Werefox
By: SanguineFox
Rating: R
Warning: Yaoi!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story.
Author's Note: I'm really sorry about this chapter, I know this and the last chapter are just fillers, but I needed a transition before the next chapter. You'll see why, I hope... Also, I want to apologize to people who are waiting for any of my other stories, I am working on them, but I'm getting so close to finishing this one that I really want to finish it before going back to my other stories. This one only has 3 or 4 more chapters (which really seems like a lot now since I only have a few pages written) left.
Thank you to all the reviewers!
Chapter 11: 'A' is for Picnic
A few months had passed since the birthday party incident, and their lives seemed to be remotely normal, or at least a normal as a teenage couple can get when one of them is a five hundred year old demon sharing the body of a human. Karasu's interfering had dropped drastically, with only updates of Yomi's persistence every couple weeks as well as another jewel that Kurama asked for. The normalcy continued into the night with Yomi's search apparently growing more frantic, Kurama and Hiei decided that it was best if Kurama didn't use any energy to transform into Youko, only when the moon was full, which became when Karasu appeared before them. In this time, the two became a bit more comfortable with their change in status.
During winter break, Kurama insisted that he helped Hiei study with long sessions, to Hiei's dismay, Kurama had actually meant for them to just study, as well as study with their friends...
"Yusuke! Are you even listening to me?"
The dark haired teen, who was blatantly staring at the low dip in Keiko's over sized sweater, which revealed a large section of chest, shook his head.
"Oi! Pervert!" Keiko smacked him across the face, pulling her shirt up.
"Hey! I was watching that!" the teen pouted.
Even Hiei found this entertaining to watch as Keiko tried to drill Shakespeare into Yusuke's head. Kurama chuckled while Kuwabara outright laughed, and Yukina turned a slight pink, but obviously found the couple to be silly.
"Wow, Hiei!" Kurama smiled at the paper he was holding at the lunch table next to Hiei who was trying to get it back, but held it just out of reach of his short love's reach, "An 'A' on a test... and you didn't cheat?"
The shorter teen glared, finally snatching the paper he had been trying to hide from his boyfriend and shoving it into his bag.
"Hey, careful, your aunt may want to have that framed for you," he tried to pull out the test again.
"Leave it alone, K...Shuuichi," he was still getting used to having Shuuichi in school and Kurama in the forest.
"But this is something to celebrate," he stated seriously, distracting Hiei with a quick kiss as he grabbed the paper again, "How about I make us a picnic for the weekend, hm? We go out into the park, and... see where things go?"
"Hey!" Yusuke seemed to magically appear from behind the two, throwing an arm over both of their shoulders, "That's a great idea! I got a 'C' on my test, and I didn't cheat either. We should all go out to the park for a picnic."
"A 'C'..." Keiko shook her head, "I don't think that really deserves any sort of praise or celebration."
Hiei looked annoyed, Kurama's words had been so promising, but the redhead just smiled sweetly and the group set a date and time for them all to go out to eat in the park.
The two were walking home together as always after school, but it was the first time since they started dating that Hiei had remained so far from him on the opposite side of the sidewalk.
"Come on, Hiei, you can't still be mad that I agreed. It can't be just the two of us all the time," Kurama tried to keep from laughing at how close to a pouting child that Hiei was portraying at the moment.
"Why not?"
"That's so cute, love, but you have to learn to socialize with other people. We have friends who care about you, and want to spend time with you as well."
"Hn."
"I think Yukina would enjoy going out as well, do you think she's well enough?" he easily swayed Hiei's defenses. He learned long ago that if there was something he wasn't even willing to do for him, he was willing to do it for his sister.
"Yes, she's been a lot stronger as of lately, Aunt Ruri is considering letting her go back to school."
"I guess she's tired of home schooling."
"She's been stuck in that house for the past five years because of her fainting spells, I think that she'd even give up cooking if it means getting out of there."
"Your sister not cooking? What an odd concept... I guess that you're for the little picnic now?"
"Hn," he looked away, "Yukina would enjoy it..."
"Great," the tall redhead smiled as they approached Hiei's front door, "I'm going to head home and start on my homework. We'll have our own private picnic when you get another 'A' on a test."
"I have to get another 'A'?" his expression twisted into something Kurama had never seen before on his love.
Kurama laughed, leaning in to kiss him on the lips, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Nothing tonight?" he tried to hide the hope in his voice, but obviously failed when he brought out one of those smiles from Kurama.
"Sorry, I think we both need a full night's sleep every now and then, okay? Besides, no full moon tonight, it's best not to risk it."
"Hn," he nodded, but took a deeper kiss as repayment, slipping his tongue into the welcoming mouth.
"Mm," the redhead purred when they parted, "See you tomorrow."
"Hn."
The picnic went peacefully enough, and Hiei was happy to see that Yukina enjoyed herself, though he didn't like that Kuwabara had taken her for a walk through the park when they had all finished eating, but the smile on her face made it hard for him to be mad at the gigantic fool.
While walking back to the main road, Kurama hipped Hiei in the side, "Guess what next week is."
"Hn?"
His emerald eyes glanced up at the gray, cloudy sky, and Hiei understood. With their deal that Youko was not allowed out other than when he could use the moon's energy, Hiei was only allowed time with his fox once a month. He found himself missing the Youko side even though Shuuichi and Youko were the same, Kurama was right that Youko had more freedoms, which Hiei felt when he was with the fox.
Hiei watched with worried eyes as his boyfriend seemed to be a little pale, when he questioned Kurama, the only answer he received was a firm shake of the taller teen's head.
When school was over for the day, Hiei refused to let Kurama go to any of his after school activities, and demanded that he walk the redhead home immediately.
"Really, Hiei, there is no reason to be overreacting so much," the redhead tried to tease, but was cut off by a harsh cough.
Hiei's voice was surprisingly stern, "I've never seen you sick, Kurama. Do demons get sick?"
"Shh, Hiei," he looked about slightly nervous, "Yes we do sometimes, but you don't have to worry about it... I'm going to visit an old friend tonight."
"Which old friend?"
"Genkai, she lives in a temple just outside of the city limits," he wiped at his watery eyes while sniffling a little, "She's good with herbal remedies."
"Can't you just grow them?"
"I can grow them, but it's best if you get someone who's worked with medicinals. Some herbs don't mix well, and if you're sick, it gets hard to tell plants apart. I'm very good with growing them, and I do know a few remedies, but it's best to have a healer."
"Hn. Why is that girl following us?" Hiei suddenly growled.
"Ah, you noticed her finally, huh?" Kurama laughed.
"How long?"
"She's been following us for the past couple weeks, but she'll break off soon. I think she has a crush on you," he teased.
"Hn. Stupid girls," his coppery brown gaze went out to the forest they were passing on their way home.
"She's not stupid. She really likes you."
"I don't really care."
"She's actually very nice," the redhead noted.
"Do you want me to date her?" he growled, getting really annoyed.
"Of course not," the redhead laughed.
"Why aren't you jealous?"
"What is there to be jealous of? I have nothing to fear. You're with the greatest known lover in all of the Makai," he cooed but was cut off by a hacking cough.
Hiei growled, placing his hand on the other's back, patting him gently.
"Thank you," he calmed his body, breathing slowly.
"Maybe we should go see that healer now."
"We?"
"You don't want me to go? Is there something I should know about this Genkai?" he was growing jealous of any possible threat to his relationship with Kurama.
The redhead laughed merrily, "You're being silly, Hiei."
"Am I? You're the one who was just boasting about being known as the greatest lover in the Makai. You don't get that status by sleeping with one person," the shorter teen noted with annoyance plain in his voice.
"Ah, you're right," he turned a little red.
"Hn."
"You can come with me to Genkai's if you like."
Hiei nodded and followed Kurama to a bus stop, and sat on the bench.
"Normally it's faster if I just run there in my fox form, but I guess it's best if we take public transportation."
"Hn," Hiei slid a little closer to the redhead, he was feeling possessive again even though there was no one at the moment that was threatening their relationship.
"You're so cute," he giggled.
"Cute?"
"Your jealousy is absolutely adorable," he assured.
"Excuse me," a polite voice of a pretty young girl just a little taller than Hiei bowed before the two boys.
"Ah, hello, Miyaka," the redhead smiled sweetly.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if I could please speak with Hiei alone?" the girl with dark brown hair held up in two buns blinked large blue eyes, pleading with the two boys. Her cheeks were bright red and her hands were wringing each other and her feet shuffled slightly.
"No," Hiei snarled.
The girl looked taken aback and tears began to form in the corner of her eyes.
"What he means is that anything you want to say to him, you can say in front of me," he closed the gap between them and wrapped an arm about Hiei's waist, "Right, sweetie?"
Miyaka blushed an even more brilliant red, "S-sorry...never mind... it's nothing important..."
The two boy's watched her disappear into the distance.
"Sweetie?"
"I'm working on your pet name, don't worry."
"How about if we stick with Hiei for now?"
"That's no fun, though," he pouted before giving a playful smile, he was about to move in closer when Hiei stood, waving the bus down, and boarded with a slightly annoyed redhead following him on to the crowded bus.
Hiei growled in annoyance, they sat on the bus to the end of the line only to have to take another bus out into the middle of nowhere to make their way up a large forest hill. It took almost two hours to reach the top, and even then, Hiei looked up to see endless bout of staid. Although he was fit and it was a cool day in the days between winter and spring, Hiei was feeling the efforts starting to affect him. He was beginning to slow.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine..." Hiei took a deep breath as they neared the top.
"I'm sorry, it is a bit of a trek. How about if I carry you back home? It'll only take a few minutes that way."
"I don't need to be carried anywhere," he insisted, but he was still labored, and found himself being swept into the strong arms of his lover, "What the hell do you think you are doing?"
"Stop kicking and screaming already," he insisted, "I'm not letting you go. We'll wait 'til night fall and I'll take my love on a fast forward tour of the scenery from here to our little hideaway."
Resigning himself to his strong demon, Hiei tried to catch his breath as he was cradled in Kurama's arms. When they reached the top, Hiei attempted to squirm from the taller teen's grip when the large doors opened to reveal an old woman even shorter than Hiei.
"You're here early," the old woman watched with mild amusement as the shorter teen broke free of the other's hold.
"Ah, Hiei, here, wanted to come as well, and I thought it was best if we went during the day."
"I see. So why the visit anyway?"
"I think I might be coming down with something. It might just be a cold, but wasn't sure."
The woman looked over him quickly before nodding, "Follow me."
They were led into the large, old temple and through long hallways and into a large room decorated with red walls inlaid with golden dragons and clouds.
"You could have told me Genkai was an old goat," Hiei glared up at his boyfriend.
Kurama chuckled softly, but slapped Hiei's arm, "You never asked, and don't call her that. I know an old goat, and he's not very nice."
"She's not exactly nice either."
"You know, it's amazing how old I've gotten and yet I can still hear you when you're only a few feet away," the old woman glared at them.
Kurama giggled once again.
"You can sit on the couch and take of your shirt."
Hiei growled.
"I think you had better get your little boyfriend in check, Kurama, or I might accidentally hurt him."
"How does she know your name?"
"Well... she sort of has to. She's the one I have to turn to if I need a doctor. I can't exactly go to the hospital when I want and ask that they take into account the fact that I'm a demon?"
"Hn..."
"Oh, Hiei, don't give me that."
"Does anyone else know?"
Large green eyes wandered about the room, not willing to look directly at Hiei, "...Well... actually..."
"Who!" his voice was almost booming, making Kurama flinch.
"You're really not going to like it..."
"Just tell me."
"Please calm down first, and let me explain..."
The forest around the temple was as it always was, calm and serene with no problems in sight. The birds were fluttering around playfully, and the animals that were just coming out of hibernation were stretching as they left their caves and homes.
"BOTAN?!!!!!"
The area around the temple shook from the booming voice, causing the birds to fly off in all directions while the bears and mammals ran and roared in response.
The redhead held Hiei's arm tightly, trying to get him to sit back down, "Please, Hiei, I told you to remain calm."
"How can I remain calm? You're not telling me things again," he growled.
"I didn't tell you because it never crossed my mind as something that you needed to know," he insisted, continuing at pulling the shorter teen's arm so he was seated on the lush couch.
"Hn."
"Come on, you damn lovebirds, I still need to check on Kurama's health and give you a prescription."
The redhead sat on the chair that Genkai pulled out for him and she seemed to run her hands over him without actually touching him, which was good since Hiei was not in the right mind at the moment and might have done something that he would regret.
Genkai smirked, sensing the teen's rage, and was tempted to 'accidentally' caress Kurama, but thought it better not to make the fox angry by teasing his little lover.
"You're right, Kurama. It's just a cold, I'll give you the list of herbs and you can make your own tea."
"Thank you, Genkai," he bowed to her before picking up his shirt.
The older woman watched the two leave, wondering about the younger human who was showing a rise in energy. Shrugging it off as nothing to do with her, Genkai headed back into the temple.
The two boys made their way out of the castle, but Hiei seemed to remain angry about the information he had just acquired.
"You have to calm down, Hiei," the redhead sighed, "There's nothing I could do, Botan came into this world looking for me, Koenma sent her to keep an eye on me."
Hiei continued to glare out into the forest as he barely listened to Kurama's explanation.
"I hate when you get like this. There's no reason for you to be so childish."
Hiei was about to retort when the tall Youko appeared before him and was scooping him up into his strong arms, "Hey! Put me down. Damn it! Stupid fox!"
"I told you I would just take you home like this. Stop fighting already, it'll be a lot faster!" he tried to get a better grip on the shorter human, but Hiei was quite capable of fighting even if his opponent was a lot stronger than him, "Ow!"
"Hn," Hiei managed to kick Kurama in a way that it would surprise but not really hurt and jumped from the tall height that Kurama was holding him at, "I'll walk."
"Hiei," Kurama tried to scold, but melted into his human form and followed after, "You can't really be that angry with me."
"I'm not... I'm just... annoyed..."
"Hiei... can we do something?"
"Like what?"
"Let me take you somewhere, but it'll be better if I take you there in Youko's form."
Hiei glared out of the corner of his eye, but eventually relented as he always would, "Is there at least away where you don't have to carry me like a child?"
"That's probably the safest way until you get used to it. Just man up, and allow me to baby you."
"Did you just tell me to man up?"
"Yes," the redhead smiled proudly.
"This coming from the most feminine man this world has ever seen?"
"Yes," he didn't lose a beat.
"...Fine," he held out his arms and waited as Kurama turned back into the silver giant, and easily lifted him into his arms and stealing a quick kiss before shooting off.
Hiei was rather glad that the fox had insisted that he carry him, the speed they were going at seemed impossible. He clung tightly to the white outfit and buried his face in the other's chest with his eyes closed tightly. Time blurred as the scenery changed, and he had no idea how long they were running, but was brought from his hiding by the soft coos of his lover's firm voice.
"Hiei, love, you can let go now."
Large coppery brown eyes took in the area in which they had landed, "Okay... where are we?"
"Nowhere, yet," he smiled before pulling something out from the folds of his white outfit.
Hiei pondered how he had not seen the compact through the gauzy fabric.
The silver fox flipped the compact open, revealing a silvery mirror.
"Do you really need to check your make up now?"
Kurama looked down on the smirking teen, giving a playful glare, but he did have the urge to smack Hiei, "I don't wear make-up."
Hiei chuckled before hearing something move above them, "What the fuck was that?"
Kurama just smiled, slipping the compact away, and looked up into the darkening sky.
"You paged?" a familiar voice called out from high above.
"What the- Botan?" Hiei growled. He found himself annoyed once again as he tried to figure out where she was.
The young girl sat on an oar which slowly lowered her down from nowhere.
"Ah, Hiei!" she shrieked, flying quickly to hide behind a tree.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? I've already seen you."
"It's alright Botan, I paged you, and I need to ask a favor."
"What's that?"
"I need a portal to the Makai."
"What? Why? I thought you never wanted to go back there! Why is Hiei here?"
"I want to show him the Makai."
"Kurama, you know I can't do that. Koenma would have my neck, he'd probably replace me."
Hiei smirked, "What's the problem?"
"Don't be mean," Kurama scolded, but turned to Botan, "Please, it would only be for a little bit. I want to show Hiei one of my caves, and I promise I have a special gem that would match your natural eyes."
The blue haired girl blushed a deep red, and Hiei realized as she landed that her normally light brown eyes were now a bubblegum pink, "Okay, but I can only give you an hour before you need to be back here."
"That's plenty of time," the Youko smiled.
Botan nodded, and lowered herself to the ground before hopping off of the floating oar. The blue haired girl led them into the shadowed part of the forest, and proceeded to a door that Hiei couldn't recall if there was there before or not. He was on bated breath as the door was opened only to reveal... the rest of the forest.
Hiei was confused, he wasn't sure what was going on.
"Great, thanks, Botan," he leaned down and gave the girl a chaste kiss on the cheek, which made Hiei growl, "Sorry about him. He's been oddly possessive recently."
The girl just giggled, "I think you should know that's nothing recent."
Kurama chuckled before taking Hiei's hand, and pulling him through the door way, "We'll be back in an hour."
"Okay," she smiled sweetly, waving at the boys as they disappeared through the makai trees.
"Where are we?" his large eyes were wandering about the place.
"This is my world," the silver fox turned to face Hiei.
"Your world?"
"This is where I'm from, Hiei," he smiled brightly, "this is the demon world."
"Demon world!?"
"Shh, not so loud, love, there are a few demons nearby... they're not very strong, but let's not risk it," he put a finger over Hiei's lips and pulling him further into the forest to another opening, revealing a thick wall of vines, which seemed to quiver in anticipation at Kurama's approach.
"Hello my pretties," he stroked a leaf, which curled about his finger as a welcoming, and the vines pulled away, revealing a large opening to a cave.
"..." Hiei was stunned at the sight. He wasn't sure how to explain it, but it was as if a wave went through him in a way, and was surprised to see lights go up along the walls of the cave, leading them down a corridor and into a large room with a table set up with fluffy pillows, "Kurama, when was the last time you were here?"
"Hm, it was before I became human...so almost twenty years ago... Why?"
"How does this place looks so... kempt?"
"Kempt? Hiei? Did you just use the word 'kempt'?"
"Shut up and answer the question."
"Karasu comes here every now and then... Oh, sweetie, you've got to stop being so jealous of him. He means nothing to me other than a messenger," the fox approached Hiei and stroked the child like cheek, "So... we have an hour in the makai... Oh, what ever shall we do?"
"I don't know... what?"
Kurama's face went from playful to annoyed, "Sweetie, come here."
"Stop with the 'sweetie' thing, it's weirding me out."
Rolling his golden eyes, Kurama approached his shorter love, and pulled him closer, "Do you get it now?"
Hiei turned red at the hot volume under the sheer fabric that was pressed against his stomach.
"I'll make it very good for you, baby," he purred.
"No."
"What?" he was taken aback, he could smell the arousal practically dripping off of Hiei and it was driving him mad.
"Baby doesn't work either."
"Hiei," he growled, surprised to find that he was picking up a willing teen and carried him into the bedroom.
TBC
