Two-Sided Attraction

Author's Note: Totally yaoi all the way through, with a lemon next chapter. Just to let you know, I wrote this a long while ago, nearly finishing it all the way through to the end, and when rereading it sometimes I didn't even know what I was talking about. Sorry if there is any confusion, but I actually wrote so much of it, I felt it would be a waste to not put up. My writing is better now, although this is still pretty damn good, so if you hate it -- don't complain -- and if you love it -- yay! Please, review. I love reviews. There will be two more chapters; all for Yaoi-Lovers and HieiXKurama fans. Now on with the show! See-ya again next chappie!

The Beginning

Shuuichi Minamino couldn't sleep. He lay awake on his crisp, newly cleaned white curtains, staring blankly out his open window without really seeing the midnight sky, speckled with stars amongst a startlingly full and silvery bright moon. The smell of laundry detergent lingered on his bed from getting out of the washing machine a mere three hours ago, and no matter how he tossed and turned, the kitsune couldn't get comfortable. He was wide-awake, and sleep was not going to come.

With an irritated sigh, Shuuichi jumped up and made his way over to the window. A cool, crisp breeze picked up as he stuck his head out into the pure and clean air. He breathed deep and shivered, the chilly feeling of an icy breath upon his bare chest. He always sleeps without his shirt on, exposing his muscular, lithe, flexible chest for all to see as he sleeps and goes on completely unawares. This may just be his mother, Shiori, watching him as a mother watches her son...but it's not. She is not his only unknown late-night visitor. He has one other; someone he knows very well...

Running his fingers through his unruly, orderly messed up red hair, he sighed sadly and tried to shut the window – he was getting too cold. For some reason it stuck, and no matter how hard he tried, it wouldn't budge. Muttering disagreeably he hopped back into bed and pulled the sheets over him and shivered, eager to get warm, but knowing that neither warmth nor sleep would return to him on this cool autumn night.

If it had been lighter out, he may have noticed the reason for his window not opening. You seen, it was propped open with a thin, slender rod, made up of a material very similar to steel only much stronger and more durable. It is, in fact, a type of demon tree from which is originates: the bark is like copper, the leaves are like gold, and the insides like silver. The wood makes good weapons and delicate things you need to be strong, while the bark is medicinal and the leaves can be molded and sharpened in such a way to result in a razor-like edge. Very rare, very beautiful, very useful.

Were he not so used to the window opening and closing in the night due to his mother's care for him as he sleeps, he may have noticed that – just as it was when he fell asleep – the window was shut tight when she left his room for the night. It was too cold for that, and if he was too hot he could discard the covers or wake up and open it himself for a while. His logic, obviously, wasn't working too well so close to midnight either.

This all worked in one person's favor: a kaji-koorime named Hiei. The one who was often Shuuichi's visitor later into the night than even his mother – the one who stays longer than any other could, patient when he wants to be – the one who often loses track of time and has to rush out of the room before being discovered – the one whose feelings for his best friend have confused and excited him for so long that he hardly knows what to do – the one for whom is also felt such emotions, but since either say anything, nobody knows about the mutuality of it all.

Shuuichi can hardly ever sleep anymore, and Hiei doesn't need to, and lately has found that he hardly can. They are distracted and tormented by these feelings that, at first, made them feel odd and unnatural; like they were monsters for thinking about each other this way. Now, however, all they feel is sadness, loneliness and regret for not being able to be together. After all (as the both of them think): Why would he want to be with me, his best friend, for god's sake? Any bystander who could hear and see their thoughts and behaviors would laugh so hard, they were both so stupid and ridiculous about the whole thing.

Shuuichi laid so still that soon his body had relaxed as if it were sleeping, although his mind was wide-awake, taking in everything there was to take in. His breathing was deep and even, as it should be, and since that was what Hiei was listening for...After he thought the redheaded kitsune had been asleep for a good half-hour or so, Hiei slunk into the room. Shuuichi immediately noticed, breath catching and all sense waking up fully. Curious, his heart-pounding, Shuuichi laid stiller than still, anticipating his friend's next move, hoping for the impossible... Which really wasn't – or, it didn't have to be, I should say.

The worst thing Shuuichi could have done in that situation normally would be to do as he just did. His body was tense, showing that he knew another was in the room with him, although not necessarily that he knew who he was (although there is always a very good chance of that – even better if they know one another so well). His breathing, which wouldn't change in sleep, was held in, showing that he knew who it was, or that he suspecting who it was – which means that he would know of their presence. Luckily for him, Hiei was no longer paying attention, all of his attention now focused on the lovely Shuuichi.

Once he reached the bed, which seemed to take an eternity, time seemed to freeze. Shuuichi was so beautiful in the moonlight... Rays of beautiful silver luminescence shone in through the window, striking his perfectly pale skin, calling to Hiei's attention all his toned muscles and ever-so-slight, faded old scars. His heart-rate increased, and Shuuichi froze, wishing, hoping for that to mean what he think it does... What he hopes it does... What he knows it does...

Hiei's hand began reaching out for his bare back. He froze halfway there, anticipant, waiting to see if Shuuichi moved. Unaware of the kaji-koorime's silent moves, he was waiting to see if anything happened. Reassured by the silence, Hiei reached the rest of the way out and carefully, slowly, gently traced a scar on his back. His touch was so tender, so feathery and teasing, that Shuuichi shivered involuntarily. Hiei froze at the movement, but when Shuuichi remained still after it, he passed it off as the chill.

Yeah, right.

Fingering a lock of silky red hair, Hiei sighed happily yet forlornly. Kneeling beside the bed, he whispered in a voice so low and soft that, listening for it after a deep intake of breath, Shuuichi barely made out the airy, illusive words... "I could stay like this, forever, my love..."

Shuuichi smiled inwardly and accidentally shifted slightly, causing Hiei to jump up and prepare to dash out as fast as he could. Frightened, Shuuichi remained perfectly still, hoping and praying that Hiei would return... His pleas were answered, and Hiei didn't bolt. After waiting a few minutes to make sure he wasn't going to wake up, Hiei approached him again, and Shuuichi felt so relieved he let out a long, contented sigh.

At this moment, what he wanted to do more than anything else in the world was to gather Hiei, as short and delicate as he was, into his arms and hold him forever. Unfortunately, the kaji-koorime was already extremely jumpy, and he was afraid of scaring him off. Now he knows Hiei shares the same feelings as he, so the last thing he wants to do is screw it up. He would wait forever for his Hiei, although tonight would be the most desirable time for them to finally get this out to one another...

Soon Hiei was back by the bed, although he was no longer kneeling. Gently putting a rough, callused hand – each capable of murder and torture as easily as anything else – on both Shuuichi's shoulder and his lower stomach, right above his hip (he is still laying on his side), the kaji-koorime gently, carefully, slowly and tenderly rolled the kitsune onto his back. Being careful not to show any sort of facial expression that would give him away, he remained perfectly still, waiting for Hiei's next move.

He heard a sort of chocked, muffled cry, which he realized with a shock was a slight sob. A single tear fell, hitting Shuuichi's bare stomach in the form of a pure black pearl. Trying harder than ever not to reach out and hold and comfort his best friend, Shuuichi laid still, senses whirling and serious stimuli driving him nuts.

Hiei climbed onto the bed and looked down at his sleeping love. So peaceful, calm and beautiful... He reached out and lightly touched one creamy cheek, the feel of Shuuichi's perfect skin on his own maddening. Resisting any urges that may wake up the kitsune, Hiei curled up beside him, longing to be held and loved, although it was never meant to be. He began whispering, talking to Shuuichi without expecting him to hear a word. Hiei has done this before, anyone could tell.

"I love you, Kurama... I know we are best friends, but I don't care... I can't live without you, my love... You are so beautiful, so kind, so smart... Never, in all of my life, has anyone genuinely cared for me as you do... My own boss hates me, my teammates mock me... Even my own sister doesn't care much for me, not because she is mean or purposefully cruel, but because she doesn't know of our relation... And then, of course, I can't tell her about all I've sacrificed and done for her, because she deserves better than me for her brother, even if he is imaginary... I can't tell anyone anything about how I feel... Nobody cares, they know me as one thing and that's it... And I can live with that from the whole world... Everyone but you, Kurama... But I can tell you even less than I can tell you... and it's eating me up inside... One day I will surely die, but as long as you don't leave me..."

Shuuichi had heard enough. All of that pain and sadness in a friend hurts, but not half as much as it does when you know that you helped cause it – even if you didn't mean to. In fact, the fact that is own dumb ignorance and selfish blindness made it even worse. So, to try and comfort him, as well as keep him from leaving, Shuuichi wrapped his arms around the petite form of the kaji-koorime. Hiei immediately tensed, his first instinct being to run. But, anticipating this, the kitsune held him tighter, muscles flexing. Finally Hiei relaxed, and so did Shuuichi.

Before Hiei could ruin the moment with unnecessary words that Shuuichi knew were coming, the kitsune silenced him by tilting his chin up and capturing his lips in a deep, passionate kiss. At first Hiei lay rigid, too shocked to respond properly, but once it had continued for a while, the kaji-koorime melted into Shuuichi's mouth and kissed back with a fierce passion. Shuuichi licked his lover's lips, and although they parted allowing him access, he continued to tease rather than to please, ending it far too soon for Hiei's tastes. Shuuichi pulled back slightly, looking deeply into Hiei's eyes, so full of lust, love, confusion and the cutest innocence, which is not a trait you would expect an old and wise murderer of a demon to possess – but he does.

"Shuuichi..." Hiei breathed, confused by what had just happened and by his own feelings.The kitsune sweetly shushed him, smiling sweetly. "No need to talk, Hiei – I've heard enough." At Hiei's blush Shuuichi giggled, bending his head down and whispering seductively into his ear, hot breath sending shivers up the demons spine, "I love you too, Hiei..."