Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Broken Vow ❯ Figures of the Glass ( Chapter 5 )

Title: Broken Vow

Show: Yu Yu Hakusho

Pairing: Kurama/OC, Kurama/Hiei

Author: GreenBird

Disclaimer: You know how this works.

Rating: PG-13

Note: And it's the end people! Hiei realizes his own feelings and wants to set them strait… but what about his former mate and his new beau? Is he too late for making things right? Will Kurama ever be his again? A deal longer then the others. Dripping with angst, and yes you dear things; Fluff as well. Finally, another song quip from `Broken Vow' as well as one from Coldplay's `The Scientist'.

. . .

~Addition!!!~ Thanks for waiting so long, as a simple statement: I had no plans to abandon this, it's just that my days include 12 hours of school, 5 hours of sleep, and 6 hours and 59 minutes of writers block. O_o

~ Post Pre-Note ~ As the ending chapter to Broken Vow, I thought that I should leave a note to all of the readers before and afterwards… because I felt like it.

First matter of speaking: Characterizations… as you can tell this piece focuses mainly on Hiei, with Yusuke and of course Kurama as well. Hiei is a difficult bugger to keep in character because you sometimes honestly don't know what he really might do and hardly ever know what he's thinking. In this chapter Hiei gets deep… drowning deep. Lifejacket deep. You get the point. The reason that I unashamedly did this is because I was hoping that I developed him through the first four chapters well enough for the fifth. Remember, this is a fan fiction, thus it is my opinion about the character's nature...

Also… Kurama's a pain in the ass to do. (Oh gods… pun >_<) I have had little work with him and all of it I've been unsatisfied with… Yusuke on the other hand was a natural thing to write, partially because I'm kind of like that sometimes.

Another thing: don't hate Koate… after all, who could resist Kurama?

Okay, that's about it… Wait. Has anyone else noticed my obsession with windows and/or glass and trees? Am I just odd? Oh well, enjoy… you know, this is one long mother of a chapter…

~Tell me the words I never said,

show me the tears you never shed.

Give me the touch… the one you promised to be mine,

…or has it vanished for all time?~

-Josh Groban

Part Five: Figures of the Glass

Thinking about it now, it was the purring roll of thunder that brought the demon hurtling back to staring at that window, that window that was now glossed with the water droplets that were knocking at it relentlessly. The weather must have had something personal against him.

It took a moment to find that all the colors he was seeing were blurred and swimming, that there was a prickling between his eyes, and that his hand was pressed to his lips.

The moment all this was discovered, it was eliminated. He shoved fisted hands back into deep pockets and blinked fiercely, ridding whatever moistness that had dared to build under closed lids back.

But it was hard to do… so much harder then before. All he had done for as long as he had been able was lock away whatever foolish emotions had tried to take him. He didn't like it… he didn't know what to do with them but crush them and the youkai prided himself in his ability to do so.

- You did this. You're the one who did all of this. It was you. -

I didn't want it.

- But you have it now. What are you going to do? -

Unfortunately his lungs were tired of being ignored and he sighed deeply. To his front right, Yusuke moved only slightly.

You locked it away when you felt it then, and ran from it when it was returned later. What a…

"Coward."

"Hiei?" At the sound of his name the small demon turned his gaze off the window. Yusuke sat, apparently confused out of his right mind, where he had last placed himself. The detective stared, shocked at what he just might have seen, and thinking that his own eyes were no longer trustworthy.

"You know now?"

* * *

Inwardly Hiei praised his Jagan. Once it had become familiar with a life force he could track it to the far ends of the earth. He had done it for Yukina, he had used it to locate Yusuke and now it was going to help him find the most important spirit so far in its service.

I must find Kurama.

Yusuke clicked the window shut somewhere behind him and in a second's time he was darting across rooftops, searching… searching… Where are you?

There. The soft and sturdy thrum of Kurama's energy. It was far closer then he had expected. The kitsune must have been out of the house today.

Hardly hitting the shingles of the buildings he bounded over, the jaganshi moved as quickly as he could, willing that power to grow stronger as he neared it, willing his feet to move faster, willing his courage not to falter now.

I will not be a coward again.

* * *

Thin graceful fingers stoked the glossed stalk of a flower that arched upward to the warm glass ceiling far above it. Botanical gardens were always a beautiful place to go, and as of now, with all of the drowning rain that had plagued endlessly, it was the only pleasant garden that he could stay in and not become soaked.

The air was heavy with moisture mixed with the potent perfume of the vibrant flowers around him and gave off a feeling of nostalgia. Kurama plucked a single petal from the flower he had been petting. The colors of it were a pure and violent crimson that matched his hair. Absentmindedly, he brushed through it again with his free hand, making sure he was still well-groomed.

Yes, still as smooth as he had been when Koate had promised to meet him…

That had been two hours ago.

"I suppose it was too good to be true." He whispered to the petal, adoring its soft gleam. "Not perfect enough…"

Suddenly he crushed it in a slender fist, nails digging into the soft flesh of the gorgeous bud. "Too warm… too soft! Too emotional!" The stem he had been petting snapped under his hand.

Kurama stood stiffly, glaring at the ruined plant. His long, vermillion tresses flowed over his shoulders and surrounded a bowed head. Arms crossed over his chest and he shuddered in a silent and frightening laughter.

"I am a fool… Right after-all weren't you?" Very slowly the kitsune lifted his head to an emerald tree yards away. He wished that it was in his will to destroy it with such a look. Tear it to shreds… kill it. "Not good enough for anyone?"

It was pointless to stay longer; if his mate had not arrived by this time he was obviously not planning to arrive at all. Even though the garden was beautiful the perfection of it all was painful to look upon, so, giving the one solitary tree a final disgusted look, he returned to the gray world outdoors.

. . .

From where he sat in the lofty greenhouse, in the branches of a single lonely weeping tree, Hiei's heart stopped. Those eyes… those large verdant eyes… how could loathing be so clearly stained into those brilliant irises? The creature he had come to discover in the garden was not some graceful kitsune with a virtuous heart and blossoming soul… Some cold embittered thing sat instead, idly waiting, with nothing but self-doubt flowing through its veins.

What had happened to his partner?

Surely… he couldn't have made that.

. . .

The puddles that had accumulated on the sidewalk's sagging pathways were shivering at the addition of more drops. This weather was ridiculous! Carefully, Kurama placed his feet on the dryer spots of the walkway, trying his hardest to stay under the overhanging awnings in the front of the stores he walked by. Colorful displays lay in the windows, trying to catch the passer-by's attention. The only that succeeded in this difficult task was a florists shop with its intricate designs.

The glass clouded in front of him as he stared through the window, trying to distract himself. He had felt Hiei's presence. The demon had been in the gardens with him and now was carefully winding his pursuit. He felt his blood rise at the idea of him being stalked. The audacity of it!

Kurama blinked as a middle-age woman appeared in the window to set down yet another arrangement. She was a plump and adorable thing; cheeks rosy and face bright. She gave him a welcoming wave through the glass and bid him to come in. He nodded in response, but ignored the offer; he preferred the environment that reflected his attitude.

The glass swam in front of his face as he gazed into it. Time was a slow-flowing ache on a day such as this. Everything went on a snail's pace when you wanted nothing more for the night to swallow the somber light that cast down on you. Slender fingers pressed the glass and wearily Kurama set his forehead against the back of his hand. Coat-framed shoulders sagged as he exhaled slowly… dousing his nerves in the cool of the day.

The image of the bouquet of flowers the woman had set in the window glowed before him. A beautiful pearl chrysanthemum, its large feathery head blossoming over several smaller red flowers who lay in a chaotic yet beautiful mess around it. The card she had leant up against it had something to the extent of `love you, miss you' written in flowing calligraphy. The ink was brilliant and scarlet on clouded white, adding to the handsome look of the arrangement.

Some token to give your loved one. He mused quietly, absorbing the serene sight in from between his fingers. His eyes could take no more of the abuse and shut themselves away. Oh, why did I ever think that it was meant for me?

For the longest time he leant against the pane, drifting further away. The world had gone mute with the exception of his breathing and palpitating life. The subtle beat drummed softly, and he wished it to still. It would not. It was too stubborn to. Time would go on. He could as well.

You told yourself once, that you could live through anything… He muttered, attempting to console the pulse of a broken heart. So… live through this.

The sound of the gentle thrumming has suddenly torn away, and he found his shoulder caught in another's grip.

"Shuichi?"

. . .

A slick branch, its bark soaked to the bone, was Hiei's newfound spying post. The figure he hunted had paused underneath the cover of a storefront's canopy. Now it stood, quiet and foreboding under the protective wing, leant against the glass in a posture that screamed pure exhaustion both of mind and body. The fire demon felt cold as he watched, observing the ache to descend and join the solitary figure.

But another had also planned to do such a thing. From out of his sight a young man strode; his steps careful and calculating, as if he were trying to decide if he should really be walking at all. He was merely three doorways away from his prey when it was noticed by the youkai. Intrusion… danger. The Jagan prodded the walking youth's thoughts unasked and found simply one thing; Shuichi… Shuichi… Shuichi.

A step away now and the demon felt as if he were the one being invaded. Get away… get away…

A hand touched his prey's sagged shoulder.

Quite suddenly two things happened in horrible secession. Hiei felt a stinging fear, and a vicious jealousy. Who dared to do this? Who touched Kurama so?

Small fangs were bore in fierce anger. Not just from the figure's lingering touch, but also from the fact that Kurama was not rejecting it at all, rather, he simply had turned to gaze upon the encroachment in certain alarm.

. . .

It took a moment to recognize his own human name, but the touch upon him was enough to catch the needed attention to turn from his daze. Koate stood a foot away; hair slumped down lazily upon his brow and heavy jacket dangling from his lengthy frame. Coppery eyes were focused quite clearly on his own vaporous pair and his face seemed callow and frightened.

The youko began to turn in emotions. There was an anger at the sight of his date, but overpowering it was a calming wash of relief. He remembered me.

Realizing that he was expected to speak, Kurama finally exhaled. "You're late."

"I know." Koate shifted; a sign of worry. "I apologize."

The redhead blinked dully at him, obviously expecting more. There was a tangible uncertainty in the boy before him and it was beginning to transfer to himself. "It was intentional wasn't it?"

The boy swallowed and diverted his eyes, no longer daring. He had been caught. "It was."

"If you didn't want to see me again, you should have told me not to bother to come out here." There was hardly a hint of irritation in it as he spoke, just a clear fact.

"It's not like I didn't want to see you!" The ebony haired boy suddenly exclaimed, trying to contradict the sentence. "I was doubting you'd be here…"-No trust. - "… and it's awkward you know…" -No comfort. - "I mean, we hardly know each other…"

"That is the purpose of dating." Shuichi smiled softly. There was nothing behind it; simply a practiced motion when interacting with humans.

"I thought you weren't interested in dating." There was a heavy blush sprayed upon the ivory skin of the boy.

-I wasn't.-

How confusing…oh, what a mess I've made.

"Foolish..." The redhead suddenly exclaimed, looking surprised at the enlightenment.

"What?"

"I should never have done this." Kurama chuckled, placing his hand to his forehead again. "I should never have put you in this position… I should have never put him in that position!" Koate was utterly confused by the mixed emotions, and Shuichi looked at him, for the first time smiling sadly. "I'm sorry Koate, you are wonderful…"

"But…" There was hardly a need for the query, as the both of them recognized the emotion held in their voices. There was a feeling of dread in the boy's voice.

"This isn't meant for me. It never was… Oh, what a mistake I've made." A thin hand brushed the boy's face and the kitsune gently kissed him, their weather-chilled lips surprisingly warm at the graceful touch. "Please, forgive the broken fool. I never wanted to hurt kind soul like you how I have been hurt, it is better to simply avoid scoring the wound deeper."

The two figures stood outside the flower shop in the day's gloomy rain, now a perfect setting for them both.

. . .

The boughs of a the damp tree shifted as their inhabitant moved quickly off, shaking the droplets of water it had lovingly collected and spilling them about in a chaotic mess of wetness. The small culprit that caused the catastrophe darted quickly; fleeing to another loft, then another, then another… not caring where it absconded, as long as it was not there.

* * *

Yusuke's plans had been canceled due to the disgusting and unfortunately faithful weather. He nearly kicked the TV off of its pedestal as the weatherman apologized for his crummy forecast; there was going to be more rain, flooding, maybe someone would get caught in the mud and die and their body would be found months later….

Growling to himself he threw his hands above his head and lay out flat on the floor, his fingers rooted in the unkempt hair that dusted over his forehead.

"I can't stand this! I need to move!" He wanted to go training! Maybe he could just head over to the local mall and pick fights with a few prudent little pissants that had been riding his nerves… Atsuko however was not about to deal with Yusuke being idle while their apartment was revolting. Normally mess was expected, in fact; mandatory, but this… this was just repulsive. It most likely was breaking some laws of humane living conditions, and quite recently it had been giving the potent smell of teenage boy.

"You know what… If you're so damn bored get off your ass and help me out!" Her arms were leaden with clothes… heaven knows if they were clean or dirty. They would have to play `the smelling game' to figure out what need washing and what could be worn again.

"Oh come on!" Yusuke glared at her. "The only reason you're cleaning up is because you're in a mood! You'll leave this half-done just like everything else!"

A small loafer found its way to the side of his head. "All the more reason for you to help me!" When her son refused to move, she hissed through her teeth and headed to his door. "Fine with me if you don't want clean Yusuke…" The woman grumbled, dropping her load of clothes and reaching for a garbage bag. "I'll just go in your room and throw things I think are useless in the trash."

Sputtering, Yusuke sat up as his mother disappeared into his room. Just as he had pulled himself to his feet she emerged again, bag empty and face tinted red.

"What?" The boy smiled at her. "You find my skivvies or something?"

"Eh…" Atsuko glanced behind her. "Nah."

"Well then what?"

"…There's someone sleeping in your bed."

. . .

Yusuke stood at the head of the bed, correction; his bed, and stared down on what had curled itself upon it.

Hiei sat with his knees tucked up to his chin, head against the wall, eyes closed. It wouldn't seem that odd if the boy's pillow was not clamped in slender ivory arms and a pale face was pressed against the cushion's fabric. Yusuke smiled for a moment at the wet, dishelved and obviously unconscious youkai and marveled at how amazingly small, and oddly cute the treacherous demon could make himself. A laugh nearly escaped at the humming sound Hiei seemed to be making in sleep.

But in a moment any humor or warmth turned to a worrying curiosity; a scowl formed suddenly as he thought it through and his nerves grew tight.

The small figure's face looked empty, almost lifeless in its sleep.

"Why are you here?" The boy whispered. "What went wrong?"

. . .

Someone once said that eyes are the windows to the soul… what an irony. He possessed three on a normal basis and close to twenty in his purest of forms yet he, a damnation of his kind, never had left the portal open. It was his one friend, his most compassionate of partners that had let him see into the depths of a creatures' soul. He had seen the life and compassion that fueled it; the desires and needs that drove it and the emotions that supported such a complex being.

He had the privilege to witness a treasure far greater then gold. For who had a more noble and faithful soul then Kurama?

And the humor they had held, the fondness those eyes had harbored; a warm friendship and a promise of more. That night he destroyed them he had looked into the kitsune's soul… and it held none of this. Pain, confusion, anger… weariness had replaced them instead. It had baffled him.

But the soul he saw this day was no longer pained or confused. Simply tired, angry… and filled with loathing.

Loathing.

Did he hate him? Did the blow injure him that deeply?

And why… why did the vision of those irises stay long after he had blackened the view of his own?

* * *

Six hours was enough!

After a twenty minute tongue twister attempting to explain to his mother why there was a small dark-haired boy sleeping on his bed, the detective hadn't touched the unconscious youkai. He'd wake up and leave eventually… right?

Right?!

Normally Yusuke would have thought that waking a normally vexed demon was a bit dotty, but he had had his fill of this real-life drama and intended to shove his part of it out the window if it was asleep or not!

"Wake up!" He hissed, finally getting off of the floor where he had stationed himself for the past hour to stare dumbly at the demon. Swiftly, he punched the corner of his bed with a heel and it shuddered.

Very slowly, almost as fast as molasses, red eyes opened. They glared dully at the thing that had roused them, then, noting the disturbance for future punishment; closed.

"Damn it! I told you to wake up!" Yusuke pulled at the sheets, and the youkai slid slightly downward into a slump.

"I still have my sword." Hiei commented, eyes closed and voice slurred.

Yusuke raised an eyebrow and then in a triumphant bark seized the sheath of the demon's weapon and pulled. The result was a hail of cursing on the opposite end and a thump onto the floor. Recovering in a moment's time, Hiei half-drew the katana, but the thought of holding the cold blade to another friend's throat was none too welcoming. He'd done enough damage.

"You're not sappost to be here." The boy stated, standing a good swinging distance back as he saw the thin hand upon the hilt of the sword.

That's for sure. The demon thought bitterly, but the only answer he gave was the ever famous… "Hn."

The hand was dropped and Yusuke urged himself forward a step. "Well…"

"It is over."

It was said like it had been expected; dreaded, but expected. "Are you sure?" Oh,Yusuke, you're so smart! Let's wake him up and then jab at him! He almost made an attempt to backpedal, but the demon had not seemed to notice the question in the least. Almost immediately, another thought came to his mind:

"How are you guys gunna work together?"

"I would not worry about that." Hiei spoke solemnly. "Work and pleasure are separate measures."

Yusuke laughed, placing his hand on his forehead as though the action might have made it fall off. "Right! Because teamwork doesn't rely on friendship!"

"He takes the job seriously. He will not allow this to effect him."

"Oh, I'm not worried about Kurama." The boy waved the suggestion off.

Hiei caught the statement. "You have nothing to worry about from me."

No matter how hard the both of them wanted to not to believe it; the statement was a flat out lie. Personal relationships between partners were what gave them their strength… if the links broke…

Very suddenly Yusuke picked up a note of severity. His brows pulled themselves together and he scowled; thinking slowly. "I can't allow anything to separate my team Hiei… not even some lover's vendettas."

"We won't be separated." Hiei was growing tired of speaking and his interest, that had been little in the first place, was fading.

"What was his opinion about it?" There was no reply and suddenly something odd came to mind. "Did you even talk to him?"

At this the demon frowned. How was his argument going to have any grounds to fight on when he himself hadn't even made any? Feeling foolish he muttered. "No."

"What?!" The detective growled, throwing his arms out wide in exasperation. "Then how the hell do you know that `it's over'? You didn't hear what he had to say!"

That's right… but he still has told me the circumstances. He then stated the one thing that he knew to be true about his former mate, the one thing he feared and respected the most.

"Have you ever seen Kurama show mercy on someone who has hurt him?"

They both fell quiet and the words soaked in. There was no forgiveness for the enemy; it was your opponent or you. The kitsune concentrated on this faithfully… the enemy was the target… the target must be struck.

Something frantic was happening inside Yusuke's head. He needed the problem to be compromised as soon as possible. He needed to force his demon half of the team to pull back together. There was a new emotion playing on Hiei's normally impassable face; something frighteningly hopeless. Impulse once again came to the ungraceful rescue, and, reaching for something on the dresser behind him shouted. "I'm calling him!"

The fire demon blinked, obviously slightly taken aback by the explosion of decision and glared at the small electronic device in the detective's hand. "You wouldn't."

"I would and I am!" Yusuke waved the phone as if it were a formidable weapon. "You two are not going to become enemies! I am not being jousted out of two good fighters over an argument today that you didn't even have!" Fingers punched the green button on the corner of the receiver and the device flicked on. "If you won't fix it yourself then I'll do it!"

Hiei frowned. "No you won't."

"Yes I am! Look! I'm doing it!"

The sound of the dial tone disappeared as Yusuke pushed the digits. Hiei took a few steps forward, angered at being shaken from his melancholy stupor. "Don't!"

"I will unless you leave!" The boy pointed to the window violently, a smile plastered to his face. "You've got to leave and correct this whole mishap. If you don't I swear I will!"

"Fine!" At odds as to what to do and not exactly wanting to hack off Yusuke's head, the youkai jumped onto the bed and pushed open the window. "I'm going!" He stepped onto the frame as he heard the phone on the opposite line ring. "Damn stupid human… hang up! I'm leaving! Look!" And with that he leapt spectacularly down to the ground. There wasn't but two seconds until the window above was closed and locked.

Holding the phone to his ear the detective pointed the demon in the general direction of Kurama's house, and then gestured to the phone as a consequence. Cursing, the furious demon threw him a choice symbol and darted away.

When the dark image had finally disappeared Yusuke laughed wholeheartedly. Slumping down on his reclaimed bed, the phone in his right hand continued it's ringing. He clenched he teeth and continued to snicker. Hell… he didn't know Kurama's number!

The ringing stopped and an automated voice spoke out of the receiver. "Hello, Kazi Air Conditioning and Climate control…"

Brown eyes widened in their surprise. "Oh damn!"

-Beep.

* * *

Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry,

you don't know how lovely you are.

I had to find you, tell you I need you…

tell you I set you apart.

~Coldplay

He had begun to hate glass. It held him out, it held him in… The substance was far too thin to bar any real danger without a magic ward of some sort and now, between himself and his goal; it was too thick a barrier.

Very softly he let his energy pulse; let it speak.

-Come Kurama. Let me meet you; I have things I must do.-

His legs bowed on the faithful branch he had come to know so well for the past years. The tree itself stood like a Roman column, trunk aged and weathered and beautiful limbs spreading its fingers out every which way. Perhaps the reason it had become so large and successful in its conquering of the urban neighborhood was the inhabitant of the room it guarded.

Between two of its twigs lay the thin delicate network of a spider's web. Upon the fringes a single beetle crawled, its smooth brown back laden with droplets of water. The impeding weight seemed to curse the insect's fate as it slipped under the burden and fell, entangling itself in the ghostly silver of the predator's trap.

"So all it takes is one mistake… One slip-up to ensure your demise."

-You know him better then any… his trust is pure until you cross him. There is no forgiveness for an enemy.-

I need closure, not forgiveness.

There was movement inside the room; his presence had been noticed.

Scorning laughter bit at him. -You don't know what you need.-

Through the dark plane of separation he saw those two emerald eyes… the wonderful orbs that he had closed. The face they lay in was impassable and unsurprised at the creature outside his room. But Hiei stood his ground, or rather to say his branch, and refused to leave… even if the gaze that was watching him was wishing he'd fall right out of his tree.

The rain shattered against the glass, just like him; unable to get in.

Don't make me talk through the window kitsune. Hiei pleaded inwardly. The effect of his words would be a mock if he tried to say them through the barrier. At least open this up to me.

Moments rushed by, far too long and quiet. The glass between the figures gave an irritated rattle that had been urged by the wind. The cold air of it sought to sneak its way into the room, crawling along the woven carpet floor and wrapping itself around a pair of feet.

Kurama's frigid face softened and frowned at the dark one through the glass. "Time to face this…"

The latch was lifted for the final time and the window drawn open. The ice of the evening's air washed in and found the figure it collided with far colder then itself. A blockade of glossed emerald found the eyes of ruby.

"Get in."

Hiei followed the demand in a second's time, gently stepping down across the sill and to the floor. The figure beside the window had moved as well. Kurama stood across the room now, quite near the door. The space between the two, only at seven feet, suddenly seemed insurmountable.

"What do you want?"

So many things… but now, the one real thing. "I need to talk to you."

Kurama fisted his hands in tired frustration. Now he wished to talk… now he needed to address the situation. Couldn't this have happened before? What good were words now? "Then talk, perhaps I will listen."

The youkai stood against the dull gray glow of the world behind him. This was it; his final stand. He had always given his all at the last moments… better to loose your life then your pride… But, this time, during this last stand his grounds shook under him and the loss of this particular battle would claim more then his soul…

Then fight. Fight to keep what you want…

"Forgive me." The words had never once been spoken in combination from him; but now they came as if they were meant to. "For what I've done to you; forgive me."

A frown creased Kurama's perfect face, obviously contemplating if he had heard correct. The moment passed, heavy and dangerous, until the taller struck out.

"Do you honestly think…" His breathing was deep and even, embittering the words even further, "that that will heal it?"

"No." Once he had spoken of scars of the heart. What sort of scars does shattered love give? How long will the marks sting after the blow?

There was an urge to say more. "That's all I can do Kurama, that's all I can say. My apology and my regret, what more could I give?"

-Your blood, your tears…- The kitsune inclined his head, lashes blocking the dark silhouette against the window out. "What do you want me to do?" His voice was a brush of air; light and ghostly. "Do you want me to break down and cry? Do you wish me to rush into your arms? Tell you everything is forgiven?!" The air became miasma. "That I long for it to never happen? Say that I suffered without you, that it hurts to think about you, that I'll take you back and never speak such foolish words again? Do you expect that?"

The smaller demon's heart was in his ears. He was loosing his battle. This was not the way it was meant to be. This was not supposed to happen when you bore your soul!

Finally, there was fire in the air.

"Answer me!" The words were literally thrown at him by the kitsune; sharp and with brutal purpose. "What will it take to get you away?"

"Nothing could." He hadn't meant to say it… he didn't know why he did. "You can't be rid of me… no more then I can of you."

"I don't need you." It was ridged and strong, but then filled with ridicule. "And you, you don't need anyone."

There was no answer to the sting against him, but the pain clung all the same.

"I want nothing to do with you; I don't want anything to do with this again." A hard glare shot at him, daring a rebuke. "Leave… I don't want to lay my eyes on you until the next mission… we'll keep it all business, just like you wanted in the first place; just fun and business."

A stiff back turned to the demon, and one hand lay on the door's handle. "When I come back…" The brazen head tossed in its pride. "You'll be gone."

What was he to do? He had failed! He had lost! Hiei frowned and blinked rapidly. Never had he felt pain like this… it was awful. A sinking, drowning feeling that made one's teeth grind and skin prickle. How could it end like this! He had learned his lesson… he had received his revelation!

"Kurama," He called then, no more then a whisper. It wasn't strong… it wasn't impassive. The figure at the door turned its sleek head only slightly to catch him in one eye. "…I did too."

A slender hand turned the doorknob. "Get out."

The command lay the final blow, and he turned, head cast down in his defeat, to the exit. "As you wish."

The leap was made for the branch outside, but it had never been intended to connect. There was a strong pull on the demon's left leg and he stumbled, turning clumsily in midair from the weight and his back collided with the biting bark of the tree's trunk. Hiei clung as well as he could to the plant to his rear, clutching at it desperately to remain aloft.

The reason for the mid-air calamity was wound tightly around Hiei's boot. A thin vine stuck tight to him, the very end of it held by Kurama. The youko was leaning far out of the window, being pelted by the rain. Hiei stared surprised into the darkened face, two glowing ivy eyes watching from their slit openings. His lips hardly moved as he spoke.

"It hurts, doesn't it?"

The youkai slipped and grappled for leverage, but the movement was futile. Kurama jerked the vine violently and Hiei fell off the tree only to be caught as one of the plant's branches reached out and stopped him. The demon was startled as the tree groaned and lifted him up directly in front of the kitsune's face.

"You are a real pain you know." Kurama growled, eyes lived and passionate. "Why do you have to be so difficult?"

"If I wasn't you'd never of pursued me."

His shoulders were pinched in an iron grip and the youko nearly shook him, their faces inches apart. "I wanted to hate you… I wanted so badly to…"

"You should have."

Strands of rust hung wetly in the fox's face. Kurama looked to be in serious pain as he spoke, but Hiei couldn't tell if there were tears running from those livened eyes or it was merely a gift from the rain.

"Why didn't you say it…" The question was nearly drowned. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Fingers came to remove the wayward crimson of Kurama's drenched hair. Lovingly, they passed down to his cheek that burned hot under the touch from the cold air. "I was unaware…" Was he speaking? He couldn't hear it through the roar of the pulse that deafened his ears. "I was confused... alarmed. Frightened."

It was the smaller demon who brought himself closer, pressing their foreheads together, reminiscent of that morning so many months ago. The cloth of his headband pushed against bare skin and their hair lay slick between them. He felt his lover tremble… was it from the cold? No. He was laughing… a silent, pained laughter mixed with fresh, lush sobs. Through them, the kitsune strained to speak.

"Will you say it now… again for me?"

The youkai split the smallest smile. "I've nearly broken every other foolish rule…" Very gently, Hiei kissed Kurama's gasping lips and let his arms wrap themselves strongly over the weeping shoulders. This was all that was needed; those alive eyes, that kindred soul, a passionate embrace… a lover's vow. "So yes, I love you."

They clung to each other desperately, chilled and weary… bodies soaked through in mind-numbing cold. But for all they cared; the rain could fall bracingly on them forever. Never mind the frigid world…

Together, their hearts burned warm enough.

~*FIN*~

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And so… I end it. The first ever story that I have fully written, who cares if it was merely five chapters! The 13 pages of chapter five make up for it! I hope you've enjoyed the child of my midnight musings and sad semi-operatic songs. And thank you for reading the work that came from them.

The songs of inspiration are as follows: `Broken Vow' by Josh Groban, `Unbreak my Heart' by Toni Braxton (the lyrics fit nearly perfectly ^^), `Better Off Alone' by DJ Alice, and lastly `The Scientist' by Coldplay. (Ugh… the world's most depressing song)

To the yaoi/shounen-ai fans that are known and unknown alike… I love you guys; you really make my twisted hobby worthwhile.

Haha… award speech over. I hope you liked it. Hell, I hope you loved it, because really… that's what it's all about.

Ja ne ~Green Bird