Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Bugs ❯ Bugs - Chapter 14 ( Chapter 14 )

Hiei awoke to a dull throbbing in his chest. It was two days later, and he still hurt. His youki was slowly returning, and his wound was slowly healing, but he hated having to lay in the bed all day, every day. He felt useless as Kurama tended to his needs. The fire demon had to admit, though, it was pleasant to lay there and listen to the fox's voice as Kurama spoke and read to him. He was reminded of a time he had been paralyzed and blinded. Kurama was just as attentive to him now as he had been then, but with one major difference: Kurama was still eating this time. Kurama's somewhat sensitive stomach had begun to act up when Hiei had gotten hurt, but Shiori had taken to preparing him very light, very bland meals, and he forced himself to eat. So far it was working.

 

The fire demon turned his head to his right. Kurama still slumbered beside him. The kitsune's face was peaceful; the lines of worry had faded while he slept. Hiei knew the lines would be back when Kurama awoke, but he relished this moment, being able to gaze at the kitsune's beauty without reserve. All too soon, Kurama stirred and began to awaken.

 

“Good morning, Love.” Kurama greeted his mate. “How do you feel?”

 

“Still sore, but I'll live.” Hiei replied. Kurama smiled, and sat up.

 

“I want to take a look at that wound again today.” the fox said, stretching. Kurama took a few minutes to clean himself up and then returned to Hiei's side. Gently, he peeled back the edge of the green paste-glue to see the wound beneath. Smiling, he looked at his bedridden lover. “It looks great, Hiei. It's begun to heal much faster overnight. I'll see if I can take some more of the paste off.” With that, Kurama began carefully separating bits of the green, gummy paste from the main slathering. More and more came off, revealing pink, new skin, freshly healed. Soon, all the paste was gone. All that remained of the near fatal wound was a band of pink, healing skin. Even that scar would fade completely, leaving Hiei's chest unmarred. Scars on demons were rare, and only formed from wounds inflicted with substantial youki. This was a flesh wound and would disappear completely.

 

“At this rate, you may be up and around by this evening, love.” Kurama said eagerly. Hiei just smiled at this. He could not wait to get out of that bed.

 

Kurama had kept Hiei in the guest bedroom the entire time. Kurama had also stayed in the guest bedroom, leaving their bedroom upstairs unused. Hiei missed his own bed.

 

A soft knock at the door caught both the demons' attention. “Come in.” Kurama called out.

 

“Hey, how's the patient?” Shiori said brightly, sticking her head in the door.

 

“I'm feeling much better.” Hiei said.

 

“The paste is off now, Mother. Hiei is healing on his own.” Kurama supplied.

 

“That's wonderful!” Shiori was grateful to the demon for saving her family, and had told him so on several occasions. She was eager for him to recover. “When will you be on your feet again, Hiei?”

 

“Maybe later today. It depends on what the warden had to say.” Hiei said playfully, glancing at Kurama. The fox just rolled his eyes.

 

“The warden says he'll be right back with your breakfast.” the kitsune jibed. With a small peck on Hiei's cheek, Kurama left to get them some food. In the kitchen, he was greeted by his stepfather.

 

“How is he doing?” the human asked. Kurama appraised the man as he answered. Hatanaka had been much more accepting of their relationship since Hiei had saved Shuu-kun's life. He had left the demons to their own devices, and completely stopped trying to change them or interfere with their lives. He still felt the urge to do so, but he restrained himself. He had made arrangements to see the therapist every week, and hopefully soon even the urges would fade. Hatanaka had also allowed Shuu-kun to visit the demons without supervision. In the past he had always been by his son's side, a feeble attempt to police what was shown to his boy. Now that the relationship was common knowledge, he allowed the preteen to interact with the demons as if nothing were amiss. He did request, however, that Kurama was not actually in the bed with Hiei when Shuu-kun was in the room. Kurama understood this; it would have been improper for him to be in the bed with anyone, male or female, when the boy was present.

 

“He's doing much better today. I think he may be up and walking by tonight.” Kurama answered. Hatanaka nodded.

 

“I need to go out for a bit, Shuuichi. There's a problem at the office. Even on vacation, they need me. I'll be back this evening.” the man said. Kurama nodded. Within a few minutes, Hatanaka was gone.

 

“Hey, how's Hiei?” came a voice from the living room. Shuu-kun had awakened, and was stumbling into the kitchen. The boy looked funny in his shorts and tee shirt, complete with bed head.

 

“He's doing better. Your father will be out today; he had to go to work to fix something.” Kurama answered.

 

“Typical.” Shuu-kun moaned. “They can't get along without him. He's always going in early, staying late, and going on trips. That's why we hardly ever go away, except for a day trip here and there, or if he takes me on a business trip with him. I can't wait until the next family reunion.” the boys mumbled.

 

“Reunion?” Kurama asked with interest. His own family observed no such tradition.

 

“Yeah. Every couple of years we all get together for three or four days and try to out-impress each other with wonderful stories of how perfect our lives are. Can't wait until he tells them about this past week.” the boy responded sarcastically. At Kurama's strange glance, Shuu-kun explained, “Dad got all his prejudices from his folks. The whole family is super-right-wing-mega-conservative. Dad's one of the open-minded ones. I think he may just keep you and Hiei a secret from them all. They disowned his cousin; they'd drop all of us in a heartbeat as well.”

 

“I see.” Kurama said thoughtfully. Already he began to contrive excuses not to attend a function involving his new, extended family.

 

By this time, breakfast was done. Kurama placed a plate on the table for his stepbrother, and took the rest in to feed his lover.

 

After breakfast, Hiei drifted off to sleep. His quickened healing was sapping his strength. Gently kissing the hiyoukai on the forehead, Kurama slipped out of the room and silently closed the door. When Shiori looked at him quizzically, he said,”He's asleep.” The human nodded and smiled.

 

“I'm glad he will be alright, Shuuichi.” she said. “Son, do you have some time to talk to me while the others are out and Hiei sleeps?” Kurama nodded and joined his mother on the couch.

 

“Son,” Shiori began. “Hiei revealed some of his past that surprised me greatly. I had no idea he had formed a gang and tried to take over the world.” Shiori paused for her son to respond.

 

“Yes, Mother, he did. That was quite a while ago, and I am certain that his motivations now are very different.” Kurama replied, knowing where the conversation was headed.

 

“Sweetheart, do you know that he is still in contact with the surviving member of his gang?” Shiori asked, deciding the direct approach would be the best.

 

Without hesitation and without flinching, Kurama replied, “Yes, I know of this.”

 

“And you approve of it? This other demon could be dangerous. What if they try again?” Shiori asked, her voice laden with concern.

 

“Mother, they won't...”

 

“How can you be so certain, Son?”

 

“Mother,” Kurama sighed deeply. “I am the surviving demon.”

 

Shiori looked at her son with blank eyes for a moment. “You? You broke into Spirit World and took the artifacts? Hiei said his companion's motives were personal. Who did you know that was...” Suddenly the woman's eyes grew wide as she realized the truth of what had happened. “For...me?” she whispered. Kurama nodded.

 

“I wished for your health and happiness, Mother.” he admitted softly.

 

“Shuuichi, Son, don't you realize I could never be happy if I lost you?” Shiori breathed, tears in her eyes. She reached out and drew her son into a fierce embrace. “And for this you risked your life, then served Spirit World on probation?” she murmured.

 

Kurama drew back. “Yes, Mother, I did. But I'm not all bad. I never got detention, after all.” he joked. With tears still glimmering in her eyes, Shiori laughed a little.

 

“That's my Shuuichi. Perfect student, perfect son, demon thief. And I love him all the more for it.” she said, hugging him again. Relieved, Kurama hugged her back. After a moment, Shiori finally broke the hug.

 

“Shuuichi, I keep learning new things about you all the time, shocking things. I'm not a young woman anymore, and I'm not getting any younger, so if you have any other news that may give me a heart attack, it may be safer for you to tell me about it now instead of later.” she suggested.

 

Laughing, Kurama shook his head. “No more news. I have some harrowing tales of my adventures, but I think you would rather never hear them.” Shiori regarded him for a moment.

 

“Well, it's obvious that you survived them all, so if you wish to share them, I would like to hear about them. Although I guess I wouldn't blame you if you censored them for me. I tend to worry about you; I'm your mother, after all.” Kurama smiled and nodded, and the two spent the afternoon chatting about Kurama's various adventures. They did not stop until the guest room door opened, and a sleepy-looking Hiei stepped out.

 

The hiyoukai had healed considerably while he slept, and was now determined to keep himself out of that bed. Despite Kurama's best efforts, Hiei would not lay back down. Finally the fox gave up, and settled for following Hiei everywhere. Deciding this could be fun, the fire demon spent several hours wandering aimlessly around the ground level of the house, leading his overprotective fox from room to room. Shiori watched merrily, smiling and feeling good about her son's relationship.

 

When Hatanaka returned at dinnertime he brought home a large meal. He also carried a large something or other wrapped in paper and covered with a blanket. “I have great news.” he announced when everyone had gathered around the table to eat. “I spoke to the exterminator. The roaches are gone, and we will be able to go home tomorrow afternoon, a smidge earlier than he had anticipated.” Everyone at the table was relieved by this news. Although they had made leaps and bounds together as a family, getting apart would be a large step forward in their healing. The family enjoyed a pleasant evening together eating their meal and making small talk.

 

When dinner was over, Hatanaka volunteered to help Shiori clean up the kitchen, giving the demons some time alone. Smiling his thanks, Kurama took Hiei to their own room. The two had to settle for cuddling and talking, as Hiei was still a bit too weak for much more. Both knew that the hiyoukai would be back to normal by the following night when the humans had left.

 

The night passed quickly, and the next morning found the Hatanakas packing their belongings and getting ready to go home. Hatanaka addressed both the demons when they were sitting down to breakfast in the kitchen.

 

“Shuuichi, Hiei, I want to thank you for your hospitality over the past week and a half. I appreciate it. I got you a gift.” he said, gesturing to the mysterious package he had brought home the previous night. The demons looked at each other for a moment. Finally Kurama arose and peeled back the paper. Inside the package was the mirror he had admired at the restaurant several days earlier; the mirror with the rose set into it. Also in the package was a long, curved object, wrapped in cloth. This Hatanaka handed to Hiei. Slowly the hiyoukai unwrapped the parcel. Inside was his katana, expertly repaired.

 

“Thank you Hatanaka-san.” Kurama said with a small bow. Hiei nodded his thanks as well as he examined the blade. The craftsmanship was unparalleled. When he looked at the human with questioning eyes, Hatanaka explained.

 

“A friend of mine collects weapons, and knows an excellent swordsmith. He arranged the repairs for me, and expedited them.”

 

“I would be interested in meeting this smith.” Hiei said. The work was flawless, and the blade would be just as strong as it had been originally, a feat that most smithies could not pull off. Hatanaka nodded.

 

“We'll go and see him sometime. Forgive me if it is not today, though, as we have much to do.” he said. The demons nodded.

 

With that, the visiting family loaded their belongings into their car and bid the demons farewell. Kurama waved and watched them pull out of the driveway before he closed the door and turned around to face his mate.

 

“Well, it's over. We're back to our lives again. Where were we?” the kitsune asked with a glimmer in his green eyes. Catching on, Hiei stepped over to Kurama, pressing his body to the fox's.

 

“We were right about here.” he murmured, leaning in towards Kurama. Just as their lips were about to touch, Hiei blurred away, starting another of their chases throughout the house.

 

A red topped blur careened through the hallway, followed closely by a black topped blur. Feinting a turn into the guest room, the red headed figure spun gracefully, just out of reach of the smaller pursuer. With a smirk, the black haired figured disappeared from sight completely. Kurama suddenly felt slender, strong arms wrap around him from behind. “Caught you, Fox.”

 

Kurama leaned his head back and sighed as the hands clasped in front of him began to trace the contours of his chest. The fox turned and grasped his mate tightly. The two moved into their bedroom, eager for some private time without any interruptions. Just as they were getting onto the bed, still wrapped around each other, the telephone began to ring.

 

The two demons paused and looked at each other, both feeling a terrible sense of deja vu. Each gave a small shrug and they continued where they had left off, ignoring the machine, the caller, and pretty much the rest of the outside world.

 

--

 

A/N- well, there it is. It's done. Yes, I left myself the option of writing about a Hatanaka family reunion. I am debating whether I want to or not. It is NOT high up on my list of things to work on.

 

There will be a third installment to this saga. The first major part was Coming Clean, which is still being written. Bugs was part two. Part three has not yet been posted anywhere, but it is called Akambo, and will be coming shortly.

 

I do have some grammar revisions to perform on this story. Although it is finished, it may pop up as revised from time to time as I go through and edit some of the more hideous boo boos out of it. Although I never found a good computerized grammar guide, (I'm beginning to think that is an oxymoron) I did find a good online grammar and style guide, and it has reminded me of many things I knew in high school and have conveniently forgotten since then. I will be revising and reposting slowly, as I want to work on my ongoing stories first and fix the old ones up as time permits.

 

A HUGE WHOPPING thank you to everyone who has read this story, e-mailed me, reviewed me, and been so patient as I tried (mostly unsuccessfully) to fend off reality long enough to write. I was considering putting in an ending lemon, but after two and a half, I figured any more would make it bitter. I want to keep the lemons sparse so they will be appreciated more. Sorry if that disappoints you. (I consider chapter eight to contain a lemon and a half, that's where two and a half came from. That's about right for a nice glass of lemonade, no?) Don't worry, Akambo will have its fair share, and Coming Clean may still get another, or two if the mood really hits me.

 

Thank you to my most recent reviewers:

 

KitsuneSilver

Kuranga108

SweetMisery1

Candy?

Ma-zoku

kettricken

FranceGamble

Tetsumi

Sikandra

Neutral Love