Disclaimer and warning applies to all chapters.

Am I more than you
bargained for yet
I've been dying to tell you
anything you want to hear
Cause that's just
who I am this week
Fallout Boy (Sugar, We're Going Down)

Close Your Eyes

-

Kurama blanched, disgusted. He sat up, flipping through college applications and pamphlets while keeping one eye on the curled up form by the window, smiling slightly at the shadowed figure.

"So. . . is there something going on between you two, Kurama?" Yuusuke grinned so sheepishly, Kurama knew the moment he stepped in the small kitchen what the half breed wanted.

And his words still took over his brain, making it impossibly hard to concentrate. Keiko had said they all knew, but still. It floored him. The usually dense spirit detective asking him something like that.

"Of course not, we're only friends. . . "

Another lie. How many more before they'd all coming tumbling back to him?

"Well, just asking. You guys seem more. . . comfortable with each other. Must be our imagination!"

Kurama twitched. Keiko told Yuusuke, obviously, and that was how he came to the conclusion. Would Hiei want to tell them, anyway? His private natural would definitely make Kurama think no, but then, he never cared what people thought of him, or his acquaintances. Well, partly because he didn't care about them.

"It's understandable. I'd tell you, though, if something like that happened."

Hiei was mumbling something which peaked his curiosity. Kurama threw the papers down with a grin, and crouched by the sleeping demon's side, careful not to wake him. Hiei was a good bit more innocent looking when in slumber, so child-like and warm. Of course, if you made a move to attack, he'd wake and slice your arm open but that was a given.

"Stupid. . . eh, go'way. No, I do not like raspberry pie. What th' hell is 'raspberry'? Sounds disgusting. . . stupid idiot. " Hiei batted a hand, yawning and fidgeting.

Blushing fiercely, Kurama stood, biting his lip impossibly hard and drawing a thin trail of blood. The Jaganshi was impossibly cute, and he had to stop from tackling him.

"Sure you would Kurama. That's why we have no idea what's going on in your life, eh?"

Narrowing his eyes Kurama resumed looking at colleges, ignoring the anger bubbling at the conversation. Was it really his fault that no one asked? He wasn't going to purposely spill his life story.

"I'm truly sorry Yuusuke, but that's life. We're all busy and I don't have time to update everyone. And neither do you, for that matter."

He remembered walking out after that, grabbing Hiei and glaring the entire sprint home. Hiei didn't question him, which he was grateful for. One thing about the fire demon Kurama absolutely loved was his silent nature.

"Shuuichi?"

His mother's sweet voice was slightly muffled as it broke through his concentration. He sighed, waking Hiei gently and picking him up, much to the fire demon's annoyance and sitting him in a pile of pillows to cover his small frame, relishing in the feel of the lithe figure and smiled when he instantly fell back asleep. He vaguely wondered how much undisturbed sleep the Forbidden Child got.

"Coming mother!"

He opened the door and saw a tray with hot tea and rice cakes, a smile on her face as she tried peaking over Kurama's shoulder.

"I brought something for you dear."

"Thank you. I'm rather busy right now though. I'll take it and--"

Shiori creased her brows, spotting a head of dark hair stick out from a mountain of pillows. "Shuuichi, is that boy from yesterday here again?"

Kurama gulped, licking his lips. "Yes mother and I--"

"Shuuichi," she whispered with a frown. "You know I don't like you hanging around people like that. And I thought I asked you to tell me when you have friends over? He's already setting a bad example for you! And he looks like a child, people might wonder if you two walk down the street together."

The ache in Kurama's heart wasn't just of sadness, he was getting angry. His mother was usually a very understanding woman when it came to people's differences.

"Mother, please, I know what I'm doing. Hiei isn't a 'goth'. It's a color he prefers and he's no child by the sound of his voice. If people bother me, I'm very sure I can take care of myself." He knew his tone was none too polite but he couldn't help it. After everything, he tried to be a good son while she lived, despite the charade.

"Color he prefers? Isn't that a smudge depressing for someone his age?" Pushing past the redhead, she stood at the foot of his bed, inspecting Hiei with confusion and distrust. "And I know you're a caring person Shuuichi, but I really can't see you making friends with him. Why is he in your bed, anyway?"

Taking a deep breath and fearing the fire demon waking, Kurama ushered his mother away from the bed with a gentle grip. "He fell asleep there and I didn't want to disturb him. And why can't you, I see no difference in his clothes from mine. It changes not the person, nor the personality."

She seemed to consider his words, biting her lip and setting the tray on his desk. "Well, you're almost eighteen now, so I can't control your life, as much as I would like too." She smiled slightly. "So, I really should give you more credit on who you'd rather talk to."

He nodded gratefully, embracing her lightly. "Thank you mother."

Shiori opened his door, stepping out but turned back to give him a final glance. "But you know, I don't like this." The door closed.

Kurama let out a breath of air he didn't know he held, sighing deeply and watching ruby eyes slowly open. A soft groan came from Hiei as he sat up, glaring at the bed. The redhead sat beside him with a grin, licking his lips.

"Sleep well?"

Slowly, Hiei's head turned toward him and he yawned. "Hn."

"Would you like a rice cake Hiei?"

"Hn."

Kurama took that as a yes and retrieved the tray, noticing the fire demon's intent gaze. He grinned mischievously, taking one of the cakes in his hand and waving it under the half-koorime's nose enticingly. He laughed at the little sniffle.

Hiei blinked, a confused expression on his face. Kurama blushed darkly, scarlet hair falling over his shoulder and into his eyes. Finally, Hiei spoke. "And how do you expect me to eat it on your hand? I can't eat your hand too, Kurama."

"Well. . . ah, why don't you just eat it off?"

They both stared at each other, Hiei with mild interest while Kurama seemed to be shivering violently.

More silence.

That is-- until Hiei did the unthinkable, (at least in Kurama's mind) leaning down while keeping eye contact with the fox as he took a bite from the small desert, licking his lips languidly and getting every spec left behind with a pink tongue.

Kurama forgot to breathe momentarily, eyes losing focus before everything came crashing back down and his Heaven was no more. He gulped, slowly recomposing himself. "That was dirty," he hissed, biting his lip at Hiei's ever present smirk.

Hiei crossed his arms over his chest, snorting. "Hn. There is no 'playing dirty' in this. . . thing."

Sighing, Kurama laid back, closing his eyes and bringing the petite demon with him. Hiei landed with a thud against his chest, glaring up at the redhead with annoyance.

"And just what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Kurama smiled gently. "Being happy."

-

Ah school. The place of knowledge, education and social standards. Kurama hated it with a passion. It meant he had to be stuck doing work (although really, that part wasn't hard) and mingling with piers he didn't particularly like while trying to act like someone he was not. Well, 'hate' was a strong word, there were some perks about school. He just didn't have the energy to name them.

"Shuuichi-sama!" And it starts.

Kurama groaned audibly, bringing a hand to a forming head ache. Some of the girls were truly fickle while other's were endearing and some, well, were simply fake. All three lines crossed dangerously close and he had hard times trying to decide who was what.

"Oh hey, Shuuichi, over here cutie!"

Days like these though, Kurama thought it best to take his chances and run. And although he'd definitely never admit it, he liked running from the hoard of giggling girls dashing after him. It kept him on his toes.

He felt exceptionally generous today after the lovely night he had, and stopped, even waved. His eyes bugged as several swoons sounded off nearly in unison, lot's of petite bodies hitting the floor.

He blinked. Every single boyfriend in the entire school glared at him like he was the cause of World War II. Gulping and stepping to the side, which happened to be right were his first period was, he smiled apologetically and ran inside with a slight laugh.

"Phew, what a morning," he whispered, taking a seat towards the back. The air conditioning was always cooler there, and the gentle breeze was quite refreshing.

His eyes wondered throughout the day, never paying attention more than a half minute. He felt antsy, and it was really a first. He's always been able to concentrate well, considering his grades. There was just something wrong.

Hn. Do you really think you don't know what it is?

The voice, the tone, it was all too familiar. Kurama's eyes sprung to life as if they'd just been opened. He glanced around the room finally settling on the small window at the front. Two ruby red orbs flashed with mischief, and the Youko part of him got all too excited.

And was that really Hiei? The red was a different shade entirely, but Kurama suspected he was just imagining things.

The Jaganshi held up a small box before disappearing, spiking Kurama's curiosity immensely. He recognized it as the same one Yuusuke dug out of the freezer.

He blinked. What the hell?

-

Tbc, of course.

I want an omelet. Really bad, too. Hah, thought I'd share. I went over this chapter a billion times, but I still feel as though somethings missing. Oh well, what is in that damn box? Bwhaha. Find out! And is that really Hiei? Hmmm. Looks are deceiving you know. And when is Kurama going to. . . 'disappear?' Bwhaha I know all the answers! -gets smacked- Ow.

Thank you everyone for your kind, awesome reviews and encouragement, totally went to my head though. Nooo, you've created a monster! I kid, I kid. Instead of wasting time (your time that is, I got all day), I'll answer any questions from now on instead of thanking everyone individually. Know that I appreciate your review very much though! I just thought it's better, I dunno.