Authoress: I'm SOOOO sorry that I haven't updated in a while...between havin' to go back
to...*grr* school...and such...I haven't had much time to type...^_____^...please forgive this lowly
authoress, who attempts to make all of you interested with her insane rambling...*bows*
Kura: O____O...nani?
Kurama:....
Hiei: *eye twitches*... 'damn ningen...'
Authoress: I HEARD THAT!!!!
Hiei:...I was thinking that...o___O
Authoress: *grins* I know...I can hear every thought of yours Hiei...ALL of them...heh...
Hiei: *absolute look of fear* O.O;;;;;;;
Authoress: Yep...so don't annoy me, ya kinky beast, ya!!!
Kurama: *totally oblivious* huh?
Kura: *leaves room, only returning when he found a pair of earplugs* *sticks ear plugs in his
pointed ears* -___-;;;;
Kurama: what's going on?
Authoress: nothin...ya missed it...anyways...before my rant takes up a whole page...again...I'll get
on to the story!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho...only the almighty Yoshihiro Togashi can ever claim
ownership of our sesky BEASTS!!!!...*ducks as fist, with rings spelling out 'Angela', flies
towards head*...yep, not even you, Ang...can own them!!!! *points and laughs at friend*
*suspicious ax falls from wall, cutting Authoress in two* X_______X
Chapter Ten
'Ningens...such interesting creatures...they actually -care- about others...and they are so
fragile...so easy to break...but they have such will power...to continue living...when they
accomplish nothing...in their short, insignificant lives...perhaps I have not given them enough
credit...but I still have seen nothing that proves...why they should be allowed to live...'
"Genkai...how is Hiei doing?" Kurama asked, catching the elderly ningen's attention. He shifted
his position on the cushion to look at her.
"...how do you think he is doing?" Genkai replied mordaciously, glancing over at Kurama.
'Yukina doesn't want anyone to see Hiei...I have to agree with her...Hiei wouldn't want anyone
to see him in this condition...but Kurama's extremely worried...'
"I can't sense his youki...Yukina won't talk about it...so I think he's doing very badly," Kurama
snapped, his verdant orbs slanting in anger. Genkai was taken aback by his tone, and when
Kurama saw this, his eyes softened. "Forgive me..."
"It isn't your fault...I'll take you to see Hiei..." Genkai said, sighing. 'Kurama should know how
Hiei is doing...he deserves to know...'
"Thank you..." Kurama stated, standing up and following the ningen out of the room. 'Why is it
such a secret...we all know Hiei is hurt...but Yukina and Genkai didn't want us to see him...I
wonder why. If he was that badly wounded...wouldn't he be in the Makai, having the best healers
take care of him?' Kurama chuckled inwardly at this. 'Yukina -is- the greatest healer I've
personally ever met...she is the only one with a kind heart...'
Before Kurama realized it, they were at the door to Hiei's room. With a twinge of fear of what
he would see on the other side of the door, Kurama slid it open, making sure to close it quietly
behind himself when he saw that Genkai wasn't coming in with him. He surveyed the room
quickly, noticing that it was empty except for a futon layered in blankets.
He knelt down on the floor by the futon, staring at the face of his best friend. 'He...' Kurama
gingerly touched the Koorime's cheek, examining his facial features, which were almost exactly as
Kurama remembered, except for one small difference.
Stroking the rounded cheeks with his thumb, Kurama furrowed his eyebrows, trying to figure out
why Yukina wouldn't want him to see Hiei. '...I thought it might have been because Hiei was
aged...from staying in the dream weaver's world so long..but, if anything...he looks...younger...'
"Very good, Youko Kurama...Hiei-san does look younger than he did the last time you saw
him...doesn't he?" A deep voice said from behind Kurama, making the kitsune jump as he whirled
around, praying that the person the voice belonged to wasn't standing there. His prayers were
unanswered as he studied the fall figure of the youkai.
"...Kura..."
"I'm glad you remembered me..." Kura commented as he sat down gracefully on the floor next to
Kurama. "And, don't try to attack me...this is only an illusion..."
"I...I killed you..." Kurama stated, studying the dream-weaver. 'He still looks just like...Kuro...'
"Hai...you did...in my illusions...I'll admit, you surprised me with your determination...I didn't
think that a creature would give their life...with no regrets...to protect others..."
"Why are you here?" Kurama wondered outloud. 'If he is here to attack me...then why hasn't he
killed me yet?' Kurama asked inwardly.
"...a business proposition...if you will..." Kura replied, smiling, showing off his fangs. "It has been
nagging at me since you...left...I wanted to know how much you would give to save those
you...love..."
"What do you mean?"
"Hiei-san...you noticed how young he looks...I've reversed the effects of my dreams...and
eventually...well...I'll let you imagine what will happen when he can no longer -un-age..." Kura
stated, chuckling. The hollow laugh made Kurama shiver slightly as Kura's piercing gaze landed
on him again. "That is why his sibling is so worried...she's realized what will inevitably happen to
him...so has that ningen...I believe you call her...Genkai?...Hai...and he won't wake up unless I
want him to..."
"What do you want?" Kurama asked, glaring at the youkai. 'He wants something from -me-...and
he knows how much I care for Hiei...'
"I don't want anything -now-...but I'll ask for repayment when the time comes...don't worry...but
I need you to swear that you will return the...favor..."
"How can you be so sure I will keep my end of the bargain?" Kurama questioned.
"I hold the life of the one you love in my hands...and I, at any time, can squeeze...or sever...that
line that connects his soul to his body...I think that alone will make you keep your promise..."
Kura replied.
"If I say I will return your 'favor'...you'll stop tormenting Hiei..." Kurama commented
questioningly. "And leave him alone...unless I refuse to pay?"
"Hai...and I will return to him everything I've...stolen...but it will take some time for all of it to
return to him..." Kura answered calmly.
"Stolen?"
"His youkai...his senses...his...age...whatever else that he used to have and doesn't own any
longer..." Kura replied. Kurama growled for a moment, wondering what Kura could possibly
want from him.
"And how do I know you'll keep your end of the bargain?"
"Unlike you youko...I believe in keeping promises...anyway...I've taken a...liking to Hiei-san...so
I'd rather not harm him more than I have to..." Kura said, glancing at the Koorime momentarily.
"And, there is one more condition, Youko Kurama...you must not tell anyone...or even hint
at...what our deal is...especially not Hiei...and if you do...I'll make sure his life will end slowly..."
"Why are you doing this?" Kurama asked, trying not to sound too curious, as he watched the
youkai get up slowly. 'There has to be something he wants from me...but what? The way he
talks...it sounds like it is nothing that will harm me...but what do I have that he would want?'
"I know how much my brother cared for you...and that he always wanted you to be happy...and
for making him smile...I will fulfil his wish for you to love again..." Kura replied quietly, glancing
back at Kurama and the sleeping Koorime as his form began to fade. He smiled, his eyes
softening for a moment, then he was gone.
'Arigatou...' Kurama thought as he looked back down at Hiei. 'When the time it comes for me to
repay him...I hope it is nothing more than I can give...' Kurama smiled as he watched the fire
youkai begin to stir.
Authoress: *sniffle* that was cute, Kura...
Kura: *eye twitches* I say nothing...-______-;;;
Kurama: *glomps the Jin-look-alike* thank youuuuu!!!!!
Authoress: THIS ISN'T THE END...SO DON'T STOP READIN'...it was just a lil' ranting
corner...I'm determined to make this the longest chapter out of the whole story!...or so far...I
dunno how long this story's gonna go on...^______^
"Hiei?"
The voice raked through my head repeatedly, making me want to cover my ears and destroy
whatever was making that insistent noise. My head was throbbing, my body felt weighted down,
but I, for the first time...in a long time...I think...I could smell something...something that was
vaguely familiar.
"Hiei...can you hear me?" The voice, one I could remember slightly, but I couldn't picture a face
to fit the soft, almost feminine, sound. I decided the aroma was the scent of roses...roses that
were in full bloom...and the voice matched the scent, but I couldn't...think of who it was.
I tried to open an eye, wanting to know who was trying to wake me up, but all I could see was
black, thankfully, since I didn't want to get up from whatever I was on. It was soft and warm,
two things that I could hardly ever imagine being together when I woke up. Most of the times
when I rose from a slumber, I was wet, cold, having cramps and scratches from sleeping in trees,
or all of them at once.
As I slowly came into full consciousness, I realized three things. First being, I remembered the
face, and name, that matched the voice, the second that I had my eyes open, judging from the
burning sensation I felt coming from them ('must be bright outside...' I thought), and third was I
couldn't sense his youki...
"K...rama?" I barely made out his name as I closed my eyes, which were beginning to water.
"You're awake...how are you feeling?" Kurama asked. I could feel his eyes on me, and I could
imagine what his expression was...one of mixed joy and worry.
"..f...fine..." I mumbled, breathing deeply. 'Why can't I see him?' I began getting frustrated as I
attempted, once again, to look at him...but I couldn't see anything.
"...Are you sure?" Kurama's voice, the only thing I could hear at this moment, echoed through
my head. His tone, filled with worry...over me...surprised me. 'Why is he worrying about me?' I
wondered inwardly.
"Hn..." I snorted, wishing I could glare at the youko.
"Kurama...who are you talking to?" That voice...I immediately recognized it...and as I
heard...and felt...the feet padding across the floor, I could imagine her warming smile.
"Hiei-san..."
"He just woke up..." Kurama said. His eyes glanced up at Yukina momentarily...I could feel his
eyes leave me for a few seconds.
I almost could see Yukina's eyes, full of tears...of happiness. 'She knows...damn you,
Kurama...you told her...' I thought, inwardly...halfheartedly...cursing the kitsune.
"Kurama...would you go and tell Genkai that Hiei-san's woken up?" I could tell she wanted to
speak to me without the youko hearing...but I didn't have the faintest idea what she could
possibly want to talk about.
"Of course..." Kurama replied. I heard him stand up...and leave the room...only stopping for a
moment, most likely to look back at me. As the sound of his feet gently hitting the floor grew
faint, I returned my attention to the Koorime that was sitting down at my side.
"Hiei-san...we were all so worried about you..." Yukina's voice, much higher than Kurama's, was
still as soft, gentle, as the kitsune's...and one that made me feel uncharacteristically at ease.
"Especially Kurama..." She paused for a moment, knowing well enough that I could easily 'see'
how much the young man cared for me. "You've been sleeping for almost a month..."
"The youkai...is he dead?" I asked, trying to get off the uncomfortable topic of Kurama.
"Hai...Kurama killed him..." Yukina replied, her eyes moving around the room. "Hiei-san...why
didn't you tell me that -you- were my brother?"
"..." I tried to put my thoughts into a comprehensible sentence, but each time I tried to voice
what I was thinking, I felt like I would be revealing too much of myself...showing a side I didn't
want anyone to know I had. If they knew I could...feel...then they would try to crumble the
frozen walls around me. "It was better for you."
"Thank you..." If I had the strength to move, I would have pushed her away, but as weak as I
was, I was forced to endure the contact as Yukina wrapped her arms around my upper body,
tightening slightly as she buried her head into my neck. I almost laughed, realizing that part of me
wanted to return the embrace, and that, in a way, I liked having her hug me.
'He's awake...that's good...' Genkai thought to herself, smiling at the baby, her eyes only
momentarily meeting with his bright blue ones.
'Hiei...Kura said his...senses...his youki would return to him slowly...' Kurama thought to himself
as he walked down the quiet halls of the temple. 'I didn't think he seriously meant his five
senses...but at least I know he can hear...but he can't see...Hiei won't be able to do much if he
can't see...and he doesn't have youki...and that, above anything else...will aggravate him greatly.'
Kurama tried to shake the image of Hiei's eyes, blank...void of all emotion...even the usual anger
or coldness were missing from the red orbs. He walked outside of the temple, basking
momentarily in the sunshine, before he went off in search of Genkai, his heart much lighter than it
was not even an hour ago.
Authoress: Now, we skip a lil', so don't be confused...skip as in, like, a month or two...nah...a
month at the most...(Hiei recovered quickly...) ^____^ anyways...on we go!
Kurama jumped out of his chair, papers flying across his desk, as he heard a loud crash. He, only
taking a moment to attempt to put his pieces of paper back in order, finally deciding that it was
hopeless, flew down the stairs, knowing what he would find. He leaned against the doorframe,
knowing that the Koorime didn't know he was standing there. Hiei wouldn't have been able to
hear him over his colorful cursing.
He listened to the fire youkai swear in almost every demonic language Kurama had ever heard of,
and only stopped when he finished picking up all the pieces of the glass vase he could find.
Kurama, watching Hiei make his way to the garbage, slowly picked up a piece of the bluish green
glass that was near his feet, and walked over to the Koorime and gently placed it into his hands,
making sure he didn't accidentally cut the short demon. "You missed a piece."
"Hn..." was Hiei's reply as he threw the sharp pieces of glass into the garbage, his head only
turning to face Kurama for a moment before he began to storm out of the room.
"Hiei...you cut your hands..." Kurama said quietly, looking down at the Koorime's hands, which
were already colored scarlet. Hiei lifted his right hand up to his face and licked his palm, only
stopping when he could no longer feel the irony blood flowing from the wound. He began to tend
to his other hand, but Kurama gingerly took his wrist, leading him to the sink. Hiei, unable to
break the kitsune's hold on his arm, was forced to have Kurama inspect his hand as he washed it
under warm water. Once Kurama was sure that there was no glass remaining in the wound, he
quickly grabbed some bandages, which he had placed in the kitchen for an instance such as this,
and wrapped Hiei's hand.
"Hn..."
'...he can't stand it...he's dependant on us for almost everything...and he hates it...' Kurama
thought, smiling sadly at the Koorime. 'Kura said it would take a while for his senses to return to
him...but he still can't see...and he doesn't have his youki...and its already been a month...'
"Hiei...do you want something to eat?" Kurama asked, trying to think of a reason why Hiei was
walking around the kitchen. He sighed when the Koorime shook his head slightly. 'He hardly
eats...even Yukina has tried to force-feed him...but he won't have us help him do anything...'
Kurama sat down in a chair as he stared into Hiei's face. 'He's lived his whole life with both his
youki and his sight...now, he has neither...'
"Stop staring, kitsune..." Hiei stated coldly, wishing he could give Kurama the most evil glare he
could muster, but he was unsure where exactly the ningen was sitting.
"I'm sorry..." Kurama apologized softly, forcing himself not to touch Hiei. Even a friendly
gesture might scare the Koorime, Kurama kept telling himself...but he couldn't help but want to
hold the depressed youkai, telling him it would be alright, that his eyesight and youki would
return...but he kept reminding himself of his and Kura's promise. 'Not even hinting...I don't
know what he thinks of as hinting...' Kurama thought. 'So I'll have to make sure I say
nothing...unless I want to hurt Hiei even more than I already have...'
Hiei blinked his eyes out of habit, but for the few seconds his eyes were open, all he saw was
black. He could tell the kitsune knew something just from the way Kurama looked at him, as if he
wanted to tell Hiei something, but couldn't. 'Damn Youkos and their secrets...' Hiei thought
inwardly, not wanting to know what was going through the ningen's head.
"Hiei...I..." Kurama wanted to tell the fire youkai how sorry he was for...everything. "...I'm
sorry..."
"I heard you," Hiei retorted, opening his eyes. 'Kitsune no baka...'
"No...I mean...I'm sorry...about what I did...to you..." Kurama mumbled, lowering his head. "I...I
didn't mean to...my Youko side took over..."
'...that? That's what he wanted to tell me?' Hiei thought to himself, wondering why the kitsune
didn't come out in the first place and tell him. "Is that it?"
"Huh?" Kurama's head snapped up at the sound of Hiei's voice. 'Is that it?...what's that
supposed to mean?' Kurama wondered, staring into Hiei's expressionless face.
"I never blamed you..." Hiei muttered, inwardly questioning himself why he was forming
comprehensible sentences...actually carrying on a conversation with the youko.
"But...I..." Kurama trailed off, letting his gaze shift around the room, finally fixing on the table.
He examined the delicate lace tablecloth, its white fibers reminding him of his and Kura's promise.
''I hold the life of the one you love in my hands...and I, at any time, can squeeze...or sever...that
line that connects his soul to his body'...he was right...I'll keep my end of our bargain...because
he can do whatever he wants to Hiei...Just like the lace...only a little pull will destroy it...'
"Kurama?" Hiei's voice pulled Kurama from his thoughts and his scrutinized examination of the
tablecloth.
"What is it, Hiei?" Kurama questioned, glancing up at the Koorime.
"Why are you taking care of me?" Hiei asked, making Kurama's expression change from sadness
to surprise.
"You're my friend, Hiei..." Kurama replied, smiling slightly. 'He doesn't seem to realize...we all
care about him greatly...even if they don't admit it...Hiei is like a brother to Kuwabara, Yusuke,
and Koenma...'
"No...what you feel for me...it isn't friendship..." Hiei stated. 'What is it? He cares for me...just
as much as Yukina...but I know he doesn't see me as family...' Hiei thought to himself.
"Y...you're right..." Kurama admitted. 'It's anything but friendship...friends don't dream about
one another...especially knowing...the other won't return the affection...' Kurama thought to
himself, holding back a sigh.
"Then...what is it?" Hiei's question made Kurama's eyes widen in amazement. Trying not to
show his disbelief, Kurama turned his head to stare out the window. "Kurama?"
"...I...it's something you're too young to understand, Hiei..." Kurama replied truthfully. Knowing
Kurama was speaking the complete truth made Hiei growl. The Koorime hated knowing he was
missing something...not understanding fully...and not able to comprehend...-what- he wanted to
know...just because he was younger than most.
"Tell me anyway..." Hiei stated, aiming his eyes in, what he hoped was, Kurama's direction. He
heard Kurama chuckle quietly as the kitsune's eyes returned to the Koorime. "Nani?"
"...love probably doesn't mean much to you...does it?" Kurama asked, staring into Hiei's blank
eyes. 'Love?...what the hell is he talking about?' Hiei asked himself, shaking his head.
"When...two people love one another...they like to be in one another's company...they care
greatly about each other...and they do...certain things...and um..." Kurama never knew how hard
it was to describe 'love'...especially to a small youkai who didn't even know what flirting was.
"'Certain things?'" Hiei repeated questioningly, raising an eyebrow.
"...hai...they have sex..." Kurama replied, hoping Hiei didn't need that explained as well, but from
the curious expression on the Koorime's face, he could tell Hiei didn't have the slightest clue.
"Sex is well...um...it...it's kinda hard to explain..."
"Then show me..." Hiei said. Kurama shook his head, unsure of what Hiei just said. '...show
me...' Kurama inwardly cursed, his youko side urging him to take this opportunity to make Hiei
his lover. 'He's only a child...'
'But a sexy one...'
'Youko...'
'Don't try to deny you lust after him...'
'Damn you...Hiei doesn't understand what it means...I won't!'
'Heh...lies...I can tell when you lie, Shuichi...'
'Leave me be!'
'How can I?...unless you're willing to leave me alone with Hiei...'
'Never!'
'Then you have to deal with me...'
Kurama shook his head, trying to shake the voice from his head. "...I can't..." Hiei cocked his
head to one side, wondering why Kurama couldn't show him what 'sex' was.
"Why not?"
"There's about a thousand moral reasons...you're too young...you don't know what it means..."
Kurama trailed off, his lower body and youko aspect protesting as he inwardly listed the
numerous reasons to why he wouldn't touch the small fire youkai. Kurama watched Hiei for a
moment, noticing the Koorime slightly puff out his cheeks at being called 'too young.' The action
made Hiei look so cute and, Kurama mentally groaned at his observation, made the Koorime
appear to be his actual age, that, even by ningen terms, was young.
"Why do you keep calling me too young!" Hiei exclaimed, his lips making a pouting frown. "I'm
not a child!"
"I...I'm sorry, Hiei...you're mentally not a child...I know that...but...physically...you're too
little..." Kurama replied softly. He studied the pouting demon, his arms folded across his small,
yet muscular, chest. Kurama, for the first time, noticed that Hiei wasn't wearing a shirt. The
Koorime, oblivious to the fact Kurama was staring at his perfectly sculpted chest, closed his eyes.
He didn't open his eyes until after he heard Kurama's chair scrape against the floor. He knew the
youko was getting up, most likely to leave, but when he opened his eyes, he felt Kurama's eyes on
him...and the kitsune was so close, the aroma of roses was almost overpowering. He felt Kurama
gently brush his lips against his forehead. Hiei was so surprised at the action, he couldn't move to
dodge the kiss.
Kurama left the room quietly, leaving Hiei in the kitchen alone. 'What the...' Hiei touched his
forehead, the exact spot on his ward where Kurama had kissed him, and shut his eyes, shaking his
head. When he opened them again, he could, blurry as it was, see his hand.
"Aw, that was cute, Youko Kurama..."
"I thought you were going to leave us alone, Kiba..." Kurama stated, closing his door behind
himself. He looked up and, sure as the sun rose each morning, the cloaked figure of Kuronue was
sitting on his windowsill, in the same exact position Hiei always sat when the Koorime came to
visit.
"No...I said I wouldn't touch Hiei-san...which I haven't...I just wanted to tell you...with every bit
progress you make with Hiei...he'll begin returning to normal...since I know how hard that
situation was for you...I have given him his sight back...next time...it might be his
youki...maybe...it depends on what you do..."
"Do you enjoy tormenting Hiei?" Kurama asked, sitting down at his desk. He leafed through the
pages on his desk, starting to put them back in order.
"No...but, just remember, when he does have his youki returned...do you think he will stay here?
Or will he fall in love with you before that happens? I only ask, since I want to understand this
emotion you call 'ai'...if it was powerful enough that my brother died for it...then I would
be...glad to see it..." Kura replied, glancing over at Kurama.
"If you don't mind...I'd rather you didn't play around with Hiei..."
"I'm not...I just want to comprehend, fully, what love is..." Kura answered. "Truthfully, I don't
see what is so great about fucking another creature...all it gives you is a little pleasure..."
"Kura...if you knew what love was...you would realize it isn't all about sex..." Kurama replied
cooly. 'Kura is the exact opposite of Kuro...he was always a romantic...and he was so kind to
everyone...if he hadn't have died...I would probably never have met Hiei...or been a Reikai
Tantai...I would still be living in the Makai under the name Youko Kurama...I wonder which life
would be better...one with Kuro...living a life where I'm continuously hunted, but I do what I find
pleasure in and have a partner who feels the same emotions towards me...or being here with
Hiei...and knowing a mother's love...and being surrounded by friends...but not being allowed to be
myself...'
"Then why was it sex was a main thing you were saying love was about to Hiei?" Kura asked,
lifting a thin eyebrow.
"...I don't know..." Kurama admitted. "Kura...if Kuro was still alive...and he had saved
you...what would you be doing right now?"
"...I'd be living the rest of my life...contently...in the company of my sister..." Kura replied, his
tone reflecting seething enmity. "Why do you ask?"
"...you loved her...it is almost the same feeling I feel towards Hiei...I would be completely content
just being able to see him happy every single day...even if it wasn't filled with sex...just seeing him
smile would make my life complete..." Kurama said. "I know Hiei wouldn't understand why I
would be glad to see him...content..."
"I guess you're right...Youko Kurama..." Kura commented, swinging his legs over the side of the
window. "I shall see you again...I think you should go to Hiei...his eyes are going to be sensitive
to light for a while..."
With that said, Kura disappeared from the window. Kurama stared at the open window, the only
proof that he wasn't hallucinating was the lingering scent of Sakura blossoms...which, Kurama
knew, weren't blooming. 'How can an illusion carry a smell?' Kurama asked inwardly, running
down the stairs to see if what Kura said was true.
Authoress: shna! *grins*
Kura: -______-;;; *leaves quickly*
Authoress: *sniff sniff* ya smell like BLOSSOMS!!!!!!!
Kura: SHUT UP!!!! (from another room)
Hiei: *staring at hands in rapt fascination* O.O
Kurama: *sniff* I can smell it too...
Authoress: so, was that long enough for all o' ya...and *bows* I'm sorry for da...cliffy-kinda
ending to dis chapter...of...*da da daaaaa* Ze story!!!!!!!...*begins singing along with random
songs that pop into head*
Hiei: O.O;;;
Koenma: *begins to sing along with Creed 'Higher'*
Authoress: ^_______^ Anyways...this is it...the longest chappie I'll ever write!...I think...perhaps I
will be in a creative/descriptive mood one day...and write somethin'
longer...O_____o...dunno...so, anyways...next chappie, we'll be talking 'bout...um...a lil' more of
Kiba...and ah...let's see...debating on a new review number...(which is SIX!!!!!...Seis...whateva!)
^____^ *waves furiously*
to...*grr* school...and such...I haven't had much time to type...^_____^...please forgive this lowly
authoress, who attempts to make all of you interested with her insane rambling...*bows*
Kura: O____O...nani?
Kurama:....
Hiei: *eye twitches*... 'damn ningen...'
Authoress: I HEARD THAT!!!!
Hiei:...I was thinking that...o___O
Authoress: *grins* I know...I can hear every thought of yours Hiei...ALL of them...heh...
Hiei: *absolute look of fear* O.O;;;;;;;
Authoress: Yep...so don't annoy me, ya kinky beast, ya!!!
Kurama: *totally oblivious* huh?
Kura: *leaves room, only returning when he found a pair of earplugs* *sticks ear plugs in his
pointed ears* -___-;;;;
Kurama: what's going on?
Authoress: nothin...ya missed it...anyways...before my rant takes up a whole page...again...I'll get
on to the story!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho...only the almighty Yoshihiro Togashi can ever claim
ownership of our sesky BEASTS!!!!...*ducks as fist, with rings spelling out 'Angela', flies
towards head*...yep, not even you, Ang...can own them!!!! *points and laughs at friend*
*suspicious ax falls from wall, cutting Authoress in two* X_______X
Chapter Ten
'Ningens...such interesting creatures...they actually -care- about others...and they are so
fragile...so easy to break...but they have such will power...to continue living...when they
accomplish nothing...in their short, insignificant lives...perhaps I have not given them enough
credit...but I still have seen nothing that proves...why they should be allowed to live...'
"Genkai...how is Hiei doing?" Kurama asked, catching the elderly ningen's attention. He shifted
his position on the cushion to look at her.
"...how do you think he is doing?" Genkai replied mordaciously, glancing over at Kurama.
'Yukina doesn't want anyone to see Hiei...I have to agree with her...Hiei wouldn't want anyone
to see him in this condition...but Kurama's extremely worried...'
"I can't sense his youki...Yukina won't talk about it...so I think he's doing very badly," Kurama
snapped, his verdant orbs slanting in anger. Genkai was taken aback by his tone, and when
Kurama saw this, his eyes softened. "Forgive me..."
"It isn't your fault...I'll take you to see Hiei..." Genkai said, sighing. 'Kurama should know how
Hiei is doing...he deserves to know...'
"Thank you..." Kurama stated, standing up and following the ningen out of the room. 'Why is it
such a secret...we all know Hiei is hurt...but Yukina and Genkai didn't want us to see him...I
wonder why. If he was that badly wounded...wouldn't he be in the Makai, having the best healers
take care of him?' Kurama chuckled inwardly at this. 'Yukina -is- the greatest healer I've
personally ever met...she is the only one with a kind heart...'
Before Kurama realized it, they were at the door to Hiei's room. With a twinge of fear of what
he would see on the other side of the door, Kurama slid it open, making sure to close it quietly
behind himself when he saw that Genkai wasn't coming in with him. He surveyed the room
quickly, noticing that it was empty except for a futon layered in blankets.
He knelt down on the floor by the futon, staring at the face of his best friend. 'He...' Kurama
gingerly touched the Koorime's cheek, examining his facial features, which were almost exactly as
Kurama remembered, except for one small difference.
Stroking the rounded cheeks with his thumb, Kurama furrowed his eyebrows, trying to figure out
why Yukina wouldn't want him to see Hiei. '...I thought it might have been because Hiei was
aged...from staying in the dream weaver's world so long..but, if anything...he looks...younger...'
"Very good, Youko Kurama...Hiei-san does look younger than he did the last time you saw
him...doesn't he?" A deep voice said from behind Kurama, making the kitsune jump as he whirled
around, praying that the person the voice belonged to wasn't standing there. His prayers were
unanswered as he studied the fall figure of the youkai.
"...Kura..."
"I'm glad you remembered me..." Kura commented as he sat down gracefully on the floor next to
Kurama. "And, don't try to attack me...this is only an illusion..."
"I...I killed you..." Kurama stated, studying the dream-weaver. 'He still looks just like...Kuro...'
"Hai...you did...in my illusions...I'll admit, you surprised me with your determination...I didn't
think that a creature would give their life...with no regrets...to protect others..."
"Why are you here?" Kurama wondered outloud. 'If he is here to attack me...then why hasn't he
killed me yet?' Kurama asked inwardly.
"...a business proposition...if you will..." Kura replied, smiling, showing off his fangs. "It has been
nagging at me since you...left...I wanted to know how much you would give to save those
you...love..."
"What do you mean?"
"Hiei-san...you noticed how young he looks...I've reversed the effects of my dreams...and
eventually...well...I'll let you imagine what will happen when he can no longer -un-age..." Kura
stated, chuckling. The hollow laugh made Kurama shiver slightly as Kura's piercing gaze landed
on him again. "That is why his sibling is so worried...she's realized what will inevitably happen to
him...so has that ningen...I believe you call her...Genkai?...Hai...and he won't wake up unless I
want him to..."
"What do you want?" Kurama asked, glaring at the youkai. 'He wants something from -me-...and
he knows how much I care for Hiei...'
"I don't want anything -now-...but I'll ask for repayment when the time comes...don't worry...but
I need you to swear that you will return the...favor..."
"How can you be so sure I will keep my end of the bargain?" Kurama questioned.
"I hold the life of the one you love in my hands...and I, at any time, can squeeze...or sever...that
line that connects his soul to his body...I think that alone will make you keep your promise..."
Kura replied.
"If I say I will return your 'favor'...you'll stop tormenting Hiei..." Kurama commented
questioningly. "And leave him alone...unless I refuse to pay?"
"Hai...and I will return to him everything I've...stolen...but it will take some time for all of it to
return to him..." Kura answered calmly.
"Stolen?"
"His youkai...his senses...his...age...whatever else that he used to have and doesn't own any
longer..." Kura replied. Kurama growled for a moment, wondering what Kura could possibly
want from him.
"And how do I know you'll keep your end of the bargain?"
"Unlike you youko...I believe in keeping promises...anyway...I've taken a...liking to Hiei-san...so
I'd rather not harm him more than I have to..." Kura said, glancing at the Koorime momentarily.
"And, there is one more condition, Youko Kurama...you must not tell anyone...or even hint
at...what our deal is...especially not Hiei...and if you do...I'll make sure his life will end slowly..."
"Why are you doing this?" Kurama asked, trying not to sound too curious, as he watched the
youkai get up slowly. 'There has to be something he wants from me...but what? The way he
talks...it sounds like it is nothing that will harm me...but what do I have that he would want?'
"I know how much my brother cared for you...and that he always wanted you to be happy...and
for making him smile...I will fulfil his wish for you to love again..." Kura replied quietly, glancing
back at Kurama and the sleeping Koorime as his form began to fade. He smiled, his eyes
softening for a moment, then he was gone.
'Arigatou...' Kurama thought as he looked back down at Hiei. 'When the time it comes for me to
repay him...I hope it is nothing more than I can give...' Kurama smiled as he watched the fire
youkai begin to stir.
Authoress: *sniffle* that was cute, Kura...
Kura: *eye twitches* I say nothing...-______-;;;
Kurama: *glomps the Jin-look-alike* thank youuuuu!!!!!
Authoress: THIS ISN'T THE END...SO DON'T STOP READIN'...it was just a lil' ranting
corner...I'm determined to make this the longest chapter out of the whole story!...or so far...I
dunno how long this story's gonna go on...^______^
"Hiei?"
The voice raked through my head repeatedly, making me want to cover my ears and destroy
whatever was making that insistent noise. My head was throbbing, my body felt weighted down,
but I, for the first time...in a long time...I think...I could smell something...something that was
vaguely familiar.
"Hiei...can you hear me?" The voice, one I could remember slightly, but I couldn't picture a face
to fit the soft, almost feminine, sound. I decided the aroma was the scent of roses...roses that
were in full bloom...and the voice matched the scent, but I couldn't...think of who it was.
I tried to open an eye, wanting to know who was trying to wake me up, but all I could see was
black, thankfully, since I didn't want to get up from whatever I was on. It was soft and warm,
two things that I could hardly ever imagine being together when I woke up. Most of the times
when I rose from a slumber, I was wet, cold, having cramps and scratches from sleeping in trees,
or all of them at once.
As I slowly came into full consciousness, I realized three things. First being, I remembered the
face, and name, that matched the voice, the second that I had my eyes open, judging from the
burning sensation I felt coming from them ('must be bright outside...' I thought), and third was I
couldn't sense his youki...
"K...rama?" I barely made out his name as I closed my eyes, which were beginning to water.
"You're awake...how are you feeling?" Kurama asked. I could feel his eyes on me, and I could
imagine what his expression was...one of mixed joy and worry.
"..f...fine..." I mumbled, breathing deeply. 'Why can't I see him?' I began getting frustrated as I
attempted, once again, to look at him...but I couldn't see anything.
"...Are you sure?" Kurama's voice, the only thing I could hear at this moment, echoed through
my head. His tone, filled with worry...over me...surprised me. 'Why is he worrying about me?' I
wondered inwardly.
"Hn..." I snorted, wishing I could glare at the youko.
"Kurama...who are you talking to?" That voice...I immediately recognized it...and as I
heard...and felt...the feet padding across the floor, I could imagine her warming smile.
"Hiei-san..."
"He just woke up..." Kurama said. His eyes glanced up at Yukina momentarily...I could feel his
eyes leave me for a few seconds.
I almost could see Yukina's eyes, full of tears...of happiness. 'She knows...damn you,
Kurama...you told her...' I thought, inwardly...halfheartedly...cursing the kitsune.
"Kurama...would you go and tell Genkai that Hiei-san's woken up?" I could tell she wanted to
speak to me without the youko hearing...but I didn't have the faintest idea what she could
possibly want to talk about.
"Of course..." Kurama replied. I heard him stand up...and leave the room...only stopping for a
moment, most likely to look back at me. As the sound of his feet gently hitting the floor grew
faint, I returned my attention to the Koorime that was sitting down at my side.
"Hiei-san...we were all so worried about you..." Yukina's voice, much higher than Kurama's, was
still as soft, gentle, as the kitsune's...and one that made me feel uncharacteristically at ease.
"Especially Kurama..." She paused for a moment, knowing well enough that I could easily 'see'
how much the young man cared for me. "You've been sleeping for almost a month..."
"The youkai...is he dead?" I asked, trying to get off the uncomfortable topic of Kurama.
"Hai...Kurama killed him..." Yukina replied, her eyes moving around the room. "Hiei-san...why
didn't you tell me that -you- were my brother?"
"..." I tried to put my thoughts into a comprehensible sentence, but each time I tried to voice
what I was thinking, I felt like I would be revealing too much of myself...showing a side I didn't
want anyone to know I had. If they knew I could...feel...then they would try to crumble the
frozen walls around me. "It was better for you."
"Thank you..." If I had the strength to move, I would have pushed her away, but as weak as I
was, I was forced to endure the contact as Yukina wrapped her arms around my upper body,
tightening slightly as she buried her head into my neck. I almost laughed, realizing that part of me
wanted to return the embrace, and that, in a way, I liked having her hug me.
'He's awake...that's good...' Genkai thought to herself, smiling at the baby, her eyes only
momentarily meeting with his bright blue ones.
'Hiei...Kura said his...senses...his youki would return to him slowly...' Kurama thought to himself
as he walked down the quiet halls of the temple. 'I didn't think he seriously meant his five
senses...but at least I know he can hear...but he can't see...Hiei won't be able to do much if he
can't see...and he doesn't have youki...and that, above anything else...will aggravate him greatly.'
Kurama tried to shake the image of Hiei's eyes, blank...void of all emotion...even the usual anger
or coldness were missing from the red orbs. He walked outside of the temple, basking
momentarily in the sunshine, before he went off in search of Genkai, his heart much lighter than it
was not even an hour ago.
Authoress: Now, we skip a lil', so don't be confused...skip as in, like, a month or two...nah...a
month at the most...(Hiei recovered quickly...) ^____^ anyways...on we go!
Kurama jumped out of his chair, papers flying across his desk, as he heard a loud crash. He, only
taking a moment to attempt to put his pieces of paper back in order, finally deciding that it was
hopeless, flew down the stairs, knowing what he would find. He leaned against the doorframe,
knowing that the Koorime didn't know he was standing there. Hiei wouldn't have been able to
hear him over his colorful cursing.
He listened to the fire youkai swear in almost every demonic language Kurama had ever heard of,
and only stopped when he finished picking up all the pieces of the glass vase he could find.
Kurama, watching Hiei make his way to the garbage, slowly picked up a piece of the bluish green
glass that was near his feet, and walked over to the Koorime and gently placed it into his hands,
making sure he didn't accidentally cut the short demon. "You missed a piece."
"Hn..." was Hiei's reply as he threw the sharp pieces of glass into the garbage, his head only
turning to face Kurama for a moment before he began to storm out of the room.
"Hiei...you cut your hands..." Kurama said quietly, looking down at the Koorime's hands, which
were already colored scarlet. Hiei lifted his right hand up to his face and licked his palm, only
stopping when he could no longer feel the irony blood flowing from the wound. He began to tend
to his other hand, but Kurama gingerly took his wrist, leading him to the sink. Hiei, unable to
break the kitsune's hold on his arm, was forced to have Kurama inspect his hand as he washed it
under warm water. Once Kurama was sure that there was no glass remaining in the wound, he
quickly grabbed some bandages, which he had placed in the kitchen for an instance such as this,
and wrapped Hiei's hand.
"Hn..."
'...he can't stand it...he's dependant on us for almost everything...and he hates it...' Kurama
thought, smiling sadly at the Koorime. 'Kura said it would take a while for his senses to return to
him...but he still can't see...and he doesn't have his youki...and its already been a month...'
"Hiei...do you want something to eat?" Kurama asked, trying to think of a reason why Hiei was
walking around the kitchen. He sighed when the Koorime shook his head slightly. 'He hardly
eats...even Yukina has tried to force-feed him...but he won't have us help him do anything...'
Kurama sat down in a chair as he stared into Hiei's face. 'He's lived his whole life with both his
youki and his sight...now, he has neither...'
"Stop staring, kitsune..." Hiei stated coldly, wishing he could give Kurama the most evil glare he
could muster, but he was unsure where exactly the ningen was sitting.
"I'm sorry..." Kurama apologized softly, forcing himself not to touch Hiei. Even a friendly
gesture might scare the Koorime, Kurama kept telling himself...but he couldn't help but want to
hold the depressed youkai, telling him it would be alright, that his eyesight and youki would
return...but he kept reminding himself of his and Kura's promise. 'Not even hinting...I don't
know what he thinks of as hinting...' Kurama thought. 'So I'll have to make sure I say
nothing...unless I want to hurt Hiei even more than I already have...'
Hiei blinked his eyes out of habit, but for the few seconds his eyes were open, all he saw was
black. He could tell the kitsune knew something just from the way Kurama looked at him, as if he
wanted to tell Hiei something, but couldn't. 'Damn Youkos and their secrets...' Hiei thought
inwardly, not wanting to know what was going through the ningen's head.
"Hiei...I..." Kurama wanted to tell the fire youkai how sorry he was for...everything. "...I'm
sorry..."
"I heard you," Hiei retorted, opening his eyes. 'Kitsune no baka...'
"No...I mean...I'm sorry...about what I did...to you..." Kurama mumbled, lowering his head. "I...I
didn't mean to...my Youko side took over..."
'...that? That's what he wanted to tell me?' Hiei thought to himself, wondering why the kitsune
didn't come out in the first place and tell him. "Is that it?"
"Huh?" Kurama's head snapped up at the sound of Hiei's voice. 'Is that it?...what's that
supposed to mean?' Kurama wondered, staring into Hiei's expressionless face.
"I never blamed you..." Hiei muttered, inwardly questioning himself why he was forming
comprehensible sentences...actually carrying on a conversation with the youko.
"But...I..." Kurama trailed off, letting his gaze shift around the room, finally fixing on the table.
He examined the delicate lace tablecloth, its white fibers reminding him of his and Kura's promise.
''I hold the life of the one you love in my hands...and I, at any time, can squeeze...or sever...that
line that connects his soul to his body'...he was right...I'll keep my end of our bargain...because
he can do whatever he wants to Hiei...Just like the lace...only a little pull will destroy it...'
"Kurama?" Hiei's voice pulled Kurama from his thoughts and his scrutinized examination of the
tablecloth.
"What is it, Hiei?" Kurama questioned, glancing up at the Koorime.
"Why are you taking care of me?" Hiei asked, making Kurama's expression change from sadness
to surprise.
"You're my friend, Hiei..." Kurama replied, smiling slightly. 'He doesn't seem to realize...we all
care about him greatly...even if they don't admit it...Hiei is like a brother to Kuwabara, Yusuke,
and Koenma...'
"No...what you feel for me...it isn't friendship..." Hiei stated. 'What is it? He cares for me...just
as much as Yukina...but I know he doesn't see me as family...' Hiei thought to himself.
"Y...you're right..." Kurama admitted. 'It's anything but friendship...friends don't dream about
one another...especially knowing...the other won't return the affection...' Kurama thought to
himself, holding back a sigh.
"Then...what is it?" Hiei's question made Kurama's eyes widen in amazement. Trying not to
show his disbelief, Kurama turned his head to stare out the window. "Kurama?"
"...I...it's something you're too young to understand, Hiei..." Kurama replied truthfully. Knowing
Kurama was speaking the complete truth made Hiei growl. The Koorime hated knowing he was
missing something...not understanding fully...and not able to comprehend...-what- he wanted to
know...just because he was younger than most.
"Tell me anyway..." Hiei stated, aiming his eyes in, what he hoped was, Kurama's direction. He
heard Kurama chuckle quietly as the kitsune's eyes returned to the Koorime. "Nani?"
"...love probably doesn't mean much to you...does it?" Kurama asked, staring into Hiei's blank
eyes. 'Love?...what the hell is he talking about?' Hiei asked himself, shaking his head.
"When...two people love one another...they like to be in one another's company...they care
greatly about each other...and they do...certain things...and um..." Kurama never knew how hard
it was to describe 'love'...especially to a small youkai who didn't even know what flirting was.
"'Certain things?'" Hiei repeated questioningly, raising an eyebrow.
"...hai...they have sex..." Kurama replied, hoping Hiei didn't need that explained as well, but from
the curious expression on the Koorime's face, he could tell Hiei didn't have the slightest clue.
"Sex is well...um...it...it's kinda hard to explain..."
"Then show me..." Hiei said. Kurama shook his head, unsure of what Hiei just said. '...show
me...' Kurama inwardly cursed, his youko side urging him to take this opportunity to make Hiei
his lover. 'He's only a child...'
'But a sexy one...'
'Youko...'
'Don't try to deny you lust after him...'
'Damn you...Hiei doesn't understand what it means...I won't!'
'Heh...lies...I can tell when you lie, Shuichi...'
'Leave me be!'
'How can I?...unless you're willing to leave me alone with Hiei...'
'Never!'
'Then you have to deal with me...'
Kurama shook his head, trying to shake the voice from his head. "...I can't..." Hiei cocked his
head to one side, wondering why Kurama couldn't show him what 'sex' was.
"Why not?"
"There's about a thousand moral reasons...you're too young...you don't know what it means..."
Kurama trailed off, his lower body and youko aspect protesting as he inwardly listed the
numerous reasons to why he wouldn't touch the small fire youkai. Kurama watched Hiei for a
moment, noticing the Koorime slightly puff out his cheeks at being called 'too young.' The action
made Hiei look so cute and, Kurama mentally groaned at his observation, made the Koorime
appear to be his actual age, that, even by ningen terms, was young.
"Why do you keep calling me too young!" Hiei exclaimed, his lips making a pouting frown. "I'm
not a child!"
"I...I'm sorry, Hiei...you're mentally not a child...I know that...but...physically...you're too
little..." Kurama replied softly. He studied the pouting demon, his arms folded across his small,
yet muscular, chest. Kurama, for the first time, noticed that Hiei wasn't wearing a shirt. The
Koorime, oblivious to the fact Kurama was staring at his perfectly sculpted chest, closed his eyes.
He didn't open his eyes until after he heard Kurama's chair scrape against the floor. He knew the
youko was getting up, most likely to leave, but when he opened his eyes, he felt Kurama's eyes on
him...and the kitsune was so close, the aroma of roses was almost overpowering. He felt Kurama
gently brush his lips against his forehead. Hiei was so surprised at the action, he couldn't move to
dodge the kiss.
Kurama left the room quietly, leaving Hiei in the kitchen alone. 'What the...' Hiei touched his
forehead, the exact spot on his ward where Kurama had kissed him, and shut his eyes, shaking his
head. When he opened them again, he could, blurry as it was, see his hand.
"Aw, that was cute, Youko Kurama..."
"I thought you were going to leave us alone, Kiba..." Kurama stated, closing his door behind
himself. He looked up and, sure as the sun rose each morning, the cloaked figure of Kuronue was
sitting on his windowsill, in the same exact position Hiei always sat when the Koorime came to
visit.
"No...I said I wouldn't touch Hiei-san...which I haven't...I just wanted to tell you...with every bit
progress you make with Hiei...he'll begin returning to normal...since I know how hard that
situation was for you...I have given him his sight back...next time...it might be his
youki...maybe...it depends on what you do..."
"Do you enjoy tormenting Hiei?" Kurama asked, sitting down at his desk. He leafed through the
pages on his desk, starting to put them back in order.
"No...but, just remember, when he does have his youki returned...do you think he will stay here?
Or will he fall in love with you before that happens? I only ask, since I want to understand this
emotion you call 'ai'...if it was powerful enough that my brother died for it...then I would
be...glad to see it..." Kura replied, glancing over at Kurama.
"If you don't mind...I'd rather you didn't play around with Hiei..."
"I'm not...I just want to comprehend, fully, what love is..." Kura answered. "Truthfully, I don't
see what is so great about fucking another creature...all it gives you is a little pleasure..."
"Kura...if you knew what love was...you would realize it isn't all about sex..." Kurama replied
cooly. 'Kura is the exact opposite of Kuro...he was always a romantic...and he was so kind to
everyone...if he hadn't have died...I would probably never have met Hiei...or been a Reikai
Tantai...I would still be living in the Makai under the name Youko Kurama...I wonder which life
would be better...one with Kuro...living a life where I'm continuously hunted, but I do what I find
pleasure in and have a partner who feels the same emotions towards me...or being here with
Hiei...and knowing a mother's love...and being surrounded by friends...but not being allowed to be
myself...'
"Then why was it sex was a main thing you were saying love was about to Hiei?" Kura asked,
lifting a thin eyebrow.
"...I don't know..." Kurama admitted. "Kura...if Kuro was still alive...and he had saved
you...what would you be doing right now?"
"...I'd be living the rest of my life...contently...in the company of my sister..." Kura replied, his
tone reflecting seething enmity. "Why do you ask?"
"...you loved her...it is almost the same feeling I feel towards Hiei...I would be completely content
just being able to see him happy every single day...even if it wasn't filled with sex...just seeing him
smile would make my life complete..." Kurama said. "I know Hiei wouldn't understand why I
would be glad to see him...content..."
"I guess you're right...Youko Kurama..." Kura commented, swinging his legs over the side of the
window. "I shall see you again...I think you should go to Hiei...his eyes are going to be sensitive
to light for a while..."
With that said, Kura disappeared from the window. Kurama stared at the open window, the only
proof that he wasn't hallucinating was the lingering scent of Sakura blossoms...which, Kurama
knew, weren't blooming. 'How can an illusion carry a smell?' Kurama asked inwardly, running
down the stairs to see if what Kura said was true.
Authoress: shna! *grins*
Kura: -______-;;; *leaves quickly*
Authoress: *sniff sniff* ya smell like BLOSSOMS!!!!!!!
Kura: SHUT UP!!!! (from another room)
Hiei: *staring at hands in rapt fascination* O.O
Kurama: *sniff* I can smell it too...
Authoress: so, was that long enough for all o' ya...and *bows* I'm sorry for da...cliffy-kinda
ending to dis chapter...of...*da da daaaaa* Ze story!!!!!!!...*begins singing along with random
songs that pop into head*
Hiei: O.O;;;
Koenma: *begins to sing along with Creed 'Higher'*
Authoress: ^_______^ Anyways...this is it...the longest chappie I'll ever write!...I think...perhaps I
will be in a creative/descriptive mood one day...and write somethin'
longer...O_____o...dunno...so, anyways...next chappie, we'll be talking 'bout...um...a lil' more of
Kiba...and ah...let's see...debating on a new review number...(which is SIX!!!!!...Seis...whateva!)
^____^ *waves furiously*