make an attempt on your life only enraged me all the more," Kurama responded. "I couldn't imagine being without you Love, " he said softly. "You called me Love," Hiei said softly. Kurama nodded slowly. "Hiei, I'm sorry I didn't tell you when I should have, but I do love you. I was so afraid of loosing you in the long run that I didn't realize I would loose you then and there with my hesitation," He said. "You were right Fox, we really shouldn't have gone that far. I guess we just got caught up in the moment," Hiei said. Kurama smiled gently. "I don't regret it. In fact, I'm glad you were my first," he said. Hiei shook his head, glancing at Kurama from head to toe. "I still find it hard to believe that such a gorgeous male has gone untouched," he said. "Kuronue and I never had the chance to be intimate, and I have been too heartbroken since then to let anyone get that close to me," Kurama responded.
"Will you let me?" Hiei asked. "I know I shouldn't have said what I did, and I should have ended things before they went too far, but if you will have my love Kurama I will give it freely," Kurama beamed at him. "Of course I will, so long as you will have mine in return," he responded. "I wouldn't have it any other way," Hiei said. Kurama raised himself a bit and captured Hiei's lips in a loving kiss. Hiei responded in kind.
Hiei remained with Kurama the whole day. The fox had leant Hiei some of his clothing since in his red haired form they were about the same size. To pass some of the time Kurama had told Hiei the whole story of how he had been banished from his clan. The dark haired apparition listened attentively to Kurama's story and did not speak until the yoko had finished his tale.
"Do you ever hope to go back there someday?" Hiei asked. Kurama shook his head. "No, I dare not even set foot in my people's lands again," the fox replied. "I would probably be attacked on sight," "I do wish that I could see my family again," he admitted.
"You should get going, Mukuro is sure to be worried sick about you," Kurama said. "I would rather stay here with you and face her wrath later," Hiei responded. Kurama reached up and caressed Hiei's cheek lovingly. "Go to her Darkfire, let her know you're alright and then return to me," Kurama said. Hiei did not want to leave Kurama's side. The fox could see this and gently kissed his beloved's lips. "I'll be fine Darkfire, Makino is here with me and should I need you she will find you," he assured the fire apparition. Hiei looked surprised at the new nickname and after a moment decided that he did like it. Hiei leaned down and captured Kurama's lips in a deep and hungry kiss. "I'll be back as soon as I can," Hiei promised. The fire apparition then vanished as he ran full speed for Mukuro's palace.
From then on, Hiei spent every spare moment he could with Kurama. The dark haired apparition even stayed overnight when he could. Hiei tended to his beloved diligently, doing his best to ensure that Kurama wanted for nothing and was healing fast and properly. It was still two weeks before Kurama was fully mended and Hiei knew that Kurama would soon be back to work. The thought of his Fox performing in front of others again did not sit well with Hiei.
"You aren't going to go back to working are you?" Hiei asked as he helped Kurama with the dishes. Kurama smiled at him. "Why? Don't you want me to earn a living?" he asked teasingly. "You don't need to. I can take care of us both," Hiei replied. Kurama's eyes widened. "You're serious aren't you?" he asked. "Of course I am. It makes me uneasy knowing you're off performing for who knows what type of men. I know that you can take care of yourself but I'd feel better knowing you don't have to," Hiei replied. Kurama washed a dish silently, his clever mind coming up with a solution to the problem.
"Hiei, let me be part of your court. If I became your court dancer I would no longer be available for hire by anyone else," He suggested. Hiei liked the idea. Kurama would only perform for him and Mukuro and in front of their guests. Kurama would still earn a living as he wished and Hiei wouldn't have to worry about who he was performing for. Since he would not get the throne for hopefully some time yet, Hiei could not bring Kurama into court without her permission. He just wasn't so sure Mukuro would go for it.
"I have to clear it with Mukuro," Hiei said softly as Kurama handed him the dish he had just washed and rinsed. "You know her better than I, do you think she will allow it?" Kurama asked. "I hope so," Hiei said as he dried the dish. He caught sight of the setting sun as he did so. "I should get back," Hiei said softly as he put away the dried dish. Kurama gently pressed his lips to Hiei's. The fox broke the kiss and then kissed Hiei a second time. "That one was for luck," Kurama explained. Hiei smirked. "Admit it, you just enjoy kissing," he responded. Kurama smiled sensually at his love. "You're a good kisser," he stated. Hiei kissed Kurama once more and headed home.
As soon as Hiei arrived at the palace, a loud bell rang signaling dinnertime. Hiei raced up to his room to clean up and change. Mukuro was waiting for him when he arrived. "How is your friend?" Mukuro asked. "He has mended well," Hiei replied as he sat down at the table. "Bring him here when he is well enough. I wish to reward him for saving your life," Mukuro informed him. "I wish to do so as well, by taking him into our court," Hiei responded. Mukuro smiled knowingly. "I doubt this is solely due to the fact that he saved your life," she commented. "You forget that he is my friend," Hiei replied. She gave him a pointed look.
"I love him," he told her telepathically, not wanting the servants that had just entered to overhear their conversation. "I know he won't allow me to just take care of him completely, at least this way he can feel he's earning his keep and I won't need to worry about him," He added. "Alright, if that is what you wish, than we will reward him in this manner," Mukuro said aloud. "Thank you," Hiei said softly. Mukuro nodded in response and began eating her dinner.
Immediately after the meal Mukuro ordered a room prepared for Kurama. To Hiei's delight she had chosen the room right next to his to give the yoko. Hiei brought the outfit he had borrowed from Kurama to the palace tailor with orders to make several more outfits of the same size. Hiei hoped that Kurama would like the clothing he was having made for him.
The next day Kurama waited anxiously for Hiei to visit. The fire apparition did not come that day nor the next. The fox was ready to go to Mukuro's palace to see him when Hiei appeared on the third day. Kurama completely forgot his anxiety and greeted his beloved with a warm hug and a swift kiss. "Do you still wish to be part of the court?" Hiei asked. "Did Mukuro allow it?" Kurama asked. Hiei smiled and nodded. Relief flooded through Kurama. Without a second thought he wrapped his arms around Hiei and captured the warrior's lips with his own. Hiei returned the kiss in earnest, enjoying himself to the fullest. When at last they parted for air Hiei took Kurama's hand in his. "Mukuro is getting a room ready for you as we speak," Hiei informed his beloved.
"I'm to live at the palace with you?" Kurama asked, not expecting that bit of news. "Do you not wish to?" Hiei responded. "It's not that, I just wasn't expecting Mukuro to give me a place in her home," Kurama replied. "Besides, I can hardly see myself leaving this place behind," he added softly. "You don't need to Fox," Hiei said. "You can come and go as you please. The room at the palace is yours weather you choose to use it or not,"
"I definitely choose to use the room," Kurama said with a smile. "However, I still wish to spend time here," he added. "Your room will be ready at the end of the week, I'll come back then for you," Hiei said.
"And what of me?" Makino asked as she padded into the room. "You're to come as well if you wish," Hiei answered. "Mukuro won't object?" Kurama asked in surprise. Hiei shook his head. "I did not reveal to her Makino's true nature, that would have given you away Fox, but I did tell Mukuro that you are very fond of her and there was no way you would leave her behind," Hiei answered. Kurama smiled brightly and gave Hiei a quick peck on the lips. "Thank you," he said. Hiei blushed, then vanished into the forest.
True to his word Hiei came for Kurama and Makino at the end of the week. Mukuro was waiting for them when they arrived. Kurama bowed gracefully before her. "I thank you for allowing me into your service m'lady," he said. "I couldn't refuse my heir's request, especially when you saved his life," she responded. Mukuro's eye widened when Makino padded around Kurama and sat in front of Hiei and Kurama. Both were relieved that she was able to alter her form so that she appeared to have only one tail and not seven. To the ruler's surprise the large white fox lowered her head to Mukuro. Mukuro smiled and stepped forward to gently pet Makino. The white fox leaned into her touch. "I daresay she won't be any trouble at all," she said. Kurama smiled. "Makino is not one for causing trouble m'lady, especially for those who she takes a liking to," he replied.
"Hiei why don't you show Shuichi to his room," Mukuro suggested. Hiei nodded and motioned for Kurama to follow him. Makino licked Mukuro's hand and followed them up the massive double flight of marble stairs. Kurama followed Hiei as he turned left once they reached the landing. They headed down a hallway until Hiei stopped at one of the massive mahogany doors. "This is my room," He informed Kurama then moved to the next door and opened it. "This room is yours," Hiei added. Kurama entered and was taken aback at the large size of the room. The bed was adorned with linen in a shade of green that Kurama absolutely loved. There was a fireplace at one end of the room facing the bed. A desk and bookshelves weren't very far from the hearth either.
Hiei entered behind his beloved and watched the fox's reaction as he moved to stand beside the large wardrobe near the bathroom door. Kurama turned to face him. "This is wonderful Hiei," He said. Hiei smirked and opened one of the large wardrobe doors to reveal a set of brand new outfits. "Those are for me as well?" Kurama asked with surprise. Hiei smiled and joined Kurama, placing his arms around his waist loosely. "Of course, my fox should have nothing but the best," Hiei said making Kurama blush.
Hiei released Kurama and watched with amusement as Kurama looked over the clothing. "You really didn't have to do all this," Kurama said. "Thank you," he added as he kissed Hiei's cheek. "You're welcome," Hiei responded.
Hiei next showed Kurama the bathroom which was roughly the same size of Kurama's bedroom back at his former home. The floor was tiled with marble just as beautiful as the stone that composed the large double staircase they had come up. The bathtub was also made of the stone and the countertops as well. Lastly, Hiei showed Kurama the door that led to his room from the fox's. That amused Kurama greatly, knowing that he and Hiei could go to and fro from either room without anyone knowing. "I think I'm going to enjoy myself greatly here," Kurama murmured as Hiei held him. "I'm sure you will Fox," Hiei responded.
And so Kurama stayed with Hiei in Mukuro's palace. He did return to his former home from time to time with Hiei, Makino or both, and when Hiei was away on missions for Mukuro or out fighting with her army. Despite the times when Hiei's duty called him away from his side, Kurama was happier than he had been since his banishment. His fledgling relationship with Hiei flourished and grew strong.