Part 3: A Door Closing, a Window Opening
Three months passed like a dream, and Hiei still has not come close to a decision.
In the beginning, he could barely feel the magic closing the portal, but now, it left a palpable heat in the air – a constant reminder that he was running out of time.
Scarlet and jet black youkai blood flowed as if poured by a demented artist. Masamune cut through flesh and bone in a single sweep. In another blur, another youkai discovered that his head moved oppositely his body, and the next, and the next and the next. The whole regiment was soon in a panic as their numbers decreased as swiftly as the clock's second hand.
Unfortunately for them, Hiei was in a killing mood that evening.
Another petty youkai who called himself a warlord dared challenge Enki's rule and he was sent here to teach the bastards a lesson. He found the stupid demon in the middle of the formation. Fucking cow's too cowardly to face me in battle. And he wanted to rule Makai? He slowed down and let his enemy catch a glimpse of him. The youkai's eyes widened when he realized he was dealing with Mokuro's second in command.
"Keeel hiiim! A thoussssaannd gooolld coiiinnss foor hiss head!" the youkai screamed. The esses were slurred because of his forked reptilian tongue.
"Fool. You wouldn't even touch me," Hiei taunted. He drew in his sword. In another second, the 'warlord's' head rolled on the chariot's floor.
Hiei surveyed the carnage surrounding him. The ground was soaked with blood. He was soaked with blood. Death called its minions… scavenger creatures arrived from far and wide, though none dared come too close while he lingered. Their muted auras shimmered in the deepening night, and their stench assaulted his senses.
He swept his samurai in an arc, removing the remaining blood. Take care of your weapons and they will take care of you. He returned it to its sheath and sat down. He didn't want to stay, but he also didn't want to hurry up and report to the tub of lard. So, through sheer force of will, he blanked out his sense of smell.
Crickets and frogs chorused in the background.
The moon and the stars start wakening from their sleep.
Only the bodies and weapons lying scattered on the field bore witness of the battle.
He felt comfortable with the stillness, though some may say that he was mad. He could think here, without anyone bothering him. And he needed to think, desperately.
Hiei gazed at the silver ring on his pale ghostly fingers.
"Do you love me?" Kurama softly asked as they took one of their many walks in the park. They had a fight and were not in speaking terms for a week.
He grunted, "Maybe."
"I love you…" Kurama softy said.
His heart melted as he felt the hurt in his lover's voice. But he said nothing and looked straight on.
"I was hoping for a better time to give you this, but…" Kurama smiled shyly. "I think that If I don't give you this today, I'll have no other chance."
His curiosity stirred, Hiei watched Kurama carefully reach for something in his pocket. Through some sleight of hand, the youko managed to keep the surprise a secret until he finally put it on Hiei's left forefinger.
It was a beautiful silver ring of two roses entwined in each other.
"I have one, too." Kurama showed left hand. "I don't want to lose you, Hiei. I love you…"
Hiei played with the ring, shifting it downwards and upwards his finger, though never removing it.
He had come to a conclusion.
"When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy… When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight…" Kurama, or more appropriately, Minamino Shuuichi read from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran. He paused as he thought on the phrase, then after a few seconds, looked up again to the class. "There are experiences, people and memories that cause us grief so we try to forget them instead of enduring the pain. But in so doing, we also forget that we hurt because we loved them. The remembrance of the happiness they brought us… now brings longing that borders on grief … Therefore, it is up to us to choose how to remember."
But for Kurama, the meaning of the phrase is really simpler than that.
The touch of a lover…
How many times did he have to content himself with remembering? So many lonely and bitter nights were spent dreaming of Hiei, the way he looked at him, the way his voice sounded, the way he moved, the way he fought, the way the veins on his temple showed when he was angered, the way he kissed, the way he ate his favorite dessert (ice cream – vanilla, Haagen Dazs)…
Ah… remembering is bittersweet.
Kurama followed the Professor's movement around the class as he let his thoughts travel.
That which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy…
In truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight…
Every school has an elite class. If you were good looking, a senior and a member of an athletic team, you were automatically in. Hasunuma was one of those lucky few. He was nearing six feet in height, with deep blue eyes and teasingly kissable lips. Plus, he was team captain of the soccer and basketball team. He could get whoever he wanted: women, gay men, bi, children; not that he had to try. Usually, they just flung themselves at him. His conquests were many but discreet. Those that were public knowledge were all leaked out by his lovers. But his philandering was accepted by everyone. It was a part of his charm.
This was his last year in high school. The competition for his attention grew in intensity as the clock ticked. But the someone he wanted was not there. Oh, he knew from the start he wouldn't be one of these love-struck juniors. He was classier than that. He was a world unto himself, and as far as he knew, no one had caught his fancy. He was two years younger than him, but it didn't matter.
He could see him in the distance, walking with the auburn-haired girl. At first, he feared that she was his girl, but when he inquired, he found out that she was only his childhood friend. It was hard to miss his flaming locks, or his dashingly beautiful face.
"Yo, Minamino-chan!" he called and waved when they were within earshot.
Shuuichi looked surprised when he realized that Hasunuma addressed him.
"Hasunuma Sempai! Good afternoon," he greeted him sweetly, his emerald eyes smiling, "Aya-chan, Hasunuma sempai, he was the one who tutored me in Biochem. Hasunuma sempai, Aya chan, my best friend."
The two shook each other's hands. Hasunuma winked at Aya as he joked, "Don't believe him my dear. He was the one who tutored me!" Then he glanced at Shuuichi. "Mind if I join you two? I have to go to the shrine and meet someone, but I don't really want to be a kill joy to them," he motioned to the throng of giggling girls waiting for him. "So, could I please, please say that we have a project about soccer, please?"
Shuuichi covered his lips with his fingers as he giggled. "So you're chickening out and using us for your excuse?"
"Well… there are many ways to look at it. I prefer to call it a white lie. So..?"
"If it's all right with Aya…"
The two boys looked at Aya who was blushing under their intense gazes. She nodded shyly and to her chagrin (and the others' envy) the two gentlemen wrapped their arms around her waist.
Aya, the poor girl felt so awkward with Hasunuma, not because he was handsome, but because his reputation preceded him. She glanced at Shuichi, and to her dismay, saw that he was enjoying the other's company. Oh please, not a budding romance! She wanted to stop it, but the blood was ringing in her ears and the goose bumps were tearing her flesh! If only she didn't know that Shuuichi has a tendency to swing both ways, or that Hasunuma was bi... then she would be in heaven right now… but as it was…
"Ah, I have to go back to the school!" She suddenly exclaimed.
"School? Why?" Shuuichi asked as they stopped in the middle of the park.
"I… I left my homework on the table…"
"We'll walk with you," Hasunuma offered.
"No! ah… no. I can manage, you two go ahead."
"Are you sure?"
"Sure, I'm sure. I'll just meet you two tomorrow, okay?"
She looked pleadingly at Shuuichi to support her. The redhead immediately picked up her point.
"Ah, so tomorrow then, Aya chan?"
"Yah."
"TC Aya chan. Nice to meet ya."
There was a half worried look on her face as she traced her steps back to school (thought they all know that she'd probably double back after thirty minutes and they were safely out of sight. Kurama followed her with his eyes until she was at least safely over the bridge, then he gave her one last wave and brought his full attention back to Hasunuma.
Hasunuma was a fine example of the male gender. Even with the senior's bland dark blue uniform, he stood out with his stunning physique. His shoulders were broad, without being overly so; and the arms that showed from his rolled up sleeves proved that he was really in shape. He has deep turquoise eyes that permanently glinted with good-natured (?) naughtiness. His lips were a natural deep red.
"So Shuuichi, this way to your house?" Hasunuma asked and pointed to the cobbled pathway south.
Shuuichi nodded. "Yes. So I guess we part here, ne?"
Hasunuma grinned and cast his eyes away. He scratched the back of his head like a school boy that was caught in a mischievous act. "Well… actually… I'm really…not going to meet anyone today." Then he looked expectantly to him. I just want to know you better.
Kurama blushed (oh my God! I blushed! I DON'T blush! – but this only served to deepen his rouge
The 'older boy' read his discomfort and stammered as he looked for a good out.
"Well… I think I might detour after the first blocks to Shindou's… haven't seen him for a while now."
Kurama bit his lips as he looked shyly up to Hasunuma (the boy was a few inches taller than him).
"Oh. I thought you were gonna help me study Biochem again, Sempai…"
Hasunuma stopped in the middle of his excuses and gawked at Shuuichi. Then he laughed and tentatively brushed his fingers against the sophomore's palms.
They talked about many things, though Kurama really didn't remember what. He was more conscious about the hands that held his fingers. Hasunuma's clasp was gentle. If he so wanted, he could just pull back his fingers and they won't suffer from any loss of face. But he didn't. He just let his senior hold his hands as they talked. His heart fluttered with so many butterflies. The youko in him was amused that he could feel as giddy as a normal ningen adolescent. In short, this was new to him, and true to his nature, Kurama allowed himself to savor the experience.
"This is my place," Kurama smiled as he stopped in front of the beige-colored apartment with the Sakura tree in the front yard.
"Pretty big," Hasunuma whistled to emphasize his admiration.
"Well, we are four in the family, so it's not that big," Kurama corrected. He disengaged his hands and knocked at the door.
A woman quickly opened the door. Her hair was tied in a neat bun, and from the aroma that greeted them, it was plain that they were going to have delicious shrimp stew and boiled mixed vegetables.
"Tadaima okasan!"
"Okaeri Shuu-chan!" then she looked at Hasunuma. "Oh, so you have a visitor?"
"Yes, okasan. He's Hasunuma-sempai. I asked him to tutor me in Biochem. Mind if I let him in?"
"Of course not, Shuuichi! Hasunuma kun, treat our house as your home!"
Hasunuma bowed and smiled. "Arigato Minamino-san. But may I say that I thought you were his sister?"
A little sweat drop appeared on Kurama's forehead. Flirt.
Shiori giggled. Kurama watched amused at the speed which Hasunuma won over his mother. Before they were halfway to the dinner table, Hasunuma has coaxed from her his favorite dish, color, movie, book, pet and flower.
"Now that's what I call a meal!" Hasunuma stretched as he followed Shuuichi up the flight of stairs. Shuuichi laughed softly. A little smile crept into his lips. The redhead looked yummy at this vantage point. His eyes shfted from the full flaming locks, down the equally red uniform… then at his rounded buttocks.
Pervert. If your classmates knew what ran in your mind…
Shuuichi pulled out a key and opened his room. A blast of cold air hit Hasunuma's face as the air conditioner was turned on all day. The room was small, but very organized. The walls were tinted pink, like a girl's. A computer table beside the night cabinet was in front of a body length mirror/ vanity. A collection of perfumes were stocked in a mirrored box. The bed could fit two people comfortably. The view of the neighborhood outside was beautiful, but it was blocked by a large sakura branch.
"Hey, Shuu-chan, why don't you have that branch cut?" he asked. Shuuichi was changing clothes and was now halfway out his uniform. He hid his surprise when he saw the newly healed wounds on Shuuichi's shoulders, but declined to comment about it.
"Nah… I like that branch," the redhead answered. He tossed the uniform into the clothes bin and settled for a plain white under shirt in spite of the cold. "Mind if you go to the bathroom? I have to change."
"Oh, okay."
"Thanks."
"No, I was the one imposing."
He went in the little bath room and closed the door. Cool! A bath tub! Out of curiosity, he opened the medicine cabinet… complete, and well stocked, and even had tourniquets, and sutures? What the hell did he need that for? A small unassuming tube caught his eyes. There was no mistaking that familiar discreet logo.
KY?
"You can come out now," Shuuichi's muffled voice passed through the door. Hasunuma quickly shut the cabinet.
Shuuichi was now dressed in a white shirtand loose-fitting Chinese pants. If only he wasn't flat chested, he could pass as a woman. He was that beautiful.
"So… when you're done gawking, maybe you could tell me why you wanted to talk."
There was a cat-like quality in the way Shuuichi moved now. Maybe it was because they had to room to themselves, or that they both felt comfortable with each other. It was a pleasant surprise to see his demure school mate act so… so much like a tease.
Hasunuma grinned and tucked Shuuichi's forelock behind the boy's ears.
"I really wanted to talk to you about this…"
He had had three choices to say no.
The first disappeared when Hasunuma flirted with him in the park.
The second disappeared when Hasunuma won his mother over.
The third has gone the moment he let Hasunuma's lips touch his.
Hiei.
But Hiei was so far away, and his sempai was here. His body cried out in need. He so wanted to kiss and be kissed, and take and be taken. Hasunuma was experienced and hot. His palms, when they drew him closer were strong and insistent.
"Lock the door," Hasunuma ordered as he released the kiss.
Now. Say no.
He locked the door.
No, say it.
Hasunuma lay on the bed, opening his shirt's buttons one by one.
Inari-sama…
(Evil laugh… in obeisance to policy regarding lemons, the lemon scene following has been deleted by the author. XD… Don't take it against me! Either that, or no Turin resurrected! Oh yah.. that's why my name has resurrected added already Y.Y)
To Be Continued