Where is my happy ending?
Oh to my great reviewers, Adalleria and Marikalay, you make my heart full with joy and happiness; it is very true, especially after long days such as today. Please enjoy!
Chapter 7
"Go, let me clean in peace, besides you cooked, and I have to admit, you can cook fox." Kurama was ecstatic. Hiei wanted to stay with him.
"Thanks you Hiei." 'He said my cooking is good.' He smiled.
"Hn" He grunted and turned his back on the fox. While he placed the dishes in the sink to wash it, he smile, and said to himself, "You're the only one I'll do anything for fox."
Kurama took a seat on his couch with a glow of true happiness. 'There is hope after all.' He thought as he turned on the television to see was going on as he put his feet up to ease it a bit from the pressure of carrying him all day. He didn't care for shows such as these, but he hated hearing silence. Even though Hiei was in the kitchen, the house was so big; he couldn't even be distracted by the knocking of dishes, not that he would want to come down from his natural high. I mean who would when Hiei is the cause.
Hiei came into the room and looked at the content he saw in the fox's face. 'He's happy. Wonder what changed that.' Hiei thought as he sat on the opposite end of the same couch, and just looked at what the fox was watching.
"What is this?"
"Huh, I don't know, I just tuned in. I believe it is a contestant game show. It makes you laugh."
"Yea, at how stupid they really are."
"It is just for amusement."
"The stupidity of human entertainment will never make sense to me."
"It doesn't have to, that's the purpose, just to make you laugh. It doesn't have to make sense."
Hiei tried to get more comfortable, but Kurama's feet were in the way and taking up most of the plush couch. He pushed his feet of.
"You're too big, you foot is in my way."
"But I've been standing for so long in the mall and then cooking. I can't cook sitting with all that I had to do." He looked at Hiei with tired eyes, tired but content.
Hiei grabbed his feet up and rested it on his lap. "Better?"
Kurama was in shock with this unusual behaviour of Hiei, but wasn't ready to complain. When again will that ever happen? "Um kinda, my feet are now feeling a bit restless but tired at the same time."
"Hn." He said, as he continued watching the television trying to see how much questions he can answer to prove, mainly to himself, since Kurama doesn't seem to care, how unimportant shows like these are. It wouldn't cure diseases that the Ningenkai desperately need help with. He felt Kurama fidget on him and it was getting annoying. He turned to the fox, but he saw that he was caught up with the game. This boy band was 'battling' against another group to see who will wins thus getting the money grand prize.
"Stupid waste of time." He mumbled (A/N but he stays.) as he unconsciously began rubbing Kurama's feet, and then he realise what he did when he realise the feet wasn't fidgeting anymore. Should he dare look at Kurama to see the damage? 'What will that fox do anyway.' He thought as looked up, and a small curve formed at the end of his mouth as the saw Kurama beginning to doze off. The massage was intoxicatingly relaxing; dreamland came in with a swift move.
"Fox." No answer. "Fox wake up." No answer, then he looked at the clock.
"Crap, it's late. Might as well."
He stood up and looked down at the fox, he sighed, knowing that if the fox sleep in that position, he will have neck pains when he wake up the next day. He gently bends down and scooped him up. He took him upstairs to his room and oh so gently lay down the precious cargo onto the bed. Covering him, he left the room, deciding to reside in an empty room. His actions towards Kurama were beginning to scare him. Usually he has better handle on his actions, but not of lately.
He stepped into the dark, lonely room, and slowly strips as he walked towards the bed. Looking around, he realised he did not move his clothes into his newly acquired room but did not want to go back to disturb Kurama. 'Oh well, boxers tonight.' He thought as he lay down with his hands behind his head, as he stared up onto the ceiling, just thinking, and wondering how it would be when he finally see Shiori after all these years. 'Will she hate me for staying away so long?' His thoughts soon subsided as the loving arms of sleep embraced him.
---------------------- Next day, dinner time
Having such a positive evening, the next morning and afternoon was disappointing to Kurama. He began setting the table for dinner as he thought of the morning and its lack of the good things in life, such as Hiei. He woke up in an empty bed. Then he remembered that Hiei was out on 'business,' but the other side of the bed did not look as if anyone slept in it. He then found out that Hiei decided to occupy the nearest guest room to his bedroom. He put away Hiei's clothes for him and fixed up the room to make it look more like Hiei's and not a guest. Then he realised that Hiei said he was going to stay, but Kurama assumed that he would share the room. He felt silly for thinking that, because he indeed has room to spare so why would Hiei not choose a room for himself. He does like his privacy, even though you rarely see him fight without clothes being stripped or burnt off his divine body. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door bell. Going to the door, he opened it and welcomed his mother into his humble abode.
"Hello kaasan, welcome. Did you have a nice trip here?"
"Ah dear it was great, as the many times I've come here." She laughed.
Taking off her shoes, she noticed someone was missing.
"Where is Hiei?" She asked looking around.
"Um, he is on 'business'." He said trying not to stress the business part. Shiori knew their true nature, but Kurama never told her about Yukina being Hiei's sister. It is not his place to share such information, and the less people that know, the better Hiei will feel. All Shiori knows about Yukina is that she is Ice apparition, and is the desire of Kuwabara's heart, and that is all she needs to know. Anything else, it will come from Hiei himself or even Yukina if the situation arises.
"Oh so did he say when he'll be back?"
"No he didn't." I woke up to an empty house this morning."
"Oh Shuichi, what happened?" She asked her son.
"Nothing, he was sleeping peacefully, so I just left. He knew I'd be back." Came a deep sultry voice from behind them.
"Hiei, it has been too long. I've missed you. And boy, have you gotten more handsome and taller, a killer combination for the girls." Shiori said turning toward him not knowing if it was alright to hug him.
'He just loves to sneak up on people,' was Kurama's thought.
He lightly bowed, "Likewise, and thank you Shiori-san."
"Such the gentleman you are, but just call me Shiori. I've come to consider you family. When you do decide to go again, please don't stay away so long, you have people here who care for you, you know." She said glimpsing at her son, then back to Hiei, to give him a hit, but the thoughtful and somewhat blank look on his face said that he didn't get it. 'Men, they don't see the blessing that is right in front of them.' She thought with a bit of sadness.
"Alright boys, you've built up my hopes, so I hope the food is ready. I bought dessert and wine."
"Thanks mother, ah, 99 Heitz Trailside Cabernet Sauvignon. Nice."
"This is a special occasion, so I went a bit crazy for the wine." She smiled.
"Alright then, let's eat, shall we?" he said, feeling quite awkward as they entered the dining area.
"So… Hiei, how is Makai treating you? Something has to be good for you to stay there so long." She asked, with the hopes of lightening the mood that she thought would not be so dull. Her son is usually good with entertaining guest, but it seems he is good when he doesn't care about the guests, now the situation is delicate to him, and he freezes and makes it awkward. 'I feel your pain, son.'
"Nothing special, just a sh..., uh I mean, just a bunch of minor political uprising, and few lawlessness among insignificant demons causing problems."
"Wow sounds like a handful. Do you ever get vacations? Don't you get tired and drained from all that?"
"It gives me the excitement I crave, taking on a greater opponent, and the rush of .. uh.. other things." He was going to say, a great kill and superiority, but decided to keep it as less gruesome as possible.
"So does that make you stronger? A little birdy told me that's your goal." Hiei immediately gave Kurama a look that said, 'You don't know when not to run your mouth,' but Kurama, as suave as ever ignore the look.
"Mother, what else did the little birdy say, maybe it has vital information I can use." He asked.
"Shuichi," she laughed, "you know I don't say any more than I need to, or give away my sources identity."
"Fine mother." He playfully pouted.
"Oh Dear, you father knows about Aoi, and he is not happy." She said just remembering.
"Well then, mother, I don't want to sound ungrateful or mean, but this is my life and I choose my destiny, whether it is in the form of a mate, job, or anything else. Everyone around me is there to give input, but I decide and give the final word on anything, when it comes to my happiness. He has his life and happiness, let me find mine on my own." He stated firmly, not wanting to express anger towards his mother because it was not her fault, she was just relaying messages and feedback.
"It is about time fox." Hiei commented next to him.
"Hiei's right, dear, and I shall forward the message to your father. He has no right to push you so much. In the beginning it seemed as a good idea, but enough is enough."
"Thank you, mother."
"It is not a problem dear; maybe I should have said something to him before."
"No mother, the time is perfect, because now I have my own answers so it much easier to reason with father if ever he comes by for answers. I don't think he should because this is not a dire situation that needs any reasoning."
"Hn." Hiei gave his input in the form of an agreement grunt.
"So, Hiei, I heard you're coming to Shu-chan's wedding."
"Hn."
"I promise you'll enjoy it and your Shuichi will take care of you." She said with a smile to see if he picked up what she said. It took a while, and then...
"Mother!"
"What?" Came Hiei.
Shiori was having fun seeing the two of them fidget trying not to breathe so the other would not look towards the other, as if they didn't exist.
"Oh dear, did I say something wrong?" She asked innocently.
"Uh, mother." 'Oh what does Hiei think of that. I can't believe mother did that.' He thought. He was in such shock that he ended up laughing, and then Shiori followed.
"You two are crazy." Hiei stated from his bowl of rice.
"Well we are related." Kurama said with a wink.
"Not an excuse."
After they stopped laughing, Kurama cleared the table, and Shiori presented the dessert with the wine.
"So, what will you guys do in your free time? I suggest you make the most of the time you have here Hiei." Shiori commented trying to be a matchmaker without looking as if she was trying. From her perspective, during the evening, it has been clear that Hiei had no clue about the way her son feels about him, and Kurama doesn't seem as if he'll reveal that soon. 'It is up to me to set this right, or at least push them in the right direction. 'She thought.
"I was just thinking about going with the flow. There is nothing much to do here." Was the voice of her son.
"Nonsense, dear. You can always go see a movie, or... oh, why not a picnic. Maybe after Shu-chan's wedding, we can have picnic by the beach." She said trying to make it sound as an impromptu plan, but she planned on suggesting it.
"That sounds relaxing. What do you think Hiei?"
"Why not do it before?" Shiori raised her brow to that.
"I would love to, but I am tied up with the final touches of the wedding."
"Oh yes, kaasan, if there is anything we can do to help, please call."
"I will dear." 'I hope they're not seeing through my plan. This time from now to the wedding should give them time to strengthen they bond. I wasn't thinking about Hiei coming, because I didn't know he'd agree, but now Shuichi has a date. Nothing better can cause that lovers bond to form than to stay in close proximity with the other. Two lonely people in a big house alone with hidden feelings for each other are bound to bloom.' Genius, she thought.
"Well then, it is time that I take my leave. I have alot of work to do tomorrow. Shu-chan's Fiancée, Izanami, is coming over for the final fitting of her dress. It will be so exciting to see her in it."
"Alright, I'll call the taxi for you."
"Hiei, dear, it was wonderful seeing you again. I am very happy and thank you for the great evening." She said attempting to hug him, because it was instinct for her to hug. She was surprise when he pulled her in an embrace.
"You too Shiori. Thank you." He whispered to her then released her. She looked at him and nodded.
"The taxi is here, bye kaasan and do call me when you've arrived home."
"I will dear and bye my two boys." With that she closed the door leaving 'her' two boys standing just looking and the door.
"Uhhhh." came two voices in unison.
The end for now. I can't believe after my long day I finished it. It is 3:52 but it is done and I am happy that another day I here with another chapter. Please read and enjoy. Thank you so much for reading.