Summery: Kurama and Hiei have a Movie discussion

Notes: Cut it close today X3

"...I don't see how that was scary," Hiei sulked as he exited a movie theater with Kurama.

"It's what's scary to humans Hiei," Kurama reasoned, patiently listening to Hiei's expected complaints. He'd taken Hiei out to a movie in hopes to experience an amusing reaction from the shorter demon. In retrospect, Kurama now thought a horror movie wasn't the best idea. They had certainly experienced for more frightening events then anything that movie had portrayed.

"Why are humans afraid of a man in a mask?" Hiei grumped, taking Kurama's leftover popcorn. He popped a few buttery morsels into his mouth, his eyes lighting up as he devoured the light treat.

"Its not so much that he was in a mask...its that he was stalking them. Hunting them like an animal...and then systematically torturing them, and finally killing them," Kurama said, resisting a smile as Hiei took his popcorn. "It's primal instinct to fear someone stronger than you...to fear the hunter."

"Hmph. I can think of two fools whose instincts must be broken!" Hiei snorted tilting his head back and pouring the last of the snack into his mouth.

"...Oh I don't think we're that bad," Kurama said coyly, knowing Hiei wasn't referring to themselves.

"You know which two idiots I mean fox!" Hiei snapped, crumpling up the popcorn bag and tossing it over his shoulder. "Yusuke and Kuwabara seem to seek out stronger enemies, and go diving in head first. Yusuke can at least take on a man in a mask, but Kuwabara charges in recklessly, never aware of his own weaknesses. The man in the mask could easily take Kuwabara out!"

"Don't be so hard on Kuwabara. He's plenty strong, and only getting stronger."

"He's fragile, weak! He will only last so long, and it'll be much shorter if he doesn't stop tagging along!"

Kurama frowned. This sounded a little harsher of a critique than usual for Hiei. Peering down at his shorter comrade Kurama assessed the shorter demon's expression before speaking, "You and I both know you're just show-boating here. You're very fond of Kuwabara. If you weren't you wouldn't fight along side him, nor would you allow him any alone time with your sister...what's bugging you?"

Hiei frowned, sourly shooting Kurama a look. Pursing his lips, and narrowing his arms Hiei mulled over his thoughts and finally answered, "That thing before the movie. The commercial-"

"Ah, you mean the previews!"

"Yes. In one of those...previews it showed that human child. He was happy and playing while his father watched. And then he was in that place with the tubes, and strange equipment-I think it was a lab. And then he died. There was nothing attacking him, but he died. They called it am fatal illness? A simple unseen force just took that human out with no effort."

Kurama put his hands in his pockets a sobering expression passing over his face, understanding slowly dawning, "The movie was fiction Hiei."

"But it can happen, can it not?" Hiei countered, red eyes peering up at Kurama, "Humans can die from such easy things. Things that wouldn't even slow you and I down."

Kurama nodded, "Yes. Yes...humans can get sick and die. There are many things that could be the end of a human, many things that wouldn't even make us demons blink. Humans know their fragility, in theory. Some act like they don't know their limitations, but they do. But humans shouldn't be hindered just because they are afraid of death. Don't you think that would be foolish Hiei?"

Hiei pursed his lips, and for several minutes was quiet. He sighed deeply, tension leaving his shoulders, "Weakness is foolish."

Kurama smiled and slipped an arm around Hiei's shoulder, "We are all fools Hiei. Our bonds make us weak, but they make us strong too. To see a friend sick can cripple us and embolden us to take action to help...don't you think that's fascinating? Our greatest strength comes from our greatest weaknesses."

"You're talking about love aren't you?" Hiei asked making a face of disgust.

Kurama laughed, "Yes, I suppose I am."

Hiei snorted, "Can't you just agree with me instead of spouting off some emotional bullshit?"

"Can't you just admit you value myself, Yusuke, and Kuwabara as your friends, your family-and that scares you?"

Hiei tensed, a dusting of color gracing the tip of his nose, "No."

Kurama laughed, "Then no, Hiei. I expect we will have a lot of conversations like these."

"...Pain in my ass."

Kurama simply laughed in returned, and quietly planned to show Hiei an animated film. If Totoro didn't have Hiei in a fit of emotion-nothing would.

End