Enter The Fire Apparition
Someone was watching him.
Hiei allowed it for several moments, but when it seemed that whoever it was didn't intend to leave any time soon, he glowered around for whoever it was. It was, however, late evening, and so there was no one in the park besides him. At least, no one he could see from his perch in a tree. Just himself and...a ball of silver fluff on a park bench? Yes, he saw now. A pair of lavish golden eyes were watching him from that silver bundle. And he knew now just what it was too.
"What is a kitsune doing here?" he muttered to himself, jumping down from his branch.
It fluffed up a bit as he approached, seemingly not quite sure what to make of Hiei when he held a hand just slightly above it's head. When it didn't bite, he rubbed it's ears some, intent on picking it up and taking it where it should be. He couldn't help but be somewhat disgusted with himself for the soft spot, developed from being around a certain, red-haired, idiot genius for far too long. Still... This little thing belonged in the spirit world, not here.
Just as he was about to pick it up however, it hopped onto his shoulder and wound itself about his neck, nuzzling and thrumming contentedly. Now he was dead certain exactly what it was.
"Damned kitsune. What did you do now?"
It, or rather he, purred some more, rubbing his head against Hiei's jawline. Hiei twitched.
"At least now I know what to do with you."
xcxcxcxcxcxc
meanwhile, across town...
"What do you mean you lost him?(!)"
"Calm down Botan. I looked everywhere for him, really. I don't even know how he got away from me."
The ferry-girl smacked him upside the head again, "Yusuke, you're hopeless! You couldn't even look after him for twenty-four hours."
The aforementioned spirit detective rubbed his head, "look, I searched and called for him and asked all sorts of people, most of which thought I was nuts. What else am I supposed to do?"
"Find him! That's what Yusuke. What kind of detective-"
"Hey."
Botan stopped her yelling momentarily to turn on who had interrupted her, only to find Hiei on the windowsill. The tirade she'd had in mind suddenly vanished and she shrank back a little. The others in the room were decidedly surprised, but Yusuke remained unfazed.
"Hey Hiei. What are you doing here?"
"Yours I presume."
Not really a question, but it was followed by a proffered, silky silver something, which they all recognized.
"Kurama!"
The fire apparition offered the lot a look that said 'you are all idiots.'
"His name is Youko. I suggest you remember it, because should you lose him again, I'm not returning him, nor am I looking for him."
That said, he handed the fox over to Yusuke and turned to leave. A tremulous whimper immediately filled the room, and golden eyes quivered. The kitsune struggled to get away from Yusuke, trying to reach the fire koorime(1). All eyes turned to Hiei. After several very quiet moments in which all sound came from the pitifully whining kitsune, Shizuru spoke first.
"You know what? I think he likes you."
Hiei stopped dead in his tracks. Had she just said-?
xX to be continued Xx
(1) Hiei's an oxymoron... heeheehee
Wonder where this'll lead... and I'm the one writing it. Thanks for all the reviews you lovely people. I'm sorry it's taken so long.