A/N: Hello once again, Fellow Ningen!
Yes, yes, I know. The chapter was posted earlier than normal. That's because I'm exhausted and unsure if I'll actually be up at midnight and I'd rather post the chapter sooner than later. Hope you enjoy it!
Symbols Guide:
* : Written by CM; She writes for Akari and Hiei
3 : Written by Star (supposed to be the 'heart' symbol, but FF doesn't like the 'less-than' sign, so it's a 3 instead); She writes for Toriko/Shikiyoku and Youko/Kurama
~!**!~ : A universal transition between scenes or characters, sometimes used to indicate a passage of time, but most often used to transition between major scenes that are happening. As the story progresses, this will evolve into mainly separating the (usually two) scenes happening between authors/characters.
As a general rule, anything in italics is thoughts.
Unless it's used in a sentence like this, which merely indicates emphasis.
[Anything written in italics inside square brackets is Youko speaking to Shuichi/Kurama inside their mind and is private conversation, unable to be picked up by telepathy.]
{Anything written in italics inside curly brackets is inner dialogue by Shuichi/Kurama to Youko, and is also private conversation, unable to be picked up by telepathy.}
"Quotations are usually reserved specifically for telepathic dialogue being transmitted from one being to another, but sometimes this can also mean a character isn't being careful about what they're thinking and anyone with telepathy in the nearby vicinity can listen in without taking any effort."
The only exception to that last rule is for the Shiba Inu dog, Nabu. All of his "spoken" dialogue will be in italics and quotations, but is communicated through body language or dog-like noises, so unless a character is able to translate those they are unlikely to pick up on what he is saying any more than the average person might understand his general moods like aggression (bared teeth, ears back) or excitement (wagging tail).
The above rule also applies to Akari's old friend Isamu when he is in his dog-form.
Previously on Yu Yu Hakusho!
Shikiyoku and Hiei discover the identities of two members of the Northern Tribe
who are energy-feeders and responsible for the loss of Shikiyoku's energy the night before.
They tell the Elder this as they leave the camp after Shikiyoku bids Douji goodbye,
she and Hiei heading back up to the First Layer.
On the walk back to the house, Shikiyoku is confronted by Horu,
the white-haired guild leader whom she worked for while stuck in her pain form,
and the same three-sword wielding demon Hiei met protecting Shikiyoku in the first city on the Ninth Level.
Horu has shown up briefly to let Shikiyoku know that he and Kafu
wish to strive to become her Consort, but he is forced to cut the reunion short.
Shikiyoku storms into her home upset at Kitoushi,
whom she has by now realized likely stole a bit of her sickness despite her wishes.
She demands that he tells her what he knows,
thinking that perhaps she might be able to help the Northern Tribe.
The day draws to an end with Shikiyoku, Taka, and Kitoushi sitting on the couch,
Taka eventually retiring to one of the guest rooms upstairs,
and Shikiyoku following not long after.
She, however, goes to her own room where Hiei had earlier gone to rest,
and falls asleep next to him.
~!**!~
Akari, Nabu, and Kurama's down time in the park
is briefly interrupted by Isamu and an unnamed girl from his pack,
though the two of them soon retreat once Akari makes it clear they are not welcome.
Akari and Kurama speak about Akari having to leave,
how long she is to be gone, and what methods she should employ to let him know she is alright.
The two continue to banter back and forth,
Akari quickly discovering that she is having to strongly resist kissing him,
but taunting Kurama almost mercilessly as he is fighting to not do the same to her.
When she finally turns away, she can feel him staring at the back of her,
asking if there was a hole in her back, to which he replies he is still trying.
He tells her that he'll try to warn her before he begins using any plants to speed up the process...
"That sounds rather akin to a threat," Akari voiced matter-of-factly. She made a sound of consideration as her eyelids peeled open, and she turned her head to glance over her shoulder at him briefly, puffing a breath of air out from her lips to move her hair from her eyes. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were making an intentional threat." She smiled at him before turning back to face Nabu, settling again with her head on her arm. "Should I know better?" *
"Me threaten you? I wouldn't dream of it." 3
Akari hummed at him in amusement as she shifted about in place.
You're being difficult.
She gave a very small groan that died away into a huff. Nope. Not doing it.
Not turning around.
Not gonna do it.
"Prefer a picture yet?" *
[Want me to list all the things he can't do with a photo?]
Kurama's lips visibly twitched, and not in an upwards direction as his brows turned downwards and flinched, wishing not for the first time that he could take a swing at the stupid fox.
"No." Kurama replied evenly, stopping himself before he said anything remotely similar to what Youko quipped. 3
"One-word answers now?" Akari smiled to herself for a moment before gaining control of the expression. Once she was certain her expression held none of her amusement, none of her thoughts, she turned over to face the redhead, bringing her within inches of him once more. "That's no fun." *
[I could certainly suggest a few things that would be fun.]
{You. Are not. Helping.}
[I know.]
Kurama only looked down at Akari, his face devoid of the turmoil Youko was causing inside their mind. 3
With no reply given, Akari gave a small smile at Kurama. "I think I've pushed my limits far enough for the day." She paused and looked up at the sky. "Uh, night?" What time is it? She looked at him again and settled into laying much the same way she had been earlier. "Whatever." *
[She can push my-]
{Shut. Up.}
"Doesn't matter much, does it?" He wrapped his arm back over her. 3
"Not particularly," Akari replied as she moved closer again, closing the little space between them so that she could rest her free arm over him again too. *
"Is this the entirety of your plans? Spending your last free day on the first layers in the arms of a fox?" 3
"You know, I hadn't thought very far ahead yet." she admitted. "So I'm perfectly fine here-" Akari stopped, image of Isamu and the kid floating across her mind. "Actually… moving around would probably be best…. So if you have any ideas, I'm all ears." *
"Well, if laying around is what you wish-"
{Don't.}
"-then we could just as easily transplant ourselves to the meadow. We would remain undisturbed there." 3
Akari considered this for a moment, finding that she really really didn't want to get up and move. And that she was perfectly content being lazy all day long. A smile came to her lips. "I'm all for it."
Before he could answer, her energy shifted around them, pulling on and beckoning shadows to move around and over them, over Nabu as well. And this time, the change in venue was so quick that not even the dog seemed to stir from the shift.
"Much better." *
Kurama blinked.
"You mean I don't get the distinct pleasure of carrying you on my back again?" 3
Akari gave a dramatic sigh. "I mean, if you want, we could go back." *
"Mm-no." He briefly tightened his arm around her before loosening his grip. "Too comfortable now. First layer grass is nothing compared to this." 3
Akari's smile was wide and she shifted her legs about a little and pulled her arm out from under her head to let her cheek rest on the grass. "Welp, opportunity missed. I'm not offering twice." She stared up at him for a moment, finding that same urge from before bubbling up again to the point that she had to bury her face in the crook of his neck. *
[...you two are just trying to drive me insane, aren't you?]
{You have absolutely NO room to talk.}
"What's the first thing you want to do when you get back?" 3
The very first answer that came to Akari's mind was one she did not voice. One she pushed far away, because it made the moment harder to stay where she was.
After a beat, playing it off as consideration, she answered. "Eat something from the sweet shop. A sundae, preferably. With extra cherries." She made a sound. "And your presence is mandatory. Non-negotiable." *
"Then I suppose it's a good thing I asked, hm? Would be a shame to have my presence required and then completely miss out on it because of my own neglect." 3
"I would seek you out, I'm sure." She took in a deep breath. "Remember, three changes from the rose in a day means your presence is required." *
Kurama's eyebrows raised, "Oh, is that a universal signal now? I thought we were just putting that in place for when you were gone." 3
Akari gave a small laugh. "Well, technically, I'll still be 'gone'. Because I won't be in your immediate presence, yes?" She made a sound akin to a "ha!", though it never left her lips and came out more of a hum. "After that, anything goes." *
Kurama let out a rather long-suffering sigh, "Yes, your highness." 3
"Such a faithful knight in shining armour I have." she intoned, moving her nose away just briefly as if to look up, but just as quickly deciding against it. "You're my favorite for a reason." *
[And you are quite possibly the most irritating female I have ever not had the pleasure of-]
{I will slit your throat with your own bare hands.}
"Naturally. I'm everyone's favorite." 3
"Well, there's also the fact that you're my only knight in shining armor," Akari pointed out. "Not much competition now, is there?" She paused. "Nabu is my right-hand. He doesn't count." *
"I don't think he'd much care to walk around in something quite that heavy." 3
"You're right. He wouldn't be allowed to run freely." She made a small sound akin to 'tsk'. "It would make fetch a terrible feat." She looked up at him now. "That's why you get the more difficult tasks. You handle them well."
Probably a little too well. *
"Well, you honor me by holding me in such high regard, I assure you." Kurama opened his eyes to look down at her, his other arm going up to curl underneath his head as a pillow. "I'll try not to abuse the privilege." 3
Akari smiled at the redhead, but didn't give a reply. She merely continued to watch him, finding that the light of the flowers here was much more satisfying than the light of the simple moon on the first layer. And I'm right back where I started. *
"Comfortable?" He smiled, a teasing air to his eyes. 3
Akari lifted her nose a little. "If I weren't, I wouldn't stay, would I?"
Nope. Not gonna do it. *
[AUGH. FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS FLORAL IN THIS WORLD WILL YOU JUST-]
{Shush.}
"I didn't mean to imply you might leave," Kurama met her gaze for gaze, but did not move himself, "Only asking if there was something I could do to ease any discomfort you might find yourself in." 3
Akari's smile widened a little. Mind reading now? Too smart, fox.
You know what? I'm gon-
No.
Yes.
Dammit.
Akari huffed and reached up, tapping the end of his nose with a single finger teasingly. "We'll see." *
"As you wish." Kurama let his eyes slide closed again, enjoying the heather beneath him as well as the demon in his arms.
...one that he would miss greatly once she was gone. 3
Akari stayed quiet and her eyelids slid closed, hiding the internal battle.
Yes?
No.
Ugh.
Just… screw it.
Her eyes came open again and she was shifting, raising her arm so that she could wrap it about his neck and pull herself closer before she talked herself out of it. Before her internal conflict could stop her again, her lips touched Kurama's for the briefest of moments before she was pulling away and burying her nose in his neck again.
Dammit, Akari. *
[Heheheh]
"Comfortable now?" Kurama wanted to know, fighting a smile. 3
~!**!~
Even before Hiei was fully aware that he was waking, he knew what time of day it was. Just before dawn, just before the first rays of the sun would begin poking into the windows of the room. He turned his head, realizing he lay on his stomach again, and gave a small sigh of content.
That had been such a deep sleep…
But, it also told him a few things he hadn't even considered.
He pushed the thoughts away and let his eyelids slide open, viewing the person next to him who continued to breath softly in indication of undisturbed sleep.
His fingers twitched when he realized his arm rested over her midsection, almost as if she were a pillow he hadn't been willing to release during sleep.
After a moment, after recovering from her peaceful expression and gathering his thoughts again, he began to move his arm away slowly.
No need in waking her if all he was going to do was go find some beverage or another.
~!**!~
… …
Akari huffed at Kurama, not responding to him in any way, shape, or form except to settle into his embrace again. *
"I'll take your silence as a yes." Kurama told her, opening one eye to see her settling closer.
"I'm going to miss you."
~!**!~
She didn't actually even wake up.
But that didn't mean Shikiyoku couldn't sense the nearest source of warmth beginning to pull away, and it had her arms drawing up to entangle around the one Hiei started to lift as she turned over from her back onto her side to face him, intertwining the fingers of one hand with his and making a frowning face at having been disturbed, huffing out an unhappy puff of air in her sleep. 3
Hiei froze the moment Shikiyoku stirred, knowing that a single motion could likely wake her due to the way he lay. And, truthfully, he didn't expect her to protest in any form, so when her arms wrapped about his and one of her hands tangled her fingers into his, he found himself staring in surprise.
He hardly even dared to breathe, even after she'd settled again.
After an extra moment, he gave a imperceptible sigh and shifted her hold on his hand until he was just a bit more comfortable, allowing his own fingers to curl about hers.
This isn't… bad.
Actually..
Her hand was rather warm.
His eyelids slid shut again, resigning himself to wait until she awoke.
At least he'd be able to think through a few things for a minute or so.
~!**!~
Akari stilled, keeping her face hidden in his neck and her arm wrapped about him. A million responses flew by her mind.
I know.
Me too.
Come with me.
Don't let me go then.
She gave a soft smile, her features softening despite the fact that they were hidden from him. "The time on that layer will be longer than the time on the first layer. So, really, your wait will be shorter than mine." She paused. "But…" Another pause. "...I'll miss you too." *
"Even a single instant away from your presence is a thousand lifetimes of torture and pain." Kurama proclaimed dramatically as he pulled Akari as close to himself as he could, letting out a small chuckle after doing so.
~!**!~
After a second more, Shikiyoku let out a large, contented sigh, her brows relaxing and her lips pulling up into more of a smile.
Her mouth barely moved, but she appeared to be murmuring something in her sleep, which ended with her closing the last bit of distance between herself and Hiei, the final bit coming out louder that the rest.
"...fire-prince." 3
Hiei's eyes came open again when he noted the slightly terse air about Shiki had dissolved into a calm, peaceful aura of slumber once more, her lips moving but his ears catching only the tail end of her sentence. He stared at her for a moment after before his lips twitched in amusement, and then his thoughts drifted towards something he'd considered just before falling asleep the first time the night before.
His eyes remained on her as he recalled how they tracked the demons who had been siphoning off their energy supply. How much concentration it had taken to direct the Jagan one way or the other. How much energy he felt it had taken to even ask of it to lend its power for such a simple task.
It hadn't been a worrying amount of energy, but it had been more than usual.
Especially when directing where the Jagan should look. That had likely been the main source of the events that had lead to this moment, where he lay on his stomach next to Shikiyoku.
Why?
It was meant for rage, with a mind all its own. Almost a separate being from himself that… that strived on anger, that lived on rage and blood-lust.
…
Was that it? Was that… what had made it so draining?
~!**!~
Akari let out a breath of amusement. "I'm sure you'll make it until my return, knight of mine." She heard Nabu move and paused, waiting until the dog settled again before she spoke up once more. "Have faith, and all will be well."
Of course, she was totally mocking some sort of show or another Sensui had once made fun of to her.
It simply seemed appropriate. *
"All will be well once I have you back in my arms again." Kurama informed her. "And not a moment sooner."
~!**!~
For the first time in a very long time, there had been absolutely nothing overtaking her when she slept.
No nightmares, no thoughts of other matters, just...rest.
...well, perhaps a few thoughts that were starting to stir.
What the hell am I supposed to be doing?
There was no way to remove a Mark unless someone wanted it gone. At least, no way to remove it manually. She knew the others actually assisted her, as the larger their tattoos got the fewer there would be in the-
In the game? In the contest?
She wasn't even really sure. In the end, the choice would be a two-way street. She knew that much.
So, really...instead of her being the prize for the winner, they would technically both be winning and be the prize for...well for each other.
Another sigh. 3
Hiei's thoughts had come to a standstill, stuck on the mere prospect that he might actually lose his reign on a power that existed as a negative force. A force that held the reins to the dragon imprinted on his arm at that moment. And all because..
Because he didn't have as much anger as he used to harbor? Didn't have such blood lust that he could just flip a switch whenever he pleased and deal with the situation in the most efficient way possible?
Was this even actually what happened?
The only way he knew was to test it out again.
So, for the time being, he pushed the troubling thought away and opened his eyes to stare at Shikiyoku, watching her expression almost curiously.
Had she just sighed again?
He wasn't sure.
~!**!~
"How charming," Akari commented in a murmur, lips in a small smile.
But suddenly, something was bothering her. Nagging at her, telling her to stay where she was and send Isamu back without her. To… avoid leaving.
You're just talking yourself out of it, you idiot. Don't forget the deal you made.
She brushed the thought away and gave a small sigh of content into Kurama's neck. "I'll make it as brief as possible, if that helps you in any way." *
"I would never do something as selfish as ask you to not go..." Kurama told her, "...but I want you to know that I'm thinking it really hard."
~!**!~
The problem?
She had eight-count 'em, EIGHT-demons who appeared to have no desire to quit.
Perhaps worse than that was the fact that each of them brought something to the table so radically different from the others that it left her head spinning and incapable of trying to sort through their pros and cons, much less make any attempt to decide which among them would result in the best fit for the both of them.
...especially with Renai's words about 'teaching love' haunting her. It certainly didn't help matters in any case.
No. Stop it. I just wanna...lay here.
There was the smallest noise of protest from her throat and she shifted around again. 3
Hiei's lips twitched in the downward direction, forming the smallest of scowls on his face when he noted the tension between Shikiyoku's brows. He'd been so stuck in his own thoughts, his own personal assessment of things, that he hadn't noticed her tension immediately.
How foolish.
He moved, tugging her arms closer to him just slightly to show that he was aware of her sudden stress and didn't find it acceptable.
Rest.
~!**!~
Akari made a small sound. "I know," she replied calmly, ignoring the way his thoughts had mirrored her own so easily. But she gave no indication of it.
Just begrudging about it. Get it over and done with so you can come back.
But I wish you would.
Stop that.
"I know." She gave another sigh. "I'll be fine. It's nothing I can't handle." Another pause. "Like I said, I could always make them hate me with my extensive knowledge of the first layer and all the things demons hate about it." *
"Allow me to assure you that I have no doubts about your capabilities in handling these demons." He gave a little sigh, "I only worry that I might not be able to handle the mental strain of being away from you for so long."
[What do those humans always say? Oy...]
~!**!~
Shikiyoku made a sleepy sort of noise when he moved, stretching her body a little, arms and hands and fingers included, reaching up with her free hand to rest it over his shoulder, fingers just slightly shifting a bit of the fabric there before coming to rest.
"Renai, what will happen to me?"
"You are opening a pathway that will never become fully closed, my love. You will become both sides of this coin at the same time, losing the purity of yourself, but gaining the power you were never afforded."
"...do you regret it?"
He did not answer for a long time. 3
Hiei's frown deepened just slightly before suddenly disappearing, his eyes moving to the hand at his shoulder with slight amusement. He shifted slowly, carefully, until he was on his side and facing Shikiyoku, his free hand grabbing for the one she had on his shoulder and resting it calmly on the bed between them.
He gave the slightest of tugs on her arm, giving the smallest invitation to come closer if she so desired.
~!**!~
AKari rolled her eyes. "Now you're being overdramatic."
I think we passed that point long ago.
"Not that I particularly mind. I just thought I'd point it out." *
"You should know that I am entirely incapable of being 'overdramatic.' You should always take everything I say at strictly face-value."
[HE'S SUCH A LIAR, DON'T TRUST HIM, PUP, IT'S ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE]
{She can't hear you, you know. No matter how loud you are.}
[I know. This isn't for her benefit.]
{...}
~!**!~
"Yes..."
Shikiyoku didn't want to be thinking about this. Everything had been wonderful up until-
"...and no."
He'd gotten further away.
Make it stop.
She frowned at the sudden disappearance of warmth and murmured something inaudible again, something lost in her sleep, finally shifting closer, searching for what had momentarily left her. 3
Hiei refused to let his sigh leave his lips at the grumbling that suddenly ensued. "Woman," he grumbled aloud, "stop being difficult." It wasn't that difficult, after all. In the end, however, he pulled her closer, suddenly not really caring if she woke because, either way, he felt it a very real possibility at this point.
He only stopped tugging at her when the hand she held was pinned between them, and he could no longer pull her closer. He stilled, hoping she'd return to peaceful sleep.
"Now stop complaining." he murmured.
~!**!~
Akari's brows raised. "I somehow find that unbelievable, and very suspicious." Her eyelids slid closed again. "I'm not buying it." *
[Ha, HA!]
"You've just made Youko very happy, I hope you know."
~!**!~
After being forcibly shifted closer, Shikiyoku relaxed again, though her hand grabbed for the fabric it found and her fingers curled around it.
"Mm-no." 3
Hiei blinked slowly at the female, glad to see her relax all around. She was… definitely something else, that was for sure. He wanted to reply, but really, didn't have anything to say to someone who was still very obviously asleep.
So he made a sound of amusement and let her settle in again, not moving a single inch.
"Go back to sleep then."
~!**!~
Akari frowned. "In that case, my answer is changed."
She hesitated.
"No, I take that back. It's too risky." *
[Finally something we agree on.]
"You're not helping matters." In truth, he spoke to both of them, letting out a little sigh.
~!**!~
Shikiyoku's eyes came open of their own accord.
"I can't." She sighed, blinking a little. 3
Hiei's lips twitched in amusement, but he said nothing in response. He did, however, continue to stare at her, as if that would help anything in the world.
~!**!~
"Did I ever say I was here to help?" Akari tugged very slightly on his neck, nuzzling her nose into the crook of his neck with a smile on her face. "I don't believe I ever did. So…. meh." *
Kurama smiled, "I don't know what I'm supposed to do when I've got both of you rallying against me."
[You should do what I say. Then we wouldn't be having this little problems now would we?]
~!**!~
Her entire body tensed slightly as if she was going to scoot away, but she stayed in place.
"...I hope you're comfortable at least." She grumbled. 3
There was a pause before Hiei let his eyelids slide closed. He considered her words for a moment before responding.
"Are you?"
~!**!~
"I would say you should listen more often, but I feel like that's what Youko would say, so I'm going to just smile and nod and act like I have no clue what you're talking about."
Akari lifted her head and did just that: Smile widely, and nod with an expression that was obviously meant to appear forced. *
"Actually, he told me I should just do as he says." Kurama said truthfully. "And added that there wouldn't be these little problems if I did."
~!**!~
Shikiyoku made a slight noise of protest.
"I asked you first." 3
Hiei's brows raised. "You did no such thing." He blinked once. "That was a statement that I felt no requirement to reply to."
He paused, amusement pilfering his expression for a moment.
"But, since you insist: yes."
~!**!~
Akari's nodding paused and her expression turned to one that was thoughtful, before she quickly began shaking her head back and forth. "I don't like the sound of that."
She gave a bright smile.
"Back to disagreeing."
And then she moved closer to the redhead again, burying her nose this time in his shoulder. *
"I didn't think you would." Kurama said curtly, bringing up his arm over her waist to burying itself behind her back in her hair, leaving it there for the moment and trying to avoid dreading the moment she would be gone, instead attempting to enjoy the moment she was here.
~!**!~
Oh. Right.
Well, she had meant it as a question.
He said yes, did he not?
...oh.
She wasn't sure why she had been so uptight about it in the first place.
Yes, you are, stupid. Because when did he ever appeared to be comfortable with you?
"What am I supposed to do with you?" Despite the fact that she actually meant the question very seriously, she relaxed into him, attempting to dismiss nay-saying thoughts and enjoy the contact that she had at one time coveted from him. 3
Hiei's eyes remained closed, his body still as relaxed as before, his mind remaining just as blank. He felt nothing was as important as this moment, and thus he allowed no room for invading thoughts.
No matter how often they tried to penetrate his mental barrier.
He did, however, consider her question.
"...Who in the hell knows."
~!**!~
This time, when Nabu stirred, Akari wasn't aware of it. She was too absorbed in the silence, in the calm of the moment that she didn't want to break. A moment she knew she was going to have to break later, to get it over with. The 'visit'.
She was considering another attempt at sleep when she felt her hair being disturbed by a force other than the hand within her locks, and she had to hold back the laugh.
Nabu had shifted, moving until he was laying parallel with her, against her back, and his nose was hidden in her hair as if he'd been trying to bury it in a blanket for warmth.
She stayed motionless for a moment, noting the muscle movements of the dog laying behind her until they stilled too, and she breathed out a laugh.
How bizarre.
"I can't tell if he's awake or if he's just constantly uncomfortable." *
"I can't imagine why he's uncomfortable." Kurama intoned thoughtfully, "Not when he's cuddling with you."
~!**!~
"Well," Shikiyoku's eyes took on a more mischievous gleam for the first time in what felt like a long time where he was concerned, moving her face towards his, "If you don't know." She pressed the tip of her nose against his nose, "And I don't know," She pulled away, watching him, "Then I'm afraid we're both in trouble." 3
Hiei remained still, his eyelids coming open for the briefest of moments before he let them shut again. His lips twitched briefly before his expression became a simple calm one again. "We're at an impasse then, I suppose."
~!**!~
Nabu's paw moved, batting at Kurama's hand in an impatient fashion. "I'm trying to sleep guys." He whined, burying his nose further into Akari's hair, nose just brushing the hand he'd batted at a moment ago. "Don't forget I can hear even the smallest sound."
Akari laughed a little. I feel really strange about this. *
"Mm. I could take care of that." Kurama's form shimmered slightly and he pulled Akari into the layers with him, keeping inbetween them.
[Oh good! Now you can be as loud as you like!]
{I will kill you someday.}
[I look forward to seeing you try.]
~!**!~
"Not quite," Shikiyoku let her head shake just a little, "We haven't asked what you're supposed to do with me."
She was smiling at him now, watching him while his eyes were closed. 3
Hiei raised a brow slightly. "Humor me," he intoned in a low voice, "What am I supposed to do with you?"
~!**!~
Akari's eyes came open just in time to feel the layers move around her, which she quickly shut her eyes against again when it made her feel lightheaded. She took in a breath through her lips slowly, before letting it out all at once.
"That… is the weirdest feeling. Shadows are so much better." she complained, but her lips turned up in a smile. "How can you stand it?" *
Kurama gave a small shrug, "I hardly even notice it anymore. Though I must say that one can get used to anything. I'd likely say the same to you about moving through shadows, though."
~!**!~
Shikiyoku blinked at him, her smile turning more into a barely restrained laugh because she found herself unsure if he was being serious or not.
There were several things she would have blurted out to any number of the others, even Douji if only to see how he might react.
"That...depends entirely upon you." 3
Hiei gave the smallest of scoffs at Shikiyoku. "If this is you humoring me, Shiki, then we have a problem."
~!**!~
"The most you'd probably notice about moving around the way I do is that it starts out cold, like you're in a cold pond, then it's dark for a second, and then you're fine." She shrugged. "Kind of like moving through a tunnel, I suppose." *
"Maybe I'm uncomfortable alone in tight spaces." Kurama gave Akari a little squeeze. "You'd have to make sure to protect me."
~!**!~
Shikiyoku turned a little pink, but managed not to look away, "I think it's rather fitting, don't you? When was the last time you humored me without making it difficult?" 3
Hiei refused to let his lips move for a moment, a couple of thoughts passing before he let his lips twitch up into a smirk. "I humor myself on those occasions. Rather amusing, you should know."
~!**!~
Akari gave a little laugh. "Anything for my knight." *
Kurama nuzzled his face down into her hair.
"And what if I want you to be my knight?"
~!**!~
She gave a little huff, "Well. First thing you can do is more of this. You're entirely too comfortable for your own good."
As if to emphasize her point, she buried her face in his chest and gave a contented little sigh. 3
Hiei gave a small smirk, his eyes still closed and fingers twitching just slightly around hers. It prevented him from resting that arm over her, but frankly, he didn't mind it. He ducked his head a little, letting his nose just brush the top of her head before he settled again.
"As you wish."
~!**!~
Akari blinked and lifted her head to stare up at Kurama, a brow raised. Her lips twitched as she imagined herself in bulky armour and a large sword.
"I guess I better get used to heavy gear then, huh?" She gave a small sound of consideration. "And find a blacksmith." *
"I know someone." Kurama replied quickly. "He's quite skilled. And he's masterful enough that it wouldn't be heavy by any stretch of the imagination."
~!**!~
Uh...
Well, first of all, she hadn't expected him to answer, waiting for him to just scoff at her or at the very least make some snarky comment, possibly even make some form of protest or another.
Secondly, it wasn't until she felt his hand move that she realized her fingers were interlocked in his and she had to force herself not to immediately remove it from his grasp.
...Because she didn't really want to, now that she noticed-though the realization did send her core pumping and had her cheeks turning redder than before-and she couldn't help but draw the conclusion that if it bothered him, he would have done something about it by now.
Possibly.
Probably.
She dropped her gaze from his face, unsure why she suddenly felt so uncomfortable.
Ah, what the hell do I know anyway? 3
Hiei kept his mind blank, devoid of any and all thoughts, devoid of anything that he could feel beginning to nag at him, such as the fact that he'd never done this before. He'd never allowed himself to lay even remotely near a person, much less next to another.
So how had she somehow convinced him- no, how had she somehow lead him to being comfortable with doing this?
Well, was he exactly 100% comfortable?
He pushed the thought away, not letting his personal limits suddenly barge in and-
Hold on.
His eyes came open to stare at Shikiyoku, feeling the odd air around her and realizing she hadn't replied.
His lips twitched into a sneer as he noted the color on her cheeks.
"No retort?"
~!**!~
Akari looked up at Kurama with a smile. "And who might this someone be? I might request his services at some point, if I'm actually going to become your knight." She gave a hum at him. "Assuming you're serious." *
"I never kid." Kurama said it as if to imply 'the very idea' of him doing such a thing. "Remind me when we get back. I'll introduce you. Or possibly have the suit ready for you, I haven't rightly decided."
~!**!~
Uh...
She gave no reply for another moment, before adopting a rather intellectual tone that contradicted the blush of her neck and cheeks entirely.
"You know, it appears my primary brain functions have decided to shut down for some reason or another."
You know, the one that regulates whether I get up and start running for my life or scoot closer and start trying other things?
...that's why I have yet to move. 3
The amount of amusement that formed as a gleam in Hiei's eyes managed to make his lips twitch and even tilt upwards at a single corner, creating a lopsided sneer of amusement. He let out the smallest breath of amusement, his lips spreading even further.
"That's too bad." he remarked, completely and utterly humored.
~!**!~
Akari gave a huff. "I won't forget. And, frankly, I'd rather watch the armor be made too. I'm curious, and have never had the pleasure of observing such a craft." *
"And you would deprive me the honor of surprising you with it as a gift?" He huffed, "Fine. I'll see to it that he's aware of your wishes."
~!**!~
"Yes. Yes it is. A shame, really."
...because it's rendering me incapable of deciding what exactly I'm supposed to do here.
...sometimes I wish you were more like Taka. Then I would know exactly what you desire. 3
Hiei felt his lips twitch some more as he assessed the air about her and the response he'd been given. For a moment, he thought she was being serious about it.
So he waited, wondering if she'd say anything else on the matter.
~!**!~
Akari fought the grin as hard as she could as she lifted her head so that he may see the raised brow and the disapproving gleam in her eye.
"The princess is not responsible for the knight's means of protection. You're getting the roles backwards." *
"Can we not each be both at the same time? Or perhaps interchangeably as we so desire?" Kurama countered, "And does not a princess bestow upon a champion gifts to further their cause?"
~!**!~
And as if to top it all off, her skin had started buzzing almost as if in protest to the frozen aspect of her brain that wasn't allowing for much of anything.
Is it supposed to do that?
She almost wanted to demand of him how he was doing this to her. Not that she had particularly given anyone else the chance as of late-Hm. Something to consider-but still...
Shikiyoku finally lifted her eyes back up, keenly aware that her core had still not calmed down, and knowing that while her energy may not have been rolling off of her skin, it definitely set her eyes glittering.
"A shame because I know how much fun I could be having." She paused. "However, it appears I find myself unable to move." Caught in your trap. 3
Hiei met her gaze evenly, taking keen note of the shine in her irises and the delay in her reply. A reply that had him feeling rather… triumphant. Smug. He wasn't going to let her leave without a fight.
Even if she so desired to get up and leave.
"What a waste." His eyes closed. "Such a pity."
~!**!~
Akari shrugged. "Okay, fine. But for now, you are the princess, and I, the knight, will do my best not to make you wait for me too long when I leave for my… adventure." *
"I can accept that ruling. With the implied clause that the moment you call for me, I am to become the knight." He paused. "You're welcome to not view yourself as a princess in need of rescue, you know. I could just be coming along to fight by your side." He made a thoughtful sound, "You know, we could both just be warrior-princesses. That might make this whole thing a lot easier to handle."
~!**!~
"That." She emphasized quickly. "You can do more of that...that...not letting me leave without a fight thing. All of that."
She would have kissed him had she been able to gather the brain capacity to do so. 3
Hiei's eyes came open, gleaming with mirth at her as he stared at her calmly for a few minutes. His only response was to move the arm that her hand had taken over, pulling their intertwined hands up and over himself, effectively pulling her closer as he rolled to his back.
His shoulder had fallen asleep, but he'd resisted long enough on rolling over.
"As you wish."
~!**!~
Akari opened her mouth to respond, found no words, and closed it again as she eyed the male with a narrowed gaze. You and your stupid… everything. She opened her mouth again, paused, and gave a sigh.
"Does this mean we both get a crown too?" *
"If you want a crown, I will get you a crown." Kurama shifted a little, stretching his back. "...I get to be Gabrielle, though."
~!**!~
Stop that.
She scowled a little, more than willing to move closer to him, but feeling her ears go pink again when they had just started to fade in color.
So, really, she wasn't sure if she was talking to him-and his inability to be anything other than incredibly fierce at the moment-or herself for acting like...like Douji. Like a demon who hadn't even hit their hundred years yet, but was just about at the point where they started to become interested in that sort of thing.
"If you get any more fierce, I might just up and die of a heart attack, I hope you know." She had pressed herself up against his side, laying her head over where she knew the center of the Mark sat on his chest, and could feel how frantically her core was pounding, accented by the blush over her features and the buzzing of her skin. 3
Hiei's eyes closed as he relaxed, the morning rays of the sun poking through the window and warming his face a little. His lips twitched before his expression became calmly devoid of his thoughts and emotions. "I'll keep that in mind," he retorted half-heartedly, finding that he rather enjoyed what he had discovered he could do.
It helped immensely, he noted.
"Though, I hardly doubt your heart would stop from my fierceness. I haven't even tried."
~!**!~
Akari had been about to bury her face in his shoulder again when he spoke up, making her go still again and her eyes searching his features. You're being impossible, fox. Her lips twitched, only stilling when her bottom lip jutted out just a little further than normal. "But she's my favourite…" she whined, puffing her cheeks a little as she huffed through her nostrils. "If you're claiming her, you better get me a fantastic crown." *
"You will receive a crown to end all crowns for the simple fact that you would never get anything less from me for you deserve nothing less than the most extravagant crown of all." Kurama so informed her. "So, your attempt at a trade is rather moot."
~!**!~
Shit.
Shikiyoku's eyes widened for a second as she realize how true the words were that he had just spoke.
She repeated the word again inside her head.
He was apparently also capable of rendering her rather speechless.
"Well, then it's a good thing I'm completely immune to your ferocity, isn't it?"
As if to emphasize her dry wit, she felt the buzz of her energy reach her scalp and begin slowly interacting with and releasing the pheremones in her hair, filtering it out just enough that it would start to fill the air around her.
It took a great deal of effort to make it stop, and she sent the energy instead to her eyes, closing them. 3
Hiei took a slow breath in, held it for a moment, then slowly released the air through his nostrils, making his body sink into the mattress even more once he'd completely deflated again. "You've got quite the way to go," he commented, tone even and calm, but his lips giving the smallest of twitch. "You have a bit of time to make an attempt, however. At least until someone decide to crash through the door and lose a head."
~!**!~
Akari's reply, or attempt at one, was delayed for a few moments as her eyes gave the smallest of indication of narrowing, her lips pressing together briefly. "You and… that stupid mouth of yours." She huffed at him. "Fine. I guess I will be Xena. But I will come up with something for the 'trade', I hope you know." *
"Something that I haven't enough thought of? This I cannot wait to hear, stupid dog." Kurama gave her a little squeeze, smiling.
~!**!~
You're telling me. I'll be hard-pressed to figure out how to reign this in considering it's never happened before. To ME of all people. In MY line of work!
"Aw, you'd kill someone for me? How sweet." 3
"...well, I suppose it would be for you as well." His eyes opened to look at her, brow raised. "I simply don't enjoy disturbances, especially when I'm enjoying myself."
He paused.
"Though, I suppose it would indirectly be for you as well. As I recall telling you numerous times, I do not enjoy sharing my company."
~!**!~
"Hey! That is my line. You can't have it, and Gabrielle. That's not how this works." *
"No? And you think you can stop me? I'd love to see you try."
~!**!~
"You're sharing it now." It was the closest she'd come to purring at him in a long time. 3
"With you." he retorted. "You are the company I do not enjoy sharing."
~!**!~
"You can't have my line because it's actually cute when I say it. You make it seem harsh." Akari stuck her tongue out at him. "So, Gabrielle, that line is mine." *
"It isn't my fault that foxes are naturally cuter than dogs, Xena, making 'stupid fox' sound better than 'stupid dog' as a result. It has absolutely nothing to do whatsoever with who is saying it, I might add." Kurama playfully narrowed his eyes at her, "And you might put that tongue away before you lose it."
~!**!~
"Ah," Shikiyoku intoned, "You should make that sort of thing more clear, fire-prince. I'm notorious for being rather forgetful in such matters." 3
"Yes, but if I told you constantly, it would lose its meaning, would it not?" He turned his head to face her, resting his cheek on the pillow and staring at her for a moment. "You should improve the memory just a little then."
~!**!~
"Lies," Akari stated quickly. "Dogs are cute. Foxes are... " she hesitated, staring at him and becoming very aware that Youko could be listening. She pulled her lips into her mouth for a moment in consideration.
That won't do.
"You are not cute. You are pretty."
She stuck her tongue out again. *
Kurama gave out the lowest of growls that reflected the playfulness of his narrowed eyes as he drew closer to her, letting the end of his nose press lightly into hers.
"You're just asking for it, you know."
[I told you that.]
~!**!~
Feeling the energy still shimmering over her eyes, Shikiyoku kept her lids shut even as she heard him shift and likely face her, her brow coming together for a frown just for an instant.
"How about you decide that, then? Whenever it appears I've forgotten." She almost smiled, "Tell me. Show me. There are many different ways, really." 3
Hiei considered her for a moment, and the fact that she was here, without him having to actually bring her into the room the night before. She'd come of her own accord, and that had his lips twitching. "You remember on your own at times," he pointed out in a quiet voice.
There was a pause.
"Fine, I'll remind you when I see no hope of you remembering on your own."
~!**!~
Akari's tongue slid back to hide behind her lips again as Kurama drew closer, her pout dissolving by the time his nose touched hers. And she refused to acknowledge the warmth that began at the base of her neck and threatened to creep towards her cheeks and ears.
She blinked once at him before simply taking to staring at him, very much aware of the tip of her nose against his and his breath just brushing against her skin.
And even if her brain had supplied a retort for her, she was pretty sure her lips wouldn't have allowed it to leave her mouth. *
"I don't think I need to say it now," Kurama breathed, "But you do test my limits, my patience, in the most exasperatingly difficult ways possible, in case it has up until this point been unclear."
~!**!~
"I haven't the faintest idea to what you are referring." Shikiyoku's eyes slid open of their own accord as she replied airily, "I was simply bored." 3
Hiei raised his brows at Shikiyoku, his lips stretching into a sneer a second after. He wanted so badly to give a comment that was snide, a remark that would either amuse her or irritate her, but nothing came to mind immediately.
He found himself staring into her eyes, sneer softening into a smirk of amusement.
~!**!~
Akari released a small breath that she hadn't known she'd been holding, her eyelids closing briefly before she opened them again to stare at the redhead. Her lips formed a smile as she recalled something he'd once said.
Rely on impulse, and not even your thoughts can betray you.
"An in case it's been unclear thus far," she repeated his phrase in the same whisper that he used, "you are just as trying." Her eyelids slid closed again, this time remaining that way. "It's…"
Frustrating.
Amusing.
Confusing.
Astounding.
….baffling.
"No word fits." *
"Indeed." He could find no fault in that, his eyes closing and for once allowing the rush of emotions to scatter his thoughts in every direction without protest.
...after all, she would soon be gone.
~!**!~
The sight of his crimson-colored eyes began to send her mind in a direction that Shikiyoku was unwilling at that moment to pursue, for it led away from this moment, where he appeared to have no other desires, where his gaze showed her no potent discomfort at her proximity stirring just below the surface.
Of course, the blush across her cheeks made her own appearance seem disconcerted at the predicament, but on the contrary she was rather enjoying herself. At least, somewhere below the core-pounding and skin-buzzing, she was enjoying herself.
She shifted the fingers in his hand around a little, unsure of how that had happened exactly, and wondered when it had come about that she found herself unable to look away from his eyes, which made her own glimmer more while under his penetrating gaze.
Wasn't that supposed to be the other way around? 3
Hiei continued to stare at Shikiyoku unblinkingly, not a single thought passing in the forefront of his mind for even a moment. His expression had shifted from amusement to calm staring, to calm relaxation that was reflected in how lax the rest of his body was upon the mattress.
~!**!~
Akari removed her arm from around Kurama's neck, where it had remained curled up until this point. "You're impossible." she mumbled to the redhead as her hand rested on his cheek, eyes still closed. "In every way." *
"I could just as easily say the same about you." Kurama replied, still unmoving, blocking out now anything at all Youko was trying to interject with. Because none of it was helpful.
...even if he did want to do most of what was being said.
~!**!~
Something stirred behind all of the chaos Hiei had agitated within the last... however long it had been.
Without any specific intention to do so, the buzzing of her skin started giving way to a faint pearlescent glow that could have easily beckoned one to test its smoothness, the prickling that she had earlier dissuaded from her scalp starting once again to stir her scent into the air.
And she...she couldn't look away.
A loud pounding at the door of the bedroom hit her body with a jolt and she blinked, all semblance of energy sucked away at once, and she actually felt her core nearly jerked the wrong direction, the momentary sense of threat almost too real for her to not pull under her control the desire to switch forms.
"Yoku!"
It was Taka.
Shikiyoku wasn't sure if she wanted to kill him or kiss him for interrupting.
The thought that she couldn't control herself was at the forefront of her mind.
"We've gotta problem!" 3
Hiei had just thought of something to say when he became aware of a presence pulling at his attention. He ignored it, until that presence began hitting the door, presumably with a fist.
Hiei blinked, and his eyes were on the door, narrowed and angry. Dangerous.
"I can agree." the fire demon growled. "The problem is on the other side of the door." He paused. "I'm half curious as to whether or not the dogs on this layer will eat roasted bird."
~!**!~
Akari let her hand fall after a moment, her lips twitching just a little in contemplation. Impulse control. She honestly tried telling her muscles to move, to shift away and release the both of them from the moment that seemed to continue hanging on the air, leaving both of them in this odd state of being. But, she merely continued to lay there with her nose touching his and breath leaving her lips slowly.
It was almost as if she'd forgotten how to move.
"When's my crown coming in, Gabrielle?" *
Kurama had not so much as moved a single inch.
"As soon as wish." Kurama replied, "Perhaps sooner."
~!**!~
Had she not just been pulled from whatever the last moment had contained, she probably would have placed a hand on Hiei's cheek to get him to look at her again, to curb his ire.
"Oo, so fierce." She quipped girlishly, having thus far made no attempt to move away from him.
"Yoku," Taka called again, a bit more put-out. "They're invading the bloody house. Would you rather I knocked down the door, or them?" 3
I could knock the head from your shoulders.
Hiei continued to glare at the door, expression twitching, and the only thing keeping him where he lay was the fact that Shikiyoku had made no room to move.
I'd just as readily knock their heads from their shoulders as well, should they decide to test me.
He considered shifting between the layers, but recalled the last time he'd done so. How many he had left still marked.
A number he now had to consider since he too was… involved.
Dammit.
Hiei's hold on Shikiyoku's hand lessened.
"Such a bother."
~!**!~
There was a moment where Akari didn't say anything, her mind too scattered to come up with anything else than that one quip. Again, she tried persuading her muscles to move, but she remained just as unmoving as Kurama did.
Why are we making this harder?
Perhaps on some level, they… enjoyed it?
Who knows.
But what she did know was that she wasn't very good at restraint.
Her hand found Kurama's cheek again, and after giving a small breath at the redhead, she touched her lips to his for the second time, this time without the abrupt retreat. *
[You know, really, the least you could do is kiss her ba-...oh.]
Kurama ignoring the fox didn't mean Youko refrained from making comments, though Akari's second kiss did seem to quiet him for a blessed moment and leave Kurama almost to himself to enjoy it.
There wasn't really any way to bring the arm he had propping his head up out and around to pull her closer, but the hand he had kept buried in her hair did react slightly as he allowed himself to kiss her back, his fingers rustling through the soft curls until coming to rest at the base of her neck.
It took a great deal of restraint on Youko's part not to ruin the moment, though anyone actually listening would have heard him give a little sigh at the effort it took.
~!**!~
Another bang on the door. More words said that Shikiyoku didn't care to pay any attention to other than giving a low growl, her lip curling at having been interrupted.
"Not for you." Shikiyoku rejoined, starting to rise up, "I'm the one that has to get up while you can just lay here like nothing's happened." 3
Hiei shifted a little as well, momentarily tossing his arm over his eyes in silent protest before he gave a sound and moved again, sitting up.
"Now why would I lay here when there's sweet snow downstairs?"
And a bird to roast outside the door.
Hiei released Shikiyoku's hand before he moved away from her and towards the door, glancing back only briefly before unlocking the door and pulling it open to glare at the bird. Who stood in his way.
He wanted so bad to quip about roasted bird, about open campfires and sticks impaled through the breast of the bird. But he decided against it.
"You're in the way."
~!**!~
Akari's lips twitched a little against Kurama's as she became aware of the twitching hand in her hair, the reciprocation she received releasing a great deal of worry and stress. And she remained there for just a moment before pulling away, and touching her lips to the tip of his nose with a smile.
"Better?" *
Kurama kept his eyes closed for a moment when she pulled away before opening them.
"You have no idea." He reassured her.
~!**!~
Taka took a sweeping step back with one foot that led into a mocking bow as he gestured for the fire demon to pass.
"Your highness." 3
Hiei stared unblinkingly at Taka, eyes narrowing slightly. He stayed in place for a moment before turning to pass the male.
He didn't dignify the moron with a retort, deciding he didn't even want to bother with it.
~!**!~
Akari buried her nose in Kurama's shirt again, this time giving a small sigh of content.
"You're a pain." *
"If I agree, will it get you to kiss me again?" He didn't exactly pout at her, but his eyes gleamed with mock-plea.
~!**!~
Taka only gave the fire demon a fleeting grin to the back as he stepped into the room, seeing Shikiyoku seated on one hip, her legs folded together beside her as she smoothed out her hair, her eyes following Hiei as he disappeared from sight.
"Don't you dare close that door." Her eyes narrowed at him and he stopped, though he made as if that hadn't been his intention in the slightest. "And you're not allowed in here."
"Oh?"
"Don't 'oh' me and give me that look. I know your tricks, bird-brain. We worked Court together for so long, there's no way I could miss them."
"Oh?" He had come up to the bed and sat himself down on the edge of it, turning himself so that he could face her, one hand lazily holding himself up from behind.
"You in one breath took a jab at what I call him and his height. It was low, Taka."
"See what you did there?"
She glared at him as he gave her a dazzling grin.
After a moment, Taka sighed, "How can you stand that infernal little beast?"
"You're difficult at times, I do confess." She went back to smoothing her hair in place.
His mouth snapped shut after opening it to give another response.
"Ah. Ah ha. Well. I've been with you long enough to know you don't really mean half of what you say."
"And the other half?" She lifted an eyebrow in a scathing expression.
"Should never been taken entirely seriously either." He leaned forward and planted a brief kiss on her cheek, which appeared to unruffle a few of the feathers he had upset.
Her glare softened, if only a trifle.
"I don't want to go down there, Taka." She said in a quieter tone.
"I know." He replied swiftly, his own voice calmer now in reflection of hers, holding none of the teasing it had previously. However, his eyes lit back up after a moment, "But I'll drag you there myself if it ends this whole ridiculous business faster."
She didn't quite laugh, but her lips did unexpectedly break into a smile as she watched her hands move through her long hair, a puff of amused air sneaking out of her nose.
Taka stood up when he knew she was only stalling, giving her a more formal bow than the one Hiei had gotten, and held out his hand to her.
"Your public awaits."
Shikiyoku took the hand and accepted his help in standing, giving a sigh of compliance to what she knew needed to happen and accepting his arm as he lead her out the door.
At the top of the stairs, Taka's eyes widened to see that there was only one of the demons that had invaded.
"I was always better at working a crowd than you." Kitoushi said calmly, looking up to see them.
"Ha!" Came Taka's bark of a laugh. 3
Hiei went on his way down the stairs, completely ignoring the ruckus he was now able to hear. He didn't even spare a glance in the direction of any other in the house, turning and making his way to the kitchen without so much as even a beat of hesitation.
He sauntered to the fridge, pulling it open in one swift, slightly jerkier-than-normal motion that had the contents inside the door rattling.
I will roast the bird. After that…
No, it wouldn't be a worthy sacrifice to the dragon.
Red eyes scoured the contents of the refrigerator, but didn't really see it for what it was worth. All he saw was shapes and colors, his mind too occupied with pushing aside his utmost desire to turn around and end it.
….
He was valuable to Shikiyoku, for some reason.
"I've never seen her smile at anyone the way she smiles at you."
Hiei gave a scoff.
Damn right.
This was going to start becoming rather… interesting.
Thanks for reading! Bless your face. If you sneezed during this chapter, bless you. Peace off! -Star