Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Bugs ❯ Bugs - Chapter 13 ( Chapter 13 )

A/N-Don't own `em.

 

--

 

As the morning turned into afternoon, Kurama remained by Hiei's bedside. The hiyoukai's temperature gradually began to rise back towards normal. Every twenty minutes the kitsune would feed his mate another mug of the blood plant extract. Soon the saucepan was nearly empty.

 

In the early evening hours, a soft groan from the bed brought Kurama out of his depressed musings. Hiei shifted his head slightly, but did not open his eyes. Instantly, Kurama was on his knees by the bedside, grasping Hiei's hand with one of his, and gently stroking the hiyoukai's cheek with the other. “Hiei, Love, wake up. I'm right here, Love, come back to me.” Kurama urged, as the smaller demon's eyes squeezed shut a few times without opening.

 

Finally Hiei slowly opened his eyes. Disoriented, he just stared at the ceiling for a few minutes, trying to focus. Slowly he realized someone was talking to him, and turned his head weakly to look at the source of the voice. Kurama was beside him. The fox's mouth was moving, and the youkai heard sounds, but he could not recognize them as words just yet. Unsure what was going on, Hiei tried to sit up.

 

Kurama grasped the hiyoukai's shoulders and gently pushed him back onto his back. Slowly the words he was saying became clear to Hiei. “Mmmm mmmm mmm hurt and can't sit up yet, Love.” Hiei tried to reply, but his mouth felt gummy and tasted of blood. Exhausted and weak, the demon gave in and just let his head rest back on the pillow below him.

 

“That's right, Love, just relax.” Kurama said when Hiei let his head fall back. “I was so worried. Welcome back, Love.” The kitsune said, unable to tear his gaze from his lover, or his hands from touching the chilly skin. Kurama was afraid that if he let go, Hiei would fall back into unconsciousness and never wake up.

 

Hiei finally found his voice, and asked hoarsely, “What happened? Why do I taste blood?”

 

Kurama smiled and replied, “You saved Shuu-kun from a demon attack by pushing him out of the way and blocking the blow.” Hiei nodded, he remembered that much, but after that was a blank. “Your sword broke from the impact, and the strike landed on you, Love. You were slashed across the chest. You're pretty much glued together with plant paste right now, so please try not to move. You lost far too much blood, so I fed you Makai Blood Plant extract to restore it. It seems to have worked.”

 

“I'm cold.” Hiei said softly.

 

“I know, Love, you have been ever since you lost all that blood. I have you covered in heating pads.” Hiei's blank stare told Kurama that he had no idea what a heating pad was. “It's a very tiny blanket that plugs in and heats up to very high temperatures, at least, high for a human. Humans use them for pain relief; I am using them to warm you. You should continue to feel warmer as you recover. I estimate that in a few days you will be back to normal.” Hiei relaxed at this, and gave his care into the hands of his fox.

 

Kurama just continued to touch the fire demon, either running his fingers through the dark hair, or gently rubbing Hiei's chilly arms. They did not speak. In a short time, Hiei began to feel the pain of the wound across his chest. Kurama noticed his mate's discomfort. “The plant paste has some anesthetic properties, but they only work on the most superficial levels of the wound. The deep pain can still be felt. I'm sorry, Love, but I have nothing that will ease the pain without making you bleed again.” the fox said apologetically. Hiei just nodded slightly. The paste was dulling most of the pain anyway; Hiei should have been in agony rather than some slight discomfort. Kurama continued to give Hiei the blood plant extract until the entire batch was gone. Each time he took a sip, Hiei grimaced at the coppery taste. While some demons craved the taste of blood, the half koorime was utterly repulsed by it. But this extract was the fastest way to regain his strength, so he fought the urge to spit it out.

 

About an hour later, Shiori came ito the room bearing a tray of dinner for her son. As she set down the tray, she noticed the half closed, crimson eyes following her movements. “Hiei? Are you awake?” she asked softly.

 

“Yes.” came a weak reply. Still touching Hiei, Kurama turned to his mother, smiling.

 

Shiori smiled widely. “I'm so glad. We've all been very worried about you.” The woman took Hiei's almost warm hand into her own. “Thank you so much for saving our family, Hiei.” she said softly, her eyes and her voice laden with emotion. Hiei nodded in response.

 

“Oh, Shuuichi,” Shiori continued. “I only brought one plate; I didn't realize Hiei had awakened. I'll go get another.” With that she hurried out to the kitchen.

 

Kurama just smiled. The kitsune reluctantly let go of his mate and went to retrieve the tray of food. Sitting back down on the chair beside the bed, he began to gather the food in his chopsticks. “Open up, Love.” he directed. Hiei complied. Had anyone else been present, he would have balked at being fed in front of them. But he and Kurama had learned to trust and rely on each other, and in the presence of his fox, Hiei was not ashamed. Kurama began feeding him slowly.

 

Shiori returned quickly, and paused in the doorway, watching the pair in silence. She saw the gentle care her son gave the injured hiyoukai. They really were a wonderful couple. Shiori cleared her throat before she entered, giving the demons time to compose themselves. She was aware that Hiei hated to be seen in a vulnerable state.

 

“Shuuichi, I'll just put this here.” Shiori said, depositing the fresh tray on the bureau and leaving quickly.

 

“Do you really think she thought we didn't know she was there, Fox?” Hiei asked with amusement.

 

“No, I think she just wanted to respect our privacy and your pride.” Kurama answered. The two grinned at each other as the fox continued feeding the fire demon.

 

After they had finished eating, Kurama left his beloved for just a few minutes to take the dirty dishes into the kitchen. The rest of the family took this as a sign that visiting hours were now open. Shuu-kun was the first to venture into the guest bedroom after Kurama had returned.

 

“Hiei?” he asked quietly, skulking by the door shyly. “Are you awake?”

 

“Yes.” the hiyoukai answered. The human boy entered slowly, timidly.

 

“Come in, Shuu-kun; it's alright.” Kurama prompted. Hesitantly, the boy approached. He saw the green paste spread over Hiei's chest, and the heating pads that still covered his form. The youkai's pale features scared him, and he began to draw away.

 

“Shuu-kun, will you sit here for a moment? I need to get something from upstairs.” Kurama said, standing up and guiding the boy to sit in his chair. With a small wink to his mate, the kitsune left them alone in the room. He knew Hiei had taken a liking to the boy and would say the right things to reassure him that he was not to blame.

 

Silence hung heavily in the room. Shuuichi-kun had no idea what to say to the demon that had nearly died to save him. After a few failed attempts to speak by the human, Hiei spoke. “Are you alright?”

 

This seemed to break the dam holding Shuu-kun back. “I'm so sorry, Hiei. I should have moved, I should have fought back, I should have run, or punched, or something, but I just stood there, and you had to save me, and I just watched, and you got hurt, and then Shu..er, Kurama grabbed you and ran, and then I just stood there, and then...”

 

“Stop.” Hiei said softly, effectively silencing what may have become the world's longest run-on sentence. “You could not have beaten those demons without training. You could not have outrun them with training. You would have been killed no matter what you did. Your reaction was perfectly normal for a ningen boy who has never faced a demon before.”

 

“But my brother...” Shuu-kun began.

 

“Kurama is no mere ningen boy. He has been fighting demons for over a millennia. He knows his strengths, and more importantly, he knows his weaknesses. That is where you are inexperienced. You must learn your weaknesses. Then you will understand that there was nothing you could have done, and you will stop blaming yourself.” Hiei said.

 

“Will you teach me?” SHuu-kun asked softly.

 

“If your mother and father agree, I will teach you what I can. Yusuke may be able to teach you as well, since he was human and will understand you better.” the hiyoukai replied.

 

“Was human?” Shuu-kun repeated, confused. Hiei explained.

 

When Kurama returned, he paused by the door to eavesdrop on the two inside, trying to determine if he should enter or give them more time alone. He smiled when he heard Hiei relaying some of the detective group's exploits to the boy. Apparently Shuu-kun felt better. Kurama entered the room smiling.

 

“Shuu, er, Kurama! Hiei said he could train me to defend myself if Mom and Dad are okay with it. And Yusuke used to be human but died a few times and is a demon. And you guys do so much cool stuff. I want to come along on your next mission.” Shuuichi-kun began rattling off eagerly.

 

When the boy stopped for a breath Kurama interjected, “No. You will not be coming along on any missions.” Shuu-kun seemed to deflate at that.

 

“That's what Hiei said, too. But I don't see why. With a few lessons I could help you guys out.” the boy said, pouting.

 

“Because we already have a full team, and we all know how to work together. When you throw in a variable, things get out of control. A few seconds is all it takes for things to break irreparably out of hand.” Kurama answered.

 

“Like how?” Shuu-kun pouted. He didn't see how a few seconds here and there could matter so much.

 

“Like this.” Hiei said from the bed. When the boy turned back to the hiyoukai, he remembered the events of the last day that had somehow slipped his mind in his excitement and delusions of grandeur.

 

“Oh. Sorry. I guess you're right. But I can still be ready in case a demon ever comes after me or Mom and Dad again, right?” he said.

 

“Of course.” Kurama answered. “That's the point. Now, I think maybe it's time for you to get ready for bed.” Taking the hint, Shuu-kun said goodnight to Hiei and left to get ready for bed.

 

“He's a great kid, but he really needs to calm down a bit.” Kurama noted after the boy had left.

 

“True.” Hiei agreed. “He does have keen powers of perception, though. Perhaps he should speak to the Oaf before we train him.” Hiei observed. Kurama nodded his agreement.

 

As the evening grew later, Kurama began to grow drowsy by Hiei's bedside. “Fox, you need sleep.” the hiyoukai remarked.

 

“No, I'm Fi-i-i-ne.” Kurama insisted, the final word distorted by a large yawn.

 

“Fox, don't argue. You haven't been well this week either. Go, get a shower, get changed, and then come down here and keep me warm.” Hiei suggested.

 

“Mmm. I think I like that idea, Love.” Kurama replied, smiling. The fox kissed Hiei on the cheek, and left to do just that.

 

A few minutes after the kitsune had departed, a head peeked into the room. A deep, male voice asked, “Hiei? Are you awake.”

 

“Yes.” Hiei responded, for the third time that night. He thought it was funny how each member of the family asked the exact same thing upon entering the room. Hatanaka slowly entered and gingerly sat down beside the bed.

 

“How are you feeling?” the human asked.

 

“Like I have a deep slash across my chest.” Hiei answered, very matter-of-factly. His patience with the human had worn out when the man had struck his fox.

 

Hatanaka knew this. Still, he felt he had to speak to the demon. “I wanted to thank you, Hiei, for saving my son and Shiori. Also for saving me. I don't know what I would have done if they had... I saw how upset Shuuichi was over your injury, and all I could think was that that would be me crying over my son's death if you had not intervened. I am in your debt for saving my family. Your family, too, I guess. I mean, we are your family, by marriage, sort of... I don't know how to say what I want to say. I don't think I even know what I want to say. This whole week has been so confusing, and now I owe you so much. I guess I want to just say thank you.”

 

Hiei just accepted the man's speech without comment. He wasn't sure about this family thing. He had accepted Shiori as a mother figure, and had taken a brotherly liking to Shuuichi-kun, but he was decidedly uneasy about Hatanaka.

 

After a long silence. Hatanaka smiled weakly at Hiei. “I hope you feel better, Hiei.” he said before leaving the room.

 

Kurama saw Hatanaka leaving Hiei's room from the hallway balcony. After the human had left, the fox immediately went to his mate's side to be sure nothing was amiss.

 

 

“Hiei?” Kurama called softly as he entered the room.

 

“Yes, Fox?” came the low reply.

 

“Is everything alright?” Kurama eyes his mate carefully, looking for any response to the conversation with the human.

 

“Fine, Fox. He wanted to thank me for saving his son. He called me family. I'm still not sure about him, though.” Hiei replied.

 

“He was very concerned about you. He helped to treat you,” Kurama stopped at the strange look Hiei gave him. “Love, it was accept his aid or spontaneously sprout two more hands. He did help, and he was very upset for you. He also tried to comfort me when I thought you were going to... He's trying, Hiei.” Kurama concluded, not wanting to think about how close to death Hiei had been.

 

“I know, Fox. I am trying, too.” Hiei responded. It was true, the hiyoukai was trying very hard to get along with the ningen. After all, he had not killed, maimed, or charred the man when the altercation with Kurama took place. Kurama nodded, and climbed onto the bed next to Hiei.

 

“I can't come under the covers with you, Love. I'm sorry. It's too hot under there.” Hiei nodded. Kurama snuggled up to the fire demon as best he could and settled down to sleep. When Shiori looked in on them thirty minutes later, both were sleeping peacefully.

 

--

 

A/N-I foresee one more chapter inthis story's future. A huge tahnk you to my reviewers:

 

Candy?

 

Harmonie Des Anges

 

Sikandra

 

Kyoroxmysox.

 

kikira-san

 

SweetMisery1

 

Kuranga108

 

morwen_re

 

Shinoga

 

Krystal-Nyte