Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Akambo ❯ Insight ( Chapter 5 )

A lower demon approached the visitors a few hours after their arrival. “My Lord Kurama, Human Guest, your rooms are ready. Please follow me,” he said as he bowed low before them. Kurama was reluctant to leave Hiei's side, but the doctor had assured him the hiyoukai would not be awake until at least the next morning. The sun was setting, and Shiori was obviously tired, so Kurama decided to go. Rising, he kissed Hiei gently on the cheek and whispered that he would return soon. With that, the human and youko-turned-human followed the servant away from the infirmary.

 

As they walked, Kurama's thoughts stayed with Hiei. The doctor had turned the comatose demon to show the wound to him. The wound itself was very small. The doctor believed it was made by the end of a spear. But who could get close enough behind Hiei to stab him, and how could a simple spear wound incapacitate the demon so soundly? Still wondering, Kurama was startled when a hand rested upon his shoulder.

 

Shiori jumped a little herself at her son's reaction to her touch. Apparently the red-head had been deep in thought because when she laid her hand on his shoulder he started. This did little to ease her malaise at their situation. “Shuuichi? Am I able to talk to Kazuya from here?” she asked, worried that her family would be alarmed by her absence.

 

“I believe it can be arranged. I was able to call you when I...” Kurama cut off his sentence at that.

 

Shiori narrowed her eyes slightly. “When you what?”

 

Kurama sighed. “While you and Hatanaka were on your honeymoon, I came to Makai. I was able to transfer all of the incoming calls to a cellular phone using the signal from a small antenna that Yomi's engineers devised,” Kurama admitted.

 

“You were here when... But I spoke to you so often and you never told me. And who is Yomi?” Shiori sputtered. Although her son had told her many of his adventures, he often left out key details like when and where the adventures happened. Shiori always assumed his Demon World escapades were from his previous life, but now she began to wonder just how craftily he had omitted the truth.

 

Before she could ask more questions, the servant leading them spoke. “Mistress Human Guest speaks of Yomi, governor of the adjoining territory. My Lord Kurama is his highest advisor and head tactician for his armies.”

 

Shiori looked at her son. “So you have an army job that you `forgot' to mention as well?” she asked. Kurama nodded. Shiori just sighed. “I have realized that there are many things you choose not to tell me. I can accept that. Just be careful,” she said softly. Relieved, Kurama turned to face their guide, only to find the demon had halted.

 

“These are the rooms Milady Mukuro feels you would prefer. They are General Hiei's private chambers. I am not permitted to enter with you, but should you have need of anything, simply pull the red cord and a servant will be with you,” he said, bowing again, and gesturing towards the double doors before them. With a nod, Kurama opened the door and entered the suite.

 

Hiei's chambers were impressive. Shiori's first impression was divided. Her mind registered both spartan and opulent, two concepts that usually do not blend. The anterior chamber was a parlor for receiving guests. It was sparsely decorated, but the few decorations it did have were elegant and undoubtedly expensive. The chairs were carved wood with inlaid gold and jewels, but the design was simple and practical. The table between them matched them beautifully, but was crowned with a solid, black granite slab. Several papers were gathered on the edge of the desk, also made of wood, but with a wooden surface. An inlaid leather center provided a writing surface. A small refreshment area was situated to the side, complete with a sink and a small firepit. A bed had been placed in the room, as well, obviously a new addition. It was roughly the size of a full bed with soft, yellow linens on it. It was to be Shiori's for the duration of their stay.

 

From the parlor, two doors led further into the suite. One connected to a small lavatory and the other to Hiei's bedchamber. Kurama opened this door and entered. He stopped after one step. The fox had never seen Hiei's chambers in Mukuro's palace. The room around him was a new sight for him, yet it felt very familiar. The bed was large, roughly the dimensions of their king size bed at home. The four posts supported a simple, but elegant, rectangular canopy. There was no solid drape over the canopy; long, crimson swatches wrapped around the frame and trailed down the posts. The comforter was crimson, as well, and several throw pillows sat upon it. The nightstands were a similar design as the table and chairs in the parlor, but more elegant and far more detailed, as was the chair in the corner. A small dresser with a mirror stood beside the bed. A door next to the dresser led to Hiei's private bathroom. The whole room smelled of Hiei and Kurama felt the need to hold his mate more strongly than before.

 

“Wow,” Shiori said, standing beside him. “Hiei's rooms are very elegant, and yet very utilitarian somehow.” Kurama smiled. That was Hiei, all right. As Shiori approached Hiei's bed, Kurama called out to her.

 

“Mother, please do not touch the bed.” Shiori stopped and looked at him with a strange expression. “It's a demon thing. Any place designated as a sleeping area is considered very private. That's why Hiei has a parlor. Usually he would have meetings in a conference room or the war chamber, but should he need to speak to someone here, they would not be permitted into his sleeping quarters. While you are close enough to him that he may not object to you entering this room, I know he would be displeased if anyone else were to disturb his bed.”

 

“Does this apply to you, too?” Shiori asked, already knowing the answer.

 

“No. We're mates, so we share sleeping areas. If we were merely lovers, however, I would not enter the bed without his invitation,” Kurama replied. Shiori nodded. Humans had a similar custom, but for the ningen, it was all about the refrigerator.

 

Smiling to herself, Shiori glanced around the room. The night stands and dresser surfaces were bare with one exception. A hairbrush lay in the center of the dresser, in front of the mirror. “I had no idea Hiei was that concerned with his hair. I always thought it stood up naturally,” Shiori commented, not entering the room any farther to investigate.

 

“It does. Why?” Kurama asked, following his mother's gaze. Approaching the dresser, Kurama stared at the brush. “This is mine. I lost it the day Hiei left for...” Kurama stopped, realizing what had happened. Sure enough, when he looked, Hiei had not cleaned the stray hairs from the brush; he had taken it to remind him of his fox. Kurama smiled. Quickly, he picked up the brush and ran it through his hair a few times, refreshing his scent on it. Shiori just shook her head. Having given birth to one and having one as a son-in-law didn't help; she would probably never truly understand demons.

 

Kurama replaced the brush on the dresser and turned to his mother in time to see her yawn widely. “I think it is time for bed, Mother. But first, let's see if your cell phone can get any reception from Yomi's tower. If he has not torn it down, that is. The engineers had to place it at the peak of a low mountain near a portal between the worlds. The portal is too small for anything to pass through; it's roughly the size of a fist, but the signal was strong enough. Luckily, that peak is near the border to this territory, so we may be able to make a call.” Shiori nodded eagerly as her son pulled the thick, red cord hanging next to the bed.

 

--

 

“Yes, Darling. No, I can't say I'm happy with the situation, but I know you're with the best bodyguard you could have. Yes, I know he's your son, but for now he's your safety as well. Yes, I know. No, we'll be fine. Okay. I love you.” Kazuya Hatanaka hung up the phone. He had gotten some strange calls before. Once his mother called him from a boat in Tokyo Bay just to prove she could. His uncle had called from France to announce he had eloped, and then called three days later from Egypt to announce he had divorced and to ask for a money transfer. His son had once called on a friend's cell phone from up a tree at that friend's house because they were stuck and it was starting to rain. But of all the calls he had received, this one was the weirdest.

 

How many people ever receive a call that begins with, “Hello, Dear, please don't be worried, but I'm in the Demon World with Shuuichi and we'll be here for a few days. Did you and Shuu-kun eat dinner?”

 

--

 

Shiori hung up the phone, grateful she had been able to reach her husband from this strange world. He had taken the news rather well. Turning to face her son, she was amused by his expression. “Was I that funny?” she asked.

 

“Oh, yes. I doubt the evening meal was first on his mind when he heard your voice,” Kurama replied merrily.

 

“Well, they had not yet eaten, for your information. They were waiting for me. I wanted to make sure they knew to go ahead without me,” Shiori countered. Kurama just chuckled. They were standing on one of the parapets of Mukuro's palace. This was the highest point, and the only place able to receive the cellular signal Yomi's engineers had set up. Luckily, the tower was still active and functioning. As they turned to leave, Shiori eyes the steps unhappily.

 

“Don't worry, Mother, down will be easier and faster,” Kurama said as he began descending the spiral staircase towards the level on which Hiei's rooms were located. Sick of steps, Shiori followed.

 

--

 

The next morning both visitors were in the infirmary again. Kurama sat on Hiei's bed, stroking the black hair, while Shiori sat in her chair and watched. Hopefully the small demon would awaken soon.

 

Shortly after lunch Kurama paused as the head he was petting began to shift a little. Crimson eyes opened blearily. Hiei groaned a little as he rose to consciousness. The first sensation to greet him was a sharp, stabbing pain in his lower back. Gritting his teeth, he opened his eyes. A smiling face was his first sight.

 

“Welcome back, Love,” Kurama said warmly. Hiei just stared.

 

It took some time for the hiyoukai to realize where he was and what was going on. The last thing he recalled was being on patrol. There was a sudden increase in ki immediately behind him, but before he could turn, hot, piercing pain shot from his lower back through his body and then nothing. The next thing he saw was his mate. He was in a bed, in the infirmary of the palace, in a shawl-like covering that barely passed for clothing at all.

 

Wanting answers, Hiei tried to sit up abruptly. A sharp pain stopped him, causing him to grimace and grunt as he flopped back onto the mattress. “No so fast, Milord General,” the doctor said, approaching the bed.

 

Hiei glared at the doctor, but the old demon chuckled. “You were stabbed with a spear and collapsed. You've been unconscious for three days. Milady Mukuro sent for your mate. You've lost quite a bit of blood, and the wound is healing slowly. We were forced to apply a crude healing technique known as `stitches' to close the wound at first, but they were removed last night.” Although this healing rate would be phenomenal for a human, Hiei was displeased at having needed to be sewn together in the first place.

 

“A spear? A lousy flesh wound won't keep me heeee-re,” Hiei groaned as he tried again, unsuccessfully, to sit upright.

 

“Love, stay put,” Kurama murmured.

 

“Yes, General. The damage done by the spear was surprisingly substantial. It appears to have been treated with some sort of substance to retard the healing process. You collapsed immediately, and the wound bled profusely. The garrison captain got you back here with little time to spare. That is why Lord Kurama was called,” the doctor explained patiently. He had treated Hiei's wounds before and was familiar with the demon's surly attitude.

 

“Hn,” Hiei muttered, unwilling to accept the doctor's assessment but unable to argue the pure facts.

 

“Hello, Hiei. I'm glad you see you're awake,” a female voice said from near the bed. Hiei looked over and saw Shiori sitting there.

 

“You brought your mother to Makai?” he asked Kurama as he lay back onto the bed, no longer arguing with all the strange goings-on.

 

“It's a long story,” Kurama began.

 

After Kurama had told the story of how they ended up in Demon World, the doctor delivered the edict that Hiei was to rest and not to resume his duties as general immediately. The demon bristled at this, and immediately tried to get up again.

 

“I refuse,” he said shortly. “Mukuro is the only one who can discharge my duties, and since she isn't here, I am not taking orders from a doctor.”

 

“But General Hiei...” the doctor protested.

 

“Shut up. I am leaving,” Hiei spat.

 

“But General...” the doctor practically begged.

 

“Do you want to die?” Hiei snarled.

 

Kurama placed a hand over Hiei's fist, which was tightly clenched on the covers. “Rest with me, Love?” he asked softly. Hiei stopped fighting, the meaning of Kurama's words sinking in.

 

“Hn. Fine.”

 

The trip back to Hiei's chambers was a long, tedious trek. Hiei refused to be carried and Kurama refused to convince him otherwise. The hiyoukai's steps were slow and labored, but he preferred it to spending another minute in that infirmary. Finally they reached the double doors. Once inside, Hiei all but collapsed against his mate. Kurama, prepared for this, caught his petite lover easily and began to guide him towards the bedchamber.

 

“Shuuichi?” Shiori asked before her son disappeared into the other room. Kurama paused to look at her. “Once Hiei is settled, could you take me back to that tower to call Kazuya again?” Kurama bit his lip. He did not wish to leave his mate alone. He was about to decline when Hiei spoke.

 

“Call for Jaiko. She is a loyal subordinate and a good fighter. She can escort Shiori to the tower and back,” the hiyoukai said softly, his knees buckling lower.

 

“I couldn't possibly,” Kurama began, but as Hiei slumped, he changed his mind. “Would that be acceptable, Mother? I cannot leave Hiei alone right now.”

 

“I suppose,” Shiori agreed nervously.

 

“It's alright. Jaiko is faithful. She is one of my assistants, and will guard you well,” Hiei said in a comforting voice. Shiori looked at him, surprised by his warm tone. It reminded her of a time he had called her “'kaasan” and she smiled.

 

“That would be lovely. Thank you, Hiei,” she agreed.

 

Once Jaiko had taken Shiori on the journey to the tower, Kurama began to pull back the covers for his mate. “I need to bathe,” came a weary voice from the chair in which his lover sat. Smiling, Kurama prepared the bed to receive occupants, and then went into the bathroom to prepare a bath.

 

Hiei's private bathroom was luxurious. It comprised two rooms. The first had a sink, commode, and shower. Kurama reflected on this. Showers were highly uncommon in Makai, so most likely Hiei had requested it to be specially built for him. The second room had a huge soaking tub. Kurama ran the water, allowing it to fill the tub, as he collected his mate and entered the shower. There Kurama washed both of their hair and bodies before carrying Hiei to the tub. The hot water continued to fill the basin as he settled down to soak with his mate in his lap.

 

“How long do you think your mother will be gone, Fox?” Hiei asked softly as Kurama turned the taps off.

 

“Probably another forty minutes or more. They should be arriving at the top of the tower now; last time it took us twenty minutes to climb the stairs. Depending on how much of a charge her phone still has, she may talk for another twenty minutes, and then they have to walk back. Why?” Kurama answered.

 

“Oh, no reason,” Hiei responded, nuzzling into Kurama's neck. Instantly the kitsune's body reacted.

 

“Hiei, I doubt this is a good time to...” Kurama stopped as he felt Hiei's hand caress him under the water.

 

“I need you, Kurama,” Hiei said. “We've been apart so long. Please, join with me.”

 

“I want to, but ooooh,” Kurama moaned as the hand became more urgent.

 

“I need it,” Hiei whispered.

 

“`It' doesn't have any magical healing properties and I don't want to hurt you,” Kurama protested half-heartedly.

 

Hiei pouted. “No Magic Healing Co...”

 

“Don't even say it!” Kurama cut him off. “You know I hate that language.” Looking into the crimson eyes before him, Kurama gave up. He pressed his lips tightly to Hiei's in a crushing kiss as the fire demon wrapped his arms around the kitsune's neck.

 

“Stop me if it hurts,” Kurama whispered, letting one hand creep down Hiei's body to his entrance. The demon nodded, speechlessly awaiting his mate's touch. He was not disappointed. He gasped as Kurama's first finger found its goal and began to enter him. Instead of arching, Hiei leaned forward, resting his head on Kurama's shoulder as the kitsune prepared him.

 

“Bath oil,” Hiei whispered as Kurama's third finger slipped into him, causing him to flinch in pain. Kurama nodded and turned to where Hiei pointed. A small cabinet, barely discernable in the woodwork of the wall, housed a small assortment of oils and bath beads, along with a couple of candles. None were even opened, however. Hiei never had anyone with whom to use them.

 

Kurama selected a fragrance and opened it, pouring some into the bath water and coating his hand with some. The scent was gentle but alluring; a combination of lavender, roses, violets, and musk, it reminded him of a garden at midnight. Gently he resumed preparing his lover, his entrance much easier now due to the oil. Hiei just closed his eyes.

 

Finally the hiyoukai was ready. He took a small amount of the oil in his hands and reached under the water, stroking Kurama and leaving oily residue behind. Even underwater, the oil clung to the skin. Carefully, Kurama positioned Hiei above him. Slowly, supported entirely by Kurama's strong arms, Hiei descended, engulfing his mate. Only a gasp of discomfort stopped the progression. “Hiei?” Kurama asked, but Hiei just shook his head and continued. Once he was settled, Hiei leaned front to rest again on Kurama's shoulder, breathing heavily.

 

“It's too soon,” Kurama murmured, wrapping his arms around his mate.

 

“No. It's fine,” Hiei countered. His back felt like it was on fire, but he needed his fox right now.

 

“Then look me in the eyes and tell me that,” Kurama said softly.

 

Hiei slowly raised his gaze to meet that of the green eyes before him. “It's fine,” he repeated. Kurama leaned in and kissed him deeply.

 

Slowly the fox began to move his weakened mate. Hiei fisted his hands in Kurama's hair, shifting his weight as the kitsune manipulated his body. Soon he began panting. After such a long abstinence and injury, Hiei knew he would not last long. Within fifteen minutes, Hiei's head began to swim with delight and he knew his end was near.

 

“Kurama, I can't...” he began, but Kurama silenced him with a deep kiss. Moaning into his lover's mouth, Hiei climaxed, tensing all his muscles, pleasure and pain ripping through his body. Bonelessly he fell backwards.

 

Kurama caught him effortlessly. The kitsune was close, very close. But his mate was exhausted. Carefully, Kurama began to move Hiei up and off of him. A low voice from the almost unconscious demon stopped him.

 

“Finish it.”

 

“Hiei, Love,” Kurama began.

 

“Finish it, Kurama.” Under heavy lids, crimson eyes bore into Kurama's own. Nodding, He gathered Hiei closer and continued to rock the smaller body. Hiei was too exhausted to do much more than rest against his fox's shoulder, but even that was contact enough for Kurama. Hiei managed to stay awake as Kurama tensed and cried out his name. He felt the fox spill inside of him, felt the arms wrapping around to hold him tightly, felt the heavy, hot breath of his spent lover on his neck. He felt warm and content as the pain faded and he drifted into oblivion.

 

After his completion, Kurama just held Hiei in the tub, careful to keep both their heads above water. He knew the hiyoukai had passed out. Their energies swirled and meshed, much like their bodies did, allowing Hiei to sleep peacefully in the embrace, both physically and metaphysically, of his mate. Only as the water began to chill did Kurama separate their bodies, pull the plug on the drain, and carry Hiei to the bed. After a quick rubdown with the towel, Kurama climbed into the bed and drew Hiei into his lap. Pulling the sheets up to their waists, Kurama finally allowed sleep to claim him as well and their energies to blend completely.

 

Shiori felt much better after speaking to her husband again. She missed him, more now than when he went away on business. She thanked Jaiko for the escort as the demon left her at the double doors to Hiei's suite. As an assistant, she had been into the parlor before for meetings, but was not permitted to enter without receiving a direct invitation from her general. Closing the doors behind her, Shiori entered the parlor.

 

“Shuuichi?” she called out softly. No answer. The door to the bedroom was open, and so Shiori approached to look in. The room smelled nice, like flowers at night. She saw her son and his mate asleep in the bed. The sheet kept their more private areas barely covered, and it was obvious that both were nude. Kurama was lying back on the pile of throw pillows; they supported him in an almost upright position. Hiei was situated on top of him and between his legs. The fire demon was on his side, his head resting on Kurama's chest. The intimate position and lack of clothing made their prior activities all too clear. Shiori was a little disconcerted that they both had consented when Hiei could barely walk back to his chamber. Biting her lip, she remained in the doorway watching them silently and pondering their relationship.

 

She loved her son. She loved Hiei like a son. She loved to see them happy. But every now and then a small part of her resented their relationship. This small part wondered what it would have been like if her son had found a nice, human, girl. They could have been married, in the legal sense. They could have invited her to meet the rest of their family. They could have had children. She would be holding her grandchild right now, not stuck in a world full of demons, away from her husband, watching her son in the arms of another man. Quickly Shiori shook her head.

 

Kurama had everything he would have had with a female, except the children part. Shiori wanted grandchildren; she had always wanted grandchildren. She wanted a big family. She and her first husband had planned to have more children, but fate had other ideas. Once he was gone, she did not meet Kazuya until it was too late. She didn't want to have another baby in her middle-aged years. She transferred that hope to grandchildren, but again, fate had other ideas. At least there was still a chance with Shuu-kun; he had turned out to be very popular among the ladies when he got to high school. But still, a grandchild of her own bloodline would be nice.

 

Then again, when she saw her son happy, she knew she wouldn't trade his smiles for a boatload of grandchildren. Seeing the rare smile on Hiei's face, always in her son's direction, made her feel that her son provided the only light in the demon's dark life. Her love for them outweighed her regrets, and the small, resentful part of her fell still. “I'm being selfish,” Shiori said quietly to herself. Although her voice was low, it roused the sleeping kitsune on the bed.

 

“Mother?” Kurama asked softly, sleepily, as he blinked his eyes. Seeing her hovering in the doorway, he smiled. Apparently she understood demons better than she realized; she had refrained from entering the bedroom uninvited while they were asleep. Kurama yawned widely before he said, “Come in and sit down, Mother.”

 

Shiori was relieved when her son invited her in. She had thought it best to stay outside after the way he had described demon sleeping areas. She entered and sat in the chair in the corner. Kurama shifted to look at her without waking Hiei, but realized just how low the covers were. Blushing, he pulled them higher.

 

The outer door opening and footsteps approaching drew both their attention away from the demons' compromising position. A loud knock just outside the door to the bedroom made Shiori jump as a deep, female voice called out, “Hiei? Are you in there?”

 

Sighing, Kurama answered, “Come in, Mukuro.” The regent entered, unfazed by the scene before her.

 

“Is he awake?” she asked, in voice much quieter than the one she had used outside the door.

 

Before he answered, Kurama looked down at his mate. “Hiei, Love, are you able to wake up? Mukuro is here and I believe she has something to say to you,” Kurama whispered, nuzzling into Hiei's hair. Slowly, the crimson eyes opened. After a moment, they found their way to the doorway.

 

“Hiei, your duty is discharged as of now. Once you recover you are free to return to your home. I will call you when you are needed again,” Mukuro said. Hiei just closed his eyes and went back to sleep. Mukuro turned to leave. Seeing her son beginning to doze off, Shiori exited to the parlor as well, closing the bedroom door behind her.

 

“They're good for each other,” Mukuro observed. Shiori turned to look at her. “Hiei needs grounding. He's been on his own for far too long. Kurama gives him something no one else can. It keeps him going.”

 

“Yes. They do make a good couple. But Hiei spends a lot of time here as well,” Shiori began, not knowing how to ask the question in her mind. She didn't have to, though.

 

“He doesn't have anything on the side. Most demons would, but Hiei is not most demons. He's committed to Kurama. That's how they were able to mate successfully. Without that, and a lot more, they would have died in the ritual.” Shiori paled. Her son had never mentioned that little detail to her. Mukuro filed this reaction away in her memory. Although she was usually a demon of few words, when the words could produce information, she spoke them willingly. She had no desire to pry into the private life of her general, his mate, or this human, but she never discarded information.

 

“Regardless, Hiei should be fit for travel in a day or two, so you should be able to return to Ningenkai then,” Mukuro said abruptly and left the room, giving Shiori time to mull over all the new information about her son she had discovered in the past few days.