Chapter 5

Hiei's eyes squinted as the sun peeked through the corners of the curtains, a ray at just the right angle to catch him in the face as he slept. Subconsciously, he reached out with one hand to the feel the other side of the bed, it was as he expected it to be, empty.

Rolling over, he opened his eyes and stared at the empty place in the bed where his lover should be. He guessed he should be use to it by now. It has been this way for the last six months or so. He mostly wanted to know 'why.' Why the fox always left before he got up and why it was only after they'd had sex the night before, it didn't matter if it was with the red head or silver haired, the bed would be empty. It hadn't even dawned on him until after the third or so time he was with Youko that he'd noticed the bed and house were empty, but again, only on the mornings after sex. He no longer considered it a coincidence. Oh, he'd tried to ask the red head, but got the same old answers, 'I had to get to work early.' Or 'Sorry, I forgot I had an errand to run.' Sometimes he came back with bags and sometimes not.

Getting up and going to the bathroom, he mentally scanned the house and immediate area. He didn't know why he still tried. The answer was always the same, 'no fox present' in the house or nearby.

Showering and making his way downstairs, he walked into the kitchen to see the dishes from the night before drying in the rack. Looking over at the table, he saw a box of cereal and a bowl, with spoon. He smirked, it still got to him that Kurama felt he needed to wait on him when it came to ningen food. He had tried to tell the red head he knew more than he thought when it came to the different food. What did Kurama think he would do, pour the milk in the box, or maybe use a plate? He had eaten his fair share of cereal since living here and knew what to do.

Seeing a folded piece of paper in the bowl, he opened it, shaking his head as he read.

Hiei……

'There should be enough milk in the fridge. I will get more today at the store after we spar. Please let me know if there is anything else you would like me to get, think about dinner. I had a few things to take care of and will meet you at the usual spot at 10 am.'

Kurama

Looking at the clock on the wall, red eyes noted it was a little after 9. Just enough time to eat and get to the temple for a warm up session.

(In the forest on the temple grounds…same morning)

The sun rose over the horizon as a lean figure moved with the grace of a dancer. The red head moved in slow and precise movements in a routine, never once faulting or making a mistake, for he had been doing this for many years. The sun played shadow games through the trees, highlighting the moves, as a stage light would a performer.

He was glad he'd gotten back into Tai Chi. Many people think it's for old people and many think it's a form of some martial art, but it wasn't either. It was a series of moves made to calm, relax and clear the mind. A form of exercise you might say, but for the mind as well as the body. He had learned a style called the '18 Step Taiji Qigong Form.' And yes there are many different techniques depending on the region where it was created.

Moving into step 9 called 'pushing with palms', Kurama's mind was nowhere near cleared, as it should be by this stage, nor was his body as numb and relaxed. But that didn't stop him from continuing to the end.

With his body knowing what to do, his mind replayed the previous evening. After Hiei had taken him, they went and took a shower, together of course. Hiei could not seem to keep his hands off of him and had taken him again in the shower. The red head was glad the water hid the tears he could not stop from falling as he was taken once again from behind. Hiei's demon instincts were showing more and more after they had sex; it was even worse after being with Youko.

Sex in the Makai was a form of power, not so much pleasure. With Hiei being seme in the relationship with him, it was only natural, the feeling of possessiveness and desire got stronger, each 'claiming' to show and make a point about who was in charge of the situation. It was only fair in his relationship with the fire demon. Youko was obviously seme with Hiei, so Hiei needed to be seme to him. He could not see the fire demon being uke to two people, his pride to strong for that. Maybe the possessiveness was what was making him feel like he needed to leave in the morning, not wanting the possibility of being taken again so soon, knowing he could still come and go as he pleased, trying to show that he was not some play thing. On the mornings after not having sex, Kurama had tried to snuggle and pamper the fire demon, trying to make up for him leaving on the other mornings, but Hiei didn't seem to want that, so he'd stopped. What was the saying…'he couldn't win for losing.'

Making it to the last step, 'lowering the breath' he took a deep breath before he wielded all the air out of his lungs while pushing his hands down and clearing his mind of, 'the old, the bad, the negative, the false, the dark, the doubts.' Taking another big breath, he raised his arms high in the air and brought in, 'the new, the good, the true, the light, the possibilities.' Breathing out as slow as he could with his eyes closed, Kurama sat cross-legged on the ground. Placing a hand on each knee, his mind knocked on Youko's door, telling him the fire demon was requesting his presence.

Hiei sensed the red head, but by the time he got to the exact spot, there was a silver fox, sitting in the clearing.

Moving to stand in front of the fox, whose eyes were closed, he waited. He was about to say something when he was pounced on and pinned to the ground.

"Well, well…look what I have caught. I see you could not wait for the next full moon…and what an interesting place for me to take you, natural foliage is so much better than dealing with seeds." Youko purred as he started kissing the smaller demon's neck.

"Get off me." Hiei growled, but couldn't help a moan as he was nibbled on the neck.

"Are you sure?" Youko smirked as his hand moved to the fire demon's crotch. "Your pants say something different."

"I want to spar with you." Hiei growled again, pushing the larger figure off him.

Youko rolled off and sat, pouting. "Sparring, I do not need practice." Seeing the look on the fire demon's face he added. "Unless we are in danger, or are we needed for a mission."

"Neither." Hiei said and couldn't control a smirked as he got up, thinking about the remark that was made yesterday at dinner, but then he thought about the last part, thinking 'He should know we aren't in danger?' He mentally shrugged.

"Well then, why bother?" Youko huffed and got up to stand, towering over the smaller figure. "I could think of other ways to exercise, if that is what you want to do." A small thin smile played across is lips in hopes that the fire demon understood what he was referring to.

"Let's start." Hiei huffed, but added. "Who knows what might happen after I kick your ass." He mused and drew his sword. He'd not worn his cloak, only his tank top, pants, and boots.

"Oh…I see." The spirit yoko cooed and golden eyes held mischief as a hand moved to pull a rose out of silver hair.

a)a)a)a

A few hours later, two figures lay in the shadows of a large tree, both were exhausted. Neither one was touching the other as they lightly napped, regaining their strength.

Hiei cracked an eye and noted the time by the placement of the sun. It was early afternoon and his body knew it was time for lunch for his stomach was growling.

He heard a chuckle beside him. "Hungry are we." Youko said, rolling on his side to look at him.

"Yeah…maybe we can eat at the temple. I wouldn't mind seeing Yukina anyways." Hiei said, getting up to grab his clothes and putting them on.

Youko sighed and also got up, putting his pants on before finding his white tunic and noticing it was ripped.

Hiei smirked when he saw the ripped tunic and the look on the yoko's face.

"Paybacks a pain ain't it." He said, sheathing his sword.

Youko didn't say anything as he tossed the tunic in the woods.

Hiei started walking towards the temple, but paused as he realized he was not being followed. Turning, he saw Youko hadn't moved.

"What." He asked.

"I believe it would be better if Kurama came back. I do not think I would be welcomed at the temple." Youko said softly.

Hiei rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He grumbled, not understanding why he wouldn't be welcomed. He was still Kurama, just in his fox form. Shaking his head, he turned and continued his walk.

a)a)a)a

"Thank you so much for the food Yusuke." Yukina said as she walked the raven haired out.

"No big." Yusuke replied. "We have more than enough made at any given time and besides, you shouldn't have to do all the cooking for the old hag."

Yukina placed her hands in front of her, closed her eyes and smiled at the boy's 'term of endearment.'

"Just don't let Kuwabara eat all of it." He added.

Yukina giggled. "I won't"

They made it to the front porch and noticed the figure coming up the steps.

"Hiei…so good to see you…is Kurama with you?" Yukina asked as the fire demon made it to the top of the stairs.

"Yes…he should be coming any minute." Hiei said as he nodded to Yusuke in greeting.

"Been sparring?" Yusuke asked as he took in the disheveled look of the fire demon.

"Yes…Yukina…do you mind if I clean up and get a bite to eat?" Hiei asked.

"Of course, by all means, you know you are always welcomed here and Yusuke has been kind enough to bring more than enough food." She said with a smile, gesturing with her hand to the door.

Hiei walked by them and went to slide back the door when Kuwabara came through, almost running over him.

"Hey…watch it shrimp." The orange haired yelled.

"Out of my way, you oaf." Hiei growled, pushing by and disappearing into temple.

"Urameshi, I was thinking…wooooo whose spirit energy is that, it feels familiar…yet it's weak." Kuwabara said, stepping back as he felt the aura hit him.

Yusuke turned to see Kurama slowly walking to the steps. He knew his tall friend had the ability to sense things and was never wrong in his feelings.

The red head staggered, but corrected himself as he made it to the first step. After making it half way though, he started to fall forward. Before he could hit the step, he was caught by the arms of the raven haired.

Yusuke saw the struggle Kurama was having in getting up the stairs and was getting ready to offer help when he saw the red head go down, moving fast, maybe not as fast as Hiei, but fast enough, he caught the lean figure before he hit the step.

"Hey you okay?" Yusuke asked as he steadied the red head.

"Yes, thank you." Kurama quickly said. "Hiei and I were sparring pretty hard and I did not eat breakfast this morning. I just need to regain my energy and eat." He answered and pushed off the former detective to continue up the steps, however he only made it a few before he fell forward again.

Yusuke picked up the red head in a bridle style and started climbing the stairs. He was worried for his friend and wondered just what kind of sparring the two had been doing.

He looked down to see the big green eyes closed, hoping the fox had not passed out, he joked. "Geez Kurama, have you lost weight?"

He felt the body jerk before a firm hand pushed on his chest.

"Put me down…now." He heard, the last word pronounced firmly.

"In a minute, we are almost to the top." Yusuke said. He'd been walking slow and taking his time, not wanting to bounce the fox to much.

"Now…please." This time the last word was said with a plea.

"Okay." Yusuke complied and put the red head down, but didn't let go until he knew the man could stand.

"Thank you." Kurama muttered, pushing off and continuing up the stairs, when he made it to the top he saw the look on Yukina's face.

"I am fine, just tired and hungry." He tried to assure her. She only nodded in understanding, knowing Kurama well enough by now to know not to push the issue.

"Hey, you want me to get the shrimp?" Kuwabara asked motioning with his thumb to indicate that the 'shrimp' was already in the temple.

"No…that is not necessary." Was all Kurama said.

Kuwabara was going to say something else, but was cut off by Yusuke.

"Hey, give me a minute with fox boy will yeah…thanks." The raven haired didn't wait for an answer as he grabbed the taller boy and shoved him back into the temple. He held the door for Yukina and as she walked through, he said. "You better get Hiei fed before blockhead gets to it." He smiled as he closed the door behind her.

"Time to talk." Yusuke said, turning back to Kurama.

"What are you talking about Yusuke? I told you I was fine and that is the end of discussion." Kurama let his voice get deep, trying to make his point.

"I just had to carry you up a flight of stairs, you passed out and Kuwabara says your spirit energy is low and weak." Yusuke said back with his own power of voice.

"I assure you I am fine and this is the end of discussion, do I make myself clear." Kurama's voice, now tinged with Youko's, stated.

Yusuke watched as the green eyes turned gold and was going to tell the yoko to butt out, but was cut off.

"I suggest you let it drop, you are no longer a detective, so stay out of business that does not concern you." The mixed voice said.

Flustered, Yusuke just walked off.

Green eyes returned and Kurama stood there confused and upset. 'Why did Youko want to run Yusuke off?'

End Chapter 5

Lyrics to the song:Nobody's Listening – by: Linkin Park

Peep the style and the kids checking for it…The number one question is 'How could you ignore it?' We drop right back in the cut…Over basement tracks…With raps that got you backing this up like (rewind that) We're just rolling with the rhythm…Rise from the ashes of stylistic division with these non-stop lyrics of life living…Not to be forgotten, but still unforgiven…But in the meantime there are those who wanna talk this and that so I suppose…It gets to a point feelings gotta get hurt and get dirty with the people spreading the dirt (it goes)

(Course)

Try to give you warning, but everyone ignores me (told you everything loud and clear)

But nobody's listening…Call to you so clearly, but you don't want to hear me

(told you everything loud and clear)…But nobody's listening

I got a heart full of pain, head full of stress, handful of anger, held in my chest…And everything left is a waste of time…I hate my rhymes (but hate everyone else's more)

I'm riding on the back of this pressure guessing that it's better…I can't keep myself together because of all this stress…Gave me something to write on the pain gave me something…I could set my sights on you never forget the blood sweat and tears

The Uphill struggle over years the fear and trash talking and the people it was to

And the people that started it just like you

I got a heart full of pain, head full of stress, handful of anger, held in my chest …Up hill struggle, blood, sweat and tears nothing to gain, everything to fear

(Coming at you from every side)