Warnings: yaoi - male+male relationship, OOC-ness may occur
Disclaimer applied
AN: All right, life seems a triffle more normal now, so I had finally time to move on this story. It's gonna be somewhat fluffier after all the sadness...but I hope it won't be enough to cause a saccharide overdose :-) Have fun! Mari
6 Instinct
He wondered, why the idea didnt cross his mind earlier; they could spare good six or seven hours of shambling to the house of that Kuronues fury, and two or three not so amusing incidents in enraged beasts' and stupid demons' territory.
The way back passed quickly without stopovers; Kurama's energy shammed to be the one of a common fox and Hiei had his own masked, so as to give everybody they could meet the belief they were just a flying shadow. By the time the content fire demon landed in front of the den, the silver fox in his arms had curled in a ball and fell soundly asleep.
Hiei stepped into the haunt, grateful that the plants Kurama had used to secure his dwelling accepted his youki the same way like their masters and didnt attack him.
He laid the fox carefully on the plant mat which Kurama used like bed. After few moments of thinking, he approved sleep as a definitely good notion; with the knowledge that the plants would suffice to protect them.
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At first, Hiei didn't recognize the place where he woke up. He blinked a few times to focus. Yes, it was Kuramas den…After all, the youko was there; mixing another of his herbal salves. However, the piles of clothes, books and other things had vanished. They were replaced by a small table overfilled with plants, jars and vials, two gigantic tulip-like things and three hanging bags woven from stalks. With eyes fixed on the strange objects, Hiei stood up from his mat and walked to the giant flowers. Kurama said nothing, but his attention shifted from his work rather to his companion.
"I see you've found the wardrobe," Kurama commented Hiei's curious peek into the first tulip.
"And I see you really didn't steal my things," Hiei remarked on the contents of the second 'wardrobe.'
"Oh, you didn't believe me before? And I have always been so honest… How discouraging." But the youko didn't look discouraged at all; actually, he was all smiles.
"Poser." In return, Hiei faked disdain, while rummaging through his belongings.
After a moment, he took out a small jar and a scroll. "These do not belong to me."
"Ah, yes. I thought this sample of my self-made balms would come in handy. If you apply it on lacerations, they'll heal three-times faster. And they won't leave a scar."
Hiei nodded and placed the jarlet carefully back into his 'wardrobe.'
"And this?"
Kurama decided to use an act of filling a vial with a suspiciously looking tincture as a cover-up for pretending the loss of the last question.
The swordsman wasn't bothered about it at all; he unrolled the parchment and read the title: "Being Around a Youko: A How-To-Keep-Your-Sanity Handbook…?!"
He laid an utterly astonished gaze on his busy looking companion.
"It belonged to Kuronue. He dag it up somewhere, only to tease me." Kurama finally finished his task and walked to Hiei with a strangely serious expression.
"I thought you'll enjoy having something entertaining to read while travelling back home. You don't have to take it." The fire demon liked all the methods of gaining information – and reading was one of them – but had never been interested in stuff like this. On second thoughts, Kurama had been thinking they were going separate ways; it seemed like he was giving Hiei something for a keepsake. To remember Kuronue.
"I'll keep it." Hiei re-rolled the parchment and put it back among his other belongings, before he looked at Kurama again. Mentioning Kuronue took Hieis train of thought back to Luan and there was something he wanted to know.
"Before I consented to go with you to Bireths house, you had told me youd explain everything I wanted to know." Silver demon nodded.
"Why does the woman hate you?" Hiei was closely inspecting Kurama's face, in order not to miss any information, spoken or unspoken. For a couple of minutes, Kurama stared blanky past him. At the point when the younger apparition was nearly convinced that he wouldn't get his answer, the fox laid his gaze back at him and started to speak.
"I imagine it could be jealousy." His expression turned wistful.
"You are not sure about the reason?" Hiei was quite surprised. He had been certain there was something Kurama had done to aggravate her, like stealing something.
"I had neither known her before, nor had I seen her. Kuro must have told her I was against their bonding; and she took it seriously."
"She was thinking you wanted to keep Kuronue for yourself?!" Hiei's facial features reshaped, only to give away an unbelieving expression. He didn't expect that Luans antipathy was simply a result of her prejudice. At the same instant, he traced a hint of guilt in Kurama's eyes.
"Hiei, you were there. I really tried to hold him ba-"
"-Stop it, stupid. This issue between Kuronue and you had been cleared before he died. If that female of his isnt able to make her own observations, then itd be waste of words to discuss it further."
"Still, everything she said… its true."
"If you feel remorse, then do what she suggested - repent for your deeds. But do it quickly, before I get tired of it again. And while you are repenting, you could prepare some breakfast. The choice what to grow is yours."
The fire demon went to sit back on his mat, looking so apathetically like he would be talking to an innkeeper.
'He's unbelievable…' Kurama looked at him in utter disbelief. He understood Hiei didn't want to hear anything about already closed issues. Thus, he accepted the change of topic and took up the glove. He relaxed a bit more as he decoded his companion's behaviour as his way to cheer him up; and the thought brought him immediately closer to his vibrant and mischievous self again. Despite the arrogant tone in the younger demon's voice, Kurama decided to play along with him; only to see if he could maneuver him into deeper waters of private conversation.
"Of course, sir. Any other wishes?" The fox smiled the slyest of smiles.
"Yes. Stop talking and get to work." Hiei retorted in a bossy tone.
"Ascendancy lover; aren't we?" Kurama snorted, yet took out some seeds to do what his imperious companion demanded.
"Well, there's a hidden streak of dominance in me."
"HIDDEN you say? It's pretty obvious to me!"
"It's because you're so observant."
"What?! A praise?! I cannot believe you flatter me."
"It's because I need you to make breakfast."
"Aaah, that's music to my ears. I've never dreamt of hearing you admit you needed somebody." Kurama gave Hiei two pieces of just-grown fruit and an impish grin. "So lucky it's me..."
"What can I say? I took this mission, because I thought you would be a challenging and formidable opponent. But instead of gaining some experience in strategy or combat, you spoiled me rotten. So face the consequences." Hiei said without interest, focusing completely on his food.
Kurama's grin widened. "Your life turns really rough after leaving this den."
Hiei finished up fruit and unsheathed his katana to slice a watermelon. "Not necessarily..." He put on his mask of listlessness again. Nevertheless, he couldnt resist stealing glances at the youko, who was momentarily preoccupied with looking for some more seeds.
"What do you have in mind?" Kurama asked abstentmindedly.
"Take me to the last jewel."
This drew Kuramas attention. "Why? I gave you the Mirror of Eyram. You shouldn't have problems to find it."
Hiei had already prepared two more-or-less plausible-looking reasons. "For starters, you have certainly secured the hiding place with some carnivorous killer-plants and I don't want to die in such an idiotic way. If I managed to burn them, it would leave the place unsecured and only the Foxgoddess knows what else did you hide in there. You'd kill me; if the plants wouldn't do it for you first."
"You make it sound like you were a cautious fair maiden asking for my permission. I'd never believe you could give so much effort in keeping me amused." Kurama giggled.
The fire youkai didn't pay attention to kitsune's jeering. "Secondly," he continued, "the Mirror of Eyram can be used only if its owner loses something he needs to find. But I'm not the owner of the jewelry, Mukuro is. And even if it worked, the Mirror would show me only that the damned item is somewhere in a hollow, but it still wouldn't show me its location."
"Why don't you try it first?" Kurama raised an eyebrow; a knowing smile was playing a game with his lips.
Hiei didnt listen. "Thirdly;" he went on. Kurama started to utter something, but Hiei stopped him, as he finally gave voice to his last thought: "Thirdly; I want to have you around for a bit longer."
It was impossible for Hiei to maintain his indifference, so he simply averted his eyes, thinking how pathetic he sounded. He felt like a small child again; when he desperately begged Gods to make his family take him back, to make his life bearable, to eradicate the odiousness of his presence...
However, Kurama didnt think it was pathetic at all; and when he gave no response, Hiei risked a glance at him.
Their eyes locked, catching a sight of their own thoughts mirroring on the face of the other. It had been only three weeks; three weeks, but it felt like decades. Hiei could clearly read that the fox didnt dare to go on without the supporting strenght of their alliance yet; and Kurama easily discerned that the dark fire apparition didnt want to deny himself all the things he had never dreamt of could be there also for him. And they both were not willing to lose the chance to relish the feeling of sharing all the small and bigger secret weaknesses they possessed.
Silence settled between them; but neither of them felt need to break it.
Yet, after a long while of being thoughtful, Kurama burst out in laughter.
"Hiei, you DO realize your situation, don't you? You know the rumours that are spreaded about me in this part of Makai. If somebody sees us travel together…"
Hiei thought for an instant; then grinned. "I perceive that. But it's already too late to care about it. As Luan mentioned, Kuronue had trumpeted that I was staying here; and only Gods know what else did he announced. So by now, our spies have most likely informed Mukuro that her general spent the last three weeks of his mission 'getting closely acquainted with the irresistible Youko Kurama'. She'll think I naively gave in and willingly became another of your lust-toys; destined to come back broken and crying." Hiei snorted. "She'll probably get a fit."
"Of anger?" The mirth in Kurama's voice couldn't be mistaken, despite the innocence of his tone.
"No, of laughter." Hiei's silver companion shot him an unbelieving look. "I mean it," The fire apparition grinned. "The whole palace would get the laugh of the century."
"Why?" Kurama asked, quite puzzled.
"Listen." The fox nodded as Hiei started to explain. "Years ago, right after Mukuro took me to her castle to make me her warrior, she started trying to get closer to me to open me up. I told her to concentrate on being my boss rather than playing my grandmother, and she took the advice too personally."
"I can imagine that." The silver youko wasnt able to contain his chuckle "What did she do?"
Hiei's eyes gave away amusement, as he recalled the situation.
"She started to emphasize stricter discipline, and demand more loyalty and obedience. Now, I'm being spared of social events like her banquets; Mukuro has ordered a hellish martial training instead. Since that time, all the servants and guards pray to their Gods for a miracle to occur to make me more bearable and sociable, because it would make Mukuro less annoyed; which means their lives would be easier. They simply want me to oblige her and improve my…interaction skills, so she could officialy confirm me ready to be her heir. That would spare her a lot of headache."
Kurama laughed at the sudden change of countenance as his companion uttered the word 'interaction.' Nonetheless, he was amazed how loquacious Hiei became, when he was willing to open up.
"So, you think they would take it as a huge improvement of your skill, if they heard you were not… unaffected by MY interaction skills?" Mischievous youko presented the most charming of smiles to support his query.
Hiei smirked. "Nicely put. But more likely, they would find it comical. And they would be right."
"And how are you going to deal with the gossips?" Kurama asked, curious whether the younger apparition found a way how to face his newly-gained reputation.
"Nowise. They can think what they want. I don't care."
"Provided they don't try to vex you with it."
"Provided they don't try to vex me with it. Then I start to care." Hiei fingered the hilt of his katana to prove the point.
Youko laughed and returned to the mock-submissive pose from the beginning of their talk. "All right, mylord, I see you have been considering every option. Now if you would excuse me, I need to think about what to pack."
"Dismiss." Hiei skipped into the superordinate role, but presented Kurama one of his rarest genuine smiles.
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They didn't set off before five nights had passed, simply for the fact that Hiei was coming up with lots of pretexts why they could not. Naturally, Kurama managed to expose in a masterly manner the true reason for this peculiar behaviour of his darker companion. The fire demon felt too cosily to leave and the fox took it as a huge praise of his work; for now it was not just one of his dens, but a base. In reality, the main ground why he had been bringing more and more things into this particular haunt and why he had invested so much time and youki in cleaning it was, that he had decided to make it his retreat for this territory. Hiei had to admit that his chambers at Mukuro's palace were four times larger, but he had never considered them as snug as this little haunt.
The jewel was hidden only four hours away from Mukuro's castle and the travel there would take three weeks of running day and night. However, they were not in a hurry; so they planned to spend up to five weeks on the journey.
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The first week of their traveling passed without difficulties. They usually chose a path through uninhabited territories and cloaked their energies. For the night, if they weren't close to any of youko's numerous hiding places, Hiei found a highest tree in sight to sleep on, after he checked the area with his jagan. If it was safe, Kurama ordinarily turned into his fox form and found a hollow or a thicket somewhere nearby.
When the thief led them to another of his dens, they used to make a bonfire and hunt. Hiei didn't grumble about his companion's liking in meal preparation anymore; he usually took out one of the scrolls or books he was given and read it; or merely watched the fire and rested. And once or twice; to Kurama's utter astonishment, he started to talk. He didn't have any particular topic; he was speaking about anything what crossed his mind. When that happened, Kurama sat down next to him and listened, watching the fire, without making any attempt to interrupt his monologue – and wondering how contemplative Hiei in reality was.
They were very aware of their tendency to slow down the advance, but both pretended not to notice.
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During the second week, Hiei finally persuaded Kurama to have a sparring session. They had to be quite inventive, if they didn't want to use their most powerful weapons and kill each other. Hiei knew his speed was a great advantage and could win him a decisive moment of surprise, but he decided not to use it. He intended to make the session as long as possible; to pick up so many new tricks as possible. However, after three hours of sparring, Kurama got bored and let Hiei score a point. The fire demon grumbled at that and didn't let him rest until the fox promised to spar again.
That, of course, caused another delay. After a sparring session, they were too exhausted to travel long distances; and if they wanted to spar after travelling, they had to secure the area first, to be sure they would get a chance to rest. It was easier to take a 'day off', so sometimes they stayed in one place for two or three days.
Kurama could see through Hiei's strategy of making the training sessions longer; therefore he had to find his own way how to call it a day, if he didn't want the training stretched until late-night. Thus, when he had enough of sparring, he attacked with his most dreaded techniques – craziness, unpredictability and playfulness. The fox was sure Hiei would in the course of time learn how to render these attacks useless; but for now, they were the right thing.
That meant the sparring usually ended with Hiei fuming with frustrated anger for some reason. Like for example, when Kurama had used some jagged weed as a sword and was constantly moving closer and closer to a pond. Even though the thief was keeping him occupied, Hiei was aware of the near water mass, but hadn't been yet close enough to worry about it. One moment, the fire demon parried youko's weed sword; and the next moment two or three water lilies grew, crept out of the water, grabbed him, threw him into the pond and shrank back to their former size. No need to mention that when Hiei's head reappeared, one of the flowers was stuck in his hair; giving him a look of a naiad.
Or when the fox used a plant that caused youki distortions and a flower that produced mist to cover up his change of form. Meanwhile, he sent one of the most aggressive and fire-loving plants at Hiei. The fog and youki distortions disturbed the younger demon, but he wasnt deceived at all. He was prepared for Kurama's tricks; he only needed to get rid of that obnoxious plant. He had been sure he'd succeed; when suddenly the plant vanished, and from the cloud of mist, like a silver flash, a rabid-like fox jumped out, pounced on him, softly bit his nose and ran away.
One day- to end another of their mock battles, Kurama shamelessly used vines and climbers to attack Hiei from behind; to find out whether he was or wasn't ticklish. He was. The most sensitive areas were his neck and his knees.
As he collapsed to the ground, pleading to stop the torture, it occurred to the young fire demon, how at Kurama's mercy he in reality was. How easily he could become a prey, if Kurama would give in to his hunter instincts. And considering the predatory glint in the fox's eyes during each sparring session, he thought it was a legitimate concern. Even though Hiei cared for and trusted Kurama with his life, this trust wasn't offered out of his free will. It was a mere result of coincidence. And suddenly, Hiei felt he had to do much more than that, to keep this fox's instincts in the safe line.
Despite his apprehensions, the youko withdrew the plants. Hiei drew a deep breath; then finally stood up, glared at Kurama and uttered "I'll get you for this."
There was just one supposable thing to even the score - to reverse the roles of hunter and potential prey.
And Kurama must have known it; because the next moment, he moved closer to Hiei, sat down on heels and bared his own throat and neck – the most guarded body part of every wild beast, in a gesture of surrender. Or rather, as Kurama hoped, a display of his ultimate trust. It was just another form of what Hiei had been forced to do moments ago; to expose his vulnerability. To stay completely unprotected against the instincts of his training companion. The only difference was that Kurama did it willingly.
The fire demon understood. He stepped closer to the hunter who became prey; grabbed him, and let his teeth graze the skin right over the fox's artery. The accelerated blood pulses were enhancing his impulses to kill. In result, Hiei lingered with his fangs pressed to Kurama's throat, contemplating whether he should draw blood or not.
After a minute or two, he slightly pulled away; only to grab Kurama's chin and force the amber eyes to look at him.
"You," Hiei said in a voice that somehow didn't correspond with the strenght with which he held the youko, "are crazy." Then, he leant towards Kuramas neck again, this time to merely brush his lips against the smooth skin.
"I trust you," the fox contradicted.
Hiei raised his head once again to look at him. "You are crazy," he insisted, "but I'm not less crazy than you." And he bit Kurama's nose. "Consider the score even."
With that, the forced connection they shared became a bond, approved by both of them and binding the both of them - only because they wished so.
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In next three weeks, they finally left the woodland area. As they were moving closer to the heart of Mukuro's territory; the settlements were more often to be seen. The woods were replaced by hummocks and wastelands. Trade roads and towns appeared; giving the travellers opportunity to search out a safer place to stay than the open land offered.
Crossing these lands, the both demons considered it an excellent idea to accelerate their movement. If they didn't want to draw attention and be bothered by attacks of robber gangs and bandits, Hiei had to give up training with Kurama in favour of quick and stealth advance. Even though Youko wasn't as fast as his companion, their movement was anything but slow now. They planned to leave the wastelands in five days.
The first stopover was planned in two days outside of any settlement; it required taking turns in keeping vigil and sleeping to prevent an ambush.
They decided to spend the fourth night in a town, because Kurama wanted to catch up with one of Kuronue's most reliable informants and trade an item of his 'collection'.
Hiei was reconciled to a reputation of the newest of Kurama's 'victims', but the fox insisted on wearing a long, dull, dark-brown hooded coat inside the town walls. Even though Hiei manifested scepticism about the coat's function to keep the thief undisclosed, Kurama didn't took it off. And when he asked why the youko didn't change his appearance with the help of his demonic powers; Kurama just smiled. The younger apparition sighed, shook his head and gave it up.
They entered the town in the afternoon. The fire demon hadn't shown interest in getting acquainted with any of Kuronue's connections, so he left Kurama handle his issues by himself. They fixed a time and a place of meeting and each went about his business.
Hiei didn't know whether it had been the time he spent in seclusion of woods only with the puckish fox around; or if it was his inherent aptitude of being paranoid, but he felt like everyone was staring at him. If he had let his energy at its real level, he would expect that. There were not many demons gifted to reach S-class; or to stay alive long enough to gain power like that. However, he had masked his level to appear to be lower B – that class was nothing extraordinary; yet it was sufficiant to keep troubles away.
Then it occurred to him, that it might be his new 'status' of Makai's hottest personage's lover. He was prepared to experience simpering, grimacing, sneering and gossiping. But he met with none of these. Also, there were not many demons who had known him by face. Some had probably heard his name in connection with Mukuro, or now with Kurama; but hearing a name had never meant you should recognize the person if you happen to see them. None of the things he could think of explained the cautious and alert regards he could sense on his back. Like he was some ferocious beast; or carrier of some contagious disease.
If there had been more disdain in those glares, he would have bet they all knew about him being The Forbidden One. But how would they have learnt? He didnt remember wearing a label stating 'Glare at me - Im the one you detest.'
All his musing seemed to be of no avail, for he couldn't expose the reason hidden behind the odd behavior. Well, he probably could, but didn't care. Thus, the dark fire demon did what he was used to: he found a place where nobody would annoy him and stayed there until the time when he had to rejoin the fox.
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They agreed to meet up in an inn and to stay there overnight. Hiei was obviously first to arrive, so he went to buy some 'safe' drink; he couldn't allow himself to lose control in a place like this. Speaking more precisely, there was no such place where he would allow himself to lose control due to any drink.
The loud talk in the inn gradually turned into murmur. As the innkeeper fixed his order, Hiei could see the peculiar mixture of fear and contempt in his eyes. In return, he sent him one of his death glares, payed and went to find a table.
Like always, he had chosen one in the corner and set down facing the door.
He didn't need to wait long to see a tall figure in a brownish coat and hood enter the pub.
Hiei grinned. The coat was really a poor one, but it still kept Kuramas tail, hair and ears hidden.
"So?" He asked when the youko sat down. He didnt consider it necessary to develop the query any further.
"Everything went smoothly," Kurama said, but the fire demon traced worry in his voice. "Really?"
"Yes… But I was told something …concerning you." The youko replied in a hushed tone. Suddenly, he realized it was not necessary, for the inn was unusually quiet. His and Hiei's voices were the only to be heard, despite the fact that the tavern was everything but empty.
Kurama sighed. He could speak with Hiei mind-to-mind; or he could find a more private place to explain the current state of matters. However, no matter how discreetly he would wish to deal with it; it would not help the situation. Hiei was going to turn into a volcano fuming with anger. And deep inside, he was going to be hurt. But Kurama was determined to use every thinkable means to minimalize both, his pain and anger.
He wasn't given any opportunity to reflect on the idea any further though, because a group of four tipsy demons entered. They sat down near the bar, completely immersed in their loud discussion. Kurama only prayed that the new customers wouldn't say anything stupid before he explained to Hiei how things stood.
He had no such luck. It took the demons exactly thirty-eight seconds to shout, that they didn't feel like accepting "an accident of nature like that despicable and tainted cross-breed to be in charge of this territory."
Kurama looked at his companion, but the fire demon had already averted his eyes. This was surprising; reaction like this was against Hiei's nature. It would be more Hiei-like if he flipped and turned this hole into a pile of ashes.
Suddenly it came to him that the fire demon had experienced this many times before. Kurama felt a surge of wrath at the thought that Hiei was already used to it; and rather than wasting his energy on fighting it, he decided to accept it as an inevitable part of his existence.
Then and there, Kurama came to a resolute determination to make his presence at Hiei's side as useful as possible. And immediately, his manipulation-experienced brain blessed him with a thought that this place with audience wasn't probably the worst choice to sort the current problem out.
His fingertips softly touched Hiei's wrist to draw his attention. It worked; and the fire demon slowly turned to face the thief, with bitter awareness that the only thing he was most likely going to see in those beautiful lively eyes would be pity. Astounded, he found there was none. Kurama regarded him smiling; and his smile turned the gentler, the longer he was studying Hiei's features. Yet, there was something in that smile what the younger apparition couldn't grasp.
"Hiei," Kurama's smile faded as he started to speak, "somebody made an issue of your birth. You, being the only Koorime male with abilities of a fire demon are considered abnormal, impure. I believe the information was spreaded to incense the mob against your position of Mukuro's heir. It was done intentionally, to manipulate people's minds to regard you as somebody unworthy and despised. As a potentional threat."
Hiei found himself strain to comprehend what he had just heard. It was not like he had never met with nasty reactions before; but so far, his life had never been used as a tactical weapon against him. Or rather his position…?
"I don't understand," he murmured and looked at the youko who patiently waited for his response. "My position of Mukuro's heir isn't definite; it is more of her notion rather than a decision. So far, I am one of her generals. Nothing more, nothing less."
"But you are obviously considered a threat; an obstacle too difficult for somebody to deal with. They have been acting in your absence; to be sure you could not oppose them personally."
Kurama watched Hiei stand up swiftly. He easily guessed what he was up to, so he grabbed the fire demon by the arm. "It's of no use to return back now."
"I won't sit here and hide like a coward. This time I have to stop it." Hiei was more than irritated, but Kurama didn't let go off of him. The fire apparition still didn't comprehend the whole impact of this situation.
"And how do you want to do that? With your sword? Or dark flames? Hiei, the enemy may be sleek as a snake, but they are actually scared of you. It's not worth of your attention. After all, it is not you what they are after."
Hiei sat down again, noticing neither how silent the inn turned when the fox was speaking, nor how the contemptuous glances aimed at him turned more and more inquisitive.
Kurama finally let go off his arm and continued.
"In this game, you were given the position of a pawn. And you are standing in front of a queen that they are after. Thats why there arent many options left."
"You said I cannot fight back. But there must be something I can do!" Hiei almost feared to hear youko's answer. He couldn't stand the feeling of helplessness that built up in him.
Kurama was thinking for a moment before voicing his opinion. "I've never said you cannot fight back; what I meant was that you don't need to. If I were you, I wouldn't do anything."
"What?!" Hiei was genuinely dumbfounded. "You suggest I should sit with my hands folded and let them mess with my past to their liking?"
"I admit, they intentionally chose and adapted parts of your past in order to mar your reputation. Apparently, they believed this was the best way to destroy you and to weaken Mukuro's influence." Kurama sneered. "If they did know you do not care about reputation or prestige, they would be very upset. They might have learnt about your past, but they failed to comprehend you." He leaned closer to Hiei. "It started in your absence; and that is the way they should finish it. It is Mukuro whose decisions were questioned; let her handle the issue alone. Also…," cloaked Kurama chuckled, "…your current status is 'absent due to an assignment'. There is no chance for you to sit with your hands folded. I'm sure the object of your mission has the abilities to keep you occupied."
"Baka." The fire demon expressed what he thought about the fox making fun of him at times like these. Yet, the youko presented a thought-provoking point of view.
The fox chuckled again, but when he continued, it was in a more serious tone.
"Hiei, this is nothing but a little struggle of intrigues, power and greed. Actually, it is one of the poorest attempts to take over a territory I've ever heard of. It is remarkably simple-minded to use you and your past solely because you are close to Mukuro; just to trigger disorder in your territory."
Kurama smiled; completely aware of full attention he was given.
Slowly, bit by bit, he was convincing every youkai in the room, leading them into thinking what he wanted them to think. Still, there was one more ace up his sleeve that could be applied in Hiei's favour; and he was ready to use it. The only thing he needed was the right occasion.
"Mukuro surely has her flaws- but she is wise and powerful. Everybody inhabiting this part of Makai knows that she wouldn't allow anybody to weaken her position in such an inept way. Nobody would go against their ruler only because one power-greedy weakling wishes so."
Hiei felt Kurama pat his hand. The thief than stood up and walked slowly to the bar, without interrupting his speech.
"The one who plotted this is really far from cunning. This lousy plan won't work, because anyone with brain can see through it the same way I did. Except this one, that is." Kurama stopped at the nearest table to the bar to regard the demon who called Hiei a 'despicable and tainted cross-breed'. "Well, this may be the first time I'm meeting a demon living a perfectly content life without a brain."
The room laughed. Still, that particular demon was far from entertained when he heard the insult of the cloaked figure.
"Don't get smart with me; you stuck-up fibber!" He abruptly stood up and made a hasty movement to punch Kurama. The youko didn't need much effort to dodge his fist. He reached into the cloak and pulled out a tiny ampule with spores which he had intended to examine. In an instant, the demon was wrapped in a thick layer of clubmoss that disabled even the slightest movement of his muscles. It gave him resemblance to a green stone statue.
"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Another of the demons stood up. Two remaining, who were obviously less drunk grabbed his hands to hold their companion back. "Sit down and shut up, idiot! Don't you sense it?"
Kurama stopped cloaking his youki level when the 'fight' began. Thus, everybody except this too inebriate one realized that the demon in brownish coat belonged to the highest of power classes.
"I appreciate your allegiance to this mossy friend of yours," Kurama started in a sinister voice, "but I will not allow a scum like you to talk about my friends in such a disrespectful manner."
"Who do you call a scum; big-head?!" The irritated demon managed to shake off the restricting hands of his companions and attacked. And Kurama quickly took off the hood to pull out a seed.
A wave of surprised gasps flooded the inn, ensued by an excited murmur and yelps of the attacker, who was experiencing his closest contact with the stems of nettle plants creeping all around him.
This was the grand finale of Kurama's play of manipulation. Everything he told about Mukuro should move everybody in this room to figure out that she possessed the wisdom and power to be recognized as the best one to rule this third of Makai. They had to figure out that she must have had strong arguments for nominating Hiei for her heir and considering him worthy of her backing. Hiei's power and Mukuro's support should be enough for everybody to think twice before they decided to insult or oppose him again.
Still, Kurama dared to push the situation a bit further. He had picked on the demons on purpose; to create a convenient opportunity to expose the existence of a firm connection between the two of them. This way the most admired among demons- Youko Kurama, could openly count as Hiei's ally and friend.
Also, there was a common knowledge that Yomi had been on very good terms with Kurama. It was presumable that he would support even Hiei, if Youko asked for it. That left Hiei with dubious reputation; but under the aegis of not one, but two of Makai rulers.
Or this should at least be everybody's inference.
This was the best result he could desire from a mess like this. He only hoped it would spread as satisfactorily as rumors about him always did. Still, if he considered the fact that the innkeepers and traders had always been the best squealers and information sources, he didn't harbour any doubts that the whispers would very soon leave the town.
Kurama suddenly seemed oblivious of the whole room; he didnt care about the mossy youkais companions anymore. The only thing he wished for was to forget everything about reputations, intrigues and power and spend some more time with Hiei in quarrels over training and pheasants.
But all he did was to ask for a key to a possibly comfy vacant room.
However, when he turned, he saw Hiei pushing the inn's door open.
"What are you doing?" he was instantly by him.
"Leaving."
As gold of Kurama's eyes met with crimson of Hiei's, he instantly knew the dormant volcano turned active. But if the volcano's name was Hiei, he was neither afraid of eruptions, nor heat or lava. He only grabbed Hiei's palm and pushed the key into it; gesturing to go back inside and solve the matter in privacy.
Without a single word of protest, the enraged fire demon took the key and disappeared in a blur. Kurama only sighed and went upstairs in his own speed; careless about the staring eyes.
He hardly closed the door of their shared room behind him, when Hiei exploded.
"Why did you do that?! What the hell were you thinking?!" He seemed ready to chop Kurama like a fish.
"I wanted to make sure they leave you alone."
"So that was why you were putting on an act for that bunch of drunkards?! The only missing thing to make the scene perfect would have been if I had thrown myself to your feet and thanked you - Youko Kurama the Brave - thousand times for being so kind to notice suffering of one helpless forbidden child!"
'Definitely,' Kurama thought dryly, 'volcano Hiei is active and fuming.'
"I might have been putting on an act, but I meant everything I said and did. Some things were done for effect, I admit. But that doesn't mean I wasn't honest. And I didn't tell a single lie."
"You didn't! Oh, I know you didn't, because you played with truth until it sang the melody you wanted to hear. You know what?! My existence might be detested, but it's the only one I've got. And I neither let you mock nor use it the way you did; to entertain yourself and the scum in this stupid hollow!"
Kurama felt a wave of annoyance flooding his mind. What was worse, he got the feeling that Hiei was thinking he did something to betray his trust.
"Hiei, why do you think I did it to entertain myself? How can you think I've been mocking you?"
"You proved I'm completely incompetent to take care of my issues. You said I should let Mukuro handle the situation; then you provoked those idiots. It seemed like you wanted to protect my honour or something, but you just made a fool of yourself. And of me."
"How so?"
"It's simple. I don't give a damn about what they say. You could spare the effort at that point. I don't need anyone to take care of my business."
"That is true. You think you don't need anyone. But nothing can change the fact that you have powerful allies to watch your back. I just reminded them of that." Kurama was now closely examining the fire demon's features, because the enraged glint of his eyes was turning unusually wistful.
"Do you know what's the worst thing about this?" Hiei tiredly massaged his temples.
"My strenght is lacking even for running away from you; not to speak about fighting you."
He then moved to sit on the windowsill; and continued in the same beat voice.
"I don't know how you do it, but you always get me into situations when I have to face the most bothersome things. Though the saddest thing is" Hiei went on, "that my instincts just play crazy, or shut off when you are concerned. I should want to run away from here. But instead of that, I'm staying and hoping for I don't know what in my life to change. And I'm even foolish enough to enjoy it."
Hiei turned to look out of the window; without any interest in looking out of it.
Kurama got suddenly the impression that Hiei's outburst of anger had its source in his uncertainty and fear of having a close person with him rather than in reactions of demons in the inn, or his manipulation games. Even though Hiei was loyal to Mukuro, in his century-long life were trust and friendship mere empty words. And all he had got were two months to learn how to deal with it.
Moments later, Hiei felt Kurama's hands touch his shoulders and move him to lean backwards upon the thief.
Hiei was fairly surprised, but said nothing. He only shifted slightly to make more room for the daring fox, thinking that he or the fox or both of them must have gone mad.
Kurama instantly took the given opportunity and sat down behind the younger apparition; wrapping his arms around Hiei's waist, letting him rest comfortably with the back upon his chest.
Hiei was now quite certain he went insane. But this crazy fox probably counted upon the calming effects of his presence. He could even imagine falling asleep like this; even though the windowsill wasn't that comfortable at all. He would have never believed, but what Kurama did made him actually feel better.
"So this is what they call taking advantage of situation." Hiei stated lazily, with a trace of smile in his voice.
"No, this is called giving comfort to a special friend." Kurama replied with a smile of its own kind.
"Does comfort really look like this?" Hiei slowly closed his eyes, lulled by Kuramas smooth baritone.
"Giving comfort has many forms," the youko answered, "it can be a look, a simple touch or a kiss; it doesnt matter. The most important thing is that it works."
Hiei recalled the scene which took place in Bireths house, after Kurama told Luan about Kuronues death. How her mother was consoling her. "Hnn. Sounds difficult..."
"It is not."
There were dozens of thoughts crossing the fire demon's mind, but none of them had the potency to disturb him. He chose one of them to muse upon. Eventually he voiced it, only to get the fox to talk again.
"The things you were saying about Mukuro… You appear to respect her a great deal."
"I wouldnt call it respect. It is more a recognition of her skills. It's only natural; she survived centuries of wars, assassination attempts, intrigues, rebellion… And none of these things has ever weakened her influence."
"You admire her," Hiei teased, content to hear Kurama's soft voice.
"Admire…? I don't think I admire her. But I cant deny being thankful."
"Thankful? Why?"
"If I'm not mistaken, it was Mukuro who sent you after me…"
After a brief moment of contemplation, the fire apparition decided to consider this the nicest thing he had ever been told. As a result, he thought it would be only fair to grant Kurama right for tranquillity. But it didnt last more than ten minutes and he broke the silence with another of his queries.
"How did you know this form of comfort would work out for me?" He asked, already on the verge of sleep.
"Well," Kurama smiled, playing with a strand of Hiei's hair. "I could easily imagine what would happen to me if I tried to console you with a kiss."
A "hnn" was everything Kurama got, so he concluded Hiei was already more asleep than awake. Cautiously in order not to disturb his slumber more than necessary, he gently scooped and tucked him in one of the beds.
Stopping to watch the form of drowsing demon for an instance, the fox sighed: "Im lucky you aren't my lover. It would be very frustrating to see how easily you fall asleep everytime you're near me..."
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Next morning, when the innkeeper was about to open the inn, Kurama went downstairs and asked him for some supplies. Clearly, the owner hardly managed to keep from staring at the way how the legendary bandit moved; the felicity and ease accompanied each motion of his frame. But the most capturing were his eyes. He saw a mixture of rascality, curiousness, foresight, dare, wit… If the youko hadnt turned his head to look at the Koorime cross-breed who had just entered the room, he woud have lost himself in the dephts of that amber abyss.
When the thief looked back at him again, he could trace a slight change in his appearance. And as Kurama took out the dark coat which he wore yesterday and put it on the bar with the words "Take care of it, I dont need it anymore," he was radiating…joy.
The innkeeper felt a sudden urge to say something; only to make them stay a little longer. Consequently, he offered apologies for yesterday when he behaved unmannerly. They just smiled, wove him off and left.
End of chapter 6
AN: Wondering what was that cloak about? Good perception :-) It really was a symbol of something else…Don't forget to review, if you feel like it! Mata ne.