I'm back! I LIVE! OW! OW! flees from thrown bowling balls, sinks, knives, etc. I wasn't gone that long! dives into bomb shelter as missiles and boulders fall from the sky…waves white flag Okay, okay! Look, I know I've been gone two months, but I have a good explanation…well, actually, I don't…. But still, other people have been gone longer, right? is glared at …Right. Well, reviewer worship and then chapter, all right?
Thanks:
Secret Murderer: You are right about some things, I believe I told you so in a message awhile back, but I'm still not telling you exactly what.
X-x Bats x-X: It's okay; I didn't mean to sound mean or anything, it's just a fact.
Kyohana: Thanks you!
Alexisminamino: Yes, I know, sorry. You'll find out soon.
Tala ishtar: Well, I suppose I can forgive you, but still, contact me soon please.
foxgirl28: Thanks you! Hope you like. Me too!
dark-anime-lover2: Thanks, hope you enjoy this chapter.Kuro Mizu-Kitsune: Sorry I took so long.
Silvermane1: Thanks.
Crimsonbloodvampire: Thanks.
DarkRoseDamael: blushes Thank you!
A-dragon's-beautiful-rose: I took too long, didn't I?
Youko Alukard: HI! Enjoy the chapter!
ShinyaXDie: . Ouch! Getting kicked in the head! That sucks. But at least you get them back. . Anyway, sorry I took so long, forgive me? (for anyone else reading this, the forgiveness thing goes for you too.)
Kitara Jaganshi: backs away from extremely pissed off Hiei Me: Now, now, Hiei, it's not my fault she kidnapped you again…well, technically it is, but you escaped right! Hiei…why are you looking at me like that…put the sword down! And the fire! AHHHH!Nyte kit: I think I'll reveal what's going on with Yusuke in the next chapter, and something about Koenma too.
Riharu: Yeah, he is. Thanks!
Ego…expanding…too huge! Authoress is squashed by her gigantic ego (made larger by all the reviewers) looks back at A/N Holy crap that was long…the P.O.V. switches around a bit in this chapter; if anyone is confused, let me know.
Review of last chapter:
Hiei started running calming fingers through his fox's hair as he woke and tightened the arm resting across Kurama's shoulders.
The boy gasped suddenly and tried to sit up, but his lover, having expected and been prepared for the reaction, gently held him still, and whispered soothingly to him, "Shh, fox. It's okay, I've got you."
Kurama quieted almost immediately, the panic caused by the recollection of what had happened fading slightly. He relaxed back into the vampire's arms, breathing slowing to a less erratic pace.
"H-Hiei? What happened? Where are we?"
Hiei began to fill Kurama in, continuing his ministrations on the boy's long red hair.
Chapter 6: Sorry…
He started with a bare recollection of what had occurred in the house, interrupted briefly when an anxious Kurama tried, once again to sit up, asking if he was all right. Settling the redhead back into his lap, Hiei reassured him that he was fine and there was no need for concern.
When his fox's worry had receded, Hiei resumed his story; his eyes hardened into cold, icy rubies and his expression grew harsh as he recalled the two boys, voice filled with scorn, especially when he related the actions of 'the ugly, carrot-headed oaf'. When the vampire had finished his narrative, Kurama remained silent for a time, absorbing what had happened and weighing their options, imagining what their captors were planning. He levered himself up so he could see and speak to his lover properly.
The demonic creature's claret colored orbs had lost their flinty aspect and now simply looked…blank.
Hiei's thoughts had been traveling along the same road as Kurama's for a time, thinking over what had happened, what they were going to do. The latter had caused his musings to branch off on another tangent, one that was infinitely more alarming than the first two: What were the Hunters planning to do with them? Who was their 'employer'? More importantly, what would they do to Kurama? Being a vampire was bad enough, but a mortal willingly chose to associate with them was just as bad, if not worse. Hunters believed that humans were supposed to destroy vampires; to do the opposite was to betray your entire race, in their eyes.
The fiery eyes glazed over as he envisioned what they could, and probably would, do. Kurama could be tortured, and/or killed because he hadn't been strong enough to protect him. Panic and anger at his helplessness welled up inside him, but didn't show on his countenance; his expression was completely vacant. Like when…
Kurama gently cupped his lover's cheek and tilted his head to one side, attempting to catch the vampire's eye. "Hiei?" he whispered, his thumb softly stroking Hiei's skin, "What's wrong?"
The black-clad vampire reached up absently and placed a hand over Kurama's, the flat expression not leaving his face.
"I'm sorry…Kurama," he murmured, the words were strained and barely audible to the redhead, sitting less than a foot away from him.
"What?" startled, Kurama drew back, not far enough to pull his hand from Hiei's grasp, however. The vampire flinched, seeming to awake from the spell he was under, and tightened his grip on his fox's hand, holding onto it like a lifeline.
"I'm sorry, fox, I'm so sorry," Hiei cried, he sounded almost desperate. The redhead brought his other hand up, cradling his lover's face as he gazed intently into wide crimson eyes. Hiei's other hand followed Kurama's, clutching onto his wrists as though terrified the boy would leave.
"What are you talking about? Sorry for what love?" Kurama was scared. Hiei never broke down, never; his lover was the strongest, most contained person he knew. To see him lose control like this was frightening, to say the least.
The spiky-haired boy was trembling very slightly, "I couldn't protect you. It's my fault we're here. I was too weak…"
It took Kurama a moment to recover from the shock, "Hiei…don't say that. It's not your fault." The redhead dropped his hands from his lover's face and instead wrapped his arms around his still-bare shoulders, pulling him into a tight embrace.
"Yes, it was! I let my guard down, I couldn't get to you in time--"
"Hiei," Kurama's voice was stronger now, firmer, you were hurt and starving. It is not your fault. You couldn't help that you were injured. And if you say you're to blame for being wounded in the first place, I swear I'll hit you."
Hiei gave a weak chuckle, and then was silent for a minute. Finally, he nodded slightly against his love's shoulder, "Alright fox, you win. But I will get us out of here."
Kurama smiled and wrapped his arms more securely around the slim body. They remained like that for a while, until Hiei gently pushed away, fully composed. "Are you hungry? They brought food awhile back, and more blood." He indicated the platter sitting forlornly in a few feet away.
The taller of the two rose and strode over to the object, Hiei following soundlessly. Both knelt down and Kurama tossed aside the rag covering it, studying the contents of the plate.
"Better than I expected."
Hiei eyed it doubtfully, accepting the blood sac his lover had plucked off the tray and handed to him, "Better? Crackers and dried meat?"
"Well, it's better than gruel or something like that, isn't it?"
"…If you say so."
The vampire looked up at a light 'tsk' noise made by his fox. "What is it?"
"They forgot to bring water…or perhaps they didn't forget."
Hiei glanced back down at the tray, this time noting the absence of water, or indeed, any other beverage. He gave a small growl.
"It's okay, Hiei. I'll be alright." The only thing that betrayed his concern was the slightly false nature of his cheerful tone. "Drink, you need to eat as much as I do."
Hiei gave a dissatisfied snort, but complied, his teeth piercing the bag, still far from recovered.
Well, this is as far as I can go at the moment, I'm aware that the chapter is short, I'll try to make the next one longer. TALA ISHTAR I'm going to need a couple of ideas soon please!
REVIEW! Kick my lazy butt back in gear!
