Squeals
I've had this chapter planned for so long! We're finally here! I'm so excited!
Yes; this is an extremely early update. Oh well, I'm too excited to wait.
Each day without fail, Hiei would check with the jagan to ensure that Kurama and whoever-the-hell it was he was traveling with remained on their path toward the city (when Yusuke had tried to call it a town, Hiei had lectured him for hours) of Sha'kinn.
These searches always ended with a small, satisfied nod from Hiei, and a gloating smirk that let Yusuke know exactly what his companion was thinking.
He had figured Kurama out – at least partially. The great mystery was almost solved and the fox, despite all his cunning and wit, would be unable to hide from them much longer. Once they had him, they would ensure their questions were answered. Yusuke was certain that, with all the years they'd spent together, Hiei knew more than a few tricks to get Kurama to agree to whatever he wanted. Even with the short time Yusuke had spent with him, he had learned a thing or two he thought he should try.
Anyway, they should all enjoy the question session immensely.
Yusuke did not allow himself the thought that perhaps Kurama really didn't want them anymore. After all, he had spent so long plotting to get Yusuke, and was now stuck mid-plan to earn himself the threesome he so wanted, that it was impossible for him to have just suddenly lost interest. Foxes were fickle with their affection, true, but he wouldn't have stayed with Hiei, at least, for so long if there hadn't been something there.
Still, Yusuke was worried.
He tried, on their second day of traveling the road to Sha'kinn, to discuss his reasoning with Hiei, hoping the input of the man who knew Kurama best would be able to reassure him.
Instead, Hiei had cast him a glare from the corner of his eye, refusing to even stop walking.
"Regardless of whether he meant it or not," the small demon had answered in a low and dangerous growl that promised pain to anyone who crossed him, "He is going to have to pay for the things he said to me that day. How harshly his punishment is, and whether or not he enjoys it, will all be dependant on the justification he gives me when next we meet."
For the first time, Yusuke felt a new fear.
"You…you're just talking about kinky, teasy stuff, right Hiei? You wouldn't really hurt him."
Hiei refused to look at him, his fists clutched into tight knuckled fists.
"If, by some chance, he was not lying for some noble cause and has, in fact, decided that he no longer wishes my presence near his, then he will have to die."
"Hiei!"
"Don't misunderstand me, detective," he spat, voice full of hate and disdain – though whether toward Kurama or Yusuke or Hiei himself Yusuke didn't want to venture. "I don't care as much about the sex as you might think. I care more for him than you could ever possibly understand. Even if I am shunned forever more from his bed, if I am allowed merely to stay by his side, as his shadow, I will be content. But if he tries to cast me away completely, he will not live long enough to regret his decision."
"You can't honestly mean…"
"He. Is. Mine." He snarled.
Hiei refused to speak for the rest of the day. Yusuke, somewhat frightened, didn't try to make him, but did insist on saying one last thing.
"You try it, and there'll be a problem between us, Hiei." Yusuke promised. "Even if he never wants to see me again, I want him alive. You'll have to kill me, too."
Hiei nodded once, briskly.
"Supplies are running low." Hiei said suddenly, breaking a silence that had lasted three days between them. "We'll need to stop." Without waiting for Yusuke's answer, he nodded where, up ahead, a long drive connected with the road.
"What the hell is that?"
"I'd wager it leads to a manor of some kind." Hiei answered dryly, as if Yusuke were a complete idiot for not knowing this fact. "I've passed it many times in my travels."
"And we're just gonna – what? Rob 'em blind? Or ask for shelter and mercy?"
"The demons there are of a lower power than I." He snorted, glancing at Yusuke at last. The intensity had finally returned to his eyes – the expression that never failed to make Yusuke feel as if he were the only thing in the world that existed. "Demons who have land and want to keep it are obliged to offer shelter and hospitality to demons of higher power levels when they pass through their lands. It's one of our most ancient laws."
"You have laws?"
Hiei glared a moment longer before brushing past and turning up the drive.
A meticulously cared for – yet very dangerous looking garden. Large, ornately carved wooden doors. Windows at least three times Hiei's height, completely covered in stained glass.
Hiei hid a smile, nearly overwhelmed by the bittersweet memory of a rainy night a few hundred years ago, he and his fox laughing under his cloak as they ran up the drive, seeking sanctuary from the storm. Youko's followers had been left camped out, hidden at the edge of the road, and for the first time in a long time, Hiei knew he would have his fox all to himself.
Kurama had known it, too.
The creatures who had welcomed them inside were fearful enough of their power to give them everything they needed – including privacy. They had ended up spending the entire week there – the most amount of time a strange and uninvited guest could stay in a manor without it being considered an act of war – rediscovering each other, reveling in their time alone. Kurama, too, had seemed grateful to get away from the band of thieves that had taken to following him, calling him leader, in the hopes that they would earn his favor. His golden eyes had held more warmth and peace during those few days than Hiei had seen in a long time.
Had Hiei known it would be one of the last times he saw that expression in his lovers eyes for a few hundred years – that he would have to lose Kurama and find him again before he could ever see that expression again, peering out from unfamiliar green eyes – then he would have insisted they stay longer, manners be damned.
Kurama had planted the front garden before they had left, a guest-gift, and a token of gratitude for how well they had been treated.
Strange that Hiei kept running into things that held such strong memories for him. Still, the time before he had met his fox did not bear thinking about.
"I don't like this place." Yusuke said quietly, hanging back and staring up at the imposing edifice before him as if he had never seen a building before in his life. "Let's go somewhere else, Hiei."
"Stop being so human." Hiei snapped, annoyed to have been pulled from his reverie.
Yusuke looked at him, a slight light of amusement peeking out behind the worry in his eyes.
"But I am human, Hiei."
A snort.
"But you're my human." He growled, grabbing his arm and snatching him to his side. "The least you can do is act like it."
He turned his attention to the door, and it took him a moment to locate the caller. When he did find it (A small red circle marked around with barely-discernable red runes) he sent a trickle of his energy through it, enough to send word of visitors to whoever was inside the manor.
Only a few moments passed before the door was answered, and Hiei allowed himself only the briefest of seconds to regret that the being that came to the door was not the same as any who had treated he and Kurama so kindly those years before. It was little wonder the manor had changed hands – several hundred years had passed, after all. Still, he found himself wishing that…
Stupid he told himself, pushing down a thrill of unease. Just to make himself feel better, he tightened his grip on Yusuke's arm and pulled the human even closer.
"We request guest right."
The being surveyed him a moment, and so he allowed himself to do the same to her.
A snake demoness. He concluded with little surprise, though there was some indiscernible trait about her which bespoke that she was probably some form of halfbreed. The what else that sang in her blood was nothing he could pinpoint though, and so he reluctantly released the thought.
Her upper body appeared nearly human but for the faint tinge of green in her skin, and the fine etching of scales at her temples. Her hair was a fiery mass of wildly curling orange, her eyes dark, bottomless ovals.
Her bottom half tapered into a long, sinuous tail, through the scales began again just under her breasts. She wore no clothing, which wasn't unusual for certain breeds of demon, though Yusuke, beside him, certainly seemed surprised.
Her power was certainly lower than Hiei's, but from this close he could sense that the manor was alive with many others of her kind. Enough that, if they wanted to deny him and Yusuke entrance, they could. They would probably be strong enough to defend their home.
"For how long?" She asked at last.
"Tonight only; we continue on our journey tomorrow. We also wish to buy supplies from you."
She stared a moment more before inclining her head.
"I am Mera." She said, stepping away from the door (if "stepping" could be the right word for it.) Hiei gave a tight nod and stepped into the hall, pulling the reluctant Yusuke along behind him.
Mera frowned.
"We don't like to keep pets in the house."
"He's a pleasure pet." He answered with a steady glare, trying to keep himself from despairing over how the manor seemed to have changed. "What use is he to me if I can't keep him by my side?"
She hesitated only a moment before nodding.
"This way, then. I'll show you to your quarters.
Yusuke didn't look up as Hiei slid into the large, almost too-plush bed beside him, so intent was he on his task of attempting to repair a hole in his jacket. He now wished he hadn't laughed when Kurama had offered to teach him to sew.
The human boy did, however, give a jump at the sudden feel of a hand on his thigh. He dropped his mending to glare at Hiei, who was alarmingly close.
"What in hell do you think you're doing?"
Hiei's eyes were unreadable. He leaned forward enough to make Yusuke draw back.
"Surely you aren't so hopeless as to need for me to explain it to you, detective." Hiei answered quietly, eyes unreadable. Yusuke found himself trapped against the headboard with nowhere to dodge as Hiei's lips brushed his own.
"I thought we discussed this, Hiei."
"I'm willing to admit I may not have made myself clear to you the first time." Hiei's hand moved, gripped Yusuke's hip, and pulled. Suddenly he was flat on his back on the bed, Hiei looming above him, a predatory glint in his eye.
"We discussed this. It was pretty fuckin' clear."
"I like your choice of words, detective."
His heart was pounding in his throat. To his horror he felt the first stirrings of arousal as Hiei leaned forward to kiss him once more.
But Hiei didn't kiss him. His lips moved to his ear, breath a delicious, warm sensation on his neck.
"The fox didn't convince me to want you, as you seem so desperate to believe, detective."
"No?" His voice was hoarse, his heartbeat deafening, and his body was certainly happy to be there as Hiei shifted to lay his body atop him.
"I may have had my eye on you long before our fox did, in fact."
"You're lying." Yusuke answered, attempting a smile.
"You're a low, filthy, disgusting human. So tell me why you intoxicate me so." Hiei rubbed his cheek along Yusuke's, a slow, utterly animalistic gesture. "It infuriates me to have to do this, detective, but you're too stupid to come to me on your own. Don't you think I can smell it when you're thinking about me?"
"Stop it."
Hiei raised his head, eyes glinting in the darkness like fresh blood.
"Sometimes, I truly do despise you." The small demon hissed quietly.
Abruptly, he was gone.
Yusuke woke the next morning to find Hiei sleeping in an antisocial ball on the floor, and one of the strange snake people standing by his side holding a tray in one hand, her other on his shoulder.
"My apologies for waking you," She told him, blushing prettily when he looked at her, "But I thought you might like something to break your fast."
They tray she held carried on it a tall glass of what looked like milk, and something that looked and smelled like oatmeal with blueberries inside.
"I'm human." He told her regretfully.
"This is human food." She smiled gently at his confused expression, sliding to sit on the edge of the bed. Her tail flicked gently, brushing the floor. "Surely you are aware that there are humans living in this world?" She asked.
"No; I hadn't even thought about it."
She ducked her head and giggled, baby-fine white blonde hair falling to obscure her face like a curtain.
"Humans are always slipping through cracks in the barrier, they have been since their race began. They've formed their own villages, and have found a way to grow human crops and raise their animals. It's safe for you to eat." She giggled again. "Most humans assume when they come here that they've been transported to the past, because the human villages are so small and…primitive."
Yusuke grinned at her, reaching for the food. She looked up at him again, her dark, oval shaped eyes shining.
"If there's anything else you need…" She smiled, and her meaning was clear.
Yusuke felt his eyebrows rise to his hairline and began to cough, choking on a bite of food. She giggled at him.
"Is there something you need?"
"Ah…look. I'm really flattered, but I'm with someone."
She glanced at Hiei, asleep on the floor, then back at Yusuke, an eyebrow arched.
"No, not him." Yusuke scowled. "Someone else. But, you know, a year ago I woulda' been more than happy to take you up on that offer."
"Well," She sighed, rising, "I guess I can't argue. My name is Mila. Please, ask for me if you change your mind."
Another snake person was entering the room as she slipped out, bringing Hiei breakfast, no doubt. Yusuke concentrated on his own food, resolutely ignoring the grumpy conversation coming from his traveling companion. He did not want to have to deal with Hiei right now.
His eyelids were heavy. He began to slide back into sleep before he had even finished his meal, and did not notice the hands gently taking the tray away before it could spill.
Slowly Yusuke began to realize that something was wrong. His mind felt…slow and sluggish in this place. He was having trouble remembering things, having trouble thinking about things. Then, one morning as he awoke and blinked blearily at Hiei, still asleep on the floor, he slowly came to the realization that they had been at the manor for four days. Four days, and all he could remember was a hazy mess of Mila bringing him meals, talking to him. Of falling back to sleep.
Weren't we only supposed to stay one night?
"Hiei…" It was difficult to find his voice, difficult to untangle himself from the sheets. He felt like he was moving in a dream. "Hiei." He went to the small demon, knelt beside him on the floor, and reached out to shake his shoulder. Hiei woke slowly, blinking up at him. Wasn't Hiei usually more aware of his surroundings?
Red eyes blinked slowly, a sleepy smile crossed the dark haired demon's pretty face.
"Yusuke?"
"We need to get out of here."
Hiei stared at him, and Yusuke knew just by the expression in his eyes when realization struck and he began trying to fight his way out of the languor gripping them both since the first morning they had awoken in this place.
"Shit."
"Yeah," Yusuke nodded, "Shit. What do we do?"
"Start packing."
"What about supplies?"
"We don't want whatever they could give us. Shit." He said again, fighting his way out of the blankets. The two rose together just as their bedroom door opened.
Mila was there, and Mera, the girl who had first greeted them at the manor. With them was a large snake-thing that was (quite obviously) male. Yusuke felt his eyes bulge at the sight of the very nude snake man.
"Are you leaving us?" Mila asked, lip trembling, eyes brimming with tears.
"You can't leave yet!" Mera agreed.
Hiei seemed to be ignoring the snake man as stringently as Yusuke was trying to.
"Normal guest right is one week, and we only asked for one day. Why have you kept us here?"
"You make it sound as if we kept you against your will," the male said, voice a deep rumble, "When at any time you could have walked out the door."
"And who the hell are you?" Hiei snarled.
The creature gave a mocking sort of half-bow.
"I am Sylanal, lord of this manor."
Hiei was not impressed. "You drugged us."
Sylanal spread his hands in a gesture of peace. "My girls sensed that the two of you were weary from travel. They merely gave you what you needed to regain your energy and get the rest you need. They're very sensitive creatures, my girls. They were trying to help."
"We're in a hurry." Hiei growled.
"Stay another night – as my apology for the misunderstanding. Today we will gather the supplies you requested, and tomorrow you will be ready to set out on your journey once more."
"We leave today," Hiei stated, tone booking no room for argument, "And we want nothing from you."
Mila reached out, placing a hand on Yusuke's arm, her eyes pleading.
"Please don't leave yet."
If anything, Hiei seemed to grow even angrier. Yusuke knew him well enough to know he was about to become violent.
"We're in a hurry." He told Mila apologetically.
Sylanal sighed heavily.
"You leave us no choice, then."
And he raised his hands. A blinding light filled the room, and Yusuke could just barely make it out as Hiei was pushed back and away from the door. Mila's hand tightened on Yusuke's arm with surprising strength, clutching so hard that her nails bit into his skin.
From the cut he felt a sudden, sharp sting. Then the disconcerting sensation of acid being pumped into his bloodstream.
He was falling forward. He didn't want to fall, but his legs seemed to have gone away; he could no longer feel them. Arms caught him and he was pulled forward and into the hallway. The last thing he saw before the darkness obscured his vision was the door closing, Hiei, beyond it, just rising to his feet.
Then the darkness claimed him, and there was nothing.
To Be Continued
Happy dance, o happy dance! My plans are all coming together so nicely!
Best to stop the chapter here. Lots to happen next time.
Happy dance, o happy dance!
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Milk-Chan38 - thanks! Hope you enjoyed.