Chapter Three: Blossoming
Hiei never would have believed it.
He never would have believed how a certain kind of a relationship with a certain kind of person could change his life. Having Kurama by his side made him a different person. It left him more confident, knowing that the legendary figure was interested in him, wanted him, but it wasn't all ego. There was something soothing in Kurama's touch, something very much needed in Hiei's life: a sense of peace, of having come home at last.
Hiei had, for the first time in his life, a sanctuary. Kurama's room became his home base, a place that offered safety and being wanted. He flitted in and out of it as he pleased, and Kurama was always sure to welcome him with a warm kiss hello and send him off with a tender kiss goodbye. Hiei found himself leaning into those caresses without a thought. Sometimes a kiss goodbye would be so good as to entice him to stay an extra half an hour, and sometimes he never left at all after feeling Kurama's lips on his.
But as beautiful and exquisite to touch as Kurama was, the physical was not the only thing that kept Hiei coming back. Kurama understood him. Without having to ask the wise fox knew about everything Hiei had been through and how to soothe it. He spoke to aches and appetites Hiei hadn't even known he'd had; sometimes the ease with which the fox found his heart frightened Hiei. But Kurama was so warm and sincere it was difficult to stay frightened of what he offered.
Hiei fought to stay grounded, to avoid plunging headfirst into the joy Kurama brought him. But then there came a night when his world split in two, like a tightly furled bud bursting into blossom.
It wasn't planned for. Hiei had no thought of it when he fell into Kurama's arms that night, eager only to touch. They explored each other for hours, gradually going farther and farther, neither really speaking until Hiei dove for Kurama's pants and Kurama offered a cautionary, "You know where that will lead."
"I know what I'm doing," Hiei replied, and there was no further hesitation from either. When Hiei's skill faltered Kurama easily took over and taught Hiei all he knew about lovemaking.
Hiei knew the fox had taken other lovers in his previous life, but he couldn't understand as he lay in his arms afterward how something so sacred could be shared casually with many lovers. Until his fox turned to him, panting and bright eyed, and told him that it had never been like that before. Then Hiei understood. It was because they were meant to be together that it felt like that.
They spent a week or so scarcely leaving their bedroom, and when Hiei finally did emerge from that den it was with a renewed sense of purpose. He knew now beyond a doubt that he had found his mate, his equal, his once-in-a-lifetime. He also knew that with Kurama by his side, he could be unstoppable. He began to plan in earnest, began to dream of power he wouldn't have dared to before. Finding Yukina would be easily obtained once he and Kurama were in charge.
Hiei whispered his plans night after night into Kurama's ear when they held each other after making love, drowsy and peaceful and unconcerned that Kurama showed little enthusiasm for them. He knew that he, Hiei, would be the leader in their partnership, and when the time came his mate would be behind him. He fell asleep easily in his lover's arms, and never saw that Kurama stayed awake many hours after, worry creasing his forehead, looking at Hiei as if he no longer knew what he held.
When the time came that Hiei could no longer pretend to himself that he didn't notice Kurama's indifference, he did the only thing he knew how to do: he ignored it and plunged forward. Shared power would tie Kurama and himself closer together. He clung to Kurama, continued with his plans, and pretended with an intensity that bordered on prayer that everything was alright, would be alright. Their lovemaking was no less frequent than before, though it sometimes lacked the connection that it had shared before. Kurama's kisses were just as warm, even warmer, with the heat of desperation in them; but his silences became more and more common, and sometimes when Hiei spoke, he closed his eyes and turned his head away sadly.
And then, Kurama's mother fell ill. At first Hiei felt even more abandoned as Kurama turned nearly all his time and attention to the ailing woman. But then he decided he would make this the opportunity he needed, not to lose Kurama, but to draw him back. He concocted a plan, one that would further his dreams of power, but one that would also give Kurama the power he needed to save his human mother.
Kurama's face was impassive, the hint of sorrow that had taken up permanent residence behind his eyes his only emotion as he agreed to the plan. Hiei hunted for a third member with enough muscle to complete the plan, breathing deeply all the while, talking to himself calmingly. It would work. It would bring his fox back to him. It had to work.