Chapter 7

Disclaimers, warnings, blah, blah, blah

There are trees falling in my forest." Genkai mumbled sagely, gazing out from the front door of the temple.

"What's that, some kind of metaphor?" Yusuke asked, following behind with a yawn. He had been training with the old woman for a month now and had never been more bored. Making a spirit link wasn't particularly hard, but it was in no way interesting. Because he'd slacked off here and there, he hadn't quite gotten the technique and would now have to continue his training for another month.

"No, you dimwit. There are trees actually falling over in my forest. Look." She pointed out towards the woods, just in time for the half-demon to see another tall pine shutter then topple in seconds.

"What the hell?" The both stared as more trees fell in succession.

""It's Hiei." The old woman said quietly. "He's angry. And taking is out on my forest. Go stop him for me, I'll be inside playing Street Fighter 4."

"Hey! Why do I have to deal with him?"

"Because. I don't want to."

"Well, screw you, ya old hag!" He yelled after her in vain, before walking towards the forest.

When he got there, Hiei had just kicked down another old pine like a toothpick. It was obvious that the short demon was very enraged and was taking it out on the trees.

"Hiei, quit that, you're annoying Genkai." Yusuke said nonchalantly as he approached the new and growing clearing.

"This isn't any of your business Yusuke, so just fuck off."

"I think it is if you're pissed enough to be knocking down trees for no reason." The demon grabbed the smaller's arm before Hiei could bring down another tree. The short demon slapped his hand away, growling at him.

"I said fuck off!"

"Jeez, dude. Calm down. What happened? Kurama dump you?" Hiei gapped at the half-demon. "What?"

"How did you know we were..."

"Together? Um, hate to burst your bubble Hiei, but it's obvious, even to me. Kuwabara, maybe not so much though. That guy's too oblivious for his own good." He noticed the shorter demon seemed to...droop. "So, what happened?"

"Kurama's been with Kuwabara."

"Um, yeah. For a whole month. Not new information, Hiei."

"Not like that." The fire demon sat on a stump and crossed his arms, his head lowered. "I've been watching them periodically. They cook for each other, laugh together, offer comfort... They even share the same bed."

"R-really?" Yusuke felt like someone had just grabbed his heart and was squeezing.

"Last night I saw them embracing one another, kissing and cuddling and..." The spiky-haired demon clenched his fists, feeling betrayed and Yusuke couldn't help but feel the same. Something ached inside that he couldn't explain.

"Hey, come on." He lightly put a hand on Hiei's shoulder. "Let's go to Genkai's and get something to eat. Maybe we can whoop her ass at Street Fighter 4."

"Like that will ever happen." The short demon mumbled, following Yusuke anyway.

They hadn't had sex, that was for sure. Kuwabara blinked at the ceiling then looked back to the fox. They had had a nice night though, just flirting and cuddling and being together. He was going to miss the link he had with the kitsune and the throught of being linked to Hiei scared him a little.

"He's not too bad once you get to know him a little better." Kurama sighed softly from beside him before rolling over to meet the ginger's eyes. Their bond had strengthened during their time together to the point that they could sometimes feel what the other was thinking about.

"I guess so." The larger man gently stroked the red-head's cheek with two fingers. "So this is the last day I'll see you for a while, isn't it?"

"It's just two months."

"I know, but still. You've been so kind to me this past month. Hiei isn't gonna be like that."

"He may surprise you, you never know. Even then, you're always free to call me if you need someone to talk to." Kuwabara snuggled the demon close, nuzzling his hair.

"Thanks." Thankfulness, warmth and a little sadness flooded through both of them. Kurama was going to miss this closeness too.

"This is gonna hurt, isn't it?" The demonling gulped, his face paling as he sat on an exam table with Kurama and Shizuru beside him. They were at the Spirit Hospital and the expectant parent was about to get his energy sampled. With the biggest needle he had ever seen. Ever. The nurse held it up with confusion.

"Well, it shouldn't. It's just an aura needle, it's not like it pierces your skin."

"Oh." She smiled at him as she rolled up his sleeve.

"She means it. It won't hurt." Kurama reassured him quietly.

"If you're sure-"

"All done!" The nurse chirpped, Kuwabara staring at her and the full capsule of swirling green and yellow energy.

"But. I. How. When. I didn't even feel that!" The kitsune and elder Kuwabara chuckled as the ginger sat, bewildered, on the table.

"Well, I'll leave you to severe the link. Let me know when you're finished."

"What- Oh..." He looked sadly at the fox who returned the look with a empathetic smile.

"Now I'm afraid this won't be as painless." Kurama whispered. He got a nod in return. "Shizuru, it might be best if you take his hand, he's going to need some support." The man's sister held his hand in hers, gently squeezing it for comfort. "Ready?"

"I doubt it, but do it anyway." Kuwa clenched his eyes shut as began to feel the pull. It got worse, he didn't like it. It felt like someone was ripping a part of him out of his chest, like a young tree slowly and painfully being ripped up from the ground, straining and snapping nurtured roots. When it finally stopped, he was left feeling raw and alone. The tears on both faces was all there was to prove that they both felt the same, for no loving link would do it for them.

Kurama watched the buildings pass out the train window with a heavy heart, longing to still be with the goofy, loving, ginger man. Kuwabara needed a day to get rid of the remaining energies in his body. Not as long as last time, mainly due to the fact that most of them had been forcefully dragged out of him instead of left inside. The kitsune shook his head and sighed. At least he would get to see Hiei today.

"You son of a bitch!" Kurama staggered back, clutching his jaw where Hiei had struck him.

"Hiei, what the hell was that for!" The fire demon had been standing at the temple entrance, waiting for him in what the kitsune thought would be a greeting. Apparently, he was mistaken.

"You know damn well what that was for, you unfaithful cur!" The shorter hissed, seething with rage. Kurama's eyes widened, he then lowering his head. Part of him was ashamed that he had every right to be accused, another part angry that Hiei had been spying on him.

"You didn't trust me then."

"Apparently I had every right not to! You lied to me too, because it's pretty obvious that he comes before me!"

"Hiei, this is all very complicated and you know it. His needs are more important than ours at the moment!" The red-head shot back. How could his lover be so selfish!

"Oh, so the oaf suddenly takes priority because he might be pregnant with your child, is that it?"

"He could be pregnant with your child too you know! Don't forget that!" This made the fire demon think a moment, but in the end, his fury overrode all reason.

"I don't want to hear it. Just get out of my sight." The kitsune shot him cold look, angered and hurt, before walking into the temple. He could only hope that Hiei's wrath was aimed at him alone and wouldn't find its way to the sensitive ginger he had come to care so much about.

Short I know. Sorry. Writer's block is never fun. Check out my DeviantArt are page which can be found in my profile if you haven't already. I've illustrated two scenes already if that interests you. Please Review!