Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Everytime ❯ Everytime ( Chapter 1 )

By TheMuffinAlchemist

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sun was setting off in the distance, disappearing beneath the ground to go offer light to the opposite side of the world.

 

Opposite side of the world… Kurama thought sadly. Is that where you are, Hiei?

 

Kurama leaned back in his swivel chair, the seat creaking at the sudden weight thrown at it. The kitsune sighed, playing absentmindedly with a pencil and a floppy disk he was supposed to put his homework on. The open window and its burning sunset stared wordlessly back at Kurama, conveying nothing but a mocking indifference.

 

Kurama always found sunsets beautiful - he found all things in nature beautiful - but tonight, the sunset only made him sad. Its beauty rivaled Hiei's - the little fire demon who had so captured his interest…

 

At first it was just a friendly interest, a relationship of tender-hearted smiles and complete sentences without the word “Hn” or “die”. It took a long time for Kurama to build up that relationship, block by methodically-stacked block. Kurama knew he liked Hiei as a friend and was pretty sure - 99% sure - that Hiei had liked him too… just how much was the question.

 

Kurama was sure that Hiei liked him as more than a friend; he certainly felt that way about Hiei. After all, plenty of the signs were there: Hiei always smiled in his presence, always talked to him, told him his deepest, darkest secrets, remembered his birthday and even once gave him a hug. Kurama closed his eyes and savored the lingering memory of their first embrace…

 

Hiei had had a particularly rough day: harassed by Yusuke and Kuwabara, frustrated at being unable to kill humans, unpleasant reminiscences of the past among some of the things bothering him that evening. He had come to Kurama's window late at night, just as Kurama was ready to crawl into bed.

 

He remembered he had been very tired that night Hiei clambered in through his window. His eyes had itched with drowsiness from the hours of homework that had mounted up for him while he was away from school, assisting Yusuke on his Four Saint Beasts case. But he steeled himself to listen to every word Hiei said, every angered and frustrated syllable he uttered.

 

It had all paid off in the end. As a show of gratitude for listening to him, Hiei tentatively wrapped his hands around Kurama's back, then, feeling secure, leaned his head into his chest, his cheek rubbing against Kurama's unbuttoned shirt. Kurama smiled, melting under the demon's touch and suddenly feeling wide awake.

 

“Thanks,” grunted Hiei as he flitted out the open window two minutes later.

 

That was one week ago.

 

That means six days ago we… went out, Kurama thought as the vermillion sun crept down over the neighborhood, a sliver of its fiery light disappearing behind another house. Almost a week since then…

 

Kurama tapped the pencil to his lips, rocking back and forth in the swivel chair. He was, of course, thinking about the night after Hiei's first show of “more than friendship” affection.

 

Hiei had returned to Kurama's window the next night, finding it unlocked as he always did. It was very late at night, he could tell; the sky was pitch black, the only thing visible a few fading stars and a cloud-covered moon.

 

Hiei had let himself into the room, knowing Kurama was probably sleeping, like most humans did at this time of night.

 

He was right. Kurama was sprawled peacefully on the bed, covers receding slightly past his hips, exposing his chest. His long red hair somehow managed not to become a tangled, frizzy mess, and his eyes were closed tightly, a painful grimace on his face.

 

“Sweet dreams, Kurama?” Hiei asked sarcastically.

 

Kurama groaned and turned over in his sheets, facing Hiei with his elbow propped up on the mattress, his chin in his hand. His saucy green eyes permeated the glaring darkness as they slowly opened and focused on Hiei's barely-visible shadow.

 

“Actually, Hiei, I was dreaming about you,” Kurama replied.

 

Hiei face-faulted, but asked no further questions as the kitsune sat up straight in bed and smiled a smile only Hiei could see.

 

In truth, Kurama had been dreaming of Hiei, but it was not Hiei himself that was causing the pained expressions on his face. It was the fact that Kurama knew he couldn't have him… only in his dreams would the kitsune ever be able to embrace him as he wanted, smother the fire demon in the strong, deep-rooted love he had - and wanted so dearly - to offer. That fact alone caused Kurama the painful anguish of loneliness.

 

Kurama glanced over at the clock on his bedside table and sighed. “Hiei, it's three o'clock in the morning. What is it?”

 

Kurama remembered that that night he had sounded irritated when Hiei had woken him up. But he realized, with a twisted half-smirk, that he was overjoyed. He would gladly talk to Hiei at any time, no matter how ungodly the hour.

 

Hiei had answered Kurama, “Kitsune, let's go.” Kurama noticed the strained urgency in his voice and became worried.

 

“Go, Hiei?” he questioned. “What do you mean? What's wrong?”

 

Hiei shifted on his feet and replied brusquely, “I just… need to get away. Come with me?”

 

Kurama nodded. “Of course.”

 

Kurama had changed into a pair of soft white trousers and a loose-fitting T-shirt of the same color, slipped on a pair of shoes, and followed Hiei out the window. The two landed on the cold, damp grass and quickly tiptoed to the garage where Kurama's wine-colored Protégé sat waiting for them to jump in.

 

The seats were cold and Kurama shivered as his breath escaped in bluish puffs of fog. He shoved the keys in the ignition and started the car, neither driver nor passenger saying a word as Kurama sped off down the highway, tires thundering down the sparsely-populated road.

 

It was nearly six a.m. when Kurama finally stopped on some distant country back road. The sun was popping up over the horizon, and still, nobody spoke.

 

Kurama had at last broken the ice sheet of silence between them. “What's on your mind, Hiei?”

 

Hiei at first didn't answer. Then, slowly, he turned around and began talking. He talked for a long time, pouring his thoughts into Kurama, who absorbed them like a sponge. Eventually, he stopped, quite exhausted and feeling empty. A small smile twitched at his lips; it felt good to feel empty. Liberated from intense feelings of hatred, anger, sadness…

 

And now I'll never be able to make him feel this way again… thought Kurama as the sun slipped further beneath the ground's surface like a child drowning in the ocean. Never have a night like this… though all I want is just one more…

 

 

 

 

 

 

*~*~*

It was three a.m. when you woke me up

And we jumped in the car and drove as far as we could go

Just to get away

We talked about our lives

Until the sun came up

And now I'm thinking about

How I wish I could go back

Just for one more day

One more day with you

*~*~*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kurama scooted across his room in his swivel chair, bending over to rummage through his bottom desk drawer.

 

He quickly found what he was looking for: a picture of himself and Hiei, outside the high school building. The picture had been taken by Botan some time ago, but for what reason, Kurama couldn't remember. All that mattered was that it was there… the last tangible piece of Hiei that Kurama still owned.

 

With loving eyes, Kurama continued to stare at the picture, imagining how things could've been… How things could have been if six nights ago didn't happen…

 

The perfect image of Hiei's scarlet eyes seemed to bore right into Kurama. Their eyes met, and something within Kurama seemed to click. Maybe it was just his imagination, but Kurama felt a connection… The connection of kitsune and fire demon… It was as if the real Hiei were staring directly at him…

 

Kurama turned the picture over with a heavy heart. This is all you left behind, Hiei… he thought. Since you went away, this the only comfort I am able to obtain in my lonely life. The life you tore in two and threw into sadness.

 

Please, Hiei, come back. Just for one more day…

 

 

 

 

 

 

*~*~*

Everytime I see your face

Everytime you look my way

It's like it all falls into place

And everything feels right

Ever since you walked away

You left my life in disarray

All I want is one more day

All I need is one more day with you

*~*~*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kurama once again reached out to the comforting hand his memories provided and continued to watch the film-like production of memory play behind blank eyes. Only inches of the sun were visible from Kurama's window.

 

Six days ago - five now, Kurama though, since it was morning at that time - after their midnight drive, Kurama had thought it best that they start to head home; his mother would surely be worried by now.

 

Hiei agreed, and the two jumped back into the car for another long, wordless drive.

 

Just like on the way up, nobody said anything as Kurama drove on and on for miles. They passed by several towns, welcome signs whizzing by in the blink of an eye. The landscape and scenery changed quickly from rural to urban and back again. There was some loose traffic as early morning commuters made their way to work, but other than that, there was nothing that had gotten in the way of the trip back home.

 

Nothing except for the flat tire… Kurama thought with a smile. He could still recollect the jarring thump that jolted both him and Hiei out of their seats.

 

“Dammit, Kurama! What did you hit?!” Hiei yelled, jumping to negative conclusions as usual.

 

“Nothing, Hiei, we just got a flat tire.” Kurama had stepped out of the Protégé and examined the damage. “We just have to walk into the next town and go buy another tire. Come on, Hiei.”

 

Hiei jumped out and Kurama retrieved his wallet from the glove box. Kurama looked around. The road was deserted. He was sure that nobody would steal their car as they went to get an extra tire.

 

So they had continued their silent journey once more, this time on foot.

 

There seemed to be nothing around for miles and miles. What few buildings there were in the ghost town were all empty, dusty windows whispering “CLOSED” and only watching as Kurama and Hiei trekked on through the crumbling, dirty pavement.

 

They passed an outhouse, a dilapidated pawn shop, and a restaurant with a dead squirrel lying on the doorstep. There was no sign of any auto repair shop.

 

“So this is the rest of the world…” Hiei commented as they passed another unfortunate roadkill victim. Though how there was roadkill there, Kurama thought, I don't know. It seemed as if civilization has fled the town, taking their cars with them.

 

Finally, after nearly half an hour of walking, they stumbled upon the only shop that seemed to be open - Captain Fixy's Fix-It Pit Stop. Kurama entered the building, Hiei dawdling behind him.

 

The lone worker inside had been most pleasant to them, helping them pick out a tire and even recommending a good place to eat for breakfast just across the street. Only then had Kurama realized how hungry he was.

 

After thanking the Captain Fixy's Fix-It Pit Stop guy, the two migrated to an old, 50's-esque waffle house across the road. A chubby old lady with a blonde wig welcomed them, chattering on in a high-pitched voice about her niece in Tokyo who just recently had a baby and she's only twelve years old. Kurama and Hiei had only half-listened as they immersed themselves in the menu full of scrumptious items, Hiei deciding on two large ice cream sundaes while Kurama had settled for a more conventional breakfast.

 

As they had walked out of the waffle house, they noticed an antique souvenir shop next door. They were just putting out their “open sign, and Kurama pushed Hiei into the store.

 

It was basically full of junk that neither of them needed, but Hiei couldn't help but covet the large gumball machine with its “edible marbles”. Kurama happily spent all of his leftover money on it - as well as a pretty golden hair comb for his mother.

 

Kurama smiled, remembering how he had to carry the huge gumball machine all the way back to their deserted car. It had been hot that morning, much unlike the night they had left, and the two of them had taken their shirts off and again, Kurama closed his eyes to the real world and transported himself back into his memories, to the happy feeling he had when he was with Hiei.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*~*~*

When the car broke down

We just kept walkin' along

`Till we hit this town

There was nothing there at all

But that was all okay

We spent all our money on stupid things

But if I looked back now, I'd probably give it all away

Just for one more day

One more day with you

*~*~*

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two had eventually made it back to the car and drove smoothly for the next several miles; Hiei had even fallen asleep. Still living through his beautiful memories, Kurama's eyes lingered on every detail in Hiei's body: his petite shape, the soft folds in his clothing, the way his lips pursed together as he slept.

 

We could've really had something, Hiei, Kurama sighed. You and me, we could've been perfect… but you ran. Now I'll never truly know…

 

Kurama found himself watching the sunset from behind his bedroom window again as he thought about Hiei. Actually, he was more thinking of himself rather than Hiei, thinking of how he could've changed things… changed things so that he wouldn't be sitting here in his room all alone.

 

I wouldn't have been so forward, he thought. I wouldn't have been so eager to push my feelings onto Hiei… I would've changed everything, Hiei, if I could only see you one more time…

 

 

 

 

 

 

*~*~*

Everytime I see your face

Everytime you look my way

It's like it all falls into place

Everything feels right

Ever since you walked away

My life's been in disarray

All I need is one more day with you

*~*~*

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kurama scooted his swivel chair over to the right, giving him a new view of the scarlet sunset. Barely a sliver of the largest celestial star was visible, and as the sun faded from view, so did Kurama's memories of Hiei. Only a fleeting image of the fire demon flickered like the dying flame of a candle before Kurama's eyes - a single image of Hiei sitting on the windowsill, knees bent, face relaxed and calm, serene and beautiful.

 

Hiei had sat on Kurama's windowsill so many times that the kitsune had lost count. Sometimes he would be there in the early morning just as the sun rose, just to say hi; sometimes he would wait all afternoon for Kurama to come home from school to talk; and sometimes he would even creep in during the dead of night when he thought Kurama was sleeping and just sit there, watching him dream.

 

Kurama sighed and broke his gaze from the window. What I wouldn't give to have you just come to my window once more… I need you, Hiei… Please come…

 

 

 

 

 

 

*~*~*

Now I'm sittin' here, like we used to do

I think about my life and how there's nothing I won't do

Just for one more day

One more day with you

*~*~*

 

 

 

 

 

 

But, of course, Hiei did not come. Hiei was gone, wandering somewhere far, far away, not wanting to be found.

 

I'm so sorry, Hiei, Kurama said in his mind, hoping to reach Hiei, but only embracing the painful memory of the night Hiei left.

 

It had been nighttime, barely a day after their adventure out of town, and there was a light mist of sprinkling rain. Hiei had climbed in through the window as usual to take shelter from the rain. Kurama had handed him a towel and helped him dry off, his fingers lingering much longer than necessary on Hiei's damp skin.

 

He had been so sure… so sure that Hiei liked him the same way he liked him back. It had been so crushing, so devastating, to find out he was wrong.

 

Kurama had taken the ultimate dare, wrapping his arms around Hiei's bony shoulders and coming closer and closer to his body. Hiei had done nothing, only stood there, letting the fox envelope him in his arms.

 

He had brought his lips to Hiei's, closing his eyes and waiting to finally taste the beautiful fire demon he had grown to love so much.

 

But Hiei had pulled away.

 

“What do you think you're doing?!” he yelled, jerking roughly from Kurama's arms.

 

Kurama was surprised. “H-Hiei,” he stuttered. “I-I'm sorry, I thought—“

 

Hiei shoved his sword in Kurama's face, the blade point just barely touching Kurama's throat. Kurama's heart had nearly stopped; for the first time in his life, he was truly afraid of Hiei.

 

Then Hiei spoke, his voice dangerously low and with a fire that matched his angered, narrowed eyes. “Well, you thought wrong, Kurama,” he spat. “I'm not like that, and don't you dare touch me ever again, or I will make sure both you and your stupid human mother suffer for the rest of your pathetic lives!” With a spiteful grunt, Hiei sheathed his sword and jumped out the window.

 

Kurama hadn't seen him since.

 

Back in his room, the kitsune sighed mournfully. He would give anything to see Hiei again. He would give anything to turn back time and take away the kiss that ended their relationship.

 

“That's all I want,” he told the sun outside. “All I need is just another day with Hiei…”

 

The sun had gone down, sunset disappearing and replacing the sky with the dark hues of violet and navy. There was only one true difference between the sunset and Hiei. The sun would come back, but Hiei would not.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*~*~*

Everytime I see your face

Everytime you look my way

It's like it all falls into place

Everything feels right (everything feels right)

Everytime I hear your name

Everytime I feel the same

It's like it all falls into place

Everything feels right

 

One more day

Just one more day

It's all I need, just one more day with you

*~*~*