-AllTeeth

Urges Chapter 8

Warnings, Disclamers and all that

Hey. Long time, no see, right? Sorry. I've been very sick... I have leukemia and have been struggling to graduate before things got too bad.

Well... I graduated. Now I'm getting chemo and awaiting a marrow transplant. Nothing really to do except sleep, read and write. So I'm starting up again. My updates might be more spread out, but I'll try.

The demonling's eyes flew open the moment he sensed the presence nearby. He shot up, scanning the room for the intruder, but saw nothing. Kuwabara sat on his bed again, a bit put out. He was sure he sensed- The ginger froze, the presence suddenly close enough for the feeling it gave him to crawl up his spine. Slowly, he turned his head towards the window behind him, his body following in suit. After a shaky second, the man reached up and pulled open the curtains- to see Hiei staring at him blankly from the window sill. The pregnant man let out a sigh of relief as he pulled open the window for the shorter demon.

"About time, you big oaf. I've been waiting for hours." Hiei snipped, jumping over the bed and onto the floor.

"Sorry, I was sleeping." The taller sheepishly scratched the back of his head.

"I guessed as much. I finally had to uncloak my energy to get you to notice." The black-haired man glared at him, but it wasn't anything the pyschic wasn't used to.

"Hey, it's not my fault I sleep more these days. I'm pregnant. Gotta get my rest for the little one. Besides, you could've just knocked. Or used the door." Hiei couldn't help but notice the man put a protective hand over his stomach, despite the fact he was only defending his unborn child verbally. "Anyway, I'm guessing you're here because it's your turn to stay with me, right?" The fire demon gave him a curt nod. The ginger man blushed inspite of himself. "So, should we make a link then?"

"I suppose we should. Not point in putting it off." The larger plopped down on his bed and closed his eyes, remembering what Kurama had taught him. After several moments, he felt a sort of distant tingle as Hiei's black tendril hesitantly brushed up against his own energy. Kuwabara welcomed it eagerly, still feeling a little empty from the absence of Kurama's link. Hiei's energy took persuading to form a complete connection, the sword-wielder almost feeling like he was trying to coax a scared cat into letting him come near.

Once the cord of energy fully entered, he entrapped it warmly in his own, offering reassurance. The demon was so wary of forming the bond, Kuwabara couldn't help but wonder if he had been hurt in the past through a link. Then again more likely that he just didn't trust people.

"You okay there, short stuff?" He asked calmly, once the link was secure.

"I'm fine." Hiei replied stiffly. "My link can stretch up to 8 yard. If you don't mind, I'll be elsewhere. Call me if you need me, but don't abuse privilege." The fire demon stalked out of the room, leaving the ginger alone once again. The emotions that filtered through the link confused the psychic to some extent. Anger, feeling betrayed and disgust were the first to touch him. These feelings didn't surprise the ginger too much, but they still left him feeling somewhat ill.

The odd emotions settled on top of these. Curiousity coupled with insecurity, jealousy that was unfocused, without a direct target. The last emotion affected Kuwabara the most. Sadness. Hiei was never someone he'd ever considered being sad to the level he was emitting now. A profound sense of pity filled the demonling. He didn't even know what had triggered such an emotion in the little man, but Hiei was hurting, that much he knew.

He closed his eyes and lay back on his bed, deep in thought. Finally, the ginger made up his mind and carefully sent warm, gentle, reassuring feelings towards his distant friend. Seconds later, he realized his mistake as a wall of darkness fell between them, cutting off the trickle of emotions. Kuwabara had hoped to get to know the demon better during his stay, maybe open him up a little, but now he couldn't even feel him through the link.

Hiei had shut him out.

It was the middle of the week before Kuwabara saw Hiei again. Not in all that of a calm manner either. Without a bedmate to help put him at ease, the demonling started to have nightmares again. They weren't that bad at first, but on Thrusday, he was hit hard. The nightmare was horrible; near gut wrenching really. Kuwa shot up, sweat drenched and clutching his sheets as though life depended on it. He panted, trying to slow down his heart rate, his eyes flicking about the room.

"Is something wrong?" A gruff voice asked from the shadows. The ginger's heart dropped a little. It was Hiei. Had the shorter demon really been watching over him at night?

"I'm... I'm fine.. Just a nightmare." He relaxed a little, looking away as Hiei approched. There was a moment of silence before that latter spoke.

"Are they always that bad?" He was asked. The taller looked up at the shorter, a little confused.

"What?"

"You were terrified... Are your nightmares always that bad?"

"Oh... No... They just started up after I found out I was pregnant. Kurama said it was probably the hormones..." The man stared at his knees, saddened.

"You.. feel worried. Scared... I little sad." It was then that the ginger realized that Hiei's wall only went one way. The fire demon could still feel him.

"I am... I don't know if I can do this alone..." He looked up at Hiei once more. "Hiei.. What are you going to do if it's yours?" The black-haired demon stood silently for moment.

"... Protect it. Watch over it and see that it isn't harmed." He paused and sighed, letting his wall drop. Kuwabara could feel his emotions again, all of them so confused. The smaller man sat on the edge of the bed, shoulder's slumped. Kuwa noticed he was without his black drape thingy, dressed comfortably in his purple tank and black pants.

"Hiei?" The ginger psycic wanted to reach out and touch his shoulder, comfort him, but held back, unsure.

"I won't abandon it if that's what you're thinking. That would go against every fiber of my being. I was cast out by my people for just existing and my mother commited suicide in mourning. I won't leave if it's mine." The room fell silent for a long time until, suddenly, Hiei found himself wrapped in a hug.

"Thank you..." Kuwabara whispered, his emotions getting the best of him. The smaller man could feel them too and eventually hugged the ginger back hesitantly. "Hiei?"

"Hm?"

"Could you stay with me for the night?" Hiei pulled away from him, looking him in the eyes. He felt hope from the demonling. A want for comfort. Longing.

"Why..."

"I'm not used to sleeping alone anymore... and the nightmares are coming back. Kurama shared my bed to keep them away..." Guilt washed over the fire demon. He blocked it from the other man, but it still hurt. Now he could understand why Kurama had done all the things he had.

All these emotions coming from the pregnant man, they made him difficult to ignore. The instinct to calm the ginger and reassure him was overwhelming. Hiei had been enraged with his mate for so blatantly betraying him, but now... he was feeling the same way. The need to protect the man who now held him so close. To protect his unborn. He let out a soft sigh and nodded.

"I'll stay."

Short... Sorry. But.. something is better than nothing, right?